JP2007087915A - Fuel cartridge monitoring controller of fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cartridge monitoring controller of a fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cartridge monitoring controller of a fuel cell is provided with a fuel monitoring controller including a fuel solution mixing means, a fluid metering means and a fluid supply means, a fuel cartridge storing high-density liquid fuel, a pure water cartridge storing pure water, a supply cartridge storing fuel solution with fuel and pure water mixed. As fluid inside the fuel cartridge and the pure water cartridge flow in the supply cartridge, respectively, the fluid supply means is closed after an amount of mixed fuel solution of fuel and pure water reaches a predetermined fluid supply amount, and the fluid supply means to stop fluid supply of the fuel cartridge and the pure water cartridge is opened. It also includes a fluid metering means to monitor and control an amount of fuel solution in the supply cartridge and a fluid metering means to select to open the fluid supply means when an amount of fuel solution in the supply cartridge is lowered below a given value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell, and more particularly, to a device capable of achieving supply of a specific fuel concentration of a fuel cell by integrating circuits, sensors, logic arithmetic devices and the like.

A conventional fuel cell uses a hydrogen-rich fuel, undergoes an oxidation-reduction reaction, and then forms a current loop for use in supplying power. By providing liquid fuel such as methanol fuel in the reactants required for this type of fuel cell, the fuel cell must also have a container structure for filling the fluid fuel and a device for controlling the fuel concentration. I had to. Furthermore, in the current consumer electronics, the demand for portable power supply devices has increased dramatically, so the industry has also offered portable fuel cells as a solution. This type of fuel cell technology also replenishes fuel. Was not perfect. Thus, the present invention has invented a kind of fuel cartridge structure for a fuel cell by making efforts to improve it based on the defects of the conventional fuel cell.

A main object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell, which can store fuel required for the fuel cell.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell, which is used for controlling the output fuel concentration by providing means for mixing fuel and pure water.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell, which is used to control the output fluid flow rate by providing fluid metering means.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cartridge monitoring and control device for a fuel cell. By providing the monitoring control device, the fuel cartridge is used for monitoring or controlling as an electric device of the fuel device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fuel monitoring and control device for use in a fuel cell including a fuel solution mixing means, a fluid metering means, and a fluid supply means in a fuel cartridge monitoring and control device for a fuel cell. A fuel cartridge that stores high-concentration liquid fuel, a pure water cartridge that stores pure water, a supply cartridge that stores an amount of fuel solution mixed with fuel and pure water, and a fuel cartridge and a pure water cartridge When the mixed fluid solution amount of the fuel and pure water reaches the predetermined fluid supply amount, the fluid supply means is closed and the fluid of the fuel cartridge and the pure water cartridge is closed. Fluid supply means for stopping supply, fluid metering means for monitoring and controlling the amount of fuel solution in the supply cartridge, and When the fuel solution volume in the feed cartridge is determined to have become lower than the predetermined value, to provide a fluid metering means for selecting open said fluid supply means.

In order to make an engineer familiar with the item understand the purpose, characteristics, and effects of the present invention, the following detailed description will be given with reference to the following specific examples and the accompanying diagrams. To do as follows.

FIG. 1 is a component-related sketch of a specific embodiment of a fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is a fuel monitoring and control apparatus for use in a fuel cell (1), including a fuel solution mixing means, a fluid metering means, and a fluid supply means, and in a specific embodiment. The device includes a fuel cartridge (2), a pure water cartridge (3), a supply cartridge (4), a monitoring control unit (5), a liquid level meter (6), and a concentration meter. Includes (7).

In each component of the fuel cartridge monitoring control device of the fuel cell of the present invention, the fuel cartridge (2) is a storage container, and is filled with a high-concentration hydrogen-rich liquid fuel such as methanol, and The fuel cartridge (2) comprises a fluid output flow rate or volume control means, generally speaking this flow rate or volume control means is achieved by a fluid control valve with flow control. The pure water cartridge (3) is a storage container and filled with pure water, and the pure water cartridge (3) is also provided with a means for controlling the flow rate or volume of the liquid output, and The supply cartridge (4) is a storage container that connects the fuel cartridge (2) and the pure water cartridge (3), and also controls the flow rate or volume of the fuel cartridge (2) and the pure water cartridge (3). Through the fuel cart Tsu di (2) and pure water cartridge (3) to select the amount of liquid flowing into the respective supply cartridge (4). The monitoring control unit (5) provides logic judgment means and control means, and the logic judgment means implements flow rate or volume control means for the fuel cartridge (2) and the pure water cartridge (3). The control means is used to judge and select the timing, and the control means is used to control the flow rate or volume control means of the fuel cartridge (2) and the pure water cartridge (3). The meter (6) is a device comprising means for judging the liquid level of the fuel cartridge (2), the pure water cartridge (3), and the supply cartridge (4).

