Fuel cell system, and method of protecting a fuel cell from freezing
US6955861B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell (1) having a water passage and passage for gas required for power generation, a first protection device (5, 10) which prevents freezing of water in the fuel cell by maintaining the temperature of the fuel cell (1), and a second protection device (11, 12) which prevents freezing of water in the fuel cell by discharging the water in the fuel cell (1). A controller (50) selects one of the first protection device (5, 10) and the second protection device (11, 12) as the protection device to be used when the fuel cell (1) has stopped, and the fuel cell (1) is protected from freezing of water by operating the selected protection device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.