US4192906A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrochemical cell operation and system
Assignee: Fuelcell Energy Inc
•
Filing: 1978-07-10
•
Granted: 1980-03-11
•
Expires: 1998-07-10
Abstract
Abstract Thermal control in fuel cell operation is affected through sensible heat of process gas by providing common input manifolding of the cell gas flow passage in communication with the cell electrolyte and an additional gas flow passage which is isolated from the cell electrolyte and in thermal communication with a heat-generating surface of the cell. Flow level in the cell gas flow passage is selected based on desired output electrical energy and flow level in the additional gas flow passage is selected in accordance with desired cell operating temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Hansraj C. Maru
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:17
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04007; H01M8/04014; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; H01M8/04097; H01M8/24; H01M8/241; H01M8/244; H01M8/2457; H01M8/2465; H01M8/2484; H01M8/14; H01M2008/147; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M2300/0051; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for operating an electrochemical cell to produce electrical energy from an electrochemical reaction wherein a gas is supplied from a gas supply to a flow passage in said cell in communication with the cell electrolyte, including the steps of: (a) setting a gas flow level through said cell for gas conducted through such electrolyte-communicative passage in accordance with predetermined electrical energy to be produced by said cell; (b) establishing a further flow passage for gas from said supply through said cell isolated from said electrolyte and in thermal communication with a heat-generating surface of said cell; and (c) setting a gas flow level through said cell for gas conducted through such electrolyte-isolated passage to obtain a predetermined operating temperature range for said cell.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for operating an electrochemical cell to produce electrical energy from an electrochemical reaction wherein a gas is supplied from a gas supply to a flow passage in said cell in communication with the cell electrolyte, including the steps of: (a) setting a gas flow level through said cell for gas conducted through such electrolyte-communicative passage in accordance with predetermined electrical energy to be produced by said cell; (b) establishing a further flow passage for gas from said supply through said cell isolated from said electrolyte and in thermal communication with a heat-generating surface of said cell; and (c) setting a gas flow level through said cell for gas conducted through such electrolyte-isolated passage to obtain a predetermined operating temperature range for said cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein gas conducted through said electrolyte-communicative passage and through said electrolyte-isolated passage is commonly admixed after conductance thereof through said cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method claimed in claim 2 including the further step of employing at least part of such common admixture of gas for further supplying of gas to said electrolyte-communicative passage and said electrolyte-isolated passage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method claimed in claim 3 including the further step of subjecting said common admixture of gas to thermal change prior to such further supplying thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method claimed in claim 4 wherein such thermal change step involves reduction of temperature of said common admixture of gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method claimed in claim 1 including the further step of employing at least part of such gas conducted through said electrolyte-isolated passage for further supplying of gas to said electrolyte-communicative passage and said electrolyte-isolated passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method claimed in claim 6 including the further step of subjecting such gas part to thermal change prior to such further supplying thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method claimed in claim 7 wherein such thermal change step involves reduction of temperature of said gas part.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
103 words
An electrochemical cell system operative to produce output electrical energy by electrochemical reaction with a process gas, said system comprising: (a) an electrochemical cell having an electrolyte and at least one electrode; (b) first passage means in said cell for conducting gaseous medium to said electrode for reaction with said electrolyte; (c) second passage means in said cell for conducting gaseous medium through said cell both in isolation from said electrolyte and in thermal communication with a heat-generating surface of said cell; and (d) input manifold means in communication with both said first and second passage means for supplying said process gas thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
103 words
An electrochemical cell system operative to produce output electrical energy by electrochemical reaction with a process gas, said system comprising: (a) an electrochemical cell having an electrolyte and at least one electrode; (b) first passage means in said cell for conducting gaseous medium to said electrode for reaction with said electrolyte; (c) second passage means in said cell for conducting gaseous medium through said cell both in isolation from said electrolyte and in thermal communication with a heat-generating surface of said cell; and (d) input manifold means in communication with both said first and second passage means for supplying said process gas thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system claimed in claim 9 further including output manifold means in communication with both said first and second passage means for admixing gas conducted therethrough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system claimed in claim 10 including conduit means for providing communication between said output manifold means and said input manifold means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system claimed in claim 11 further including means for affecting thermal change in gas conducted through said output manifold means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system claimed in claim 9 further including output conduit means in communication with said second passage means for receiving gas conducted therethrough.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system claimed in claim 13 including further conduit means for providing communication between said output conduit means and said input manifold means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system claimed in claim 14 further including means for affecting thermal change in gas conducted through said output conduit means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system claimed in claim 12 wherein such thermal change affecting means comprises heat removal means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system claimed in claim 15 wherein such thermal change affecting means comprises heat removal 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) | 1983-03-11 | 1983-09-10 | 1984-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-03-11 | 1987-09-10 | 1988-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-03-11 | 1991-09-10 | 1992-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |