Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for operating a fuel cell system

US7247401B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
6References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 24, 2002
Grant dateJul 24, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 27, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T90/40
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A fuel cell system is provided that comprises a fuel cell for powering an electrical load, an oxidant supply device for supplying oxidant to the fuel cell, an energy storage device for providing at least temporary electrical power to drive the oxidant supply device and to the electrical load, and a control device which, in response to an increased power demand from the electrical load, directs the energy storage device to provide electrical power to the oxidant supply device, and then, when an increase in fuel cell power output has been detected, directs the energy storage device to provide electrical power to the electrical load. Methods for operating the fuel cell system are also provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.