Abstract: A fuel cell includes a heat exchanger loop configured to circulate a heat exchanger fluid from the compressed cathode air feed to the fuel cell to pre-heat the fuel cell during fuel cell start up. Also disclosed is a fuel cell including a humidifier mated to inlet and outlet ports of the fuel cell stack. Also disclosed is a fuel cell system having audio, image, or strain sensors external to the fuel cell surface, configured for detecting a change in the external surface of the fuel cell indicative of a fault condition.

Abstract: An integrated hydrogen-electric engine includes a hydrogen fuel-cell; a hydrogen fuel source; an electric motor assembly disposed in electrical communication with the fuel-cell; an air compressor system configured to be driven by the motor assembly, and a cooling system having a heat exchanger radiator in a duct of the cooling system, and configured to direct an air stream including an air stream from the air compressor through the radiator, wherein an exhaust stream from a cathode side of the fuel-cell is fed via a flow control nozzle into the air stream in the cooling duct downstream of the radiator.

Abstract: An integrated hydrogen-electric engine includes a hydrogen fuel-cell; a hydrogen fuel source; an electric motor assembly disposed in electrical communication with the fuel-cell; an air compressor system configured to be driven by the motor assembly, and a cooling system having a heat exchanger radiator in a duct of the cooling system, and configured to direct an air stream including an air stream from the air compressor through the radiator, wherein an exhaust stream from a cathode side of the fuel-cell is fed via a flow control nozzle into the air stream in the cooling duct downstream of the radiator.

Abstract: A method and system of dynamic fuel cell stack switching includes monitoring a fuel cell voltage of a hydrogen fuel cell stack system. When the fuel cell voltage is outside a voltage range, the fuel cell voltage is adjusted by electrically bypassing at least one fuel cell stack within the hydrogen fuel cell stack system, or by electrically connecting the at least one fuel cell stack to the hydrogen fuel cell stack system. For a bypassed fuel cell stack, a hydration level of the electrically bypassed fuel cell stack is monitored.

Abstract: A control valve for controlling the exhausting of a purge gas from a fuel cell assembly, comprising a valve body having a valve member therein moveable between a first position and a second position, an inlet port for receiving a purge gas from the fuel cell assembly and an outlet port for providing an outlet for the purge gas, the valve member configured to, in the first position, prevent purge gas from flowing between the inlet port and the outlet port and, in the second position, allow the flow of purge gas between the inlet port and the outlet port, the valve body including a drain port adapted and arranged in the valve body to allow liquid to drain out of the valve body, the drain port configured to close when the valve member is in the second position.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly for a fuel cell system, comprising a plenum having an inlet configured to receive a gas flow from the fuel cell system and an outlet configured to vent said gas flow to atmosphere, the plenum including a louvre assembly for controlling the flow through the plenum between the inlet and outlet, wherein the plenum includes a purge gas inlet downstream of the louvre assembly configured to introduce a purge gas of the fuel cell system into the gas flow for dilution thereof, the louvre assembly configured to induce, in use, a lower pressure region proximal the purge gas inlet relative to a region distal the purge gas inlet within the plenum.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly for a fuel cell system, comprising a plenum having an inlet configured to receive a gas flow from the fuel cell system and an outlet configured to vent said gas flow to atmosphere, the plenum including a louvre assembly for controlling the flow through the plenum between the inlet and outlet, wherein the plenum includes a purge gas inlet downstream of the louvre assembly configured to introduce a purge gas of the fuel cell system into the gas flow for dilution thereof, the louvre assembly configured to induce, in use, a lower pressure region proximal the purge gas inlet relative to a region distal the purge gas inlet within the plenum.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly for a fuel cell system, comprising a plenum having an inlet configured to receive a gas flow from the fuel cell system and an outlet configured to vent said gas flow to atmosphere, the plenum including a louvre assembly for controlling the flow through the plenum between the inlet and outlet, wherein the plenum includes a purge gas inlet downstream of the louvre assembly configured to introduce a purge gas of the fuel cell system into the gas flow for dilution thereof, the louvre assembly configured to induce, in use, a lower pressure region proximal the purge gas inlet relative to a region distal the purge gas inlet within the plenum.

Abstract: A control valve for controlling the exhausting of a purge gas from a fuel cell assembly, comprising a valve body having a valve member therein moveable between a first position and a second position, an inlet port for receiving a purge gas from the fuel cell assembly and an outlet port for providing an outlet for the purge gas, the valve member configured to, in the first position, prevent purge gas from flowing between the inlet port and the outlet port and, in the second position, allow the flow of purge gas between the inlet port and the outlet port, the valve body including a drain port adapted and arranged in the valve body to allow liquid to drain out of the valve body, the drain port configured to close when the valve member is in the second position.