System and method for operating positive temperature coefficient heater in fuel cell vehicle
US8862305B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/40
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for operating a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater in a fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell stack and a PTC heater generating heat when supplied with an electric current. A controller is configured to check a key-start state of the vehicle and determine whether or not an outdoor temperature is lower than a reference temperature. If it is determined that the vehicle is key-started so as to activate the fuel cell stack, and the outdoor temperature is lower than the reference temperature, the controller supplies electrical energy generated by the fuel cell stack to the PTC heater, thereby driving the PTC heater.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.