Device and method for supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell, and the use thereof for electric vehicle traction
US7311985B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 5, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A device used to supply a gas mixture including hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a concentration not exceeding 100 ppm to a main fuel cell which is supplied with air. The device includes a reformer, which is used to convert a fuel into a gas mixture including carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and a purification device to diminish the concentration of carbon monoxide in the gas mixture and that is connected to an anode inlet of the main fuel cell. The supply device also includes an auxiliary fuel cell supplied with air and that receives the carbon monoxide produced by the reformer to convert part of the chemical energy of the carbon monoxide into electrical energy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.