Switching modes of operation of a fuel cell

• US 20070148507A1
• Filed: 12/27/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plug Power Inc.
• Original Assignee: Plug Power Inc.
• Inventors: Lang, Timothy, Pomykai, Michael, Mason, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,521,146 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/415
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04365 of other components of a fuel cell or fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04552 of the individual fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04559 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04671 of the individual fuel cell
• 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 8/04761 of fuel cell exhausts
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04955 Shut-off or shut-down of fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A technique that is usable with a fuel cell stack includes routing an anode exhaust of the fuel cell stack to an anode exhaust line. Based on a mode operation of the fuel cell stack, communication is selectively established between a cathode chamber of the fuel cell stack and the anode exhaust line.

Claims

1. A method usable with a fuel cell stack, comprising:

routing an anode exhaust of the fuel cell stack to an anode exhaust line;

based on a mode of operation of the fuel cell stack, selectively establishing communication between a cathode chamber of the fuel cell stack and the anode exhaust line.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of selectively establishing communication comprises:

connecting a cathode inlet of the fuel cell stack to the anode exhaust line in response to the fuel cell stack being configured to operate as an electrochemical pump.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of selectively establishing communication comprises:

connecting a cathode outlet of the fuel cell stack to the anode exhaust line in response to the fuel cell stack being configured to operate as an electrochemical pump.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of selectively establishing communication comprises:

controlling a valve to isolate a cathode inlet of the fuel cell stack from the anode exhaust line in response to the fuel cell stack being configured to not operate as an electrochemical pump.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of selectively establishing communication comprises:

controlling a valve to isolate a cathode outlet of the fuel cell stack from the anode exhaust line in response to the fuel cell stack not being configured to operate as an electrochemical pump.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

based on the mode of operation of the fuel cell stack, selectively connecting a power supply to the fuel cell stack.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

based on the mode of operation of the fuel cell stack, selectively regulating a load connected to the fuel cell stack.

8-18. -18. (canceled)