Matthew C Kirklin

US Patent:

8173311, May 8, 2012

Filed:

Feb 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/678804

Inventors:

Sebastian Lienkamp - Budenheim, DE
Matthew C. Kirklin - Pittsford NY, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 8/04

US Classification:

429428, 429443, 429450

Abstract:

A fuel cell system and method for controlling relative humidity in a fuel cell system. A controller can be signally coupled to one or more sensors and configured to operate at least one flow manipulation device in response to changes in a relative humidity of a reactant passing through the cathode flowpath of the fuel cell in order to maintain the relative humidity within a prescribed range. The controller correlates one or more of a temperature setpoint, pressure setpoint, stoichiometry setpoint or actual operating condition of any of them to an operating condition of the system. In this way, a desired level of relative humidity can be achieved, maintained or both while minimizing the use of power-robbing flow manipulation devices, such as a pump, compressor, fan or related component.

US Patent:

8192881, Jun 5, 2012

Filed:

Jul 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/774738

Inventors:

Matthew C. Kirklin - Pittsford NY, US
Prem C. Menon - Pittsford NY, US
Bruce J. Clingerman - Palmyra NY, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 8/02

US Classification:

429433, 429428, 429442, 429443, 429444, 429446

Abstract:

A method of operating a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell and a compressor that provides air to the fuel cell. The method comprises sensing a temperature indicative of the temperature of a fuel cell, providing a restriction in an air flow path to the fuel cell when the sensed temperature is below a threshold, and increasing the speed of the compressor to provide a desired air flow to the fuel cell. In at least some implementations, increasing the speed of the compressor increases the power drawn from the fuel cell to power the compressor and helps to increase the heat of the fuel cell. The increased speed of the compressor can also result in warmer air flow from the compressor that can further increase the temperature of the system components.

US Patent:

8277989, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Dec 16, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/336166

Inventors:

Joseph D. Rainville - Caledonia NY, US
Matthew C Kirklin - Pittsford NY, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 8/04

US Classification:

429427, 429428

Abstract:

A fuel cell system that includes a compressor for providing cathode air to the cathode side of a fuel cell stack and an air filter for filtering the air sent to the compressor to prevent particulates and other contaminants from entering the compressor and the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell system also includes a mass flow meter that measures the flow of air to the compressor and a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the airflow at the output of the compressor. An electronic compressor map is provided that defines the operating characteristics of the compressor. By knowing the flow through the compressor and the pressure at the outlet of the compressor, an algorithm can determine where on the compressor map the compressor is operating, and from that determine the inlet pressure to the compressor, which in turn shows whether the air filter is clogged or otherwise damaged.

US Patent:

8603686, Dec 10, 2013

Filed:

Oct 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/262874

Inventors:

Matthew C Kirklin - Pittsford NY, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 8/04

US Classification:

429428, 429413, 429429, 429432, 429435, 429443, 429444

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling the speed of a compressor that provides air to the cathode side of a fuel cell stack in the event that a cathode by-pass valve fails. If a by-pass valve failure is detected, a failure algorithm first disengages the normal flow and pressure algorithms used to control the airflow to the cathode side of the stack. Next, the failure algorithm opens the cathode exhaust gas valve to its fully opened position. Then, in response to a stack power request, the compressor control will be put in an open-loop control where a look-up table is used to provide a particular compressor speed for a power request. An airflow meter will measure the airflow to the stack, and the stack current will be limited based on that airflow.

US Patent:

8617752, Dec 31, 2013

Filed:

Mar 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/684906

Inventors:

Joseph D. Rainville - Caledonia NY, US
Bruce J. Clingerman - Palmyra NY, US
Matthew C. Kirklin - Pittsford NY, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 8/06
H01M 8/04

US Classification:

429427, 429428, 429429

Abstract:

A fuel cell system is disclosed, wherein the fuel cell system is heated by a fluid during a starting operation to mitigate against vapor condensation and ice formation in a fuel cell assembly and to decrease a warm up time of the fuel cell system.

US Patent:

8623564, Jan 7, 2014

Filed:

Oct 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/262889

Inventors:

Matthew C Kirklin - Pittsford NY, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 8/04

US Classification:

429428, 429429, 429430, 429408, 429413, 429432, 429444

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling the speed of a compressor in the event that an airflow meter that measures the airflow from the compressor to the cathode input of the stack fails. When a failure of the airflow meter is detected, an algorithm first deactivates the primary feedback control algorithms used to control cathode pressure and flow, and sets the cathode exhaust valve to a fully open position. The speed of the compressor is controlled by an open loop set-point and the airflow from the compressor is estimated by a model using compressor discharge pressure and the compressor speed. The cathode by-pass valve position is determined by calculating the difference between the requested cathode airflow and the modeled compressor output flow. The position of the by-pass valve is then adjusted using the valve characteristics and the compressor discharge pressure. The estimated airflow to the stack is used to control the maximum stack current.

US Patent:

8642200, Feb 4, 2014

Filed:

Dec 16, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/328470

Inventors:

Matthew C. Kirklin - Pittsford NY, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 2/12
H01M 10/50

US Classification:

429 71, 429428, 429446

Abstract:

A fuel cell system having an adaptable compressor map and method for optimizing the adaptable compressor map is provided. The method includes the steps of establishing an initial operating setpoint for an air compressor based on the adaptable compressor map; monitoring a surge indicator; adjusting the adaptable compressor map based on the monitored surge indicator; determining a desired operating setpoint based on the adjusted adaptable compressor map; and establishing an adapted operating setpoint for the air compressor based on the adaptable compressor map following the adjustment thereof. The steps are repeated until the adaptable compressor map for the air compressor is optimized.

US Patent:

20050214602, Sep 29, 2005

Filed:

Mar 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/811161

Inventors:

Manish Sinha - Pittsford NY, US
Matthew Kirklin - Rochester NY, US
Clark Hochgraf - Rochester NY, US

International Classification:

H01M008/04
H01M016/00

US Classification:

429022000, 429023000, 429009000, 429013000

Abstract:

A fuel cell distributed generation system that employs a load following control algorithm that provides the desired output power from a fuel cell on demand. The system includes a current sensor that measures the current drawn from the fuel cell available to satisfy the application load demands. A fuel cell controller receives the measured current and provides a command signal to the fuel cell to increase or decrease its power generation based on the demand. The controller also defines a maximum current that the system can draw from the fuel cell based on its fuel input. The system may include a battery current sensor that measures battery current to insure that the system battery is not being drained. Also, the system may include a battery voltage sensor that monitors battery voltage drift.