JP2002184435A - Protection device for fuel battery system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid the lowering of a serviceable life by detecting abnormality of a fuel cell cooling system by a refrigerant flow rate and a refrigerant pressure and controlling the abnormality before exceeding the serviceable life lowering limit temperature. SOLUTION: The interval between an inner refrigerant passage of a fuel cell stack 103 and a radiator 200 is connected by a refrigerant pipe 201 and a refrigerant pump 202 circulates the refrigerant. The refrigerant pipe 201 is provided with a flow rate detector 302 detecting the flow rate of the refrigerant pump 202, a pressure detector 303 detecting the delivery pressure of the refrigerant pump 202, and temperature sensors 300 and 301 measuring the refrigerant temperature. A control device 400 detects the abnormality of the cooling system, when the refrigerant flow rate or the refrigerant pressure becomes out of the normal range, controls the abnormality such as limiting the output of a fuel cell system, stores the abnormality detecting states, and provides information for future failure repair.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a protection device for a fuel cell system, and more particularly to a protection device for a fuel cell system capable of detecting a failure in a cooling system before an abnormal temperature is detected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a power source or a power source capable of achieving clean exhaust and high energy efficiency, in response to recent environmental problems, in particular, the problem of air pollution caused by automobile exhaust gas and global warming caused by carbon dioxide. Fuel cell technology is attracting attention.

[0003] A fuel cell supplies hydrogen or high-concentration gas serving as its fuel, oxygen serving as an oxidizing agent, or air containing oxygen to a stack, which is a composite of an electrolyte and an electrode catalyst. An energy conversion system that reacts and converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Among the fuel cells, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a particularly high output density has attracted attention as a power source for a mobile body such as an automobile.

[0004] In a fuel cell, unless the reaction heat of the fuel and oxygen in the stack is forcibly released to the outside, the stack temperature rises and exceeds the heat resistant temperature of the fuel cell components such as the electrolyte. The stack temperature is controlled by circulating through the stack. Since the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is generally controlled so that the stack temperature becomes about 85 ° C. or lower, water is often used as a refrigerant.

FIG. 16 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a cooling system of a conventional fuel cell system. In the figure, the fuel cell stack 103 has a refrigerant passage for cooling inside, and the refrigerant passage and the radiator 200 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 201. The refrigerant pipe 20
1, the refrigerant pump 202 and the fuel cell stack 10
3, a temperature sensor 300 is provided near the entrance, and a temperature sensor 301 is provided near the exit. The refrigerant is filled in the refrigerant passage, the refrigerant pipe 201, and the radiator 200 inside the fuel cell stack 103, and the refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant pump 202 so that the fuel cell stack 103 is cooled. And the heat of the refrigerant is radiated from the radiator 200 to the outside.

[0006] A temperature sensor 300,
While the temperature measurement signal from 301 is input, the refrigerant pump 202 and the radiator fan 2
03 and control signals for the refrigerant flow rate,
The ventilation amount of the radiator 200 can be controlled.

[0007] During normal operation, the control device 400 controls the refrigerant pump 202 and the radiator fan 20 so that the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 300 and 301 fall within a predetermined range.
3, the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack 103 is maintained within a predetermined range. On the other hand, if an abnormality occurs in the cooling system or the control system and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 300 or 301 exceeds a predetermined value, the control device 400
Is performed, and measures such as stopping the fuel cell system are performed to avoid a reduction in the life due to an increase in the internal temperature of the fuel cell stack 103.

[0008] Further, there is a type of fuel cell system that uses compressed air in which air is compressed to increase the oxygen partial pressure.
FIG. 17 shows a system configuration of a conventional example of this type. In FIG. 1, an air compressor 100 compresses air used in a fuel cell, cools adiabatically compressed air whose temperature has increased by a heat exchanger 101, and cools the cooled air into a humidifier 10.
2 and humidified air is supplied to the fuel cell stack 1
An air flow control valve 104 controls an air flow supplied to the fuel cell stack 03 and discharged from the fuel cell stack 103.

The heat exchanger 101 has a refrigerant passage for cooling inside, and the refrigerant passage and the radiator 200 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 201. On the refrigerant pipe 201, a refrigerant pump 202 and the heat exchange device 1
A refrigerant temperature sensor 301 is provided in the vicinity of the refrigerant inlet 01. The refrigerant is filled in the refrigerant passage, the refrigerant pipe 201, and the radiator 200 inside the heat exchange device 101, and the refrigerant is circulated therebetween by the refrigerant pump 202, so that the heat exchange device 101 And the heat of the refrigerant is radiated from the radiator 200 to the outside.

The control device 400 is provided with an air temperature sensor 30.
0, while the temperature measurement signal from the refrigerant temperature sensor 301 is inputted, the refrigerant pump 202,
A control signal is output to the radiator fan 203,
It is possible to control the flow rate of the refrigerant and the flow rate of the radiator 200 respectively.

At the time of normal operation, the control device 400 controls the refrigerant pump 202 and the radiator fan 203 so that the temperatures detected by the air temperature sensor 300 and the refrigerant temperature sensor 301 fall within predetermined ranges. The temperature of the air supplied to 102 is maintained in a predetermined range. On the other hand, if an abnormality occurs in the cooling system or the control system and the temperature detected by the air temperature sensor 300 or the refrigerant temperature sensor 301 exceeds a predetermined value, the control device 400 makes a temperature abnormality determination, and the air compression device 100 The humidifier 102 and the fuel cell stack 103 are prevented from being shortened in life due to abnormal rise of the air temperature by stopping the operation or opening the air flow control valve 104.

