Fuel cell power system and method of controlling a fuel cell power system
US7326480B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S429/90
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell power system includes a fuel cell which has an optimal voltage; an energy storage device having a nominal voltage substantially similar to the optimal voltage of the fuel cell; and an electrical switch that, in operation, selectively electrically couples the fuel cell and the energy storage device to charge the energy storage device. A method includes providing a fuel cell having a nominal voltage; providing an energy storage device having a nominal voltage which is substantially similar to the nominal voltage of the fuel cell and electrically coupling the energy storage device to a load; and selectively electrically coupling the fuel cell to the energy storage device to substantially maintain the energy storage device above a predetermined voltage threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.