Patent ID: 6360835
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: B60L,H01M,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
A method of operating a fuel-cell-powered vehicle having (a) a fuel cell for generating electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, (b) a traction motor energized by said electricity for propelling said vehicle, (c) power electronics for controlling said traction motor, (d) a heat exchanger for controlling the environment in an occupant compartment of the vehicle, (e) a radiator for expelling excess heat from said vehicle, (f) a heat-generating fuel processor for converting a liquid hydrocarbon into hydrogen for fueling said fuel cell, (g) at least one endothermic device, (h) a first pump for circulating a liquid heat transfer medium in a high temperature circuit between said fuel processor and said endothermic device, and (i) a second pump for circulating said heat transfer medium in a low temperature circuit through said fuel cell, said traction motor, said electronics, and said radiator, said method comprising the steps of: determining the temperature of said fuel cell; pumping a first quantity of said medium from said high temperature circuit into said low temperature circuit to elevate the temperature of the medium in said low temperature circuit and warm-up said fuel cell when it is too cold; and displacing an equal quantity of said medium from said low temperature circuit into said high temperature circuit when said first quantity is being pumped into said low temperature circuit.