[0012]

In the conventional fuel cell system described above, the temperature sensor detects an abnormal temperature in a failure mode in which the temperature of the refrigerant for cooling the fuel cell gradually increases. Even if a measure was taken at the time of abnormality, it was possible to avoid a decrease in the life of the fuel cell. However, instantaneous blockage of the refrigerant circuit, refrigerant leakage, airlock,
In case of sudden failure such as instantaneous stop of the refrigerant pump,
When the temperature sensor detects an abnormal temperature, the temperature inside the fuel cell stack has already exceeded the service life limit, and there is a problem that the service life of the fuel cell cannot be reduced.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to detect an abnormality in a cooling system of a fuel cell system before detecting an abnormal temperature by a temperature sensor, and perform an abnormal control before exceeding a service life limit temperature. It is another object of the present invention to provide a protection device for a fuel cell system, which can prevent the life from being shortened due to a sudden abnormality.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to a protection device for a fuel cell system having a refrigerant pump for circulating a refrigerant between a heat generating portion of a fuel cell and a radiator. Pressure detecting means for detecting or estimating the pressure value of the refrigerant, flow rate detecting means for detecting or estimating the flow rate value of the refrigerant, and whether the pressure value and the flow rate value by these pressure detecting means and the flow rate detecting means are normal or abnormal. The gist of the present invention is to provide a determination means for determining whether the abnormality has occurred, and an abnormality control means for limiting the output of the fuel cell or stopping the operation when the determination means determines that there is an abnormality.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the protection device for a fuel cell system according to the first aspect, the flow rate detecting means includes a first pressure detecting means provided near an outlet of the refrigerant pump. Means, and second pressure detecting means provided at a position of a refrigerant flow path different from the first pressure detecting means, and based on a difference between pressure values detected by the first and second pressure detecting means. The gist is to estimate the flow rate value of the refrigerant.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the protection device for a fuel cell system according to the first aspect, the combination of the pressure value and the flow rate value is in a normal range when the determination is made by the determination means. If the pressure value is shifted to a higher value, or if the flow value is shifted to a smaller value, it is determined that there is a blockage failure of the refrigerant flow path or a failure of the refrigerant pump, and the pressure value and the flow value are determined. If the combination is shifted to a lower pressure value or to a higher flow value than the normal range, the gist is to judge that there is a refrigerant leakage failure or an airlock failure.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protection device for a fuel cell system including a refrigerant pump for circulating a refrigerant between a heat generating portion of a fuel cell and a radiator. Torque detection means for detecting a drive torque value of a pump, rotation speed detection means for detecting a rotation speed value of the refrigerant pump, and determination means for determining whether the detected drive torque value and rotation speed value are normal or abnormal And an abnormality control means for limiting the output of the fuel cell or stopping the operation when the determination means determines that the fuel cell is abnormal.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the protection device for a fuel cell system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the rotational speed of the refrigerant pump is not constant, the determining means determines whether or not the driving speed of the refrigerant pump is constant. The gist is to correct the torque value and determine whether it is normal or abnormal.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the protection device for a fuel cell system according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the driving torque value and the rotational speed are determined when the determination unit determines. When the combination of the values is shifted to the one where the drive torque value is larger than the normal range, it is determined that there is a blockage failure of the refrigerant flow path or the refrigerant pump failure, and the combination of the drive torque value and the rotation speed value is determined. When the driving torque value shifts to a direction in which the driving torque value is smaller than the normal range, the gist is to judge that there is a refrigerant leakage failure or an airlock failure.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protection device for a fuel cell system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the determination result of the failure state by the determination means is provided. The gist is that a storage means for storing is further provided.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 8 is the protection device for a fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heat generating portion of the fuel cell includes a fuel cell. It should be a stack.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the protection device for a fuel cell system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the heat generating portion of the fuel cell comprises a fuel cell. The gist is to provide a cooler for cooling the compressed air supplied to the stack.

[0023]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a protection device for a fuel cell system having a refrigerant pump for circulating a refrigerant between a heat generating portion of a fuel cell and a radiator, a pressure value of the refrigerant is detected or detected. Pressure detecting means for estimating, flow rate detecting means for detecting or estimating the flow rate value of the refrigerant, determining means for determining whether the pressure value and flow rate value by these pressure detecting means and flow rate detecting means are normal or abnormal, and this determining means Abnormality control means for limiting the output of the fuel cell or stopping the operation when it is determined that the temperature is abnormal, so that if the temperature of the cooling system becomes abnormal, the life can be surely and promptly increased before the temperature reaches the life reduction limit. There is an effect that abnormal control for avoiding the decrease can be performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the flow rate detecting means includes a first pressure detecting means provided near the outlet of the refrigerant pump, And a second pressure detecting means provided at a position of the refrigerant flow path different from the pressure detecting means. The flow rate value of the refrigerant is determined based on a difference between the pressure values detected by the first and second pressure detecting means. Since the estimation is made, the first and second pressure detecting means can detect the pressure value and the flow value of the refrigerant, and the fuel cell system can be protected even in a configuration in which it is difficult to directly detect the refrigerant flow. This has the effect of simplifying the configuration of the detecting means of the device and enabling cost reduction.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, in the determination by the determining means, the combination of the pressure value and the flow rate value having a higher pressure value than the normal range. If the deviation or the flow value is deviated to a smaller value, it is determined that there is a blockage failure of the refrigerant flow path or a refrigerant pump failure, and the combination of the pressure value and the flow value is out of a normal range. If the pressure value shifts to a lower value or the flow value value shifts to a higher value, it is determined that there is a leakage failure of the refrigerant or an airlock failure. There is an effect that it can be facilitated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protection device for a fuel cell system including a refrigerant pump for circulating a refrigerant between a heat generating portion of a fuel cell and a radiator, wherein a drive torque value of the refrigerant pump is provided. , A rotation speed detection unit for detecting a rotation speed value of the refrigerant pump, a determination unit for determining whether the detected drive torque value and the rotation speed value are normal or abnormal, and a determination unit Abnormality control means for limiting the output of the fuel cell or stopping the operation when it is judged that the refrigerant is abnormal, so that the number of refrigerant circuit connections for pressure and flow rate detection sensors that cause refrigerant leakage is increased. Without performing the above, when an abnormality occurs in the cooling system, there is an effect that abnormality control for avoiding a reduction in life can be performed reliably and promptly before the temperature reaches the life reduction limit. In particular, when the control device of the refrigerant pump already includes the torque detecting means and the rotational speed detecting means, the effect of simplifying the configuration of the protection device of the fuel cell system and enabling cost reduction is also added.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the fourth aspect, the determining means corrects the drive torque value when the rotation speed of the refrigerant pump is not constant. Since it is determined whether the refrigerant pump is normal or abnormal, there is an effect that it is possible to accurately estimate the refrigerant pressure even when the refrigerant pump is accelerating or decelerating, not at a constant speed, and to perform the abnormality determination.

According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 4 or 5, the combination of the drive torque value and the rotation speed value in the determination by the determination means is in a normal range. If the drive torque value is shifted to a larger value, it is determined that there is a blockage failure of the refrigerant flow path or a refrigerant pump failure, and the combination of the drive torque value and the rotation speed value is smaller than the normal range. If the value shifts to a smaller value, it is determined that there is a refrigerant leak failure or an airlock failure, so that it is possible to easily determine the failure mode at the time of repair.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, there is further provided storage means for storing the result of the failure condition determination by the determination means. At the time of repair of the fuel cell system, there is an effect that the stored determination result of the failure situation is read out to facilitate the pursuit of the failure cause.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first to seventh aspects, the heat generating portion of the fuel cell is a fuel cell stack. This has the effect that the failure of the refrigerant circulation system is detected earlier than when the temperature rise of the fuel cell stack is detected, and the life reduction caused by the temperature rise of the fuel cell stack can be avoided.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to seventh aspects, the heat generating portion of the fuel cell cools the compressed air supplied to the fuel cell stack. Since it is assumed that the temperature of the compressed air is increased, the abnormality of the compressed air cooling system can be detected earlier than when the temperature of the compressed air is detected, and the life of the fuel cell system caused by the increased temperature of the compressed air can be avoided. This has the effect.

[0032]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, in the first to fifth embodiments, an embodiment in which the heat generating portion of the fuel cell to be cooled is a fuel cell stack will be described.
An embodiment will be described in which the heat generating portion of the fuel cell to be cooled in the ninth to ninth embodiments is a compressed air cooler.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram for explaining a first embodiment of a protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention. In the figure, the fuel cell stack 103 has a refrigerant passage for cooling inside, and the refrigerant passage and the radiator 200 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 201. In the refrigerant pipe 201, a refrigerant pump 202 for circulating the refrigerant, a flow detector 302 for detecting a flow rate of the refrigerant pump 202, a pressure detector 303 for detecting a discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump 202, and a fuel cell stack 103 Temperature sensor 30 for measuring the temperature near the entrance
0 and a temperature sensor 301 for measuring the temperature near the outlet.

The flow rate detector 302 is not particularly limited, but is provided with a rotating body such as an impeller or a screw inside the refrigerant pipe 201 and converts a fluid speed into a rotating speed of the rotating body to detect the flow rate. An ultrasonic flowmeter that detects the flow rate by measuring the sound velocity in both the forward and reverse directions of the flow, a differential pressure flowmeter based on Bernoulli's theorem and the continuous equation can be used.

The pressure detector 303 is not particularly limited, but may be a capacitive pressure sensor that detects displacement of the diaphragm as a change in capacitance, a semiconductor pressure sensor that detects pressure by distortion of a semiconductor diaphragm, or the like. . In particular, the latter is integrated in a semiconductor chip including a temperature compensation circuit, an amplifier circuit, and the like, and is preferable for mounting.

A refrigerant is filled in the refrigerant passage, the refrigerant pipe 201, and the radiator 200 inside the fuel cell stack 103, and the refrigerant is circulated between the refrigerant pump 202 and the fuel cell stack 103. 103 is cooled by the refrigerant, and the heat of the refrigerant is
Heat is radiated from 0 to the outside.

Measurement signals from the flow detector 302, the pressure detector 303, the temperature sensor 300, and the temperature sensor 301 are input to the control device 400. Control device 4
00 has a built-in internal data storage unit for storing normal flow rate range data, normal discharge pressure range data, and normal temperature range data, and compares measurement signals from these sensors with the internal data to determine whether the data is within the normal range. Can be determined. Further, the control device 400 sends the refrigerant pump 20
2 and a radiator fan 203 to output control signals to control the flow rate of the refrigerant and the flow rate of the radiator 200, respectively.

During normal operation, the control device 400 operates the refrigerant pump 202 and the radiator fan 20 so that the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 300 and 301 fall within a predetermined range.
3, the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack 103 is maintained within a predetermined range.

On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in the cooling system or the control system, the flow rate detected by the flow rate detector 302 or the pressure
If the detected pressure or the combination of the flow rate and the pressure is out of the predetermined normal range, the controller 400 determines whether the cooling system is abnormal, and takes measures such as limiting the output of the fuel cell system or stopping power generation. , Fuel cell stack 1
03 is prevented from being shortened by an increase in internal temperature.

FIG. 2 shows a control device 4 according to the first embodiment.
6 is a flowchart illustrating an abnormality detection operation of the cooling system according to the first embodiment. In addition to the abnormality detection operation, the control device 400 controls the refrigerant pump 20 according to the output of the fuel cell and the refrigerant temperature.
Although the main control operation such as the drive control of No. 2 and the control of the radiator fan 203 is performed, the description is omitted because it has no direct relation to the gist of the present invention.

Although the operation according to the flowchart of FIG. 2 is not particularly limited, it is constituted, for example, as a subroutine called at regular time intervals (for example, 0.05 sec) from the main control operation.

In FIG. 2, first, the flow rate of the refrigerant by the refrigerant pump 202 is detected by the flow rate detector 302 (Step 10, hereinafter, step is abbreviated as S), and the detected flow rate is collated with the internal data. It is determined whether the flow rate is within the normal flow rate range according to the battery output (S12). If the flow rate is not within the normal flow rate range, the process proceeds to abnormality determination in S20.

If the flow rate is within the normal flow rate range, the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump 202 is detected by the pressure detector 303 (S14), and the detected discharge pressure is compared with the internal data to determine the normal discharge pressure range according to the flow rate. It is determined whether or not (S16). If it is not in the normal discharge pressure range, the process proceeds to the abnormality determination in S20. If it is within the normal discharge pressure range, the process is terminated assuming that there is no abnormality, and the process returns to the main routine.

In the abnormality determination at S20, whether an abnormality in the refrigerant flow rate (high / low), an abnormality in the refrigerant discharge pressure (high / low) is detected, or an abnormality in the discharge pressure (high / low) with respect to the flow rate is detected.
A failure mode indicating whether or not (low) is detected is stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) for reference at the time of repair.

When the refrigerant flow rate is larger than the normal range, the mode is set to the mode of the leakage failure of the refrigerant circuit or the failure of the refrigerant pump and its control. When the refrigerant flow rate is smaller than the normal range, the blockage failure of the refrigerant circuit or the refrigerant pump and its control. It is stored as a failure mode.

