Patents Assigned to Hydrogenics Corporation
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Patent number: 11855320Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for detecting a hydrogen leak in a fuel cell system including initiating a shutdown process of a fuel cell stack in the fuel cell system by a controller, measuring a volume of hydrogen in a reservoir, pulsing a volume of hydrogen into the reservoir or pulsing hydrogen directly into the fuel cell stack if the volume of hydrogen is insufficient to sustain a voltage discharge process during the shutdown process, making the fuel cell system enter a discharge state by the controller, wherein hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell stack are consumed in an electrochemical reaction to discharge voltage in the fuel cell stack, measuring a rate of the voltage discharge by the controller, and detecting the hydrogen leak based on the rate of the voltage discharge or via negative pressure measurements made at the anode inlet.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2023Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONInventors: Sonia Sorbera, Robert Bencak, Prabhsimran Malhi, Luke Fregonese
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Patent number: 11804611Abstract: A fuel cell module is configured or operated, or both, such that after a shut down procedure a fuel cell stack is discharged and has its cathode electrodes at least partially blanketed with nitrogen during at least some periods of time. If the fuel cell module is restarted in this condition, electrochemical reactions are limited and do not quickly re-charge the fuel cell stack. To decrease start up time, air is moved into the cathode electrodes before the stack is re-charged. The air may be provided by a pump, fan or blower driven by a battery or by the flow or pressure of stored hydrogen. For example, an additional fan or an operating blower may be driven by a battery until the fuel cell stack is able to supply sufficient current to drive the operating blower for normal operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONInventor: Nathaniel Ian Joos
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Patent number: 11767598Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a membrane located between two flow field plates. On a first side of the membrane, there is a porous support surrounded by a seal between the membrane and the flow field plate. There is a gap between the porous support and the seal at the surface of the membrane. On a second side of the membrane, there is a seal between the membrane and the flow field plate located inside of the gap in plan view. The electrochemical cell is useful, for example, in high pressure or differential pressure electrolysis in which the second side of the membrane will be consistently exposed to a higher pressure than the first side of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONInventors: Rami Michel Abouatallah, Rainey Yu Wang, Nathaniel Ian Joos
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Patent number: 11761103Abstract: An electrolyser operates within an energy system, for example to provide grid services, energy storage or fuel, or to produce hydrogen from electricity produced from renewable resources. The electrolyser may be configured to operate at frequently or quickly varying rates of electricity consumption or to operate at a specified power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONInventors: Nathaniel Ian Joos, Joseph Cargnelli
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Patent number: 11764365Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a fuel cell electrode having a patterned microporous layer and method of fabricating the same.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONSInventors: Udit N. Shrivastava, Arvind V. Harinath, Jennie Eastcott
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Patent number: 11757116Abstract: A system includes a fuel cell stack and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a current density of the fuel cell stack, determine a threshold voltage value, and compare a measured average fuel cell voltage value and the threshold voltage value. The controller is configured to set an allowed current and power draw of the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2023Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONSInventors: Nader Zaag, Sonia Sorbera, Hing Yan Edmond Chan, Chun Yu
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Patent number: 11757117Abstract: A system includes a fuel cell engine, a plurality of switching devices, and a controller. The fuel cell engine includes a plurality of fuel cell modules connected in series as a fuel cell string, and then a plurality of these strings connected in parallel. The switching device(s) are electrically coupled to bypass when required each module(s) and or disconnect each string(s). The decision whether a module(s) and/or string(s) are bypassed, disconnected, or left to operate is based on a sensory feedback that is input into the finite state machine and fault management process that are embedded within the fuel cell controller. The bypassing scheme at the module level is handled in a manner such that the remaining modules within a series string can provide continuous, uninterrupted flow of current to the end application.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONInventors: Nader Zaag, Paolo Forte, Dennis Böhm, John Yui Ki Poon
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Patent number: 11757119Abstract: A method of performing a leak check of a hydrogen supply valve of a fuel cell system includes supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell stack of the system for a predetermined time period closing the supply valve and purge valves, and opening a cathode exhaust valve. The method further includes supplying oxygen to the fuel cell stack for the predetermined time period, continuously measuring a test voltage of the fuel cell stack during the predetermined time period while oxygen is being supplied to the fuel cell stack, and determining that the hydrogen supply valve is leaking in response to the test voltage exceeding a predetermined leak voltage for the predetermined time period.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2023Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONSInventors: Nader Zaag, Sonia Sorbera, Nathaniel Ian Joos
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Patent number: 11611089Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermal management system and method of adjusting and/or reversing coolant flow of a fuel cell system during stationary applications.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2022Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: David Pubrat, Tomasz Wajda, Andrew Hill, Predrag Cecaric
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Patent number: 11495807Abstract: A fuel cell module is configured or operated, or both, such that after a shut down procedure a fuel cell stack is discharged and has its cathode electrodes at least partially blanketed with nitrogen during at least some periods of time. If the fuel cell module is restarted in this condition, electrochemical reactions are limited and do not quickly re-charge the fuel cell stack. To decrease start up time, air is moved into the cathode electrodes before the stack is re-charged. The air may be provided by a pump, fan or blower driven by a battery or by the flow or pressure of stored hydrogen. For example, an additional fan or an operating blower may be driven by a battery until the fuel cell stack is able to supply sufficient current to drive the operating blower for normal operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventor: Nathaniel Ian Joos
