Method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a fuel cell
First Claim
1. A fuel cell system comprising:
- a fuel cell having a cathode plate, an anode plate, and an ion-exchange membrane interposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate;
a controller for controlling a gas flow rate to the anode plate;
a resistance sensor coupled to the fuel cell for measuring a resistance of the fuel cell; and
a first regulator coupled to the controller and coupled to the anode plate for regulating the gas flow to the anode plate,wherein the first regulator is a pressure regulator, and wherein the controller receives a signal from the resistance sensor and is programmed to hydrate the ion-exchange membrane by controlling the first regulator to increase the gas flow rate to the anode plate based on the signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a controller, a resistance sensor, and a regulator. The fuel cell has a cathode plate, an anode plate, and an ion-exchange membrane interposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate. The controller is for controlling a gas flow rate to the anode plate. The resistance sensor is coupled to the fuel cell for measuring a resistance of the fuel cell. The regulator is coupled to the controller and coupled to the anode plate for regulating the gas flow to the anode plate. The controller receives a signal from the resistance sensor and is configured to control the regulator to adjust the gas flow to the anode plate based on the signal from the resistance sensor.
27 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A fuel cell system comprising:
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a fuel cell having a cathode plate, an anode plate, and an ion-exchange membrane interposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate; a controller for controlling a gas flow rate to the anode plate; a resistance sensor coupled to the fuel cell for measuring a resistance of the fuel cell; and a first regulator coupled to the controller and coupled to the anode plate for regulating the gas flow to the anode plate, wherein the first regulator is a pressure regulator, and wherein the controller receives a signal from the resistance sensor and is programmed to hydrate the ion-exchange membrane by controlling the first regulator to increase the gas flow rate to the anode plate based on the signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification