Abstract: A combination fuel cell and hydrogen or oxygen pump includes an electrochemical cell comprising an anode inlet for receiving fuel, an anode outlet for exhausting fuel, a cathode inlet for receiving oxidant, a cathode outlet for exhausting oxidant, and first and second electrical connectors. A controller is operable for applying an electrical load to the electrochemical cell for generating electricity, and for applying an electrical potential to the electrochemical cell for purifying hydrogen or purifying oxygen. Methods and infrastructure systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A combination fuel cell and hydrogen or oxygen pump includes an electrochemical cell comprising an anode inlet for receiving fuel, an anode outlet for exhausting fuel, a cathode inlet for receiving oxidant, a cathode outlet for exhausting oxidant, and first and second electrical connectors. A controller is operable for applying an electrical load to the electrochemical cell for generating electricity, and for applying an electrical potential to the electrochemical cell for purifying hydrogen or purifying oxygen. Methods and infrastructure systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cell systems and associated methods of operation where an electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell is used as an electrochemical hydrogen separator to separate hydrogen from a process stream (e.g., reformate or synthesis gas), or as an electrochemical hydrogen expander to inject hydrogen into a process stream. In one aspect, the invention provides a method of operating a fuel cell system, including the following steps: flowing hydrogen from a hydrogen supply conduit through a fuel cell to provide an electric current to a load coupled to the fuel cell; actuating an electrochemical hydrogen separator in a first mode of operation of the system to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen supply conduit to a hydrogen storage vessel; and actuating an electrochemical hydrogen expander in a second mode of operation of the system to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen storage vessel to the fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cell systems and associated methods of operation where an electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell is used as an electrochemical hydrogen separator to separate hydrogen from a process stream (e.g., reformate or synthesis gas), or as an electrochemical hydrogen expander to inject hydrogen into a process stream. In one aspect, the invention provides a method of operating a fuel cell system, including the following steps: flowing hydrogen from a hydrogen supply conduit through a fuel cell to provide an electric current to a load coupled to the fuel cell; actuating an electrochemical hydrogen separator in a first mode of operation of the system to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen supply conduit to a hydrogen storage vessel; and actuating an electrochemical hydrogen expander in a second mode of operation of the system to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen storage vessel to the fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cell systems and associated methods of operation where an electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell is used as an electrochemical hydrogen separator to separate hydrogen from a process stream (e.g., reformate or synthesis gas), or as an electrochemical hydrogen expander to inject hydrogen into a process stream. In one aspect, the invention provides a method of operating a fuel cell system, including the following steps: flowing hydrogen from a hydrogen supply conduit through a fuel cell to provide an electric current to a load coupled to the fuel cell; actuating an electrochemical hydrogen separator in a first mode of operation of the system to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen supply conduit to a hydrogen storage vessel; and actuating an electrochemical hydrogen expander in a second mode of operation of the system to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen storage vessel to the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method includes (1) operating a fuel processing reactor to convert a hydrocarbon into reformate; (2) flowing reformate through a first pressure regulator to reduce the pressure of the reformate; (3) supplying reformate from the first pressure regulator to a fuel cell to generate electrical power; (4) flowing a portion of the reformate from the fuel processor to a second pressure regulator to reduce the pressure of the reformate while generating the electrical power with the fuel cell; and (5) supplying reformate from the second pressure regulator to the hydrogen purification system while generating the electrical power with the fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to apparatuses and associated methods of operation whereby the operation of a fuel cell is coordinated with a fuel processing reactor and a hydrogen separation system. In one embodiment, a method is provided of coordinating operation of a combined fuel processor, fuel cell and hydrogen purification system, including the following steps: (1) operating a fuel processing reactor to convert a hydrocarbon into reformate; (2) flowing reformate through a first pressure regulator to reduce the pressure of the reformate; (3) supplying reformate from the first pressure regulator to a fuel cell to generate electrical power; (4) flowing a portion of the reformate from the fuel processor to a second pressure regulator to reduce the pressure of the reformate while generating the electrical power with the fuel cell; and (5) supplying reformate from the second pressure regulator to the hydrogen purification system while generating the electrical power with the fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cell