In the fuel cartridge monitoring control device of the fuel cell of the present invention, the supply cartridge (4) is provided with a concentration meter (7), and the concentration meter (7) is provided with a concentration detection means, whereby the supply cartridge (4 ) Can be detected, and the fuel concentration information is transmitted to the monitoring control unit (5) to be used for determining the fuel concentration in the supply cartridge (4).

2 and 3 are control chart diagrams of a specific embodiment of the fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, according to the fuel cartridge monitoring and control device of the fuel cell of the present invention, the control chart shows that in step (101), the fuel cartridge (2) is a high-concentration liquid fuel such as methanol fuel. In step (102), the deionized water cartridge (3) stores deionized water.In step (103), the monitoring control unit (5) sets the fuel cartridge (2) and the deionized water cartridge (3) respectively. Open the fluid control valve and flow into the supply cartridge (4) from the fuel cartridge (2) and pure water cartridge (3) until the planned fluid volume is reached via the logic judgment means of the monitoring control unit (5) The fluid control valve of the fuel cartridge (2) and the pure water cartridge (3) is further closed via the control means of the monitoring control unit (5) to achieve the fuel solution mixing means, Monitor in step (104) The control unit (5) monitors the amount of the fuel solution in the supply cartridge (4) mixed with the fuel in the supply cartridge (4) via the liquid level gauge (6). In step (105), the monitoring control unit (5) (4) controls the output of fuel to the fluid supply means according to the demand of the fuel cell (1), and in step (106), the supervisory control unit (5) supplies it via the level gauge (6) When the amount of fuel solution in the cartridge (4) is monitored to achieve the fluid metering means, and the amount of fuel solution falls below the predetermined liquid level, the monitoring control unit (5) selects step (103). .

In the step, the fuel cartridge (2) and the pure water cartridge (3) are used for controlling the concentration of the fuel solution via the amount of fluid flowing into the supply cartridge (4), respectively, and the fuel cartridge (2 ) And the pure water cartridge (3) before flowing into the supply cartridge (4), they first flow into the temporary storage area for mixing, and finally flow into the supply cartridge (4).

Further, the fluid control valve can be used as a simple fluid opening control valve for selecting whether the fluid output of the fuel cartridge (2) and the pure water cartridge (3) is open or closed. The monitoring control unit (5) monitors and measures the liquid reduction amount of the fuel cartridge (2) and the deionized water cartridge (3) via the liquid level gauge (6) to measure the fuel cartridge (2) and the deionized water cartridge (3). ), It is possible to determine whether the fuel cartridge (2) and the pure water cartridge (3) have reached the predetermined fluid amount of the fluid flowing into the supply cartridge (4), respectively.

The step (107) can be further increased in the step, and the monitoring control unit (5) can continuously monitor the concentration of the fuel solution in the supply cartridge (4) through the concentration meter (7). When the monitoring control unit (5) monitors that the concentration of the fuel solution in the supply cartridge (4) is lower than the predetermined concentration value via the concentration meter (7), the logic judgment means of the monitoring control unit (5) The fuel cartridge (2) determines the amount of fuel to be supplied through the fuel cartridge (2), and the fuel cartridge (2) fluids the fuel cartridge (2) until the amount of fuel supplied to the supply cartridge (4) reaches the predetermined fuel amount. Choose to open the control valve, and then close the fluid control valve of the fuel cartridge (2) via the control means of the monitoring control unit (5), so that the fuel solution concentration in the supply cartridge (4) is scheduled Adjust until the concentration value is reached.

FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional view of local parts of another specific embodiment of the fuel cartridge monitoring control device for the fuel cell of the present invention. The fuel cartridge (2), the deionized water cartridge (3), or the supply cartridge (4) (shown in FIG. 1) of the fuel cartridge monitoring and control device of the fuel cell of the present invention has a space for storing liquid, a liquid It has an input port and a liquid output port. Referring to FIG. 4, taking as an example a supply cartridge (4) of a methanol fuel cell that supplies a specific concentration, the supply cartridge (4) has several input ports (41) and an output port (42). These input ports (41) are connected to the fuel cartridge (2) and the deionized water cartridge (3), respectively, the output port (42) is connected to the fuel cell (1), and the input The port (41) and the output port (42) are a general fluid flow control structure such as a throttle valve, and the input port (41) and the output port (42) selectively flow, and The fluid can be shut off. The monitoring control unit (5) includes a first local circuit (51), and the first local circuit (51) is installed on the outer surface of the supply cartridge (4) to supply the supply cartridge (4). It is used to control the input port (41) and the output port (42) installed inside and to monitor the liquid level gauge (6). Thereby, the control chart of the present invention can be implemented through this embodiment.

