PEM fuel cell system with a porous hydrophobic gas venting member with gas flow blockage prevention
US8048581B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
1References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 2006 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant is cooled evaporatively with a water coolant system which does not permit liquid water to exit or flow through the coolant system. The coolant system utilizes a hydrophobic porous member (28) for venting gases such as fuel and/or air from a coolant water flow field in the system. Coolant water (36) is prevented from continuosly contacting the porous member during operation of the power plant thus preventing blockage of the porous member by coolant water or contaminants disposed in the coolant water.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.