US 12,283,727 B2
Hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems and methods of operating the same
Michael Tyler Hicks, Bend, OR (US)
Assigned to H2 PowerTech, LLC, Bend, OR (US)
Filed by H2 PowerTech, LLC, Bend, OR (US)
Filed on Aug. 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/889,295.
Prior Publication US 2024/0063411 A1, Feb. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. H01M 8/0438 (2016.01); H01M 8/04082 (2016.01); H01M 8/04223 (2016.01); H01M 8/04302 (2016.01); H01M 8/04537 (2016.01); H01M 8/04664 (2016.01); H01M 8/04746 (2016.01)
CPC H01M 8/04432 (2013.01) [H01M 8/04201 (2013.01); H01M 8/04231 (2013.01); H01M 8/04302 (2016.02); H01M 8/04604 (2013.01); H01M 8/04679 (2013.01); H01M 8/04753 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a hydrogen-producing fuel cell system (HPFCS), the method comprising:
initiating supply of a stored hydrogen stream, which includes stored hydrogen gas, to a fuel cell stack, wherein, prior to the initiating, the stored hydrogen gas is stored in a low-pressure hydrogen storage tank at a hydrogen storage pressure;
generating an electrical power output from the stored hydrogen gas with the fuel cell stack;
during a supply time interval, which is subsequent to the initiating, monitoring a hydrogen supply variable that is indicative of flow of the stored hydrogen stream to the fuel cell stack, wherein the hydrogen supply variable includes a hydrogen supply pressure of stored hydrogen gas;
detecting a change in the hydrogen supply variable that is greater than a threshold hydrogen supply variable change, wherein the detecting includes calculating, during the supply time interval, a change in the hydrogen supply pressure as a difference between the hydrogen supply pressure prior to the initiating and the hydrogen supply pressure subsequent to the initiating; and
responding to the detecting.