If the refrigerant pump discharge pressure with respect to the refrigerant pump flow rate is higher than the normal range, the refrigerant circuit is set in a clogging or blockage failure mode. If the refrigerant pump discharge pressure with respect to the refrigerant pump flow rate is lower than the normal range, the refrigerant circuit leaks, Alternatively, it is stored as the airlock failure mode.

Next, when an abnormality is detected in the cooling system, an abnormal measure is taken, for example, the output of the fuel cell is limited, the operation of the fuel cell is stopped, etc., and a warning lamp (not shown) is turned on or blinking, and a warning buzzer (not shown) is sounded. Then, the driver is notified of the occurrence of the abnormality (S22), and the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 3 is a graph for explaining the relationship between the discharge pressure and the discharge flow rate of the refrigerant pump. In the figure, the normal pressure upper limit line A indicates the upper limit of the normal pressure with respect to the flow rate, and the normal pressure lower limit line B indicates the lower limit of the normal pressure with respect to the flow rate. The region between A and B is the normal operation range.

The blockage determination line C is a criterion for determining, when the pressure exceeds this line, that the refrigerant circuit has been blocked, or that an abnormal rise in pressure loss or pump failure has occurred. The leak determination line D is a criterion for determining that if the pressure drops below this line, the refrigerant circuit has leaked, or an airlock failure or a pump failure has occurred.

The region existing along the upper and lower sides of the normal operation range, that is, the region sandwiched between A and C and the region sandwiched between B and C are a judgment suspension region for suspending the judgment of normal / abnormal. It may be. In this determination suspension area, if there is another sign of a cooling system abnormality that the measured temperature has reached the upper limit of the normal temperature, abnormality determination is immediately performed, and the process proceeds to abnormality control.

It is also possible to perform control in which the normal pressure upper limit line A and the blockage determination line C coincide with each other, and the normal pressure lower limit line B and the leak determination line D coincide with each other without providing the determination suspension area. .

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention. In the figure, the fuel cell stack 103 has a refrigerant passage for cooling inside, and the refrigerant passage and the radiator 200 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 201. In the refrigerant pipe 201, a refrigerant pump 202 for circulating a refrigerant and the fuel cell stack 10
3, a temperature sensor 300 for measuring the temperature near the outlet, a temperature sensor 301 for measuring the temperature near the outlet, a rotation speed detector 302 for detecting the rotation speed (rotation speed) of the refrigerant pump 202, and a refrigerant pump 202. And a torque detector 303 for detecting the driving torque of the motor.

The rotational speed detector 302 is connected to the refrigerant pump 202
The number of rotations of the refrigerant pump 202 may be detected by detecting the number of rotations of an electric motor or the like that drives the motor. Usually, a motor for driving the refrigerant pump 202 is provided with a rotation speed detector for controlling the rotation speed, so that the rotation speed detector 302 for the refrigerant pump 202 is not separately provided, The output may be used.

The torque detector 303 is connected to the refrigerant pump 202
When the electric motor is used as a driving source as described above, the driving torque of the refrigerant pump 202 as a load can be detected from the driving current value of the electric motor.

The refrigerant passage, the refrigerant pipe 201, and the radiator 200 inside the fuel cell stack 103 are filled with a refrigerant, and the refrigerant is circulated between them by a refrigerant pump 202, so that the fuel cell stack 103 is cooled by the refrigerant, and the heat of the refrigerant is
Heat is radiated from 0 to the outside.

The rotation number detector 302 and the torque detector 30
3. Measurement signals from the temperature sensor 300 and the temperature sensor 301 are input to the control device 400, respectively.

The control device 400 includes target rotation speed range data of the refrigerant pump 202, pump characteristic data for converting the rotation speed of the refrigerant pump 202 into a refrigerant flow rate, pump characteristic data for converting the torque of the refrigerant pump 202 into a refrigerant discharge pressure, Built-in internal data storage unit to store normal flow range data, normal discharge pressure range data, and normal temperature range data,
By comparing the measurement signals from these sensors with the internal data, it is possible to determine whether or not it is within the normal range.
In addition, a control signal is output from the control device 400 to the refrigerant pump 202 and the radiator fan 203, so that the flow rate of the refrigerant and the flow rate of the radiator 200 can be controlled, respectively.

At the time of normal operation, the control device 400 controls the refrigerant pump 202 and the radiator fan 20 so that the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 300 and 301 fall within a predetermined range.
3, the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack 103 is maintained within a predetermined range.

On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in the cooling system or the control system, the refrigerant pump rotation speed detected by the rotation speed detector 302, the refrigerant flow rate based on the refrigerant pump rotation speed, or the refrigerant pump drive detected by the torque detector 303 is detected. When the combination of the refrigerant discharge pressure based on the torque and the refrigerant flow rate deviates from a predetermined normal range, the controller 400 determines whether the cooling system is abnormal, and performs a measure such as limiting the output of the fuel cell system or stopping power generation. Further, the life of the fuel cell stack 103 is prevented from being shortened due to an increase in internal temperature.

FIG. 5 shows a control device 4 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an abnormality detection operation of the cooling system at 00, but is not particularly limited, but is configured as a subroutine called at regular intervals (for example, 0.05 sec) as described in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 5, first, the rotation speed detector 302
The rotation speed of the refrigerant pump 202 is thus detected (S3
0), the detected rotation speed is compared with the target rotation speed range data stored in the control device 400, and it is determined whether or not the rotation speed is within the target rotation speed range (S32). If it is not the target rotational speed range, the process proceeds to the abnormality determination in S46.

If it is within the target rotation speed range, the torque detector 3
03, the drive torque of the refrigerant pump 202 is detected (S34). Next, the flow rate of the refrigerant pump 202 is estimated using the rotation speed and the pump characteristic data stored in the control device 400 (S36), and the discharge of the refrigerant pump 202 is performed using the torque and the pump characteristic data. The pressure is estimated (S38), and it is determined whether the estimated flow rate is in the normal flow rate range (S40). If not in the normal flow rate range, S4
Move to abnormality determination of 6. If it is within the normal flow rate range, it is then determined whether or not it is within the normal discharge pressure range (S42). If it is not within the normal discharge pressure range, the process proceeds to abnormality determination in S46. If it is within the normal discharge pressure range, the process ends as there is no abnormality,
Return to the main routine.

