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:
Mar. 16, 2004
Filed:
May. 03, 2001
William S. Wheat, Rochester, NY (US);
Derek S. Kilmer, Rochester, NY (US);
Bruce J. Clingerman, Palmyra, NY (US);
Matthew K. Hortop, Rochester, NY (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A gas flow control system for a fuel cell includes a gas supply and a humidifier. A fuel cell stack includes a cathode flow line with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the cathode flow line is connected to the outlet of the humidifier. A combustor includes an inlet that receives gas from the outlet of the cathode flow line. A valve and a bypass line bypass gas around the humidifier and the fuel cell stack to the combustor. The valve is preferably one of a gas restriction valve, a throttle valve, and a directional valve. A gas flow sensor generates a gas flow signal based on gas flowing through at least one of the humidifier, the cathode flow line of the fuel cell stack, and the bypass line. A flow controller that is connected to the gas flow sensor and the valve controls the valve based on the gas flow signal.