Abstract: A control system and method for operating a cooling fan in a coolant system of fuel cell power plant having a high temperature coolant loop and a low temperature coolant loop. The fan controller generates a fan control signal based on a first control signal from the high temperature coolant loop and a second control signal from the low temperature coolant loop. The first control signal is a function of the waste heat energy in the high temperature coolant loop, and the second control signal is a function of the temperature in the low temperature coolant loop. The fan control signal may also be generated based on a third control signal which is a function of a localized ambient temperature such as the under hood temperature of a vehicle.

Abstract: A pressure container (70) for storing hydrogen gas (26) under pressure for a fuel cell engine. The container (70) includes an outer support layer (12) and a thermoplastic liner (14). An adapter (18) is provided in the outer layer (12) and the liner (14) to allow fill gas (20) to fill the container (70) under pressure. A fill vessel (72) is provided within the liner (14) and is sealed and thermally coupled to the adapter (18). The fill gas (20) is confined within a gap (78) between an outer surface of the fill vessel (72) and the liner (14) so that the temperature of the liner (14) is not significantly increased during the fill process. An opening (82) is provided in the fill vessel (72) so that the fill gas (20) forces the contained gas (26) within the container (70) into the fill vessel (72) through the opening (82).

Abstract: A method is provided to inject liquid water into the normal stream of fuel, superheated air and superheated steam entering a primary reactor of a fuel processor. The injection location is in the steam supply line where superheated steam vaporizes a majority of the liquid water, preferably prior to injection into the primary reactor. Steam supplied by a vaporizer may temporarily lag desired steam production due to system up-power transients or startup conditions, coupled with vaporizer thermal lag time. Injection of liquid water overcomes this temporary deficit of steam. Additional air is also supplied as needed to improve reactance for a given steam volume/temperature. Injection rate or volume of the liquid water and air may also be based on one or more measured variables of the primary reactor.

Abstract: An inexpensive dielectric coolant for fuel cell stacks. The present invention is directed to a fuel cell, a fuel cell system, and methods for cooling a fuel cell and fuel cell system. The fuel cell is configured to react fuel with oxygen to generate an electric current and at least one reaction product and comprises an anode, an anode flowpath, a cathode, a cathode flowpath, and a membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode. At least one coolant flowpath is fluidly decoupled from the anode and cathode flowpaths and d fines a coolant isolation manifold. The coolant isolation manifold includes a fluid dielectric coolant that comprises a kerosenic hydrocarbon, which can be kerosene or an emulsion of water in kerosene. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring hydrogen and optionally a non-hydrogen gas including carbon monoxide. The method and apparatus includes a sensor assembly consisting of a plurality of electrochemical cells sequentially arranged in a path of the hydrogen-containing gas stream. Reaction and consumption of hydrogen at catalytically reactive surface areas of the cells generates a current which is proportional to the amount of hydrogen in the gas stream entering the sensor.

Abstract: An energy management system controls the temperature of a fuel cell system while a vehicle is not running. The energy management system includes a fuel cell stack, a blower that provides air to the fuel cell stack, a water supply, and a hydrogen supply. A hydrogen supply valve is connected between the hydrogen supply and the fuel cell stack. A heater is connected to an output of the fuel cell stack. A controller controls the hydrogen supply valve and the blower to power the heater to warm the fuel cell stack and the water supply. The controller starts the blower and opens the hydrogen supply valve if heating is necessary and if a tank level signal exceeds a first tank level value. The controller activates a purge, drains water from the water supply, and inhibits vehicle startup if the tank level signal does not exceed a first tank level value.

