Patent ID: 7402353
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a fuel cell system having a fuel cell stack operable to produce an electric current, the method comprising: (a) producing a power output with the fuel cell stack to meet a first power demand placed on the fuel cell system; (b) detecting a decrease in said first power demand placed on the fuel cell system to a lower second power demand; (c) routing an excess power output of the fuel cell stack, resulting from a current fuel cell stack output exceeding the second power demand, to a component of the fuel cell system, the component operating with the excess power output at a power level greater than that required to support the second power demand placed on the fuel cell system; and (d) gradually reducing said power output of the fuel cell stack to meet the second power demand placed on the fuel cell system while simultaneously performing (c).