CN100382383C - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Fuel cell system Download PDF

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Publication number
CN100382383C
CN100382383C CNB028276205A CN02827620A CN100382383C CN 100382383 C CN100382383 C CN 100382383C CN B028276205 A CNB028276205 A CN B028276205A CN 02827620 A CN02827620 A CN 02827620A CN 100382383 C CN100382383 C CN 100382383C
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CN
China
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
battery
voltage
heap
difference
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Expired - Fee Related
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CNB028276205A
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Chinese (zh)
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CN1618143A (en
Inventor
马丁·T.·皮尔逊
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Siemens VDO Electric Drives Inc
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Siemens VDO Electric Drives Inc
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Priority claimed from US10/017,470 external-priority patent/US6841275B2/en
Priority claimed from US10/017,462 external-priority patent/US7144646B2/en
Priority claimed from US10/017,461 external-priority patent/US6573682B1/en
Application filed by Siemens VDO Electric Drives Inc filed Critical Siemens VDO Electric Drives Inc
Publication of CN1618143A publication Critical patent/CN1618143A/en
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Publication of CN100382383C publication Critical patent/CN100382383C/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
    • H01M8/04537—Electric variables
    • H01M8/04574—Current
    • H01M8/04597—Current of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M16/00—Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators
    • H01M16/003—Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
    • H01M16/006—Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
    • H01M8/0432—Temperature; Ambient temperature
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
    • H01M8/04537—Electric variables
    • H01M8/04544—Voltage
    • H01M8/04567—Voltage of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
    • H01M8/04537—Electric variables
    • H01M8/04574—Current
    • H01M8/04589—Current of fuel cell stacks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
    • H01M8/04746—Pressure; Flow
    • H01M8/04753—Pressure; Flow of fuel cell reactants
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
    • H01M8/04858—Electric variables
    • H01M8/04895—Current
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J1/00—Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
    • H02J1/001—Hot plugging or unplugging of load or power modules to or from power distribution networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J1/00—Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
    • H02J1/08—Three-wire systems; Systems having more than three wires
    • H02J1/082—Plural DC voltage, e.g. DC supply voltage with at least two different DC voltage levels
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/34—Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J2300/00—Systems for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by decentralized, dispersed, or local generation
    • H02J2300/30—The power source being a fuel cell
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell system having a battery employs a first stage that regulates current through a series pass element in response to a greater of a battery charging current error, a battery voltage error and a stack current error. The fuel cell system employs a second stage that controls a partial pressure of a reactant flow to the fuel cell stack based on a deviation of voltage across the series pass element, or based on a battery condition. The fuel cell system may employ either, or both, of the stages. Individual fuel cell systems can be combined in series and/or parallel to produce a combined fuel cell system having a desired output voltage and current.

Description

Fuel cell system
Technical field
The present invention relates generally to fuel cell system, be specifically related to control the output voltage of fuel cell system.
Background technology
Electrochemical fuel cell is converted into fuel and oxidant.Solid polymer electrochemical fuel cells adopts membrane electrode assembly (" MEA ") usually, membrane electrode assembly is included in amberplex or the solid polymer electrolyte that is provided with between two electrodes, described electrode typical case comprises porous, conduction sheet material layer, for example carbon fiber paper or carbon cloth.MEA is included in each membrane electrode at the interface with the catalyst layer of the form of the platinum of fine grinding, to cause required electrochemical reaction.At work, electrode is electrically connected so that electronics conducts between electrode by external circuit.Typically, a plurality of MEA are electrically connected with series system, thereby form fuel cell pack with power demand output.
In typical fuel cell, between two conductor fluid flow-field plate or dividing plate, MEA is set.Fluid flow field plates has flow channel being that anode and negative electrode are introduced fuel and oxidant respectively to electrode.Fluid flow field plates provides support, provides admission passage and the removal of the water that for example forms for product provides passage for fuel and oxidant during operation of fuel cells as collector, for electrode.Fuel cell system can adopt product to keep reaction.For example, reaction water can be used for the hydrated ion exchange membrane and/or keeps the temperature of fuel cell pack.
The heap electric current is the positive function of stream of reactants, along with this heap electric current increase of increase of stream of reactants.Heap voltage is with respect to piling electric current with nonlinear mathematical relationship inverse change.Relation between heap voltage under the given stream of reactants and heap electric current is typically expressed as the polarization curve of fuel cell pack.One group or gang's polarization curve can be represented the heap voltage-to-current relation with various reactant flow speed.
In great majority are used, wish to keep the fuel cell stack voltage output of substantial constant.A kind of method is to adopt a kind of battery in fuel cell system, thereby provides extra electric current during above the output of fuel cell pack when the needs of load.This method needs independent charge power supply of battery to keep the charging to this battery usually, causes expense to increase and complex system.For having caused other problem with the trial of eliminating the needs of independent charge power supply of battery with this battery is in parallel with fuel cell pack.These problems for example comprise: prevent that battery from damaging because of overcharging; Raise the efficiency; And between fuel cell pack, battery and/or load to the needs of voltage, electric current or power transfer or matching element.Need lower cost, lower complexity and/or more efficient methods.
Summary of the invention
In one aspect, fuel cell system comprises fuel cell pack, battery, the series pass element that is electrically connected at least between a part of fuel cell pack and a part of battery, and is used for the regulating circuit regulated by the electric current of this series pass element bigger according to battery charge error, battery voltage error and heap current error.
On the other hand, fuel cell system comprises the reactant delivery system that is used for transmitting to fuel cell reactant, this reactant delivery system has first control element at least and is connected controlling the control circuit of this first control element, and described first control element is adjustable dividing potential drop that flows to some fuel cell at least with the control reactant.This control circuit can be controlled this first control element according to the deviation of the voltage between these series pass element two ends and some desirable value the value between 75%-95% of the saturation value of this series pass element (for example, corresponding to).Alternatively or additionally, this control circuit can be controlled first control element according to the predetermined operation condition of battery, for example, in the whole time, flow into or flow out the charged state of electric current, cell voltage or the battery of battery.
On the other hand, fuel cell system can comprise as the series pass element of the first order and regulating circuit with as partial reactant delivery system and control circuit.These first and second grades with the battery that is connected in parallel even carry out work simultaneously, thereby realizes that simultaneously effective and continuous output voltage controls in that the protection battery is not impaired.The first order is that the second level is the order of reaction slower than the first order than order of reaction faster.The first order guarantees that battery suitably charges with effective means and discharges under the condition that does not have to damage.The efficient (that is the particular polarization curve when, being expressed as operation of fuel cells) of second level control fuel cell stack operation.Therefore, the heat that is dissipated by the bypass elements of connecting has been limited by making more energy pass through fuel cell pack (that is, by the more operation of poor efficiency) dissipation in the second level.
Again on the one hand, combined fuel cell system comprises the two or more single fuel cell system that is electrically connected with series connection and/or the mode that makes up in parallel, thereby produces required electric current with required voltage.
Description of drawings
Among the figure, identical reference marker is represented similar elements or action.Size of component and relative position not necessarily draw in proportion among the figure.For example, the shape of various elements and angle are not to draw in proportion, and some in these elements are the legibilities with the raising accompanying drawing of amplifying arbitrarily and locating.In addition, the specific dimensions of the element that is drawn does not represent to transmit any information of the actual size of particular element, selects separately in order to make accompanying drawing be convenient to discern.
Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram for the fuel cell system of electric, according to schematically total execution mode of the present invention, this fuel cell system has fuel cell pack, battery, series pass element, comprise and be used to regulate via the first order of the regulating circuit of the electric current of series pass element and comprise the second level that the voltage difference that adopts between the series pass element two ends reduces the control of energy device that is dissipated by series pass element with the dividing potential drop by the control reactant.
Fig. 2 is the schematic diagram of the first order that has adopted or do not adopted the fuel cell system of partial, as to comprise regulating circuit Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 be adopted or do not adopted partial, adopt the optional execution mode of microprocessor as the first order of the fuel cell system of regulating circuit.
Fig. 4 is the flow chart of typical method of the first order of the fuel cell system of application drawing 2 and 3.
Fig. 5 A be adopted or do not adopted the first order, comprise the partial electrical schematics of controlling fuel cell system control circuit, Fig. 1 of reagent partial pressures according to the voltage between the series pass element two ends with respect to the variation of desirable value.
Fig. 5 B be adopted or do not adopted the first order, the partial electrical schematics of fuel cell system of controlling the optional control circuit of reagent partial pressures according to battery charge described.
Fig. 5 C be adopted or do not adopted the first order, the partial electrical schematics of fuel cell system of controlling the optional control circuit of reagent partial pressures according to cell voltage described.
Fig. 6 A is the flow chart of partial typical method of the fuel cell system of application drawing 5A.
Fig. 6 B is the flow chart of partial typical method of the fuel cell system of application drawing 5B.
Fig. 6 C is the flow chart of partial typical method of the fuel cell system of application drawing 5C.
Fig. 7 is the diagrammatic sketch for the polarization curve of the exemplary fuel cell stack of five kinds of typical dividing potential drops.
Fig. 8 is the schematic diagram of embodiment of the fuel cell system of Fig. 1, and wherein the fuel cell pack part partly interconnects with battery.
Fig. 9 A-9F relates to battery pile, battery and load current, battery and the bus voltage of fuel cell system and a series of curves of load resistance, and wherein fuel cell piles up not exhaust under battery or the condition to battery recharge load is fully powered.
Figure 10 A-10C relates to for fuel cell system, the electric current of battery pile, battery and load is with respect to a series of curves of time, wherein battery offers load so that the deficiency that is provided by fuel cell pack to be provided with electric current, and fuel cell pack is again to battery charge afterwards.
Figure 11 is the schematic diagram for the power-supply system of electric, this power-supply system comprises a plurality of independent fuel cell systems, the one-dimensional array of the fuel cell system that formation is electrically connected with series system, thus required power provided with required voltage and required electric current to load.
Figure 12 is the schematic diagram of power-supply system, and this power-supply system comprises a plurality of fuel cell systems, forms the two-dimensional array of the fuel cell system that is electrically connected with series connection and compound mode in parallel.
Thereby Figure 13 describes with series system to be electrically connected the schematic diagram of a plurality of fuel cell systems that Figure 12 of required power output is provided with first output voltage and first output current.
Thereby Figure 14 describes with parallel way to be electrically connected the schematic diagram of a plurality of fuel cell systems that Figure 12 of required power output is provided with second output voltage and second output current.
Thereby Figure 15 is the mode of describing with series connection and combination in parallel is electrically connected the schematic diagram that required power output is provided with the 3rd output voltage and the 3rd output current.
Figure 16 is the flow chart according to the method for the power-supply system of example embodiment operation Figure 11 and 12, and this embodiment comprises standby fuel cell system is replaced defective fuel cell system.
Figure 17 is the flow chart that is included in the optional step in the method for Figure 16.
Figure 18 is the flow chart that is included in the optional step in the method for Figure 16.
Figure 19 is the flow chart of expression according to the method for power-supply systems additional or optional exemplary embodiments operation Figure 11 and 12, comprise with predetermined series connection and/or combined electrical in parallel connecting a plurality of fuel cell systems, thereby produce at least a of required power, voltage and current output.
Embodiment
In the following description, in order to understand various execution mode of the present invention generally, listed specific detail.Yet, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can implement under the condition of these details not having.Under other situation, do not illustrate or existing structure that detailed description is relevant with fuel cell, fuel cell pack, battery and fuel cell system, to avoid to the unnecessary description of embodiments of the present invention.
Except context has the requirement in addition, in whole specification and claims, word " comprises " and changes (as " comprising " and " comprising ... ") is the open implication that comprises, just " includes, but is not limited thereto ".
Fuel cell system is scanned
Fig. 1 represents to provide to load 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention the fuel cell system 10 of electric energy.Load 12 typical cases constitute the device that energy is provided by fuel cell system 10, for example vehicle, utensil, computer and/or relevant ancillary equipment.At fuel cell system 10 is not that fuel cell system 10 parts were for example controlled a part or the integral body that electronics (control electronics) can constitute load 12 in some possible implementation when the typical case of load 12 considered part.
Fuel cell system 10 comprises fuel cell pack 14, and fuel cell pack 14 is made of a plurality of independent fuel cell that is electrically connected with series system.Fuel cell pack 14 receives reactant by reactant supply system 16, by arrow 9 expression, for example hydrogen or air.Reactant supply system 16 can comprise one or more reactant cassette for supplying or for example one or more compressors of source 11, reformer (not shown) and/or one or more control element, pump and/or valve 18 or other reactant regulating element.The work of fuel cell pack 14 produces product, and by arrow 20 expressions, the typical case comprises water.Fuel cell system 10 recycling some or all product 20.For example, as shown in arrow 22, some or all of water can turn back to fuel cell pack 14, thereby with the temperature of correct temperature humidified hydrogen and air and/or hydrated ion exchange membrane (not shown) or control fuel cell pack 14.
Fuel cell pack 14 may be molded to has the voltage that equals open circuit voltage and the ideal battery of series resistance Rs.The value of series resistance Rs mainly is heap electric current I s, the utilance of reactant and the function of time.For single fuel cell pack 14, series resistance Rs changes with polarization curve.Thereby can regulate series resistance 9 for any given electric current decline required voltage by the utilance of control reactant 9, in the scope of heap electric current I s, allow to pile uniformly basically voltage Vs thus.Relation between stream of reactants and series resistance Rs is by 13 expressions of the dotted arrow among Fig. 1.Yet, in fuel cell system 10, reduce the entire reaction agent simply and reaction pressure can be disturbed whole system operation, for example temperature of the hydration of interfering ion exchange membrane and/or fuel cell pack control.For fear of these unwanted results, the dividing potential drop of fuel cell system 10 scalable reactants, just as described in greater detail below.
Fuel cell pack 14 produces heap voltage Vs between the high voltage bus that is formed by positive and negative voltage rail (rail) 19a, 19b.Heap electric current I s flows through load 12 from fuel cell pack 14 through high voltage bus.Such just as adopted as in this, " high voltage " be meant by conventional fuel battery pile 14 produce driving the voltage of load 12, in order to (for example, to distinguish between 5V) at other voltage that adopts by fuel cell system 10 with control and/or communication.Therefore, compare high voltage not necessarily " height " with other electric system.
Fuel cell system 10 comprises the battery 24 that is electrically connected with parallel way with the fuel cell pack 14 that drives load 12 with the track 19a, the 19b that are connected high voltage bus.The open circuit voltage of battery 24 is chosen to be similar to whole load voltages of fuel cell pack 14.The internal resistance R of battery 24 BBe chosen as well below the internal resistance of fuel cell pack 14.Therefore, battery 24 need absorb superfluous electric current during more electric current as buffer when fuel cell pack 14 produces than load 12, provides electric current to load 12 when fuel cell pack 14 produces the electric current that needs still less than load 12.Voltage between high voltage bus 19a, the 19b is the internal resistance value R that the open circuit voltage of battery 24 deducts battery 24 BMultiply by the product of battery discharge current.The internal resistance R of battery 24 BMore little, the variation of bus voltage is more little.
Optionally reverse current blocking diode D1 can be connected electrically between fuel cell pack 14 and the battery 24, flows to fuel cell pack 14 to prevent electric current from battery 24.The disadvantage of reverse current blocking diode D1 is the diode drop of being correlated with.Fuel cell system 10 can also comprise that other diode and fuse or other overcurrent protection element are to prevent short circuit and/or surge.
Level
As shown in Figure 1, fuel cell system 10 comprises two controlled stages; Adopt series pass element 32 and be used for the first order of regulating circuit 34 that control flows is crossed the electric current of series pass element 32; Be used for the second level of the controller 28 of conditioned reaction agent dividing potential drop with employing with the series resistance Rs of control fuel cell pack 14.Working together in the first order and the second level, even cooperates with the battery 24 that is connected in parallel simultaneously, thereby realize effective and continuous output voltage control when making battery 24 avoid damaging.In some embodiments, fuel cell system 10 can only comprise the first order, or only comprises the second level, provides simply, substitutes more cheaply.
The first order is than order of reaction faster, and the second level is the order of reaction slower than the first order.As mentioned above, the variation of 24 pairs of loading demands of battery provides very fast reaction, when demand provides electric current to load 12 during greater than the output of fuel cell pack 14, receives superfluous electric current when the output of fuel cell pack 14 surpasses the demand of load 12.Through the flowing of series pass element 32, the first order guarantees that battery 24 suitably charges with effective means and discharges under the condition that not have damage by Control current.Thereby by control reagent partial pressures control series resistance Rs, the efficient (that is, being expressed as the particular polarization curve of operation of fuel cells) of second level control fuel cell pack 14 work.Therefore, the second level consumes (that is, by inefficient operation) and has limited the heat that is consumed by series pass element 32 through fuel cell pack 14 by making more energy.
During with the mode consumed energy of heat, therefore this energy can reuse (that is, using wasted energy to produce heat or electric process) in the other parts of fuel cell system in the each several part regeneration of fuel cell system at fuel cell pack 14.For example, the energy as heat exhaustion can be circulated to fuel cell pack 14 again by air stream, stack coolants or process reactant.In addition, as selection, can be circulated to other parts or some external system of reformer (not shown), fuel cell system 10 again as the energy of heat exhaustion.In addition, the restriction of the heat that must consume series pass element 32 can reduce the size and relevant cost and any relevant heat dissipation equipment of series pass element 32.
Go through first and second grades details below.
