Electrochemical sensor for monitoring electrochemical potentials of fuel cell components

Patent · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 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

/205/204/
action
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capillary
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electric
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electric potentials
electrochemical
electrochemical potential
electrochemical sensor
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electrolyte
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steady
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water
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wires