Fuel cell power system

• US 20040180253A1
• Filed: 03/12/2003
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avista Laboratories Inc. (Plug Power Inc.), Relion Incorporated (Plug Power Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Relion Incorporated (Plug Power Inc.)
• Inventors: Fisher, John M.
• Application Number:
  US10/388,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20040180253A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/34
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2475 Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/249 comprising two or more groupings of fuel cells, e.g. modular assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell power system is disclosed and which includes a housing defining an internal cavity; and a plurality of fuel cell modules are received within the cavity and which are electrically coupled together, to provide, when operational, at least about a 1,000 watt electrical output, and wherein the individual fuel cell modules may be electrically decoupled from the remaining fuel cell modules and removed from the cavity, while the remaining fuel cell modules continue to operate, and wherein the fuel cell power system weighs less than about 150 pounds.

Claims

1. A fuel cell power system, comprising:

a housing defining an internal cavity; and

a plurality of fuel cell modules received within the cavity and which are electrically coupled together, and which provide, when operational, at least about a 1000 watt electrical output, and wherein the individual fuel cell modules may be electrically decoupled from the remaining fuel cell modules and removed from the cavity, while the remaining fuel cell modules continue to operate, and wherein the fuel cell power system weighs less than about 150 pounds.

2. A fuel cell power system, as claimed in claim 1, and wherein at least five self hydrating fuel cell modules are enclosed within the housing, and wherein the respective fuel cell modules weigh less than about 12 pounds.

3. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the housing has a size of less than about 8 cubic feet.

4. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising:

a reconfigurable control electronics assembly electrically coupled to the individual fuel cell modules and which is further mounted on the housing, and which is accessible from a location that is outside of the cavity.

5. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 4, and further comprising:

a DC converter which is electrically coupled with the reconfigurable control electronics assembly and which has a nominal voltage output of about 48 volts DC.

6. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 4, and further comprising:

a DC converter which is electrically coupled with the reconfigurable electronics assembly and which has a nominal output of about 24/48 volts DC.

7. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the reconfigurable control electronics assembly includes a controller which can be electrically coupled with, and be in controlling relation relative to three or fewer additional fuel cell power systems.

8. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 4, and wherein a plurality of fuel cell power systems may be electrically joined together by way of the respective reconfigurable control electronics assemblies to provide an increased power output to service electrical loads having various load demands.

9. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the reconfigurable control electronics assembly is inverter compatible.

10. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the plurality of fuel cell modules are self hydrating and air cooled.

11. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the plurality of fuel cell modules are electrically coupled in serial relation to each other.

12. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the plurality of fuel cell modules are electrically coupled in parallel relation to each other.

13. A fuel cell power system, comprising:

a housing defining a cavity, and which includes an air plenum which is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the cavity;

an air movement assembly coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the air plenum, and which circulates ambient air through the cavity;

a plurality of fuel cell modules operably received within the cavity and which, when rendered operational, generate heat energy which is removed from the respective fuel cell modules by way of the ambient air circulated through the air plenum, and wherein the respective fuel cell modules weigh less than about 12 pounds each, and are electrically coupled together, and wherein the respective fuel cell modules can be readily electrically decoupled, and removed from the cavity of the housing, while the remaining fuel cell modules continue in operation;

a DC to DC converter borne by the housing and which is electrically coupled with the respective fuel cell modules and with a load having a demand; and

an electrically reconfigurable, and inverter compatible, control electronics assembly which is borne by the housing and which can be accessed from a location which is outside of the cavity, and wherein the control electronics assembly is coupled in controlling relation relative to the respective fuel cell modules, and with the DC to DC converter, and which further provides user controls for initiating, terminating, and monitoring fuel cell power system operation, and wherein the fuel cell power system delivers at least about 1000 watts of electrical power to the load.

14. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the housing has size of less than about 8 cubic feet.

15. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the fuel cell power system weighs less than about 150 pounds.

16. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the control electronics assembly includes a controller which can be electrically coupled with, and be in controlling relation relative to three or fewer additional fuel cell power systems.

17. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 13, and wherein a plurality of fuel cell power systems may be electrically joined together by way of the respective reconfigurable control electronics assemblies to provide an increased power output to service electrical loads having various load demands.

18. A fuel cell power system, comprising:

a housing defining an internal cavity and which is operable to move ambient air in a predetermined circulation pattern within the internal cavity, and wherein the housing occupies a space of less than about 8 cubic feet;

a plurality of fuel cell modules which are received within the cavity of the housing and which, when rendered operational, produces an electrical power output of less than about 1000 watts, and heat energy, and wherein the ambient air circulating in the housing has the effect of removing a preponderance of the heat energy from the plurality of fuel cell modules and delivering the heat energy to ambient, and wherein the plurality of fuel cell modules collectively weigh less than about 72 pounds and occupy a space of less than about 1.2 cubic feet within the internal cavity of the housing;

a DC to DC converter borne by the housing and electrically coupled with the respective fuel cell modules and with a load having a demand; and

an electrically reconfigurable and inverter compatible, control electronics assembly which is borne by the housing and which is coupled in controlling relation relative to the respective fuel cell modules, and which further can be electrically coupled with at least one other fuel cell power system, and wherein the fuel cell power system weighs less than about 150 pounds.

19. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the plurality of fuel cell modules includes at least five substantially self hydrating fuel cell modules.

20. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the plurality of fuel cell modules can be readily electrically decoupled and removed from the housing while the remaining fuel cell modules continue to operate.

21. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the plurality of fuel cell modules are serially electrically coupled together.

22. A fuel cell power system as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the plurality of fuel cell modules are electrically coupled in parallel relation, one to the others.