Shared variable-based fuel cell system control
First Claim
1. A fuel cell system, comprising:
- a fuel cell assembly including a fuel source and a fuel cell stack that receives oxidant and a fuel stream from the fuel source and which produces electrical output therefrom, wherein the fuel cell assembly includes a plurality of components having respective functions, the components operating in a manner that controls a pressure of the fuel stream; and
a control system programmed to selectively control at least the rate of delivery of the fuel stream to the fuel cell stack directly responsive to the pressure of the fuel stream and to selectively control the rate of production of electrical output directly responsive to the pressure of the fuel stream.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fuel cell systems and methods for controlling the operation of fuel cell assemblies included therein. In some embodiments, the fuel cell assemblies include a fuel processor and a fuel cell stack, and the fuel cell system includes a control system that controls the operation thereof based upon at least one variable associated therewith. In some embodiments, the variable is associated with the hydrogen (or other product) stream from the fuel processor. In some embodiments, the variable is the pressure of this stream. In some embodiments, the control system controls the operation of the fuel cell system to maintain the pressure of the hydrogen stream within one or more threshold values. In some embodiments, the control system controls the operation of the fuel cell system to maintain the pressure of the hydrogen stream within selected threshold values and to maintain the fuel cell stack'"'"'s output voltage above a selected threshold.
129 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A fuel cell system, comprising:
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a fuel cell assembly including a fuel source and a fuel cell stack that receives oxidant and a fuel stream from the fuel source and which produces electrical output therefrom, wherein the fuel cell assembly includes a plurality of components having respective functions, the components operating in a manner that controls a pressure of the fuel stream; and a control system programmed to selectively control at least the rate of delivery of the fuel stream to the fuel cell stack directly responsive to the pressure of the fuel stream and to selectively control the rate of production of electrical output directly responsive to the pressure of the fuel stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification