METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEMS
First Claim
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1. A power supply system, comprising:
- a first array of serially coupled fuel cell systems, operable to produce a first voltage there across;
a second array of serially coupled fuel cell systems, operable to produce a first voltage there across;
a third array of serially coupled fuel cell systems, operable to produce a second voltage there across; and
a fourth array of serially coupled fuel cell systems, operable to produce a third voltage there across, wherein at least one of fuel cell systems from each of the first, the second, the third and the fourth arrays are electrically coupled in parallel with one another, at least another one of fuel cell systems from each of the first, the second and the third arrays are electrically coupled in parallel with one another, and at least a further one of the fuel cell systems from each of the first and the second arrays are electrically coupled in parallel with one another.
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Abstract
An array of fuel cell systems are electrically couplable in series and/or parallel combinations to provide a variety of output powers, output current and/or output voltages. The fuel cell systems are “hot swappable” and redundant fuel cell systems may automatically replace faulty fuel cell systems to maintain output power, current and/or voltage, with or without switching. The configuration of fuel cell systems may be automatic and may be based on desired power, current and/or voltage, and/or based on the operating parameters of the fuel cell systems and/or power supply system.
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3 Claims
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1. A power supply system, comprising:
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a first array of serially coupled fuel cell systems, operable to produce a first voltage there across; a second array of serially coupled fuel cell systems, operable to produce a first voltage there across; a third array of serially coupled fuel cell systems, operable to produce a second voltage there across; and a fourth array of serially coupled fuel cell systems, operable to produce a third voltage there across, wherein at least one of fuel cell systems from each of the first, the second, the third and the fourth arrays are electrically coupled in parallel with one another, at least another one of fuel cell systems from each of the first, the second and the third arrays are electrically coupled in parallel with one another, and at least a further one of the fuel cell systems from each of the first and the second arrays are electrically coupled in parallel with one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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Specification