Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100086811 | CONTROLLING AN AMOUNT OF LIQUID WITHIN A FUEL CELL - A method of controlling an amount of liquid in a fuel cell includes increasing the oxygen utilization within the fuel cell to increase heat. The heat reduces the amount of liquid in the fuel cell. A disclosed example method includes decreasing a supply of air to the fuel cell to lower a fuel cell voltage by increasing the oxygen utilization. The example method includes maintaining an essentially electrical current density while decreasing the supply of air. | 04-08-2010 |
20100086817 | WATER RETENTION AND GAS INGESTION CONTROL FOR A FUEL CELL - A fuel cell includes a water transport plate providing a water flow field. The water flow field includes water having gas. A vent is in fluid communication with the water flow field. The vent includes a membrane that obstructs flow of water past the membrane while permitting the flow of gas past the membrane. The membrane can include a pore size between approximately 0.1μ to 10.0μ, which enables gases to pass through the pores while blocking water. The membrane can be hydrophobic, for example, Teflon, to prevent the passage of water through the membrane. A hydrophobic fluid can also be arranged on the membrane to act as a check valve. | 04-08-2010 |
20110014530 | RESERVOIR FOR HOT WEATHER OPERATION OF EVAPORATIVELY COOLED FUEL CELL - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell having a cathode and an anode. A water flow field is in communication with the cathode for producing moist air. A cooling system for an evaporatively cooled fuel cell includes a condenser arranged to receive the moist air and produce condensed water. A separator may be arranged to receive the condensed water. A return line fluidly connects the separator and the water flow field. A reservoir has additional water that is in fluid communication with the return line for selectively providing the additional water to the water flow field in an out-of-balance hot fuel cell condition. The reservoir is connected in and to the cooling system in a manner that does not block water flow if the reservoir freezes. | 01-20-2011 |
20110104582 | TAILORING LIQUID WATER PERMEABILITY OF DIFFUSION LAYERS IN FUEL CELL STACKS - A fuel cell stack ( | 05-05-2011 |