Abstract: A fuel cell assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first fuel cell stack in series with a variable resistor and a second fuel cell stack in parallel with the first fuel cell stack and in series with a contactor. A resistance level of the variable resistor is adjusted in response to deactivating the contactor. A method of regulating a fuel cell assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system and a method for operating an electrochemical cell is provided. The method including determining one of a power level, current level or a voltage level of the electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell including at least one cell having an anode side and a cathode side, the electrochemical cell further having a water transport plate operably coupled to the cathode side. An oxidant pressure level is determined in the cathode side. A water pressure level is determined in the water transport plate. The active area of the at least one cell is changed by adjusting at least one of the oxidant pressure level or the water pressure level based at least in part on the determined power level, current level or voltage level.

Abstract: An exemplary method of cooling a fuel cell includes directing coolant through a coolant supply channel near at least one reactant flow channel. The coolant supply channel extends from a coolant inlet spaced from a reactant inlet to a coolant outlet. The coolant supply channel includes a first portion starting at the coolant inlet and a second portion near the reactant inlet. The first portion facilitates coolant flow from the coolant inlet directly toward the second portion. The second portion includes a plurality of channel sections that collectively facilitate coolant flow in a plurality of directions along the second portion near the reactant inlet. The coolant supply channel includes a third portion between the second portion and the coolant outlet.

Abstract: A rotary separator includes a drum configured to rotate, and a pickup member extending into the drum. The pickup member includes a pickup channel having a first inlet for receiving a liquid, and a pitot channel having a second inlet for receiving the liquid. The liquid exits the drum through the pickup channel in response to a pressure of the liquid being measured through the pitot channel. A valve may be coupled to the pickup channel. A pressure sensor may be coupled to the pitot channel.

Abstract: A rotary separator may comprise a drum configured to rotate, a pickup member extending into the drum, comprising a pickup channel having a first inlet for receiving a liquid, and a pitot channel having a second inlet for receiving the liquid. The liquid exits the drum through the pickup channel in response to a pressure of the liquid being measured through the pitot channel. A valve may be coupled to the pickup channel. A pressure sensor may be coupled to the pitot channel.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first fuel cell stack in series with a variable resistor and a second fuel cell stack in parallel with the first fuel cell stack and in series with a contactor. A resistance level of the variable resistor is adjusted in response to deactivating the contactor.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system and a method for operating an electrochemical cell is provided. The method including determining one of a power level, current level or a voltage level of the electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell including at least one cell having an anode side and a cathode side, the electrochemical cell further having a water transport plate operably coupled to the cathode side. An oxidant pressure level is determined in the cathode side. A water pressure level is determined in the water transport plate. The active area of the at least one cell is changed by adjusting at least one of the oxidant pressure level or the water pressure level based at least in part on the determined power level, current level or voltage level.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first fuel cell stack in series with a variable resistor and a second fuel cell stack in parallel with the first fuel cell stack and in series with a contactor. A resistance level of the variable resistor is adjusted in response to deactivating the contactor. A method of regulating a fuel cell assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system and a method for operating an electrochemical cell is provided. The method including determining one of a power level, current level or a voltage level of the electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell including at least one cell having an anode side and a cathode side, the electrochemical cell further having a water transport plate operably coupled to the cathode side. An oxidant pressure level is determined in the cathode side. A water pressure level is determined in the water transport plate. The active area of the at least one cell is changed by adjusting at least one of the oxidant pressure level or the water pressure level based at least in part on the determined power level, current level or voltage level.

Abstract: An assembly has a plurality of fuel cell stacks with at least one wall. At least one manifold portion is provided outwardly of the at least one wall of each of the fuel cell stacks. The at least one manifold portion for a pair of the plurality of fuel cell stacks is on facing surfaces with an intermediate wall between the at least one of the manifold portions on the pair of the plurality of fuel cell stacks. A method of forming an assembly of a plurality of fuel cell stacks is also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary fuel cell component includes a generally planar body having a total area defined by a length and width of the body. A first portion of the total area is occupied by a first fuel cell features that renders the first portion unusable for at least one fuel cell function. A second portion of the total area is occupied by a second fuel cell feature that renders the second portion unusable for the fuel cell function. A third portion of the total area is considered an active area of the component that is useful for the fuel cell function. An aspect ratio of the length to the width of the generally planar body is dependent on a dimension of the first portion and a dimension of the second portion.

