Fuel cell system with fuel supply monitoring system and method of use
First Claim
1. A monitoring system for a fuel cell system comprising:
- a fuel cell having a controller;
a fuel supply coupled to the fuel cell, wherein the fuel supply contains primarily fuel cell fuel;
a plurality of sensors operatively connected to the fuel supply; and
a sensor communication link connecting the sensors and the controller.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel cell includes a removable and replaceable fuel supply having fuel disposed therein. A system for monitoring various parameters of the fuel such as temperature, pressure, and the levels of dissolved oxygen is provided. A plurality of sensors is disposed on the fuel supply side that is capable of communicating with a controller and memory on the fuel cell side. In another embodiment, at least one sensor for measuring a system parameter of the fuel communicates with an RFID tag either remotely or via a hardwired link. The sensor and/or the RFID tag may be coated with a substance impervious to the caustic fuel. An RFID reader station collects the data. The controller may be included to use the data in real time to alter system parameters, such as fuel pumping rates or a bleed off, or to trigger a signal, such as to notify a user of an empty fuel supply.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A monitoring system for a fuel cell system comprising:
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a fuel cell having a controller; a fuel supply coupled to the fuel cell, wherein the fuel supply contains primarily fuel cell fuel; a plurality of sensors operatively connected to the fuel supply; and a sensor communication link connecting the sensors and the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A fuel supply for a fuel cell comprising:
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a container, wherein the container contains primarily fuel cell fuel; at least one sensor for monitoring a condition of the fuel; and an RFID tag, wherein the RFID tag is configured to communicate with the sensor and be interrogated by an RFID reader station. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for monitoring a condition of a fuel supply comprising the steps of:
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(i) providing a fuel supply primarily containing a fuel cell fuel; and (ii)collecting data regarding at least one condition of the fuel supply using a plurality of sensors. (iii) relaying the information from the sensor to a controller; and (iv) storing the information in an information storage device, wherein the plurality of sensors is located in the fuel supply and the information storage device is located remotely from the fuel supply. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification