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US 6,582,842 B1Granted
Enhancement of proton exchange membrane fuel cell system by use of radial placement and integrated structural support system
AssigneeReliant Energy Power Systems, Inc.
InventorGeorge R. King
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved proton exchange membrane fuel cell system is provided for the economical and efficient production of electricity. The fuel cell system provides a plurality of fuel cell stacks that substantially surround a reformer assembly.
Claims28
A fuel cell system comprising:
- (a) a reformer subassembly;
- (b) a plurality of fuel cell stacks, the plurality of fuel cell stacks so arranged as to substantially surround the reformer assembly, each fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel inlet channels, each fuel inlet channel having a top and a bottom, and each fuel cell stack having an air inlet channel and an air and water outlet channel;
- (c) an air supply header, the air supply header serving to connect a means for supplying air to each fuel cell stack with the air inlet channel of each fuel cell stack;
- (d) an air and water return header, the air and water return header connected to the air and water outlet channel;
- (e) a fuel supply header, the fuel supply header serving to connect the reformer subassembly to the top of the plurality of fuel inlet channels of each fuel cell stack;
- and
- (f) a fuel discharge header, the fuel discharge header connected to the bottom of the fuel inlet channel of each fuel cell stack.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.