In the abnormality determination in S46, it is determined whether the refrigerant pump rotation speed abnormality (high / low) is detected or the refrigerant flow rate abnormality (high / low).
Is detected, a refrigerant discharge pressure abnormality (high / low) is detected, or a discharge pressure abnormality (high /
A failure mode indicating whether or not (low) is detected is stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) for reference at the time of repair.

When the rotational speed of the refrigerant pump 202 is different from the target rotational speed range, the information is stored as a failure mode of the refrigerant pump or the refrigerant pump controller.

When the refrigerant flow rate is higher than the normal range, the mode is set to the mode of the leakage failure of the refrigerant circuit or the failure of the refrigerant pump and its control. When the refrigerant flow rate is lower than the normal range, the blockage failure of the refrigerant circuit or the refrigerant pump and its control. It is stored as a failure mode.

When the refrigerant pump discharge pressure with respect to the refrigerant pump flow rate is higher than the normal range, the mode of the refrigerant circuit is clogged or blocked. When the refrigerant pump discharge pressure with respect to the refrigerant pump flow rate is lower than the normal range, the refrigerant circuit leaks, Alternatively, it is stored as the airlock failure mode.

Next, when an abnormality is detected in the cooling system, an abnormal measure is taken, for example, the output of the fuel cell is limited, the operation of the fuel cell is stopped, etc., and a warning lamp (not shown) is turned on or blinking, and a warning buzzer (not shown) is sounded. The driver is notified of the occurrence of an abnormality by, for example, (S48), and the process returns to the main routine.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment of the protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention. The configuration of the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. In the third embodiment, when the rotation speed of the refrigerant pump 202 is not in a steady state but is in an accelerating or decelerating process, the driving torque of the refrigerant pump 202 and the refrigerant pump due to a change in the inertia energy of the refrigerant and the refrigerant pump. A correlation deviation between the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump 202 and the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump 202 is corrected so that the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump 202 can be accurately estimated even when the rotational speed of the refrigerant pump is changing.

Therefore, a step (S35) for detecting the change speed of the rotation speed of the refrigerant pump is added after S34 in FIG.

The initial refrigerant pump rotational speed in S30 is N1, the refrigerant pump rotational speed in S35 is N2, S30
Assuming that the time from the execution time to the execution time of S35 is t, the change speed (change rate) α of the rotation speed of the refrigerant pump is expressed by the following equation (1).

[0071]

Α = (N2−N1) / t (1) In the refrigerant pump discharge pressure estimation in S38, this change speed α is referred to, and when this change speed α is positive, the change speed Since the drive torque is used to accelerate the refrigerant and the refrigerant pump according to, the refrigerant discharge pressure is estimated to be lower by that amount. Conversely, when the change speed α is negative, the refrigerant and the refrigerant are calculated according to the change speed. Since the inertial force of the pump acts, the refrigerant discharge pressure is estimated to be higher by that amount than the drive torque.

The correction value of the refrigerant pump discharge pressure estimated value according to the refrigerant pump rotation speed changing speed is created based on the simulation result of the refrigerant circuit, the experimental value in the fuel cell device, and the like. It shall be stored as data.

The other steps are the same as the steps of the second embodiment to which the same step numbers are assigned, and thus the description is omitted.

According to the present embodiment, even when the rotation speed of the refrigerant pump is not constant but is accelerating or decelerating, the refrigerant discharge pressure is accurately estimated, and the temperature rise of the fuel cell stack is detected. Also, it is possible to detect a failure of the refrigerant circulation system at an early stage, and to avoid a shortening of the service life caused by an increase in the temperature of the fuel cell stack.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention will be described. The flow rate detecting means in the present embodiment includes a first pressure detecting means provided near a refrigerant pump outlet, and a second pressure detecting means provided at a position of a refrigerant flow path different from the first pressure detecting means. And estimating the flow rate value of the refrigerant based on the difference between the pressure values detected by the first and second pressure detecting means.

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment of the protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention. In the figure, the fuel cell stack 103 has a refrigerant passage for cooling inside, and the refrigerant passage and the radiator 200 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 201. In the refrigerant pipe 201, a refrigerant pump 202 for circulating the refrigerant, a temperature sensor 300 for measuring the temperature near the inlet of the fuel cell stack 103, a temperature sensor 301 for measuring the temperature near the outlet, and a refrigerant pump 202 Pressure detector 3 as first pressure detecting means for detecting discharge pressure
02 and the fuel cell stack 1 as the second pressure detecting means
03 pressure detector 303 for detecting the refrigerant pressure near the outlet of 03
Are provided.

The pressure detectors 302 and 303 are not particularly limited. For example, a capacitance type pressure sensor for detecting displacement of the diaphragm as a change in capacitance, a semiconductor pressure sensor for detecting pressure by distortion of a semiconductor diaphragm, or the like may be used. Can be. In particular, the latter is integrated in a semiconductor chip including a temperature compensation circuit, an amplifier circuit, and the like, and is preferable for mounting.

The pressure detector 302 is provided near the outlet of the refrigerant pump 202 and detects the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump 202. The pressure detector 303 is provided at a position of the refrigerant pipe 201 different from the pressure detector 302. And
The control device 400 stores data relating to the circuit pressure loss of the refrigerant circuit from the installation position of the first pressure detector 302 to the installation position of the second pressure detector 303, and
The refrigerant flow rate can be estimated from the difference between the pressure signals from the circuits 2 and 303 and the circuit pressure loss data.

A refrigerant is filled in the refrigerant passage, the refrigerant pipe 201, and the radiator 200 inside the fuel cell stack 103, and the refrigerant is circulated between them by the refrigerant pump 202, so that the fuel cell stack 103 is cooled by the refrigerant, and the heat of the refrigerant is
Heat is radiated from 0 to the outside.

The measurement signals from the temperature sensors 300 and 301 and the pressure detectors 302 and 303 are input to the control device 400, respectively. The control device 400 has an internal data storage unit for storing normal flow rate range data, normal discharge pressure range data, and normal temperature range data, and compares a measurement signal from these sensors with the internal data to determine whether the data is within the normal range. It is possible to determine whether or not. In addition, a control signal is output from the control device 400 to the refrigerant pump 202 and the radiator fan 203, so that the flow rate of the refrigerant and the flow rate of the radiator 200 can be controlled, respectively.

