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. 22, 2005
Filed:
Dec. 04, 2002
Soichiro Shimotori, Kawasaki, JP;
Yasuji Ogami, Yokohama, JP;
Michael L. Perry, South Glastonbury, CT (US);
Soichiro Shimotori, Kawasaki, JP;
Yasuji Ogami, Yokohama, JP;
Michael L. Perry, South Glastonbury, CT (US);
UTC Fuel Cells, LLC, South Windsor, CT (US);
Abstract
A method for operating a fuel cell power plant. The fuel cell can include a reactant passage () with an upstream portion and a downstream portion for providing reactant to an electrode (), at least one liquid passage (), and a plate () made from a porous material that is liquid permeable and conductive. The porous material separates the reactant passage and the liquid passage. A pressure profile is controlled to provide a positive pressure difference in the upstream portion and a negative pressure difference in the downstream portion. A positive pressure difference is one where the liquid pressure is higher than that of the reactant. A negative pressure difference is one where the liquid pressure is less than that of the reactant. The pressure profile can be used to provide enhanced humidification of the reactant in the upstream portion and effective liquid water removal in the downstream portion to maximize both the performance and the life of the fuel cell.