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:
Jun. 22, 2010
Filed:
Apr. 04, 2006
Abdullah B. Alp, Rochester, NY (US);
Victor W. Logan, Naples, NY (US);
John P. Salvador, Penfield, NY (US);
Abdullah B. Alp, Rochester, NY (US);
Victor W. Logan, Naples, NY (US);
John P. Salvador, Penfield, NY (US);
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A method is provided for controlling the concentration of nitrogen in a fuel cell stack. The method includes providing a fuel cell stack with cathode passages and anode passages including a valve in communication with the anode passages. The method further comprises selecting a maximum desired amount of nitrogen to be found in the fuel cell stack and calculating an actual amount of nitrogen in the fuel cell stack. Next, the method provides for comparing the maximum desired amount of nitrogen in the fuel cell stack to the actual amount of nitrogen in the fuel cell stack, and opening the valve if the actual amount of nitrogen in the fuel cell stack is greater than the maximum desired amount of nitrogen in the fuel cell stack. The method calculates the actual amount of nitrogen in the fuel cell stack based on an amount of nitrogen that enters the anode passages due to an age of the fuel cell stack.