Patent ID: 7655336
Filing Date: 2010-02-02
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel-cell system having a fuel battery comprising more than one fuel cell that changes chemical energy of a fuel and oxidant to electric energy, comprising: a first passage connecting the fuel battery to a purge gas supply source; a second passage connecting the fuel battery to an exterior, through an ejector; a first solenoid valve installed in the first passage; a second solenoid valve installed in the second passage; a current sensor producing an output indicative of current generated by the fuel battery; and an electronic control unit that opens the first and second solenoid valves to open the first and second passages to supply the purge gas to the fuel battery through the first passage such that residue in the fuel battery is purged to the exterior through the second passage by the purge gas, at a time interval determined from the output of the current sensor, further including: a hydrogen sensor installed in the second passage at a position located downstream of the ejector and producing an output indicating that hydrogen gas flows into the second passage at a position located downstream of the ejector; and the electronic control unit terminates purging of the residue when it is detected that the hydrogen gas flows into the second passage at a position located downstream of the ejector from the output of the hydrogen sensor.