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. 28, 2012
Filed:
Apr. 07, 2006
Kazuo Saito, Glastonbury, CT (US);
Joshua M. Cunningham, Davis, CA (US);
Jung S. Yi, Phoenixville, PA (US);
Zakiul Kabir, Glastonbury, CT (US);
Michael L. Perry, South Glastonbury, CT (US);
Kazuo Saito, Glastonbury, CT (US);
Joshua M. Cunningham, Davis, CA (US);
Jung S. Yi, Phoenixville, PA (US);
Zakiul Kabir, Glastonbury, CT (US);
Michael L. Perry, South Glastonbury, CT (US);
UTC Power Corporation, South Windsor, CT (US);
Abstract
A fuel cell power plant () includes a stack () of fuel cells, each including anodes (), cathodes (), coolant channels () and either (a) a coolant accumulator () and a pump () or (b) a condenser and cooler fan. During shutdown, electricity generated in the fuel cell in response to boil-off hydrogen gas () powers a controller (), an air pump (), which may increase air utilization to prevent cell voltages over 0.85 during shutdown, and either (a) the coolant pump or (b) the cooler fan. Operation of the fuel cell keeps it warm; circulating the warm coolant prevents freezing of the coolant and plumbing. The effluent of the cathodes and/or anodes is provided to a catalytic burner () to consume all hydrogen before exhaust to ambient. An HVAC in a compartment of a vehicle may operate using electricity from the fuel cell during boil-off.