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:
Jul. 23, 2013
Filed:
Dec. 18, 2006
Method of mitigating fuel cell degradation due to startup and shutdown via hydrogen/nitrogen storage
Paul Taichiang Yu, Pittsford, NY (US);
Frederick T. Wagner, Fairport, NY (US);
Glenn W. Skala, Churchville, NY (US);
Balsu Lakshmanan, Pittsford, NY (US);
John P. Salvador, Penfield, NY (US);
Paul Taichiang Yu, Pittsford, NY (US);
Frederick T. Wagner, Fairport, NY (US);
Glenn W. Skala, Churchville, NY (US);
Balsu Lakshmanan, Pittsford, NY (US);
John P. Salvador, Penfield, NY (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A method of operating the fuel cell stack having an anode side and a cathode side by flowing hydrogen into the anode side and flowing air into the cathode side. The fuel cell produces electricity that is used to operate a primary electrical device. To shut down the stack in one embodiment, the primary electrical device is disconnected from the stack. The flow of air into the cathode side is stopped and positive hydrogen pressure is maintained on the anode side. The fuel cell stack is shorted and oxygen in the cathode side is allowed to be consumed by hydrogen. The inlet and outlet valves of the anode and the cathode sides are closed. Thereafter, the flow of hydrogen into the anode side is stopped and the flow of exhaust from the cathode side is stopped.