Abstract: A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system is disclosed. The method comprises pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure. The main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves. The first supply of fuel and a first supply of air are directed to a preheated micro-reformer. A heated pre-reformate is created in the micro-reformer and discharged from the micro-reformer to a main reformer. The main reformer is preheated with the heated pre-reformate. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air are introduced to the main reformer. A heated main reformate is created in the main reformer and directed to a waste energy recovery assembly. A cathode supply is heated in the waste energy recovery system and then directed to a solid oxide fuel cell stack in order to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Methods of transitioning, operating, shutting down, and maintaining in standby mode are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of using a diesel reforming strategy is disclosed. The method comprises supplying diesel fuel to a fractional distillation device. The diesel fuel is fractionally distilled to produce a light fuel stream and a heavy fuel stream. The light fuel stream is reformed in a reformer to produce a reformate. A method of making an apparatus for a diesel fuel reforming strategy and a method for using a fuel cell system is also disclosed. A fuel cell system for diesel fuel reforming is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preventing anode oxidation in a fuel cell is disclosed comprising applying a negative current to an anode of said fuel cell, such that the anode is disposed in ionic communication with a cathode through an electrolyte. Oxygen is transferred from the anode through the electrolyte to the cathode. A method preventing anode oxidation in a fuel cell by storing and using a reformate and doping an anode are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants from a reformer comprises removal of particulate matter under operating, or stand-by conditions, or at the start of a shutdown procedure, by introducing a gas mixture to the reformer system having an oxidant-to-fuel ratio concentration leaner than a normal oxidant-to-fuel ratio concentration and at a gas flow rate less than a peak flow rate. The process produces elevated temperatures at the reformer inlet and elevated levels of carbon dioxide and water that combine to remove the contaminants. Another embodiment includes removal of particulate matter during a shutdown procedure by cycling the flow of fuel and air on and off; monitoring an exit temperature of a catalyst substrate and alternatively, cycling the oxidant flow on and off when the exit temperature is less than or greater than a threshold temperature such that the exit temperature of the catalyst substrate is maintained below the temperature at which aging of the catalyst and/or a washcoat material may occur.

Abstract: A trap for an energy conversion device comprises a trapping system comprising a filter element and a trap element, and fluidly coupled to a reforming system. The trapping system is monitored by a combination of devices including an on-board diagnostic system, a temperature sensor, and a pressure differential sensor, which can individually or in combination determine when to regenerate the trapping system. The method for trapping sulfur and particulate matter using the trapping system comprises dispensing fuel into the energy conversion device. The fuel is processed in a reformer system to produce a reformate. The reformate is introduced into the trapping system and filtered to remove particulate matter and sulfur.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel cell system is disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises supplying an amount of fuel and an amount of oxidant to a fuel cell stack. The amount of fuel supplied to the fuel cell stack is controlled to attain a desired voltage output, such that the desired voltage is at least partially based upon an input current and voltage for a battery in electrical communication with the fuel cell stack. A vehicle power system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible, retractable assembly for use as a door, space divider, covering or the like which comprises a sheet such as Mylar polyester film having a permanent memory set to roll up on itself or otherwise retract automatically into a coil, accordion, or other compact configuration. The assembly is adapted to be stored on one side of an opening and then guided across the opening to fully or partially cover the opening. The permanent memory set of the sheet permits it to retract at least partially under its own force to eliminate or minimize the need for separate rewinding apparatus. The sheet may substitute for a variety of standard products including entryway doors, closet, cabinet and shower doors, screen doors and windows, room dividers, machinery guards and covers for various items such as florescent light fixtures. The sheet may be combined with decorative finishes including a tambour composite structure providing aesthetic and functional advantages.

Abstract: A method of controlling temperature at a fuel reformer comprises sensing the temperature at the fuel reformer and adding air to the fuel reformer. A dual air actuator system for use with a fuel reformer comprises air control valves in fluid communication with the fuel reformer and a temperature sensor in electrical communication with the air control valves.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a preheated micro-reformer system is disclosed comprising a reformer and a micro-reformer in fluid communication with the reformer. The micro-reformer being electrically preheatable. An apparatus comprising a micro-reformer including a first zone and a second zone, the first zone being preheatable to a first temperature and the second zone being preheatable to a second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: A temperature/reaction management system comprises a reformer system and a mat material fluidly coupled to a portion of the inlet of the reforming zone of the reformer system. An inert material and/or flame arrestor can optionally be positioned before the mat material to filter particulate matter, and lower the temperature of the fuel, respectively. A method for managing the temperature and reaction of fuel in an energy conversion device comprises dispensing an air/fuel mixture through a mat material disposed against an inlet of a reformer system. The air/fuel mixture is dispensed through a reflective surface of the mat material to maintain a first temperature that is less than a second temperature necessary for a gas phase reaction to occur. The mat material inhibits the propagation of a flame into the reformer system, and allows fuel to enter the reformer system.

