Abstract: A bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell is disclosed. The bipolar plate includes a unitary plate having first and second inlet ports, first and second outlet ports, first flow channels, and second flow channels. A first inlet header channel at one end of the first flow channels is in fluid communication with the first inlet port, and a first outlet header channel at the other end of the first flow channels is in fluid communication with the first outlet port. A second inlet header channel at one end of the second flow channels is in fluid communication with the second inlet port, and a second outlet header channel at the other end of the second flow channels is in fluid communication with the second outlet port. Each of the header channels includes a support surface sufficient to support a membrane-electrode-assembly while providing a fluid flow channel from one end of the respective header channel to the other end.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the operation of a gas sensor is disclosed. A system signal is provided in response to sensing first or second system conditions, and a gas concentration signal is provided in response to sensing first or second gas concentration levels of a gas. In response to the system and gas concentration signals, a signal indicating the operating condition of the gas sensor is provided.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system comprises: a fuel cell module comprising a fuel cell outlet, an electrolysis module comprising an electrolysis water inlet in fluid communication with a water storage device and a hydrogen gas outlet in fluid communication with a hydrogen storage device, and a drainage system disposed downstream of the fuel cell hydrogen outlet and upstream of the water storage device and configured to remove water from the electrochemical cell system upon water within the water storage device attaining a selected level.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a proton exchange membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the electrodes. The proton exchange membrane is configured to be integral with a frame structure and includes a substrate disposed in contiguous contact with the frame structure and a proton exchange material disposed at the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for an a system for maintaining hydrogen purity in an electrical power generator. The purity system includes: a generator, a hydrogen generator configured to provide hydrogen gas to the generator, a purity monitor for detecting the level of hydrogen purity in the generator and providing a signal when the purity drops below a predetermined threshold. The system automatically compensates for gas loss or contamination to maintain the desired level of efficiency in the electrical generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a power system is disclosed. A plurality of sensor signals each representative of an operating characteristic of a power system module are received at a common data bus. The sensor signals are received and analyzed at a controller for the presence of an abnormal operating condition, and in response thereto it is determined whether an operational adjustment of the power system module is desirable. In response to the existence of a desirable adjustment condition, the operation of the power system module is automatically adjusted. A sensor of the plurality of sensors is arranged for providing an operating characteristic that is derivable from one or more of the other sensors, which include a different type of sensor, thereby providing redundant system information for determining whether an operational adjustment of the power system module is desirable.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell system comprises: a fuel cell stack comprising a fuel cell having a fuel cell hydrogen inlet and a fuel cell hydrogen outlet, and a first electrochemical hydrogen compressor in fluid communication with the fuel cell hydrogen outlet, wherein the first electrochemical hydrogen compressor comprises electrodes in electrical communication with an electricity source, and a compressed hydrogen outlet in fluid communication with the fuel cell hydrogen inlet. In one embodiment, the method of operating the electrochemical cell system comprises: introducing hydrogen feed to a fuel cell at a feed rate of greater than stoichiometry, directing excess hydrogen from the fuel cell to a first electrochemical hydrogen compressor, electrochemically compressing the excess hydrogen to compressed hydrogen, and recirculating the compressed hydrogen gas to the fuel cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is disclosed having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a first cell separator plate, a second cell separator plate, and a carbon layer with integrated flowchannels. The MEA includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a membrane disposed between and in fluid communication with the first and second electrodes. The first cell separator plate is disposed on the first electrode side of the MEA and defines a first flow field therebetween, the first flow field being proximate a first frame member. The second cell separator plate is disposed on the second electrode side of the MEA and defines a second flow field therebetween, the second flow field being proximate a second frame member. The carbon layer with integrated flowchannels is disposed at the first flow field, the flowchannels having a flow width that is equal to or less than the width of the webbing between adjacent flowchannels.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell can comprise: a first electrode and a second electrode with a membrane disposed therebetween and in ionic communication with the first electrode and the second electrode and a sintered porous support member disposed on a side of the membrane opposite the second electrode, wherein the support member comprises a first portion on first side of the support member proximate the membrane and a second portion disposed on a side of the first portion opposite the membrane, wherein the second portion has a second portion porosity different from a first portion porosity.

