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. 25, 2008
Filed:
Sep. 14, 2001
Willi Bette, Erlangen, DE;
Josef Lersch, Heroldsbach, DE;
Arno Mattejat, Bubenreuth, DE;
Karl Strasser, Erlangen, DE;
Willi Bette, Erlangen, DE;
Josef Lersch, Heroldsbach, DE;
Arno Mattejat, Bubenreuth, DE;
Karl Strasser, Erlangen, DE;
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Munich, DE;
Abstract
A leak in a fuel cell module can allow hydrogen and/or oxygen to escape from the fuel cell module, thereby creating a high risk of fire or explosion. This problem is addressed by providing a fuel cell installation with a fuel cell module that is enclosed in a gas-tight pressure container. Filling the pressure container with a protective gas ensures that if the fuel cell module does leak, no operating gas can escape from the module, with protective gas entering the module instead. A leak therefore no longer poses a risk. The leak can also be identified and located by a voltage drop in the cells affected by the leak.