Ballard Power Systems Corporation

General Fusion Inc.

Ford Motor Company Limited

Daimler Ag

Bdf IP Holdings Ltd.

Alexander Douglas Mossman

Michel Georges Laberge

Stephen James Howard

Meritt Wayne Reynolds

Blake Kenton Rablah

Joerg Zimmermann

Brian W Wells

Richard Allan Sederquist

Robert Henry Artibise

Kelly Bernard Epp

Craig R Louie

Frederick D McKenney

Charles Beaufort Eyrich

Donald James Froese

Peter Joseph Larkin O'Shea

Steven D Gabrys

Frederick D Mckenney

Donald Froese

Charles Eyrich

Peter O'shea

Blake Rablah

Robert H Artibise

A system for generating magnetized plasma and sustaining plasma's magnetic field comprises a plasma generator for generating magnetized plasma and a flux conserver in which the generated magnetized plasma is injected and confined. A central conductor comprises an upper central conductor and a lower central conductor that are electrically connected forming a single integrated conductor. The upper central conductor and an outer electrode form an annular plasma propagating channel. The lower central conductor extends out of the plasma generator and into the flux conserver such that an end of the inner electrode is electrically connected to a wall of the flux conserver. A power system provides a formation current pulse and a sustainment current pulse to the central conductor to form the magnetized plasma, inject such plasma into the flux conserver and sustain plasma's magnetic field.

System and method for generating plasma and sustaining plasma magnetic field

Examples of a system for generating and compressing magnetized plasma are disclosed. The system comprises a plasma generator with a first closed end and an outlet, and a flux conserving chamber that is in tight fluid communication with the outlet of the plasma generator such that the generated plasma is injected into an inner cavity of the flux conserving chamber. An elongated central axial shaft is also provided such that the central shaft extends through the outlet of the plasma generator into the flux conserver. The end of the central shaft in connected to the flux conserver. A power source that comprises a formation power circuit and a shaft power circuit is provided to provide a formation power pulse to the plasma generator to generate magnetized plasma, and a shaft power pulse to the central axial shaft to generate a toroidal magnetic field into the plasma generator and the flux conserving chamber. The duration of the shaft power pulse is longer than the duration of the formation power pulse to maintain plasma q-profile at a pre-determined range. During plasma compression the shaft power pulse is increased to match the raise of the plasma poloidal field due to the compression and thus maintain the q-profile of the plasma.

System and method for plasma generation and compression

A fuel cell system is provided that is capable of operating at high temperatures and near-ambient pressure with partial humidification of air supplied to the fuel cell stack. The fuel cells of the stack incorporate gas diffusion barrier layers at the cathode side thereof. The system includes a cooling loop for circulating a liquid coolant through the stack. In some embodiments, an incoming air stream is partially humidified with water vapor transferred from a cathode exhaust stream in a gas-exchange humidifier or enthalpy wheel. In other embodiments, a cathode recycle is employed to partially humidify the incoming air. The humidity of the air and cathode exhaust streams is maintained below a stack saturation point. Methods of operating the fuel cell system are also provided.

Ambient pressure fuel cell system employing partial air humidification

A membrane exchange humidifier employs a water permeable membrane comprising a microporous polymer and a hydrophilic additive. In operation, the membrane preferably has favorable water transmission properties and resists transmission of reactant gas or other components. The membrane is suitable for use even when permeable in its dry condition to the wet or dry gases in the humidifier, and/or when the wet and dry gases are of different composition. By wetting the membrane, the presence of an amount of liquid water in the wet gas can reduce gas transmission through the membrane to an acceptable level. The humidifier is useful in fuel cell systems in which a reactant gas supply stream, such as the oxidant supply stream, is humidified primarily using water vapor from a fuel cell reactant exhaust stream. The humidifier is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with solid polymer fuel cell systems. The improved mechanical and welding properties of the membrane allow for a simpler humidifier configuration.

Method for humidifying a reactant stream for a fuel cell

An integrated current collector and electrical component plate for a fuel cell stack is disclosed, comprising a printed circuit board comprising the following layers: a current collection layer, comprising a current collector; a first insulation layer, comprising a first surface and a second surface; an electrical component layer, comprising an electrical component having a first connection site and a second connection site; and a second insulation layer, comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the current collection layer is laminated to the first surface of the first insulation layer, and the electrical component layer is laminated between the second surface of the first insulation layer and the first surface of the second insulation layer. A fuel cell stack and methods for manufacturing a fuel cell stack comprising the integrated current collector and electrical component plate are also disclosed.

Integrated current collector and electrical component plate for a fuel cell stack

Membrane exchange humidifier for a fuel cell

Growing community of inventors

Vancouver, Canada

Alexander Douglas Mossman