Patent ID: 7169493

Claim:
A fuel cell system, comprising: a regenerative fuel cell apparatus comprising an electrolysis module for producing hydrogen, a fuel cell module responsive to the hydrogen for producing electricity, a water storage device in fluid communication with the electrolysis and fuel cell modules for providing water to the electrolysis module and for receiving water from the fuel cell module, and a hydrogen storage device in fluid communication with the electrolysis and fuel cell modules for receiving hydrogen from the electrolysis module and for providing hydrogen to the fuel cell module; a heat storage device in fluid communication with and responsive to the fuel cell apparatus, the heat storage device adapted to receive and store heat from and deliver heat to the fuel cell apparatus, wherein the heat storage device includes a portable heat transfer medium for effecting the transfer of heat; a controller in signal communication with the fuel cell apparatus and the heat storage device, the controller adapted to control heat transfer between the fuel cell apparatus and the heat storage device in response to signals from the fuel cell apparatus; and at least one temperature sensor in signal communication with at least one of the fuel cell apparatus, the heat storage device, and the controller; wherein the controller is adapted to control the transfer of heat originating from at least one of the electrolysis module, the fuel cell module, and the hydrogen storage device to the heat storage device, and to control the transfer of heat from the heat storage device to at least one of the electrolysis module, the fuel cell module, the hydrogen storage device and the water storage device, thereby maintaining the temperature of at least one of the electrolysis module, the fuel cell module, the hydrogen storage device and the water storage device above a predefined temperature; wherein the controller includes a processor programmed to: evaluate if q FC, Loss <q Elect, Out +q Hydride, Out +q HSD, Net −q Losses in response to the fuel cell apparatus operating in electrolysis mode; evaluate if q Elect, Loss <q FC, Out +q Hydride, Out +q HSD, Net −q Losses in response to the fuel cell apparatus operating in fuel cell mode; and evaluate if q Elect, Loss +q FC, Loss <q HSD, Net −q Losses in response to the fuel cell apparatus operating in idle mode.