VOLTAGE CONTROL DEVICE FOR A FUEL CELL
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Abstract
The invention relates to a device for controlling the voltage of a cell of a fuel cell, characterized in that said control device comprises a first transistor (Q1) associated with the cell, which is connected to the cell via the base thereof and to a current generator, and a control voltage source (VRi) inserted between the cell and the first associated transistor (Q1), the control voltage source supplying a control voltage equal to the voltage differential between the first and second threshold voltages, such that: when the cell has a voltage (V1) higher than a first threshold voltage, the first transistor (Q1) has a voltage (Vbe1), at the terminals of the base-emitter junction thereof, which is higher than the second threshold voltage, and which conducts the current, and, when the cell has a voltage (V1) which is lower than the first threshold voltage, the first transistor (Q1) has a voltage (Vbe1), at the terminals of the base-emitter junction thereof, which is lower than the second threshold voltage and which blocks the transmission of the current.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1-10. -10. (canceled)
- 11. An apparatus comprising a control device for controlling the voltage of an individual cell of a fuel cell, said individual cell having a first threshold voltage, said control device including a first transistor having a base, a base-emitter junction, and a second threshold voltage different from the first threshold voltage, wherein said first transistor is associated with the individual cell, wherein said first transistor is linked to said individual cell by said base, and wherein said first transistor is linked to a current generator for providing current, and an adjustment voltage source inserted between the individual cell and the associated first transistor, wherein said adjustment voltage source supplies an adjustment voltage equal to a voltage differential between the first and second threshold voltages, such that when the individual cell exhibits a voltage greater than the first threshold voltage, the first transistor exhibits, at terminals of the base-emitter junction, a voltage greater than the second threshold voltage and the first transistor conducts the current, and when the individual cell exhibits a voltage less than the first threshold voltage, the first transistor exhibits, at the terminals of the base-emitter junction, a voltage less than the second threshold voltage and the first transistor blocks the transmission of the current.
Specification