Fuel cell assembly with an improved gas sensor

US6852434B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC. · US

Inventors

• Michael Reindl · West Bend, US
• Thomas Roesch · Friedrichshafen, DE
• Ralf Moos · Friedrichshafen, DE
• Thomas Birkhofer · Immenstadt im Allgäu, DE
• Wilhelm Mueller · Nieheim, DE
• Ralf Mueller · Aulendorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 15, 2000
• Grant date: Feb 8, 2005
• Expiry date: Jan 7, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/5313
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A fuel cell assembly has an improved gas sensor. The improved sensor measures the gas concentrations in the interior fluid passages within a fuel cell assembly or within fluid passages employed to transport reactant fluid streams to or from the fuel cell(s). The improved sensor is particularly suited for use in the environment within the reactant fluid passages of a solid polymer fuel cell assembly and is tolerant to the presence of water. The sensor employs an active electrode; a passive electrode; and an electrolyte in contact with both electrodes. The electrolyte is disposed on a substrate and a heater is located in thermal contact with the substrate for heating the substrate and the electrolyte.