Fuel cell assembly operating method and fuel cell system
US7871731B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 12, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of operating a fuel cell assembly and a fuel cell system use a simple construction to restrain deterioration of power generating performance of a fuel cell assembly at a startup in a subfreezing environment. If an ignition switch is turned off is STEP 1, a control unit determines in STEP 3 whether the temperature of a fuel cell assembly (the internal temperature of the fuel cell assembly) is lower than a predetermined temperature, which is higher than the temperature at which the water produced during power generation freezes. If the internal temperature of the fuel cell assembly is the predetermined temperature or higher, then the processing proceeds to STEP 4 wherein a power generating condition is adjusted to cause the internal temperature of the fuel cell assembly to rise. In STEP 5, an alarm device is actuated. The power generation is continued until the internal temperature of the fuel cell assembly reaches the predetermined temperature or higher, and then the power generation is stopped in STEP 8.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.