Abstract: An undulating structure for use in a fuel cell includes a plurality of peaks and valleys. A method of making a structure for use in a fuel cell includes providing a mesh or screen sheet having one or more edges, forming the mesh or screen sheet into an undulating structure and treating one or more of the edges. A flow field for a fuel cell, comprising at least one metal mesh or screen, wherein the at least one metal mesh or screen includes a plurality of peaks and valleys. A fuel cell, comprising a first corrugated mesh or screen positioned within an anode of the fuel cell, a second corrugated mesh or screen positioned within a cathode of the fuel cell, and a membrane positioned between the first corrugated mesh or screen and the second corrugated mesh or screen.

Abstract: Check valves include a valve seat and a movable valve member, or piston. Movement of the piston is what allows fluid to either flow or be prevented from flowing. A magnetic check valve is provided that contains an annular piston, which is configured such that the fluid flows through a central aperture in the piston. Fuel cell systems include a cathode loop which is in contact with the proton exchange membrane (PEM). The PEM is sensitive to fowling by contaminants that may be present in the ambient air. The magnetic check valve apparatus disclosed herein prevents backflow of air through the exhaust side of the cathode loop. The valve is used on the inlet side of the cathode as well.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween. The cell further includes a sealing surface formed in one of the pair of bipolar plates and a gasket located between the sealing surface and the proton exchange membrane. The gasket is configured to plastically deform to create a seal about one of the cathode compartment or the anode compartment. The sealing surface can include one or more protrusions.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween. The cell further includes a sealing surface formed in one of the pair of bipolar plates and a gasket located between the sealing surface and the proton exchange membrane. The gasket is configured to plastically deform to create a seal about one of the cathode compartment or the anode compartment. The sealing surface can include one or more protrusions.

Abstract: A membrane fuel cell delimited by bipolar plates comprising a cathodic compartment and an anodic compartment, said cathodic compartment comprising means for feeding air from the bottom to the top, said anodic compartment comprising means for feeding a hydrogen-containing fuel from the top to the bottom, at least one of said cathodic and anodic compartment comprising a flow distributor consisting of a porous material and a method of operating cell said.

Abstract: A system for compressing and drying hydrogen is provided. The system may have a humidifier configured to receive and humidify a concentrated hydrogen stream and produce a first humidified hydrogen stream. The system may also have a compressor configured to receive and compress the first humidified hydrogen stream, and produce a pressurized humidified hydrogen stream. The system may further have a dryer including a first bed configured to in production mode receive the pressurized humidified hydrogen stream, adsorb at least a portion of the humidity, and produce a product hydrogen stream. The first bed may further be configured to in regeneration mode receive a portion of the concentrated hydrogen stream to regenerate the first bed, and produce a second humidified hydrogen stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a method of managing a state of charge of a battery having a plurality of battery cells. The method may include calculating an individual state of charge for each battery cell, calculating an average state of charge for the battery cells, defining a minimum and a maximum average state of charge threshold, and calculating an overall state of charge for the battery such that when the average state of charge is below the minimum threshold, the overall state of charge is calculated based on the state of charge of a subset of battery cells having the lowest state of charge, and when the average state of charge is above the maximum threshold, the overall state of charge is calculated based on the state of charge of a subset of battery cells having the highest state of charge.

Abstract: A method of managing humidification for a fuel cell power system comprising, supplying air to a cathode inlet stream of a fuel cell. Detecting a fuel cell parameter associated with the humidity of the cathode inlet stream. Selectively operating the fuel cell in either an active humidification mode or a deactive humidification mode based on the fuel cell parameter, wherein the active humidification mode includes adding water to the cathode inlet stream and the deactive humidification mode includes adding no water to the cathode inlet stream.

Abstract: This disclosure related to polymer electrolyte member fuel cells and components thereof, including fuel cell electrodes.

Abstract: A method of sealing a multi-component bipolar plate is disclosed. The method may include inserting a first seal between a first component and a second component, wherein the first seal is aligned with a first plurality of protrusions formed on a surface of at least one of the first component and the second component. The method may also include compressing the first component and the second component to cause the penetration of the first plurality of protrusions into the first seal. The method may further include plastically deforming the first seal in order to create a first sealing surface between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method of drying a hydrogen gas mixture is disclosed. The method may include determining a mass flow rate of water {dot over (m)}H2O in a hydrogen gas mixture stream and an adsorbent capacity of one or more adsorbent beds; determining a first period of time based on the determined mass flow rate of water {dot over (m)}H2O in the hydrogen gas mixture stream and the adsorbent capacity; directing the hydrogen gas mixture stream through a first adsorbent bed of the one or more adsorbent beds for the first period of time; adsorbing a quantity of water from the hydrogen gas mixture stream into the first adsorbent bed; and regenerating the first adsorbent bed.

