Fuel cell system

Abstract

A fuel cell arrangement including an arrangement for improving start up by heating the fuel cell through supplying selectively heated exhaust gases from the reformer to the air port of the fuel cell.

We claim: 
     
       1. A fuel cell system for generating electrical power from a reaction of a reformed fuel with air in said fuel cell comprising a source of fuel, a reformer for reforming fuel from said source through the application of heated air thereto, and valve means for selectively supplying the heated air exhausted from said reformer to an air port of said fuel cell for rapid start up or unheated air to the air port of said fuel cell for normal operation thereof. 
     
     
       2. A fuel cell system as set forth in claim 1 further including blower means for delivering the air to the fuel cell. 
     
     
       3. A fuel cell system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the blower is positioned in the system for drawing air through an exhaust pipe of the reformer. 
     
     
       4. A fuel cell system as set forth in claim 3 wherein the blower is positioned between the reformer exhaust pipe and the air port of the fuel cell. 
     
     
       5. A fuel cell system as set forth in claim 3 wherein the blower is positioned downstream of the fuel cell. 
     
     
       6. A fuel cell system as set forth in claim .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.wherein the valve means comprises valve means for selectively communicating the exhaust pipe of the reformer with the air port of the fuel cell or with the atmosphere and for selectively communicating atmospheric air with the air port of the fuel cell when the exhaust pipe is not communicating with the air port of the fuel cell. 
     
     
       7. A fuel cell system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the valve means comprises a single four port, two way valve. 
     
     
       8. A fuel cell system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the valve means comprises three two port, two way valves. 
     
     
       9. A fuel cell system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the valve means comprises one three port, two way valve and one two port, two way valve.