Patent · US Active

Sensorless relative humidity control in a fuel cell application

US8470479B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by

4References

20Claims

0Family size

Assignee

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

Marc Becker · Trier, DE
Oliver Maier · Worms, DE
Peter Willimowski · Darmstadt, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Dec 15, 2005
Grant date	Jun 25, 2013
Priority date	—
Expiry date	May 11, 2032

Classification

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

Abstract

A technique for determining the relative humidity of the cathode input airflow to a fuel cell stack that eliminates the need for a dew-point sensor. The cathode input airflow is humidified by a water vapor transfer unit that uses water in the cathode exhaust gas. The technique employs an algorithm that determines the flow of water into the cathode inlet of the stack. In one embodiment, the algorithm determines the volume flow of water through the water vapor transfer unit using the Arrhenius equation, and then converts the water volume flow to a water mole flow. The algorithm then uses the water mole flow through the water vapor transfer unit and the water mole flow of ambient air to determine the water mole flow into the cathode inlet. The algorithm then uses the water mole flow into the cathode inlet to determine the relative humidity of the cathode airflow.

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