Fuel cell system having a fuel cell stack with integrated polarity reversal protection diode
AssigneeBallard Power Systems Inc.
InventorsMarkus Aberle, Anton Sonntag, Josef Sonntag
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel cell system comprises a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stack between two end plates. An electrical load is connected to the fuel cell stack via a load circuit, and a diode is arranged between the fuel cell stack and the electrical load in the load circuit. According to the invention, the diode is arranged directly on or in one of the end plates. Moreover, a cooling device, which is in thermal contact with the diode and dissipates the power loss from the diode, is provided in the region of the diode.
Claims13
A fuel cell system having a fuel cell stack with a plurality of fuel cells arranged between two end plates, and a load circuit, including a diode for connecting the fuel cell stack to an electrical load, wherein:
- the diode is arranged on or in a first one of said end plates;
- and
- a cooling device is provided in said first end plate in the region of and in thermal contact with, the diode.
A protective circuit for a fuel cell system which includes a stack of fuel cell units supported between end plates and connections for providing electric power to a load, said protective circuit comprising:
- a diode connected in series between said fuel cell system and said load;
- wherein
- said diode is arranged in thermal and electrical contact with a first one of said end plates;
- and
- a cooling device is provided in said first end plate in thermal contact with the diode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.