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Multi-point fuel cell voltage monitor

  • US 9,231,262 B2
  • Filed: 12/24/2007
  • Issued: 01/05/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A fuel cell voltage monitor (12a, 12b, 40, 140), comprising:

  • a rectilinearly-shaped fuel cell (10) having a plurality of elements stacked in layered arrangement, said elements including an anode (14, 14a), a cathode (16, 16a), an electrolyte (18), and anode and cathode plates (22, 20), the anode (14, 14a) and cathode (16, 16a) being on opposite sides of the electrolyte (18) and between the respective plates (22, 20);

    first and second voltage leads (12a, 12b) in electrical contact with a same one (22, 14) of said elements and positioned in spaced apart (S) relation at diagonally opposite corners on the element to sense the respective voltages; and

    voltage comparing circuitry (40, 140) coupled to the first and second voltage leads (12a, 12b) to compare the respective voltages and provide a signal (42) indicative of a difference in said respective voltages, said voltage difference associated with in-plane current flow related to an operating problem in the fuel cell (10).

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