David A Gutenmann

US Patent:

7851096, Dec 14, 2010

Filed:

Dec 27, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/319042

Inventors:

David A. Gutenmann - Clifton Park NY, US

Assignee:

Plug Power Inc. - Latham NY

International Classification:

H01M 8/04
H01M 8/06

US Classification:

429413, 429428, 429430, 429434

Abstract:

A technique that is usable with a fuel cell includes generating a humidified reactant flow. The technique includes measuring a rate of condensate production from the reactant flow and controlling the generation of the humidified reactant flow in response to the measured rate of condensate production.

US Patent:

20030091881, May 15, 2003

Filed:

Oct 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/264547

Inventors:

Elwood Eisler - Albany NY, US
David Gutenmann - Clifton Park NY, US

Assignee:

Plug Power Inc. - Latham NY

International Classification:

H01M008/04
H01M008/10

US Classification:

429/022000, 429/023000, 429/024000, 429/026000, 429/013000, 429/032000

Abstract:

The invention relates to systems and associated methods of operating fuel cell systems where the rotational speed of a reactant humidification enthalpy wheel is dynamically controlled according to various process variables. In one embodiment, a method is provided for operating a fuel cell system, including the following steps: (1) rotating a porous desiccant material about a rotational axis; (2) flowing air through the desiccant material in a direction parallel to the rotational axis to a cathode inlet of a fuel cell; (3) flowing cathode exhaust from the fuel cell through the desiccant material; (4) monitoring a process performance variable; (5) detecting a change in a value of the process performance variable; and (6) varying a rotational speed of the desiccant material in response to the detected change in the value of the process performance variable.

US Patent:

20050136296, Jun 23, 2005

Filed:

Dec 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/744586

Inventors:

Dustan Skidmore - Latham NY, US
Chris Comi - Niskayuna NY, US
David Gutenmann - Clifton Park NY, US
Ryan Hallum - Saratoga NY, US

International Classification:

H01M008/00
H01M008/04
H01M008/10
H01M008/12
H01M008/18

US Classification:

429013000, 429017000, 429032000, 429019000, 429022000, 429023000

Abstract:

A technique that is usable with a fuel cell system includes using a stored energy source to supply power to a load, placing a fuel cell stack in an inactive state during the using, returning the fuel cell stack to an active state to recharge the stored energy source and returning the fuel cell stack to the inactive state in response to the completion of the charging. Another technique may include determining a system power demand in the fuel cell system and may include determining whether a fuel cell stack is exhibiting unstable behavior during an interval of low power demand from the fuel cell stack. In response to these determinations, the fuel cell stack is isolated from the fuel cell system. Another technique includes pulsing a fuel processor of the fuel cell system with an input reactant flow to minimize at least one of a power loss and a startup time of the fuel processor.

US Patent:

20070148504, Jun 28, 2007

Filed:

Dec 27, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/319031

Inventors:

Parshant Dhand - Troy NY, US
David Gutenmann - Clifton Park NY, US
Vishnu Poonamallee - Albany NY, US

International Classification:

H01M 8/04

US Classification:

429013000, 429026000, 429024000

Abstract:

A technique includes providing a fluid to a heat exchanger to produce a gas. The technique includes humidifying a flow of a fuel cell system with the gas and regulating a level of the fluid in the heat exchanger based on a temperature of the gas.