Utc Fuel Cells, LLC

Emily A Dykeman

Deliang Yang

Richard D Breault

Carl Anthony Reiser

Leslie L Van Dine

David A Condit

Tommy Skiba

Timothy W Patterson

Jung S Yi

Chris Vargas

Gennady Resnick

Jeremy P Meyers

Patrick L Hagans

Lawrence J Bregoli

Harold T Couch

Timothy A Bekkedahl

A cell stack assembly () coolant system comprises a coolant exhaust conduit () in fluid communication with a coolant exhaust manifold () and a coolant pump (). A coolant inlet conduit () enables transportation of the coolant to the coolant inlet manifold. The coolant system further includes a bypass conduit () in fluid communication with the coolant exhaust manifold and the coolant inlet manifold, while a bleed valve () is in fluid communication with the coolant exhaust conduit and a source of gas. Operation of the bleed valve enables venting of the coolant from the coolant channels, and through a shut down conduit (). An increased pressure differential between the coolant and reactant gases forces water out of the pores in the electrode substrates (). An ejector () prevents air form inhibiting the pump. Pulsed air is blown () through the coolant channels to remove more water.

Method and apparatus for the operation of a cell stack assembly during subfreezing temperatures

Each cell of a fuel cell stack is provided, between the anodeand cathodes, with either (a) a permanent shunt () which may be a discrete resistor (), a diode (), a strip of compliant carbon cloth (), or a small amount of conductive carbon black () in the ionomer polymer mixture of which the proton exchange membrane () is formed, or (b) a removeable shunt such as a conductor () which may be rotated into and out of contact with the fuel cell anodes and cathodes, or a conductor () which may be urged into contact by means of a shape memory alloy actuator spring (), which may be heated.

Reducing fuel cell cathode potential during startup and shutdown

The invention is a method of using a temporary dilute surfactant water solution to enhance mass transport in a fuel cell ( ) that generates electrical current from hydrogen containing reducing fluid and oxygen containing oxidant reactant streams. The method includes the steps of: a. directing the dilute surfactant water solution to flow through a cathode flow field ( ) of a fuel cell ( ); b. then removing the solution from the fuel cell ( ); and, c. then directing flow of the reactant streams through the flow fields ( ) ( ). The temporary dilute surfactant water solution has a surface tension of not less than 50 dynes/cm. Flowing the temporary dilute surfactant water solution through the fuel cell ( ) for a temporary, short duration improves mass transport of the cell ( ) even after the solution is removed from the cell ( ).

Method of using a temporary dilute surfactant water solution to enhance mass transport in a fuel cell

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Cheyenne, WY, United States of America

Emily A Dykeman