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:
Jul. 12, 2005
Filed:
Jun. 19, 2003
Albert P. Grasso, Vernon, CT (US);
Glenn W. Scheffler, Tolland, CT (US);
Leslie L. Van Dine, Manchester, CT (US);
Brian F. Dufner, West Hartford, CT (US);
Richard D. Breault, North Kingstown, RI (US);
Albert P. Grasso, Vernon, CT (US);
Glenn W. Scheffler, Tolland, CT (US);
Leslie L. Van Dine, Manchester, CT (US);
Brian F. Dufner, West Hartford, CT (US);
Richard D. Breault, North Kingstown, RI (US);
UTC Fuel Cells, LLC, South Windsor, CT (US);
Abstract
Water flow field inlet manifolds () are disposed at the fuel cell stack () base. Water flow field outlet manifolds () are located at the fuel cell stack top. Outlet and inlet manifolds are interconnected () so gas bubbles leaking through the porous water transport plate cause flow by natural convection, with no mechanical water pump. Variation in water level within a standpipe () controls () the temperature or flow of coolant. In another embodiment, the water is not circulated, but gas and excess water are vented from the water outlet manifolds. Water channels () may be vertical. A hydrophobic region () provides gas leakage to ensure bubble pumping of water. An external heat exchanger () maximizes water density differential for convective flow.