公开(公告)号：US06562496B2

公开(公告)日：2003-05-13

申请号：US09845531

申请日：2001-04-30

申请人： Michael T. Faville ,  M. James Grieve ,  John G. Noetzel ,  Karl J. Haltiner, Jr. ,  Christopher M. DeMinco ,  Kevin R. Keegan ,  John F. O'Brien ,  Subhasish Mukerjee ,  David R. Schumann ,  Steven R. Shaffer ,  Juergen T. Kammerer ,  Catherine C. Vavonese ,  James M. Haller ,  Donald J. Armstrong ,  Harry L. Husted ,  Haskell Simpkins

发明人： Michael T. Faville ,  M. James Grieve ,  John G. Noetzel ,  Karl J. Haltiner, Jr. ,  Christopher M. DeMinco ,  Kevin R. Keegan ,  John F. O'Brien ,  Subhasish Mukerjee ,  David R. Schumann ,  Steven R. Shaffer ,  Juergen T. Kammerer ,  Catherine C. Vavonese ,  James M. Haller ,  Donald J. Armstrong ,  Harry L. Husted ,  Haskell Simpkins

IPC分类号： H01M800

CPC分类号： H01M8/04268 ,  H01M8/04014 ,  H01M8/04089 ,  H01M8/0612 ,  H01M2008/1293

摘要： A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system is disclosed. The method comprises pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure. The main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves. The first supply of fuel and a first supply of air are directed to a preheated micro-reformer. A heated pre-reformate is created in the micro-reformer and discharged from the micro-reformer to a main reformer. The main reformer is preheated with the heated pre-reformate. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air are introduced to the main reformer. A heated main reformate is created in the main reformer and directed to a waste energy recovery assembly. A cathode supply is heated in the waste energy recovery system and then directed to a solid oxide fuel cell stack in order to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Methods of transitioning, operating, shutting down, and maintaining in standby mode are also disclosed. A solid oxide fuel cell mechanization for a transportation vehicle is also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US07001685B2

公开(公告)日：2006-02-21

申请号：US10357748

申请日：2003-02-04

申请人： Larisa S. Bobrov ,  Karl J. Haltiner, Jr. ,  Haskell Simpkins ,  Michael T. Faville ,  Sean M. Kelly ,  Subhasish Mukerjee

发明人： Larisa S. Bobrov ,  Karl J. Haltiner, Jr. ,  Haskell Simpkins ,  Michael T. Faville ,  Sean M. Kelly ,  Subhasish Mukerjee

IPC分类号： H01M2/00 ,  H01M2/02 ,  H01M2/14

CPC分类号： H01M8/2425 ,  H01M8/248 ,  H01M8/2484 ,  H01M2008/1293

摘要： A load frame with mechanical springs for providing compression to a fuel cell stack during assembly and operation of a fuel cell assembly. The stack assembly load frame includes a base plate for supporting the stack, a moveable spring holder above the stack, a retaining plate above the spring holder, and tubular supports or rods retaining the post-sintered spacing established by the applied load defining the spacing of the base plate from the retaining plate. A spring for maintaining compression in each stack is positioned between the spring holder and the retaining plate. The invention further comprises a method for assembling a fuel cell assembly to provide an adequate compressive load to the stack during assembly and operation.

公开(公告)号：US06744235B2

公开(公告)日：2004-06-01

申请号：US10178819

申请日：2002-06-24

申请人： Karl J. Haltiner, Jr. ,  Subhasish Mukerjee ,  Diane M. England ,  Michael T. Faville ,  Sean M. Kelly ,  Bernhard Edlinger ,  Joachim Tachtler

发明人： Karl J. Haltiner, Jr. ,  Subhasish Mukerjee ,  Diane M. England ,  Michael T. Faville ,  Sean M. Kelly ,  Bernhard Edlinger ,  Joachim Tachtler

IPC分类号： H01M1046

CPC分类号： H01M8/0662 ,  H01M8/021 ,  H01M8/0258 ,  H01M8/0271 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/04228 ,  H01M8/0612 ,  H01M8/1231 ,  H01M8/2425

摘要： In a fuel cell assembly, nickel-based anodes are readily oxidized when exposed to oxygen as may happen through atmospheric invasion of the assembly during cool-down following shutdown of the assembly. Repeated anode oxidation and reduction can be destructive of the anodes, leading to cracking and failure. To prevent such oxygen migration, check valves and oxygen getter devices containing oxygen-scavenging material such as metallic nickel are provided in the reformate passageways leading to and from the anodes. The check valves preferably are closed by gravity. Oxidation of the oxygen-gettering material is readily reversed through reduction by reformate when the assembly is restarted.

