Abstract: A four-fluid bipolar plate for a fuel cell includes a nonporous sub-plate and a porous sub-plate. The nonporous sub-plate includes a water management side, an opposing reactant side, and an internal coolant passage therebetween. The water management side includes a recessed region over an area approximately equal to the active area, and the porous sub-plate is nested and sealed in the recessed region. The porous sub-plate includes a reactant side and an opposing water management side. The water management side is in fluid communication with the water management side of the nonporous sub-plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant includes an energy storage system connected in parallel with a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a controller, a fuel flow system, an air flow system, and an internal water management system. The controller is operable to receive, as inputs, the energy storage system state of charge and the power demand from an electric load. The controller is further operable to determine a power split set point and execute commands, as output, to control operation of the air flow system, wherein the air flow system actively regulates the proportion of current flow between the fuel cell system and the energy storage system to meet the power demand of the electric load.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for a four-fluid fuel cell includes a nonporous sub-plate and a porous sub-plate. The nonporous sub-plate includes a water management side, an opposing reactant side, and an internal coolant passage therebetween. The porous sub-plate includes a reactant side and an opposing water management side. The reactant side includes a first reactant flow field, and the water management side is fluidly connected to the water management side of the nonporous sub-plate. Embodiments of the invention include a method to operate the four-fluid fuel cell in thermal boost mode, and a method to accumulate and retain product water.

Abstract: A four-fluid bipolar plate for a fuel cell includes a nonporous sub-plate comprising a first reactant half-plate joined to a second reactant half-plate. The nonporous sub-plate includes an internal coolant passage network having coolant flow field passages extending across an active area of the fuel cell. The nonporous sub-plate defines fuel supply and fuel return internal manifolds, oxidant supply and oxidant return internal manifolds, water management supply and water management return internal manifolds, and coolant supply and coolant return internal manifolds. The internal coolant passage network may have secondary cooling functions, such as a reactant coolant loop surrounding an internal reactant internal manifold, providing a heat exchange area to cool incoming reactant gas, and cooling the interfacial and porous sub-plate seals.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for a four-fluid fuel cell includes a nonporous sub-plate and a porous sub-plate. The nonporous sub-plate includes a water management side, an opposing reactant side, and an internal coolant passage therebetween. The porous sub-plate includes a reactant side and an opposing water management side. The reactant side includes a first reactant flow field, and the water management side is fluidly connected to the water management side of the nonporous sub-plate. Embodiments of the invention include a method to operate the four-fluid fuel cell in thermal boost mode, and a method to accumulate and retain product water.

Abstract: A four-fluid bipolar plate for a fuel cell includes an oxidant flow field, a fuel reactant flow field, a dedicated coolant passage, and a water management flow field. The bipolar plate includes at least one porous layer. A first side of the porous layer is fluidly connected to the water management flow field via a plurality of pores that act as a bubble barrier. An opposing second side of the porous layer includes either the fuel reactant flow field or the oxidant flow field. In one example, the dedicated coolant passage is internal to the bipolar plate, and may be configured to flow an antifreeze-type coolant.

Abstract: A working-fluid circuit may include an indoor heat exchanger, a variable-capacity compressor and a control module. The variable-capacity compressor pumps working fluid through the indoor heat exchanger. The control module may control the compressor and operate the compressor in one of a first capacity mode and a second capacity mode based on a demand signal, outdoor-air-temperature data and a compressor runtime.

Abstract: A climate-control system may include a variable-capacity compressor unit and a control module controlling the compressor unit. The compressor unit may be operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode. The control module may be configured to switch the compressor unit among a shutdown state, the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode based on a demand signal and outdoor-air-temperature data.

Abstract: A working-fluid circuit may include an indoor heat exchanger, a variable-capacity compressor and a control module. The variable-capacity compressor pumps working fluid through the indoor heat exchanger. The control module may control the compressor and operate the compressor in one of a first capacity mode and a second capacity mode based on a demand signal, outdoor-air-temperature data and a compressor runtime.

Abstract: A climate-control system may include a variable-capacity compressor unit and a control module controlling the compressor unit. The compressor unit may be operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode. The control module may be configured to switch the compressor unit among a shutdown state, the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode based on a demand signal and outdoor-air-temperature data.

Abstract: A valve retainer is provided for securably retaining a discharge valve assembly within a recess formed in a scroll. The valve retainer can be installed between the recess of the non-orbital scroll and the discharge valve assembly to retain the discharge valve assembly at the recess. The valve retainer can include a ring-like body having inwardly and/or outwardly extending tangs for cooperating with structure formed on the respective valve and the recess of the non-orbital scroll.

Abstract: A valve retainer is provided for securably retaining a discharge valve assembly within a recess formed in a scroll. The valve retainer can be installed between the recess of the non-orbital scroll and the discharge valve assembly to retain the discharge valve assembly at the recess. The valve retainer can include a ring-like body having inwardly and/or outwardly extending tangs for cooperating with structure formed on the respective valve and the recess of the non-orbital scroll.

Abstract: A cadmium- and zinc-hyperaccumulating subspecies from Thlaspi caerulescens and methods for removing and optionally recovering cadmium and zinc from soil using phytoextracting techniques wherein the subspecies is cultivated on soil containing cadmium and zinc.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and a system used to account for individuals during or before a crisis situation. The methods and system provide a program configured to account for one or more missing individuals if an entity is affected by a crisis. The program is configured to pose a number of questions to one or more individuals who have accessed the program. The program records information associated with the posed questions. A log of the information is generated. Thereafter, the log of information is merged with other associated data to obtain an accountability report. The accountability report can be used to account for missing individuals.

Abstract: A kit for use in ultrasound imaging can include a deployment device configured for partial insertion in vivo, a 3-D imaging catheter, moveably coupled to the deployment device including a 2D ultrasound transducer phased array mounted thereon and configured to provide 3-D images, and a deployable tool coupled to the 3-D imaging catheter and configured to move in vivo in response to guidance thereof via the deployment device using the 3-D images.