US3716415A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel cell electrolyte concentration control
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1971-03-29
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1991-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A fuel cell electrolyte concentration control is provided by wet bulb and dry bulb temperature sensors disposed downstream of a fuel cell in a reactant gas recirculation conduit; excess electrolyte diluent removal means are provided and are controlled by control means as a function of the difference between the sensed dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures.
Inventors
- 👤 R Gagnon
- 👤 C Banic
- 👤 A Grasso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; H01M8/04119; H01M8/04156; H01M8/04097; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
An electrolyte concentration control for a fuel cell, comprising: A fuel cell having a reactant gas inlet and a reactant gas outlet; reactant gas recirculation means connecting said reactant gas outlet with said reactant gas inlet for recirculating the reactant gas in which an electrolyte diluent is produced by the energy conversion process of the fuel cell; wet bulb temperature sensing means disposed downstream of said fuel cell in said reactant gas recirculation means; dry bulb temperature sensing means disposed down-stream of said fuel cell in said reactant gas recirculation means; excess electrolyte diluent removal means for removing excess electrolyte diluent from the reactant gas recirculation flow disposed in said reactant gas recirculation means and control means operatively connected to said excess electrolyte diluent removal means and to said wet bulb temperature sensing means and to said dry bulb temperature sensing means for controlling said excess electrolyte diluent removing means as a function of the difference between the sensed wet bulb temperature and the sensed dry bulb temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
An electrolyte concentration control for a fuel cell, comprising: A fuel cell having a reactant gas inlet and a reactant gas outlet; reactant gas recirculation means connecting said reactant gas outlet with said reactant gas inlet for recirculating the reactant gas in which an electrolyte diluent is produced by the energy conversion process of the fuel cell; wet bulb temperature sensing means disposed downstream of said fuel cell in said reactant gas recirculation means; dry bulb temperature sensing means disposed down-stream of said fuel cell in said reactant gas recirculation means; excess electrolyte diluent removal means for removing excess electrolyte diluent from the reactant gas recirculation flow disposed in said reactant gas recirculation means and control means operatively connected to said excess electrolyte diluent removal means and to said wet bulb temperature sensing means and to said dry bulb temperature sensing means for controlling said excess electrolyte diluent removing means as a function of the difference between the sensed wet bulb temperature and the sensed dry bulb temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
An electrolyte concentration control for a fuel cell as defined in claim 1, wherein said excess electrolyte diluent removal means comprises a condenser disposed in said reactant gas recirculation means downstream of said wet bulb and said dry bulb temperature sensing means, including fluid bypass means around said condenser and valve means disposed in said reactant gas recirculation means for regulating the flow into said bypass means, said valve means operatively connected to said control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
An electrolyte concentration control for a fuel cell as defined in claim 1, wherein said excess electrolyte diluent removal means comprises valve means disposed in said reactant gas recirculation means downstream of said wet bulb and said dry bulb temperature sensing means for venting a portion of the reactant gas recirculation flow to ambient, said valve means operatively connected to said control means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |