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:
May. 11, 2010
Filed:
Sep. 30, 2005
Gregory Lee Warner, Schenectady, NY (US);
Kenneth Walter Browall, Saratoga Springs, NY (US);
Stephane Renou, Clifton, NY (US);
Gregory Lee Warner, Schenectady, NY (US);
Kenneth Walter Browall, Saratoga Springs, NY (US);
Stephane Renou, Clifton, NY (US);
General Electric Company, Niskayuna, NY (US);
Abstract
A system and method for operating a fuel cell, including reacting a fuel with an oxidant within the fuel cell to produce electricity and reaction products comprising steam. The fuel is fed through the fuel cell, wherein a concentration of the steam increases in the first direction through the fuel cell. The direction of fuel-flow through the fuel cell is altered or reversed upon satisfying a condition, thereby altering the concentration gradient of steam in the fuel cell and providing for removal of carbon deposition with the fuel cell. Such reversal of fuel flow may also provide an exhaust from the fuel cell that can regenerate an external or adjacent hydrocarbon reformer.