公开(公告)号：US20170324102A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-09

申请号：US15533236

申请日：2015-12-03

Applicant: Intelligent Energy Limited

Inventor： Gareth David John Nash ,  David Edgar ,  Emma Caroline Louise Burrow

IPC: H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/04664 ,  H01M8/04537 ,  H01M8/04746 ,  H01M8/04119

CPC classification number: H01M8/04231 ,  H01M8/04179 ,  H01M8/0432 ,  H01M8/04552 ,  H01M8/04559 ,  H01M8/04671 ,  H01M8/04686 ,  H01M8/04753 ,  H01M2008/1095

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell having an anode flow path extending through the fuel cell between an anode inlet and an anode outlet, and a cathode flow path extending through the fuel cell between a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet. An anode purge valve is coupled to the anode outlet and has an outlet coupled to the cathode inlet. A purge valve controller is configured to effect a purge cycle by opening and closing the anode purge valve and to monitor a fuel cell voltage profile during the purge cycle to determine an operational state of the anode purge valve. A fuel cell voltage drop during a period following a command signal instructing opening of the anode purge valve is used to indicate successful start of a purge cycle. A fuel cell voltage rise during a period following a command signal instructing closing of the anode purge valve is used to indicate a successful end to a purge cycle.