The first order is scanned, series pass element regulator
Continuation is with reference to figure 1, and the first order of fuel cell system 10 comprises the series pass element 32 that is connected electrically between fuel cell pack 14 and the battery 24, is used for Control current Is from fuel cell pack 14 flowing to battery 24 and load 12.The first order of fuel cell system 10 also comprises regulating circuit 34, and the various running parameters of the regulating circuit 34 fuel cell systems 10 that connected are regulated series pass element 32.Series pass element 32 can be taked the form of field-effect transistor (" TFT "), has the drain electrode and the source electrode that are connected electrically between fuel cell pack 14 and the battery 24, has the grid of the output that is electrically connected to regulating circuit 34.
The first order of fuel cell system 10 comprises a plurality of transducers of the various running parameters that are used for definite fuel cell system 10.For example, fuel cell system 10 comprises battery charge transducer 36, and this transducer 36 connects into determines battery current I BEqually for example, fuel cell system 10 comprises fuel cell pack current sensor 38, and this transducer 38 connects into determines heap electric current I s.For another example, fuel cell system 10 comprises the voltage V that is used between definite battery 24 two ends BBattery voltage sensor 40.In addition, fuel cell system 10 can comprise battery temperature sensor 42, and this transducer 42 is arranged to measure the temperature of battery 24 or near the environment temperature of battery 24.When transducer 36-42 was described to be independent of regulating circuit 34, in some embodiments, one or more transducer 36-42 can be integrated into the part of regulating circuit 34.
The first order of fuel cell system 10 can comprise soft starting circuit 15, is used for the process that starts at fuel cell system 10 starting resistor lentamente.Fuel cell system 10 also can comprise fast cut-off circuit 17, is used for cutting off rapidly to prevent the damage of battery 24, is not for example having load or load 12 not in the consumed power.
Scan the second level, the reagent partial pressures controller
The second level of fuel cell system 10 comprises for example valve 18 of controller 28, actuator 30 and reactant flow regulator.The first magnitude of voltage V that controller 28 receives from the input side of series pass element 32 1With the second magnitude of voltage V from the outlet side of series pass element 32 2 Controller 28 bases are at the first and second voltage V 1, V 2Between difference provide control signal to actuator 30, thereby by valve 18 or other stream of reactants regulating element conditioned reaction agent flowing to fuel cell pack 14.
Because battery 24 has remedied at available reactant and to have consumed between the reactant auxiliary section of any short-term improper, so the speed that need react of fuel cell reaction agent supply system 16 speed that can change well below electric loading.The speed that fuel cell reaction agent supply system 16 need be reacted mainly influences the degree of depth of charge/discharge cycle of battery 24 and the energy that consumes by series pass element 32.
The description of the first order, series pass element regulation
Fig. 2 represents an embodiment of regulating circuit 34, and regulating circuit 34 comprises and is used for determining battery charge error, heap current error and battery voltage error and is used for the element to series pass element 32 generation outputs bigger according to determined error.
Regulating circuit 34 comprises battery charge error intergal circuit 44 and is used for determining the battery charge restricting circuits 46 of battery charge error.Battery charge restricting circuits 46 provides the battery charge limits value to the paraphase end (Inverting terminal) of battery charge error intergal circuit 44, and battery charge transducer 36 provides battery charge current value to in-phase end (non-invertingterminal).Capacitor C9 is connected between the paraphase end and output of battery charge error intergal circuit 44.44 pairs of differences between battery charge current value and battery charge limits value of battery charge restriction error intergal circuit are carried out integration.
Regulating circuit 34 comprises heap current error integrating circuit 50 and is used for determining the heap current limit circuit 52 of heap current error.Heap current limit circuit 52 provides the heap current limit value to the paraphase end of heap current error integrating circuit 50, and heap current sensor 38 provides the heap current value to in-phase end.Capacitor C8 is connected between the paraphase end and output of heap current error integrating circuit 50.50 pairs of differences between heap current value and heap current limit value of heap current error integrating circuit are carried out integration.Partial restriction effect is by dotted line 53 expressions aspect the restriction of heap electric current.
Regulating circuit 34 comprises battery voltage error integrating circuit 56 and battery voltage set point circuit 58.Battery voltage set point circuit 58 provides the cell voltage limits value to the paraphase end of battery voltage error integrating circuit 56, and battery voltage sensor 40 provides battery voltage value to in-phase end.Capacitor C7 is connected electrically between the paraphase end and output of battery voltage error integrating circuit 56.56 pairs of differences between battery voltage value and battery voltage set point value of battery voltage error integrating circuit are carried out integration.
Regulating circuit 34 can also comprise temperature-compensation circuit 62, and this circuit 62 adopts the battery temperature of being measured by battery temperature detector 42 to produce offset.Battery voltage set point circuit 58 adopts this offset when definite battery voltage set point value.
Regulating circuit 34 also comprises OR circuit 64, is used for the bigger value of output valve of Select Error integrator 44,50,56.OR circuit 64 can take to have the form of three diode (not shown) of the negative electrode of shared connection.The anode of each diode is electrically connected to respectively on the error intergal circuit 44,50,56.
Regulating circuit 34 also comprises charge pump 66, and being used for provides voltage as reverse level shifter 68 to the control end (for example, grid) of series pass element 32 by level shifter (shifter).Anti-phase level shifter 68 provides by the anti-phase linear output valve of input value.
Fig. 3 represents the selectivity execution mode of the first order of fuel cell system 10, and this system adopts microprocessor 70 as regulating circuit.This selectivity embodiment is identical with previously described embodiment basically with selectivity embodiment with other selection described here, and same action is adopted identical reference marker with structure.Only be described in operation and the tangible difference of configuration aspects below.
Can programme or constitute the function (Fig. 1) of carrying out regulating circuit 34 microprocessor 70.For example, microprocessor 70 can carry out error intergal in battery charge, heap electric current and the battery voltage value some or all.But the some or all of values in microprocessor 70 storage battery charge-current limit values, heap current limit value and/or the cell voltage limits value.Microprocessor 70 can also be determined temperature-compensating according to the battery temperature value that is provided by battery temperature detector 42.In addition, microprocessor 70 can be selected value bigger in the error amount, provides appropriate signals to the control end of series pass element 32.
Fig. 4 represents the exemplary method 100 of the first order of the fuel cell system 10 of application drawing 1,2 and 3.This method 100 repeats in operating process with the operating parameter of fuel metering battery system 10 continuously.
In step 102, battery charge transducer 36 (Fig. 1-3) is determined battery charge I BValue.In step 104, battery charge error intergal circuit 44 (Fig. 2) or microprocessor 70 (Fig. 3) are determined the value of battery charge error.
In step 106, heap current sensor 38 (Fig. 1-3) is determined the value of heap electric current.In step 108, heap current error integrated circuit 50 (Fig. 2) or microprocessor 70 (Fig. 3) are determined the numerical value of heap current error.
In step 110, battery voltage sensor 40 (Fig. 1-3) is determined the voltage V between battery 24 two ends BValue.In optional step 112, battery temperature sensor 42 is determined the temperature of the surrounding space of battery 24 or close battery 24.In selecting step 114, temperature-compensation circuit 62 (Fig. 2) or microprocessor 70 (Fig. 3) are determined the cell voltage limits value according to determined battery temperature.In step 116, battery voltage error integrating circuit 56 (Fig. 2) or microprocessor 70 (Fig. 3) are determined the battery voltage error value.
Fuel cell system 10 can according to above-mentioned different order execution in step 102,106 and 110, for example, before step 102, carry out step 106, before step 102 and/or step 106, carry out step 110. Transducer 36,38,40,42 can simultaneously or side by side carry out step 102,106,110,112 basically, thereby parallel operation occurs.Therefore, any specific order or order are not represented in cited above-mentioned action.
In step 118, OR circuit 64 (Fig. 2) or the OR circuit that constitutes in microprocessor 70 (Fig. 3) are determined the higher value of determined error amount.The OR circuit can be in microprocessor 70 with hard-wired, perhaps can take the form of executable instruction.In step 120, charge pump 66 (Fig. 2) produces electric charge.Though not shown, the embodiment of Fig. 3 also can comprise charge pump, perhaps microprocessor 70 can produce the appropriate signals value.In step 122, level shifter 68 (Fig. 2) or microprocessor 70 (Fig. 3) and the determined control terminal (Fig. 1-3) that pro rata electric charge is imposed on series pass element 32 than the mistake value as input voltage.
Therefore, the first order of fuel cell system 10 is mainly with three kinds of pattern work: the cell voltage unrestricted model; The heap current limit mode; With the battery charge unrestricted model.For example, when battery 24 exhausted, fuel cell system 10 entered the battery charge pattern with the limit battery charging current, thereby prevented the damage to battery 24.When battery 24 recharged, fuel cell system 10 entered the cell voltage unrestricted model, provided trickle charge to battery 24, thereby kept the battery floating voltage (for example, the about 75-95% that charges fully) under the condition that does not make battery 24 sulfations.When the more electric current of electric current that load 12 need can provide than 14 of fuel cell packs, fuel cell system 10 enters the heap current limit mode.In addition, the 4th kind of " saturated " pattern can be arranged, when load 12 needs even during bigger electric current, heap voltage Vs drops to cell voltage V BBelow.Battery 24 will when battery 24 exhausts fully, enter the battery charge unrestricted model, as mentioned above at last by this " saturated " mode discharge.
