Patent · US Expired

Method for recognition of a leak in a fuel cell

US7282281B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by

4References

12Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

Arno Mattejat · Bubenreuth, DE
Ottmar Voitlein · Lonnerstadt, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Nov 27, 2001
Grant date	Oct 16, 2007
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Oct 14, 2022

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02E60/50
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A leak in the membrane of a fuel cell leads to an uncontrolled and heat-generating reaction which can destroy the fuel cell. A method for recognition of a leak in a fuel cell is disclosed which leads to an automatic closing down of the fuel cell without a safety device. The anode gas chamber of the fuel cell is treated with a first test gas and the cathode gas chamber of the fuel cell is treated with a second test gas. The cell voltage of the fuel cell measured and the change with time in the cell voltage is monitored. A gas with a hydrogen content of 0.1 to 20 vol. % is used as first test gas and a gas with an oxygen content of 0.1 to 30 vol. % is used as second test gas.

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