Abstract: The patent relates to fuel cell systems and controlling fuel cell systems. One fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell stack that includes multiple different serially arranged cells. The system also includes at least one component configured to effect an operating environment of the at least one fuel cell stack. The system further includes a controller configured to operate the at least one component at a primary control point relating to one or more parameters of the operating environment. The controller is further configured to temporarily adjust the at least one component to a secondary control point relating to the one or more parameters. The controller can then re-adjust the at least one component to the primary control point. The fuel cell system can achieve greater overall performance than can be obtained without the adjusting and re-adjusting.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell module are disclosed and wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack includes a plurality of repeating, serially electrically coupled fuel cell stack modules, and which are sealably mounted together by a compressive force of less than about 60 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: The concepts relate to in-line shunting of fuel cells. In one case, a fuel cell stack can include multiple serially arranged cells. The multiple serially arranged cells can be compressed against one another and can be supplied by a fuel supply manifold that is integral and internal to the fuel cell stack. A power source can be electrically coupled with the fuel cell stack at a bus. A controller can be configured to shunt sub-sets of the fuel cell stack while the fuel cell stack continues to supply power to the bus.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell module are disclosed and wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack includes a plurality of repeating, serially electrically coupled fuel cell stack modules, and which are sealably mounted together by a compressive force of less than about 60 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell module are disclosed and wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack includes a plurality of repeating, serially electrically coupled fuel cell stack modules, and which are sealably mounted together by a compressive force of less than about 60 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell module are disclosed and wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack includes a plurality of repeating, serially electrically coupled fuel cell stack modules, and which are sealably mounted together by a compressive force of less than about 60 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell module are disclosed and wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack includes a plurality of repeating, serially electrically coupled fuel cell stack modules, and which are sealably mounted together by a compressive force of less than about 60 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: A direct liquid fuel cell is disclosed and wherein the fuel cell includes an anode fluid diffusion layer positioned adjacent to the anode side of the membrane electrode assembly, and which consists of, at least in part, a porous electrically conductive ceramic material which is substantially devoid of predetermined fluid passageways. A source of an aqueous hydrocarbon fuel solution is coupled in direct fluid flowing relation relative to the anode fluid diffusion layer, and the anode fluid diffusion layer substantially evenly distributes the aqueous hydrocarbon fuel solution across the active area surface of the anode side of the membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell and method for forming a fuel cell is disclosed and which includes, in its broadest aspect, a proton exchange membrane having opposite anode and cathode sides; and individual electrodes juxtaposed relative to each of the anode and cathode sides, and wherein at least one of the electrodes is fabricated, at least in part, of a porous, electrically conductive ceramic material. The present methodology, as disclosed, includes the steps of providing a pair of electrically conductive ceramic substrates, applying a catalyst coating to the inside facing surface thereof; and providing a polymeric proton exchange membrane, and positioning the polymeric proton membrane therebetween, and in ohmic electrical contact relative thereto to form a resulting PEM fuel cell.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a fuel cell which has an anode and a cathode includes first and second circuitry which are utilized, to selectively short the anode to the cathode and further is useful in measuring the rate of voltage recovery following shorting, and which can be utilized as a predictor of appropriate fuel cell hydration and can be further utilized to adjust the operational conditions of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell power system includes a fuel cell which has an optimal voltage; an energy storage device having a nominal voltage substantially similar to the optimal voltage of the fuel cell; and an electrical switch that, in operation, selectively electrically couples the fuel cell and the energy storage device to charge the energy storage device. A method includes providing a fuel cell having a nominal voltage; providing an energy storage device having a nominal voltage which is substantially similar to the nominal voltage of the fuel cell and electrically coupling the energy storage device to a load; and selectively electrically coupling the fuel cell to the energy storage device to substantially maintain the energy storage device above a predetermined voltage threshold.

Abstract: A current collector for use in a fuel cell is described and wherein the fuel cell includes an ion exchange membrane having opposite anode and cathode sides, and a current collector is disposed in ohmic electrical contact with each of the anode and cathode sides, and wherein at least one of the current collectors has a surface area which provides substantially effective operational hydration for the ion exchange membrane.

Abstract: A fuel cell is described and which includes an ion exchange membrane; an electrode positioned in ion exchanging relation relative to the ion exchange membrane; a gas diffusion layer borne by the electrode and having an outwardly facing surface; a porous metal coating comprising one or more elements selected from the periodic table of elements and which has an atomic number of less than 75, and which is positioned at least in partial covering relation relative to the outwardly facing surface of the gas diffusion layer; and a current collector forcibly disposed in ohmic electrical contact with the porous metal coating.

Abstract: A fuel cell power system comprising a fuel cell having a cathode and an anode adapted to be coupled to a fuel supply, and which is configured to produce electrical power having a current and voltage output; a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell, and configured to selectively short the anode to the cathode of the fuel cell; and circuitry configured to measure resistance of the fuel cell in timed relation to the shorting.

Abstract: A fuel cell power system comprising a fuel cell having a cathode and an anode adapted to be coupled to a fuel supply, and which is configured to produce electrical power having a current and voltage output; a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell, and configured to selectively short the anode to the cathode of the fuel cell; and circuitry configured to measure resistance of the fuel cell in timed relation to the shorting.

Abstract: An air cooled fuel cell module is described and which includes an ion exchange membrane having opposite anode and cathode sides; an electrode borne by each of the anode and cathode sides; and a cathode heat sink positioned in heat removing relation relative to the cathode side of the ion exchange membrane, and which, in one form of the invention, can simultaneously act as a current collector.

Abstract: Fuel cell power systems and methods of operating fuel cell power systems are described. According to one aspect, a fuel cell power system includes a fuel cell configured to generate electrical energy; switch mode power conditioning circuitry configured to electrically condition the electrical energy generated by the fuel cell, wherein the switch mode power conditioning circuitry comprises a controller configured to monitor an electrical status of the fuel cell and to adjust the conditioning of the electrical energy using the switch mode power conditioning circuitry responsive to the monitoring, wherein the controller is configured to provide a pulse width modulated control signal to control the switching of the switch mode power conditioning circuitry and to vary a duty cycle of the control signal to adjust the conditioning of the electrical energy using the switch mode power conditioning circuitry.

Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed and which includes an anode and a cathode and which produces a voltage output which is supplied to a load; an electrical energy storage device is provided; and a controller is electrically coupled to the fuel cell, and which periodically shunts the voltage output of the fuel cell between the anode and cathode by electrically coupling the electrical energy storage device to the anode and cathode of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell power system comprising a fuel cell having a cathode and an anode adapted to be coupled to a fuel supply, and which is configured to produce electrical power having a current and voltage output; a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell, and configured to selectively short the anode to the cathode of the fuel cell; and circuitry configured to measure resistance of the fuel cell in timed relation to the shorting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved fuel cell and method of controlling same having an anode and a cathode which produces an electrical current having a given voltage and current output and which includes a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell and which shunts the electrical current between the anode and the cathode of the fuel cell. The invention also discloses a method for controlling the fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and a given voltage and current output and which include determining the voltage and current output of the fuel cell; and shunting the electrical current between the anode and cathode of the fuel cell under first and second operation parameters.