At the time of normal operation, control device 400 controls refrigerant pump 202 and radiator fan 20 so that the temperatures detected by temperature sensors 300 and 301 fall within a predetermined range.
3, the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack 103 is maintained within a predetermined range.

On the other hand, if an abnormality occurs in the cooling system or the control system, the refrigerant pump discharge pressure detected by the pressure detector 302 or the refrigerant flow rate based on the differential pressure between the detection values of the pressure detectors 302 and 303, or the refrigerant flow rate When the combination with the pressure is out of the predetermined normal range, the controller 400 determines the abnormality of the cooling system, performs a measure such as limiting the output of the fuel cell system or stopping the power generation, and raises the internal temperature of the fuel cell stack 103. To reduce the life of the battery.

FIG. 8 shows a control device 4 according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an abnormality detection operation of the cooling system at 00, but is not particularly limited, but is configured as a subroutine called at regular intervals (for example, 0.05 sec) as described in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 8, first, the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump 202 is detected by the pressure detector 302 (S5).
0), the detected pressure is collated with the internal data, and it is determined whether or not the pressure is within the normal discharge pressure range (S52). If it is not in the normal discharge pressure range, the process proceeds to the abnormality determination in S62.

If it is within the normal discharge pressure range, the refrigerant pressure near the outlet of the fuel cell stack 103 is detected by the pressure detector 303 (S54), and the detected pressure and the refrigerant pump discharge pressure detected at S50 are detected. The refrigerant pump flow rate is estimated based on the differential pressure and the circuit pressure loss of the refrigerant circuit (S56), and the estimated refrigerant flow rate is compared with the internal data to determine whether the flow rate is within the normal flow rate range (S58). . If the flow rate is not within the normal flow rate range, the process proceeds to the abnormality determination in S62. If the flow rate is within the normal flow range, the process is terminated assuming that there is no abnormality and the process returns to the main routine.

In the abnormality determination at S62, whether an abnormality in the refrigerant flow rate (high / low), an abnormality in the refrigerant discharge pressure (high / low) is detected, or an abnormality in the discharge pressure (high / low) with respect to the flow rate is detected.
A failure mode indicating whether or not (low) is detected is stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) for reference at the time of repair.

When the refrigerant flow rate is higher than the normal range, the mode is set to the mode of the leakage failure of the refrigerant circuit or the failure of the refrigerant pump and its control. When the refrigerant flow rate is lower than the normal range, the blockage failure of the refrigerant circuit or the refrigerant pump and its control. It is stored as a failure mode.

When the refrigerant pump discharge pressure with respect to the refrigerant pump flow rate is higher than the normal range, the mode of the refrigerant circuit is clogged or blocked. When the refrigerant pump discharge pressure with respect to the refrigerant pump flow rate is lower than the normal range, the refrigerant circuit leaks. Alternatively, it is stored as the airlock failure mode.

Next, when an abnormality is detected in the cooling system, an abnormal measure is taken, for example, the output of the fuel cell is limited, the operation of the fuel cell is stopped, etc., and a warning lamp (not shown) is turned on or blinking, and a warning buzzer (not shown) is sounded. The driver is notified of the occurrence of an abnormality by, for example, (S64), and the process returns to the main routine.

According to this embodiment, the first pressure detecting means for detecting the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump and the second pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure of the other part of the refrigerant circuit provide the pressure value and flow rate of the refrigerant. This makes it possible to detect the value, and even in a configuration in which it is difficult to directly detect the flow rate of the refrigerant, there is an effect that the configuration of the detection means of the protection device of the fuel cell system can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Although the pressure detector 302 as the first pressure detecting means is disposed near the outlet of the refrigerant pump 202 for detecting the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump, the pressure detector 302 detects a differential pressure for estimating the refrigerant flow rate. The mounting portion of the pressure detector 303, which is the second pressure detecting means for obtaining, can be set arbitrarily as long as stable pressure loss characteristics can be obtained in the refrigerant circuit.

[Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram for explaining a fifth embodiment of the protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention. In the figure, the fuel cell stack 103 has a refrigerant passage for cooling inside, and the refrigerant passage and the radiator 200 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 201. In the refrigerant pipe 201, a refrigerant pump 202 for circulating a refrigerant and the fuel cell stack 10
3, a temperature sensor 300 for measuring the temperature near the inlet, a temperature sensor 301 for measuring the temperature near the outlet, and a pressure detector 302 for detecting the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump 202.

The difference between the present embodiment and the fourth embodiment is that the pressure detector 303 as the second pressure detecting means in the fourth embodiment is eliminated, and that the control device 4
00, the normal discharge pressure range determined for the rotation speed control value of the refrigerant pump 202 (which substantially corresponds to the flow rate) is stored as internal data. Other configurations are the same as in the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the abnormality detection operation of the cooling system by the control device 400 in the fifth embodiment. Although not particularly limited, as described in the first embodiment, a predetermined time (for example, 0 .05 sec).

In FIG. 10, first, the pressure detector 302
As a result, the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump 202 is detected (S8).
0), it is determined whether or not the pressure is within the normal discharge pressure range by collating the detected pressure with internal data indicating the normal discharge pressure range corresponding to the refrigerant pump rotation speed control value at that time (S8).
2). If it is not in the normal discharge pressure range, the process proceeds to the abnormality determination in S86.

If it is within the normal discharge pressure range, it is determined as normal (S84), the process is terminated, and the process returns to the main routine.

In the abnormality determination of S86, a failure mode indicating whether a refrigerant discharge pressure abnormality (high / low) is detected or a discharge pressure abnormality (high / low) with respect to the refrigerant pump rotation speed control value is detected is repaired. Are stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) for reference.

If the refrigerant pump discharge pressure with respect to the refrigerant pump flow rate is higher than the normal range, a mode of clogging or blockage failure of the refrigerant circuit is set. If the refrigerant pump discharge pressure with respect to the refrigerant pump flow rate is lower than the normal range, leakage of the refrigerant circuit will occur. Alternatively, it is stored as the airlock failure mode.

