Patent ID: 7362073

Claim:
A method of dynamically controlling and managing operating characteristics of a fuel cell system, comprising: (A) providing a DC-DC converter circuit having an input connection to receive the output of a fuel cell, and connected to place a load across the fuel cell, said DC-DC converter circuit having internal switches that are operated at a duty cycle that is adjustable; (B) providing a programmable controller that receives as an input, present and stored values of one or more operating characteristics, said programmable controller also being programmed to signal said DC-DC converter switches to adjust its duty cycle; (C) identifying a weakest cell in a fuel cell stack; (D) measuring the output voltage of the weakest cell; (E) dynamically determining a desired value for said output voltage; (F) comparing a present value of said weakest cell output voltage with a desired value; (G) calculating a new duty cycle for the associated DC-DC converter within the fuel cell system required to substantially achieve said desired value for the output voltage of the weakest cell; and (H) signaling said DC-DC converter to adjust its duty cycle to said new duty cycle.