Fuel cell system using external heat sources for maintaining internal temperature
First Claim
1. A fuel cell system having an enclosure for keeping components therein at an elevated temperature, comprising at least one electrical resistance heating element disposed within said enclosure for heating other system components within said enclosure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A solid oxide fuel cell system including electric resistance elements for heating of space and components within the “hot zone” enclosure of the system, preferably in combination with means for using “waste” heat from other sources, to assist in warm-up from a cold start and/or to maintain a stand-by temperature of reformer and fuel cell elements within the system and/or to maintain optimum operating temperatures within the system during periods of very low electrical demand on the system. A method is included for using off-peak grid electricity, battery-stored onboard electricity, or vehicle-generated electricity to energize the resistance heaters, as well as utilizing gaseous waste heat sources such as vehicle exhaust gas to complement the resistance heating.
38 Citations
17 Claims
- 1. A fuel cell system having an enclosure for keeping components therein at an elevated temperature, comprising at least one electrical resistance heating element disposed within said enclosure for heating other system components within said enclosure.
- 7. A fuel cell system having an enclosure for keeping components therein at an elevated temperature, comprising a heat exchanger disposed outside said enclosure for heating other system components within said enclosure, wherein one of said other system components within said enclosure includes a fuel cell stack having at least one cathode and at least one anode, and wherein a hot side of said heat exchanger receives hot gas to heat incoming air to said at least one cathode.
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9. A method for warming a fuel cell system from a cold start and maintaining said system at a stand-by temperature, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing at least one electrical resistive heating element within said solid oxide fuel cell system; and
b) electrically energizing said at least one electrical resistive heating element to provide heating of components of said solid oxide fuel cell system. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method for warming a fuel cell system from a cold start and maintaining said system at a stand-by temperature, wherein said solid oxide fuel cell system includes an enclosure for keeping components therein at an elevated temperature, said components including a fuel cell stack having at least a cathode, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a heat exchanger disposed outside said enclosure; and
b) passing hot gas through a hot side of said heat exchanger to heat incoming air to said at least one cathode.
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13. A vehicle comprising:
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a) at least one electric machine, b) a rechargeable electrical energy source for supplying power to or receiving power from said electric machine; and
c) an auxiliary power unit for recharging said electrical energy source at least when said vehicle is parked, wherein said vehicle includes a connector for connecting said vehicle to a stationary structure for supplying electric power from said auxiliary power unit to said stationary structure when said vehicle is parked, and wherein said auxiliary power unit is a solid oxide fuel cell system including an enclosure for keeping components therein at an elevated temperature, and including at least one electrical resistance heating element disposed within said enclosure for heating other system components within said enclosure.
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14. A power system used on a vehicle comprising:
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a) an internal combustion engine, b) at least one electric generator powered by said engine and by regenerative energy from deceleration of said vehicle, c) a rechargeable electrical energy source, d) a solid oxide fuel cell for providing at least auxiliary electrical power and charging of said rechargeable electrical energy source, b) resistive elements within a high temperature zone of said solid oxide fuel cell, wherein said generator generates electrical energy to power said resistive elements to warm said solid oxide fuel cell.
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15. A power system used on a vehicle comprising:
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a) an internal combustion engine, b) a heat exchanger in fluid communication with an exhaust emitted from said internal combustion engine, and c) a solid oxide fuel cell wherein said heat exchanger recovers heat from said exhaust and supplies the heat to the solid oxide fuel cell.
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16. In a power system used on a vehicle connectible to a regional electrical grid, said power system including a rechargeable electrical energy source, a solid oxide fuel cell, and resistive elements within a high temperature zone of said solid oxide fuel cell for warming said solid oxide fuel cell, a method of warming and operating said solid oxide fuel cell, comprising the steps of:
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a) connecting said solid oxide fuel cell to said regional electrical grid; and
b) using the regional electrical grid to charge said rechargeable electrical energy source and to power said resistive elements to warm said solid oxide fuel cell. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification