Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of methods to control airflow to a fuel cell stack and a cooling fan within a housing by fluidly connecting a predetermined minimum volume of airflow through the housing to the fan and a series of louvres, adjustable apertures, and bypass valves dynamically adjust the air flow to at least one of one of the fuel cell stack and fan providing the required minimum volume of fluid to the fan during different controller based modes of operation.

Abstract: Fuel cell stack assemblies having a positive end plate and a negative end plate. The end plates can be formed from a central structural element with an insulating end plate cover and an insulating end plate manifold. A plurality of cathode plates and a plurality of fuel cell assemblies can be arranged in a stack having an alternating pattern of cathode plates and fuel cell assemblies, with the positive end plate and the negative end plate provided on either end of the stack of cathode plates and fuel cell assemblies.

Abstract: A system may be configured to cool and provide oxidant to an open cathode proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC) stack comprising a plurality of FCs configured to operationally receive a first amount of fluid. Some embodiments may have the first amount be non-zero, and a controller may be configured to adjust the first amount such that a second amount of fluid substantially greater than the first amount is received at the FCs. The adjustment may be performed responsive to at least one of (i) a sensed attribute of one or more of the FCs changing by an amount that satisfies a danger criterion and (ii) an elapsed time of operation of the FC stack satisfying a periodicity criterion. The adjustment may cause the elapsed time to satisfy an endurance criterion.

Abstract: An energy resource network with plurality of energy resources each capable of delivering a quantum of energy; and a plurality of energy-consuming-devices each capable of accepting a quantum of energy. Each energy resource is associated with an energy-resource-processor which is configured to issue one or more offer-messages in respect of a quantum of energy available for supply from the energy resource Each energy-consuming-device is associated with at least one energy-consuming-processor) that is configured to receive one or more offer-messages in respect of a transaction for receiving a quantum of energy from one of the energy resources The energy-resource-processor and/or the energy-consuming-processor being configured to issue a cryptographically-secured transaction record of the transaction for inclusion within a publicly-available distributed ledger.

Abstract: Aspects of managing fluid diffusion across active regions of one or more of a cathode and anode are disclosed herein, aspects include a method of efficient fluid distribution within an MEA (20) by forming a fluid confinement space with a sealing gasket (50) forming placed on at least one of an anode and a cathode of a fuel cell the gasket configured with at least one inlet (140) fluidly communicating with the fluid containment space and at least one outlet (145) through the gasket (50) fluidly communicating with the fluid containment space, inserting a generally planar rectangular porous gas diffusion layer (40) with two end walls, and two side walls, configured to fit form at least one inlet plenum (186) is formed around at least one edge of the gas diffusion layer (40) and an annular wall of the fluid confinement space and one outlet plenum (188) and, the resistance to fluid flow along the inlet plenum (186) is balanced against the resistance to fluid flow across the gas diffusion insert configured to urge

Abstract: An energy resource network with plurality of energy resources each capable of delivering a quantum of energy; and a plurality of energy-consuming-devices each capable of accepting a quantum of energy. Each energy resource is associated with an energy-resource-processor which is configured to issue one or more offer-messages in respect of a quantum of energy available for supply from the energy resource Each energy-consuming-device is associated with at least one energy-consuming-processor) that is configured to receive one or more offer-messages in respect of a transaction for receiving a quantum of energy from one of the energy resources The energy-resource-processor and/or the energy-consuming-processor being configured to issue a cryptographically-secured transaction record of the transaction for inclusion within a publicly-available distributed ledger.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system (100) comprising a fuel cell stack (110) and a closed loop water cooling circuit for direct injection of cooling water into the stack (110), the method comprising: measuring an operational parameter of the fuel cell system (100) over a time period; adding an amount of water to the closed loop cooling circuit from the total amount of water generated during operation of the fuel cell stack (110) over the time period; and removing the amount of water from the closed loop cooling circuit generated during operation of the fuel cell stack (110) over the time period is automatically determined by the fuel cell system (100) as a function of the operational parameter.

Abstract: A connector system (1) for coupling one fluid conduit to another fluid conduit comprises a first connector element (2) having a mating surface extending around an insertion axis of the connector element. The mating surface incorporates first and second resilient peripheral seals (7, 9) extending around the mating surface, the first and second peripheral seals (7, 9) having different diameters and being separated along the insertion axis. The first connector element (2) bearing the peripheral seals (7, 9) can be the female connector (2), such as shown, or can be the male connector (3).

