Method to thaw frozen coolant in a fuel cell system
US8877397B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
0References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 2010 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for increasing the temperature of a cooling fluid used to control the temperature of a fuel cell stack at a system freeze start-up. The method includes determining that the cooling fluid is frozen or nearly frozen, and if so, deactivating excessive power draw on the fuel cell stack to minimize stack waste heat and activating a cooling fluid heater to heat the cooling fluid. Once it is determined that the cooling fluid is not frozen or is flowing, then the method initiates a normal system start-up.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.