Fuel Cell Maintenance Hydration via Periodic Self-Service

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel cell systems used as backup power sources face dehydration issues during inactivity, leading to reduced efficiency and performance, as they generate little to no water, and existing methods like using artificial loads increase size, weight, and waste energy.

Innovation Solution

A fuel cell system that activates periodically to supply power at a higher voltage than the primary power source, generating water and maintaining hydration without the need for artificial loads, thereby ensuring readiness and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the fuel cell system is left inactive for extended periods, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the electrolytic membranes dry out and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidmembrane hydration

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel cell system is activated periodically at predetermined intervals to perform maintenance hydration operations. The controller initiates fuel delivery and operates the fuel cell stack for a specified duration to generate water vapor that hydrates the electrolytic membranes, then returns to inactive state. This periodic activation maintains membrane hydration without requiring continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If an artificial load is connected to maintain hydration, then membrane hydration is maintained, but system size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane hydrationVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel cell system uses itself to maintain its own hydration. During periodic activation, the fuel cell stack generates water vapor through electrochemical reactions, and this water vapor is directed back to hydrate the electrolytic membranes. The system requires no external artificial loads or separate hydration systems, as it performs self-maintenance using its own operational byproducts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If an artificial load is used for maintenance hydration, then membrane hydration is maintained, but energy is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane hydrationVSAvoidelectrical output waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts what would normally be wasted water byproduct into a useful resource for maintaining membrane hydration. During fuel cell operation, water is generated as a byproduct of the electrochemical reaction. Instead of venting this water away, the system captures and utilizes it to hydrate the electrolytic membranes during periodic maintenance operations, transforming a waste product into a beneficial resource.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If an artificial load is connected, then maintenance hydration is achieved, but heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane hydrationVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel cell system uses its own operational characteristics to maintain hydration without external artificial loads. During periodic activation, the natural heat generated by the fuel cell stack during normal operation is sufficient to vaporize and distribute water for membrane hydration, eliminating the need for separate heating systems or artificial loads that would generate additional unwanted heat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach maintains fuel cell hydration, enhances efficiency, reduces heat generation, and minimizes the increase in size and weight, ensuring reliable backup power without the drawbacks of artificial loads.

Implementation Method 1

Fuel cell stacks are electrochemical devices that produce water and an electrical potential from a fuel, such as a proton source, and an oxidant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Fuel Cell

Data Source

PatentEP2150999B1Fuel cell systems with maintenance hydration by displacement of primary power

Publication Date: 2014.01.08 DCNS SA

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AI summary

Fuel cell systems that perform maintenance hydration by supplying power to satisfy at least part of an applied load from an energy- consuming assembly while a primary power source is in electrical communication with and available to supply power to the energy- consuming assembly to satisfy the portion of the applied load being satisfied by the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, a fuel cell system may determine a start time, or start condition, for maintenance of the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system then may be activated from an inactive condition according to the start time, or start condition, by initiating delivery of at least fuel, and optionally oxidant, to a fuel cell stack of the system. Power then may be supplied from the activated fuel cell system at an output voltage that is higher than a voltage at which power from the primary power source is being supplied.