Title of Invention

AN ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF .

Abstract The invention relates to fuel cell systems with recirculation of a reactant stream. It addresses the problem that such systems should be operated efficiently over the whole range of operating conditions considering the demanding space requirements in vehicles, and the transition point problem. Thus, an electric power generation system is provided, which comprises: fuel cell stack; reactant supply; multiple ejector assembly (1; 10), comprising a first (7L; 17L) and a second (7H; 17H) motive flow inlet as well as a suction inlet (6) and a discharge outlet (8); pressure regulator (9; 19) for regulating a first motive flow to the multiple jet ejector assembly (1; 10); and first solenoid valve (8H, 18H) for interrupting a fluid connection between the pressure regulator (9; 19) and the second motive flow inlet (7H; 17H). The first solenoid valve (8H, 18H) is adapted to open the fluid connection between the pressure regulator (9; 19) and the second motive flow inlet (7H, 17H) without interrupting a fluid connection between the reactant supply and the first motive flow inlet (7L; 17L).
Full Text AN ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND
METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of The Invention
The present invention relates to an electric power generation system and
method of operation thereof and, generally relates to fuel cell systems and, more
particularly, to fuel cell systems with recirculation of a flud stream.
Description of the Related Art
Electrochemical fuel cell assemblies convert reactants, namely fuel and
oxidant, to generate electric power and reaction products. Electrochemical fuel cell
assemblies generally employ an electrolyte disposed between two electrodes, namely a
cathode and an anode. The electrodes generally each comprise a porous, electrically
conductive sheet material and an electrocatalyst disposed at the interface between the
electrolyte and the electrode layers to induce the desired electrochemical reactions. The
location of the electrocatalyst generally defines the electrochemically active area. •
Solid polymer fuel cell assemblies typically employ a membrane
electrode assembly ("MEA") consisting of a solid polymer electrolyte, or ion exchange
membrane, disposed between two electrode layers. The membrane, in addition to being
an ion conductive (typically proton conductive) material, also acts as a barrier for
isolating the reactant (i.e., fuel and oxidant) streams from each other.
The MEA is typically interposed between two separator plates, which are
substantially impermeable to the reactant fluid streams, to form a fuel cell assembly.
The plates act as current collectors, provide support for the adjacent electrodes, and
typically contain flow field channels for supplying reactants to the MEA or for
circulating coolant. The plates are typically known as flow field plates. The fuel cell
assembly is typically compressed to ensure good electrical contact between the plates
and the electrodes, as well as good sealing between fuel cell components. A plurality of
fuel cell assemblies may be combined electrically, in series or in parallel, to form a fuel
cell stack. In a fuel cell stack, a plate may be shared between two adjacent fuel cell
assemblies, in which case the plate also separates the fluid streams of the two adjacent

fuel cell assemblies. Such plates are commonly referred to as bipolar plates and may
have flow channels for directing fuel and oxidant, or a reactant and coolant, on each
major surface, respectively.
The fuel stream that is supplied to the anode typically comprises
hydrogen. For example, the fuel stream may be a gas such as substantially pure
hydrogen or a reformate stream containing hydrogen. The oxidant stream, which is
supplied to the cathode, typically comprises oxygen, such as substantially pure oxygen,
or a dilute oxygen stream such as air.
Each of the fuel cells making up a stack is typically flooded with the
selected fuel and oxidant at a desired pressure. In certain systems, the desired pressure
is kept constant regardless of load demand, while in other systems the desired pressure
varies according to load demand. In all systems however, the desired pressure is
generally controlled by a regulator at the source of the reactant. Such regulators can
take many forms. For example, where the reactant originates from a source where gas
pressure is higher than the desired pressure, the regulator can take the form of a variable
opening valve system, which lets in as little or as much flow as necessary to
maintain/attain the desired pressure: such regulators are typically called pressure
regulators. In another example, where the reactant originates from a source where gas
pressure is lower than the desired pressure, the regulator can take the form of a
compressor. In yet another example, where the reactant originates from a source where
gas pressure is substantially the same as the desired pressure, the regulator can take the
form of a blower. More than one form of regulator can exist in a system. For example,
Merritt et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,821 discloses a system where the fuel originates from
a high pressure source (pressurized hydrogen) and is controlled by a pressure regulator
before reaching the stack, while the oxidant originates from a low pressure source (the
environment) and is controlled by nn air compressor (i.e., the air is compressed before
reaching the stack).
Pressure regulators operate on a differential basis as the desired pressure
is always set in relation to another pressure, which can be constant (e.g., maintain/attain
a desired pressure over atmospheric pressure) or variable (e.g., maintain/attain a desired
pressure over the pressure in some other part of the system, such other pressure being

variable). For example, in the system disclosed by Merrill et al., U.S. Pat. No.
5,441,821, the compressor sets the desired oxidant pressure in relation to a constant
pressure (atmospheric pressure), while the valve-type pressure regulator sets the desired
fuel stream pressure according to a variable pressure, more specifically to
maintain/attain a desired steady-slate pressure differential between the fuel and oxidant
streams.
Each reactant stream exiting the fuel cell stack generally contains useful
reactant products, such as water and unconsumed fuel or oxidant, which can be made
use of by the fuel cell system. On way to make use of such useful reactant products is
to recirculate the exhaust reactant streams. Therefore, for example, recirculating the
hydrogen exhaust stream to the anode inlet leads to a more efficient system as it
minimizes waste that would result from venting the unconsumed hydrogen to the
atmosphere.
As outlined in Merritt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,821, one way to effect
hydrogen recirculation is through the use of a jet ejector, where the ejector's motive
inlet is fluidly connected to the pressurized hydrogen supply, the ejector's suction inlet
is fluidly connected to the hydrogen exhaust outlet and the ejector's discharge outlet is
fluidly connected to the fuel cell stack's hydrogen stream inlet. As a result, according to
the well known operation of jet ejectors, the hydrogen supply stream entrains (and
therefore recirculates) the relatively low pressure hydrogen exhaust stream, with the two
streams mixing before entering the fuel cell stack's anode inlet.
In light of the wide spectrum of fuel cell stack hydrogen inlet stream
flow rates over which the jet ejector must operate, it has proven difficult to design a
satisfactory jet ejector. Designing a jet ejector to supply the needed inlet flow rate to the
fuel cell stack during maximum-load demand periods results in the nozzle and/or the
throat portion of the diffuser being too large to recirculate the needed hydrogen during
low-load demand periods (e.g., idle periods). Conversely, designing a jet ejector to
recirculate the needed hydrogen during low-load demand periods results in the nozzle
and/or the throat portion of the diffuser being too small to supply the needed inlet flow
rate to the fuel cell stack during maximum-load demand periods.

