Fuel cell stack end cell control methodology
US7718291B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 18, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of controlling the relative humidity in an electrochemical conversion device comprises the steps of: providing a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells stackingly arranged, and at least one heater coupled to at least one end fuel cell; selecting a relative humidity setpoint for the at least one end cell; calculating an end cell membrane electrode assembly temperature setpoint using the relative humidity setpoint; calculating a heater temperature setpoint equal to the calculated end cell membrane electrode assembly temperature setpoint plus a computed temperature difference from the at least one end cell membrane electrode assembly to the heater; and adjusting the temperature of the end cell heater until it reaches the heater temperature setpoint and thereby achieves the relative humidity setpoint of the at least end cell membrane electrode assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.