Patent ID: 6329090
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A fuel cell system, comprising:a fuel cell, comprising:a cathode flow field plate having an inlet, an outlet, and a cathode flow path from the cathode flow field plate inlet to the cathode flow field plate outlet, the cathode flow path having a net flow direction;an anode flow field plate;a coolant flow field plate having an inlet, an outlet, and a coolant flow path from the coolant flow field plate inlet to the coolant flow field plate outlet, the coolant flow path having a net flow direction; anda solid electrolyte between the cathode and anode flow field plates, the solid electrolyte having an active area; an enthalpy recovery device having a first side and a second side different than the first side, the first side of the enthalpy recovery device being in fluid communication with the cathode flow field plate outlet, and the second side of the enthalpy recovery device being in fluid communication with the cathode flow field plate inlet anda coolant system, comprising:a feedback device; anda variable speed pump having a pump speed a pump inlet and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the pump inlet, the pump inlet being in fluid communication with the coolant flow field plate outlet, and the pump outlet being in fluid communication with the coolant flow field plate inlet, the feedback device being in electrical communication with the variable speed pump to control the pump speed,wherein the net flow direction of the cathode flow path is concurrent with the net flow direction of the coolant flow path.