Patent ID: 8852824
Filing Date: 2014-10-07
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell system, comprising: a hydrogen source in fluid communication with a fuel spending line; a fuel cell stack having an anode inlet in fluid communication with the fuel spending line, a cathode inlet in fluid communication with an oxidant source, and an anode outlet and a cathode outlet in fluid communication with an exhaust line; an electric pressure regulator in fluid communication with the fuel spending line between the hydrogen source and the fuel cell stack, the electric pressure regulator in an open position during an operation of the fuel cell stack to admit hydrogen from the hydrogen source to the fuel cell stack; an anode inlet valve in fluid communication with the anode inlet of the fuel cell stack; an overpressure valve in fluid communication with and disposed between the fuel spending line and the exhaust line, the overpressure valve in fluid communication with the fuel spending line between the electric pressure regulator and the fuel cell stack; and a hydrogen sensor in communication with the exhaust line downstream of where the exhaust line is in fluid communication with the overpressure valve, the hydrogen sensor configured to measure a hydrogen concentration of the exhaust line; and an electronic control module in communication with the hydrogen sensor, the anode inlet valve to selectively militate against a flow of hydrogen from the fuel spending line to the fuel cell stack and the electric pressure regulator, the electric pressure regulator produces a constant hydrogen flow rate lower than a hydrogen flow rate during the operation of the fuel cell stack when the anode inlet valve is caused to close by the electronic control module, the constant hydrogen flow rate directed through the overpressure valve to the hydrogen sensor and defining an expected hydrogen concentration which is measured by the hydrogen sensor and compared to the hydrogen concentration measured by the hydrogen sensor to test operation of the hydrogen sensor.