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. 28, 2011
Filed:
Jan. 15, 2008
Clark G. Hochgraf, Honeoye Falls, NY (US);
Robert S. Foley, Rochester, NY (US);
Matthew K. Hortop, Rochester, NY (US);
Balasubramanian Lakshmanan, Pittsford, NY (US);
Clark G. Hochgraf, Honeoye Falls, NY (US);
Robert S. Foley, Rochester, NY (US);
Matthew K. Hortop, Rochester, NY (US);
Balasubramanian Lakshmanan, Pittsford, NY (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A fuel cell system is provided that includes a fuel cell stack with a plurality of fuel cells and a power converter in electrical communication with the fuel cell stack. The power converter is configured to selectively regulate a power of the fuel cell stack and short circuit the fuel cell stack, as desired. A method for starting the fuel cell stack is also described, including the steps of causing a short circuit of the fuel cell stack by placing the power converter in a short circuit mode; introducing a hydrogen to the anodes of the fuel cell stack to displace a quantity of air on the anodes; and placing the power converter in a power regulation mode. A degradation of the fuel cell stack during start-up is thereby militated against.