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:
Jan. 06, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 17, 2003
Carl A. Reiser, Stonington, CT (US);
Gennady Resnick, South Windsor, CT (US);
Neil A. Popovich, Ellington, CT (US);
UTC Fuel Cells, LLC, South Windsor, CT (US);
Abstract
A vehicle ( ) includes a fuel cell stack ( ) started when the stack is below freezing, by connection ( ) to the vehicle propulsion system ( ) within a few seconds of starting the flow of fuel ( ) and oxidant ( ), or when open circuit voltage ( ) is detected. The fuel is in excess of stochiometry requirement and the oxidant is in excess of at least twice stochiometric requirement, either may be at about atmospheric pressure or at 4 kPa (0.6 psi) or more above the pressure of any water in said water passages, and either may be below freezing. Water transport plates ( ) have water passages connected to a water circulation loop ( ) including a reservoir ( ) having an auxiliary heater ( ) connected ( ) to the stack. Warming of cell stack materials and ice in the water transport plates, heat of fusion of melting ice, warming of melted water, and evaporative cooling of water melted in the water transport plates keep the fuel cell cool until liquid coolant can be circulated.