Abstract: A fuel cell purge system includes a primary fuel cell in fluid communication with a purge cell. Fuel and oxidant purged with inert gas impurities from the primary fuel cell react in the purge cell, thereby decreasing the volume of purged gases and facilitating storage while maintaining fuel cell electrochemical performance.

Abstract: A fuel cell purge system includes a primary fuel cell in fluid communication with a purge cell. Fuel and oxidant purged with inert gas impurities from the primary fuel cell react in the purge cell, thereby decreasing the volume of purged gases and facilitating storage while maintaining fuel cell electrochemical performance.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed in which a fuel or oxidant fluid is used as a coolant fluid that functions as a heat sink a fuel cell.

Abstract: In a fuel cell system, sufficient water to supply the consumption needs of the system, particularly by the system humidifiers and fuel processor, can be obtained from the exhaust of the fuel cell stack without the use of a condenser, by controlling the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack. The operating temperature can be controlled, for example, using a controller that monitors water level in the process water reservoir and increases or decreases the operating temperature through control of the fuel cell cooling system to maintain the water level within a predetermined range representative of neutral water balance in the system.

Abstract: A fuel cell collector plate can be provided with one or more various channel constructions for the transport of reactants to the gas diffusion layer and the removal of water therefrom. The outlet channel can be arranged to have a reduced volume compared to the inlet channel, in both interdigitated and discontinuous spiral applications. The land width between an inlet channel and outlet channel can be reduced to improved mass flow rate in regions of deleted reactant concentrations. Additionally or alternatively, the depth of the inlet channel can be reduced in the direction of flow to reduce the diffusion path as the concentration of reactant is reduced.

Abstract: There is provided a flameless catalytic burner system employing a catalytic bed assembly (20) for catalyzing the oxidation of a fuel stream. The catalytic bed assembly (20) includes first and second retaining members (122, 124) which define a compartment therebetween. The catalytic bed assembly (120) also includes a plurality of catalytic members (126) disposed within the compartment. The first retaining member (122) is formed with an upstream face portion (1220) transversely extending relative to the fuel stream to describe a convex peripheral contour about at least a portion of the compartment. The second retaining member (124) is formed with a downstream face portion (1240) transversely extending relative to the fuel stream to describe a concave peripheral contour about at least a portion of the compartment. The upstream face portion (1220) is greater in surface area than the downstream face portion (1240).

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing a PEM fuel cell collector plate is disclosed. During molding a highly conductive polymer composite is formed having a relatively high polymer concentration along its external surfaces. After molding the polymer rich layer is removed from the land areas by machining, grinding or similar process. This layer removal results in increased overall conductivity of the molded collector plate. The polymer rich surface remains in the collector plate channels, providing increased mechanical strength and other benefits to the channels. The improved method also permits greater mold cavity thickness providing a number of advantages during the molding process.

Abstract: There is provided an automatic burner driven generator system for powering a load. The Generator system generally comprises a burner unit for generating a thermal energy; a thermoelectric converter unit operatively coupled to the burner unit for transducing at least a portion of the thermal energy to a first electric power signal; a rechargeable battery unit operable to generate an output power signal for powering the load; a charging unit operably coupled to the thermoelectric converter and rechargeable battery units; and, a controller for automatically controlling the actuation of the units in programmed manner. The charging unit is operable to adaptively convert the first electric power signal to a second electric power signal for charging the rechargeable battery unit. The controller includes a microprocessor unit programmable configured to selectively actuate the units in accordance with a plurality of predetermined operational states.

Abstract: A power system (10) is provided. System (10) generally comprises at least one generator module (100, 100′), and a heat source (200) encircling at least a portion of the generator module (100, 100′). Each generator module (100) includes at least one generator section (110) having a heat exchanger (120) extending axially therefrom. The heat source (200) is defined by a plurality of separable arcuate aeroshell segments (210, 210′) extending angularly about the heat exchanger section (120, 120′) of each generator module (100, 100′) to collectively describe a substantially cylindrical outer contour coaxially oriented thereabout. Each arcuate aeroshell segment (210, 210′) has formed therein at least one fuel compartment (212) extending axially inward from a front axial face (214) thereof in which a radioisotope fuel material (220) is stored and sealed therein by a covering member (230).