Patent · US Active

Device and method for regulating the humidity of a fuel cell

US8606436B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by

6References

17Claims

0Family size

Assignee

AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED · DE

Inventors

Karsten Roederer · Hamburg, DE
Hansgeorg Schuldzig · Jork, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Jul 20, 2012
Grant date	Dec 10, 2013
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jul 20, 2032

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02T90/40
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A device and a method for controlling the air humidity in a fuel cell detect a step response in the output voltage of a fuel cell when the supply to electrical loads is interrupted, and determine parameters of the dynamic time characteristic from the detected step response, and thus calculate a capacitance of the fuel cell. As a function of any deviation from a predetermined capacitance, a humidity control unit is caused to increase or decrease the humidity. This makes in situ detection of the humidity balance of a fuel cell possible, and this can keep the electrical power thereof constant for a relatively long period, and this can increase the intervals between maintenance.

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