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:
Jan. 07, 2014
Filed:
Sep. 14, 2007
Charles Vesely, Andover, MN (US);
Bradford Palmer, Ham Lake, MN (US);
Xin LI, Blaine, MN (US);
Cummins Power Generation Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
Methods and systems for maintaining near operational mode internal temperatures of a high temperature fuel cell system during a hibernation mode are provided. Embodiments of the claimed invention include powering an electric heater adjacent to the high temperature fuel cell system to heat the high temperature fuel cell system. The use of an electrical heater allows the fuel cell system to maintain approximate operation mode internal temperatures during a hibernation mode and eliminates the problems of excess noise, vibration and exhaust emissions typical of previous fuel cell system heating methods. Gross energy savings of 67% and a fuel consumption reduction rate of 33% have been shown when substituting this method with previous fuel cell system heating methods with no additional manufacturing costs.