초록 ▼

Micro fuel cell systems whose performance is enhanced by an accurate fluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system improves reactant fluid provision to meet electrical output, while maintaining correct stoichiometries for chemical processing in a downstream reactor. The fluid delivery system incl

Micro fuel cell systems whose performance is enhanced by an accurate fluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system improves reactant fluid provision to meet electrical output, while maintaining correct stoichiometries for chemical processing in a downstream reactor. The fluid delivery system includes a pressure source and a differential flow meter. The differential flow meter uses a flow restrictor and a sensor. The pressure source moves a fluid through the flow restrictor; the sensor detects differential pressure in the flow restrictor and outputs a signal that permits dynamic control of fluid flow, e.g., by controlling a pump.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for controlling liquid delivery in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system, the method comprising:moving a liquid at a flow rate using a pressure source, wherein the flow rate is between about 10 and about 200 milliliters per hour;flowing the liquid through a diff

What is claimed is: 1. A method for controlling liquid delivery in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system, the method comprising:moving a liquid at a flow rate using a pressure source, wherein the flow rate is between about 10 and about 200 milliliters per hour;flowing the liquid through a differential flow meter, wherein the differential flow meter is disposed after the pressure source in a flow path and before receipt of the liquid by a fuel processor included in the fuel cell system, the differential flow meter including a flow restriction and at least one sensor that is configured to measure differential pressure in the liquid before and after the liquid passes the flow restriction, wherein the flow restriction includes an orifice with a smaller opening than a line that supplies the liquid to the flow restriction;as the liquid flows past the flow restriction in the differential flow meter, using the at least one sensor of the differential flow meter to measure the differential pressure of the liquid before and after the liquid passes the flow restriction;determining flow rate of the liquid using the differential pressure; andchanging the flow rate of the liquid.