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Patent number: 11479866Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a membrane located between two flow field plates. On a first side of the membrane, there is a porous support surrounded by a seal between the membrane and the flow field plate. There is a gap between the porous support and the seal at the surface of the membrane. On a second side of the membrane, there is a seal between the membrane and the flow field plate located inside of the gap in plan view. The electrochemical cell is useful, for example, in high pressure or differential pressure electrolysis in which the second side of the membrane will be consistently exposed to a higher pressure than the first side of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2020Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Rami Michel Abouatallah, Rainey Yu Wang, Nathaniel Ian Joos
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Patent number: 11456470Abstract: This specification describes a system and method for controlling the voltage produced by a fuel cell. The system involves providing a bypass line between an air exhaust from the fuel cell and an air inlet of the fuel cell. At least one controllable device is configured to allow the flow rate through the bypass line to be altered. A controller is provided to control the controllable device. The method involves varying the rate of recirculation of air exhaust to air inlet so as to provide a desired change in fuel cell voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Nathaniel Ian Joos, Paolo Forte
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Patent number: 11411232Abstract: A process for starting a PEM fuel cell module includes blowing air through the cathode side of the module using external power. An amount hydrogen is released into the anode side of the module under a pressure greater than the pressure of the air on the cathode side, while the anode is otherwise closed. Cell voltages in the module are monitored for the appearance of a charged state sufficient to start the module. When the charged state is observed, the module is converted to a running state.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Nathaniel Ian Joos, Paolo Forte, Jin Kim
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Patent number: 11362349Abstract: A process for starting a PEM fuel cell module includes blowing air through the cathode side of the module using external power. An amount hydrogen is released into the anode side of the module under a pressure greater than the pressure of the air on the cathode side, while the anode is otherwise closed. Cell voltages in the module are monitored for the appearance of a charged state sufficient to start the module. When the charged state is observed, the module is converted to a running state.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Nathaniel Ian Joos, Paolo Forte, Jin Kim
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Patent number: 11309556Abstract: An electrical power supply system has a fuel cell module and a battery. The fuel cell can be selectively connected to the battery system through a diode. The system preferably also has a current sensor and a controller adapted to close a contactor in a by-pass circuit around the diode after sensing a current flowing from the fuel cell through the diode. The system may also have a resistor and a contactor in another by-pass circuit around the diode. In a start-up method, a first contactor is closed to connect the fuel cell in parallel with the battery through the diode and one or more reactant pumps for the fuel cell are turned on. A current sensor is monitored for a signal indicating current flow through the diode. After a current is indicated, a by-pass circuit is provided around the diode.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONInventor: Paolo Forte
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Patent number: 11268201Abstract: An electrolyser operates within an energy system, for example to provide grid services, energy storage or fuel, or to produce hydrogen from electricity produced from renewable resources. The electrolyser may be configured to operate at frequently or quickly varying rates of electricity consumption or to operate at a specified power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONInventors: Nathaniel Ian Joos, Joseph Cargnelli
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Publication number: 20210384535Abstract: A fuel cell module is configured or operated, or both, such that after a shut down procedure a fuel cell stack is discharged and has its cathode electrodes at least partially blanketed with nitrogen during at least some periods of time. If the fuel cell module is restarted in this condition, electrochemical reactions are limited and do not quickly re-charge the fuel cell stack. To decrease start up time, air is moved into the cathode electrodes before the stack is re-charged. The air may be provided by a pump, fan or blower driven by a battery or by the flow or pressure of stored hydrogen. For example, an additional fan or an operating blower may be driven by a battery until the fuel cell stack is able to supply sufficient current to drive the operating blower for normal operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Applicant: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONInventor: Nathaniel Ian JOOS
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Patent number: 11101477Abstract: A fuel cell module is configured or operated, or both, such that after a shut down procedure a fuel cell stack is discharged and has its cathode electrodes at least partially blanketed with nitrogen during at least some periods of time. If the fuel cell module is restarted in this condition, electrochemical reactions are limited and do not quickly re-charge the fuel cell stack. To decrease start up time, air is moved into the cathode electrodes before the stack is re-charged. The air may be provided by a pump, fan or blower driven by a battery or by the flow or pressure of stored hydrogen. For example, an additional fan or an operating blower may be driven by a battery until the fuel cell stack is able to supply sufficient current to drive the operating blower for normal operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONInventor: Nathaniel Ian Joos
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Patent number: 10985392Abstract: This specification describes a system and method for controlling the voltage produced by a fuel cell. The system involves providing a bypass line between an air exhaust from the fuel cell and an air inlet of the fuel cell. At least one controllable device is configured to allow the flow rate through the bypass line to be altered. A controller is provided to control the controllable device. The method involves varying the rate of recirculation of air exhaust to air inlet so as to provide a desired change in fuel cell voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONInventors: Nathaniel Ian Joos, Paolo Forte
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Patent number: 10847813Abstract: An electrochemical cell has first and second flow fields on opposite sides of a membrane. The first flow field has a set of generally linear channels in which the flow of a fluid in the field is contained between parallel elongate ridges. The second flow field is defined by a set of parallel discontinuous ridges. Preferably most ridge segments in the second flow field are oblique, for example perpendicular, to and overlap with two or more ridges of the first flow field. The flow fields may be used in, for example, water electrolysis cells including high or differential pressure polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysis cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONInventors: Rainey Yu Wang, Rami Michel Abouatallah, Nathaniel Ian Joos