Abstract: Fuel cell power systems and methods of operating fuel cell power systems are described. According to one aspect, a fuel cell power system includes a fuel cell configured to generate electrical energy; switch mode power conditioning circuitry configured to electrically condition the electrical energy generated by the fuel cell, wherein the switch mode power conditioning circuitry comprises a controller configured to monitor an electrical status of the fuel cell and to adjust the conditioning of the electrical energy using the switch mode power conditioning circuitry responsive to the monitoring, wherein the controller is configured to provide a pulse width modulated control signal to control the switching of the switch mode power conditioning circuitry and to vary a duty cycle of the control signal to adjust the conditioning of the electrical energy using the switch mode power conditioning circuitry.

Abstract: Fuel cell power systems and methods of controlling a fuel cell power system are provided. According to one aspect, a fuel cell power system includes a plurality of fuel cells electrically coupled with plural terminals and individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; and a digital control system configured to at least one of control and monitor an operation of the fuel cells. Another aspect provides a method of controlling a fuel cell power system including providing a plurality of fuel cells individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; electrically coupling the plurality of fuel cells; providing a first terminal coupled with the fuel cells; providing a second terminal coupled with the fuel cells; and coupling a digital control system with the fuel cells to at least one of monitor and control an operation of the fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell power system is described and which includes a plurality of modules each enclosing a fuel cell stack and a cooling system, and wherein at least one of the modules can be easily removed from the fuel cell power system, by hand, while the remaining modules continue to operate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the generation or purification of hydrogen is described, and which includes an enclosure having inner and outer chambers which are substantially separated by a barrier, and which are substantially concentrically aligned; an evaporator coil positioned within the inner chamber for receiving a solution of methanol and water, and wherein the solution of methanol and water is heated to a predetermined temperature; a reformer coil positioned within the inner chamber and coupled in downstream fluid flowing relation relative to the evaporator coil, and which facilitates the decomposition of the heated methanol and water solution into hydrogen gas and other constituents; and a purifier assembly positioned within the inner chamber and coupled in downstream fluid flowing relation relative to the reformer coil, and which substantially separates the hydrogen gas from the other constituents.

Abstract: Fuel cell power systems and methods of operating fuel cell power systems are described. According to one aspect, a fuel cell power system includes a fuel cell configured to generate electrical energy; switch mode power conditioning circuitry configured to electrically condition the electrical energy generated by the fuel cell, wherein the switch mode power conditioning circuitry comprises a controller configured to monitor an electrical status of the fuel cell and to adjust the conditioning of the electrical energy using the switch mode power conditioning circuitry responsive to the monitoring, wherein the controller is configured to provide a pulse width modulated control signal to control the switching of the switch mode power conditioning circuitry and to vary a duty cycle of the control signal to adjust the conditioning of the electrical energy using the switch mode power conditioning circuitry.

Abstract: A method of testing a fuel cell for gas leaks comprises providing a gas sensor in gas sensing relation to the fuel cell system, and initiating a pressure test of the fuel cell in response to the gas sensor sensing more than a predetermined amount of a target gas. A fuel cell power system comprises a fuel cell defining a fluid vessel having a fuel inlet and bleed outlet; a fuel valve upstream of the fuel inlet; a bleed valve downstream of the fuel outlet; and a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the fluid vessel, wherein a pressure test of the fluid vessel can be performed in-situ.

Abstract: A fuel cell power system is described and which includes a plurality of modules each enclosing a fuel cell stack and a cooling assembly, and wherein at least one of the modules can be easily removed from the fuel cell power system, by hand, while the remaining modules continue to operate.

Abstract: An ion exchange membrane fuel cell is described and which includes a module enclosing a membrane electrode diffusion assembly which has an active area defined by a surface area, and which produces an average current density of at least about 350 mA per square centimeter of surface area when supplied with a dilute fuel at a nominal voltage of about 0.5 volts.

Abstract: Fuel cell power systems and methods of controlling a fuel cell power system are provided. According to one aspect, a fuel cell power system includes a plurality of fuel cells electrically coupled with plural terminals and individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; and a digital control system configured to at least one of control and monitor an operation of the fuel cells. Another aspect provides a method of controlling a fuel cell power system including providing a plurality of fuel cells individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; electrically coupling the plurality of fuel cells; providing a first terminal coupled with the fuel cells; providing a second terminal coupled with the fuel cells; and coupling a digital control system with the fuel cells to at least one of monitor and control an operation of the fuel cells.

Abstract: Fuel cell power systems and methods of controlling a fuel cell power system are provided. According to one aspect, a fuel cell power system includes a plurality of fuel cells electrically coupled with plural terminals and individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; and a digital control system configured to at least one of control and monitor an operation of the fuel cells. Another aspect provides a method of controlling a fuel cell power system including providing a plurality of fuel cells individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; electrically coupling the plurality of fuel cells; providing a first terminal coupled with the fuel cells; providing a second terminal coupled with the fuel cells; and coupling a digital control system with the fuel cells to at least one of monitor and control an operation of the fuel cells.

Abstract: Fuel cell power systems and methods of controlling a fuel cell power system are provided. According to one aspect, a fuel cell power system includes a plurality of fuel cells electrically coupled with plural terminals and individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; and a digital control system configured to at least one of control and monitor an operation of the fuel cells. Another aspect provides a method of controlling a fuel cell power system including providing a plurality of fuel cells individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; electrically coupling the plurality of fuel cells; providing a first terminal coupled with the fuel cells; providing a second terminal coupled with the fuel cells; and coupling a digital control system with the fuel cells to at least one of monitor and control an operation of the fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved fuel cell and method for controlling same having an anode and a cathode which produces an electrical current having a given voltage and current output and which includes a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell and which shunts the electrical current between the anode and the cathode of the fuel cell. The invention also discloses a method for controlling the fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and a given voltage and current output and which includes determining the voltage and current output of the fuel cell; and shunting the electrical current between the anode and cathode of the fuel cell under first and second operational conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved fuel cell and method of controlling same having an anode and a cathode which produces an electrical current having a given voltage and current output and which includes a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell and which shunts the electrical current between the anode and the cathode of the fuel cell. The invention also discloses a method for controlling the fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and a given voltage and current output and which include determining the voltage and current output of the fuel cell; and shunting the electrical current between the anode and cathode of the fuel cell under first and second operation parameters.