Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Barber Nichols Inc.

Dirk M Wexel

Bruce Jeffrey Clingerman

Abdullah Basar Alp

Steven D Burch

David A Arthur

Ralph Hobmeyr

Jurgen Thyroff

Ralph T J Hobmeyr

Martin Fasse

Remy Fontaine

Bernd Peter Elgas

Bernhard Wnendt

Reiner Wilpsbaeumer

Ellen Greifenstein

Wolfgang Haege

Detlef Guenther

Robert Linden

A method for starting a cold or frozen fuel cell stack as efficiently and quickly as possible in a vehicle application is based upon a state of charge of a first power source such as a high voltage battery. Power flow between the first power source and fuel cell system is coordinated in conjunction with a specific load schedule and parallel control algorithms to minimize the start time required and optimize system warm-up.

Fuel cell startup method for fast freeze startup

One embodiment of the invention includes a product comprising a fuel cell stack comprising at least one coolant header, and at least one heater at least partially disposed in the at least one coolant header.

Fuel cell heating

A system and method for operating a cooling fluid pump and cooling fluid heater in a vehicle when the vehicle is not being used so that the temperature of the cooling fluid does not drop to low in a cold environment. The system includes an AC connector for plugging the system into an AC power outlet. The system also includes AC/DC converter that converts the AC power to a DC signal suitable to operate the pump. The system also includes a temperature switch that closes if the ambient temperature falls below a predetermined temperature, which electrically connects the AC connector to the AC/DC converter. When the AC/DC converter is powered, a switch is closed to connect the pump to a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator to operate the pump. Further, when the temperature switch is closed, power is provided to the heater.

External control of a vehicle coolant pump with remote heating option

A product comprising a fuel cell stack comprising a cathode outlet, a first conduit connected to the cathode outlet and to a first housing, a water-retaining material provided in said first housing, a bypass conduit connected to the cathode outlet of the fuel cell system, and a first valve for opening and closing at least one of said first conduit and said bypass conduit.

Fuel cell system having water-retaining material

A fuel cell system with fuel cells displaying cooling channels assembled to form a fuel cell stack, with a coolant cycle in which coolant is circulated by a pump in a main cycle which includes the cooling channels and a cooler and with a heat storage unit and a heating device is characterized by the fact that the heat storage unit is arranged in a branch on the coolant cycle parallel to the cooler, that a heat exchanger that can be heated by the heating device is arranged in a second branch parallel to the heat storage unit, that a second pump in the first branch is arranged in front of the heat storage unit, that a two-way switching valve is provided which displays a first connection arranged in a first branch in front of the second pump, a second connection arranged in the first branch in front of the second pump and a third connection which is arranged in the second branch in front of the heat exchanger, and that a T connection is provided between the first branch, the second branch and the main cycle.

Cold start pre-heater for a fuel cell system

The invention pertains to a process for preventing the freezing of water in a structural component containing at least one moving part in the anode cycle of a fuel cell system, characterized by the fact that at the time of a switching-off process the structural component is scavenged by a dry scavenging gas in order to remove a quantity of water present there.

Operation method and purging system for a hydrogen demand/delivery unit in a fuel cell system

System for thermally conditioning, humidifying and filtering reactant feed gases supplied to a stack of fuel cells using an evaporative element, a water spray mechanism and a heat exchanger. The evaporation element also functions as a filter. The evaporative element may take the form of a removable packing (filter media). Use of a controller to manage the rate of nebulized water addition to the feed gas stream is also described. Benefits in filter efficiency and extended filter service life along with volume, weight, and cost reduction in a fuel cell system are realized.

Integrated air cooler, filter, and humidification unit for a fuel cell stack

The present invention relates to a process fluid handling device in an electrochemical cell system having a fluid barrier between a process fluid compartment and a drive compartment of the fluid handling device. The fluid barrier comprises an interconnection compartment, filled with barrier gas. The pressure of the interconnection compartment is maintained above the process fluid and drive compartments, by fluid communication with barrier gas stored in a storage device. The barrier gas is preferably a non-reactive and dehumidified gas. The present invention also contemplates methods of isolating the hydrogen-containing process fluid in the process fluid compartment from the drive compartment, which is preferably in fluid communication with the ambient.

Fluid handling device for hydrogen-containing process fluids

A feed gas supply unit for a fuel cell system uses a feed gas supply and/or cooling fluid passages to cool the control unit, bearings, and motor of the feed gas supply device.

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Mainz-Kastel, Germany

Dirk M Wexel