To address the foregoing problem, a two-stage changeover ejector
system has been proposed by Tatsuya et a]., Japan Publ. No. 2001-266922, where one of
either a low-flow or high-flow ejector is used depending on the conditions prevailing at
the time. However, having two separate ejectors and the related fluid circuitry leads to
space requirement concerns in typical automotive applications. Furthermore, the
transition point in such systems, more specifically when the motive flow course is
changed from the low-flow to the high-flow ejector, typically experiences a sudden drop
in recirculation that often falls below the needed minimum entrainement level. Adding
further ejectors would alleviate the transition point concern but, in turn, would
aggravate the space requirement concerns.
To address the foregoing problem, a two-stage changeover ejector
system has been proposed by Tatsuya et a/., Japan Publ. No. 2001-266922,
where one of either a low-flow or high-flow ejector is used depending on the
conditions prevailing at the time. However, having two separate ejectors and the
related fluid circuitry leads to space requirement concerns in typical automotive
applications. Furthermore, in the ejector system know from Japan- Publ. No.
2001-266922, in dependence on the load conditions of a fuel cell, a three way
valve changes the motive flow course so that the motive flow is no longer
supplied to the low-flow ejector, but only to the high-flow ejector. Hence, the
transition point in such systems, more specifically when the motive flow course is
changed from the low-flow to the high-flow ejector, typically experiences a
sudden drop in recirculation that often falls below the needed minimum
entrainment level. Adding further ejectors would alleviate the transition point
concern but, in turn, would aggravate the space requirement concerns.

US 2002/0022171 A1 discloses fuel cell system comprising a fuel supply
ejector unit with a low-flow ejector and a high-flow ejector. A switching valve,
similar to the three way valve know from Japan Publ. No. 2001-266922, controls
the flow of hydrogen to the low-flow and the high-flow ejectors in dependence on
the load conditions of the fuel cell. During low-load operating conditions the
switching valve directs the flow of hydrogen only to the low-flow ejector. In
contrast, during high-load operating conditions the switching valve directs the
flow of hydrogen only to the high-flow ejector, while the low-flow ejector does not
operate. As a result, also in the fuel cell system known from US 2002/0022171
A1 the transition point experiences a sudden drop in recirculation.
There is therefore a need for a fuel cell system, with recirculation of a
fluid stream, that can operate efficiently over the whole range of a fuel cell stack's
operating conditions and that addresses some of the space requirement concerns typical
in vehicular applications. The present invention addresses these and other needs, and
provides further related advantages.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an apparatus for recirculating a reactant fluid
stream of a fuel cell system having a fuel cell stack with an inlet stream and an exhaust
stream. The apparatus comprises:
- a common suction chamber fluidly connected to a suction inlet
configured to receive a recirculated flow from the exhaust stream of
the fuel cell stack; the common suction chamber may be substantially
cylindrical;
- a low-flow nozzle positioned in the common suction chamber and
fluidly connected to a low-flow motive inlet configured to receive a
first motive flow from a reactant source of the fuel cell stack;
- a low-flow diffuser fluidly connected to a discharge outlet configured
to provide the inlet stream to the fuel cell stack;

- a high-flow nozzle positioned in the common suction chamber and
fluidly connected to a high-flow motive inlet configured to receive
the first motive flow from the reactant source; and
- a high-flow diffuser fluidly connected to the discharge outlet.
The low-flow nozzle and diffuser may be configured to entrain the
recirculated flow and provide the inlet stream at low-load conditions, while the high-
flow nozzle and diffuser may be configured to entrain the recirculated flow and provide
the inlet stream at high-load conditions.
The apparatus may further comprise:
- an uhra-low-llow nozzle positioned in the common suction chamber
and fluidly connected to an ultra-low-flow motive inlet configured to
receive a second motive flow from the reactant source; and
- an ultra-low-flow diffuser fluidly connected to the discharge outlet.
The ultra-low-llow nozzle and diffuser may be configured to entrain a
portion of the recirculated flow and provide a portion of the inlet stream at idle-load
conditions.
The apparatus may further comprise one-way check valves for
preventing flow regress through each diffuser.
The invention also provides an electric power generation system. The
system comprises:
- a fuel cell stack comprising a reactant stream inlet, a reactant stream
outlet and at least one fuel cell;
a pressurized reactant supply;
- a multiple ejector assembly, comprising:
i) a first motive flow inlet fluidly connected to the
pressurized reactant supply,
ii) a second motive flow inlet fluidly connected to the
pressurized reactant supply,
iii) a suction inlet, fluidly connected to the reactant stream
outlet to receive a recirculated flow from the fuel cell
stack, and

iv) a discharge outlet, fluidly connected to the reactant stream
inlet to provide an inlet stream to fuel cell stack;
- a regulator, fluidly connected to, and interposed between, the
pressurized reactant supply and the first and second motive flow
inlets of the multiple jet ejector assembly, for regulating a first
motive flow to the multiple jet ejector assembly; the regulator may be
a pressure control valve; and
- a first solenoid valve, fluidly connected to, and interposed between,
the second motive flow inlet and the regulator.
The electric power generation system provided by the invention may
further comprise:
- a second solenoid valve, fluidly connected to, and interposed
between, the second motive flow inlet and the regulator;
- a by-pass line, fluidly connecting the pressurized reactant supply to
the second motive flow inlet, for supplying a second motive flow to
the multiple jet ejector assembly; and
- a by-pass solenoid valve, fluidly connected to, and interposed in the
bypass line between, the pressurized reactant supply and the second
motive flow inlet.
The first motive flow inlet may be fluidly connected to a first nozzle and
diffuser configured to entrain the recirculated flow and provide the inlet stream at high-
load conditions, while the second motive flow inlet may be fluidly connected to a
second nozzle and diffuser configured to entrain the recirculated flow and provide the
inlet stream at low-load conditions.
The electric power generation system may further comprise a pressure
transducer for detecting the pressure of the first motive flow to the multiple jet ejector
assembly and for assisting in the operation of the first, second and by-pass solenoid
valves.
The invention also provides a method of operating such electric power
generation system, wherein:

- during low-load operating conditions, the second solenoid valve is
opened and the first and by-pass solenoid valves are closed, so that
the first motive flow is directed to the second motive flow inlet; and
- during high-load operating conditions, the second solenoid valve is
closed and the first and by-pass solenoid valves are opened, so that
the first motive flow is directed to the first motive flow inlet and the
second motive flow is directed to the second motive flow inlet.
The multiple jet ejector assembly of the electric power generation system
may further comprise a third motive flow inlet fluidly connected to the pressurized
reactant supply. The third motive flow inlet may fluidly be connected to a third nozzle
and diffuser configured to entrain a portion of the recirculated flow and provide a
portion of the inlet stream at idle-load conditions.
The method of operating such electric power generation system provided
by the invention comprises:
- during all operating conditions, directing a third motive flow from
the pressurized reactant supply to the third motive flow inlet.
The invention also provides an electric power generation system
comprising:
- a fuel cell stack, comprising a first reactant stream inlet configured to
receive a first inlet stream, a second reactant stream inlet configured
to receive a second inlet stream, a first reactant stream outlet and at
least one fuel cell:
- a pressurized reactant supply;
- a multiple jet ejector assembly, comprising:
i) a suction inlet, fluidly connected to the first reactant
stream outlet to receive a recirculated flow,
ii) a discharge outlet, fluidly connected to the first reactant
stream inlet to provide the first inlet stream,
iii) a first motive flow inlet fluidly connected to the
pressurized reactant supply, and

