IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,482,076
Granted Patent B2
US 7,482,076 · App. 11/149,688 · Granted Jan 27, 2009

Fuel cell stack humidification method incorporating an accumulation device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,482,076
App. No.
11/149,688
Granted
Jan 27, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of fuel cell stack humidification is provided incorporating the use of an accumulation device. The method provides for feeding back humid anode exhaust gas of the fuel cell stack to the fuel cell inlet and switching the anode inlet and outlet of the fuel cell stack for achieving better homogeneity of humidity along the fuel cell channels.

Claims (13)

1. A method for operating a fuel cell having at least two openings for fuel gas inlet and outlet, comprising:

supplying fuel gas to one of said at least two openings;

storing exiting fuel gas from the other of said at least two openings in an expansion reservoir;

switching the supply of fuel gas to said other of said at least two openings; and

introducing the stored exiting fuel gas to the supply of fuel gas going to said other of said at least two openings.

2. A method for orerating a fuel cell having at least two openings for fuel gas inlet and outlet, comprising:

supplying fuel gas to one of said at least two openings;

recycling exiting fuel gas from the other of said at least two openings to said one of said at least two openings, said recycling occurring simultaneously with said supplying of fuel gas to said one of said at least two openings; and

switching the supply of fuel gas to said other of said at least two openings, wherein said recycling includes drawing the exiting fuel gas from the other of said at least openings to a venturi tube in said one of said at least two openings.

3. A method for operating a fuel cell having at least two openings for fuel gas inlet and outlet, comprising:

supplying fuel gas to one of said at least two openings;

recycling exiting fuel gas from the other of said at least two openings to said one of said at least two openings; and

switching the surpply of fuel gas to said other of said at least two openings, said switching occurring after said recycling, wherein said recycling includes drawing the exiting fuel gas from the other of said at least two openings to a venturi tube in said one of said at least two openings.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034371/0676 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025780/0936 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025327/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025314/0901 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0587 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0093 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0142 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023127/0402 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0519 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022553/0493 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0610 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 13, 2009
From: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022092/0703 →