Fuel cell systems with maintenance hydration by displacement of primary power
First Claim
1. A method of performing maintenance hydration of a fuel cell system serving as an auxiliary power source for an energy-consuming assembly that is disposed in electrical communication with a primary power source, the method comprising:
- determining a start time for maintenance of the fuel cell system;
activating the fuel cell system from an inactive condition according to the start time by initiating delivery of at least fuel to a fuel cell stack of the system; and
supplying power from the activated fuel cell system to satisfy at least a portion of an applied load from the energy-consuming assembly, wherein the power from the fuel cell system is supplied at an output voltage that is higher than a voltage at which power from the primary power source is being supplied to the energy-consuming assembly, such that the energy-consuming assembly uses, at least in part, the power from the fuel cell system instead of the power from the primary power source, thereby operating the fuel cell system for power generation and associated hydration while the primary power source is available.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fuel cell systems that perform maintenance hydration by supplying power to satisfy at least part of an applied load from an energy-consuming assembly while a primary power source is in electrical communication with and available to supply power to the energy-consuming assembly to satisfy the portion of the applied load being satisfied by the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, a fuel cell system may determine a start time, or start condition, for maintenance of the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system then may be activated from an inactive condition according to the start time, or start condition, by initiating delivery of at least fuel, and optionally oxidant, to a fuel cell stack of the system. Power then may be supplied from the activated fuel cell system at an output voltage that is higher than a voltage at which power from the primary power source is being supplied, such that the applied load is satisfied, at least in part, by the power from the fuel cell system instead of the power from the primary power source. Upon operation of the fuel cell system for a period sufficient to rehydrate the fuel cell stack, operation of the fuel cell system may be discontinued, with the primary power source resuming supplying power to satisfy the applied load from the energy-consuming assembly.
98 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of performing maintenance hydration of a fuel cell system serving as an auxiliary power source for an energy-consuming assembly that is disposed in electrical communication with a primary power source, the method comprising:
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determining a start time for maintenance of the fuel cell system; activating the fuel cell system from an inactive condition according to the start time by initiating delivery of at least fuel to a fuel cell stack of the system; and supplying power from the activated fuel cell system to satisfy at least a portion of an applied load from the energy-consuming assembly, wherein the power from the fuel cell system is supplied at an output voltage that is higher than a voltage at which power from the primary power source is being supplied to the energy-consuming assembly, such that the energy-consuming assembly uses, at least in part, the power from the fuel cell system instead of the power from the primary power source, thereby operating the fuel cell system for power generation and associated hydration while the primary power source is available. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A fuel cell system with maintenance hydration while serving as an auxiliary power source for an energy-consuming assembly that is disposed in electrical communication with a primary power source, the fuel cell system comprising:
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a fuel cell stack; a reactant delivery system for delivering at least a fuel to the fuel cell stack for generation of electrical output; an output circuit for conducting the electrical output to the energy-consuming assembly; and a controller operatively coupled to at least the reactant delivery system and the output circuit and configured to (1) determine a start time for maintenance of the fuel cell system, (2) activate the fuel cell system from an inactive condition according to the start time by initiating delivery of at least fuel to the fuel cell stack from the reactant delivery system, and (3) regulate an output voltage at which the electrical output is conducted to the energy-consuming assembly from the activated fuel cell stack such that power is supplied from the activated fuel cell system to satisfy at least a portion of an applied load from the energy-consuming assembly, wherein the power from the fuel cell system is supplied at an output voltage that is higher than a voltage at which power from the primary power source is being supplied to the energy-consuming assembly, such that the energy-consuming assembly uses, at least in part, the power from the fuel cell system instead of the power from the primary power source, thereby operating the fuel cell system for power generation and associated hydration while the primary power source is available. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A fuel cell system with maintenance hydration while serving as an auxiliary power source for an energy-consuming assembly that is disposed in electrical communication with a primary power source, the fuel cell system comprising:
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a fuel cell stack; means for periodically supplying power from the fuel cell stack to satisfy at least a portion of an applied load from the energy-consuming assembly, wherein the power from the fuel cell system is supplied at an output voltage that is higher than a voltage at which power from the primary power source is being supplied to the energy-consuming assembly, such that the energy-consuming assembly uses, at least in part, the power from the fuel cell system instead of the power from the primary source, thereby operating the fuel cell system for power generation and associated hydration while the primary power source is available.
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Specification