Fuel cell mixture sensor
US6842017B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 11, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor (40) includes a single capacitor (42) that operates in two different modes to obtain capacitance and conductance information when a mixture flows between the electrodes (44, 46) of the capacitor. The inventive sensor is particularly well-suited for making methanol content determinations within a mixture used to provide hydrogen to supply a fuel cell. Two different oscillators (180, 182) are selectively used to obtain the conductance and capacitance information. In a disclosed embodiment, a capacitor includes an outer electrode (44) that is received around an inner electrode (46) such that there is a spacing between the electrodes through which the mixture flows. The mixture acts as a dielectric of the capacitor allowing the conductance and capacitance measurements to be made. The example sensor includes a temperature sensor (76) conveniently supported within the inner electrode (46).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.