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:
May. 13, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 30, 2001
Michael T. Faville, Geneseo, NY (US);
M. James Grieve, Fairport, NY (US);
John G. Noetzel, Fairport, NY (US);
Karl J. Haltiner, Jr., Fairport, NY (US);
Christopher M. DeMinco, Honeoye Falls, NY (US);
Kevin R. Keegan, Hilton, NY (US);
John F. O'Brien, Lockport, NY (US);
Subhasish Mukerjee, Rochester, NY (US);
David R. Schumann, Spencerport, NY (US);
Steven R. Shaffer, Fairport, NY (US);
Juergen T. Kammerer, Weilach, DE;
Catherine C. Vavonese, Rochester, NY (US);
James M. Haller, Rochester, NY (US);
Donald J. Armstrong, Troy, MI (US);
Harry L. Husted, Kokomo, IN (US);
Haskell Simpkins, Grand Blanc, MI (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system is disclosed. The method comprises pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure. The main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves. The first supply of fuel and a first supply of air are directed to a preheated micro-reformer. A heated pre-reformate is created in the micro-reformer and discharged from the micro-reformer to a main reformer. The main reformer is preheated with the heated pre-reformate. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air are introduced to the main reformer. A heated main reformate is created in the main reformer and directed to a waste energy recovery assembly. A cathode supply is heated in the waste energy recovery system and then directed to a solid oxide fuel cell stack in order to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Methods of transitioning, operating, shutting down, and maintaining in standby mode are also disclosed. A solid oxide fuel cell mechanization for a transportation vehicle is also disclosed.