US 2010/0167153 A1 · FUEL CELL APPARATUS

Abstract

Provided is a fuel cell apparatus having a gas permeation mechanism for spontaneously controlling the supply amount of oxidizer from a reduced amount to an amount sufficient for normal operation after a reduction process at the time of activation. The fuel cell apparatus includes a control portion for controlling a potential difference between a fuel electrode and an oxidizer electrode to such a value as to reduce an oxide film of a catalyst used in the oxidizer electrode, and a gas permeation mechanism provided in a flow path through which supplied air flows, wherein the gas permeation mechanism includes a member which allows a gas permeation rate to be controlled depending on surrounding environment.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A fuel cell apparatus, comprising:

a fuel cell for generating electric power by supplying fuel to a fuel electrode provided on one surface of a polymer electrolyte membrane and by supplying air to an oxidizer electrode provided on another surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane through an air hole;
and
a control portion for controlling a potential difference between the fuel electrode and the oxidizer electrode to such a value as to reduce an oxide film of a catalyst used in the oxidizer electrode,
wherein a gas permeation mechanism is provided in a flow path through which air supplied from the air hole flows, and
wherein the gas permeation mechanism comprises a member which allows a gas permeation rate to be controlled depending on surrounding environment.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fuel cell apparatus

Life of this patent

Fuel cell apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10