US4965143A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shutdown method for fuel cell system
Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1989-11-09
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Granted: 1990-10-23
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Expires: 2009-11-09
Abstract
Abstract An improved system for shutting down a fuel cell that cools the reformer catalyst bed by continuing to supply unreformed fuel to the catalyst bed after the supply of heat to the evaporator is discontinued for cooling the catalyst bed more rapidly through an endothermic reaction.
Inventors
- 👤 Yutaka Mizuno
- 👤 Toshiharu Hanajima
- 👤 Hisayoshi Matsubara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04223; H01M8/04225; H01M8/04228; H01M8/04298; H01M8/043; H01M8/04302; H01M8/04303; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of shutting down a reformer for reforming a fuel for supply to the fuel port of a fuel cell to generate electrical energy, the reformer being comprised of a catalyst bed and a heater for vaporizing the fuel for supply to the catalyst bed, said shutdown method comprising the steps of reducing the amount of heat supplied to the heater while continuing to supply unreformed fuel to the catalyst bed for cooling the catalyst bed through an endothermic reaction until the temperature of the catalyst bed falls below its working temperature by a predetermined amount and thereafter discontinuing the supply of unreformed fuel to the catalyst bed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of shutting down a reformer for reforming a fuel for supply to the fuel port of a fuel cell to generate electrical energy, the reformer being comprised of a catalyst bed and a heater for vaporizing the fuel for supply to the catalyst bed, said shutdown method comprising the steps of reducing the amount of heat supplied to the heater while continuing to supply unreformed fuel to the catalyst bed for cooling the catalyst bed through an endothermic reaction until the temperature of the catalyst bed falls below its working temperature by a predetermined amount and thereafter discontinuing the supply of unreformed fuel to the catalyst bed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 1 further including blower means for circulating air across the catalyst bed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 1 further including step of continuing the operation of the blower means until after the supply of unreformed fuel to the catalyst bed is discontinued.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 3 wherein the blower means supplies air to the heater for burning of fuel therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 3 wherein the blower means extracts air from the reformer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 5 further including control valve means for selectively communicating the exhaust from the reformer to the air port of the fuel cell for heating the fuel cell during start up.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the amount of heat supplied to the heater is gradually reduced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 7 wherein the amount of heat supplied to the heater is reduced in steps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 7 wherein the amount of heat supplied to the heater is reduced continuously along a curve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 7 further including blower means for circulating air across the catalyst bed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 10 further including step of continuing the operation of the blower means until after the supply of unreformed fuel to the catalyst bed is discontinued.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 11 wherein the blower means supplies air to the heater for burning of fuel therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 11 wherein the blower means extracts air from the reformer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 13 further including control valve means for selectively communicating the exhaust from the reformer to the air port of the fuel cell for heating the fuel cell during start up.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of shutting down a reformer as set forth in claim 1 wherein fuel to be reformed is supplied to the outlet side of the catalyst bed during shutdown operation for assisting in cooling of the catalyst bed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
110 words
A reformer for reforming a fuel for supply to the fuel port of a fuel cell to generate electrical energy, said reformer being comprised of a catalyst bed and a heater for vaporizing the fuel for supply to the catalyst bed, shutdown means comprising means for reducing the amount of heat supplied to said heater while continuing to supply unreformed fuel to the catalyst bed for cooling the catalyst bed through an endothermic reaction until the temperature of the catalyst bed falls below its working temperature by a predetermined amount and means for discontinuing the supply of unreformed fuel to said catalyst bed after a predetermined temperature has been reached.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
110 words
A reformer for reforming a fuel for supply to the fuel port of a fuel cell to generate electrical energy, said reformer being comprised of a catalyst bed and a heater for vaporizing the fuel for supply to the catalyst bed, shutdown means comprising means for reducing the amount of heat supplied to said heater while continuing to supply unreformed fuel to the catalyst bed for cooling the catalyst bed through an endothermic reaction until the temperature of the catalyst bed falls below its working temperature by a predetermined amount and means for discontinuing the supply of unreformed fuel to said catalyst bed after a predetermined temperature has been reached.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 16 further including blower means for circulating air across the catalyst bed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 16 wherein the shutdown means further includes means for operating the blower means until after the supply of unreformed fuel to the catalyst bed is discontinued.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 18 wherein the blower means supplies air to the heater for burning of fuel therein.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 18 wherein the blower means extracts air from the reformer
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 20 further including control valve means for selectively communicating the exhaust from the reformer to the air port of the fuel cell for heating the fuel cell during start up.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 16 wherein the amount of heat supplied to the heater is gradually reduced.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 22 wherein the amount of heat supplied to the heater is reduced in steps.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 22 wherein the amount of heat supplied to the heater is reduced continuously along a curve.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 22 further including blower means for circulating air across the catalyst bed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 25 wherein the shutdown means further including means for continuing the operation of the blower means until after the supply of unreformed fuel to the catalyst bed is discontinued.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 26 wherein the blower means supplies air to the heater for burning of fuel therein.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 26 wherein the blower means extracts air from the reformer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 28 further including control valve means for selectively communicating the exhaust from the reformer to the air port of the fuel cell for heating the fuel cell during start up.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
A reformer as set forth in claim 16 wherein the shutdown means further includes means for supply to the outlet side of the catalyst bed during shutdown operation for assisting in cooling of the catalyst bed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4657826A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-22 | 1994-04-23 | 1994-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-22 | 1998-04-23 | 1998-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-22 | 2002-04-23 | 2002-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |