Method of rapidly increasing internal temperature of a fuel cell stack during starting of fuel cell system
US8343677B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 11, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jan 1, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of starting a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack by rapidly increasing its temperature. The PEMFC stack includes: a first flow line connected to cooling plates; a second flow line connected to the cooling plates; a coolant reservoir; a heat exchanger; a by-pass line; a heating element; a first valve installed between the first flow line and the heat exchanger; and a second valve that selectively connects the coolant reservoir, the second flow line, and the by-pass line. The method of starting a PEMFC stack includes: closing the first valve and controlling the second valve so that the second flow line and the by-pass line are connected to each other, and the coolant in the coolant reservoir is not connected to the second flow line and the by-pass line; and heating the coolant in the by-pass line.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.