Systems and methods for regulating fuel cell air flow during low loads or cold temperature operation
US8920996B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 2, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods for regulating fuel cell air flow, such as during low loads and/or cold temperature operation. These systems and methods may include providing a thermal management fluid, such as air, to the fuel cell stack, transferring thermal energy between the thermal management fluid and the fuel cell stack, and varying the flow rate of the thermal management fluid that comes into contact with the fuel cell stack to maintain the temperature of the fuel cell stack within an acceptable temperature range. Varying the flow rate of the thermal management fluid may include varying the overall supply rate of the thermal management fluid within the fuel cell system and/or providing an alternative flow path for the thermal management fluid such that a portion of the thermal management fluid supplied by the fuel cell system does not come into contact with the fuel cell stack.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.