Comprehensive method for triggering anode bleed events in a fuel cell system
US8057941B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 2007 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for triggering an anode bleed from split fuel cell stacks in a fuel cell system that employs anode flow-shifting. The method requests the bleed if any one of three different conditions are met. Those conditions include that the concentration of nitrogen in the anode side of the split stacks is above a predetermined percentage, the voltage spread between the maximum cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage of two fuel cells in the split stacks is greater than a predetermined spread voltage and the absolute value of the difference between the overall voltage of the two split stacks is greater than a predetermined voltage. The concentration of nitrogen in the anode can be determined in any suitable manner, such as by a nitrogen cross-over model or a sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.