Patent ID: 6596426
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A fuel cell system, comprising: a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stack including a coolant inlet manifold having an inlet and a coolant exhaust manifold having an outlet, and coolant channels for flowing coolant from said inlet manifold to said exhaust manifold;a coolant pump having an inlet; a coolant inlet valve for selectively interconnecting the inlet of said inlet manifold with coolant from said pump; characterized by: a coolant exit valve for selectively interconnecting the inlet of said pump with the outlet of said exhaust manifold; a shutdown valve for selectively interconnecting the inlet of said inlet manifold with the inlet of said pump; and a bleed valve for selectively allowing gas to flow into the outlet of said exhaust manifold; whereby opening of said shutdown valve and said bleed valve and closing said inlet valve and said outlet valve with said pump running will draw gas into, and thereby draw coolant out of, said outlet manifold, said coolant channels and said inlet manifold.