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. 22, 2014
Filed:
Feb. 05, 2007
Prem Menon, Pittsford, NY (US);
John J. Conley, Morgantown, WV (US);
David A. Masten, Rochester, NY (US);
Bruce J. Clingerman, Palmyra, NY (US);
Prem Menon, Pittsford, NY (US);
John J. Conley, Morgantown, WV (US);
David A. Masten, Rochester, NY (US);
Bruce J. Clingerman, Palmyra, NY (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A fuel cell system that employs one or more wax elements to provide passive control. In one embodiment, a wax element device is positioned within a coolant stream pipe. The wax element device includes a wax element positioned within a container. An electrically conductive rod is positioned within the wax element and extends out of the pipe. As the wax element expands and contracts in response to temperature changes in the cooling fluid, the rod moves up and down to make various electrical contacts and control the various devices, such a coolant pump and a coolant fan. In another embodiment, the rod extends into a cathode exhaust pipe of the fuel cell system, and is coupled to a back-pressure valve therein. As the temperature of the cooling fluid changes, the wax element expands and contracts to control the position of the back-pressure valve.