Patent ID: 6541941
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: G01R,H02J,Y02T

Abstract:
A device for reducing catalyst poisons in an individual fuel cell in a stack while said stack is in use, said stack having plurality of fuel cells coupled to each other in series, said device comprising:a switch bank coupled to each fuel cell in the stack; a controller controlling said switch bank; measuring means to measure a voltage, said measuring means being coupled to said switch bank and to the controller; and a variable voltage source coupled to the switch bank and to the controller, wherein said switch bank can couple the variable voltage source in parallel with one or more fuel cells in said stack; said switch bank can couple said measuring means to one or more fuel cells in the stack such that said measuring means can measure the voltage across said one or more fuel cells; and said controller controls a voltage setting of said variable voltage source and said one or more fuel cells in said stack are coupled in parallel with said variable voltage source.