US4973528A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel cell generating plant
Assignee: UTC Power Corp
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Filing: 1990-05-10
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Granted: 1990-11-27
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Expires: 2010-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A fuel cell power plant has an auxiliary burner (40) to supplement input to the turbo compressor (22). Gas line 44 to the burner contains a check valve (62) and an accumulator (64) downstream of the check valve. On a temporary power loss the continued gas supply to at least the pilot (52) of the auxiliary burner avoids flameout and a consequent longer term plant outage.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Sanderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:01
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; H01M8/02; H01M8/0202; H01M8/0267; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S429/00; Y10S429/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A fuel cell generating plant comprising: a compressed fuel supply; a fuel cell system including fuel conditioning apparatus and fuel cells; a main fuel conduit for conveying fuel from said fuel supply to said fuel cell system; a turbo compressor having a turbine receiving exhaust products from said fuel cell system and a compressor for compressing air; a main air conduit for conveying air from said compressor to said fuel cell system; an auxiliary burner having a primary burner and a pilot; an auxiliary air conduit for conveying air from said compressor to said auxiliary burner; an auxiliary fuel conduit for conveying fuel from said compressed fuel supply to said auxiliary burner; an auxiliary exhaust conduit for conveying exhaust products from said auxiliary burner to said turbine; a check valve located between said fuel supply and said pilot; and a gas accumulator in said auxiliary fuel conduit located between said check valve and said pilot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A fuel cell generating plant comprising: a compressed fuel supply; a fuel cell system including fuel conditioning apparatus and fuel cells; a main fuel conduit for conveying fuel from said fuel supply to said fuel cell system; a turbo compressor having a turbine receiving exhaust products from said fuel cell system and a compressor for compressing air; a main air conduit for conveying air from said compressor to said fuel cell system; an auxiliary burner having a primary burner and a pilot; an auxiliary air conduit for conveying air from said compressor to said auxiliary burner; an auxiliary fuel conduit for conveying fuel from said compressed fuel supply to said auxiliary burner; an auxiliary exhaust conduit for conveying exhaust products from said auxiliary burner to said turbine; a check valve located between said fuel supply and said pilot; and a gas accumulator in said auxiliary fuel conduit located between said check valve and said pilot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A fuel cell generating plant as in claim 1: said check valve located in said auxiliary fuel conduit between said compressed fuel supply and said burner; and said gas accumulator located in said auxiliary fuel conduit between said fuel supply and said burner.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A fuel cell generating plant as in claim 2: a separation diaphragm in said accumulator, said fuel located on one side of said diaphragm and an inert gas located on a second side of said diaphragm; a store of stored compressed inert gas; and means for controllably introducing gas from said store of inert gas into said second side of said diaphragm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1993-11-26 | 1994-05-28 | 1994-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-26 | 1998-05-28 | 1998-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-26 | 2002-05-28 | 2002-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |