Patent · US Active

System and method of starting a fuel cell system

US8053122B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by

4References

8Claims

0Family size

Assignee

BDF IP HOLDINGS LTD. · CA

Inventors

Uwe Limbeck · Tauberbischofsheim, DE
Marcus Aberle · Kirchheim unter Teck, DE
Craig Louie · West Vancouver, CA
Amy E. Nelson · Vancouver, CA

Key dates

Filing date	Apr 11, 2008
Grant date	Nov 8, 2011
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Aug 1, 2030

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02E60/50
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for starting up a fuel cell system are disclosed. Briefly described, an embodiment for starting an electrochemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidant during a start-up process includes a fuel cell stack operable to output a nominal voltage during a normal operating condition and operable to output a reduced start-up voltage during the start-up process, and includes at least one balance of plant (BOP) device that supports operation of the fuel cell stack, operable at a nominal output when sourced by the fuel cell stack at the nominal voltage, and operable at a reduced output when sourced by the fuel cell stack at the reduced start-up voltage.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.