Hydrogenics Corporation

Cummins Inc.

Other

Paolo Forte

Nathaniel Ian Joos

Jin Kim

Richard J Ancimer

Sonia Sorbera

Sumit Tripathi

Justin Rizzi

Nader Zaag

Prabhsimran Malhi

John Yui Ki Poon

Dennis Böhm

Salvatore Ranieri

Eero Teene

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for heating a fuel cell module.

Systems and methods for liquid heating balance of plant components of a fuel cell module

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for determining, managing, and/or controlling excess hydrogen flow in a system comprising a fuel cell or fuel cell stack and ejector based on the internal state of the ejector.

Systems and methods to measure or control fuel cell stack excess hydrogen flow using ejector mixing state

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for operating a shutdown process in a fuel cell system including connecting a passive electrical load to a fuel cell stack in the fuel cell system before initiating the shutdown process, disconnecting a DC-DC converter by a system controller, initiating nitrogen blanketing after a current passing through the DC-DC converter is reduced to about zero, ensuring water content in the fuel cell stack is about zero, and sending a signal to the system controller to initiate the shutdown process.

Electrode pressure balance for a nitrogen blanketing process

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for efficiently ventilating hydrogen from a fuel cell enclosure.

Systems and methods for ventilating a fuel cell enclosure

This specification describes a system and method for controlling the voltage produced by a fuel cell. The system involves providing a bypass line between an air exhaust from the fuel cell and an air inlet of the fuel cell. At least one controllable device is configured to allow the flow rate through the bypass line to be altered. A controller is provided to control the controllable device. The method involves varying the rate of recirculation of air exhaust to air inlet so as to provide a desired change in fuel cell voltage.

System and method for controlling voltage of fuel cell

A system includes a fuel cell engine, a plurality of switching devices, and a controller. The fuel cell engine includes a plurality of fuel cell modules connected in series as a fuel cell string, and then a plurality of these strings connected in parallel. The switching device(s) are electrically coupled to bypass when required each module(s) and or disconnect each string(s). The decision whether a module(s) and/or string(s) are bypassed, disconnected, or left to operate is based on a sensory feedback that is input into the finite state machine and fault management process that are embedded within the fuel cell controller. The bypassing scheme at the module level is handled in a manner such that the remaining modules within a series string can provide continuous, uninterrupted flow of current to the end application.

Fuel cell systems with series-connected subsystems

A process for starting a PEM fuel cell module includes blowing air through the cathode side of the module using external power. An amount hydrogen is released into the anode side of the module under a pressure greater than the pressure of the air on the cathode side, while the anode is otherwise closed. Cell voltages in the module are monitored for the appearance of a charged state sufficient to start the module. When the charged state is observed, the module is converted to a running state.

Closed anode fuel cell startup method

An electrical power supply system has a fuel cell module and a battery. The fuel cell can be selectively connected to the battery system through a diode. The system preferably also has a current sensor and a controller adapted to close a contactor in a by-pass circuit around the diode after sensing a current flowing from the fuel cell through the diode. The system may also have a resistor and a contactor in another by-pass circuit around the diode. In a start-up method, a first contactor is closed to connect the fuel cell in parallel with the battery through the diode and one or more reactant pumps for the fuel cell are turned on. A current sensor is monitored for a signal indicating current flow through the diode. After a current is indicated, a by-pass circuit is provided around the diode.

Fast starting fuel cell

A fuel cell power module is used to provide nitrogen enriched air for, in one application, fuel tank inerting in an aircraft. The fuel cell power module has a recirculation line between its cathode side outlet and cathode side inlet. At least one controllable device is provided to allow the flow rate in the recirculation line to be controlled. The recirculation flow rate is adjusted such that the cathode exhaust has an oxygen concentration useful for inerting a fuel tank or suppressing fire.

Growing community of inventors

Maple, Canada

Paolo Forte