The supervisory control unit (5) can go one step further and include a second local circuit (52) and a third local circuit (53), and the second local circuit (52) is the fuel cartridge ( 2) The third local circuit (53) is used for monitoring or controlling the electric device installed on the outer surface of the fuel cartridge (2) and the pure water cartridge (3). It is used for monitoring or controlling an electrical device installed on the outer surface of the water cartridge and installed in the pure water cartridge (3).

In each of the above embodiments, the metering means can be achieved through the liquid input port and the output port having the flow rate control means, and can be replaced with a liquid level gauge device.

Based on the embodiment, a concentration meter (7) can be installed in the supply cartridge (4), and the concentration meter (7) is provided with a concentration detection means to detect the fuel concentration in the supply cartridge (4). In addition, the fuel concentration information is transmitted to the monitoring control unit (5) and used to determine the fuel concentration in the supply cartridge (4).

Based on the embodiment, the supply cartridge (4) can be provided with a first transmission port (43), and the first transmission port (43) is a first local circuit (51) of the monitoring control unit (5). By integrating the monitoring control unit (5), the level of the fuel solution of the supply cartridge (4), the amount of the fuel solution, or the concentration of the fuel solution is included through the first transmission port (43). Information can be output to an external system. For example, the first transmission port (43) can be any transmission interface within the USB interface, 1394 interface, and other information output interfaces of electronic devices, supplied by the supervisory control unit (5). The fuel concentration in the cartridge (4) can be transmitted to a personal computer. Further, the fuel cartridge (2) and the pure water cartridge (3) include a second transmission port (21) and a third transmission port (31), respectively, and the second transmission port (21) and the third transmission port (31). ) Integrates the second local circuit (52) and the third local circuit (53) of the supervisory control unit (5), respectively, so that the supervisory control unit (5) becomes the second local circuit (52) and the third local circuit. Information related to the fuel cartridge (2) and the pure water cartridge (3) can be output to an external system via the circuit (53).

In the embodiment, the first local circuit (51), the second local circuit (52), and the third local circuit (53) of the monitoring control unit (5) can be operated independently. As a result, the fuel cartridge (2), the pure water cartridge (3), and the supply cartridge (4) can be independent of each other, and the supply cartridge (4) can connect each input port (41). Each corresponding to the fuel cartridge (2) and the pure water cartridge (3), and via the monitoring control unit (5), the first local circuit (51), the second local circuit (52), In addition, the third local circuit (53) can be integrated to achieve the joint operation of the fuel cartridge (2), the pure water cartridge (3), and the supply cartridge (4).

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the liquid level gauge (6) includes means for directly displaying the liquid level, and allows the user to install the fuel cartridge (2), the pure water cartridge (3), or the supply cartridge (4). It is possible to identify whether or not the liquid has been used up.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the specific embodiments as described above, the disclosed specific embodiments are not limited to the present invention, and those skilled in the art are familiar with the spirit of the present invention. Various alterations and modifications can be made based on the scope, and all the alterations or modifications made are also within the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is based on what is defined in the claims.

It is a component related sketch of the specific Example of the fuel cartridge monitoring control apparatus of the fuel cell which is this invention. It is a control chart figure of the specific Example of the fuel cartridge monitoring control apparatus of the fuel cell which is this invention. It is a connection control chart figure of FIG. 2 of this invention. It is a three-dimensional view of the local components of another specific embodiment of the fuel cartridge monitoring control device of the fuel cell according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Fuel cell
2 Fuel cartridge
21 Second transmission port
3 Pure water cartridge
31 Third transmission port
4 Supply cartridge
41 Input port
42 Output port
43 First transmission port
5 Supervisory control unit
51 First local circuit
52 Second local circuit
53 Third local circuit
6 Level gauge
7 Densitometer
101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107: Step

Claims (22)

