Cathode-to-cathode fuel cell stacks
US7081313B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 25, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A plurality of fuel cell stacks (8, 8a, 9, 9a) have their cathode ends (11, 12) contiguous with either a common current collector (15a–15d) or respective current collectors (15a, 15b) which may be separated by electrical isolation (27a, 27b). The cathode-to-cathode relationship protects the cathode of each of the stacks from cold ambient environments, thereby permitting improved cold starts and mitigation of performance loss as a result of cold starts as well as freeze/thaw cycles. Heaters (30, 30a–30d) may be provided in current collectors, or in or between electrical isolation. Four stacks may share one current collector, or each may have its own current collector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.