Fuel cell service method and apparatus

• US 20050100766A1
• Filed: 11/06/2003
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Technologies Incorporated (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Technologies Incorporated (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bach, Mark C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,684,880 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/286
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04664 Failure or abnormal function
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04992 characterised by the implementation of mathematical or computational algorithms, e.g. feedback control loops, fuzzy logic, neural networks or artificial intelligence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/961 Operator interface with visual structure or function dictated by intended use

Abstract

Embodiments for servicing a system including a fuel cell and at least one sensor. In one embodiment, the at least one sensor is implemented for generating information indicative of operation of the system. The information is communicated to a tool operatively connected with the system. The information is evaluated to determine if the system is operating as intended. Based on the information, a recommendation for returning the system to intended operation is determined. The recommendation is performed. The first three steps are repeated until the system is operating as intended.

Claims

1. A method of servicing a system including a fuel cell and at least one sensor operatively connected with the system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) the at least one sensor generating information indicative of operation of the system;

(b) communicating the information from the at least one sensor to a tool operatively connected with the system;

(c) evaluating the information from the at least one sensor to determine if the system is operating as intended;

(d) based on the information from the at least one sensor, determining a recommendation for returning the system to intended operation;

(e) performing the recommendation; and

(f) repeating steps (a) through (c) until the system is operating as intended.

2. A method as defined in claim 2 further comprising the step of:

(g) entering a description of a method for returning the system to intended operation into the tool.

3. A method as defined in claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

(h) verifying the description; and

(i) incorporating the verified description as a recommendation.

4. A method of servicing a system including a fuel cell and at least one sensor operatively connected with the system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) the at least one sensor generating information indicative of operation of the system;

(b) communicating the information from the at least one sensor to a tool operatively connected with the system;

(c) evaluating the information from the at least one sensor to determine if the system is operating as intended;

(d) based on the information from the at least one sensor, determining a recommendation for returning the system to intended operation; and

(e) performing the recommendation such that the system is operating as intended.

5. A method as defined in claim 4 further comprising the step of:

(f) entering a description of a method for returning the system to intended operation into the tool.

6. A method as defined in claim 5 further comprising the steps of:

(g) verifying the description; and

(h) incorporating the verified description as a recommendation.

7. A method of servicing a system including a fuel cell and at least one sensor operatively connected with the system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving information indicative of operation of the fuel cell generated by the at least one sensor;

(b) evaluating the information to determine if the fuel cell is operating as intended; and

(c) based on the information, determining a recommendation for returning the fuel cell to intended operation.

8. A method as defined in claim 7 further comprising the step of:

(d) entering a description of a method for returning the system to intended operation into the tool.

9. A method as defined in claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

(e) verifying the description; and

(f) incorporating the verified description as a recommendation.

10. An apparatus for servicing a system including a fuel cell and at least one sensor operatively connected with the system, the apparatus comprising:

a data processor for processing data;

a data communication port for establishing signal communication with the at least one sensor;

a data storage device for storing instructions; and

a data transmission path coupled to the data processor, the data communication port, and the data storage device;

wherein the instructions, when executed by the data processor, control the apparatus to perform the steps of;

(a) receiving information indicative of operation of the fuel cell obtained by the at least one sensor via the data communication port;

(b) evaluating the information to determine if the fuel cell is operating as intended; and

(c) based on the information, determining a recommendation for returning the fuel cell to intended operation.

11. An apparatus of claim 10 further comprising instructions to control the apparatus to perform the step of:

(d) entering a description of a method for returning the system to intended operation into the tool;

(e) transmitting the description to a remote data processing system via the data communication port for verification.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising instructions to control the apparatus to perform the step of:

(f) receiving the verified description from the data communication port; and

(g) incorporating the verified description as a recommendation.

13. The apparatus for servicing a system including a fuel cell and at least one sensor operatively connected with the system, the apparatus comprising:

data processing means for processing data;

data communication interface means for establishing signal communication with the at least one sensor;

data storage means for storing instructions; and

data transmission means coupled to the data processing means, the data communication interface means, and the data storage means;

wherein the instructions, when executed by the data processing means, control the apparatus to perform the steps of;

(a) receiving information indicative of operation of the fuel cell obtained by the at least one sensor via the data communication interface means;

(b) evaluating the information to determine if the fuel cell is operating as intended; and

(c) based on the information, determining a recommendation for returning the fuel cell to intended operation.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising instructions to control the apparatus to perform the step of:

(d) entering a description of a method for returning the system to intended operation into the tool;

(e) establishing data communication with a remote data processing system via the data communication interface means;

(f) transmitting the description to the remote data processing system via the data communication interface means for verification.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising instructions to control the apparatus to perform the step of:

(g) receiving the verified description from the remote data processing system via the data communication interface means; and

(h) incorporating the verified description as a recommendation.