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. 07, 2015
Filed:
Jan. 23, 2009
Keigo Suematsu, Susono, JP;
Keigo Suematsu, Susono, JP;
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Toyota-shi, JP;
Abstract
The present invention relates to a fuel cell system that is capable of running a detailed diagnostic check on the internal dryness of a fuel cell. The fuel cell system measures the distribution of electrical current density on a power generation plane of the fuel cell, and diagnoses the internal dryness of the fuel cell in accordance with changes in the peak position of electrical current density on the power generation plane. If the fuel cell is configured to let a reactant gas (hydrogen) on the anode side and a reactant gas (air) on the cathode side flow in opposing directions with the power generation plane positioned in between, the fuel cell system judges whether the peak position of electrical current density is displaced toward the outlet of an anode or the outlet of a cathode. In accordance with the result of judgment, the fuel cell system can determine whether dry-up has occurred on the anode side or cathode side.