iv) a second motive flow inlet fluidly connected to the
pressurized reactant supply;
a first pressure regulator, fluidly connected to, and interposed
between, the pressurized reactant supply and the first motive flow
inlet, for regulating the pressure of a first motive flow to the first
motive flow inlet, wherein the first pressure regulator is configured
to maintain the pressure of the first inlet stream, in relation to the
pressure of the second inlet stream, at a substantially constant first
pressure differential; and
a second pressure regulator, fluidly connected to, and interposed
between, the pressurized reactant supply and the second motive flow
inlet, for regulating the pressure of a second motive flow to the
second motive flow inlet, wherein the second pressure regulator is
configured to maintain the pressure of the first inlet stream, in
relation to the pressure of the second inlet stream, at a substantially
constant second pressure differential, the second pressure differential
being different from the first pressure differential.
The first motive flow inlet may be fluidly connected to a first nozzle and
diffuser configured to entrain the recirculated flow and provide the inlet stream at high-
load conditions and the second motive flow inlet may be fluidly connected to a second
nozzle and diffuser configured to entrain the recirculated flow and provide the inlet
stream at low-load conditions, the first pressure differential being less than the second
pressure differential.
The invention also provides a pressure regulator, comprising:
- a first reference chamber, configured to be fluidly connected to a
reference feedback line of a first fluid;
- a second reference chamber, configured to be fluidly connected to a
reference feedback line of a second fluid;
- a flexible membrane, fluidly separating the first and second reference
chambers, biased to be in a state of equilibrium whenever the

pressure of the first fluid, in relation to the pressure of the second
fluid, is at a desired pressure differential;
- a regulator inlet, configured to be fiuidly connected to a pressurized
reactant supply;
- a first regulator outlet;
- a second regulator outlet;
- a first passage, fiuidly connecting the regulator inlet and the first
regulator outlet;
- a second passage, fiuidly connecting the regulator inlet and the
second regulator outlet;
- a first movable stem, configured to follow the movement of the
flexible membrane, comprising a first plug configured to open and
close the first passage depending on the position of the first movable
stem; and
- a second movable stem, configured to follow the movement of the
first movable stem after the first movable stem has been displaced by
the flexible membrane by a set distance, comprising a second plug
configured to open and close the second passage depending on the
position of the second movable stem.
The flexible membrane, the first movable stem and the second movable
stem may be arranged such that, as the pressure of the first fluid increases relative to the
pressure of the second fluid, the flexible membrane depresses the first movable stem,
thereby opening the first passage, and after having been displaced by the set distance,
the first movable stem depresses the second movable stem, thereby opening the second
passage.
The second movable stem may comprise an inner axial passage
configured to allow movement of the first movable stem and to fiuidly connect the
regulator inlet and the first regulator outlet, while the first movable stem may be
configured to move inside the inner axial passage of the second movable stem and
engage the second movable stem after having been displaced by the flexible membrane
by the set distance.

The invention may also provide an electric power generation system
comprising:
- a fuel cell stack, comprising a reactant stream inlet, a reactant stream
outlet and at least one fuel cell;
a pressurized reactant supply;
- a multiple jet ejector assembly, comprising:
i) a suction inlet, fluidly connected to the reactant stream
outlet io receive a recirculated flow from the fuel cell
stack,
ii) a discharge outlet, fluidly connected to the reactant stream
inlet to provide an inlet stream to the fuel cell stack,
iii) a first inlet fluidly connected to the pressurized reactant
supply, and
iv) a second inlet fluidly connected to the pressurized
reactant supply; and
- the above-described pressure regulator, fluidly connected to, and
interposed between, the pressurized reactant supply and the multiple
jet ejector assembly, wherein the first regulator outlet is fluidly
connected to the first inlet of the multiple jet ejector assembly and
the second regulator outlet is fluidly connected to the second inlet of
the multiple jet ejector assembly.
Specific details of certain embodiment(s) of the present apparatus/
method are set forth in the detailed description below and illustrated in the enclosed
Figures to provide an understanding of such embodiment(s). Persons skilled in the
technology involved here will understand, however, that the present apparatus/method
has additional embodiments, and/or may be practiced without at least some of the
details set forth in the following description of preferred embodiment(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side sectional view of an embodiment of a double jet
ejector.
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell based electric power
generation system with a double jet ejector, a regulator and an on-off solenoid valve for
recirculation of the fluid fuel stream.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell based electric power
generation system with a double jet ejector, a regulator and three on-off solenoid valves
for recirculation of the fluid fuel stream.
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell based electric power
generation system with a triple jet ejector, a regulator and three on-off solenoid valves
for recirculation of the fluid fuel stream.
Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell based electric power
generation system with a double jet ejector and two regulators for recirculation of the
fluid fuel stream.
Figure 5A is an ideal graph of a fuel cell system's differential pressure
against load demand during operation of the fuel cell system of Figure 5.
Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell based electric power
generation system with a double jet ejector and a double action regulator for
recirculation of the fluid fuel stream.
Figure 7 is a side sectional view of one embodiment of the double action
pressure regulator illustrated schematically in Figure 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 shows a double jet ejector 1 according to an embodiment of the
invention. Jet ejector 1 includes a common suction chamber 2, a low-flow nozzle 3L
and a low-flow diffuser 4L (which, for the sake of simplicity, will collectively be
referred to below as low-flow ejector L), a low-flow check valve 5L, a high-flow nozzle
3H and a high-flow diffuser 4H (which, for the sake of simplicity, will collectively be
referred to below as high-flow ejector H), a high-flow check valve 5H, a suction inlet 6,
fluidly connected to common suction chamber 2, a low-flow motive inlet 7L, fluidly

connected to low-flow nozzle 3L, a high-flow motive inlet 7H, fluidly connected to
high-flow nozzle 3H, and a discharge outlet 8, fluidly connected to low-flow and high-
flow diffusers 4L and 4H. Suction inlet 6 is configured to receive a recirculated flow R
from a fuel cell stack's exhaust stream outlet, low-flow motive inlet 7L and high-flow
motive inlet 7H are configured to receive a motive flow M from a supply stream source
and discharge outlet 8 is configured to provide an inlet stream S to a fuel cell stack.
Inlet stream S is therefore formed by the merger of recirculated flow R and motive flow
M.
Having common suction chamber 2 allows for a more compact design
when compared to systems with two (or more) separate jet ejectors. Common suction
chamber 2 is typically cylindrical, but is not limited to such geometrical characteristic.
Low-flow ejector L is designed to operate efficiently in the low-load
spectrum of operating conditions of a fuel cell stack. Specifically, low-flow ejector L is
designed so that low-flow nozzle 3L and low-flow diffuser 4L are as large as possible
keeping in mind that, at idle operating conditions, a sufficient suction must be created in
common suction chamber 2 to entrain recirculated flow R and a sufficient inlet stream S
must be provided.
High-flow ejector II is designed to operate efficiently in the medium to
high-load spectrum of operating conditions of a fuel cell stack. Specifically, high-flow
ejector H is designed so that high-flow nozzle 3H and high-flow diffuser 4H are as
small as possible keeping in mind that, at maximum flow conditions, a sufficient
suction must be created in common suction chamber 2 to entrain recirculated flow R
and a sufficient inlet stream S must be provided. Maximum flow conditions not only
include the flow necessary during full-load operating conditions of the fuel cell stack,
but also include the flow necessary during purging operations and during fuel cell
system pressure increase operations.
To avoid flow, exiting either one of low-flow ejector L or high-flow
ejector H, from returning to common suction chamber 2 via the other ejector, one-way
valves are placed at each ejector's outlet. In this embodiment, low-flow and high-flow
one-way check valves 5L and 5H are positioned at the end of diffusers 4L and 4
respectively, the check valves being simple flap valves which allow streams SL and SH

