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. 04, 2013
Filed:
Dec. 20, 2007
Michael L. Perry, Glastonbury, CT (US);
Michael L. Perry, Glastonbury, CT (US);
UTC Power Corporation, South Windsor, CT (US);
Abstract
A fuel cell power plant () includes a power supply () that directs a direct current to catalysts (), () of a fuel cell () after terminating flow of electricity to a primary load (), and after flow of an oxidant adjacent the cathode catalyst () is terminated, and while a reformate fuel is directed adjacent the anode catalyst (). Pure hydrogen fuel generated thereby at the cathode catalyst () is directed into a hydrogen storage tank (). Upon start-up of the power plant (), the stored hydrogen gas is directed from the tank () to flow adjacent the anode catalyst () while a reformer () is being warmed up for operation, to provide virtually instantaneous start-up of the plant (). Optionally, the stored hydrogen may be used occasionally during operation with the reformate fuel to meet an increased demand for electricity.