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:
Apr. 07, 2011
Jun Cai, Rochester, NY (US);
Seth E. Lerner, Honeoye Falls, NY (US);
Loren Devries, Rochester, NY (US);
Steven R. Falta, Honeoye Falls, NY (US);
Jun Cai, Rochester, NY (US);
Seth E. Lerner, Honeoye Falls, NY (US);
Loren Devries, Rochester, NY (US);
Steven R. Falta, Honeoye Falls, NY (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A system and method for determining a loss of cooling fluid from a thermal sub-system in a fuel cell system. The method includes monitoring current feedback from a high temperature pump that pumps the cooling fluid through a coolant loop. A measured current from the pump is compared to an expected current for the system operating conditions, and if that current is significantly less than what is expected, then it may be as a result of low cooling fluid. If the measured current is less than the expected current for a predetermined period of time, then the system can take mitigating action as a result of a low cooling fluid. Further, if the pump speed is too low to provide an accurate current measurement, then it can be increased if an overflow tank level sensor indicates a low cooling fluid level.