to flow out of diffusers 4L and 4H respectively, but nothing to flow in. Stream SL
and/or stream SH produce(s) inlet stream S.
To avoid check valves, a single diffuser may be placed downstream of
low-flow nozzle 3L and high-flow nozzle 3H, i.e., common suction chamber 2 would
be fluidly connected to a single diffuser which, in turn, would produce inlet stream S.
However aligning more than one nozzle with a single diffuser may be problematic: any
flow exiting a nozzle and entering a diffuser off such diffuser's central axis can lead to
decreases in flow optimization. Furthermore, each nozzle works optimally with a
particular diffuser configuration: having a single diffuser for both nozzles can also lead
to decreases in flow optimization.
For reasons of manufacturing simplicity amongst others, low-flow nozzle
3L and high-flow nozzle 3H are typically subsonic (i.e., low-flow nozzle 3L and high-
flow nozzle 3H cannot generate supersonic flow). It is however understood that
supersonic nozzles arc possible pursuant to the invention. Therefore, in one
embodiment (subsonic nozzles), low-flow ejector L has a choking point, beyond which
increases of motive flow M to low-flow ejector L results in lower rates of increase in
the suction power of low-flow ejector L and in the flow of inlet stream S.
Consequently, the transition point T, where the course of motive flow M is switched
from low-flow ejector L to high-flow ejector H, typically occurs around the point where
low-flow ejector L starts choking motive flow M However, it is understood that
transition point T can occur at other points.
When motive flow M is switched from low-flow ejector L to high-flow
ejector H, the pressure of motive flow M is reduced, as high-flow ejector II needs a
lower pressure motive flow M than low-flow ejector L does to generate the same inlet
stream S. From transition point T onwards, the pressure of motive flow M (now
directed to high-flow ejector H) then starts increasing again until full-load conditions.
The consequent problem with the pressure of motive flow M being reduced when
transition point T is reached, is that the suction in common suction chamber 2 (now
generated by high-flow ejector H) experiences a drop leading to a temporary inadequate
suction level ("transition point T problem"): only as the pressure of motive flow M

starts increasing again will the needed suction in common suction chamber 2 be
generated by high-flow ejector H.
Having motive flow M feed both low-flow ejector L and high-flow
ejector H from transition point T onwards (as opposed to switching motive flow M
from low-flow ejector L to high-flow ejector H) may not help to satisfactorily address
the transition point T problem, as explained in further details below, with reference to
Figure 2.
Figure 2 shows double jet ejector 1 being operated on the anode side of a
fuel cell stack system where the desired fuel stream pressure is to be maintained at a
desired steady-slate pressure differential with the oxidant stream. Such differential can
be zero or negative, but it is typically positive (i.e., fuel stream pressure higher than
oxidant stream pressure) as leakage of fuel into the oxidant stream due to MEA failure
is preferred to leakage of oxidant into the fuel stream.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, fuel originates from a high
pressure source (pressurized hydrogen) and is controlled by pressure regulator 9.
Pressure regulator 9 is configured to maintain a desired steady-state pressure differential
between anode inlet stream AIS and cathode inlet stream CIS (for reasons of simplicity,
the source of cathode inlet stream CIS is not shown in Figure 2). Pressure regulator 9
controls motive flow M directed to double jet ejector 1 and on-off solenoid valve 8H
controls the feed of motive flow M to high-flow ejector H. The system shown in Figure
2 operates as follows: from idle conditions upwards, regulator 9 controls motive flow M
directed to low-flow ejector L. When transition point T is reached, solenoid valve 8H
opens. In the current embodiment, transition point T is determined in relation to the
pressure of motive flow M. Consequently, a pressure transducer P, which measures the
pressure of motive flow M, controls solenoid valve 8H. It is however understood that
transition point T can be determined in relation to other factors, such as the state of
regulator 9 or the rate of increase in the pressure of anode inlet stream AIS, in which
case other apparatus besides pressure transducer P would control the opening and
closing of solenoid valve 8H.
As transition point T is reached and solenoid valve 8H opens, regulator 9
automatically reduces the pressure of motive flow M (indeed, a lower pressure motive

flow M is now needed to be fed to high-flow ejector H than was needed to be fed to
low-flow ejector L in order to generate the same inlet stream S that was occurring as
transition point T was reached). Regulator 9 then starts increasing the pressure of
motive flow M again, until full-load conditions are reached. However, this may not
satisfactorily address the transition point T problem because the reduction in suction in
common suction chamber 2 consequent on low-flow ejector L being fed a lower
pressure motive flow M is typically not compensated for by the suction high-flow
ejector H is able to generate with such low pressure motive flow M (so that an
unacceptable suction drop occurs in common suction chamber 2).
Adding further ejectors between low-flow ejector L and high-flow
ejector H, all sharing a common suction chamber (i.e., having a triple or quadruple jet
ejector), is one option for addressing the transition point T problem. However, this
option may create manufacturing and spatial arrangement concerns. Another option is
with the use of a regulator 19 and three on-off solenoid valves (18H, 18L and 18B), as
shown in Figure 3. Operation of double jet ejector 1 according to this embodiment is as
follows.
Starting at idle flow conditions (low-load condition), by-pass solenoid
valve 18B and high-flow solenoid valve 18H arc closed, while low-flow solenoid valve
18L is open. As a result, a first motive flow Ml, controlled by regulator 19 is directed
exclusively to low-flow ejector L (via low-flow motive inlet 17L). When transition
point T is reached, low-flow solenoid valve 18L closes and high-flow solenoid valve
18H opens, so that first motive flow M1, controlled by regulator 19, is directed to high-
flow ejector H (via high-flow motive inlet 17H): for the reasons explained above, when
first motive flow M1 is switched from low-flow ejector L to high-flow ejector H (i.e.,
when transition point T is reached), regulator 19 reduces the pressure of first motive
flow M1 and then starts increasing it again. However, the typical consequent suction
drop in common suction chamber 2 does not occur because of the following reasons.
At substantially the same time as when transition point T is reached, by-
pass solenoid valve 18B opens, so that second motive flow M2 is directed to low-flow
ejector L (via by-pass line 20). Although it can be determined in relation to other
factors, in the current embodiment, transition point T is determined in relation to the