The second level is described, reagent partial pressures control
Fig. 5 A has described a partial embodiment of fuel cell system 10, the voltage difference when it adopts in working order between series pass element 32 two ends in more detail.
Especially, controller 28 comprises the first comparator 90A, and this comparator 90A receives the first voltage V from the input side of series pass element 32 1Numerical value and from the second voltage V of the outlet side of series pass element 32 2Numerical value.The first comparator 90A produces corresponding at the first and second voltage V 1, V 2Between the process variables Δ V of difference.
Controller 28 also comprises second comparator 92, process variables Δ V and set point that this comparator 92 receives from the first comparator 90A.Comparator 92 compares and produces the first control voltage CV1 with process variables Δ V and set point.Set point reflects the required maximum functional level of series pass element 32, generally can the saturation value of series pass element 32 about 75% and about 95% between.80% set point of saturation value is especially to be fit to, even some variation in circuit also is provided when fuel cell pack 14 is worked under fractional load.
Comparator 92 provides resulting control variables CV1 to the actuator 30 of regulating compressor or valve 18 in view of the above.18 pairs of fuel cell packs of valve, 14 conditioned reaction agent dividing potential drops are as the second control variables CV2 of fuel cell system 10.As mentioned above, the dividing potential drop of control reactant has been adjusted the internal resistance Rs of fuel cell pack 14, and has adjusted the power output of fuel cell pack 14.The first and second comparator 90A, 92 can be discrete components, perhaps realize in microprocessor, microcontroller or other integrated circuit.
Controller 28 can also comprise the logical circuit 94 that is used to control various switches, for example is electrically connected first switch 96 of the battery 24 in parallel with fuel cell 14 and the second switch 98 of electrical connection and fuel cell pack 14 and battery 24 load in parallel 12.
Fig. 6 A has described the partial exemplary method 200 of the fuel cell system 10 of application drawing 1 and 5A.In step 102, battery 24 fuel cell pack 14 that is connected in parallel.In step 204, load 12 is electrically connected battery 24 and fuel cell pack 14.In step 206, at least one in fuel cell pack 14 and the battery 24 provides electric current to load 12.Fuel cell pack 12 provides electric current to load 12, and in this situation, fuel cell pack 14 produces enough electric currents to reach the demand of load 12.Excess current from fuel cell pack 14 recharges battery 24.When fuel cell pack 14 did not have to produce the energy that is enough to satisfy the demands, battery 24 can provide a part even whole energy to load 12.
In step 208, the first voltage V on the input side of series pass element 32 is determined in the second level of fuel cell system 10 1In step 210, the second voltage V on the outlet side of series pass element 32 is determined in the second level of fuel cell system 10 2 Step 208 and 210 order are unimportant, can any order carry out even carry out simultaneously.
In step 212, the first comparator 90A determines at the first and second voltage V 1And V 2Between difference.In step 214, second comparator 92 compares determined difference DELTA V and set point.In step 216, the dividing potential drop of at least a reactant of fuel cell pack 14 is flow through in the second level of fuel cell system 10 by actuator 30 and valve 18 adjustings according to determined departure.For example, the dividing potential drop of dividing potential drop, hydrogen and the oxidant of the dividing potential drop of fuel cell system 10 scalable hydrogen, oxidant (for example, air).As mentioned above,, can change the value of series resistors inside Rs intrinsic in fuel cell pack 14 by changing the dividing potential drop of fuel and/or oxidant, thus the voltage that control descends with any given heap output current.By changing dividing potential drop by this way, can reduce the maximum voltage that descends between series pass element 32 two ends.
Fig. 5 B has described partial another embodiment of fuel cell system 10 in more detail, and it adopts battery current as condition of work.These specific embodiments described here and other those specific embodiments are substantially the same with previously described embodiment, and identical action is represented by identical reference marker with structure.Only be described in operation and structural significant difference below.The embodiment that describes in Fig. 5 B can implement in having the fuel cell system 10 that forms partial regulating circuit (Fig. 1-4), perhaps can adopt individually under the condition that does not have first order regulating circuit.
In the embodiment of Fig. 5 B, battery condition sensor is taked the form of current sensor 26b, and this transducer 26b connects into and reads the electric current that flows into and flow out battery 24.Controller 28 comprises battery charge integrator 90.Integrator 90 can be a discrete component, perhaps can realize in microprocessor or microcontroller.90 pairs of battery charge of integrator are carried out integration to determine the total electrical charge of battery 24 roughly.Integrator 90 should provide initial battery charge correct when the work beginning, and rationalization every now and then (rationalized).The process variables (" PV ") that obtains is offered comparator 92.
Comparator 92 can be discrete element, perhaps can realize in microprocessor or microcontroller.Comparator 92 compares and produces the first control voltage (" CV1 ") with PV and set point.Set point reflects in needed nominal battery charge of when beginning operation, generally can whole electric charges of battery about 75% and about 95% between.Comparator 92 provides resulting CV1 to the actuator 30 of regulating compressor or valve 18 in view of the above.Valve 18 is that fuel cell pack 14 is adjusted reagent partial pressures, as second control variables (" CV2 ") of fuel cell system 10.As mentioned above, the power output of the internal resistance Rs of control reagent partial pressures fuel metering battery 14 and fuel metering battery pile 14.
Controller 28 can also comprise the logical circuit 94 that is used to control various switches, for example is electrically connected first switch 96 of the battery 24 in parallel with fuel cell 14 and the second switch 98 of electrical connection and fuel cell pack 14 and battery 24 load in parallel 12.
Fig. 6 B represents the method 300 of the fuel cell system 10 of application drawing 5B.In step 302, correct initial battery charge amount is offered integrator 90.In step 304, transducer 26b determines to flow into and flow out the electric current of battery 24.In step 306, integrator 90b carries out integration to determine the total electrical charge of battery 24 to battery current.
In step 308, behind 92 pairs of integrations of comparator battery current and set point compare.Select set point so that battery is carried out trickle charge, thereby make battery 24 remain on suitable floating voltage, thereby prevent that battery 24 is for example owing to sulfation is damaged.Suitable scope can required nominal battery charge about 75% to 95% between, about 80% of required nominal battery charge is what especially to be fit to.
In step 310, fuel cell system 10 is regulated the dividing potential drop of the fuel that flows to fuel cell pack 14 to keep required battery charge.For example, actuator 30 can be by the dividing potential drop of one or more valves 18 adjusting hydrogen streams.Perhaps, the speed of the one or more compressor (not shown) of actuator 30 scalable.In step 312, fuel cell system 10 is adjusted to the oxidant stream of fuel cell pack, and () dividing potential drop for example, air is to keep required battery charge.Have, fuel cell system 10 can adopt one or more valves 18 and/or one or more compressor (not shown) again, to regulate the dividing potential drop of oxidant.Controller 28 can be in order to maintain stoichiometric relationship suitable between fuel and the oxidant.
Fig. 5 C describes partial another embodiment of fuel cell system 10 in more detail, adopts the voltage V between battery 24 two ends BAs operating condition.The embodiment that describes in Fig. 5 C can implement in having the fuel cell system 10 that forms partial regulating circuit (Fig. 1-4), perhaps can not have the first order to adjust employing separately under the condition of circuit.
In the embodiment of Fig. 5 C, battery condition sensor is taked the form of voltage sensor 26c, and transducer 26c is used to detect the voltage V between battery 24 two ends BController 28 takes to be similar to the form of (field) controller 90c.The field controller finds in the alternating current generator of automotive system and other using electricity system usually.Field controller 90c provides output CV1 to actuator 30, thereby control is to the reagent partial pressures of fuel cell pack 14.
Fig. 6 C represents the method 400 of the fuel cell system 10 of application drawing 5C.In step 402, voltage sensor 26c determines the voltage V between battery 24 two ends BIn step 404, a controller 90c determines cell voltage V BDeparture with required cell voltage.In step 406, controller 28 is adjusted to the dividing potential drop of fuel stream of fuel cell pack 14 to keep required cell voltage.In step 408, controller 28 is adjusted to the dividing potential drop of oxidant of fuel cell pack to keep required cell voltage.As mentioned above, fuel cell system 10 can adopt one or more valves, compressor, pump and/or other adjusting device, with the dividing potential drop of fuel metering and/or oxidant.
Fig. 7 represents the exemplary polarization curves corresponding to five kinds of different reagent partial pressures, fuel cell pack 14.The longitudinal axis represents to pile voltage Vs, and transverse axis represents to pile electric current I s.The polarization that first curve, 59 expression low reaction agent branches are depressed. Curve 61,62,63 and 65 polarization of representing with the reagent partial pressures that increases continuously.The constant nominal output voltage that dotted line 69 expressions are 24 volts.Dotted line 71,723,75,77,79 expressions longitudinally are for each partial pressure curves 59,61,63,65,67, corresponding to 24 volts heap electric currents.
The embodiment of the battery part/fuel battery part interconnection of fuel cell system
Fig. 8 represents another embodiment of fuel cell system 10, and wherein battery 24 parts and fuel cell pack 14 parts interconnect.
Especially, fuel cell pack 14 can comprise a plurality of groups or part 14a, 14b......14n, and above-mentioned part interconnects with each group or part 24a, the 24b......24n of battery.Be expressed as battery unit 24a, a 24b......24n corresponding to each group fuel cell 14a, 14b......14n in, fuel cell system 10 can adopt battery unit other ratio with respect to fuel cell.
Fuel cell system 10 can comprise capacitor, and for example ultracapacitor 140, and these capacitor 140 cross-over connection loads 12 are electrically connected with parallel way.The fuel cell system 10 of Fig. 8 can carry out work according to the method 100 and 200 of Fig. 4 and 6A.
Though not shown among Fig. 8, independently for example valve 18, controller 28 and/or actuator 30 can link to each other with each fuel battery 14a, 14b......14n control element.
The electric current of fuel cell system and load, voltage and resistance
Fig. 9 A-9F be illustrated in do not have to consume or the condition of storage battery under, under fuel cell pack is enough to drive the situation of load, be described in the single-phase AC work a series of curves of the relation between various electric currents, voltage and the resistance in fuel cell system 10.The shared same horizontal time axis of each curve of Fig. 9 A-9F.
Fig. 9 A is true reactor electric current I s and the average curve of describing as the function of time 150 of piling electric current I s-avg.Fig. 9 B is the actual battery electric current I of describing as the function of time BCurve 152.Fig. 9 C is the actual cell voltage V that describes as the function of time BWith average battery voltage V B-AVGCurve 154.Fig. 9 D be describe as the function of time, through the actual current I of overload LWith average load current I L-AVGCurve 156.Fig. 9 E is the actual loading resistance R of describing as the function of time ICurve 158.Fig. 9 F is the curve 160 of description as the AC voltage Vac between load 12 two ends of the function of time.
Figure 10 A-10C be illustrated in battery to load provide electric current to remedy fuel cell pack deficiency and fuel cell pack after under the situation to battery recharge, be described in a series of curves of the relation between various electric currents, voltage and the resistance in fuel cell 10 in the single-phase AC operation.The shared same horizontal time axis of the various curves of Figure 10 A-10C.
Figure 10 A is the curve 162 of description as the heap electric current I s of the function of time.Figure 10 B is the battery current I that describes as the function of time BCurve 164.Figure 10 C is the load current I that describes as the function of time ICurve 166.From Figure 10 A-10C as can be seen, along with the requirement that load 12 increases, battery 24 provides electric current to remedy the deficiency of fuel cell pack 14.Along with load 12 reduces requirement, 14 pairs of batteries 24 of fuel cell pack recharge, and are back to floating voltage until battery 24.
Fuel cell system as the member block of combined fuel cell system
Figure 11 represents to be electrically connected into a plurality of fuel cell system 10a-10f of combined fuel cell system 10g, is used for required voltage and current load 12 power supplies.Fuel cell system 10a-10f can take the form of above-mentioned any fuel battery system 10, the fuel cell system of for example describing in Fig. 1 and 2 10.
Combined fuel cell system 10g utilizes the coupling of polarization curve between fuel cell pack 14 and each battery 24.A kind of method that realizes the polarization curve coupling comprises common aforesaid first order regulation scheme.Another kind method comprises the dividing potential drop of basis in one or more stream of reactants of Deviation Control of voltage between battery 24 two ends and the required voltage between battery 24 two ends.Another method comprises the dividing potential drop according to one or more stream of reactants of Deviation Control of battery charge and required battery charge.Battery charge can carry out integration by the electric current to inflow or outflow battery 24 and determine.Another kind method can comprise mutually or pulses switch is regulated or controlling schemes.
As an example, each fuel cell system 10a-10f can provide the electric current of 50A with 24V.First couple of fuel cell system 10a, 10b being electrically connected with series system provide 50A with 48V.Second couple of fuel cell system 10c, 10d being connected in series in a similar manner provide 50A with 48V.These two couples of fuel cell system 10a, the 10b and 10c, the 10d that are electrically connected with parallel way provide 100A with 48V.The 3rd couple of fuel cell system 10e, 10f being connected in series provide 50A with 48V.Provide 150A with parallel way with first couple of fuel cell system 10a:10b that is connected in series and second pair of being electrically connected of fuel cell system 10c:10d that is connected in series with the 3rd couple of fuel cell system 10e, 10f with 48V.
Figure 11 only represents a kind of feasible setting.Those of ordinary skill in the art can recognize, other setting that is used to obtain required voltage and electric current also is feasible.Combined fuel cell system 10g can comprise than more or still less single fuel cell system 10a-10f shown in Figure 11.Can adopt other combining form of the electrical connection quantity of single fuel cell system 10, thereby provide electric energy with other required voltage and current.For example, can adopt parallel way that one or more additional fuel battery system (not shown) are electrically connected with one or more fuel cell system 10a-10b.In addition, or as selecting, can adopt series system with one or more additional fuel cell system (not shown) with any shown in fuel cell system 10a:10b, 10c:10d, 10e:10f are electrically connected.In addition, fuel cell system 10a-10f can have different voltage and/or current ratio.Each fuel cell system 10a-10f can be combined into " n+1 " array, and the redundancy and the high reliability of aequum is provided.
Power-supply system
Figure 11 represents an embodiment of power system 550, this system 550 comprises the one-dimensional array 552 that totally is expressed as 10 fuel cell system, this array 552 can be connected in series to positive and negative voltage rail 556a, 556b respectively, and track 556a, 556b have formed the electrical bus 556 that is used for providing to load 12 energy.Totally being expressed as each diode electrically of 558 is connected between the positive and negative output of each fuel cell system 10.Shown power-supply system 550 comprises M+1 fuel cell system, and they are expressed as 10 (1)-10 (M+1) respectively, the position of the fuel cell system 10 in array of the numeral in the round parentheses.Ellipse representation power-supply system 550 among Figure 11 can be included in the additional fuel battery system (not specifically illustrating) between the 3rd fuel cell system 10 (3) and M the fuel cell system 10 (M).One or more fuel cell systems (for example, 10 (M+1)) can be used as " standby " fuel cell system, just be connected in series on the electrical bus 556 if desired, for example, when one of other fuel cell system 10 (1)-10 (M+1) breaks down, perhaps work as load 12 and need additional power or voltage.
Power-supply system 550 can adopt one or more breakdown switches, and for example contactor or transistor 560 can automatically disconnect each fuel cell system 10 under the situation that breaks down or lost efficacy.For example, when under fuel cell system 10 self operating state trouble or failure taking place or break down under the operating state of power-supply system 550 or when losing efficacy, defective transistor 560 can be ended.
Power-supply system 550 can adopt one or more backup circuit breakers, for example contactor or transistor 562 can manually or automatically be electrically connected to electrical bus 556 with each fuel cell system 10 (M+1) according to the situation different with fuel cell system 10 (M+1) self working condition.For example, under the situation that another fuel cell system 10 breaks down, standby transistor 562 can conducting so that guarantee fuel battery system 10 (M+1) is electrically connected to electrical bus 556, thereby keep power, the voltage and current of load 12.For another example, under the situation of the higher power output of needs, but 562 conductings of standby transistor so that guarantee fuel battery system 10 (M+1) is electrically connected to electrical bus 556, thereby the power of regulating load 12, voltage and current.
Though manual operation is feasible, power-supply system 550 also can comprise control logic 564, with the operation (for example, transistor 562) of automatically controlling backup circuit breaker.
Control logic 564 can receive the input from one or more other fuel cell systems 10 (1)-10 (M), and this input relates to the operating state (that is, when losing efficacy " in the unit 1 to M connect ") of each fuel cell system 10 (1)-10 (M).For example, control logic 564 can receive voltage, electric current and/or the power measurement values of the fuel cell pack 14 and/or the electrical storage 24 of relevant fuel cell system 10.This measured value can comprise heap electric current I s, heap voltage Vs, battery current I B, cell voltage V BAnd/or temperature, but be not limited thereto.For another example, control logic 564 can receive the logical value of working condition of the various systems of relevant fuel cell system 10, comprises ambient hydrogen amount, ambient oxygen amount and stream of reactants, but is not limited thereto.At this on the one hand, can be No.09/916 with reference to commonly assigned, application number, 240 U.S. Patent application, the applying date is July 25 calendar year 2001, name is called " FUEL CELL SYSTEM METHOD, APPARATUS AND SHEDULING " (proxy records number: 130109.409).
