초록 ▼

A sensor system for sensing the relative humidity level of gas stream in a fuel cell includes a humidity sensor that senses the relative humidity of a gas stream and generates a relative humidity signal. A pressure sensor senses the pressure of the gas stream and generates a pressure signal. A tempe

A sensor system for sensing the relative humidity level of gas stream in a fuel cell includes a humidity sensor that senses the relative humidity of a gas stream and generates a relative humidity signal. A pressure sensor senses the pressure of the gas stream and generates a pressure signal. A temperature sensor senses the temperature of the gas stream and generates a temperature signal. A compensator is connected to the humidity sensor, the temperature sensor and/or the pressure sensor. The compensator generates a compensated relative humidity signal based on the relative humidity signal, the temperature signal and/or the pressure signal. Additional inputs to the compensator can include one or more gas composition sensors that determine the concentration of one or more gases.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for sensing the relative humidity of a fuel cell, comprising;a humidity sensor that senses the relative humidity of a gas stream supplied to an electrode of said fuel cell and that generates a relative humidity signal;a first sensor that senses at least one of pressure and temperature of

1. A system for sensing the relative humidity of a fuel cell, comprising;a humidity sensor that senses the relative humidity of a gas stream supplied to an electrode of said fuel cell and that generates a relative humidity signal;a first sensor that senses at least one of pressure and temperature of said gas stream and generates at least one of a temperature signal and a pressure signal; anda compensator that is connected to said humidity sensor and said first sensor and that generates a compensated relative humidity signal based on said relative humidity signal and said at least one of said temperature signal and said pressure signal; andwherein said gas stream is provided by one of a reformate source and a hydrogen source to said electrode which is an anode of said fuel cell. 2. A system for sensing the relative humidity of a fuel cell comprising:a humidity sensor that senses the relative humidity of a gas stream supplied to an electrode of said fuel cell and that generates a relative humidity signal;a first sensor that senses at least one of pressure and temperature of said gas stream and generates at least one of a temperature signal and a pressure signal; anda compensator that is connected to said humidity sensor and said first sensor and that generates a compensated relative humidity signal based on said relative humidity signal and said at least one of said temperature signal and said pressure signal; anda gas composition sensor for sensing a concentration of a first gas in said gas stream and for generating a first gas concentration signal. 3. The system of claim 2 wherein said gas stream is provided by one of an air source and an oxygen source to said electrode which is a cathode of said fuel cell. 4. The system of claim 2 wherein said compensator is connected to said gas composition sensor and wherein said compensated relative humidity signal is based on said relative humidity signal, said at least one of said temperature and said pressure signal, and said first gas composition signal. 5. The system of claim 2 wherein said first gas is one of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. 6. A system for sensing the relative humidity of a fuel cell, comprising:a humidity sensor that senses the relative humidity of a gas stream and generates a humidity signal;a gas composition sensor for sensing a concentration of a first gas in said gas stream and for generating a first gas composition signal; anda compensator that is connected to said humidity sensor and said temperature sensor and that generates a compensated relative humidity signal based on said relative humidity signal and said first gas composition signal. 7. The system of claim 6 further comprising:a pressure sensor that generates a pressure signal that is based on a pressure of said gas stream. 8. The system of claim 7 wherein said compensator is connected to said pressure sensor and wherein said compensated relative humidity signal is based on said relative humidity signal, said first gas compensation signal and said pressure signal. 9. The system of claim 6 further comprising:a humidifier; anda controller connected to said compensation circuit and said humidifier for increasing said relative humidity of said gas stream based on said compensated relative humidity signal. 10. The system of claim 6 wherein said gas stream is provided by one of a reformate source and a hydrogen source to an anode of said fuel cell. 11. The system of claim 6 wherein said gas stream is provided by one of an air source and an oxygen source to a cathode of said fuel cell. 12. The system of claim 6 wherein said compensator includes memory containing look-up tables that are used to generate said compensated relative humidity signal. 13. The system of claim 6 wherein said compensator employs mathematical formulas that are used to generate said compensated relative humidity signal. 14. The system of claim 6 further comprising:a temperature sensor that senses a temperature of said gas stream and generates a temperature signal. 15. The system of claim 14 wherein said compensator is connected to said temperature sensor and wherein said compensated relative humidity signal is based on said relative humidity signal, said first gas compensation signal and said temperature signal. 16. The system of claim 6 wherein said first gas is one of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. 17. A system for sensing the relative humidity of a fuel cell, comprising:a humidity sensor that senses the relative humidity of a hydrogen-containing gas stream and generates a relative humidity signal;a first sensor that senses at least one of pressure and temperature of said gas stream and generates at least one of a temperature signal and a pressure signal; anda compensator that is connected to said humidity sensor and said first sensor and that generates a compensated relative humidity signal based on said relative humidity signal and said at least one of said temperature signal and said pressure signal. 18. The system of claim 17 further comprising:a humidifier; anda controller connected to said compensator and said humidifier for increasing said relative humidity of said gas stream based on said compensated relative humidity signal. 19. The system of claim 17 wherein said compensator includes memory containing look-up tables. 20. The system of claim 17 wherein said compensator employs mathematical formulas to determine said compensated relative humidity signal.