18450724. CONDENSATE WATER DRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FUEL CELLS simplified abstract (HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY)
Contents
- 1 CONDENSATE WATER DRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FUEL CELLS
- 1.1 Organization Name
- 1.2 Inventor(s)
- 1.3 CONDENSATE WATER DRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FUEL CELLS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
- 1.4 Simplified Explanation
- 1.5 Potential Applications
- 1.6 Problems Solved
- 1.7 Benefits
- 1.8 Potential Commercial Applications
- 1.9 Possible Prior Art
- 1.10 Original Abstract Submitted
CONDENSATE WATER DRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FUEL CELLS
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
CONDENSATE WATER DRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FUEL CELLS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18450724 titled 'CONDENSATE WATER DRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FUEL CELLS
Simplified Explanation
The abstract describes a condensate water drain control system for fuel cells, which includes a fuel cell stack, a fuel supply line, a water trap, a drain valve, and a drain controller.
- Fuel cell stack generates electric power through chemical reaction
- Fuel supply line recirculates fuel discharged from the fuel cell stack
- Water trap collects condensate water discharged from the fuel cell stack
- Drain valve discharges the condensate water stored in the water trap
- Drain controller determines pressure in the fuel supply line before opening the drain valve and senses fuel discharge through the drain valve
Potential Applications
The technology can be applied in fuel cell systems to efficiently manage condensate water and prevent any potential issues caused by its accumulation.
Problems Solved
The system solves the problem of condensate water buildup in fuel cell systems, which can lead to performance degradation and potential damage if not properly managed.
Benefits
The system ensures proper drainage of condensate water, maintaining the efficiency and longevity of fuel cell systems.
Potential Commercial Applications
The technology can be utilized in various fuel cell applications, such as stationary power generation, transportation, and portable electronics.
Possible Prior Art
Prior art in this field may include existing systems for managing condensate water in fuel cell systems, such as simple drain valves or manual drainage methods.
Unanswered Questions
How does the system ensure proper pressure maintenance before opening the drain valve?
The drain controller likely monitors the pressure in the fuel supply line and ensures it is at the required level before allowing the drain valve to open.
What measures are in place to prevent fuel leakage during the discharge process?
The system may include safety mechanisms to prevent fuel leakage, such as shut-off valves or sensors to detect any anomalies during the discharge process.
Original Abstract Submitted
A condensate water drain control system for fuel cells includes a fuel cell stack configured to generate electric power through chemical reaction, a fuel supply line configured to recirculate fuel discharged from the fuel cell stack together with fuel introduced from a fuel supply valve, a water trap located in the fuel supply line, the water trap being configured to collect condensate water discharged from the fuel cell stack, a drain valve configured to discharge the condensate water stored in the water trap to the outside when opened, and a drain controller configured to determine whether the fuel supply valve is controlled such that pressure in the fuel supply line is maintained before the drain valve is opened and to sense discharge of fuel from the fuel supply line through the drain valve upon determining that the pressure is maintained.
