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:
Dec. 07, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 06, 2001
Paul R. Margiott, South Windsor, CT (US);
Christopher W. Callahan, Windsor Locks, CT (US);
Michael L. Perry, South Glastonbury, CT (US);
Glenn W. Scheffler, Tolland, CT (US);
UTC Fuel Cells, LLC, South Windsor, CT (US);
Abstract
A fuel cell system that includes fuel processing components, such as a reformer and shift converter, for converting an organic fuel to hydrogen, is shut-down by disconnecting the fuel cell from its load and purging the fuel processing components of residual hydrogen with a flow of air. The purge air may be forced through the components in series or in parallel, using a blower; or, the purge air may be allowed to enter the components through a low inlet, whereupon the air rises through the components by natural circulation and exits through a high outlet, along with the residual hydrogen.