Next, when an abnormality is detected in the cooling system, an abnormal measure is taken, for example, the output of the fuel cell is limited, the operation of the fuel cell is stopped, etc., and a warning lamp (not shown) is turned on or blinking, and a warning buzzer (not shown) is sounded. Then, the driver is notified of the occurrence of an abnormality (S88), and the process returns to the main routine.

According to the present embodiment, an abnormality in the cooling system can be achieved only by adding the pressure detector for detecting the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump and the internal data of the control device and a small program to the conventional cooling system. If this occurs, there is an effect that abnormal control for avoiding a reduction in life can be performed reliably and promptly before the temperature reaches the life reduction limit.

Also, according to the present embodiment, the first through fourth
Although it is difficult to determine the failure mode in detail as in the embodiment, it is possible to easily store the failure state of the refrigerant system, and it is highly applicable in terms of cost effectiveness.

Sixth Embodiment FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram for explaining a sixth embodiment of the protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention. In the figure, an air compressor 1
Reference numeral 00 denotes the air used in the fuel cell, which is adiabatically compressed, and the air whose temperature has risen is cooled by the heat exchange device 101, the cooled air is humidified by the humidifier 102, and the humidified air is discharged into the fuel cell stack 103 And the air flow discharged from the fuel cell stack 103 to the air flow control valve 1.
04.

The heat exchanger 101 has a refrigerant passage for cooling inside, and the refrigerant passage and the radiator 200 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 201. On the refrigerant pipe 201, a refrigerant pump 202 and the heat exchange device 1
A refrigerant temperature sensor 301 is provided in the vicinity of the refrigerant inlet 01. The refrigerant is filled in the refrigerant passage, the refrigerant pipe 201, and the radiator 200 inside the heat exchange device 101, and the refrigerant is circulated therebetween by the refrigerant pump 202, so that the heat exchange device 101 And the heat of the refrigerant is radiated from the radiator 200 to the outside.

The control device 400 receives the air temperature sensor 30
0, while the temperature measurement signal from the refrigerant temperature sensor 301 is inputted, the refrigerant pump 202,
A control signal is output to the radiator fan 203,
It is possible to control the flow rate of the refrigerant and the flow rate of the radiator 200 respectively.

At the time of normal operation, the control device 400 includes the air temperature sensor 300 for detecting the temperature of the air supplied from the heat exchange device 101 to the humidifying device 102 and the refrigerant temperature sensor 30.
By controlling the refrigerant pump 202 and the radiator fan 203 so that the temperature detected by 1 falls within a predetermined range, the temperature of the air supplied to the humidifier 102 is maintained within a predetermined range.

On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in the cooling system or the control system, the flow rate detected by the flow rate detector 302 or the pressure
If the detected pressure or the combination of the flow rate and the pressure is out of the predetermined normal range, the controller 400 determines whether the cooling system is abnormal, and stops the air compressor 100 and opens the air flow control valve 104. Abnormal measures such as those described above are performed to avoid a reduction in the life of the humidifier 102 and the fuel cell stack 103 due to an abnormal rise in the air temperature.

The flowchart explaining the abnormality detection operation of the cooling system by the control device 400 in the sixth embodiment is as follows.
Although substantially the same as FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment, S2
Of the abnormal treatments / notifications of 2, the abnormal treatment is performed by the air compressor 10
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it is replaced with a stop of 0 or opening of the air flow control valve 104.

[Seventh Embodiment] FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a protection device for a fuel cell system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 12, in place of the flow detector 302 and the pressure detector 303 of the sixth embodiment (FIG. 11), a rotation detector 302 for detecting the rotation of the refrigerant pump 202 and a torque detector for detecting the same driving torque 3
03 is provided. Other components are the same.

[0109] The rotation speed detector 302
The number of rotations of the refrigerant pump 202 may be detected by detecting the number of rotations of an electric motor or the like that drives the motor. Usually, a motor for driving the refrigerant pump 202 is provided with a rotation speed detector for controlling the rotation speed, so that the rotation speed detector 302 for the refrigerant pump 202 is not separately provided, The output may be used.

The torque detector 303 is connected to the refrigerant pump 202
When the electric motor is used as a driving source as described above, the driving torque of the refrigerant pump 202 as a load can be detected from the driving current value of the electric motor.

The flowchart for explaining the abnormality detection operation of the cooling system by the control device 400 in the seventh embodiment is as follows.
Although substantially the same as FIG. 5 described in the second embodiment, S4
8. Among the abnormal treatments / notifications of 8, the abnormal treatment is air compression device 10
The second embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that it is replaced with a stop of 0 or opening of the air flow control valve 104.

[Eighth Embodiment] The configuration of the eighth embodiment is as follows.
This is the same as the configuration of the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 8th
In the embodiment, when the rotation speed of the refrigerant pump 202 is not in a steady state but is in an accelerating or decelerating process, it is caused by a change in the inertia energy of the refrigerant and the refrigerant pump.
The correlation deviation between the drive torque of the refrigerant pump 202 and the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump 202 is corrected, so that the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump 202 can be accurately estimated even when the rotational speed of the refrigerant pump is changing.

The flowchart for explaining the abnormality detection operation of the cooling system by the control device 400 in the eighth embodiment is as follows.
Although substantially the same as FIG. 6 described in the third embodiment,
8. Among the abnormal treatments / notifications of 8, the abnormal treatment is air compression device 10
The third embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that it is replaced with a stop of 0 or opening of the air flow control valve 104.

[Ninth Embodiment] FIG. 13 is a system configuration diagram for explaining a ninth embodiment of a protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention. As in the fourth embodiment, the flow rate detecting means in the present embodiment is provided at a first pressure detecting means provided near a refrigerant pump outlet, and at a position of a refrigerant flow path different from the first pressure detecting means. A second pressure detecting means for estimating a refrigerant flow value based on a difference between the pressure values detected by the first and second pressure detecting means.