摘要翻译： 在燃料电池组件中，当暴露于氧气时，镍基阳极容易氧化，这可能是由于在组件关闭后的冷却期间通过组件的大气侵入而发生的。 重复的阳极氧化和还原可能是阳极的破坏，导致开裂和破坏。 为了防止这种氧迁移，在通向和从阳极的重整产品通道中提供止回阀和含有除氧材料如金属镍的氧气吸气装置。 止回阀优选地通过重力封闭。 吸氧材料的氧化通过在重新组装时通过重整产物的还原而容易地逆转。

公开(公告)号：US06921596B2

公开(公告)日：2005-07-26

申请号：US10178808

申请日：2002-06-24

申请人： Sean M. Kelly ,  Karl J. Haltiner, Jr. ,  Michael T. Faville ,  David R. Schumann

发明人： Sean M. Kelly ,  Karl J. Haltiner, Jr. ,  Michael T. Faville ,  David R. Schumann

IPC分类号： B01J8/04 ,  B01J10/00 ,  B60L11/18 ,  C01B3/34 ,  H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/06 ,  H01M8/12 ,  H01M8/18 ,  H01M8/24 ,  H01M10/44

CPC分类号： H01M8/2485 ,  C01B3/34 ,  C01B2203/0227 ,  C01B2203/066 ,  C01B2203/0811 ,  H01M8/04022 ,  H01M8/04201 ,  H01M8/0618 ,  H01M8/0631 ,  H01M8/0662 ,  H01M8/2425 ,  H01M8/2432 ,  H01M8/2475 ,  H01M2008/1293 ,  H01M2250/20 ,  Y02E60/525 ,  Y02P20/124 ,  Y02P20/129 ,  Y02T90/32

摘要： A solid-oxide fuel cell system including an integrated reforming unit comprising a hydrocarbon fuel reformer; an integral tail gas and cathode air combustor and reformer heat exchanger; a fuel pre-heater and fuel injector cooler; a fuel injector and fuel/air mixer and vaporizer; a reforming air pre-heating heat exchanger; a reforming air temperature control valve and means; and a pre-reformer start-up combustor. The integration of a plate reformer, tail gas combustor, and combustor gas heat exchanger allows for efficient operation modes of the reformer, both endothermic and exothermic as desired. The combustor gas heat exchanger aids in temperature regulation of the reformer and reduces significant thermal gradients in the unit.

摘要翻译： 一种固体氧化物燃料电池系统，包括包含碳氢化合物燃料重整器的整体重整单元; 整体尾气和阴极空气燃烧器和重整器热交换器; 燃料预热器和燃料喷射器冷却器; 燃料喷射器和燃料/空气混合器和蒸发器; 重整空气预热热交换器; 重整空气温度控制阀和装置; 以及一个改性前重新启动燃烧室。 板式重整器，尾气燃烧器和燃烧器气体热交换器的集成允许重整器的有效操作模式，根据需要吸热和放热。 燃烧器气体热交换器有助于重整器的温度调节，并降低了该装置中显着的热梯度。

公开(公告)号：US07435490B2

公开(公告)日：2008-10-14

申请号：US11593672

申请日：2006-11-07

申请人： Diane M. England ,  Karl J. Haltiner, Jr. ,  Sean M. Kelly ,  Michael T. Faville

发明人： Diane M. England ,  Karl J. Haltiner, Jr. ,  Sean M. Kelly ,  Michael T. Faville

IPC分类号： H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/06 ,  H01M8/12 ,  H01M4/86

CPC分类号： H01M4/9066 ,  H01M4/8605 ,  H01M4/9016 ,  H01M8/0232 ,  H01M8/0256 ,  H01M2250/20 ,  Y02T90/32

摘要： In a fuel cell assembly, nickel-based anodes are readily oxidized when exposed to oxygen as may happen through atmospheric invasion of the assembly during cool-down following shutdown of the assembly. Repeated anode oxidation and reduction can be destructive of the anodes, leading to cracking and failure. To prevent such oxygen migration, oxygen getter devices containing oxygen-gettering material such as metallic nickel are provided in the fuel passageways leading to and from the anodes. Oxidation of the oxygen-gettering material is readily reversed through reduction by fuel when the assembly is restarted.

