# How to Prepare a Fuel Cell for Faster, Cheaper Startup > 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. - **Patent:** US 20140045086 - **Original title:** Pre-activation method for fuel cell stack - **Owner:** Hyundai Motor - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 3 - **Field:** automotive, energy, manufacturing, materials ## 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. ## The clever bit The clever part is realizing that a simple, passive step of sealing and storing a fuel cell with humidified hydrogen can significantly reduce the resources needed for its later, more intensive full activation. This 'pre-activation' allows the internal components to condition themselves over time, rather than requiring immediate, active processing. ## Real-world examples 1. Manufacturing processes for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles 2. Assembly lines for stationary fuel cell power generators 3. Quality control steps for new fuel cell stacks 4. Preparation of fuel cells for long-term storage or shipping ## Why it matters Fuel cells need to be 'activated' before they can work efficiently, which often uses a lot of hydrogen and takes time. This method aims to make that initial activation process much faster and use less hydrogen. By pre-activating the fuel cell during manufacturing or assembly, it can save resources and streamline the production process. This could lead to more cost-effective and environmentally friendly fuel cell systems. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How to Prepare a Fuel Cell for Faster, Cheaper Startup cover? 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. ### Who owns patent US 20140045086? This patent is owned by Hyundai Motor. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on November 30, 2032, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 20140045086 cited by? This patent has been cited by 3 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? Fuel cells need to be 'activated' before they can work efficiently, which often uses a lot of hydrogen and takes time. This method aims to make that initial activation process much faster and use less hydrogen. By pre-activating the fuel cell during manufacturing or assembly, it can save resources and streamline the production process. This could lead to more cost-effective and environmentally friendly fuel cell systems. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover activating a fuel cell stack without an initial sealing and storage period after humidified hydrogen injection. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20140045086/pre-activation-method-for-fuel-cell-stack **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US20140045086 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How a Fuel Cell Humidifier Controls Air Moisture with a Smart Valve](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10950878/humidifier-for-a-fuel-cell) — This patent describes a fuel cell humidifier that uses two humidifying spaces and a controllable valve to precisely adjust the moisture content of incoming air before it reaches the fuel cell stack, improving efficiency and durability. - [How a Fuel Cell Humidifier Adjusts Air Moisture with a Bypass](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11646431/humidifier-for-fuel-cell) — This patent describes a fuel cell humidifier that uses a special bypass path to precisely control how much moisture is added to dry air, improving fuel cell performance. - [How a Fuel Cell Humidifier Safely Mixes Exhaust Gases](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20200266464/humidifier-for-fuel-cell-20200266464) — Hyundai's patent describes a fuel cell humidifier that not only adds moisture to incoming air but also intelligently mixes exhaust gases, including hydrogen, with fresh air using a special valve to make the exhaust safer before it leaves the system. - [How a High-Temperature Fuel Cell System Starts, Stops, and Recycles Fuel](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7846599/method-for-high-temperature-fuel-cell-system-start-up-and-shutdown) — This patent describes a fuel cell system that uses a smaller, secondary fuel cell to power itself during startup and shutdown, and to recycle hydrogen from its exhaust during normal operation. - [Boosting Fuel Cell Power for Vehicles Using Oxygen Injection](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5346778/electrochemical-load-management-system-for-transportation-applications) — A system that boosts a vehicle's fuel cell power by injecting pure oxygen into the air supply when the engine needs extra energy.