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:
Nov. 06, 2012
Filed:
Apr. 28, 2008
Richard A. Sederquist, Middletown, CT (US);
Brian W. Wells, Vancouver, CA;
Alexander Mossman, Vancouver, CA;
Craig R. Louie, West Vancouver, CA;
Richard A. Sederquist, Middletown, CT (US);
Brian W. Wells, Vancouver, CA;
Alexander Mossman, Vancouver, CA;
Craig R. Louie, West Vancouver, CA;
Daimler AG, Stuttgart, DE;
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A fuel cell system is provided that is capable of operating at high temperatures and near-ambient pressure with partial humidification of air supplied to the fuel cell stack. The fuel cells of the stack incorporate gas diffusion barrier layers at the cathode side thereof. The system includes a cooling loop for circulating a liquid coolant through the stack. In some embodiments, an incoming air stream is partially humidified with water vapor transferred from a cathode exhaust stream in a gas-exchange humidifier or enthalpy wheel. In other embodiments, a cathode recycle is employed to partially humidify the incoming air. The humidity of the air and cathode exhaust streams is maintained below a stack saturation point. Methods of operating the fuel cell system are also provided.