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Turbocompressor shutdown mechanism

  • US 7,700,207 B2
  • Filed: 11/09/2006
  • Issued: 04/20/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell system comprising:

  • a turbocompressor comprising a turbine, a compressor, a rotatable shaft connecting the turbine and compressor at opposite ends of the shaft, and an electric motor coupled to the compressor wherein the turbine comprises an inlet port configured to receive a turbine air feed; and

    a turbine wheel connected to the shaft and configured to rotate in response to a torque (τ

    A) provided by the turbine air feed, the rotation of the turbine wheel being configured to rotate the rotatable shaft;

    the compressor comprises an inlet port configured to receive a compressor air feed;

    a compressor wheel connected to the shaft and configured to rotate with the rotatable shaft, the rotation of the compressor wheel being configured to compress the compressor air feed; and

    an outlet port configured to output the compressed air;

    the electric motor is configured to deliver a torque (τ

    M) to the compressor wheel in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the rotatable shaft, wherein the torque (τ

    M) is operable to assist in stopping the rotation of the compressor wheel, the shaft, and the turbine wheel; and

    at least one fuel cell reactor configured to generate electric power and comprising at least one fuel cell stack and a fuel cell inlet port, wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the outlet port of the compressor and is configured such that the compressed air outputted from the compressor is delivered to the fuel cell stack via the fuel cell inlet port.

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