pressure of first motive flow M1 via pressure transducer P. More specifically,
transition point T occurs when the pressure of first motive flow Ml, controlled by
regulator 19, is substantially the same as that of the pressurized hydrogen supply. As a
result, when transition point T occurs, the closing of low-flow solenoid valve 18L and
the opening of by-pass solenoid valve 18B results in substantially no feed change to
low-flow ejector L, as first motive flow Ml, which is substantially the same as that of
the pressurized hydrogen supply, is replaced by second motive flow M2, which is also
substantially the same as that of the pressurized hydrogen supply. Consequently, low-
flow ejector L continues to provide the required suction in common suction chamber 2
as well as the required anode inlet stream AIS. As a result, the reduction in the pressure
of first motive flow M1 by the action of regulator 19, when transition point T occurs,
does not result in an unsatisfactory suction drop in common suction chamber 2. Past
transition point T, regulator 19 then starts increasing the pressure of first motive flow
Ml, so that high-flow ejector H starts to increasingly contributing to anode inlet stream
AIS as well as the required suction in common suction chamber 2.
The underlying principle behind the system outlined above and shown in
Figure 3 can also be employed with multiple jet ejectors (such as triple and quadruple
jet ejectors). Indeed, the principle of feeding lower-flow ejectors with full flow as
higher-flow ejectors are being used is not intrinsically limited to double jet ejectors.
However, as the number of jet ejectors increases, so does the number of regulators and
solenoid valves, consequently creating spatial arrangement concerns.
Whereas the above described embodiment can adequately handle up-
transient conditions in typical motor vehicle application, problems could arise in severe
down-transient conditions. Indeed, referring to Figure 3, a rapid load reduction would
not only result in high-flow solenoid valve 18H and by-pass solenoid valve 18B being
closed and low-flow solenoid valve 18L being opened, but also in regulator 19 being
temporarily closed. Although this would address the request to rapidly reduce the
supply of anode inlet stream AIS, it would result in an undesirable stoppage of
recirculated flow R. As shown in Figure 4, this problem can be addressed by adding an
ultra-low-flow ejector UL that would be constantly fed with a third motive flow M3,
which is substantially the same as that of the pressurized hydrogen supply, irrespective

of operating conditions (thereby creating a triple-jet ejector 10). In one embodiment,
the nozzle of ultra-low-flow ejector UL is positioned in common suction chamber 2,
along with low-flow ejector L and high-flow ejector H , as it is the most efficient
location from a space-saving perspective; it is however possible to have the nozzle of
ultra-low-flow ejector UL positioned in a different suction chamber pursuant to the
invention. Ultra-low-flow ejector UL is designed to supply a percentage of idle-load
requirement and still provide the necessary suction in common suction chamber 2 to
maintain a minimum recirculated flow R.
Because ultra-low-flow ejector UL is constantly fed with a high pressure
stream, there is typically no likelihood of having flow, exiting either one of low-flow
ejector L or high-flow ejector H, returning to common suction chamber 2 via ultra-low-
flow ejector UL. Consequently, there is typically no need to have a one-way check
valve positioned at the downstream end of ultra-low-flow ejector UL. It is however
understood that particularities of a fuel cell system may require that a one-way check
valve be positioned at the downstream end of ultra-low-flow ejector UL.
It should be noted that, according to the invention, the functions
performed by a valve-type regulator and a down-stream on-off solenoid valve can be
combined in a pulse-width modulated valve, such as a fuel ejector. For example,
referring to Figure 4, by replacing on-off solenoid valves (i.e., 18H and 18L) with
pulse-width modulated valves, regulator 19 could be eliminated. Not only can the
pressure of motive flow M reaching low-flow ejector L/high-flow ejector H be
controlled by the modulated valves (by varying the pulse width), but whether motive
flow M reaches low-flow ejector L and/or high-flow ejector H can also be controlled
(by leaving the modulated valves either closed or in operation).
Another way to address the transition point T problem is to replace the
three on-off solenoid valves (18H, 18L and 18B) shown in Figures 3 and 4 with a
second regulator, with each regulator configured to maintain a different desired steady-
state pressure differential between anode inlet stream AIS and cathode inlet stream CIS.
Figure 5 shows how this change would apply to the system shown in Figure 3 (but it is
understood that the system shown in Figure 4 could similarly be modified).

Referring to Figure 5. high-flow regulator 29H is fluidly connected to
high-flow motive inlet 17H and controls motive flow MH directed to high-flow ejector
H, whereas low-flow regulator 29L is fluidly connected to low-flow motive inlet 17L
and controls motive flow ML directed to low-flow ejector L. High-flow regulator 29H
is configured to maintain a desired steady-state pressure differential PDH and low-flow
regulator 29L is configured to maintain a desired steady-state pressure differential PDL,
with steady-state pressure differential PDH being lower than steady-state pressure
differential PDL (PDH configured to maintain the pressure of anode inlet stream AIS at 1 pound-per-square-
inch (psi) over the desired steady-state pressure of cathode inlet stream CIS {i.e.,
desired steady-state pressure differential PDH is +lpsi) and low-flow regulator 29L
may be configured to maintain the pressure of anode inlet stream AIS at 4 psi over the
desired steady-state pressure of cathode inlet stream CIS {i.e., desired steady-state
pressure differential PDL is +4psi).
Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 5 A, the latter being an ideal graph of a
fuel cell system's differential pressure against load demand during operation of the fuel
cell system of Figure 5, a fuel cell system would operate as follows. Referring to line A
of Figure 5A, at low-load demand, the system would be operating at the higher steady-
state pressure differential PDL {i.e.. referring to the above noted example, the system
would be operating at +4psi pressure differential). As load-demand increases, low-flow
regulator 29L opens to maintain such higher steady-state pressure differential PDL, i.e.,
low-flow regulator 29L would vary motive flow ML. Meanwhile, high-flow regulator
29H would remain closed as it would be detecting a pressure differential (PDL) that is
higher than what it is trying to maintain (PDH), i.e., high-flow regulator 29H would not
direct any motive flow MH to high-flow ejector H. When low-flow regulator 29L is
fully opened, further load-demand increases result in a fall in the pressure differential of
the system (as the pressure of anode inlet stream AIS can no longer be satisfactorily
increased versus the increasing pressure of cathode inlet stream CIS). As soon as such
pressure differential endeavors to fall below lower steady-state pressure differential
PDH (i.e., referring to the above noted example, as soon as the system's pressure
differential endavour to fall below +1psi pressure differential), high-flow regulator 29H

