Patent ID: 6093500
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A method of operating a fuel cell system including at least one fuel cell to transition the fuel cell between a normal state of operation at a normal operating temperature and under a service load and a second state at a second temperature less than the operating temperature and under a second load less than the service load, comprising:(a) initiating one of a warm-up and a cool down procedure for changing the temperature of the fuel cell;(b) applying to the fuel cell an idle load that is less than the service load and greater than the second load when the temperature of the fuel cell is between approximately the normal operating temperature and approximately a transition temperature; and(c) applying to the fuel cell one of the service load and the second load, the second load being applied when the temperature of the fuel cell is less than approximately the transition temperature and the service load being applied to the fuel cell when the temperature of the fuel cell is one of equal to and greater than approximately the normal operating temperature.