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell assembly of a plurality of fuel cells configured to generate electrical power from a fuel flow and an oxidant flow to the plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cell assembly arranged in combination with a coolant storage module configured to supply the fuel cell assembly with a flow of coolant, the method performed when the temperature of the coolant in the coolant storage module is below a coolant temperature threshold and comprises; a first phase performed prior to activation of a coolant pump configured to deliver coolant from the coolant storage module to the fuel cell assembly and a second phase performed after activation of the coolant pump.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for turbine-based energy recovery from exhaust streams in fuel cell systems. The fuel cell systems can include an expansion turbine (200) arranged to capture electrical energy from cathode exhaust streams. The cathode exhaust streams (151a, 151b, 151c) can be flowed through an intercooler (250) to be preheated prior to entering the expansion turbine (200), with heat added by transferring heat from a compressed air flow. The methods can include operating the fuel cell system in a temperature-boost mode that includes reducing fan operation related to a condenser to reduce liquid recapture from an exhaust stream and increase exhaust stream temperature for use in turbine-based energy recovery. The temperature-boost mode can be controlled to limit the operation time based on coolant fluid levels in the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fluid flow plate for an electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprises a first plurality of fluid flow channels extending across an area of the flow plate to define a flow field of the fluid flow plate. An array of first fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the flow field for communicating fluid into or out of the fluid flow channels. A gallery has a first peripheral edge portion bounded by the array of first fluid transfer points and at least two second peripheral edge portions each bounded by an array of second fluid transfer points disposed along fluid access edges of the fluid flow plate. The at least two second peripheral edge portions are disposed at oblique angles to the first peripheral edge portion such that the total length of the any of second fluid transfer points is at least as long as, and preferably longer than, the length of the array of first fluid transfer points.

Abstract: Aspects of duct systems for use with fuel cells and methods of using the same are disclosed. According to an aspect of the disclosure, a duct system (10) for cooling fuel cells (12) via a coolant fluid includes a housing (100); a cooling chamber (112); an inlet port (120) configured to receive the coolant into the system; an exhaust port (130) configured to expel the coolant from the system; and a means for moving the coolant into, through, and out of the system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein a fuel cell system component provides a structural component of the vehicle. In some instances propulsion modules affixed to wings are oriented so as to provide airflow to plates oof a fuel cell via air inlets for each fuel cell provided at the forward surface of each wing, a fuel cell system component forming a portion of the body and wherein the air inlets are unblocked during flight, each propulsion module is configured to provide air as an oxidant to a fuel cell via the air inlets.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein a fuel cell system component provides a structural component of the vehicle. In some instances propulsion modules affixed to wings are oriented so as to provide airflow to plates of a fuel cell via air inlets for each fuel cell provided at the forward surface of each wing, a fuel cell system component forming a portion of the body and wherein the air inlets are unblocked during flight, each propulsion module is configured to provide air as an oxidant to a fuel cell via the air inlets.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forming flow plate and frame assemblies that comprise an anode frame member, a flow plate, and cathode frame member with the flow plate retained between the anode and cathode frame members. The present disclosure also provides for flow plate and frame assemblies, fuel cell stacks containing a plurality of the flow plate and frame assemblies, and fuel cell systems containing the fuel cell stacks. A fluidly connected anode fluid pathway can be provided from an anode fluid inlet, through conduits int eh anode frame member, onto an anode surface of the flow plate, and into anode flow channels.

Abstract: A thermal insulation device includes a first plate, a second plate formed to nest adjacent the first plate with a gap between the first and second plates, a porous material disposed between the plates, and a sealing layer disposed between the first and second plates such that the porous material is sealed from ambient at a pressure less than ambient. Multiple such sets of plates may be used to form an enclosure for a device that thermally insulates the device from ambient.

Abstract: A device includes a container having a top plate containing an array of oxygen limiting pinholes and a chamber to hold a chemical hydride fuel, a fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrode assembly supported within the container between the top plate and the chamber, a first gas diffusion layer supported between the fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrode assembly and the top plate, and a second gas diffusion layer supported between the fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrode assembly and the chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forming flow plate and frame assemblies that comprise an anode frame member, a flow plate, and a cathode frame member with the flow plate retained between the anode and cathode frame members. The present disclosure also provides for flow plate and frame assemblies, fuel cell stacks containing a plurality of the flow plate and frame assemblies, and fuel cell systems containing the fuel cell stacks. A fluidly connected anode fluid pathway can be provided from an anode fluid inlet, through conduits in the anode frame member, onto an anode surface of the flow plate, and into anode flow channels.

Abstract: Methods and devices for generating power using PEM fuel cell power systems comprising a rotary bed reactor for hydrogen generation are disclosed. Hydrogen is generated by the hydrolysis of fuels such as lithium aluminum hydride and mixtures thereof. Water required for hydrolysis may be captured from the fuel cell exhaust. Water is preferably fed to the reactor in the form of a mist generated by an atomizer. An exemplary 750 We-h, 400 We PEM fuel cell power system may be characterized by a specific energy of about 550 We-h/kg and a specific power of about 290 We/kg.

Abstract: A coolant storage tank (1) for storing coolant in a fuel cell system (2), the coolant storage tank comprising a plurality of individually controllable heater elements (7, 8a, 8b). A coolant storage tank comprising a first heater element (7) located at a base of the coolant storage tank and a second heater element (8a) is also disclosed. A coolant storage tank comprising a first coolant storage compartment (50) in fluid communication with a second coolant storage compartment (51), the first coolant storage compartment including at least a first heater element (54) and wherein the second coolant storage compartment is unheated is also disclosed. A method of melting frozen coolant in a coolant storage tank is also disclosed.