Patent · US Active

Systems and methods for independently controlling the operation of fuel cell stacks and fuel cell systems incorporating the same

US8617754B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
108References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 9, 2011
Grant dateDec 31, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 7, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for independently controlling the operation of fuel cell stacks and to fuel cell systems incorporating the same. These systems and methods may include providing a fuel cell system including a plurality of fuel cell stacks and at least a first energy storage device and controlling the operation of the plurality of fuel cell stacks based at least in part on a variable associated with the fuel cell system and/or an energy consuming device. These systems and methods may further include beginning production of electrical output from the fuel cell system responsive to a start condition, initiating production of electrical output from the plurality of fuel cell stacks responsive to a plurality of stack start conditions, and ceasing the production of electrical output from the fuel cell stacks responsive to at least a first stack stop condition.

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