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:
Apr. 14, 2015
Filed:
Sep. 24, 2007
Abdullah B. Alp, West Henrietta, NY (US);
Akbar Chowdhury, Pittsford, NY (US);
Kristian M. Whitehouse, Rochester, NY (US);
Matthew K. Hortop, Rochester, NY (US);
Matthew C. Kirklin, Pittsford, NY (US);
Abdullah B. Alp, West Henrietta, NY (US);
Akbar Chowdhury, Pittsford, NY (US);
Kristian M. Whitehouse, Rochester, NY (US);
Matthew K. Hortop, Rochester, NY (US);
Matthew C. Kirklin, Pittsford, NY (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A fuel cell system is provided that includes a fuel cell stack and an air compressor in communication with a cathode inlet, a hydrogen source in communication with an anode inlet, and a start-up battery adapted to power the air compressor. The start-up battery is at least one of a low-voltage battery and a high-voltage battery. A power conversion module is in electrical communication with the start-up battery and the air compressor. The power conversion module is adapted to boost a voltage of the start-up battery as desired and power the air compressor at start-up. A controller is in communication with the power conversion module and is adapted to set an air compressor speed based on an available electrical energy. An open-loop method of operating the fuel cell system at start-up is also provided, wherein an anode purge is scheduled based on the available electrical energy from the battery.