Abstract: A high pressure fuel pump having a variable fuel injection rate, including a pump body, a pump cylinder formed in the pump body and a piston reciprocable within the pump cylinder, which defines a pressurization chamber. The pump piston has a reduced diameter portion which provides a primary piston. A piston annulus is slidably mounted thereon and provides a secondary piston. An annular actuation chamber adjoins the secondary piston opposite the pressurization chamber. An actuation passage is provided between a return fuel drain and the actuation chamber, which is selectively open or closed passively by pump piston movement and/or dynamically by operation of an actuation solenoid valve. If the actuation chamber passage is open, then during the pressurization stroke the secondary piston will remain stationary relative to the pump body, but if it is closed then the secondary piston must stroke in unison with the primary piston.

Abstract: A compressor arrangement for the operation of a fuel cell system, wherein a compressed air flow can be delivered from the compressor arrangement, which is driven by an electric motor, to the fuel cell system and wherein the compressor arrangement and optionally the electric motor are at least partly surrounded by a sound insulation, is characterized in that the sound insulation is permeable to air and is provided within a housing which at least partly surrounds the compressor and preferably also the electric motor, and in that at least a part of the air intake flow for the compressor arrangement can be directed through the air permeable sound insulation before it enters into the compressor inlet.

Abstract: A catalytic combustor contains multiple sections for catalytically combusting an anode effluent. The anode effluent is divided into a plurality of portions with each portion routed to a different section or stage of the combustor. The proportioning of the anode effluent allows the combustor to be operated so that the flows combusted do not autoignite and various heat loads placed on the different stages of the combustor can be met. Additionally, the proportioning of the anode effluent allows the temperature within the various components of the combustor to be controlled so that a useful life of the combustor can be increased.

Abstract: Ignition delay in a diesel engine is reduced or eliminated by a fuel injector or igniter nozzle which includes energy supplying fuel conditioning means at the point of fuel injection into a cylinder. A preferred embodiment includes an electrically-conductive injection valve reciprocable in a conductive nozzle body and seatable on a valve seat to stop fuel flow through nozzle orifices. The injection valve is electrically insulated from the body except at its contact with the valve seat and is connected to an electrical charge, at least during opening of the valve. An electrical spark discharge is thus generated between the injection valve and the valve seat upon opening of the valve. Initially injected fuel passes through the arc and is conditioned by the spark energy to ignite almost immediately by compression ignition upon entering the engine cylinder and thus essentially eliminate diesel ignition delay.

Abstract: A control system controls steam in a fuel cell system including a fuel processor. A fuel cell has run, standby and shutdown operating modes. A fuel processor provides reformate to the fuel cell. A pressure sensor generates a pressure signal based on a pressure of steam supplied to the fuel processor. A valve directs steam to or vents steam away from the fuel processor. A controller communicates with the pressure sensor, the fuel cell and the valve and controls the valve based on the operating mode of the fuel cell and the pressure signal. The controller opens the valve during the shutdown mode. The controller closes the valve during the run operating mode. The controller initially closes the valve during the standby mode. The controller opens the valve if the pressure signal exceeds a first predetermined pressure value and closes the valve when the pressure falls.

Abstract: A catalytic combuster having a mixing section upstream of a combustion section. The mixing section includes a multi-port injector for injecting a first reactant gas into the mixing section in a plurality of directions perpendicular the direction or flow of a second reactant gas.

Abstract: A gas flow control system for a fuel cell includes a gas supply and a humidifier. A fuel cell stack includes a cathode flow line with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the cathode flow line is connected to the outlet of the humidifier. A combustor includes an inlet that receives gas from the outlet of the cathode flow line. A valve and a bypass line bypass gas around the humidifier and the fuel cell stack to the combustor. The valve is preferably one of a gas restriction valve, a throttle valve, and a directional valve. A gas flow sensor generates a gas flow signal based on gas flowing through at least one of the humidifier, the cathode flow line of the fuel cell stack, and the bypass line. A flow controller that is connected to the gas flow sensor and the valve controls the valve based on the gas flow signal.

