US4098959A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel cell fuel control system
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1976-12-27
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Granted: 1978-07-04
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Expires: 1996-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A fuel cell fuel control system is presented in which the fuel processor is isolated from the fuel cell by means of a demand valve. The fuel processor operates at an elevated pressure and forms a reservoir of hydrogen which is supplied to the fuel cell upon demand based on the pressure downstream of the demand valve and the temperature in the hydrogen reformer.
Inventors
- 👤 Salvatore Fanciullo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
Apparatus for producing electricity through an electrochemical reaction comprising: fuel cell means; accumulator means, said accumulator means being adapted for storage of a mixture of steam and a fuel cell fuel stock; means for delivering the fuel stock to said accumulator means, said fuel stock delivering means including a controllable valve, said valve being sized to deliver a greater flow than required for full power operation of said fuel cell means; means for delivering steam to said accumulator means, said steam delivering means including a controllable valve, said steam delivering means valve being sized to deliver a greater flow than required for full power operation of said fuel cell means; reformer means, said reformer means generating a gaseous fuel cell fuel from said fuel stock-steam mixture, said reformer means being in fluid communication with said accumulator means; means for supplying the gaseous fuel from said reformer means to said fuel cell means, said supplying means including a demand valve; demand valve control means, said valve control means including means for sensing the load on the fuel cell means and generating a demand valve control signal commensurate therewith, said demand valve control signal being applied to said supplying means demand valve to regulate the flow of fuel to said fuel cell means as a function of the load thereon; means for sensing the pressure in said accumulator means and generating a signal commensurate therewith; and means responsive to the signal commensurate with accumulator pressure for controlling said delivering means valves for full fuel stock and steam flow when said accumulator pressure is below a predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
Apparatus for producing electricity through an electrochemical reaction comprising: fuel cell means; accumulator means, said accumulator means being adapted for storage of a mixture of steam and a fuel cell fuel stock; means for delivering the fuel stock to said accumulator means, said fuel stock delivering means including a controllable valve, said valve being sized to deliver a greater flow than required for full power operation of said fuel cell means; means for delivering steam to said accumulator means, said steam delivering means including a controllable valve, said steam delivering means valve being sized to deliver a greater flow than required for full power operation of said fuel cell means; reformer means, said reformer means generating a gaseous fuel cell fuel from said fuel stock-steam mixture, said reformer means being in fluid communication with said accumulator means; means for supplying the gaseous fuel from said reformer means to said fuel cell means, said supplying means including a demand valve; demand valve control means, said valve control means including means for sensing the load on the fuel cell means and generating a demand valve control signal commensurate therewith, said demand valve control signal being applied to said supplying means demand valve to regulate the flow of fuel to said fuel cell means as a function of the load thereon; means for sensing the pressure in said accumulator means and generating a signal commensurate therewith; and means responsive to the signal commensurate with accumulator pressure for controlling said delivering means valves for full fuel stock and steam flow when said accumulator pressure is below a predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said predetermined pressure is higher than the fuel pressure required for operation of said fuel cell means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supplying means and demand valve control means cooperate to maintain a substantially constant pressure in said fuel cell means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said delivering means valves comprises: a solenoid actuated on/off valve, said signals commensurate with accumulator pressure controlling energization of the solenoids of said valves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said reformer means comprises: burner means; means for delivering fuel exhausted from said fuel cell means to said burner means; means for sensing the temperature in said reformer means resulting from operation of said burner means and for generating signals commensurate therewith; and flow control means disposed in said means for delivering fuel exhausted from said fuel cell means to said burner means, said flow control means being responsive to the signals provided by said temperature sensing means for regulating the fuel flow to said burner means, said supplying means demand valve responding to changes in fuel cell means pressure resulting from changes in fuel flow to said burner means to adjust the fuel flow to said fuel cell means to maintain the desired pressure in said fuel cell means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: trim valve means in each of said supplying means, each of said trim valves being capable of delivering a greater flow therethrough than required for full power operation of said fuel cell means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means for recirculating gaseous fuel from said reformer means to said accumulator means; and means responsive to signals generated by said means for sensing the pressure in said accumulator means for controlling the recirculation of fuel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: desulfurizing means, said desulfurizing means being connected in said fuel stock delivering means upstream of said accumulator means; means for recirculation fuel produced in said reformer means to said desulfurizing means; and means for controlling the recirculation of fuel to said desulfurizing means, said recirculation control means being responsive to signals provided by said means for sensing accumulator pressure.
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) | 1981-07-03 | 1982-01-02 | 1982-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-03 | 1986-01-02 | 1986-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-03 | 1990-01-02 | 1990-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |