Patent ID: 8691451
Filing Date: 2014-04-08
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling an amount of air supplied to a fuel cell, the method comprising: measuring, by a controller, i.) a temperature and pressure of air passing through an outlet of a humidifier that fluidly communicates with a stack outlet, ii.) a temperature and pressure of stack inlet air, and iii.) a relative humidity of air passing through the outlet of the humidifier; determining, by the controller, a stoichiometric ratio of air or an amount of air supplied to the stack based on the measurement results to adjust the relative the relative humidity of the stack outlet air to reach a target value determining, by the controller, whether an amount of water passing through the humidifier and discharged through the humidifier outlet is greater than an amount of water generated in the stack even after the stack is operated at a minimum value of the stoichiometric ratio determined in a range within which the stack can operate; and in response to determining that the amount of water passing through the humidifier and discharged through the humidifier outlet is greater than the amount of water generated in the stack even after the stack is operated at the minimum value, reducing, by the controller, a power output of the stack to maintain a water balance within the stack.