Abstract: A hydrogen feed system for a fuel cell arrangement in which the hydrogen can be taken at a higher pressure from a supply tank standing under pressure or under pressure from a reforming device and can be fed after relaxation to a lower pressure into the fuel cell arrangement, with a return flow loop being provided in the hydrogen circuit, so that a part of the non-consumed hydrogen emerging from the fuel cell arrangement can be fed back into the latter, is characterized in that a pump is provided which brings about the recirculation of the hydrogen and which can be driven from the pressure energy of the hydrogen taken from the tank or coming from a reforming unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing a combustible gas including a pressure storage vessel, a pressure relief valve communicating with the storage vessel for venting the gas from the vessel when the pressure therein is too high, and a catalytic reactor communicating with the pressure relief valve to catalytically combust the gas exiting the valve and thereby reduce the amount of such gas that enters the environment.

Abstract: A PEM fuel cell having serpentine flow field channels each having an inlet leg, an exit leg, at least one medial leg therebetween, and hairpin curved ends connecting the medial leg(s) to other legs of the sector. Each leg is separated from the next by a tapering land so that it converges/diverges on/from the next adjacent leg (i.e. its longitudinal centerline intersects the longitudinal centerline of an adjacent leg).

Abstract: A multi-orifice crankcase air evacuator assembly for a diesel engine which provides improved efficiency and effectiveness of crankcase air removal into the exhaust port of the engine. A multi-orifice nozzle preferably has five nozzle orifices arranged in an “X” pattern. The evacuation tube has a tube body defining a central passage and a bell-mouth concentrically disposed at its inlet. The central passage includes an air mixer and an air diffuser. Operatively, compressed air pressurably effuses from the nozzle orifices into the central passage, whereupon a low pressure region is established surrounding the bell-mouth which causes crankcase air to be sucked into the evacuator tube and thereupon be expelled to an exhaust port.

Abstract: An apparatus removes CO from a hydrogen-rich gas stream in a hydrogen fuel cell system. CO fouls costly catalytic particles in the membrane electrode assemblies. Both a catalyst adapted to perform a water gas shift reaction, and a carbon dioxide adsorbent are disposed in a rotating pressure swing adsorber housing. The adsorption of carbon dioxide shifts equilibrium toward carbon monoxide consumption. A second adsorbent may be disposed in the housing for adsorbing carbon monoxide at low temperatures, and is adapted to desorb carbon monoxide at high temperatures. The present invention advantageously eliminates a unit operation from a space-constrained fuel cell vehicle by combining the WGS catalyst and a CO2 adsorbent in a single reactor/housing. The apparatus further eliminates the use of a PROX reactor, by providing an apparatus which incorporates CO2 adsorption and consequent carbon monoxide consumption in the place of the PROX reactor.

Abstract: A control method for monitoring a fuel cell stack in a fuel cell system in which the actual voltage and actual current from the fuel cell stack are monitored. A preestablished relationship between voltage and current over the operating range of the fuel cell is established. A variance value between the actual measured voltage and the expected voltage magnitude for a given actual measured current is calculated and compared with a predetermined allowable variance. An output is generated if the calculated variance value exceeds the predetermined variance. The predetermined voltage-current for the fuel cell is symbolized as a polarization curve at given operating conditions of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A connector and method for electrically connecting to a series of closely spaced edges for use in monitoring individual cells using bipolar plates of a fuel cell stack. The connector includes an elongated elastomeric strip with electrical conductivity for a first side thereof to an opposing side thereof, but not having meaningful electrical conductivity in use along its elongated length. This elongate strip is held at an angle in relation to the closely spaced edges by alignment protrusions. This enables the use of a series of connectors which nest together to contact all the closely spaced edges. A plurality of electrically conductive elements are located on a printed circuit board against the opposing side of the elongated elastomeric strip in corresponding relationship to the closely spaced edges located against the first side of the elongate elastomeric strip. Means is provided for exerting a force to push the first side of the elongated elastomeric strip against the closely spaced edges is also provided.