Thermal energy management in electrochemical fuel cells
US7498094B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 27, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell assembly supplies water and water vapour by-product to a cooling water circuit delivered to a thermal storage tank from which it can be recycled to the fuel cell stack as direct input to the membrane electrode assemblies, for use as fuel/oxidant preheat and/or direct water injection to the membrane electrode assembly. The purity of water delivered to the membrane is thereby assured. The thermal storage tank allows for a decoupling of the thermal and electrical loads on the fuel cell stack in a combined heat and electrical power delivery unit. Under low external electrical loads, the fuel cell stack and its cooling circuit may be used at high capacity to provide hot water.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.