The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 15, 1995
Filed:
Dec. 23, 1994
Robert D Merritt, Vancouver, CA;
Brian N Gorbell, North Vancouver, CA;
Ballard Power Systems Inc., North Vancouver, CA;
Abstract
An electric power generation system has a regulated vacuum ejector for recirculating the fluid fuel stream. The system includes a fuel cell stack, a pressurized fuel supply having a pressure control valve for regulating the pressure of the fuel supply, a vacuum ejector interposed between the fuel supply and the stack fuel stream inlet, a pressure transducer interposed between the ejector discharge outlet and the stack fuel stream inlet, and a pressurized oxidant supply with a pressure transducer. The ejector suction inlet is fluidly connected to the fuel stream outlet of the fuel cell stack. The fuel stream pressure transducer transmits a signal to the pressure control valve to adjust the pressure of the fuel supply when the detected pressure of the fuel stream deviates from a predetermined value. The oxidant stream pressure transducer transmits a signal to the pressure control valve to adjust the pressure of the fuel supply when the detected pressure of the oxidant stream changes. The system is load-following to maintain uniform fuel stream pressure and recirculation ratio over a broad range of operating conditions. The system also maintains a balance between the pressure of the fuel stream and the pressure of the oxidant stream.