Abstract: A method for processing drawings. The present invention can enhance a child's self-esteem and creativity by enabling them to create unique and imaginative works of art. First, a plurality of randomized markings are generated. A user makes linear connections between the markings, creating a user drawing. Next, a first database is queried to retrieve an outline that matches the user drawing. The outline is matched to the user drawing based on similarities and locations of general shapes used in both. Once the database has found a matching outline, a second database is queried to retrieve an image corresponding to the outline. The image is transmitted to a terminal where the user can then add additional elements, such as color, figures, text, and the like.

Abstract: A method for processing drawings. The present invention can enhance a child's self-esteem and creativity by enabling them to create unique and imaginative works of art. First, a plurality of randomized markings are generated. A user makes linear connections between the markings, creating a user drawing. Next, a first database is queried to retrieve an outline that matches the user drawing. The outline is matched to the user drawing based on similarities and locations of general shapes used in both. Once the database has found a matching outline, a second database is queried to retrieve an image corresponding to the outline. The image is transmitted to a terminal where the user can then add additional elements, such as color, figures, text, and the like.

Abstract: A liquid-gas separator assembly is used in separating gas bubbles from a liquid coolant which liquid coolant is used in a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant. The assembly includes a cylindrical housing containing a central tube which is surrounded by an annular chamber. The annular chamber is defined by the outer surface of the central tube and the inner surface of the cylindrical housing. An inlet line injects a stream of the coolant from the fuel cell stack area of the power plant into the bottom of the central tube in a tangential flow pattern so that the coolant and gas bubble mixture swirls upwardly through the central tube. The swirling flow pattern of the coolant and gas bubble mixture causes the gas bubbles to separate from the liquid coolant so that the gas in the mixture will migrate to the central portion of the swirl tube and the liquid component of the mixture will centrifugally migrate to the inner wall of the swirl tube.

Abstract: A liquid-gas separator assembly is used in separating gas bubbles from a liquid coolant which liquid coolant is used in a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant. The assembly includes a cylindrical housing containing a central tube which is surrounded by an annular chamber. The annular chamber is defined by the outer surface of the central tube and the inner surface of the cylindrical housing. An inlet line injects a stream of the coolant from the fuel cell stack area of the power plant into the bottom of the central tube in a tangential flow pattern so that the coolant and gas bubble mixture swirls upwardly through the central tube. The swirling flow pattern of the coolant and gas bubble mixture causes the gas bubbles to separate from the liquid coolant so that the gas in the mixture will migrate to the central portion of the swirl tube and the liquid component of the mixture will centrifugally migrate to the inner wall of the swirl tube.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for removing contaminants from a hydrogen processor feed stream, as in a fuel cell power plant (110). Inlet oxidant (38), typically air, required by a catalytic hydrogen processor (34) in a fuel processor (14) for a fuel cell stack assembly (12) in the power plant (110), may contain contaminants such as SO2 and the like. A cleansing arrangement, which includes an accumulator/degasifier (142, 46) acting as a scrubber, and possibly also a water transfer device (118), receives the inlet oxidant and provides the desired cleansing of contaminants. Water in the water transfer device and in the accumulator/degasifier serves to dissolve the water-soluble contaminants and cleanse them from the oxidant stream. The cleansed oxidant stream (138?) is then delivered to the hydrogen processor and to the fuel cell assembly, with minimal inclusion of detrimental contaminants such as sulfur.

Abstract: Fuel cell flow fields (7) have their outlets (23) connected through a low pressure blower (19) to a secondary inlet (31) of an ejector (17), the output of the ejector being connected to the inlets (9) of the fuel flow fields. A high pressure source of hydrogen (14) passes through a remote-sense pressure control valve, thereby causing the correct amount of fuel to flow to the primary inlet (30) of the ejector, in dependence upon the load of the fuel cell stack, to cause the pressure at the fuel inlets (9), or alternatively the fuel outlets (23), to be constant. The blower is selected to provide adequate fuel recycle gas in a range of low power fuel cell stack operation which includes the lowest power operation of the fuel cell stack. The ejector draws fuel recycle gas in excess of the blower maximum. A bypass valve (36) permits the ejector to carry less than maximum fuel.

Abstract: An arrangement and process are provided for regulating the humidification or dew point of inlet air supplied (124, 224, 324, 424) to combustion-supported reaction means (20, 120) of a fuel processing system in a fuel cell power plant (110, 210, 310, 410). In addition to flowing exhaust gas(es) (28, 128) in heat and energy exchange relation with inlet air through a primary energy recovery device (ERD) (30) of the gas/gas type, a supplemental ERD (50) of the gas/liquid (water) type uses water temperature to passively condense moisture from a gas stream, either of inlet air or of exhaust gas, to regulate the dew point of the air supplied to the combustion-supported reaction means (20, 120). The supplemental ERD (50) may have a gas channel (134) and a water channel (132) separated by an enthalpy exchange barrier (136), and may be relatively upstream or downstream of the primary ERD (30) relative to the flow of inlet air through the latter to regulate dew point indirectly or directly, respectively.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided in a fuel cell power plant (10) for dispensing (58 74,60, 64) a liquid medium, such as water (66), into a process oxidant (air) stream (53) that flows through one gas channel (42) in an energy recovery device (ERD) (32). An exhaust gas stream (48) containing heat and moisture from the fuel cell (12) flows through another channel (44) in the ERD. An enthalpy exchange barrier (46) separates the one and the other gas channels, but allows mass and/or heat transfer therebetween. The water is injected into the air stream (53) in a controlled (70, 74) amount, and perhaps temperature (78), in response to sensed parameters (80, 84, 90) of the power plant, including the process air stream, to adjust one or more conditions in the power plant. Controlling ERD dryness, providing a defrost capability for the ERD, and/or preventing excessive water accumulation in the system are several of the conditions controlled.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant system includes the ability to operate an enthalpy recovery device even under cold conditions. A bypass arrangement allows for selectively bypassing one or more portions of the enthalpy recovery device under selected conditions. In one example, the enthalpy recovery device is completely bypassed under selected temperature conditions to allow the device to freeze and then later to be used under more favorable temperature conditions. In another example, the enthalpy recovery device is selectively bypassed during a system startup operation. One example includes a heater associated with the enthalpy recovery device. Another example includes preheating oxidant supplied to one portion of the enthalpy recovery device.