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:
Feb. 02, 2010
Filed:
Nov. 22, 2006
Kazutoshi Nomoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Kazutoshi Nomoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
Methods of operating a fuel cell and a power supply systems are provided. The methods and systems of the present invention are capable of suppressing condensation of moisture obstructing an air passage without the need of any complicated system configuration. The method of operating a fuel cell includes controlling a supply of air while monitoring a relative humidity of exhausted air. The step of controlling the supply of air can be performed such that the relative humidity of exhausted air becomes equal to or less than a specific humidity. The power supply system including, as a power supply, a fuel cell having an air supply unit, an air exhaust unit, and a fuel gas supply unit includes a humidity sensor provided on the air exhaust unit, and a control mechanism for controlling a supplied amount of air in the air supply unit based on the information provided from the humidity sensor.