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Fuel cell system

  • US 7,326,481 B2
  • Filed: 11/28/2005
  • Issued: 02/05/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:

  • coupling a hydrogen supply to an inlet of a fuel cell, the fuel cell having an outlet;

    pressurizing the fuel cell inlet with hydrogen from the hydrogen supply while the outlet is closed;

    reacting at least a portion of the hydrogen in the fuel cell to supply electrical current to a load while the outlet is closed;

    opening the outlet of the fuel cell to allow hydrogen to flow through the fuel cell from the inlet to the outlet;

    removing the hydrogen supply from the inlet of the fuel cell and closing the inlet of the fuel cell;

    coupling the hydrogen supply to the outlet of the fuel cell;

    pressurizing the fuel cell outlet with hydrogen from the hydrogen supply while the inlet is closed;

    reacting at least a portion of the hydrogen in the fuel cell to supply electrical current to the load while the inlet is closed; and

    opening the inlet of the fuel cell to allow hydrogen to flow through the fuel cell from the outlet to the inlet.

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