Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090053569 | Fuel cell system components - A fuel cell stack module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, a base supporting the plurality of fuel cell stacks, and a metal shell located over the base and the fuel cell stacks. The metal shell contains an integrated heat exchanger. | 02-26-2009 |
20090246596 | Fuel cell system for charging an electric vehicle - A method for charging electric vehicles includes receiving information regarding an electric vehicle. At least a portion of the information is received through a vehicle interface configured to place a battery of the electric vehicle into electrical communication with a fuel cell system. A charge is delivered from the fuel cell system to the battery of the electric vehicle through the vehicle interface without use of a direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) converter. The charge is delivered based at least in part on the information. | 10-01-2009 |
20090280360 | Derivation of control parameters of fuel cell systems for flexible fuel operation - A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization. | 11-12-2009 |
20100009221 | Recuperators with spiral flow for fuel cell systems - A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, and one or more devices which in operation of the system provide an azimuthal direction to one or more anode or cathode feed or exhaust fluid flows in the system. | 01-14-2010 |
20100028734 | Structure for high temperature fuel cell system start up and shutdown - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a PEM stack for providing power to the system in a start up or shut down operating mode and hydrogen to the fuel cell stack in a steady state operating mode. | 02-04-2010 |
20100035092 | Structure and method for SOFC operation with failed cell diode bypass - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells contacted in series by a plurality of interconnect plates. At least two interconnect plates are contacted by a high-temperature bypass diode that is physically integrated in the fuel cell stack. | 02-11-2010 |
20100248049 | Fuel cell system with interruption control - A method for operating a fuel cell system during an interruption includes identifying a load interruption in which an external load is partially or fully unable to draw electrical power from the fuel cell system. At least a first fuel cell column of the fuel cell system is operated in an electrolysis mode such that the first fuel cell column generates fuel during the load interruption. Power is provided to the first fuel cell column in the electrolysis mode from at least a second fuel cell column of the fuel cell system. The second fuel cell column is operating in a normal power generation operating mode. | 09-30-2010 |
20100266923 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH ELECTROCHEMICAL HYDROGEN PUMP AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME - A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cells, a plurality of interconnects, and a hydrogen separation device, wherein the hydrogen separation device separates hydrogen from the fuel cell stack anode exhaust. The separated hydrogen is then reintroduced into the fuel cell stack to optimize overall system efficiency. Monitoring of the performance of the hydrogen separation device gives an indication as to the fuel cell system performance. | 10-21-2010 |
20100287012 | Method and system for measuring carbon dioxide reduction - A system and method is provided for managing energy data. The system includes a energy transformation device, a central energy data management system and a database containing carbon dioxide credit information. Managing the energy data includes measuring an amount of power produced or consumed by an energy transformation device, measuring an amount of carbon dioxide emitted, converted or sequestered by the energy transformation device, creating a dataset of the power produced or consumed and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted or sequestered, and transmitting the dataset and characteristic data to a central energy data management system. The method also includes, receiving energy measurements and characteristic data from an energy transformation device, obtaining carbon dioxide credit information and comparing the received energy measurements and the characteristic data with the received carbon dioxide credit information to obtain a carbon dioxide credit for the energy transformation device. | 11-11-2010 |
20110008687 | Fuel cell system with quick connect components - Embodiments relate to a fuel cell system. In an embodiment, the fuel cell system includes advanced leak test capabilities. In another embodiment, the fuel cell system includes a system to bypass one or more separation units while permitting the fuel cell system to continue to produce electricity. In another embodiment, the fuel cell system includes an alignment system that permits ease of alignment when a fuel cell module is installed proximate a fuel processing module. In another embodiment, the fuel cell system includes a system of supplying auxiliary fuel from a mobile auxiliary fuel supply. In an embodiment, one or more or all of these embodiments may be practiced together in combination. | 01-13-2011 |
