Patent ID: 6794071
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A direct methanol fuel cell system comprising:a direct methanol fuel cell, including: an anode; a cathode; a membrane electrode assembly including a protonically-conductive membrane having first and second surfaces on which catalysts are disposed, anode and cathode diffusion layers disposed, respectively, on said catalysts; a source of fuel; a conduit for delivering a first fuel mixture to an anode aspect of the fuel cell; a conduit bypassing at least a portion of said first fuel mixture conduit and being coupled to said fuel source and to one or more valves; and a controller coupled to said one or more valves and, responsive to a change in operating conditions of said fuel cell, operating to actuate one or more of said valves to allow a more concentrated fuel to be delivered to said anode.