Utc Fuel Cells, LLC

Carrier Corporation

United Technologies Corporation

Aaron W Morrow

Jeffrey G Lake

Javier Resto

Mithun Kamat

David P Lavigne

Guang-Yan Zhu

Joseph M Sipitkowski

Sara E Atkinson

Grant M Erlich

Mithun R Kamat

An on-site power plant () has a controller () that selectively controls operation of prime movers (). In one example, the controller () changes the number of operating prime movers responsive to a transient in a load () requirement while continuing to operate at least one of the prime movers. One example includes prioritizing the prime movers () for operation based upon the needs of a cogeneration unit () associated with the prime movers for providing a temperature control function within a facility. Another example includes controlling operation of the prime movers based upon a capacity for fueling the prime movers.

On-site power plant control including adaptive response to transient load requirements

The invention is a fuel cell stack having an improved pressure plate and current collector. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell component plates stacked adjacent each other to form a reaction portion of the fuel cell stack. A current collector is secured adjacent a first end of the stack of fuel cell component plates and a pressure plate is secured adjacent to the current collector. The current collector is made from a non-porous, electrically conductive graphite material and includes at least one conductive stud secured to the collector. The pressure plate is made of an electrically non-conductive, non-metallic, fiber reinforced composite material, so that the current collector and pressure plate are light, compact and have a low thermal capacity.

Fuel cell stack having an improved pressure plate and current collector

A reactant gas manifold ( ), to be used with a fuel cell stack ( ) having a flat seal surface ( ), is provided with a convex seal surface ( ) so that when the manifold ( ) is distorted by being bolted ( ) to the fuel cell stack, the distortion will provide substantially uniform seal pressure along the length of the seal between the surfaces ( ).

Convex fuel manifold providing uniform pressure seal to fuel cell stack

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East Longmeadow, MA, United States of America

Aaron W Morrow