20120135337 | Non-Destructive Testing Methods for Fuel Cell Interconnect Manufacturing - Various embodiments provide methods for testing a fuel cell interconnect including the steps of providing a fuel cell interconnect and performing a non-destructive test on the fuel cell interconnect comprising at least one of detecting a magnetic response of the interconnect, calculating a volume by optically illuminating the interconnect, detecting an acoustic response of the interconnect, and detecting a thermal response of the interconnect. | 05-31-2012 |
20120146587 | Fuel Cell System with Grid Independent Operation and DC Microgrid Capability - A fuel cell system includes grid independent operation with DC microgrid capability. This fuel cell system has a capability of operation with and without the grid, and with DC micro-grid capability. | 06-14-2012 |
20120189940 | Fuel Cell Mechanical Components - A modular fuel cell system includes a base, at least four power modules arranged in a row on the base, and a fuel processing module and power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each power module includes a separate cabinet which contains at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the at least one fuel processing and power conditioning modules through the base. | 07-26-2012 |
20120251914 | Derivation of Control Parameters of Fuel Cell Systems for Flexible Fuel Operation - A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization. | 10-04-2012 |
20120315509 | Fuel Cell Bypass Diode Structures and Attachment Methods - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells contacted in series by a plurality of interconnects. The various embodiments provide systems and methods for coupling a fuel cell stack with an electric bypass module within a hot zone. The bypass module may include elements for conducting a current between interconnects in a fuel cell stack and thereby bypass a failed fuel cell that has become a resistive parasitic load. | 12-13-2012 |
20120326504 | B-Side Feed for Critical Power Applications - A method of providing power to a load, such as an IT load, includes generating an output power using at least one power module comprising at least one fuel cell segment, providing a first portion of the output power through a grid to an A-side power feed of the load, and providing a second portion of the output power to a B-side power feed of the load. | 12-27-2012 |
20120326653 | Convergent Energized IT Apparatus for Residential Use - A residential box data center system includes an information technology (IT) load, a direct current (DC) power generator electrically connected to the IT load and a housing, where both the IT load and the DC power generator are located in the housing. | 12-27-2012 |
20120327592 | Convergent Energized IT Apparatus for Commercial Use - Various embodiments include a combined power and IT modular system including a housing, an IT load, and a DC power generator which is electrically connected to the IT load, wherein the IT load and the DC power generator are both located in the housing. Further embodiments include a method of operating a combined power and IT module including step of providing a combined power and IT module including a housing, an IT load, and a DC power generator which is electrically connected to the IT load, wherein the IT load and the DC power generator are both located in the housing, and operating the DC power generator to supply power to the IT load. | 12-27-2012 |
20130108936 | SOFC SYSTEM WITH SELECTIVE CO2 REMOVAL | 05-02-2013 |
20130163192 | Energy Center - Systems are provided for creating and operating data centers. A data center may include an information technology (IT) load and a fuel cell generator configured to provide power to the IT load. | 06-27-2013 |
20130163193 | Method of Operating an Energy Center - Methods are provided for creating and operating data centers. A data center may include an information technology (IT) load and a fuel cell generator configured to provide power to the IT load. | 06-27-2013 |
20130253716 | Fuel Cell Power for Data Center Uses - Systems and methods include a power module comprising at least one fuel cell generator for powering a load, and a bypass mechanism having a first, normally-open fast-acting switch that closes in 1-250 msec, and a second, normally-open switch in parallel with the first switch, the bypass mechanism being electrically connected between the load and a second power source, such as a grid source, where the first switch is configured to close in response to a fault event such that when the first switch is closed power to the load is provided from the second power source through the first switch, and the second switch closes after a predetermined time such that power to the load from the second source is provided through the second switch. Additional methods and systems include providing power to a plurality of loads using fuel cell power generators. | 09-26-2013 |
20130280635 | Fuel Cell Mechanical Components - A modular fuel cell system includes a base, at least four power modules arranged in a row on the base, and a fuel processing module and power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each power module includes a separate cabinet which contains at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the at least one fuel processing and power conditioning modules through the base. | 10-24-2013 |