Abstract: A system for compressing and drying hydrogen is provided. The system may have a humidifier configured to receive and humidify a concentrated hydrogen stream and produce a first humidified hydrogen stream. The system may also have a compressor configured to receive and compress the first humidified hydrogen stream, and produce a pressurized humidified hydrogen stream. The system may further have a dryer including a first bed configured to in production mode receive the pressurized humidified hydrogen stream, absorb at least a portion of the humidity, and produce a product hydrogen stream. The first bed may further be configured to in regeneration mode receive a portion of the concentrated hydrogen stream to regenerate the first bed, and produce a second humidified hydrogen stream.

Abstract: A flow field for use in an electrochemical cell is disclosed. The flow field includes a porous metallic structure including an inlet port and a plurality of channels stamped in the structure. The plurality of channels is in fluid communication with the inlet port to receive a reactant gas and configured to cause the reactant gas to diffuse through the porous metallic structure between adjacent channels.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards the design and arrangement of flow structures in electrochemical cells for use in high differential pressure operations. The flow structure on the low pressure-side of the cell has a larger surface area than the flow structure on the high-pressure side of the cell at the flow structure-MEA interface. The boundary of the high pressure flow structure is entirely within the boundary of the low pressure flow structure. A seal around the high pressure flow structure is also contained within the boundary of the low pressure flow structure. In such an arrangement, high fluid pressures acting on the electrolyte membrane from the high-pressure side of the cell is fully and continuously balanced by the flow structure on the low pressure-side of the membrane. Use of the low pressure flow structure as a membrane support prevents the rupture or deformation of the membrane under high stresses.

Abstract: A flow field for use in an electrochemical cell is disclosed. The flow field includes a porous metallic structure including an inlet port and an outlet port. The flow field further includes a plurality of first channels formed in the structure. Each of the plurality of first channels extends from a first proximal end in fluid communication with the inlet port and terminates at a first distal end within the structure. The flow field also includes a plurality of second channels formed in the structure. Each of the plurality of second channels extends from a second distal end in fluid communication with an outlet port and terminates at a second proximal end within the structure.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method of producing hydrogen gas meeting a predetermined threshold of purity may include transferring a quantity of a hydrogen gas mixture through an electrochemical hydrogen pump, wherein the electrochemical hydrogen pump includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane located between the anode and the cathode; separating a quantity of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas mixture by transferring the hydrogen gas from the anode, through the electrolyte membrane, to the cathode; collecting the hydrogen gas from the cathode, wherein the collected hydrogen gas at least meets the predetermined threshold of purity; and producing a certificate that the collected hydrogen gas has a purity that is at least substantially equal to the predetermined threshold of purity.

Abstract: The cathode recirculation system for a fuel cell module may include an inert gas inlet passage configured to receive inert gas and an oxygen gas inlet passage configured to receive oxygen, a blending component in fluid communication with the inert gas inlet passage, the oxygen gas inlet passage, and an inlet of at least one cathode, and a recirculation line in fluid communication with an outlet of the at least one cathode and the blending component configured to recirculate a mixed gas stream containing oxygen and an inert gas. At least a portion of the mixed gas released from the at least one cathode may be recirculated back to the blending component where oxygen, inert gas, or both oxygen and inert gas are introduced into the recirculated mixed gas stream and then supplied to the inlet of the at least one cathode.

Abstract: This disclosure related to polymer electrolyte member fuel cells and components thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a compressed fuel storage system. The compressed fuel storage system may include an electrochemical compressor and one or more fuel dispensing units. The electrochemical compressor may be configured to compress a fuel source. Additionally, the compressed fuel storage system may include at least one low pressure compressed fuel reservoir fluidly connected to the electrochemical compressor and the fuel dispensing units and at least one high pressure compressed fuel reservoir fluidly connected to the electrochemical compressor and the fuel dispensing units.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for detecting activation of a pressure relief device connected to a storage tank containing a pressurized gas. The method includes calculating a pressure relief device release rate based on a set of inputs, wherein the set of inputs includes at least one of a storage tank volume, a pressure relief set point, an orifice size of the pressure relief device, a gas density, and a reseat point for the pressure relief device. The method further includes monitoring the pressure within the storage tank and calculating a differential pressure reading over time, comparing the differential pressure reading over time to the pressure relief device release rate, and detecting a pressure relief device activation based on the comparison result.