Systems and methods for bypassing fuel cells

• Main Authors: RUSSELL, IAN, EDMONSTON, DAVID, KALIKA, VLAD, FISHER, JOHN, PERRY, MARTIN, WALTH, GARY
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.04.2015
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRICITY; PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Embodiment methods for bypassing a fuel cell in a fuel cell stack include identifying a fuel cell to bypass and connecting a conductive bypass to the fuel cell stack such that the bypass electrically connects a first interconnect in the fuel cell stack and a second interconnect in the fuel cell stack and electrically bypasses the identified fuel cell. Further embodiment methods include applying a conductive sealing material to the fuel cell stack such that the conductive sealing material seals a cathode inlet or outlet of the identified fuel cell and such that the conductive sealing material electrically bypasses the identified fuel cell.