starts to open to maintain such lower steady-state pressure differential PDH (i.e., high-
flow regulator 29H would vary motive flow MH). Meanwhile, low-flow regulator 29L
remains fully opened as it is attempting, without success, to bring back the pressure
differential to the higher steady-state pressure differential PDL (i.e., referring to the
above noted example, low-flow regulator 29L is attempting, without success, to
increase the pressure of anode inlet stream AIS so that it is 4psi over the pressure of
cathode inlet stream CIS). This embodiment is advantageous where transition point T
is to occur when further increases in the pressure of motive flow ML leads to
inadequate increases in the pressure of anode inlet stream ATS. It has the advantage of
not requiring the circuitry necessary in the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and
4. However, where transition point T is to occur before further increases in the pressure
of motive flow ML leads to inadequate increases in the pressure of anode inlet stream
AIS, this embodiment is not advantageous. Furthermore, this embodiment may not be
advantageous in fuel cell systems where operations at varying desired steady-state
pressure differential may lead to undesirable instabilities.
It is understood that negative desired steady-state pressure differentials
are possible pursuant to the invention. For example, high-flow regulator 29H could be
configured to maintain the pressure of anode inlet stream AIS at 4 pound-per-square-
inch (psi) below the desired steady-state pressure of cathode inlet stream CIS (i.e.,
desired steady-state pressure differential PDH is -4psi). Low-flow regulator 29L could
then be configured to maintain the pressure of anode inlet stream AIS at 1 psi below the
desired steady-state pressure of cathode inlet stream CIS (i.e., desired steady-state
pressure differential PDL is -1psi), so that steady-state pressure differential PDH
remains lower than steady-state pressure differential PDL (PDH embodiment is represented by line B in Figure 5A.
Another way to address the transition point T problem is to replace the
three on-off solenoid valves (18H, 18L and 18B) and the regulator (9 or 19) shown in
Figures 3 and 4 with a double-action pressure regulator, which will be described in
further details below. Figure 6 shows how this change would apply to the system
shown in Figure 3 (but it is understood that the system shown in Figure 4 could
similarly be modified). Referring to Figure 6, double-action pressure regulator 800 has

one inlet 801, fluidly connected to a high pressure source (pressurized hydrogen), and
two outlets, high-flow outlet 802 and low-flow outlet 803. High-flow outlet 802 is
fluidly connected to high-flow motive inlet 17H and feeds motive flow MH to high-
flow ejector H, whereas low-flow outlet 803 is fluidly connected to low-flow motive
inlet 17L and feeds motive flow ML to low-flow ejector L. As will be explained in
more details below, double-action pressure regulator 800 regulates both motive flow
MH and motive flow ML to maintain a desired steady-state pressure differential
between anode inlet stream AIS and cathode inlet stream CIS.
Figure 7 is a side sectional view of an embodiment of double-action
pressure regulator 800 illustrated schematically in Figure 6. As described above,
pressure regulator 800 has one regulator inlet 801, fluidly connected to a high pressure
source, and high and low flow outlets 802 and 803, fluidly connected to high-flow
ejector M and low-flow ejector L, respectively, of Figure 6. Pressure regulator 800 also
has a first passage 805, fluidly connecting regulator inlet 801 and low-flow outlet 803,
and a second passage 804, fluidly connecting regulator inlet 801 and high-flow outlet
802. Furthermore, pressure regulator 800 is fluidly connected to a reference fuel
feedback line 830 from anode inlet stream AIS and to a reference oxidant feedback line
850 from cathode inlet stream CIS.
In operation, reference fuel feedback line 830 is fed into fuel reference
chamber 831 and reference oxidant feedback line 850 is fed into oxidant reference
chamber 851. Fuel and oxidant reference chambers 831 and 851 are fluidly separated
by a flexible membrane 840 which is biased to be in a state of equilibrium whenever the
pressure differential between the two chambers (831 and 851) is substantially the same
as the desired steady-state pressure differential between anode inlet stream AIS and
cathode inlet stream CIS (for the sake of clarity, the biasing means are not shown in
Figure 7).
Pressure regulator 800 can be used advantageously in a system where the
desired pressure in a first stream is set according to load demand and the desired
pressure in a second stream is varied to maintain a desired steady-state pressure
differential between the first and the second stream. For example, in a system where
desired oxidant pressure is set according to load demand, the desired fuel stream

pressure can be regulated by pressure regulator 800 to maintain the desired steady-state
pressure differential between the fuel and oxidant streams.
In such systems, a load increase results in an increase in oxidant
pressure, which leads to a decrease in the pressure of the reference fuel stream relative
to the pressure of the reference oxidant stream. As a result, flexible membrane 840
moves towards fuel reference chamber 831. Flexible membrane 840 contacts first end
811 of first movable stem 810 and depresses first movable stem 810, and consequently
first plug 815. First plug 815 may be conically shaped so that its movement inside first
passage 805 leads to its gradual opening (or closure). Therefore, the movement of
flexible membrane 840 gradually opens first passage 805 and directs the pressurized
fuel stream to low-flow ejector L through low-flow outlet 803.
First movable stem 810 is positioned inside an inner axial passage of a
second movable stem 820, so that the fluid connection between regulator inlet 801 and
low-flow outlet 803 occurs via the volume of the passage within second movable stem
820 not taken up by first movable stem 810. The volume of the passage within second
movable stem 820 not taken up by First movable stem 810 must be large enough to
allow a sufficient flow from regulator inlet 801 to low flow outlet 803.
First plug 815 will continue to open first passage 805 until the desired
steady-state pressure differential between the fuel and oxidant streams is restored, al
which point flexible membrane 840 will stop moving and settle into a new equilibrium
point.
However, for certain load increases, opening first passage 805 fully will
not restore the desired steady-state pressure differential between the fuel and oxidant
streams (i.e., low-flow ejector L is no longer able restore the desired steady-state
pressure differential). As a result, flexible membrane 840 will continue its movement
towards fuel reference chamber 831. After travelling a set distance X, protrusion 813 of
first movable stem 810 contacts first end 821 of second movable stem 820. In the
embodiment shown in Figure 7, protrusion 813 has a flat lower portion which is shaped
to contact satisfactorily with first end 821. However, it is understood that various
combinations of shapes are possible. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Figure
7, distance X is set so that, when protrusion 813 contacts first end 821, first passage 805

is fully opened. However, it is understood that distance X is set so that protrusion 813
contacts first end 821 when transition point T is reached which, as outlined above, may
occur at various points.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, when protrusion 813 of first
movable stem 810 contacts first end 821 of second movable stem 820, the fluid
connection between regulator inlet 801 and low-flow outlet 803 is interfered with.
Consequently, openings 860 are present in first end 821 of second movable stem 820. It
is however understood that a protrusion that does not interfere with the fluid connection
between regulator inlet 801 and low-flow outlet 803 is possible pursuant to the
invention, so first end 821 of second movable stem 820 without openings 860 is
possible.
After protrusion 813 contacts first end 821 of second movable stem 820,
further movement of flexible membrane 840 towards fuel reference chamber 831
depresses second movable stem 820. and consequently second plug 825. Second plug
825 may be conically shaped so thai its movement inside second passage 804 leads to
its gradual opening (or closure). Therefore, the movement of flexible membrane 840
after protrusion 813 contacts first end 821 of second movable stem 820, gradually opens
second passage 804 and directs pressurized fuel stream to high-flow ejector H through
high-flow outlet 802. Second plug 825 will continue to open second passage 804 until
the desired steady-state pressure differential between the fuel and oxidant streams is
restored, at which point flexible membrane 840 will stop moving and settle into a new
equilibrium point.
As further shown in Figure 7, both first plug 815 and second plug 825
engage first and second spring mechanisms 818 and 828, respectively. First and second
spring mechanisms 818 and 828 enable the foregoing process to be repeated in reverse
(i.e., in a load decrease situation). First and second spring mechanisms 818 and 828
also assist in having fuel not seep past the relevant plug (i.e., first and second plugs 815
and 825) when the relevant movable stem (i.e., first and second movable stem 810 and
820) is not depressed; it should however be noted that this is mainly accomplished by
the effect of the high pressure source being fluidly connected to first and second plugs
815 and 825 (via regulator inlet 801).

