Patent ID: 6617065
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A fuel cell assembly, comprising:a fuel cell; a water reservoir for receiving and temporarily storing water from exhaust of the fuel cell, said water reservoir supplying water to the fuel cell; a fuel cell cooling system for controlling the operating temperature of the fuel cell; a water balance control system, including: at least one of sensors from the group of: a temperature sensor operatively connected to the fuel cell for producing a fuel cell operating temperature signal corresponding the operating temperature of the fuel cell; a temperature sensor for producing an ambient temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of ambient air surrounding the fuel cell assembly; a pressure sensor operatively connected to the fuel cell for producing a fuel cell operating pressure signal corresponding the operating pressure of the fuel cell; a load sensor operatively connected to the fuel cell for producing a fuel cell operating load signal corresponding the operating load being placed on the fuel cell; a water level sensor operatively connected to the water reservoir for producing a water level signal corresponding to water quantity in the water reservoir; and a water balance controller for adjusting the operating temperature of the fuel cell responsive to at least one of said signals, said water balance control device adjusting said operating temperature by controlling said fuel cell cooling system.