Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells. Each battery cell includes an anode having an anode active area, a cathode having a cathode active area, and an ion-conducting separator interposed between the anode active area and the cathode active area. A first subset of the battery cells are arranged in parallel wired battery cell pairs. Each parallel wired battery cell pair of the first subset has two adjacent battery cells with a cooling fin interposed between the two adjacent battery cells.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells. Each battery cell includes an anode having an anode active area, a cathode having a cathode active area, and an ion-conducting separator interposed between the anode active area and the cathode active area. A first subset of the battery cells are arranged in parallel wired battery cell pairs. Each parallel wired battery cell pair of the first subset has two adjacent battery cells with a cooling fin interposed between the two adjacent battery cells.

Abstract: A back pressure valve for a fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed, wherein the valve includes a solenoid disposed thereon, an energization of the solenoid causing a generation of heat in a valve flap to facilitate a melting of ice that has formed in the valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods to determine a state of charge (SOC) of a battery using confidence values. SOC estimations are determined using a voltage-based estimation strategy and a current-based estimation strategy. Confidence values are also generated for the voltage-based SOC estimation and the current-based SOC estimation to quantify the amount of uncertainty associated with the SOC estimations. An overall SOC estimation is determined by comparing the confidence values and selecting the SOC estimation having the least amount of uncertainty.

Abstract: A back pressure valve for a fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed, wherein the valve includes a solenoid disposed thereon, an energization of the solenoid causing a generation of heat in a valve flap to facilitate a melting of ice that has formed in the valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods to determine a state of charge (SOC) of a battery using confidence values. SOC estimations are determined using a voltage-based estimation strategy and a current-based estimation strategy. Confidence values are also generated for the voltage-based SOC estimation and the current-based SOC estimation to quantify the amount of uncertainty associated with the SOC estimations. An overall SOC estimation is determined by comparing the confidence values and selecting the SOC estimation having the least amount of uncertainty.

Abstract: A flow shifting fuel cell with water separator. The water separator is used to control the amount of moisture that passes through the anode flowpath of one or more fuel cells in one or more fuel cell stacks. The water separator is made up of a housing to direct the flow of a moisture-bearing fluid as well as act as a collection and container for separated moisture. Fluid that is cyclically passing through the fuel cell stack as part of its flow shifting mode of operation oscillates back and forth across a separation chamber formed within the water separator, thereby allowing bidirectional control of the moisture content within the fluid. A drain is formed in the separation chamber to allow removal of condensed water.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively using a voltage-based state of charge estimate in an overall state of charge calculation. Regions or bands of battery pack state of charge are established, where in some regions, open circuit voltage is known to be a good indicator of state of charge, and in other regions, open circuit voltage is known to be a poor indicator of state of charge due to a high sensitivity to measurement error. In regions or bands where voltage-based state of charge is expected to be accurate, the voltage-based state of charge estimate may be used to scale or adjust a current-based state of charge estimate, thus avoiding a continuous accumulation of error in the current-based estimate. In regions or bands where voltage-based state of charge is known to be prone to error, only current-based state of charge information is used.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for a hybrid vehicle that includes a high voltage battery, where the system uses a cathode exhaust gas airflow from a fuel cell stack to draw air through a battery compartment in which the battery is mounted to provide battery cooling. An air intake line is in fluid communication with the passenger compartment of the vehicle and the battery compartment. An ejector line is in fluid communication with the battery compartment and the cathode exhaust gas pipe. The flow of the cathode exhaust gas around the injector pipe creates a low pressure area, which draws air through the battery compartment from the passenger compartment. In one embodiment, a compressor that provides the cathode inlet air to the fuel cell stack is used at low stack output loads, such as during vehicle idle, to direct air through the cathode exhaust gas pipe, and cool the battery system under low load conditions.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a method for providing a battery state of charge and voltage equalization during normal operation of the fuel cell system. If a charge equalization has been requested, the method first determines whether the battery temperature is above a predetermined temperature and, if not, proceeds with battery charging and overcharging so that all of the cells in the battery are fully charged. During the charging process, the method determines whether the charging process should be interrupted, such as by a power request that exceeds a predetermined power request, which would require battery power. The method counts the number of times the state of charge and voltage equalization process has been interrupted, and if the number of times exceeds a predetermined value, then the method initiates a service condition.

