Abstract: The fuel cells (16, 18) adjacent or near the end plate (15) of a fuel cell stack (14) are warmed either by (a) a heater wire (48, 50) within the fuel cell (16) adjacent to the end plate, (b) heater wires (53) disposed in a heater element (52) located between the end plate and the fuel cell closest to the end plate (15), (c) one or more heaters (56) are disposed in holes (55) within the end plate (15), (d) a catalytic heater (61) disposed on the inner surface of the end plate, or (e) catalytic burner (78, 100) disposed adjacent a current collector (70) between an end cell (16) and insulation (81) on an end plate (82). The fuel cells (16, 18) may be heated before or during startup at sub-freezing temperatures to prevent loss of fuel cell performance.

Abstract: The fuel cells (16, 18) adjacent or near the end plate (15) of a fuel cell stack (14) are warmed either by (a) a heater wire (48) within the fuel cell (16) adjacent to the end plate, (b) heater wires (53) are disposed in a heater element (52) located between the end plate and the fuel cell closest to the end plate (15), (c) one or more heaters (56) are disposed in holes (55) within the end plate (15), (d) electric heating elements (59) on a surface of the end plate (15), or (e) a catalytic heater (61) disposed on the surface of the end plate. The fuel cells (16, 18) may be heated before or during operation at sub-freezing temperatures to prevent loss of fuel cell performance, or may be heated after operation at sub-freezing temperatures to restore fuel cell performance.

Abstract: A vehicle (150) includes a fuel cell stack (151) started when the stack is below freezing, by connection (158) to the vehicle propulsion system (159) within a few seconds of starting the flow of fuel (179) and oxidant (173), or when open circuit voltage (155, 156) is detected. The fuel is in excess of stochiometry requirement and the oxidant is in excess of at least twice stochiometric requirement, either may be at about atmospheric pressure or at 4 kPa (0.6 psi) or more above the pressure of any water in said water passages, and either may be below freezing. Water transport plates (84, 86, 88, 89) have water passages connected to a water circulation loop (170) including a reservoir (164) having an auxiliary heater (161) connected (160) to the stack. Warming of cell stack materials and ice in the water transport plates, heat of fusion of melting ice, warming of melted water, and evaporative cooling of water melted in the water transport plates keep the fuel cell cool until liquid coolant can be circulated.

Abstract: A vehicle (150) includes a fuel cell stack (151) started when the stack is below freezing, by connection (158) to the vehicle propulsion system (159) within a few seconds of starting the flow of fuel (179) and oxidant (173), or when open circuit voltage (155, 156) is detected. The fuel is in excess of stochiometry requirement and the oxidant is in excess of at least twice stochiometric requirement, either may be at about atmospheric pressure or at 4 kPa (0.6 psi) or more above the pressure of any water in said water passages, and either may be below freezing. Water transport plates (84, 86, 88, 89) have water passages connected to a water circulation loop (170) including a reservoir (164) having an auxiliary heater (161) connected (160) to the stack. Warming of cell stack materials and ice in the water transport plates, heat of fusion of melting ice, warming of melted water, and evaporative cooling of water melted in the water transport plates keep the fuel cell cool until liquid coolant can be circulated.