In order not to unduly interfere with the biasing means, which ensure that
there is a state of equilibrium whenever the pressure differential between the two
chambers (831 and 851) is substantially the same as the desired steady-state pressure
differential between anode inlet stream AIS and cathode inlet stream CIS, first and
second spring mechanisms 818 and 828 generate significantly lesser forces than such
biasing means.
Although the embodiment shown in Figure 7 is configured to regulate
flow to double-ejectors, it is understood that the invention is not limited to such
embodiment. Indeed, such embodiment can be modified to regulate multiple jet-
ejectors (e.g., triple or quadruple jet ejectors) by adding further movable stems and
associated plugs, which gradually open further passages and direct pressurized fuel
stream to further ejectors through further outlets.
Furthermore, although the foregoing examples relate to power generation
systems in which the fluid fuel stream is recirculated, it is understood that a jet ejector
could also be incorporated into a fuel cell based electric power generation system
employing substantially pure oxygen, originating from a high-pressure source, as the
oxidant stream, the jet ejector being used to recirculate the exhaust oxidant stream. In
this regard, essentially the same principles set forth above with respect to jet ejector
recirculation of the fluid fuel stream could apply to jet ejector recirculation of the fluid
oxidant stream.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific
embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration,
various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

WE CLAIM :
1. An electric power generation system comprising:
- a fuel cell stack comprising a reactant stream inlet, a reactant stream
outlet and at least one fuel cell;
- a pressurized reactant supply;
- a multiple ejector assembly (1; 10), comprising:

- a first motive flow inlet (7L; 17L) fluidly connected to the
pressurized reactant supply,
- a second motive flow inlet (7H; 17H) fluidly connected to the
pressurized reactant supply,
- a suction inlet (6), fluidly connected to the reactant stream outlet
to receive a recirculated flow from the fuel cell stack, and
- a discharge outlet (8), fluidly connected to the reactant stream
inlet to provide an inlet stream to the fuel cell stack;

- a pressure regulator (9; 19), fluidly connected to, and interposed
between, the pressurized reactant supply and the first and second motive flow
inlets (7L, 7H; 17L, 17H) of the multiple jet ejector assembly (1; 10), for
regulating a first motive flow to the multiple jet ejector assembly (1; 10); and
- a first solenoid valve (8H, 18H), fluidly connected to, and interposed
between, the second motive flow inlet (7H; 17H) and the pressure regulator (9;
19), wherein the first solenoid valve (8H; 18H) in a first position is adapted to
interrupt a fluid connection between the pressure regulator (9; 19) and the
second motive flow inlet (7H; 17H) so that fluid provided by the pressurized
reactant supply is supplied only to the first motive flow inlet (7L; 17L),
characterised in that the first solenoid valve (8H, 18H) in a second position
is adapted to open the fluid connection between the pressure regulator (9; 19)
and the second motive flow inlet (7H, 17H) without interrupting a fluid connection
between the pressurized reactant supply and the first motive flow inlet (7L; 17L),
so that fluid provided by the pressurized reactant supply is supplied to the first
motive flow inlet (7L; 17L) and the second motive flow inlet (7H, 17H).

2. The electric power generation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
multiple ejector assembly (1; 10) comprises:
- a common suction chamber (2) fluidly connected to the suction inlet (6);
- a low-flow nozzle (3L) positioned in the common suction chamber (2)
and fluidly connected to the first motive flow inlet (7L; 17L);
- a low-flow d iff user (4L) fluidly connected to the discharge outlet (8);
- a high-flow nozzle (3H) positioned in the common suction chamber (2)
and fluidly connected to the second motive flow inlet (7H, 17H); and
- a high-flow diffuser (4H) fluidly connected to the discharge outlet (8).

3. The electric power generation system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
common suction chamber (2) is substantially cylindrical.
4. The electric power generation system as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein
the multiple ejector assembly (1; 10) comprises:

- a low-flow one-way check valve (5L) for preventing flow regress through
the low-flow diffuser (4L); and
- a high-flow one-way check valve (5H) for preventing flow regress through
the high-flow diffuser (4H).
5. The electric power generation system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to
4, wherein:
- the low-flow nozzle (3L) and low-flow diffuser (4L) are configured to
entrain the recirculated flow and provide the inlet stream at low-load conditions;
and
- the high-flow nozzle (3H) and high-flow diffuser (4H) are configured to
entrain the recirculated flow and provide the inlet stream at high-load conditions.
6. The electric power generation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
5, wherein the multiple ejector assembly (1; 10) comprises:

- an ultra-low-flow nozzle positioned in the common suction chamber (2)
and fluidly connected to an ultra-low-flow motive inlet configured to receive a
second motive flow from the reactant source; and
- an ultra-low-flow diffuser fluidly connected to the discharge outlet (8).
7. The electric power generation system as claimed in claim 6, comprising
an ultra-low-flow one-way check valve for preventing flow regress through the
ultra-low-flow diffuser.
8. The electric power generation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
7, comprising:
- a second solenoid valve (18L), fluidly connected to, and interposed
between, the first motive flow inlet (17L) and the regulator (19);
- a bypass line (20) bypassing the pressure regulator (19) and fluidly
connecting the pressurized reactant supply to the first motive flow inlet (17L), for
supplying a second motive flow to the multiple jet ejector assembly (1; 10); and
- a bypass solenoid valve (18B), fluidly connected to, and interposed in
the bypass line (20) between the pressurized reactant supply and the first motive
flow inlet (7L).
9. The electric power generation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
8, wherein the pressure regulator (9; 19) is a pressure control valve for regulating
the pressure of the first motive flow to the multiple jet ejector assembly (1; 10).
10. The electric power generation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
9, comprising a pressure transducer (P) for detecting the pressure of the first
motive flow to the multiple jet ejector assembly (1; 10) and for assisting in the
operation of the first, second and bypass solenoid valves (8H, 18H, 18L, 18B).
11. The electric power generation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
10, wherein the multiple jet ejector assembly (10) comprises a third motive flow
inlet fluidly connected to the pressurized reactant supply.

