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:
Sep. 07, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 29, 2001
Gregory James, Coquitlam, CA;
Rajeev Vohra, Burnaby, CA;
Ballard Power Systems Inc., Burnaby, CA;
Abstract
An operating method increases fuel cell life or durability, particularly that of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The fuel cell has a mean life expectancy that may be empirically determined. The method comprises the step of reversing the direction of flow of at least one of the fluids supplied to the fuel cell (for example, the fuel and/or oxidant reactants) through its corresponding flow field after a time period of operation of the fuel cell. The time period is less than the mean life expectancy of the cell and has a value that is a substantial part of the mean life expectancy. The flow may be reversed once or several times over the life of the fuel cell. An improved apparatus carries out the method.