Device and method for monitoring fuel cell performance and controlling a fuel cell system

A device to measure individual or grouped cell voltages of a fuel cell stack having conductive areas to monitor fuel cell stack performance to provide diagnostic data wherein said meter further includes:

• a voltage or current excitation source in electrical connection with said multiplexer and temperature sensing devices to provide for a method to allow compatibility with temperature sensing devices to allow multiple point temperature measurements
• wherein said meter is connected to individual or grouped cell conductive areas to measure the voltage of said individual or grouped cells;
• and
• a monitor coupled to said meter to report on the performance of the fuel cell stack such that the measurements of said individual or grouped cells are used to report on the performance of said fuel cell stack.

A device to measure individual or grouped cell voltages of a fuel cell stack having conductive areas to monitor fuel cell stack performance to adjust fuel cell system operating parameters to optimize fuel cell stack performance and to maintain safe operating conditions:

• a meter connected to individual or grouped cell conductive areas to measure the voltage or impedance of said individual or grouped cells and further including a matrix array of opto isolators to eliminate the need for a common ground;
• and
• a controller coupled to with or comprised in part of said meter to adjust fuel cell system operating parameters,
• such that the measurements of said individual or grouped cells are used to adjust fuel cell system operating parameters to optimize fuel cell stack performance and to maintain safe operating conditions.

A device to measure individual or grouped cell voltages of a fuel cell stack having conductive areas to monitor fuel cell stack performance to provide diagnostic data, said add device comprising:

• a meter connected to individual or grouped cell conductive areas to measure the voltage of said individual or grouped cells;
• and
• a monitor coupled to said meter to report on the performance of the fuel cell stack such that the measurements of said individual or grouped cells are used to report on the performance of said fuel cell stack wherein said meter further includes
• a contact assembly associated with said individual or grouped cell conductive areas, wherein said contact assembly is electrically connected to said individual or grouped cell conductive areas;
• and
• a multiplexer to switch between electrical connections of individual or grouped cells establishing an electrical signal path from an individual cell or group of cells;
• and,
• an attenuator/amplifier to attenuate or amplify said electrical signal from said multiplexer;
• and,
• a converter to convert the electrical signal from said attenuator/amplifier from an analog signal to a digital signal;
• and,
• a microprocessor to read and interpret said digital signal, and
• wherein said microprocessor communicates the measurement value or any diagnostic data based on said measurement to said monitor.

A device to measure individual or grouped cell voltages of a fuel cell stack having conductive areas to monitor fuel cell stack performance to adjust fuel cell system operating parameters to optimize fuel cell stack performance and to maintain safe operating conditions:

• a meter connected to individual or grouped cell conductive a to measure the voltage of said individual or grouped cells;
• and
• a controller coupled to with or comprised in part of said meter to adjust fuel cell system operating parameters,
• such that the measurements of said individual or grouped cells are used to adjust fuel cell system operating parameters to optimize fuel call stack performance and to maintain safe operating conditions;
• a contact assembly associated with said individual or grouped cell conductive areas, wherein said contact assembly is electrically connected to said individual or grouped cell conductive areas;
• and,
• a multiplexer to switch between electrical connections of individual or grouped cells establishing an electrical signal path from an individual cell or group of cells;
• and,
• an attenuator/amplifier to attenuate or amplify said electrical signal from said multiplexer;
• and,
• a converter to convert the electrical signal from said attenuator/amplifier from an analog signal to a digital signal;
• and,
• a microprocessor to read and interpret said digital signal,
• wherein said microprocessor communicates the measurement value or any evaluations based on said measurement to said controller.