Add, or optionally, control logic 564 can receive the input from other element of power-supply system 550, for example connect into the voltage and current transducer that difference on electrical bus 556 is determined voltage or electric current.For example, control logic 564 can receive corresponding to the voltage that voltage read between the electrical bus of locating to measure at " top " of one-dimensional array 552, make control circuit 564 detect the fault in one or more fuel cell systems 10 indirectly by detecting measurement result below the expectation threshold value (that is, " if Vx＜M * 24V then connect ").The threshold value that is used for the detection failure situation can pre-determine in control logic 564, perhaps can for example logic OR is digital control or graphic user interface on application-specific or the general computer of using, set by user or operator by user interface 566.
In addition or as selecting, control logic 564 can be by the input of user interface 566 receptions from user or operator, this input can comprise one group of user control signal, with set running parameter for example power, voltage and/or current threshold, with set required parameter for example power demand, required voltage or required current flow ratings, with power structure information is provided, switching signal to be provided and/or to replace the automatic programme of work of control logic 564 with signal.User interface 566 can be far apart from the remainder of power-supply system 550.Control logic 564 can show as the processor of one or more hard-wired circuitry, firmware, microcontroller, application-specific, the general purpose processor of sequencing and/or the program on computer-computer-readable recording medium.
Under the situation of the output voltage that can firmly control fuel cell system 10, for example above-mentioned first and/or second level operation under, being connected in series of fuel cell system 10 is feasible.Therefore, can series system be electrically connected the fuel cell system 10 of any requirement, with any integral multiple of the voltage output that realizes each fuel cell system 10.For example,, under the voltage condition of 24 volts of generations between track 19a, the 19b, three fuel cell systems 10 (1)-10 (3) can be electrically connected, at each fuel cell system 10 with the voltage of 72 volts of generations between electrical bus 556.More briefly expression, M the fuel cell system 10 that can be connected in series is with M times of producing nominal fuel cell system voltage between electrical bus 556.In addition, the position that shows guarantee fuel battery system 10 (M+1) in one-dimensional array 552 that is connected in series is unessential.
Figure 12 represents the two-dimensional array 568 of fuel cell system 10, and modes capable with M, the N row are provided with, and are used for by 556 pairs of loads of electrical bus, 12 power supplies.Fuel cell system 10 is expressed as 10 (1 individually, 1) (M-10, N), first numerical table in bracket is shown in the line position of fuel cell system 10 in the two-dimensional array 568, and second number in bracket is illustrated in the column position of fuel cell system 10 in the two-dimensional array 568.Each row and column of ellipse representation two-dimensional array 568 among Figure 12 can comprise additional fuel cell system (not specifically illustrating).For clear expression, in Figure 12, omitted diode 558, be respectively 560,562 fault and backup circuit breaker, control logic 564, user interface 566.
(M N) can be connected to electrical bus 556 separately to each fuel cell system 10 (1,1)-10, so that various required power outputs, voltage or electric current to be provided.Fuel cell system 10 (1-M, 1), 10 (1-M, 2), 10 (1-M, 3) in each 1-M row ... 10 (1-M N) is electrically connected to each other with series system.Fuel cell system 10 in each 1-N is capable (1,1-N), 10 (2,1-N), 10 (3,1-N) ... 10 (M 1-N) is electrically connected to each other with parallel way.Those skilled in the art can recognize that according to Figure 12 with in this description two-dimensional array 568 allows being connected in series of fuel cell system 10, thereby regulates the power output of power-supply system 550 by regulating output voltage.Those skilled in the art can also recognize that two-dimensional array 568 allows being connected in parallel of fuel cell system 10, thereby regulates the power output of power-supply system 550 by regulating output current.Those skilled in the art recognizes that further two dimension display 568 allows the series connection of fuel cell system 10 and is connected in parallel, thereby regulates the power output of power-supply system 550 by regulating output current and output voltage simultaneously.Therefore, for example produce for the illustrative examples of 24 volts, 40 amperes 1kW for each fuel cell system, the peak power output of N * M Kw is feasible.Those skilled in the art also recognize, are meant in a peacekeeping two-dimensional array structure of this discussion each other electrically connecting position will the form of embarking on journey and/or being listed as physically be set fuel cell system 10.
Embodiment
Figure 13-15 has described three kinds of different electric structures of fuel cell system 10 of the two-dimensional array 568 of Figure 12, and to produce required power output, for example, can provide under the situation of 1kW with 24 volts and 40 amperes at each fuel cell system 10 be 4kW.Especially, Figure 13 represents to adopt the illustrated embodiment of four fuel cell systems 10 (1,1)-10 (4,1) to provide the power of 4kW at 96 volts and 40 amperes of first row of the two-dimensional array 568 that is electrically connected by series system.Figure 14 represents the illustrated embodiment of four fuel cell systems 10 (1,1)-10 (4,1) to provide the power of 4kW at 24 volts and 160 amperes with first row of the two-dimensional array 568 of parallel way electrical connection.Figure 15 represents to adopt four fuel cell systems 10 (1 of two-dimensional array 568,1), 10 (1,2), the illustrated embodiment of 10 (2,1), 10 (2,2), here, two pairs of fuel cell systems that are connected in series 10 (1,1), 10 (2,1) and 10 (1,2) 10 (2,2) are connected in parallel with the power at 48 volts and 80 amperes generation 4kW.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that according to these enlightenments other combination and conversion that the fuel cell system 10 of two-dimensional array 568 is electrically connected also are feasible.
The operation of electronic watch origin system
Figure 16 represents to operate the method 600 according to the power-supply system 550 of an exemplary illustrated embodiment, discusses with reference to Figure 11.This method 600 can embody in above-mentioned control logic 564.
In step 602, control logic 564 is by in the console switch 560,562 alternatively suitable one and be electrically connected M fuel cell system 10 (1)-10 (M) with series system on electrical bus 556.In step 604, control logic 564 has determined whether fault.For example, whether whether any parameter that control logic 564 can be determined one of fuel cell system 10 (1)-10 (M) perhaps surpass or be lower than acceptable threshold value outside tolerance interval.As mentioned above, control logic 564 can receive the measured value about voltage, electric current and/or the power of the fuel cell pack 14 of fuel cell system 10 and/or electrical storage 24.In addition, or the conduct selection, control logic 564 can receive the logical value about the working condition of each system of fuel cell system 10.In addition, as selection, control logic 564 can receive the input from other element of power-supply system 550, for example, connects into the voltage that is determined at the difference on the electrical bus 556 or the voltage and current transducer of electric current.Control logic 564 can comprise for example comparator or be used for instruction that reception value and determined scope and/or threshold value are compared of comparison circuit, for example guarantees limiting on the threshold value or in limited range in the total voltage between the electrical bus 556.As selection, or additional, control logic 564 can rely on one group of logical value being returned by each fuel cell system 10 (1)-10 (M), for example corresponding to " 1 " or " 0 " of one or more conditions of work of each fuel cell system 10 (1)-10 (M).
If there is not fault, this method 600 is back to step 604, monitors circulation.If fault is arranged, in step 606, control logic 564 is electrically connected standby fuel cell system 10 (M+1) with series system on electrical bus 556, for example, by appropriate signals being sent to corresponding backup circuit breaker, for example, by signal being offered the grid of standby transistor 562.Fuel cell system 10 (1)-10 (M) is " but heat exchange ", and power-supply system 550 needn't be cut off like this.
In selecting step 608, control logic 564 powers on from electrical bus 556 and disconnects out of order fuel cell system for example 10 (3), for example, and by appropriate signals being sent to corresponding breakdown switch, for example, by signal being offered the grid of defective transistor 560.In optional step 610, user or maintenance technician replace the fault fuel cell system 10 (3) in the array 552 of power-supply system 550.Replace fuel cell system 10 and can be used as the guarantee fuel battery system, in order to the possible complete failure of another kind of fuel cell system 10.
Figure 17 represents the optional step 612 in the method that is included in 600.In step 612, additional fuel battery system 10 is connected electrically on the electrical bus 550 with one or more fuel cell systems 10 (1)-10 (M) with series system.For example, out of order here fuel cell system 10 (3) is replaced, and the fuel cell system of changing can be connected in series to increase the power output of power-supply system 550.
Figure 18 represents the optional step 614 in the method that is included in 600.In step 614, additional fuel battery system 10 is connected electrically on the electrical bus 552 with one or more fuel cell systems 10 (1)-10 (M) with parallel way.Describe according to this, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that this method 600 can adopt any kind of series connection and/or the combination in parallel of fuel cell system 10.
Figure 19 represents to operate the method 630 according to power-supply system 550 additional or optional, schematic embodiment, discusses with reference to the two-dimensional array 568 of Figure 12.Therefore, except method 600, power-supply system 550 can also adopt method 630 alternatively.
In step 632, it is at least a that control logic 564 determines that power demand, the voltage and current from power-supply system 550 exported.The desirable value definable is in control logic 564, or control logic 564 can receive desirable value from user or operator by user interface 566.In step 634, control logic 564 determines that (M, the power structure of series connection N) and/or combination in parallel is to provide required power, voltage and/or electric current for a plurality of fuel cell systems 10 (1,1)-10.In step 636, a plurality of backup circuit breakers of control logic 564 operations are transistor 560 (Figure 11 only illustrates) for example, so that (M N) is electrically connected to definite power structure with each fuel cell system 10 (1,1)-10.
Conclusion
The description of being carried out represents that any amount of fuel cell system 50 can be connected and/or the mode of combination in parallel is electrically connected, thereby forms the integrated drive generator system 550 that drives load 12 with required voltage and current.
Fuel cell system 10 can be taked the form of above-mentioned any fuel battery system, for example, and the fuel cell system of in Fig. 1, describing 10.As mentioned above, power-supply system 550 is utilized the coupling of the polarization curve between fuel cell pack 14 and each electrical storage 24, with the fuel cell system that allows to be connected in series.A kind of method that realizes the polarization curve coupling comprises above-mentioned first order regulation scheme.Another kind method comprises the dividing potential drop of controlling one or more stream of reactants according to voltage between electrical storage device such as battery 24 two ends and the deviation between the required voltage between electrical storage device 24 two ends.Another kind method comprises the dividing potential drop of controlling one or more stream of reactants according to the deviation of electric stored charge and required electric stored charge.Carry out integration by electric charge, can determine electric stored charge inflow or outflow electrical storage device 24.Another kind method can comprise phase place or pulses switch adjusting or controlling schemes.If be used to adopt the reason of series configuration to comprise that cost advantage and heap voltage equal the structure that has peak efficiency so on whole power output points at the battery floating voltage of this point, for example efficient can surpass 97% in the system of 24V, does not have the R.F. noise problem.Though have two-stage in described fuel cell system 10, in certain embodiments, power-supply system 550 can be in conjunction with one or more fuel cell systems 10 that only have one of first or second this two-stage.
The disclosed embodiments provide the mode of " building blocks " or " element " to make power-supply system, allow the producer produce various different types of power-supply systems 550 by fuel cell system 10 several even an only fundamental type.This method can reduce design, manufacturing and cost of inventory, and provides standby to prolong resulting end user's product (that is power-supply system) in the average time between losing efficacy.The cost of safeguarding or keeping in repair can also be simplified and reduce to this method.
Though for illustration purpose has been described the embodiment and the example of fuel cell system and method at this, but under the condition that does not break away from the spirit and scope of the invention, can carry out various equivalent modifications, as by those skilled in the art recognized.For example, can be applicable to comprise the fuel cell pack of other type or the fuel cell system of fuel cell module, not necessarily above-mentioned polymer exchange membrane fuel cell module in this enlightenment that provides.Additional or optionally, fuel cell system 10 can be with fuel cell pack 14 and battery part B1, B2 interconnection.Fuel cell system can adopt other the whole bag of tricks and the element that is used for conditioned reaction agent dividing potential drop.Can provide further embodiment with the various embodiments described above combination.
Incorporated by reference at this full content with following listed patent application, these patent applications comprise: application number is, and No.10/017470, the applying date to be December 14 calendar year 2001, denomination of invention be the U.S. Patent application of " METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLINGVOLTAGE FROM A FUEL CELL SYSTEM " (proxy records number: 130109.436); Application number is, and No.10/017462, the applying date to be December 14 calendar year 2001, denomination of invention be the U.S. Patent application of " METHOD AND APPARATUS FORMULTIPLE MODE CONTROL OF VOLTAGE FROM A FUELCELL SYSTEM " (proxy records number: 130109.442); Application number is, and No.10/017461, the applying date to be December 14 calendar year 2001, denomination of invention be the U.S. Patent application of " FUELCELL SYSTEM MULTIPLE STAGE VOLTAGE CONTROLMETHOD AND APPARATUS " (proxy records number: 130109.446); Being No.____, denomination of invention with application number is the U.S. Patent application of " ADJUSTABLEARRAY OF FUEL CELL SYSTEMS IN POWER SUPPLY " (Express Mail Service number: EV064990705US, proxy records number: 130109.449).If desired, the solution of the present invention can be revised as and adopt various patents, use system, circuit and the design of technology and public publication, thereby embodiments of the invention further are provided.For example, fuel cell system 10 can add or control alternatively as cell voltage V B, flow into or flow out any one the reagent partial pressures of function of the electric current of battery 24 or battery charge, as in U.S. Patent application NO.10/017470, proposing.
Can carry out such change with other to the present invention according to top description.Usually, in following claim, used term should not constitute the restriction to disclosed specific embodiment in specification and claims, comprises all fuel cell systems of operating according to claim but should constitute.Therefore, the present invention can't help specification restriction, but limits its scope by following claims.

Claims (41)

1. fuel cell system comprises:
Fuel cell pack has a plurality of fuel cells;
Have a plurality of battery units, be connected electrically in the battery at fuel cell pack two ends in parallel;
Series pass element is connected electrically at least a portion fuel cell pack and a part is connected in parallel between the battery at fuel cell pack two ends;
Regulating circuit is used for regulating electric current through series pass element according to the higher value of the heap current error of battery charge error, battery voltage error and the fuel cell pack of the battery that is connected in the fuel cell pack two ends in parallel;
Reactant delivery system is used for transmitting reactant to fuel cell, and this reactant delivery system comprises first control element at least, and first control element can be conditioned to control to the dividing potential drop of the stream of reactants of some fuel cell at least; With
Control circuit, at least one that is connected in definite deviation of the voltage between one of the condition of work determined according to described battery charge error, battery voltage error and described series pass element two ends controlled described at least the first control element.
2. according to the fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein, described regulating circuit comprises:
The battery charge error integrator has second input that connects into the first input end that receives the battery charge signal and connect into reception battery charge restricting signal;
The battery voltage error integrator has second input that connects into the first input end that receives battery voltage signal and connect into reception cell voltage restricting signal; With
Heap current error integrator has second input that connects into the first input end that receives the heap current signal and connect into reception heap current limiting signal.
3. according to the fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein, described regulating circuit comprises:
Charge pump; With
Be connected the level shifter between charge pump and the described series pass element.
4. according to claim 1,2 or 3 fuel cell system, wherein, described regulating circuit comprises:
OR circuit with input side and outlet side, described input side are connected to described battery charge error integrator, battery voltage error integrator and heap current error integrator.
5. according to the fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein, described series pass element comprises field-effect transistor, further comprises:
Be connected electrically in the blocking diode between described fuel cell pack and the described series pass element.
6. according to the fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein, at least a portion of described battery is electrically connected with parallel way with at least a portion of described fuel cell pack.
7. according to the fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein, described regulating circuit comprises microprocessor, and this processor is programmed to regulate the electric current through described series pass element by following manner:
Ask the integration of the difference of battery current and battery current limits value;
Ask the integration of the difference of cell voltage and cell voltage limits value;
Ask the integration of the difference of heap electric current and heap current limit value;
Select the higher value in the integration differential; With
Pro rata control signal is offered described series pass element with the higher value in the integration differential.
8. according to the fuel cell system of claim 2 or 3, wherein, described regulating circuit comprises:
The battery charge transducer is in order to provide the battery charge signal pro rata with battery charge;
Battery voltage sensor is in order to provide battery voltage signal pro rata with cell voltage; With
The heap current sensor is in order to provide the heap current signal pro rata with the heap electric current.
9. according to the fuel cell system of claim 4, wherein, described regulating circuit comprises:
The battery charge transducer is in order to provide the battery charge signal pro rata with battery charge;
Battery voltage sensor is in order to provide battery voltage signal pro rata with cell voltage; With
The heap current sensor is in order to provide the heap current signal pro rata with the heap electric current.
10. according to the circuit of claim 1, wherein, described regulating circuit comprises a plurality of discrete integrators or a microprocessor.
11. fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein, described control circuit comprises voltage sensor and comparator, described voltage sensor is in order to be determined at the voltage between described series pass element two ends, and described comparator is connected to voltage and the required voltage between more described series pass element two ends.
12. according to the fuel cell system of claim 11, wherein, described required voltage corresponding to the saturation level of described series pass element 75% and 95% between.
13. according to the fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein, described control circuit only is connected to and controls described at least the first control element according at least one condition of work of determining of described battery.
14. according to the fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein, described control circuit is connected to only according to described the first control element of definite voltage deviation control between described series pass element two ends at least.
15. a circuit that is used to have fuel cell pack, is connected in the fuel cell system of the battery at fuel cell pack two ends and series pass element in parallel comprises:
Be used for determining being connected in parallel the device of higher value of the difference of the heap electric current of poor and fuel cell pack of poor, the cell voltage of the battery charge of battery at fuel cell pack two ends and battery charge limits value and cell voltage limits value and heap current limit value;
The inline bypass adjusting device is used for regulating the heap electric current that passes through blocking diode pro rata with determined difference higher value; With
Be used for and above-mentioned definite battery operated condition and determined described series pass element two ends between at least a device of controlling the dividing potential drop of at least a stream of reactants pro rata of voltage deviation.
16. the circuit of claim 15 comprises:
The integrating gear that is used for the difference of definite described battery charge and described battery charge limits value;
The integrating gear that is used for the difference of definite described cell voltage and described cell voltage limits value; With
The integrating gear that is used for the difference of definite described heap electric current and described heap current limit value.
17. the circuit of claim 15 or 16 also comprises:
Be used to determine the device of the deviation of the voltage between described series pass element two ends.
18. the method for an operation of fuel cells system comprises:
From fuel cell pack and with the fuel cell pack battery that is electrically connected in parallel at least one provide electric current at a plurality of outputs;
In the first order, with the difference of the heap electric current of the poor and fuel cell pack of poor, the cell voltage of the battery charge of the battery that is connected in the fuel cell pack two ends in parallel and battery charge limits value and cell voltage limits value and heap current limit value in higher value at least regulate electric current pro rata through series pass element; With
In the second level, be adjusted to the stream of reactants dividing potential drop of at least a portion fuel cell pack, thereby keep in the required saturation level of the required condition of work of described battery and described series pass element at least one.
19. the method for claim 18, wherein, the first order and the second level take place simultaneously.
20. the method according to claim 18 or 19 also comprises:
Determine first current potential on the input side of described series pass element;
Determine second current potential on the outlet side of described series pass element;
Determine described voltage between the series pass element two ends by described first and second current potentials; With
By the departure of determining the voltage between the series pass element two ends corresponding to the value of required saturation level, the dividing potential drop that wherein is adjusted to the stream of reactants of at least a portion fuel cell pack comprises dividing potential drop according to departure conditioned reaction agent stream of determining with in the required saturation level of the required condition of work that keeps described battery and described series pass element at least one.
21. the method for claim 18 or 19 also comprises:
Difference by asking battery charge and battery charge limits value is determined the difference between battery charge and battery charge limits value for the integration of time;
Difference by asking cell voltage and cell voltage limits value is determined the difference between cell voltage and cell voltage limits value for the integration of time; With
By asking heap electric current and the integration of the difference of piling current limit value, determine the difference between heap electric current and heap current limit value for the time.
22. the method for claim 20 also comprises:
Difference by asking battery charge and battery charge limits value is determined the difference between battery charge and battery charge limits value for the integration of time;
Difference by asking cell voltage and cell voltage limits value is determined the difference between cell voltage and cell voltage limits value for the integration of time; With
By asking heap electric current and the integration of the difference of piling current limit value, determine the difference between heap electric current and heap current limit value for the time.
23. the method for claim 18 or 19 also comprises:
Select the higher value in the difference of the poor and heap electric current of poor, the cell voltage of battery charge and battery charge limits value and cell voltage limits value and heap current limit value;
Selected that difference is carried out level to be moved;
That selected difference after level moved offers the control end of described series pass element.
24. the method for claim 20 also comprises:
Select the higher value in the difference of the poor and heap electric current of poor, the cell voltage of battery charge and battery charge limits value and cell voltage limits value and heap current limit value;
Selected that difference is carried out level to be moved;
That selected difference after level moved offers the control end of described series pass element.
25. the method for claim 21 also comprises:
Select the higher value in the difference of the poor and heap electric current of poor, the cell voltage of battery charge and battery charge limits value and cell voltage limits value and heap current limit value;
Selected that difference is carried out level to be moved;
That selected difference after level moved offers the control end of described series pass element.
26. the method according to claim 18 or 19 also comprises:
Determine near the temperature that is connected in the battery at fuel cell pack two ends in parallel;
Determine the cell voltage limits value according to determined temperature at least in part; With
The difference of asking cell voltage and determined cell voltage limits value for the integration of time to determine battery voltage error.
27. the method according to claim 20 also comprises:
Determine near the temperature that is connected in the battery at fuel cell pack two ends in parallel;
Determine the cell voltage limits value according to determined temperature at least in part; With
The difference of asking cell voltage and determined cell voltage limits value for the integration of time to determine battery voltage error.
28. the method for claim 18 also comprises:
Heap electric current of determining according to the difference of the cell voltage poor, that determine in second time of battery charge of determining in the very first time and battery charge limits value and cell voltage limits value with in the 3rd time and heap current limit value poor is coupled to electric charge from described charge pump the control end of described series pass element alternatively.
29. the method for claim 18, wherein, needed saturation level is between the 75%-95% of complete saturation condition.
30. the method for claim 18, wherein, needed battery operated condition is to flow into or flow out the electric current of battery, voltage between described battery two ends and at least one in the battery charge in a period of time.
31. the method for claim 18, wherein, the described stream of reactants dividing potential drop that is adjusted at least a portion fuel cell pack comprises: the dividing potential drop that is adjusted to the fuel stream of at least a portion fuel cell pack; Dividing potential drop with the oxidant stream that is adjusted to a part of at least together fuel cell pack.
32. the method for claim 20, wherein, the described stream of reactants dividing potential drop that is adjusted at least a portion fuel cell pack comprises: the dividing potential drop that is adjusted to the fuel stream of at least a portion fuel cell pack; Dividing potential drop with the oxidant stream that is adjusted to a part of at least together fuel cell pack.
33. the method for claim 18 also comprises:
The pressure substantial constant that in the dividing potential drop of conditioned reaction agent stream, keeps at least a stream of reactants.
34. the method for claim 20 also comprises:
The pressure substantial constant that in the dividing potential drop of conditioned reaction agent stream, keeps at least a stream of reactants.
35. the method for claim 31 or 32 also comprises:
The pressure substantial constant that in the dividing potential drop of conditioned reaction agent stream, keeps at least a stream of reactants.
36. a fuel cell system comprises:
Fuel cell pack has a plurality of fuel cells;
Have a plurality of battery units, be connected electrically in the battery at fuel cell pack two ends in parallel;
Series pass element is connected electrically at least a portion fuel cell pack and a part is connected in parallel between the battery at fuel cell pack two ends; With
Regulating circuit, the higher value of heap current error that is used for responding battery charge error, battery voltage error and the fuel cell pack of the battery that is connected in the fuel cell pack two ends in parallel is regulated the electric current through described series pass element.
37. according to the fuel cell system of claim 36, wherein, described regulating circuit comprises:
The battery charge error integrator has second input that connects into the first input end that receives the battery charge signal and connect into reception battery charge restricting signal;
The battery voltage error integrator has second input that connects into the first input end that receives battery voltage signal and connect into reception cell voltage restricting signal; With
Heap current error integrator has second input that connects into the first input end that receives the heap current signal and connect into reception heap current limiting signal.
38. according to the fuel cell system of claim 36 or 37, wherein, described regulating circuit comprises:
Charge pump; With
Be connected the level shifter between described charge pump and the described series pass element; With the OR circuit.
39. a circuit that is used for fuel cell system comprises:
Be used for determining the device of higher value of the difference of the poor and heap electric current of poor, the cell voltage of battery charge and battery charge limits value and cell voltage limits value and heap current limit value; With
The inline bypass adjusting device is used for regulating the heap electric current that passes through blocking diode pro rata with determined difference higher value.
40. the method for an operation of fuel cells system comprises:
From fuel cell pack and with the fuel cell pack battery that is electrically connected in parallel at least one provide electric current at a plurality of outputs; With
With with the difference of the poor and heap electric current of poor, the cell voltage of battery charge and battery charge limits value and cell voltage limits value and heap current limit value in higher value at least regulate electric current pro rata through series pass element.
41. the method for claim 40 also comprises:
Select the higher value in the difference of the poor and heap electric current of poor, the cell voltage of battery charge and battery charge limits value and cell voltage limits value and heap current limit value;
Selected that difference is carried out level to be moved; With
That selected difference after level moved offers the control end of described series pass element.
CNB028276205A 2001-12-14 2002-12-12 Fuel cell system Expired - Fee Related CN100382383C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/017,462 2001-12-14
US10/017,470 US6841275B2 (en) 2001-12-14 2001-12-14 Method and apparatus for controlling voltage from a fuel cell system
US10/017,470 2001-12-14
US10/017,462 US7144646B2 (en) 2001-12-14 2001-12-14 Method and apparatus for multiple mode control of voltage from a fuel cell system
US10/017,461 2001-12-14
US10/017,461 US6573682B1 (en) 2001-12-14 2001-12-14 Fuel cell system multiple stage voltage control method and apparatus
US15088002A 2002-05-16 2002-05-16
US10/150,880 2002-05-16
PCT/CA2002/001909 WO2003052860A2 (en) 2001-12-14 2002-12-12 Regulation of a hybrid fuel cell system

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