Patent ID: 8535836
Filing Date: 2013-09-17
Classification: G01M,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of performing maintenance on a fuel cell system including a fuel processing assembly that includes a plurality of separation units adapted to purify a fuel, the method comprising the following actions, all of which are performed while the fuel cell system is generating electricity by receiving a purified fuel from the fuel processing assembly: redirecting the fuel to bypass one or more of the separation units so that the fuel may be received by other separation units; removing or servicing one or more of the one or more bypassed separation units providing the fuel through a first conduit which comprises a first bypass port and a first outlet port which is connected to an inlet port of a first separation unit of the plurality of separation units; providing the fuel from the first bypass port into a jumper, providing the fuel from the jumper into a second bypass port located in a second conduit; providing the fuel from the second conduit through a second outlet port into an inlet port of a second separation unit of the plurality of separation units; and providing the fuel from an outlet port of the second separation unit into a third inlet port of a third conduit which further comprises a third bypass port, and wherein the step of redirecting the fuel to bypass one or more separation units comprises connecting the jumper with quick connect fittings on two ends of the jumper to the first and second bypass ports and halting flow of fuel to the one or more bypassed separation units.