In FIG. 13, the sixth embodiment (FIG. 11)
Instead of the flow detector 302 and the pressure detector 303, the pressure detector 302 which is the first pressure detecting means for detecting the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump 202 and the second pressure detector which detects the refrigerant pressure near the outlet of the heat exchange device 101 2 in that a pressure detector 303 as pressure detecting means is provided. Other components are the same.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining a cooling system abnormality detecting operation by the control device 400 in the ninth embodiment. This figure is almost the same as FIG. 8 described in the fourth embodiment, but replaces S54 in FIG. 8 with S5 in FIG.
The fourth point is that the refrigerant pressure at the outlet of the heat exchange device is detected in step S5, and the abnormal treatment is replaced by stopping the air compressor 100 or opening the air flow control valve 104 among the abnormal treatments and notifications in S64. Different from the embodiment.

[Tenth Embodiment] FIG. 15 is a system configuration diagram for explaining a tenth embodiment of the protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention.

The difference between the present embodiment and the ninth embodiment is that the pressure detector 303 serving as the second pressure detecting means in the ninth embodiment is omitted, and the control device 4
00, the normal discharge pressure range determined for the rotation speed control value of the refrigerant pump 202 (which substantially corresponds to the flow rate) is stored as internal data. Other configurations are the same as in the ninth embodiment.

The flowchart for explaining the abnormality detection operation of the cooling system by the control device 400 in the tenth embodiment is almost the same as that in FIG. 10 described in the fifth embodiment. The difference from the fifth embodiment is that the treatment is replaced by stopping the air compressor 100, opening the air flow control valve 104, and the like.

Although the preferred embodiments have been described above, they do not limit the present invention. In particular,
In each embodiment, the pressure detection means for detecting or estimating the pressure value of the refrigerant and the flow rate detection means for detecting or estimating the flow rate value of the refrigerant are to be appropriately selected according to the target system, Specific means and combinations are arbitrary.

As flow rate detecting means, a first pressure detecting means provided near a refrigerant pump outlet and a second pressure detecting means provided at a position of a refrigerant flow path different from the first pressure detecting means are provided. When the flow rate value of the refrigerant is estimated based on the difference between the pressure values detected by the first and second pressure detection means, the second pressure detection means has a stable pressure loss characteristic in the refrigerant circuit. As long as it can be obtained, the mounting position can be set arbitrarily.

Further, in the abnormality determination based on the flow rate and the pressure of the refrigerant pump, a determination suspension area as a second area may be provided between the normal operation range and the failure determination range. When the determination result of the flow rate and the pressure is in the determination suspension area, the fuel cell system is not immediately stopped, the output is limited, the operation is continued, and another diagnostic signal such as a temperature detection signal is determined based on the determination of the signal. If a sign of an abnormality such as a reserved area appears, if an operation stop operation is performed, a more reliable system can be constructed.

Further, in the embodiment, the rotation speed and the driving torque of the refrigerant pump are detected, and the flow rate and the discharge pressure of the refrigerant pump are estimated based on these, and whether or not the flow rate and the discharge pressure are in the normal operation range. However, the process of estimating the flow rate and the discharge pressure from the rotation speed and the driving torque may be omitted, and the abnormality determination may be performed based on the comparison of the rotation speed of the refrigerant pump and the driving torque itself with the normal operation range. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of a protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a normal operation range, an abnormal range, and a second region in which determination is suspended between a refrigerant pump discharge flow rate and a refrigerant pump discharge pressure.

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram showing the configurations of second and third embodiments of the protection device of the fuel cell system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a fourth embodiment of a protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a fifth embodiment of a protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a sixth embodiment of a protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram showing configurations of a protection device for a fuel cell system according to seventh and eighth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a ninth embodiment of a protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a tenth embodiment of a protection device for a fuel cell system according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a first conventional technique.

FIG. 17 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a second conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 103 Fuel cell stack 200 Radiator 201 Refrigerant piping 202 Refrigerant pump 203 Radiator fan 300 Temperature sensor 301 Temperature sensor 302 Flow detector 303 Pressure detector 400 Control device

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A protection device for a fuel cell system comprising a refrigerant pump for circulating a refrigerant between a heat generating part of a fuel cell and a radiator, comprising: a pressure detecting means for detecting or estimating a pressure value of the refrigerant; Flow rate detecting means for detecting or estimating the flow rate value of the fuel cell; determining means for determining whether the pressure value and flow rate value by the pressure detecting means and the flow rate detecting means are normal or abnormal; An abnormality control means for limiting the output of or stopping the operation of the fuel cell system. 2. The flow rate detecting means includes a first pressure detecting means provided near the outlet of the refrigerant pump, and a second pressure detecting means provided at a position of a refrigerant flow path different from the first pressure detecting means. The protection device for a fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising: means for estimating a flow rate value of the refrigerant based on a difference between the pressure values detected by the first and second pressure detection means. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the determination is performed by the determination unit when the combination of the pressure value and the flow value is shifted to a higher pressure value or a lower flow value from a normal range. It is determined that there is a blockage failure of the flow path or a failure of the refrigerant pump, and the combination of the pressure value and the flow value shifts to a pressure value lower than a normal range, or shifts to a larger flow value. 2. The protection device for a fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein when there is, it is determined that there is a refrigerant leakage failure or an airlock failure. 4. A protection device for a fuel cell system comprising a refrigerant pump for circulating a refrigerant between a heat generating part of the fuel cell and a radiator, wherein the torque detection means detects a driving torque value of the refrigerant pump; Rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed value of the refrigerant pump; determination means for determining whether the detected drive torque value and rotation speed value are normal or abnormal; An abnormality control means for limiting the output of the battery or stopping the operation, and a protection device for a fuel cell system, comprising: 5. The fuel cell system according to claim 4, wherein said determining means corrects said drive torque value and determines whether said refrigerant pump is normal or abnormal when said rotational speed of said refrigerant pump is not constant. Protection device. 6. In the determination by the determination means, when the combination of the drive torque value and the rotation speed value is shifted to a larger drive torque value than a normal range, a blockage failure of the refrigerant flow path or It is determined that there is a refrigerant pump failure, and when the combination of the driving torque value and the rotation speed value is shifted to a smaller driving torque value than a normal range, if there is a leakage failure of the refrigerant or an airlock failure. 6. The protection device for a fuel cell system according to claim 4, wherein the determination is performed. 7. The protection device for a fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit configured to store a result of the failure state determination by the determination unit. 8. The protection device for a fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating portion of the fuel cell is a fuel cell stack. 9. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating portion of the fuel cell is a cooler that cools compressed air supplied to a fuel cell stack. Protection device.