Abstract: A method of main reformer startup is disclosed. The method comprises introducing a first supply of fuel and a first supply of air into a micro-reformer. The first supply of fuel is increased to produce a heated reformate in the micro-reformer. The heated reformate is directed through a main reformer in order to heat the main reformer. At least a portion of the heated reformate is burned in the main reformer. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air is introduced into the main reformer to produce a main supply of reformate. A method for maintaining a vehicle device in standby condition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling reformate delivered to an electrochemical cell in an electric power system. The system comprises: a reformate pressure sensor disposed in the reformate and configured to measure reformate pressure; a controllable valve configured to control the flow of reformate to the electrochemical cell; and a controller coupled to the reformate pressure sensor and the controllable valve. The controller receives a reformate pressure signal from the reformate pressure sensor, a controllable valve position signal from the controllable valve, and transmits a controllable valve command to the controllable valve.

Abstract: A system and method for modeling a reformate composition in an electric power system. The electric power system may include a reformer, which produces a reformate, and an electrochemical cell, which utilizes the reformate to generate electricity. The system and method comprise: a reformer temperature sensor, which generates a reformer temperature signal representative of a reformer temperature; an airflow sensor, which generates an airflow signal representative of a measured airflow to the reformer; and a controller configured to receive the abovementioned signals. The controller performs the modeling and generates an estimate of the reformate composition, where the estimate is responsive to at least one of the reformer temperature signal, the fuel flow signal, and the airflow signal.

Abstract: A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system is disclosed. The method comprises pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure. The main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves. The first supply of fuel and a first supply of air are directed to a preheated micro-reformer. A heated pre-reformate is created in the micro-reformer and discharged from the micro-reformer to a main reformer. The main reformer is preheated with the heated pre-reformate. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air are introduced to the main reformer. A heated main reformate is created in the main reformer and directed to a waste energy recovery assembly. A cathode supply is heated in the waste energy recovery system and then directed to a solid oxide fuel cell stack in order to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Methods of transitioning, operating, shutting down, and maintaining in standby mode are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method of detecting leaks and blockages in a fuel system. The leaks are detected using a RAMPOFF mode and a TANK mode. The RAMPOFF mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to increase the ramp down rates of the evaporative purge duty cycle to aggressively shut off the purge solenoid valve for tests used to detect leaks as small as 0.02 inches in diameter. The TANK mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to support aggressive purging requirements for tests used to detect larger leaks of greater than 0.04 inches in diameter. The MASS FLOW mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to hold a constant purge mass flow rate necessary to detect blockages across a vent solenoid valve. The RAMPOFF mode, TANK mode, and MASS FLOW modes support evaporative diagnostics that are run continuously within a fuel system when acceptable engine operating conditions are present.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method of detecting leaks and blockages in a fuel system. The leaks are detected using a RAMPOFF mode and a TANK mode. The RAMPOFF mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to increase the ramp down rates of the evaporative purge duty cycle to aggressively shut off the purge solenoid valve for tests used to detect leaks as small as 0.02 inches in diameter. The TANK mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to support aggressive purging requirements for tests used to detect larger leaks of greater than 0.04 inches in diameter. The MASS FLOW mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to hold a constant purge mass flow rate necessary to detect blockages across a vent solenoid valve. The RAMPOFF mode, TANK mode, and MASS FLOW modes support evaporative diagnostics that are run continuously within a fuel system when acceptable engine operating conditions are present.

Abstract: A fuel control system that estimates the fuel quantity received from purging of an evaporative emission control system and then accounts for the purge fuel in determining the amount of fuel to be injected into a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. Purge fuel quantity is represented by a purge equivalence ratio which is computed based upon an estimate of the hydrocarbon concentration in the purge gas. The hydrocarbon concentration is adaptively learned using an iterative routine that updates the estimate based on the integrated error between the actual and desired air/fuel ratios. Wall wetting and closed loop corrections are applied only to the non-purge fuel portion of the total fuel delivered to the engine cylinder. The closed loop control includes a block learn memory that provides a correction to the factory fuel calibration.

Abstract: A fuel control system that estimates the fuel quantity received from purging of an evaporative emission control system and then accounts for the purge fuel in determining the amount of fuel to be injected into a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. Purge fuel quantity is represented by a purge equivalence ratio which is computed based upon an estimate of the hydrocarbon concentration in the purge gas. The hydrocarbon concentration is adaptively learned using an iterative routine that updates the estimate based on the integrated error between the actual and desired air/fuel ratios. Wall wetting and closed loop corrections are applied only to the non-purge fuel portion of the total fuel delivered to the engine cylinder. The closed loop control includes a block learn memory that provides a correction to the factory fuel calibration.

Abstract: An improved method of diagnosing evaporative emission system leaks at engine idle, wherein the system is closed and drawn down to a sub-atmospheric pressure early in a driving cycle prior to the achievement of an idle condition appropriate for leak testing. When the test enabling conditions other than engine idle are met, the system vent is closed, and the purge valve is modulated to regulate the fuel tank pressure at a sub-atmospheric value substantially equivalent to the leak test pressure to be used at engine idle. When engine idle is achieved, the purge valve is closed, and the leak test is conducted with little or no delay. The time required to conduct the leak test is improved because the system pressure is at or near the test pressure when the engine idle condition is achieved, and at the same time, the reliability of the leak test data is improved because vapor generation equilibrium in the fuel tank is more nearly achieved when the leak test is initiated.

Abstract: The power generation system and method of the present invention employ a solid oxide fuel cell which reforms fuel to a degree which is controlled by the amount of fuel introduced to the solid oxide fuel cell. The effluent is directed preferably through a heat exchanger and then into an engine. This hybrid system more efficiently produces energy, both mechanical and electrical, over conventional systems.