Electrochemical sensor for monitoring electrochemical potentials of fuel cell components

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:869012

Kunz, Harold R ^[1]; Breault, Richard D ^[2]

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1. Vernon, CT
2. Coventry, CT

An electrochemical sensor comprised of wires, a sheath, and a conduit can be utilized to monitor fuel cell component electric potentials during fuel cell shut down or steady state. The electrochemical sensor contacts an electrolyte reservoir plate such that the conduit wicks electrolyte through capillary action to the wires to provide water necessary for the electrolysis reaction which occurs thereon. A voltage is applied across the wires of the electrochemical sensor until hydrogen evolution occurs at the surface of one of the wires, thereby forming a hydrogen reference electrode. The voltage of the fuel cell component is then determined with relation to the hydrogen reference electrode.

• Research Organization: INTERNATIONAL FUEL CELLS CORP
• DOE Contract Number: AC21-88MC24221
• Assignee: International Fuel Cells Corporation (South Windsor, CT)
• Patent Number(s): US 5262034
• OSTI ID: 869012
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

electrochemical
sensor
monitoring
potentials
fuel
cell
components
comprised
wires
sheath
conduit
utilized
monitor
component
electric
shut
steady
contacts
electrolyte
reservoir
plate
wicks
capillary
action
provide
water
electrolysis
reaction
occurs
thereon
voltage
applied
hydrogen
evolution
surface
forming
reference
electrode
determined
relation
cell component
electrolyte reservoir
fuel cell
cell components
electrochemical sensor
chemical sensor
reference electrode
electric potential
capillary action
reservoir plate
electric potentials
electrochemical potential
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