systems and associated methods of operation where an electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell is used as an electrochemical hydrogen separator to separate hydrogen from a process stream (e.g., reformate or synthesis gas), or as an electrochemical hydrogen expander to inject hydrogen into a process stream. In one aspect, the invention provides a method of operating a fuel cell system, including the following steps: flowing hydrogen from a hydrogen supply conduit through a fuel cell to provide an electric current to a load coupled to the fuel cell; actuating an electrochemical hydrogen separator in a first mode of operation of the system to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen supply conduit to a hydrogen storage vessel; and actuating an electrochemical hydrogen expander in a second mode of operation of the system to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen storage vessel to the fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cell systems and associated methods of operation where an electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell is used as an electrochemical hydrogen separator to separate hydrogen from a process stream (e.g., reformate or synthesis gas), or as an electrochemical hydrogen expander to inject hydrogen into a process stream. In one aspect, the invention provides a method of operating a fuel cell system, including the following steps: flowing hydrogen from a hydrogen supply conduit through a fuel cell to provide an electric current to a load coupled to the fuel cell; actuating an electrochemical hydrogen separator in a first mode of operation of the system to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen supply conduit to a hydrogen storage vessel; and actuating an electrochemical hydrogen expander in a second mode of operation of the system to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen storage vessel to the fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cell systems and associated methods of operation where an electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell is used as an electrochemical hydrogen separator to separate hydrogen from a process stream (e.g., reformate or synthesis gas), or as an electrochemical hydrogen expander to inject hydrogen into a process stream. In one aspect, the invention provides a method of operating a fuel cell system, including the following steps: flowing hydrogen from a hydrogen supply conduit through a fuel cell to provide an electric current to a load coupled to the fuel cell; actuating an electrochemical hydrogen separator in a first mode of operation of the system to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen supply conduit to a hydrogen storage vessel; and actuating an electrochemical hydrogen expander in a second mode of operation of the system to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen storage vessel to the fuel cell.

Abstract: In aspect, the present invention is directed to a pad connector including a substantially flat pad portion, and a tail portion having a top portion attached to the pad portion and a bottom portion. The tail portion is angulated with respect to the pad portion. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of modifying a circuit board having at least one Ball Grid Array (BGA). The method includes removing the via portion of the BGA pad from the circuit board to sever the connection between the via and the circuit, attaching the pad connector to the circuit board, and connecting the pad connector to the circuit of the circuit board.

Abstract: In aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of modifying a circuit board having at least one Ball Grid Array (BGA). The method includes removing the via portion of the BGA pad from the circuit board to sever the connection between the via and the circuit, attaching the pad connector to the circuit board, and connecting the pad connector to the circuit of the circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new structure and a method for repairing semiconductor substrates, and more particularly, the invention encompasses a structure and a method for repairing Printed Circuit Boards or other electronic substrates by providing electrical lines on the defective board. On a substrate that has an open or an electrical discontinuity, after the discontinuity has been established, a portion of the electrical line across from the electrical discontinuity are exposed and one or more trenches or grooves are made between the two or more exposed portions of the electrical line. The two exposed portions of the exposed electrical line is then joined by either an electrical wire that is routed through the trench or using a standard deposition process one or more metals or material are deposited in the open trench to provide or restore electrical continuity and the excess deposition material is removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new structure and a method for repairing semiconductor substrates, and more particularly, the invention encompasses a structure and a method for repairing Printed Circuit Boards or other electronic substrates by providing electrical lines on the defective board. On a substrate that has an open or an electrical discontinuity, after the discontinuity has been established, a portion of the electrical line across from the electrical discontinuity are exposed and one or more trenches or grooves are made between the two or more exposed portions of the electrical line. The two exposed portions of the exposed electrical line is then joined by either an electrical wire that is routed through the trench or using a standard deposition process one or more metals or material are deposited in the open trench to provide or restore electrical continuity and the excess deposition material is removed.