System and method for optimizing fuel cell purge cycles
AssigneeIdaTech, LLC
InventorThomas G. Herron
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for optimizing the purge cycle of a fuel cell stack responsive to the performance of the fuel cell. The system includes a controller that measures a process parameter indicative of the rate at which water is being produced in the fuel cell. If the measured value exceeds a threshold value, then the purge assembly is automatically actuated.
Claims29
A method for controlling the purge cycle of a fuel cell stack, the method comprising:
- providing a fuel cell stack including at least one fuel cell adapted to produce an electric current and a purge assembly including at least one purge valve;
- measuring a value of a process parameter representative of the performance of the fuel cell stack;
- comparing the value of the process parameter to a determined value;
- and
- actuating the purge assembly if the value of the process parameter exceeds the determined value.
A system for controlling the purge cycle of a fuel cell stack, comprising:
- a fuel cell stack including at least one fuel cell adapted to receive a flow containing hydrogen gas and produce an electric current therefrom;
- a purge assembly including at least one purge valve adapted to selectively purge the fuel cell stack to reduce the concentration of a selected composition therein;
- a sensor assembly including at least one sensor adapted to measure a value of a process parameter representative of the performance of the fuel cell stack;
- and
- a controller adapted to actuate the purge assembly if the value of the process parameter exceeds a determined value.
In a fuel cell stack, an improvement comprising means for measuring a value representative of the current produced by the fuel cell stack during an operating cycle and selectively actuating a purge assembly when the value deviates from a threshold value by more than a selected increment.
A fuel cell processing system, comprising:
- a fuel cell stack including at least one fuel cell, wherein each fuel cell comprises an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by an electrolyte, wherein the anode chamber is adapted to receive a flow containing hydrogen gas and the cathode chamber is adapted to receive a flow containing oxygen gas;
- a purge assembly adapted to selectively purge the fuel cell stack;
- and
- means for measuring a value of a process parameter representative of the performance of the fuel cell stack and actuating the purge assembly if the value exceeds a determined value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.