US4680240A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for starting fuel cell power systems
Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
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Filing: 1986-07-17
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Granted: 1987-07-14
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Expires: 2006-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A method for starting fuel cell power systems comprises heating a fuel cell stack to a predetermined operating temperature with a circulating heat-exchanger fluid, while feeding a pressurized inert gas into a pressure vessel and process gas chambers of the fuel cell stack to increase pressures in the process gas chambers and pressure vessel to a predetermined pressure, detecting a temperature of the stack and a pressure of the inert gas in the process gas chambers, and controlling a vapor pressure in the inert gas fed to said chambers in proportion to the detected temperature and pressure in the process gas chambers so that a volume of an electrolyte is approximately kept constant.
Inventors
- 👤 Nobuhiro Furukawa
- 👤 Shuzo Murakami
- 👤 Masato Nishioka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/02; H01M8/0202; H01M8/0267; H01M8/04; H01M8/04223; H01M8/04225; H01M8/04298; H01M8/043; H01M8/04302; H01M8/04313; H01M8/0432; H01M8/04365; H01M8/0438; H01M8/04388; H01M8/04395; H01M8/04425; H01M8/04694; H01M8/04746; H01M8/04753; H01M8/04768; H01M8/04776; H01M8/04992; H01M8/24; H01M8/241; H01M8/2457; H01M8/04007; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; H01M8/04119; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for starting fuel cell power systems comprising heating a fuel cell stack to a predetermined operating temperature with a circulating heat-exchanger fluid, while feeding a pressurized inert gas into a pressure vessel and process gas chambers of the fuel cell stack to increase pressures in the process gas chambers and pressure vessel to a predetermined pressure, detecting a temperature of the stack and a pressure of the inert gas in the process gas chambers, and controlling a vapor pressure in the inert gas fed to said chambers in proportion to said detected temperature and pressure in the process gas chambers so that a volume of a hygroscopic electrolyte is approximately kept constant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for starting fuel cell power systems comprising heating a fuel cell stack to a predetermined operating temperature with a circulating heat-exchanger fluid, while feeding a pressurized inert gas into a pressure vessel and process gas chambers of the fuel cell stack to increase pressures in the process gas chambers and pressure vessel to a predetermined pressure, detecting a temperature of the stack and a pressure of the inert gas in the process gas chambers, and controlling a vapor pressure in the inert gas fed to said chambers in proportion to said detected temperature and pressure in the process gas chambers so that a volume of a hygroscopic electrolyte is approximately kept constant.
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) | 1990-07-13 | 1991-01-12 | 1991-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-13 | 1995-01-12 | 1995-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-13 | 1999-01-12 | 1999-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |