Fuel cell system

• US 20060078771A1
• Filed: 11/28/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arne W. Ballantine, Scott K. Lobdell, Sean S. Lyons
• Original Assignee: Arne W. Ballantine, Scott K. Lobdell, Sean S. Lyons
• Inventors: Ballantine, Arne W., Lyons, Sean S., Lobdell, Scott K.
• Application Number:
  US11/287,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20060078771A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/443
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04231 Purging of the reactants
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

The invention provides a reactant delivery system for a dead-headed PEM fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell, a fuel supply, a purge valve, an inlet orifice, an outlet orifice, and a controller. A first fuel flow circuit is provided, wherein fuel is flowed from the fuel supply to the inlet orifice, through the fuel cell from the inlet orifice, and through the outlet orifice from the fuel cell to the purge valve. A second fuel flow circuit is also provided, wherein fuel is flowed from the fuel supply to the outlet orifice, through the fuel cell from the outlet orifice, and through the inlet orifice from the fuel cell to the purge valve. A valve means is coupled to the controller and adapted to transfer fuel flow between the first flow circuit and the second flow circuit.

Claims

1. A reactant delivery system for a dead-headed PEM fuel cell system, comprising:

a fuel cell, a fuel supply, a purge valve, an inlet orifice, an outlet orifice, and a controller;

a first fuel flow circuit, wherein fuel is flowed from the fuel supply to the inlet orifice, through the fuel cell from the inlet orifice, and through the outlet orifice from the fuel cell to the purge valve;

a second fuel flow circuit, wherein fuel is flowed from the fuel supply to the outlet orifice, through the fuel cell from the outlet orifice, and through the inlet orifice from the fuel cell to the purge valve; and

a valve means coupled to the controller and adapted to transfer fuel flow between the first flow circuit and the second flow circuit.

2. The reactant delivery system of claim 1, wherein the valve means comprises a first valve, a second valve, a third valve and a fourth valve, wherein the first valve regulates flow from the fuel supply to the first flow circuit, wherein the second valve regulates flow from the fuel supply to the second flow circuit, wherein the third valve regulates flow from the second circuit to the purge valve, and wherein the fourth valve regulates flow from the first circuit to the purge valve.

3. The reactant delivery system of claim 2, wherein the second flow circuit intersects the first flow circuit at a location on the first flow circuit between the fourth valve and the purge valve, and further comprising:

a first check valve in the second circuit at a location between the third valve and the intersection of the first and second flow circuits, the first check valve being adapted to prevent flow from the first flow circuit to the third valve; and

a second check valve in the first circuit at a location between the second valve and the intersection of the first and second flow circuits, the second check valve being adapted to prevent flow from the second flow circuit to the second valve.

4. The reactant delivery system of claim 1, wherein the valve means comprises a first three-way valve having a first position directing flow from the fuel supply to the first circuit, and a second position directing flow from the fuel supply to the second circuit.