Abstract: A regenerative fuel cell system is provided having at least one hydrogen storage container fluidly coupled to at least one hydrogen generator and at least one power generator. Each power generator further includes a fuel cell fluidly coupled to the hydrogen storage container, an electric energy storage device, and an unregulated dc bus electrically connected to said fuel cell and said electric storage device. The system further provides for a health monitoring system for determining the occurrence of critical events which may necessitate the disabling of the system.

Abstract: A regenerative fuel cell system is provided having at least one hydrogen storage container fluidly coupled to at least one hydrogen generator and at least one power generator. Each power generator further includes a fuel cell fluidly coupled to the hydrogen storage container, an electric energy storage device, and an unregulated dc bus electrically connected to said fuel cell and said electric storage device. The system further provides for a health monitoring system for determining the occurrence of critical events which may necessitate the disabling of the system.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a proton exchange membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the electrodes, and a pressure pad disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode. The pressure pad is compatible with the cell environment and is configured to support the electrodes and the membrane. The pressure pad includes an electrically conductive member and a compression member disposed at the electrically conductive member. A method of maintaining compression within the cell includes disposing the electrically conductive member and the compression member at the first electrode, applying a load at the cell to compress the cell components, and maintaining electrical communication through the electrically conductive member.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell capable of operating in pressure differentials exceeding about 2,000 psi, using a porous electrode. The porous electrode comprises a catalyst adsorbed on or in a porous support that is disposed in intimate contact and fluid communication with the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating electricity for use with liquid hydrogen storage facility. The system includes a liquid hydrogen storage tank with a pressure relief. An energy conversion device is connected to the pressure relief valve an converts the hydrogen into rotational energy to operate an electrical generator. Electricity created by the generator can be fed back to operate ancillary loads in the facility, or sold for use in a main electrical grid.

Abstract: A gas regulation system includes a manifold, a plurality of control modules in fluid communication with the manifold, and a power source. Each control module includes an actuatable valve that is in fluid communication with an associated gas storage device and in electrical communication with the power source. The power source is adapted to prevent more than one of the actuatable valves from simultaneously having an actuated state.

Abstract: A power system comprising: a primary power source in electrical communication with a bridging power source, wherein the bridging power source is in electrical communication with a bus; a secondary power source in electrical communication with the bus, wherein the secondary power source comprises an electrochemical system including a fuel cell. The system further includes: a controller electrically disposed between and in operable communication with the bus and the bridging power source, and electrically disposed between and in communication with the bus and the secondary power source. The controller monitors the primary power source, initiates powering by the bridge power source when the primary power source exhibits selected characteristics, initiates the secondary power source when the bridging power source is depleted exceeding a first selected threshold, and initiates interruption of powering by the secondary power source.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a membrane disposed between and in fluid communication with the first and second electrodes. A first cell separator plate opposes the first electrode and defines a first flow field therebetween, the first flow field being proximate a first frame member. A second cell separator plate opposes the second electrode and defines a second flow field therebetween, the second flow field being proximate a second frame member. The first cell separator plate, the second cell separator plate, the first frame member, the second frame member, or a combination thereof, are at least partially coated with a layer containing elemental carbon.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the regenerative electrochemical cell system comprises: a fuel cell module comprising a fuel cell oxygen inlet in fluid communication a water storage device, and a fuel cell hydrogen inlet in fluid communication with both an oxygen source and with a gaseous portion of an water phase separation device; an electrolysis module comprising an electrolysis water inlet in fluid communication with the water storage device via a fuel cell oxygen outlet, and an electrolysis water outlet in fluid communication with the fuel cell hydrogen.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the electrochemical cell comprises: a first electrode, a second electrode, and a membrane disposed between and in ionic communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. A first flow field is in fluid communication with the first electrode and disposed opposite the membrane, with a second flow field in fluid communication with second electrode and disposed opposite the membrane, and an electrically conductive pressure pad adjacent the first flow field and the first electrode. The pressure pad comprises a mixture of at least one substoichiometric oxide of titanium and an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a venturi device coupled with an exhaust stream from the internal combustion engine. The venturi device creates a gas flow through a condenser to generate reactant water. After the reactant water is polished to remove contaminants, hydrogen and oxygen are disassociated using a PEM based electrolyzer. The hydrogen gas is used by the internal combustion engine to assist in the combustion process and reduce pollutant emissions.