Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090208789 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PURGING WATER FROM A FUEL CELL STACK - A system for delivering an input fuel stream to a fuel cell stack to generate electrical current and to discharge an unused fuel stream is provided. A supply produces a supply fuel stream. An ejector combines a purged fuel stream and the supply fuel stream and controls the flow of the input fuel stream to the fuel cell stack. A purging arrangement receives the unused fuel stream which includes impurities and purges the impurities from the unused fuel stream to generate the purged fuel stream. A bypass valve is capable of delivering the purged fuel stream to the ejector. A blower is capable of delivering the purged fuel stream to the ejector. A controller controls one of the bypass valve and the blower for delivering the purged fuel stream to the ejector based on the amount of electrical current generated by the fuel cell stack. | 08-20-2009 |
20100178578 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A FUEL CELL ANODE GAS COMPOSITION - In at least one embodiment, a purge system for a fuel cell stack is provided. The system comprises a blower, a differential pressure sensor and a purge valve. The blower delivers a recirculated gas back to the stack at varying electrical power levels and blower speeds. The differential pressure sensor senses pressure of the recirculated gas across the blower. The purge valve purges the recirculated gas based on at least one of a blower power level, a blower speed, and the pressure of the recirculated gas. | 07-15-2010 |
20110165480 | Fuel Cell System And Method Of Using The Same - In at least one embodiment, a fuel cell anode exhaust system includes a fuel cell anode having an input and an output. The system also includes a first conduit loop communicating with the anode input and output. The system also includes a second conduit loop having an input and an output. The input and output communicate with the first conduit loop. A gas separator is disposed on the second conduit loop for purifying an exhaust stream fed into the gas separator. | 07-07-2011 |
20110165485 | Fuel Cell System And Method Of Use - A fuel cell having a cathode and an anode. The cathode has an inlet and an outlet. The fuel cell also includes at least one of a first valve and a second valve. The first valve is situated at and connected to the cathode inlet. The second valve is situated at and connected to the cathode outlet. The fuel cell system also includes a controller configured to control the first and second valves during a first operating condition and a second operating condition. The first operating condition includes the transition of the fuel cell system from an operational state to a non-operational state. The second operating condition includes the transition from a non-operational state to an operational state. | 07-07-2011 |
20110165488 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND HEATED PRESSURE SENSOR - A fuel cell system may include a fuel cell stack, a manifold in fluid communication with the stack, and a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may include a housing defining a chamber in fluid communication with the manifold, a pressure sensing element disposed within the chamber, and a heating element disposed within the chamber. | 07-07-2011 |
20110165499 | Fuel Cell System And Method of Use - A fuel cell system includes a primary hydrogen source capable of communicating with a fuel cell anode. The system also includes a secondary hydrogen source communicating with the primary hydrogen source. A first valve is positioned downstream of the secondary hydrogen source. The valve allows hydrogen from the secondary source to communicate with hydrogen from the primary source downstream of the valve and upstream of the fuel cell anode. | 07-07-2011 |
20110300733 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING DISENGAGEMENT BETWEEN AN ELECTRICAL PLUG AND A CHARGE PORT ON AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A system and method is provided for preventing disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle. One or more projections are disposed on the electric vehicle. The projection has an extended locked position and a retracted unlocked position. An actuator selectively extends and retracts the projection between the locked and unlocked positions. When the projection is in the locked position, the projection engages the plug and prevents disengagement of the plug and the port. | 12-08-2011 |
20130022886 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A FUEL CELL ANODE GAS COMPOSITION - In at least one embodiment, a purge system for a fuel cell stack is provided. The system comprises a blower, a differential pressure sensor and a purge valve. The blower delivers a recirculated gas back to the stack at varying electrical power levels and blower speeds. The differential pressure sensor senses pressure of the recirculated gas across the blower. The purge valve purges the recirculated gas based on at least one of a blower power level, a blower speed, and the pressure of the recirculated gas. | 01-24-2013 |
20150060167 | DUCT TO INFLUENCE AIR COOLING DISTRIBUTION TO BATTERY MODULE AND DC/DC MODULE - A vehicle is provided including a battery module, a DC/DC converter module portioned from the battery module, a duct, one blower, and a jumper duct. The battery module includes inlet and outlet ports. The DC/DC converter module includes inlet and outlet ports. A duct is arranged to direct cooling air into each of the inlet ports. The blower is arranged to draw cooling air from the duct, through the modules, and out the outlet ports. The jumper duct is arranged up stream of the blower with the converter outlet port, and configured to reduce an effective cross sectional area of the converter outlet port to define a flow rate of the cooling air into the battery inlet port. | 03-05-2015 |
20150060168 | DUCT FOR HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY AIR COOLING EXHAUST AND RECIRCULATION - A vehicle is provided including a battery pack with an exhaust port, an air extractor spaced away from the exhaust port, and other vehicle components. A cargo tub and one or more trim panels are arranged to define a duct spanning from the exhaust port, across the vehicle and to an air extractor spaced away from the exhaust port. Air flows along the duct en route to outside the vehicle via the air extractor. The vehicle may also include a cabin and an inlet to the cabin spaced away from the exhaust port. The cargo tub and one or more trim panels may also be arranged to define a recirculation path from the duct to the inlet such that a portion of the air exiting the exhaust port flows along the recirculation path to the cabin via the inlet. | 03-05-2015 |
20150060169 | AIR COOLING SYSTEM FOR HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY CELL ARRAYS - A vehicle is provided including a battery module with front and rear battery cell arrays arranged generally parallel to and spaced apart from one another. The battery module includes a cover having an inlet port proximate to the front battery cell array and arranged obliquely thereto. A blower unit is configured to draw air through the inlet port such that a first portion of the air travels into the front battery cell array. A tray cooperates with the front battery cell array to define a passageway configured to direct a second portion of the air underneath the front battery cell array. The tray also defines a ramp underneath, and extending substantially a length of, the rear battery cell array and is configured to direct the second portion of air into the rear array. | 03-05-2015 |
20150061413 | HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY COVER WITH ELECTRICAL DISCONNECT - A battery system includes a battery cover, a battery access panel removably connected to the battery cover, and a service disconnect switch. The service disconnect switch includes an electrical interlock switch. The service disconnect switch has a first position cooperating with the battery access panel to prevent removal of the access panel from the battery cover. In the first position, the service disconnect connects a traction battery to circuitry. The service disconnect also has a second position, the second position being displaced from the access panel and disconnecting the battery. | 03-05-2015 |