摘要翻译： 在燃料电池组件中，当暴露于氧气时，镍基阳极容易氧化，这可能是由于在组件关闭后的冷却期间通过组件的大气侵入而发生的。 重复的阳极氧化和还原可能是阳极的破坏，导致开裂和破坏。 为了防止这种氧迁移，在通向和从阳极的燃料通道中提供含有吸氧材料如金属镍的吸氧剂装置。 当组装重新启动时，吸氧材料的氧化很容易通过燃料的还原反转。

公开(公告)号：US06942942B2

公开(公告)日：2005-09-13

申请号：US10178114

申请日：2002-06-24

申请人： Karl J. Haltiner, Jr. ,  Michael T. Faville ,  Sean M. Kelly

发明人： Karl J. Haltiner, Jr. ,  Michael T. Faville ,  Sean M. Kelly

IPC分类号： B01J19/24 ,  B60K1/04 ,  B60L11/18 ,  C01B3/38 ,  H01M2/02 ,  H01M8/02 ,  H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/06 ,  H01M8/10 ,  H01M8/12 ,  H01M8/24

CPC分类号： B01J19/249 ,  B01J2219/2453 ,  B01J2219/2477 ,  B01J2219/2496 ,  C01B3/386 ,  C01B2203/0261 ,  C01B2203/066 ,  C01B2203/0883 ,  C01B2203/1288 ,  H01M8/04014 ,  H01M8/04201 ,  H01M8/04395 ,  H01M8/04753 ,  H01M8/04768 ,  H01M8/04776 ,  H01M8/0618 ,  H01M8/0662 ,  H01M8/1246 ,  H01M8/2425 ,  H01M8/2465 ,  H01M8/2475 ,  H01M8/2484 ,  H01M8/249 ,  H01M2250/20 ,  Y02E60/525 ,  Y02P70/56 ,  Y02T90/32

摘要： A solid-oxide fuel cell system having “hot” components, e.g., the fuel cell stacks, the fuel reformer, tail gas combuster, heat exchangers, and fuel/air manifold, contained in a “hot zone” within a thermal enclosure intended specifically for minimizing heat transfer to its exterior and having no significant structural or protective function for its contents. A two-part clamshell arrangement allows all piping and leads which must pass through the enclosure to do so at the join line between the parts, thus eliminating need for ports and fittings in the thermal enclosure. A separate and larger structural enclosure surrounds the thermal enclosure, defining a “cool zone” outside the thermal enclosure for incorporation of “cool” components, e.g., the air supply system and the electronic control system, and providing structural protection for all components of the fuel cell system.

摘要翻译： 具有“热”组分的固体氧化物燃料电池系统，其包含在特定热源外壳中的“热区”中的“热”组分，例如燃料电池堆，燃料重整器，尾气燃烧器，热交换器和燃料/空气歧管 用于最小化其外部传热并且对其内容物没有显着的结构或保护功能。 两部分翻盖装置允许必须通过外壳的所有管道和导线在部件之间的连接线处进行，从而消除对热封壳中的端口和配件的需要。 一个单独的和较大的结构外壳围绕热封闭，在热封壳外部定义“冷却区”，以结合“冷”组件，例如供气系统和电子控制系统，并为 燃料电池系统。

公开(公告)号：US07537849B2

公开(公告)日：2009-05-26

申请号：US10238093

申请日：2002-09-10

申请人： Sean M. Kelly ,  Michael T. Faville ,  Kevin R. Keegan

发明人： Sean M. Kelly ,  Michael T. Faville ,  Kevin R. Keegan

IPC分类号： H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/12 ,  H01M8/06 ,  B60L11/18

CPC分类号： H01M8/0267 ,  H01M8/04014 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/241 ,  H01M8/2425

摘要： In a solid-oxide fuel cell system, the fuel cell stacks, the fuel reformer, tail gas combuster, heat exchangers, and fuel/air manifold, are contained in a “hot zone” within a thermal enclosure. A separate and larger structural enclosure surrounds the thermal enclosure, defining a “cool zone” outside the thermal enclosure for incorporation of “cool” components such as the air supply system and the electronic control system. To prevent unwanted temperature rise in the cool zone during shutdown, from residual heat escaping from the hot zone through the thermal enclosure, the structural enclosure is provided with vents through the lower and upper walls thereof to permit thermal convective circulation of air through the enclosure. The vents are baffled to prevent entry of splash and other contaminants, and the lower vent is provided with a float valve to prevent flooding of the enclosure in event of immersion of the SOFC system.

