US4582765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel cell system with coolant flow reversal
Assignee: United States, AS REPRESENTED BY DOE
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Filing: 1981-08-25
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Granted: 1986-04-15
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Expires: 2001-08-25
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for cooling electrochemical fuel cell system components. Periodic reversal of the direction of flow of cooling fluid through a fuel cell stack provides greater uniformity and cell operational temperatures. Flow direction through a recirculating coolant fluid circuit is reversed through a two position valve, without requiring modulation of the pumping component.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Kothmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04007; H01M8/04029; F; F28; F28F; F28F13/00; F28F13/06; H01M8/02; H01M8/0202; H01M8/0258; H01M8/0267; H01M8/04014; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; H01M8/04097; H01M8/04298; H01M8/04694; H01M8/04746; H01M8/04768; F28F2250/00; F28F2250/10; F28F2250/102; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An electrochemical generation system comprising a stack of a plurality of fuel cells; a cooling module; means for selectively periodically reversing the direction of flow of a coolant fluid through said cooling module; process channels within said stack for flow therethrough of an oxidant and a fuel, and coolant channels within said cooling module segregated from said process channels, for flow of said coolant therethrough; and wherein the surface area of said coolant channels varies through said cooling module from a large value at the center of said cooling module to a smaller value towards the edges of said cooling module.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electrochemical generation system comprising a stack of a plurality of fuel cells; a cooling module; means for selectively periodically reversing the direction of flow of a coolant fluid through said cooling module; process channels within said stack for flow therethrough of an oxidant and a fuel, and coolant channels within said cooling module segregated from said process channels, for flow of said coolant therethrough; and wherein the surface area of said coolant channels varies through said cooling module from a large value at the center of said cooling module to a smaller value towards the edges of said cooling module.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-14 | 1989-10-14 | 1990-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-14 | 1993-10-14 | 1994-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-14 | 1997-10-14 | 1998-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |