{
  "patent_number": "US 20140045086",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How to Prepare a Fuel Cell for Faster, Cheaper Startup",
  "original_title": "Pre-activation method for fuel cell stack",
  "summary": "This patent describes a method for 'pre-activating' a fuel cell stack by injecting humidified hydrogen, sealing it, and storing it, which helps reduce the time and hydrogen needed for its first full operation.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent outlines a method to prepare a fuel cell stack before its first full use. It involves injecting humidified hydrogen into an inlet manifold of an assembled fuel cell stack (Claim 1). This humidified hydrogen can go into either the cathode or anode inlet manifold (Claim 2). After injection, the fuel cell stack is sealed and then stored for a period of time, such as a day (Claim 3), often at room temperature (Claim 4). This storage step 'pre-activates' the fuel cell, meaning it gets it ready for a quicker and more efficient full activation later (Claim 5). For example, a manufacturer could inject humidified hydrogen into a newly built fuel cell stack, seal it, and let it sit for a day before shipping, making it easier for the end-user to start up.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover activating a fuel cell stack without an initial sealing and storage period after humidified hydrogen injection.",
    "Does not cover pre-activation methods that do not involve injecting humidified hydrogen into an inlet manifold.",
    "Does not cover pre-activation methods that do not include a sealing step for the fuel cell stack.",
    "Does not cover fuel cell activation processes that achieve 100% activation without a prior pre-activation step.",
    "Does not cover methods where the fuel cell stack is stored at temperatures significantly different from room temperature."
  ],
  "filed": "2012-11-30",
  "granted": null,
  "expires": "2032-11-30",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Hyundai Motor",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/hyundai-motor",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Hwan Soo Shin",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/hwan-soo-shin"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jae Hyuk Lee",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/jae-hyuk-lee"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hyun Suk Choo",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/hyun-suk-choo"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sung Keun Lee",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/sung-keun-lee"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 3,
  "tags": [
    "automotive",
    "energy",
    "manufacturing",
    "materials"
  ],
  "abstract": "Disclosed is a pre-activation method for a fuel cell stack, which can reduce the amount of hydrogen used and the processing time required during the regular activation process for the fuel cell stack. The disclosure provides, in part, a pre-activation method including: injecting water droplet-containing, humidified hydrogen into a cathode inlet manifold of a fuel cell stack assembled in an assembly process such that the water droplet-containing hydrogen is supplied to a cathode of the fuel cell stack; and sealing and storing the resulting fuel cell stack for a period of time to pre-activate the fuel cell stack.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20140045086/pre-activation-method-for-fuel-cell-stack",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20140045086/pre-activation-method-for-fuel-cell-stack/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US20140045086",
  "relatedPatents": [
    {
      "patentNumber": "10950878",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How a Fuel Cell Humidifier Controls Air Moisture with a Smart Valve",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10950878/humidifier-for-a-fuel-cell"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "11646431",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How a Fuel Cell Humidifier Adjusts Air Moisture with a Bypass",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11646431/humidifier-for-fuel-cell"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "20200266464",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How a Fuel Cell Humidifier Safely Mixes Exhaust Gases",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20200266464/humidifier-for-fuel-cell-20200266464"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "7846599",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How a High-Temperature Fuel Cell System Starts, Stops, and Recycles Fuel",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7846599/method-for-high-temperature-fuel-cell-system-start-up-and-shutdown"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "5346778",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "Boosting Fuel Cell Power for Vehicles Using Oxygen Injection",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5346778/electrochemical-load-management-system-for-transportation-applications"
    }
  ]
}