20140004433 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH QUICK CONNECT COMPONENTS | 01-02-2014 |
20140009003 | Fuel Cell System with Variable Frequency Drive for Support Equipment - Various embodiments enable the operation of fuel cell system support equipment using variable frequency drives and power from fuel cells and/or grid power sources. | 01-09-2014 |
20140049206 | Fuel Cell System for Charging an Electric Vehicle - A method for charging electric vehicles includes receiving information regarding an electric vehicle. At least a portion of the information is received through a vehicle interface configured to place a battery of the electric vehicle into electrical communication with a fuel cell system. A charge is delivered from the fuel cell system to the battery of the electric vehicle through the vehicle interface without use of a direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) converter. The charge is delivered based at least in part on the information. | 02-20-2014 |
20140065499 | AMMONIA OR HYDRAZINE INJECTION INTO FUEL CELL SYSTEMS - A fuel cell system includes a controller, a fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit operatively connected to the fuel cell stack, the fuel inlet conduit adapted to receive fuel from a fuel supply, a recycling conduit operatively connecting the fuel cell stack to the fuel inlet conduit, the recycling conduit adapted to recycle a portion of a fuel exhaust stream from the fuel cell stack to the fuel inlet conduit, and an ammonia or hydrazine storage vessel operatively connected to the fuel inlet conduit via a valve coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the valve to provide ammonia or hydrazine from the ammonia or hydrazine storage vessel into the fuel inlet conduit upon detecting a change in the fuel from the fuel supply. | 03-06-2014 |
20140072889 | Ammonia Fueled SOFC System - Systems and methods are provided in which ammonia is used as a fuel source for solid oxide fuel cell systems. In the various aspects a high temperature fuel cell stack exhaust stream is recycled through one or more separation or conversion devices to create a purified recycled fuel exhaust stream that is recycled back into the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. In various aspects a nitrogen separator may remove nitrogen from the recycled fuel cell stack exhaust stream, a water separator may remove water from the recycled fuel cell stack exhaust stream, and/or an ammonia reactor and hydrogen separator may be used to condition the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. In a further aspect a molten carbonate fuel cell and/or Sabatier reactor may be used to condition the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. | 03-13-2014 |
20140089055 | Fuel Cell Fleet Optimization - A fuel cell fleet has a plurality of fuel cell systems each connected to a data server. The data server may be configured to obtain operational data from of the plurality of fuel cell systems. An efficiency controller operably connected to the data server and is configured to predict an efficiency and a power output of the fleet from the operational data and optimize the efficiency of the fleet to minimize the fleet fuel consumption while maintaining a desired fleet output power. The efficiency may be determined by a ratio of the fleet output current or output power to the fleet fuel consumption. | 03-27-2014 |
20140162155 | DERIVATION OF CONTROL PARAMETERS OF FUEL CELL SYSTEMS FOR FLEXIBLE FUEL OPERATION - A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization. | 06-12-2014 |
20140162158 | FUEL CELL BYPASS DIODE STRUCTURES AND ATTACHMENT METHODS - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells contacted in series by a plurality of interconnects. The various embodiments provide systems and methods for coupling a fuel cell stack with an electric bypass module within a hot zone. The bypass module may include elements for conducting a current between interconnects in a fuel cell stack and thereby bypass a failed fuel cell that has become a resistive parasitic load. | 06-12-2014 |
20140195031 | Serialization of Fuel Cell Components - Systems and methods for fuel cell stack part serialization and tracking. In an embodiment, a barcode may be applied to a fuel cell stack part which may identify the fuel cell stack part. In an embodiment, the barcode may be applied as ink on a green fuel cell stack part prior to sintering. In an embodiment, a portion of a fuel cell stack part may be imaged and pattern recognition techniques may be utilized to identify the fuel cell stack part based on the unique features of fuel cell stack part. In an embodiment, portion of a fuel cell stack part may be measured to generate one or more series of unique volume/area values and one or more series of unique volume/area values may be utilized to identify the fuel cell stack part. | 07-10-2014 |
20140342252 | Fuel Cell Mechanical Components - A modular fuel cell system includes a base, at least four power modules arranged in a row on the base, and a fuel processing module and power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each power module includes a separate cabinet which contains at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the at least one fuel processing and power conditioning modules through the base. | 11-20-2014 |