Patent ID: 6916566
Filing Date: 2005-07-12
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A system for selectively heating a fuel cell within a vehicle, said system comprising: an air compressor; a conduit system which is communicatively coupled to and receives compressed air from said air compressor and which is further communicatively coupled to said fuel cell, said conduit system being effective to selectively deliver said compressed air directly to said fuel cell during cold start conditions, effective to heat said fuel cell; a heat exchanger which is disposed within said conduit system and which is effectively to selectively cool said compressed air; a bypass valve which is operatively disposed within said conduit system and which is effective to selectively cause said compressed air to bypass said heat exchanger and to be delivered directly to said fuel cell during cold start conditions, effective to heat said fuel cell; a hydrogen gas conduit system which communicates hydrogen gas to said fuel cell; and a second heat exchanger which is coupled to said conduit system and to said hydrogen gas conduit system and which receives hydrogen gas from said hydrogen gas conduit system, said second heat exchanger being effective to allow said compressed air within said conduit system to heat said hydrogen gas before said hydrogen gas is communicated to said fuel cell.