APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HEATING FUEL CELLS

• US 20070128477A1
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Calhoon, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,670,701 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/432
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1293 Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04037 Electrical heating
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04067 Heat exchange or temperature measuring elements, thermal insulation, e.g. heat pipes, heat pumps, fins
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04365 of other components of a fuel cell or fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04559 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04731 of other components of a fuel cell or fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04753 of fuel cell reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0491 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04955 Shut-off or shut-down of fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell or fuel cell stack heater using resistive heat. A resistive conductor (preferably some type of metal wire) is attached to a source of electricity such as a battery. The resistive conductor is in proximity with the fuel cell or stack so that when the resistive conductor is heated, the cell or stack will also become hot. An insulating material surrounds the outside of the fuel cell or stack, so that it encloses the cell or stack and the resistive conductor. The insulating material will capture heat from the resistive conductor and any waste heat given off by the operation of the fuel cell or stack. A means for modifying the amount of electrical current in the resistive conductor is attached to the apparatus. When the fuel cell or stack reaches the desired temperature, the means is employed to reduce or turn off current in the resistive conductor.

Claims

1. A method for heating at least one fuel cell to an optimized operating temperature, comprising:

measuring, by a smart controller, an output voltage of at least one fuel cell, wherein said smart controller is communicatively coupled to a host consumer electronic device via a host interface, and wherein said host consumer electronic device is powered by said fuel cell;

measuring, by said smart controller, a temperature of the at least one fuel cell;

adjusting, by said smart controller, said temperature of the at least one fuel cell, wherein said adjusting comprises modifying an amount of electrical current in a resistive conductor positioned in close proximity to the at least one fuel cell, so as to optimize said output voltage of the at least one fuel cell.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fuel cell comprises at least one fuel cell stack.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said resistive conductor contains metal.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said resistive conductor is coupled to a source of electricity comprising at least one of a battery, a fuel cell, and a power cord attached to a conventional wall plug.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said measuring, by said smart controller, a temperature of the at least one fuel cell comprises receiving a measurement from at least one temperature transducer communicatively coupled to said smart controller.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said measuring, by a smart controller, an output voltage of at least one fuel cell comprises receiving a measurement from at least one ammeter communicatively coupled to said smart controller.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fuel cell and said resistive conductor are surrounded by an insulating material.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said modifying an amount of electrical current in a resistive conductor comprises turning electrical current in said resistive conductor on and off via a switch.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fuel cell includes at least one solid oxide fuel cell.

10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising controlling fuel delivery into the at least one fuel cell via a pump control included in said smart controller.