12. The electric power generation system as claimed in claim 11, wherein:
- the third motive flow inlet is fluidly connected to a third nozzle and
diffuser configured to entrain a portion of the recirculated flow and provide a
portion of the inlet stream at idle-load conditions.
13. The electric power generation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
12, wherein the fuel cell stack further comprises a second reactant stream inlet
configured to receive a second inlet stream; wherein the electric power
generation system comprises:
- a pressure regulator (29H), fluidly connected to, and interposed
between, the pressurized reactant supply and the second motive flow inlet (17L),
for regulating the pressure of the first motive flow to the second motive flow inlet
(17L), wherein the pressure regulator (29L) is configured to maintain the
pressure of a first inlet stream, in relation to the pressure of a second inlet
stream, at a substantially constant first pressure differential; and
- a further pressure regulator (29L), fluidly connected to, and interposed
between, the pressurized reactant supply and the first motive flow inlet (17L), for
regulating the pressure of a second motive flow to the first motive flow inlet
(17L), wherein the further pressure regulator (29L) is configured to maintain the
pressure of the first inlet stream, in relation to the pressure of the second inlet
stream, at a substantially constant second pressure differential,
wherein the first pressure differential is different from the second pressure
differential.
14. The electric power generation system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
first pressure differential is less than the second pressure differential.
15. The electric power generation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
14, comprising a regulator (800), the regulator (800) comprising:
- a first reference chamber (831), configured to be fluidly connected to a
reference feedback line (830) of a first fluid;

- a second reference chamber (851), configured to be fluidly connected to
a reference feedback line (850) of a second fluid;
- a flexible membrane (840), fluidly separating the first and second
reference chambers (831, 851), biased to be in a state of equilibrium whenever
the pressure of the first fluid, in relation to the pressure of the second fluid, is at
a desired pressure differential;
- a regulator inlet (801), configured to be fluidly connected to a
pressurized reactant supply;

- a first regulator outlet (803);
- a second regulator outlet (802);
- a first passage (805), fluidly connecting the regulator inlet (801) and the
first regulator outlet (803);
- a second passage (804), fluidly connecting the regulator inlet (801) and
the second regulator outlet (802);
- a first movable stem (810), configured to follow the movement of the
flexible membrane (840), comprising a first plug (815) configured to open and
close the first passage (805) depending on the position of the first movable stem
(810); and
- a second movable stem (820), configured to follow the movement of the
first movable stem (810) after the first movable stem (810) has been displaced
by the flexible membrane (840) by a set distance, comprising a second plug
(825) configured to open and close the second passage (804) depending on the
position of the second movable stem (820).
16. The electric power generation system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the
flexible membrane (840), the first movable stem (810) and the second movable
stem (820) are arranged such that, as the pressure of the first fluid increases
relative to the pressure of the second fluid, the flexible membrane (840)
depresses the first movable stem (810), thereby opening the first passage (805),
and after having been displaced by the set distance, the first movable stem (810)
depresses the second movable stem (820), thereby opening the second
passage (804).

17. The electric power generation system as claimed in claim 15 or 16,
wherein:
- the second movable stem (820) comprises an inner axial passage
configured to allow movement of the first movable stem (810) and to fluidly
connect the regulator inlet (801) and the first regulator outlet (803);
- the first movable stem (810) is configured to move inside the inner axial
passage of the second movable stem (820) and engage the second movable
stem (820) after having been displaced by the flexible membrane (840) by the
set distance.
18. A method of operating the electric power generation system as claimed in
any one of claims 1 to 17 comprising:
- during low-load operating conditions, closing the first solenoid valve (8H;
18H), so that the first motive flow is directed to the first motive flow inlet (7L;
17L), and
- during high-load operating conditions, opening the first solenoid valve
(8H, 18H), so that the first motive flow is directed to the first motive flow inlet (7L;
17L) and the second motive flow inlet (7H; 17H).
19. The method as claimed in claim 18, comprising:
- during low-load operating conditions, opening the second solenoid valve
(18L) and closing the first and bypass solenoid valves (18H, 18B), so that the
first motive flow is directed to the first motive flow inlet (17L); and
- during high-load operating conditions, closing the second solenoid valve
(18L) and opening the first and bypass solenoid valves (18H. 18), so that the first
motive flow is directed to the second motive flow inlet (17H) and the second
motive flow is directed to the first motive flow inlet (17L).
20. A method as claimed in claim 19, comprising during all operating
conditions, directing a third motive flow from the pressurized reactant supply to
the third motive flow inlet.

The invention relates to fuel cell systems with recirculation of a reactant stream. It
addresses the problem that such systems should be operated efficiently over the whole
range of operating conditions considering the demanding space requirements in vehicles,
and the transition point problem. Thus, an electric power generation system is provided,
which comprises: fuel cell stack; reactant supply; multiple ejector assembly (1; 10),
comprising a first (7L; 17L) and a second (7H; 17H) motive flow inlet as well as a suction
inlet (6) and a discharge outlet (8); pressure regulator (9; 19) for regulating a first motive
flow to the multiple jet ejector assembly (1; 10); and first solenoid valve (8H, 18H) for
interrupting a fluid connection between the pressure regulator (9; 19) and the second
motive flow inlet (7H; 17H). The first solenoid valve (8H, 18H) is adapted to open the fluid
connection between the pressure regulator (9; 19) and the second motive flow inlet (7H,
17H) without interrupting a fluid connection between the reactant supply and the first
motive flow inlet (7L; 17L).

Documents:

703-kolnp-2006-granted-abstract.pdf

703-kolnp-2006-granted-assignment.pdf

703-kolnp-2006-granted-claims.pdf

703-kolnp-2006-granted-correspondence.pdf

703-kolnp-2006-granted-description (complete).pdf

703-kolnp-2006-granted-drawings.pdf

703-kolnp-2006-granted-examination report.pdf

703-kolnp-2006-granted-form 1.pdf

703-kolnp-2006-granted-form 18.pdf

703-kolnp-2006-granted-form 3.pdf

703-kolnp-2006-granted-form 5.pdf

703-kolnp-2006-granted-gpa.pdf

703-kolnp-2006-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

703-kolnp-2006-granted-specification.pdf


Patent Number 227328
Indian Patent Application Number 703/KOLNP/2006
PG Journal Number 02/2009
Publication Date 09-Jan-2009
Grant Date 06-Jan-2009
Date of Filing 24-Mar-2006
Name of Patentee BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC.
Applicant Address 4343 NORTH FRASER WAY, BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA V5J 5J9
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 BALSZCZYK, JANUSZ #68-6588 BARNARD DRIVE, RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA V7J 2N8
2 SCHMIDT, RAINER 4477 PORTLAND STREET, BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA V5J 2N8
3 FLECK, WOLFRAM 1532 HARBOUR DRIVE, COQUITLAM, BRITISH COLUMBIA V3J 5V5
4 PATERSON, PAUL, L. #903-1050 BURRARD STREET, VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA V6Z 2S3
PCT International Classification Number H01M 8/04
PCT International Application Number PCT/US2004/030707
PCT International Filing date 2004-09-17
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 10/666,919 2003-09-18 U.S.A.