Subzero ambient shutdown purge operating strategy for PEM fuel cell system
US9070921B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 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 purging water from a fuel cell stack at fuel cell system shutdown. The method includes determining a stack water generation request to control the rate of drying of membranes in the stack and determining a cathode catalytic heating water generation request. A maximum charge a battery in the fuel cell system can accept is also determined. An ancillary power request for powering components of the fuel cell system during shutdown is determined. The method allocates how much of the water generation request will be fulfilled by operating the fuel cell stack to charge the battery and to provide the power needed for the ancillary power request, and how much of the water generation request will be fulfilled by cathode catalytic heating that produces water and heat in a cathode side of the fuel cell stack.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.