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Fuel-cells generator system and method of generating electricity from fuel cells

  • US 5,925,476 A
  • Filed: 09/05/1997
  • Issued: 07/20/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A fuel-cells generator system using fuel cells, which receive a supply of a reaction gas fed to an electrode with a catalyst carried thereon and generate an electromotive force through a chemical reaction of said reaction gas, said fuel-cells generator system comprising:

  • lowered output detection means for detecting a decrease in output of said fuel cells;

    poisoned state detection means for detecting a poisoned state of said catalyst;

    temperature control means for, when said poisoned state detection means detects the poisoned state of said catalyst and said lowered output detection means detects a decrease in output of said fuel cells, increasing temperature of said fuel cells; and

    gas pressure control means for regulating pressure of said reaction gas supplied to said electrode in response to the temperature control by said temperature control means, thereby enabling partial vapor pressure in said reaction gas to be kept within a predetermined range.

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