摘要翻译： 在固体氧化物燃料电池系统中，燃料电池堆，燃料重整器，尾气燃烧器，热交换器和燃料/空气歧管被包含在热封壳内的“热区”中。 一个单独的和较大的结构外壳围绕热封闭，在热封壳外面形成一个“冷却区”，用于结合诸如供气系统和电子控制系统之类的“冷”组件。 为了防止在关闭期间冷却区中的不必要的温度升高，从残留的热量从热区域通过热外壳逸出，结构外壳通过其下壁和上壁设有通风口，以允许空气通过外壳的热对流循环。 通风口被阻挡以防止飞溅物和其他污染物的进入，并且下部通风口设置有浮阀，以防止在SOFC系统浸没的情况下外壳的淹水。

公开(公告)号：US06759154B2

公开(公告)日：2004-07-06

申请号：US09795065

申请日：2001-02-26

申请人： John F. O'Brien ,  Malcolm J. Grieve ,  Michael T. Faville ,  John Noetzel ,  Juergen Ringler ,  Juergen Kammerer

发明人： John F. O'Brien ,  Malcolm J. Grieve ,  Michael T. Faville ,  John Noetzel ,  Juergen Ringler ,  Juergen Kammerer

IPC分类号： H01M804

CPC分类号： B60H1/3233 ,  H01M8/04007 ,  H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/04164 ,  H01M8/04171 ,  H01M8/0625 ,  H01M8/0662 ,  H01M2008/1095 ,  Y02P70/56 ,  Y10T29/49108

摘要： A fuel cell system is disclosed. A fuel cell stack is in fluid communication with a reformer. An air conditioning system is in fluid communication with the reformer. Methods of making and using a fuel cell system are also disclosed.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种燃料电池系统。 燃料电池堆与重整器流体连通。 空调系统与重整器流体连通。 还公开了制造和使用燃料电池系统的方法。

公开(公告)号：US20080261093A1

公开(公告)日：2008-10-23

申请号：US11787998

申请日：2007-04-18

申请人： Sean Michael Kelly ,  Michael T. Faville

发明人： Sean Michael Kelly ,  Michael T. Faville

IPC分类号： H01M8/12

CPC分类号： F24D12/02 ,  F24D2200/12 ,  F24H2240/10 ,  H01M8/04007 ,  H01M8/04052 ,  H01M2008/1293 ,  H01M2250/405 ,  Y02B10/70 ,  Y02B30/14 ,  Y02B90/16

摘要： A Combined Heat and Power System (“CHPS”) includes a solid oxide fuel cell system and a vapor compression cycle heat pump. The CHPS improves the overall efficiency of a CHP system with respect to conversion of fuel energy to usable heat and electrical energy without need for an accessory burner-heat exchanger system. The compressor motor of the heat pump is powered by a portion of the electricity generated by the SOFC, and the thermal output of the heat pump is increased by abstraction of heat from the SOFC exhaust. This integration allows for novel and complementary operation of each type of system, with the benefits of improved overall fuel efficiency for the improved CHP system.

摘要翻译： 联合热电系统（“CHPS”）包括固体氧化物燃料电池系统和蒸汽压缩循环热泵。 CHPS提高了CHP系统在燃料能量转换成可用的热能和电能方面的整体效率，而不需要辅助燃烧器 - 热交换器系统。 热泵的压缩机电机由SOFC产生的一部分电力供电，并且通过从SOFC排气抽取热量来增加热泵的热输出。 这种集成允许每种类型的系统的新颖和互补的操作，具有改进的CHP系统的总体燃料效率的好处。

公开(公告)号：US07648784B2

公开(公告)日：2010-01-19

申请号：US11371733

申请日：2006-03-09

申请人： Kaushik Rajashekara ,  George N. Simopoulos ,  Michael T. Faville ,  Elwood W. Wingeier

发明人： Kaushik Rajashekara ,  George N. Simopoulos ,  Michael T. Faville ,  Elwood W. Wingeier

IPC分类号： H01M8/04

CPC分类号： H01M8/04611 ,  H01M8/04619 ,  H01M8/0494 ,  H01M8/04955

摘要： A fuel cell APU system comprising a plurality of fuel cell modules connected in parallel. Each module includes a local controller connected to a master controller that coordinates the modules to achieve a desired power output at any given time. Each module is operated within an output range to maximize efficiency of the system. When load demand on a first module exceeds the desired output range of the module, an additional module is brought online in parallel with the first. As the load increases further, additional modules are brought online in cascade fashion to permit all modules to be operated efficiently. If a module is disabled, it is automatically switched out of service and replaced by a standby module. The master controller keeps track of the total operating time of each module and varies the sequence in which different modules are brought into service to balance deterioration among the modules.

摘要翻译： 一种燃料电池APU系统，包括并联连接的多个燃料电池模块。 每个模块包括连接到主控制器的本地控制器，其协调模块以在任何给定时间获得期望的功率输出。 每个模块在输出范围内运行，以最大限度地提高系统的效率。 当第一个模块上的负载需求超过模块的期望输出范围时，另外一个模块与第一个模块并联。 随着负载进一步增加，附加模块以级联方式联机，以允许所有模块高效运行。 如果某个模块被禁用，它将自动停用服务，并被备用模块所取代。 主控制器跟踪每个模块的总操作时间，并改变不同模块投入使用的顺序，以平衡模块之间的恶化。