Patent ID: 7560183
Filing Date: 2009-07-14
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A device comprising a system for controlling an electrochemical conversion assembly, said system comprising: an electrochemical conversion assembly comprising at least one electrochemical conversion cell configured to convert first and second reactants to electrical energy, said electrochemical conversion cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly, first and second flowfield portions defined on opposite sides of said membrane electrode assembly, and respective microporous vapor barrier layers disposed between said membrane electrode assembly and said flowfield portions on opposite sides of said membrane electrode assembly, wherein said microporous vapor barrier layers are configured to at least partially inhibit the migration of water molecules from the membrane electrode assembly; a first reactant supply configured to provide a first reactant to an anode side of said membrane electrode assembly via said first flowfield portion; a second reactant supply configured to provide a second reactant to a cathode side of said membrane electrode assembly via said second flowfield portion; a temperature controller coupled to said electrochemical conversion assembly and configured to control an operating temperature of said electrochemical conversion assembly; and a humidity sensor configured to measure relative humidity within said electrochemical conversion assembly and provide a corresponding cathode-side RH signal indicative of the relative humidity of gas moving through said second flowfield portion, wherein