초록 ▼

In a fuel-cells system 20, cooling water circulating through a cooling water flow path 28 is heated by heat exchange carried out in fuel cells 22, subsequently cooled down by a radiator 26, and fed again to the fuel cells 22. A cooling water pump 30 gives a driving force used for circulating the coo

In a fuel-cells system 20, cooling water circulating through a cooling water flow path 28 is heated by heat exchange carried out in fuel cells 22, subsequently cooled down by a radiator 26, and fed again to the fuel cells 22. A cooling water pump 30 gives a driving force used for circulating the cooling water through the cooling water flow path 28. A control unit 50 of the fuel-cells system 20 measures an inlet cooling water temperature T1 and an outlet cooling water temperature T2 of the fuel cells 22 and calculates a difference .DELTA.T between the observed temperatures T1 and T2. When the difference .DELTA.T is not less than a reference value set equal to 5.degree. C., the control unit 50 determines that a distribution of internal temperature of the fuel cells 22 is in a predetermined non-uniform state. The control unit 50 then increases the driving voltage of the cooling water pump 30 to equalize the internal temperature of the fuel cells 22.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A fuel-cells system comprising a fuel cell which receives a supply of gaseous fuel containing at least hydrogen and a supply of oxidizing gas containing at least oxygen and generates an electromotive force through an electrochemical reaction of the gaseous fuel and the ox

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A fuel-cells system comprising a fuel cell which receives a supply of gaseous fuel containing at least hydrogen and a supply of oxidizing gas containing at least oxygen and generates an electromotive force through an electrochemical reaction of the gaseous fuel and the oxidizing gas, said fuel-cells system comprising:a cooling liquid feed unit which feeds a cooling liquid to said fuel cell, the cooling liquid passing through said fuel cell and thereby cooling down said fuel cell;a temperature distribution detection unit which detects a value reflecting a state of temperature distribution in said fuel cell; anda cooling liquid feed control unit which determines whether or not the state of temperature distribution in said fuel cell corresponds to a predetermined non-uniform state, based on the detection by said temperature distribution detection unit, and when the state of temperature distribution is determined to be the predetermined non-uniform state, controls said cooling liquid feed unit to increase a flow of the cooling liquid fed to said fuel cell per unit time.