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:
Oct. 28, 2008
Filed:
Jun. 17, 2004
Shimpei Miura, Mishima, JP;
Shimpei Miura, Mishima, JP;
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
When a command for stopping electric generation by a fuel cell is issued, shutoff valves are closed (at time t), and then a time-dependent change in pressure (P) in a closed passage area including the fuel cell is detected. A pressure change speed (dP, i.e., an inclination of L) when the pressure (P) is in a first pressure range (Ra) in the vicinity of atmospheric pressure and a pressure change speed (dP, i.e., an inclination of L) when the pressure (P) is in a second pressure range (Rb) that is on a high pressure side of the first pressure range (Ra) are detected, and both the pressure change speeds (dP, dP) are compared with each other. When a difference between both the pressure change speeds (dP, dP) is equal to or larger than a predetermined value (Pc), it is determined that there is a hole in an electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell.