Methods and apparatus for indicating a fault condition in fuel cells and fuel cell components
First Claim
1. An apparatus for identifying fault conditions in a fuel cell or fuel cell component, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) an impedance spectrum input for receiving an impedance spectrum relating to the fuel cell;
(b) a processor coupled to the input for comparing the impedance spectrum with at least part of a fault criteria, wherein the processor determines that a fault condition exists when one or more properties of the impedance spectrum meets the fault criteria; and
(c) an alarm output for providing a fault condition signal when a fault condition exists.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and methods for detecting and identifying faults in a fuel cell are disclosed. An impedance spectrum relating to the fuel cell is compared with fault criteria to identify fault conditions in the fuel cell. A time-varying current is drawn from the fuel cell at a selected frequency and the impedance of the fuel cell at the frequency is measured. This may optionally be repeated at a range of frequencies or at combinations of frequencies to provide an impedance spectrum across the range of frequencies. The fault criteria identify one or more fault conditions that may be identified by comparing the measured impedance spectrum to the fault conditions.
61 Citations
55 Claims
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1. An apparatus for identifying fault conditions in a fuel cell or fuel cell component, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) an impedance spectrum input for receiving an impedance spectrum relating to the fuel cell;
(b) a processor coupled to the input for comparing the impedance spectrum with at least part of a fault criteria, wherein the processor determines that a fault condition exists when one or more properties of the impedance spectrum meets the fault criteria; and
(c) an alarm output for providing a fault condition signal when a fault condition exists. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. In a system incorporating a fuel cell or a fuel cell component, an apparatus for identifying faults in the fuel cell or fuel cell component, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) an impedance spectrum input for receiving an impedance spectrum relating to the fuel cell;
(b) a processor coupled to the input for comparing the impedance spectrum with at least part of a fault criteria, wherein the processor determines that a fault condition exists when one or more properties of the impedance spectrum meets the fault criteria; and
(c) an output for providing a fault condition signal when a fault condition exists, wherein the system is responsive to the fault condition signal to stop or modify usage of the fuel cell when a fault condition exists. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A method of identifying a fault condition in a fuel cell or a fuel cell component comprising:
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(a) receiving an impedance spectrum relating to the fuel cell;
(b) selecting an aspect of the impedance spectrum for comparison with at least part of a fault criteria;
(c) comparing the selected aspect of the impedance spectrum with a corresponding portion of the fault criteria; and
(d) if the selected aspect of the impedance spectrum meets the fault criteria, then providing a fault condition signal. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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Specification