US 2002/0164508 A1 · Electronic by-pass of fuel cell cathode gas to combustor

Abstract

A gas flow control system for a fuel cell includes a gas supply and a humidifier. A fuel cell stack includes a cathode flow line with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the cathode flow line is connected to the outlet of the humidifier. A combustor includes an inlet that receives gas from the outlet of the cathode flow line. A valve and a bypass line bypass gas around the humidifier and the fuel cell stack to the combustor. The valve is preferably one of a gas restriction valve, a throttle valve, and a directional valve. A gas flow sensor generates a gas flow signal based on gas flowing through at least one of the humidifier, the cathode flow line of the fuel cell stack, and the bypass line. A flow controller that is connected to the gas flow sensor and the valve controls the valve based on the gas flow signal.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A gas flow control system for a fuel cell, comprising:

a gas supply;
a humidifier including an inlet connected to said gas supply and an outlet;
a fuel cell stack including a cathode flow line having an inlet and an outlet, wherein said inlet of said cathode flow line is connected to said outlet of said humidifier;
and
a combustor that includes an inlet that receives gas from said outlet of said cathode flow line;
a bypass line having one end connected between said gas supply and said inlet of said humidifier and an opposite end connected between said outlet of said cathode flow line and said inlet of said combustor;
and
a valve located in said bypass line.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electronic by-pass of fuel cell cathode gas to combustor

Life of this patent

Electronic by-pass of fuel cell cathode gas to combustor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20