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. 28, 2013
Filed:
Oct. 03, 2011
Joe C. Machuca, Rochester, NY (US);
Charles Mackintosh, Victor, NY (US);
Gary M. Robb, Honeoye Falls, NY (US);
Steven G. Goebel, Victor, NY (US);
Joe C. Machuca, Rochester, NY (US);
Charles Mackintosh, Victor, NY (US);
Gary M. Robb, Honeoye Falls, NY (US);
Steven G. Goebel, Victor, NY (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A fuel cell system that enables an assisted anode purge upon start-up is provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells with anodes and cathodes. The fuel cell stack has an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the anodes. The fuel cell system further includes a suction device in fluid communication with at least one of the anode supply manifold and the anode exhaust manifold. The suction device adapted to selectively draw a partial vacuum on the fuel cell stack during a start-up of the fuel cell system. Methods for starting the fuel cell system are also provided.