Performance enhancing break-in method for a PEM fuel cell
US7078118B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 5, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A performance enhancing break-in method for a proton exchange membrane (“PEM”) fuel cell (12) includes cycling potentials of an anode electrode (14) and a cathode electrode (16) from a first potential to a second potential and back to the first potential, and repeating the cycling for each electrode (14, 16) for at least two electrode cycles. The potential cycling may be achieved in a first embodiment by applying a direct current from a programmable direct current power source (80) to the electrodes. Alternatively the potential cycling may be achieved by varying reactants to which the anode and cathode electrodes (14, 16) are exposed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.