Fuel cell having a thermo-responsive polymer incorporated therein
US6699611B2 · kind B2 · utility
54Cited by
3References
17Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A thermo-responsive polymer is incorporated into a fuel cell (50) in order to maintain optimum hydration of the polymer electrolyte membrane. The thermo-responsive polymer (52) is situated proximate to the membrane electrode assembly (54) such that fuel or oxidant gas passes (56) through the thermo-responsive polymer to the membrane electrode assembly. The thermo-responsive polymer swells or shrinks in response to changes in the operating temperature of the membrane electrode assembly, altering the flow rate of the fuel or oxidant gas passing through the thermo-responsive polymer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.