| FUELCELL ENERGY, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120129267 | SULFUR BREAKTHROUGH DETECTION ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN A FUEL UTILIZATION SYSTEM AND SULFUR BREAKTHROUGH DETECTION METHOD - A sulfur breakthrough monitoring assembly for use in a fuel utilization system for detecting sulfur-containing compounds in desulfurized fuel, said monitoring assembly comprising: a heater for heating desulfurized fuel to a predetermined temperature, the predetermined temperature being between 450° C. and 600° C., a sulfur breakthrough detector adapted to receive heated fuel from the heater and including at least a reforming catalyst bed for reforming the heated fuel and a plurality of temperature sensors including a first temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the heated fuel before the fuel is conveyed through the reforming catalyst bed and a second temperature sensor for sensing temperature in the reforming catalyst bed, and a controller for determining whether concentration of the sulfur-containing compounds in the fuel exceeds a first predetermined concentration based on temperature outputs from the first and second temperature sensors. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20110192085 | PRE-PROCESSING ASSEMBLY FOR PRE-PROCESSING FUEL FEEDSTOCKS FOR USE IN A FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A pre-processing assembly and method for processing fuel feedstock containing oxygen and hydrocarbons having higher and lower hydrocarbon content for a fuel cell, wherein the pre-processing assembly has a deoxidizing bed for reducing oxygen in the fuel feedstock and a pre-reforming bed for reducing higher hydrocarbon content in the fuel feedstock and wherein the deoxidizing bed and the pre-reforming bed are disposed within a common reaction vessel such that the fuel feedstock first passes through the deoxidizing bed and thereafter through the pre-reforming bed. The pre-reforming assembly may further include a propane processor bed for processing propane and propylene in the fuel feedstock, where the propane processor bed is disposed within the common reaction vessel with the deoxidizing bed and the pre-reforming bed. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110111313 | REGENERATIVE OXIDIZER ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN PEM FUEL CELL APPLICATIONS - A method of using a catalyst body able to support gas flow therethrough and having a catalyst for promoting a catalytic reaction of a component of a first gas and being able to be regenerated by a second gas, comprising: providing at least the first gas and the second gas; and repeatedly moving successive parts of the catalyst body into communication with the first gas and then into communication with the second gas; wherein: the part of the catalyst body in communication with the first gas causes the component of the first gas to be reacted as the first gas passes though and exits the part of the catalyst body; and the part of the catalyst body in communication with the second gas has the catalyst of that part regenerated as the second gas passes through and exits the part. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110104585 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM MANIFOLD SEAL - A manifold seal for a fuel cell system includes a sealing area defined by a peripheral portion of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and a portion of an end plate positioned on the fuel cell stack. The manifold seal includes a manifold frame defining a mating surface which sealingly engages the sealing area. The manifold seal also includes a bracket defining a base portion and having a lip projecting from an edge thereof. The base portion is moveably secured to a face of the end plate so that the edge is positioned on the sealing area. The lip is moveably engaged in and cooperates with a slot formed in the mating surface to seal a gap between the mating surface and the sealing area caused by movement of the fuel cell stack. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110008700 | FLUID DIVERTER FOR A FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell module including a fuel cell stack which includes a cathode compartment having cathode conduit extending from an inlet thereof. The cathode conduit conveys a fluid to at least one cathode positioned in the cathode compartment. An anode compartment having a fuel inlet conduit extending from an inlet of the anode compartment, supplies fuel to at least one anode positioned in the anode compartment. An anode exhaust conduit extends from an outlet of the anode compartment, for conveying an anode exhaust fluid. The fuel cell stack is positioned in an enclosure which as has a passage extending therethrough. At least a portion of the passage is in fluid communication with the anode exhaust conduit. The fuel cell module includes a diverter device having at least a portion thereof positioned in the passage and/or the anode exhaust conduit. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100266932 | FUEL CELL WITH ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT PREVENTION MEANS - A fuel cell including an electrolyte matrix having a cathode side with a cathode disposed thereon and an anode side with an anode receiving portion and a sealing portion positioned peripherally to the anode receiving portion. The anode receiving portion has an anode disposed thereon. A fuel conduit has one or more one sealing platforms and having an opening extending through the fuel conduit. The anode is positioned in the opening. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100068563 | LIQUID METAL HEAT EXCHANGER FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS - A heat exchanger for a fuel cell stack includes a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates are connected to one another by at least one wall. The first and second plates and the at least one wall form an enclosure having an interior area defined by interior surfaces of the enclosure. At least one liquid metal and transfer means are disposed within the interior area. The liquid metal flows within the transfer means and the interior area in response to a temperature gradient applied to the enclosure. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100028730 | FUEL CELL POWER PRODUCTION SYSTEM WITH AN INTEGRATED HYDROGEN UTILIZATION DEVICE - A fuel cell power production system and method for supplying power to a load, comprising a high-temperature fuel cell including an anode compartment, adapted to receive fuel from a fuel supply path and to output anode exhaust, and a cathode compartment adapted to receive oxidant gas and to output cathode exhaust, a water transfer assembly for transferring water in the anode exhaust to the fuel supply path and for outputting water-separated anode exhaust; and a hydrogen utilization device adapted to receive oxidant gas and one of the water-separated anode exhaust and gas derived from the water-separated anode exhaust and to output hydrogen utilization device exhaust including oxidant gas, wherein the hydrogen utilization device exhaust is used to provide oxidant gas to said cathode compartment. | 02-04-2010 |
