Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating a gas that may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell. In a non-limiting embodiment, the method may include generating a nitrogen-rich stream; merging the nitrogen-rich stream with a hydrocarbon fuel stream into a feed mixture stream; and catalytically converting the feed mixture into a reducing gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator that may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell. In one non-limiting embodiment, the gas generator may include a nitrogen generator structured to receive air, extract oxygen (O2) from the air and discharge the balance in the form of a nitrogen-rich gas; a merging chamber structured to receive a hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas and to discharge a feed mixture containing both the hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas; and a catalytic reactor structured to receive the feed mixture and to catalytically convert the feed mixture into a reducing gas.

Abstract: A multistage combustor is configured for starting a fuel cell system, and includes a partial oxidation (POX) burner having an inlet for receiving a flow of a fuel/oxidant mixture, the POX burner being configured to partially oxidize fuel in the fuel/oxidant mixture to yield a partially oxidized gas; a first output coupled to the fuel cell system and configured to provide a first amount of the partially oxidized gas as first output gas to a first fuel cell system component; a second burner coupled to the POX burner, the second burner being configured to receive a second amount of the partially oxidized gas from the POX burner and to oxidize at least some remaining fuel to yield a second output gas different from the first output gas; and a second output coupled to a second fuel cell system component and configured to provide the second output gas to the second fuel cell system component.

Abstract: Clock generating apparatus for a computer system has selective pulse delay and pulse width control. Selection of pulse delay and pulse width is accomplished by loading registers with predetermined data patterns. The registers can be loaded under program control or by data entry units, such as a keyboard, switches, etc. The registers are located in coarse and fine pulse delay and pulse width adjustment units. These units have the same physical structure, but are functionally definable by a settable control element. A dither delay element is included in these coarse and fine adjustment units, and it is selectable to provide a small increment of delay. The coarse pulse delay and pulse width adjustment units also include pulse mode control circuitry to control operation in either normal oscillator mode or in single cycle mode.

Abstract: A negative shunt feedback CMOS amplifier is disclosed for connection to the output nodes of MOS interchip digital signal receiver differential amplifiers which have highly capacitive output nodes in order to bypass the large capacitance to thereby extract a high speed current signal. A first embodiment of the invention uses a resistor as the shunt feedback and a second embodiment of the invention, to which this application is directed to, uses parallel N-channel and P-channel FETs to form the shunt feedback impedance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of vacuum carburizing by changing the surface chemistry of a metal article through absorption and thermal diffusion of carbon, wherein oxidizing gases and other impurities are initially removed from the chamber in which the metal article is treated by evacuation and the temperature in the chamber is maintained at a level above normal carburizing temperatures, but at a point that is compatible with the physical characteristics of the chamber and the article; whereafter a source of carbon is introduced into the evacuated chamber in accordance with a preselected cycle and at a concentration that is controlled by the absolute pressure of the carbon in the chamber, so that the carbon is absorbed and diffused into the metal article at a controlled rate.