Abstract: An exemplary flow field includes a plurality of flow channel portions. There are n inlet portions configured for introducing a fluid into the flow field. A plurality of first pass portions direct fluid flow in a first direction. A plurality of second pass portions direct fluid flow in a second direction that is generally parallel to and opposite to the first direction. A plurality of third pass portions direct fluid flow in the first direction. n outlet portions are configured to allow fluid to exit the flow field. n is an integer and a number of the portions in at least one plurality of pass portions is a non-integer multiple of n.

Abstract: An example fuel cell assembly includes a plate having channels configured to facilitate movement of a fuel cell fluid near an area of active flow of fuel cell. The channels include portions having a varying depth that extend laterally outside of the area of active flow.

Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment, a method of making a fuel cell component includes removing material from a first plurality of locations along at least one surface on a plate to simultaneously establish a plurality of first channels on the surface. Each first channel has a length between a first end near a first edge of the surface and a second end spaced from a second, opposite edge of the surface. Material is also removed from a second plurality of locations along the surface to simultaneously establish a plurality of second channels on the surface. Each second channel has a length beginning at a first end spaced from the first edge and a second end near the second edge. Material is also removed from the surface near the first ends of at least some of the first channels to simultaneously establish an inlet portion for directing a fluid into the corresponding first channels.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system and a method for operating an electrochemical cell is provided. The method including determining one of a power level, current level or a voltage level of the electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell including at least one cell having an anode side and a cathode side, the electrochemical cell further having a water transport plate operably coupled to the cathode side. An oxidant pressure level is determined in the cathode side. A water pressure level is determined in the water transport plate. The active area of the at least one cell is changed by adjusting at least one of the oxidant pressure level or the water pressure level based at least in part on the determined power level, current level or voltage level.

Abstract: A system has a fuel cell with an anode, a membrane, and a cathode. A source of fuel passes along the anode and a source of an oxygen containing gas passes along the cathode. A downstream line captures fuel downstream of the anode and a separator separates impurities from the fuel on the downstream line, and recirculates fuel downstream of the separator for passage across the anode. A method of mixing air with an oxygen concentrated gas is also disclosed.

Abstract: An example method of controlling a fuel cell power plant based on provided power includes selectively varying an electrical resistance of the variable resistive device responsive to at least one of a power provided by the fuel cell power plant, a current provided by the fuel cell power plant, or a voltage decay rate.

Abstract: An example fuel cell system includes a fuel cell power plant and a tank providing a volume that is configured to hold a fuel cell fluid. The fuel cell power plant is at least partially disposed within the volume.

Abstract: A fuel cell has an anode and a cathode separated by a membrane. A source of fuel is provided for passing a fuel across the anode. A source of oxygen containing gas is provided for passing oxygen across a cathode. A cooling water circuit is associated with an accumulator and for supplying cooling water to cool the cathode, and to return the cooling water from the cathode back to the accumulator. A system removes entrained gases from the water returned to the accumulator and returns the removed gases to the cathode. A vehicle with such a fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method of cooling a fuel cell includes directing coolant through a coolant supply channel near at least one reactant flow channel. The coolant supply channel extends from a coolant inlet spaced from a reactant inlet to a coolant outlet. The coolant supply channel includes a first portion starting at the coolant inlet and a second portion near the reactant inlet. The first portion facilitates coolant flow from the coolant inlet directly toward the second portion. The second portion includes a plurality of channel sections that collectively facilitate coolant flow in a plurality of directions along the second portion near the reactant inlet. The coolant supply channel includes a third portion between the second portion and the coolant outlet.