Patent ID: 7270904
Filing Date: 2007-09-18
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell stack including an anode side, a cathode side, an anode input, a cathode input and an anode exhaust; a coolant loop for flowing a cooling fluid through the fuel cell stack; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the cooling fluid; a purge valve coupled between the cathode input and the anode input, said purge valve directing air from the cathode input to the anode input at system shut-down to purge the anode side of the fuel cell stack; and a controller, said controller receiving a temperature signal from the temperature sensor and controlling the purge valve, said controller maintaining the temperature of the cooling fluid at a first predetermined temperature during operation of the fuel cell stack and opening the purge valve at system shut-down after the temperature of the cooling fluid is reduced to a second predetermined temperature.