Abstract: A heated valve that has particular application for one or more of a drain valve, a pressure release valve and a bleed valve in an anode outlet unit of a fuel cell system. The valve includes a divided solenoid having at least two coils. During a normal operation of the valve, current is applied to both coils. During a heat-up operation of the valve, current is applied to only one of the coils so that the reduced resistance of a single coil provides increased heat.

Abstract: A valve including an integrated heater that has particular application for one or more of a bleed valve, a drain valve and a pressure release valve in an anode outlet unit of a fuel cell system. The valve includes a valve body having a valve body chamber defining a valve seat. A valve tappet seats against the valve seat to close a flow channel in the valve through which a fluid flows. A ring heater is mounted within the chamber so that the fluid flows through a central opening in the ring heater, where the ring heater is in close proximity to the valve seat.

Abstract: A back pressure valve for a fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed, wherein the valve includes a solenoid disposed thereon, an energization of the solenoid causing a generation of heat in a valve flap to facilitate a melting of ice that has formed in the valve.

Abstract: A flow shifting fuel cell with water separator. The water separator is used to control the amount of moisture that passes through the anode flowpath of one or more fuel cells in one or more fuel cell stacks. The water separator is made up of a housing to direct the flow of a moisture-bearing fluid as well as act as a collection and container for separated moisture. Fluid that is cyclically passing through the fuel cell stack as part of its flow shifting mode of operation oscillates back and forth across a separation chamber formed within the water separator, thereby allowing bidirectional control of the moisture content within the fluid. A drain is formed in the separation chamber to allow removal of condensed water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a vehicle, the apparatus having a pulling ventilator, wherein the ventilator minimizes a temperature in a housing while minimizing a noise level in a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for a hybrid vehicle that includes a high voltage battery, where the system uses a cathode exhaust gas airflow from a fuel cell stack to draw air through a battery compartment in which the battery is mounted to provide battery cooling. An air intake line is in fluid communication with the passenger compartment of the vehicle and the battery compartment. An ejector line is in fluid communication with the battery compartment and the cathode exhaust gas pipe. The flow of the cathode exhaust gas around the injector pipe creates a low pressure area, which draws air through the battery compartment from the passenger compartment. In one embodiment, a compressor that provides the cathode inlet air to the fuel cell stack is used at low stack output loads, such as during vehicle idle, to direct air through the cathode exhaust gas pipe, and cool the battery system under low load conditions.

Abstract: A heated valve that has particular application for one or more of a drain valve, a pressure release valve and a bleed valve in an anode outlet unit of a fuel cell system. The valve includes a divided solenoid having at least two coils. During a normal operation of the valve, current is applied to both coils. During a heat-up operation of the valve, current is applied to only one of the coils so that the reduced resistance of a single coil provides increased heat.

Abstract: A valve including an integrated heater that has particular application for one or more of a bleed valve, a drain valve and a pressure release valve in an anode outlet unit of a fuel cell system. The valve includes a valve body having a valve body chamber defining a valve seat. A valve tappet seats against the valve seat to close a flow channel in the valve through which a fluid flows. A ring heater is mounted within the chamber so that the fluid flows through a central opening in the ring heater, where the ring heater is in close proximity to the valve seat.

Abstract: A heating system for a pipe or hose in a fuel cell system that include heaters and conductors to prevent water in the pipe or hose from freezing. A heater wire is provided in contact with the pipe, and a conductor is wrapped around the heater wire and the pipe, and a protective layer is wrapped around the conductor, where the conductor provides thermal isolation. For a plastic or rubber hose, an inner conductor is wrapped around the house and an outer conductor is wrapped around the inner conductor. Heater wire is positioned between the inner conductor and the outer conductor. A protective layer is then wrapped around the outer conductor.

Abstract: A freeze capable compact fuel cell system to facilitate improved humidification in dry operating conditions and improved freeze capability as well as to facilitate improved removal of excess water and trapped nitrogen gas from the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system is particularly adapted for integration into a small vehicle body.