Intelligent Energy Inc.

Other

Scott Baird

Paul Leonard Adcock

Peter David Hood

Ashley James Kells

Jonathan Cole

Jeremy Stephen Matcham

Simon Edward Foster

Nathan Grange

Paul Alan Benson

Brendan Devaney

Ian Stuart Kenyon

James Watton

Philip Thomas Jackson

The present disclosure pertains to a system () comprising a plurality of power converters (-to-n) configured, via a processing device (), to balance heat from a plurality of fuel cell stacks (-to-n). Some embodiments may: set one or more parameter values of one of the power converters (-) located at the output of one of the plurality of stacks (-) such that the one stack preferentially provides power to a load; determine a heat power of the one stack (-) and of one or more other stacks of the plurality of stacks (-to-n), each of the heat powers being determined based on a voltage and current that are determined at the input of the respective power converter (-to-n); determine whether the heat power of the one stack (-) satisfies a criterion; and responsive to a determination that the heat power of the one stack satisfies the criterion, set one or more parameter values of each of the power converters (-to-n) located at the output of the one or more other stacks such that the determined heat power of each of the one or more other stacks (-to-n) more closely matches the determined heat power of the one stack (-).

Systems and methods for providing heat control in a multi-stack fuel cell system

The present disclosure provides fuel cell units formed from a plurality of flow plate assemblies disposed in a stack configuration, with adjacent flow plate assemblies in the stack configuration disposed at an offset angle relative to each other. Fuel cell stacks can be formed from a plurality of the fuel cell units placed into a stack aligned with each other with no offset. The present disclosure also provides for methods of forming the fuel cell units, fuel cell stacks, and fuel cell systems containing the former.

Fuel cell units having angled offset flow channels

A method of shutting down operation of a fuel cell system is disclosed, comprising a fuel cell stack, the method comprising the sequential steps of: i) ceasing a supply of fuel to the fuel cell stack; ii) closing a shut-off valve on an exhaust line in fluid communication with a cathode system of the fuel cell system, the cathode system comprising a cathode fluid flow path passing through the fuel cell stack; iii) pressurizing the cathode system with an air compressor in fluid communication with a cathode air inlet port in the fuel cell stack; and iv) ejecting water from the cathode flow path.

Reverse flow relief valve for a fuel cell system

A fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cells, each end of the fuel cell stack having a heater plate disposed between a current collector plate and an end plate, each heater plate being thermally insulated from a respective end plate, wherein each heater plate comprises a heating element in the form of an electrically conductive track; and, wherein the heater plate comprises a pair of terminals extending from an edge of the heater plate, the terminals being separated by an air gap.

Fuel cell system

The disclosure provides a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack and an electrical control unit configured to adjust operating parameters of the fuel cell stack to optimize operation of the fuel cell system based on a standard deviation of voltage outputs from a plurality of cells in the fuel cell stack.

An electrochemical fuel cell having an anode, an ion transfer membrane and a cathode has liquid water delivered to the fluid flow channels within the cathode so as to maintain a relative humidity of 100% throughout the fluid flow channels. A calibration method and apparatus is described for determining an optimum quantity or range of quantities of liquid water to be delivered to the cathode fluid flow channels under varying operating conditions. An operating method and apparatus is described that ensures an optimum quantity of liquid water is delivered to the cathode fluid flow channels under varying operating conditions.

Water management in fuel cells

A method of shutting down operation of a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack, the method comprising the sequential steps of: i) ceasing a supply of fuel to the fuel cell stack; ii) closing a shut-off valve on an exhaust line in fluid communication with a cathode system of the fuel cell system, the cathode system comprising a cathode fluid flow path passing through the fuel cell stack; iii) pressurising the cathode system with an air compressor in fluid communication with a cathode air inlet port in the fuel cell stack; and iv) ejecting water from the cathode flow path.

Fuel cell system and reverse flow relief valve

A fuel cell assembly provides for the delivery of fluid into a channel of a fluid flow field plate in alternating flow directions through the channel for delivery of the fluid to a membrane-electrode assembly. The fuel cell includes a fluid flow field plate having a channel for delivery of fluid to a membrane-electrode assembly, the channel having a first inlet/outlet port communicating therewith and a second inlet/outlet port communicating therewith; and a fluid delivery system connected to the fluid flow field plate adapted for bi-directional delivery of fluid into the channel of the fluid flow field plate.

Growing community of inventors

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Scott Baird