In a kind of fuel cell fuel cartridge monitoring and control device,
A fuel cartridge that is a device filled with a specific concentration of fuel;
A pure water cartridge which is a device filled with pure water and a supply cartridge which is a device having a liquid filling space;
A supervisory control unit providing a circuit for logic determination means and control means; and
Including fuel cells,
The fuel cartridge, the pure water cartridge, and the supply cartridge each include liquid output control means, the supply cartridge is connected to the fuel cartridge and the pure water cartridge, the fuel cell is connected to the supply cartridge, and And a logic judgment unit of the monitoring control unit, and a fuel solution having a specific amount of liquid flowing into the supply cartridge from the fuel cartridge and the pure water cartridge through the control unit, respectively, and the supply cartridge is a fuel cell A fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell, wherein the fuel solution amount to be output to the fuel cell is selected. 2. The fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the liquid output control means of the fuel cartridge, the pure water cartridge, and the supply cartridge is achieved by a fluid control valve. Cartridge monitoring and control device. 3. The fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the fluid control valve includes a fluid flow rate control means, and achieves a fluid metering control means. . 3. The fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring control unit is further advanced.
Liquid output control circuit, and
Including liquid level monitoring circuit,
The liquid output control circuit and the liquid amount monitoring circuit are installed in the supply cartridge, and the liquid output control circuit selects a fluid control valve that opens or closes the supply cartridge, and supplies the fluid control valve to the liquid amount monitoring circuit. A fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell, comprising: determining a fuel solution amount in the cartridge. 5. The fuel cartridge monitoring controller for a fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein the monitoring control unit further includes a transmission port, and the transmission port is a data transmission interface. Control device. 6. The fuel cartridge monitoring controller for a fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein the transmission port is any one of a USB interface, a 1394 interface, and an arbitrary transmission interface in an information output interface of an electronic device. A fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell. 3. The fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring control unit is further advanced.
The several liquid output control circuits; and
Including the several liquid amount monitoring circuits;
These liquid output control circuits are installed in the fuel cartridge, the pure water cartridge, and the supply cartridge, respectively, and the fluid control valves corresponding to the fuel cartridge, the pure water cartridge, and the supply cartridge are opened or closed. And the liquid amount monitoring circuit includes determination of the amount of liquid to be stored corresponding to the fuel cartridge, the pure water cartridge, and the supply cartridge. apparatus. 8. The fuel cartridge monitoring controller for a fuel cell according to claim 7, wherein each of the fuel cartridge, the pure water cartridge, and the supply cartridge includes a transmission port, and the transmission port is a data transmission interface. A fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell. 9. The fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to claim 8, wherein the transmission port is any one of a USB interface, a 1394 interface, and an arbitrary transmission interface in an information output interface of an electronic device. , Fuel cartridge fuel cartridge monitoring and control device. 8. The fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to claim 7, wherein each of the fuel cartridge, the deionized water cartridge, and the circuits installed in the supply cartridge of the monitoring control unit is independently operated. A fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell. 3. The fuel cartridge monitoring control apparatus for a fuel cell according to claim 2, further comprising a liquid level gauge and means for judging the liquid level altitude. Control device. 12. The fuel cartridge monitoring and control apparatus for a fuel cell according to claim 11, wherein the liquid level gauge further advances one step and includes a liquid level display means. 3. The fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the supply cartridge further includes a densitometer, and the densitometer includes means for detecting the concentration. Fuel cartridge monitoring and control device. In a kind of fuel cell fuel cartridge monitoring and control device,
Providing a fuel monitoring and control device for use in a fuel cell including fuel solution mixing means, fluid metering means, and fluid supply means;
A fuel cartridge storing high concentration liquid fuel;
A pure water cartridge storing pure water;
A supply cartridge storing the amount of fuel solution mixed with fuel and pure water;
The fluid in the fuel cartridge and the pure water cartridge flows into the supply cartridge, respectively. After the amount of the mixed fuel solution of the fuel and pure water reaches the predetermined fluid supply amount, the fluid supply means is closed, and the fuel is supplied. Opening fluid supply means for stopping fluid supply of the cartridge and the pure water cartridge;
Fluid metering means for monitoring and controlling the amount of fuel solution in the supply cartridge; and
A fuel cartridge monitoring and control device for a fuel cell, comprising: a fluid metering means for selecting the fluid supply means open when it is determined that the amount of the fuel solution in the supply cartridge has become lower than a predetermined value. In the fuel cartridge monitoring and control device for a fuel cell according to claim 14,
A liquid output control circuit and a liquid amount monitoring circuit, including a monitoring control unit used for controlling a fuel solution mixing means, a fluid metering means, and a fluid supply means;
The fuel cartridge, the pure water cartridge, and the supply cartridge each include liquid output control means, the supply cartridge is connected to the fuel cartridge and the pure water cartridge, the fuel cell is connected to the supply cartridge, and The liquid amount flowing into the supply cartridge from the fuel cartridge and the pure water cartridge through the monitoring control unit respectively forms a fuel solution having a specific concentration, and the supply cartridge selects the amount of fuel solution output to the fuel cell. A fuel cartridge monitoring and control device for a fuel cell. 16. The fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to claim 15, wherein the liquid output control means of the fuel cartridge, the pure water cartridge, and the supply cartridge is achieved by a fluid control valve. Cartridge monitoring and control device. 17. The fuel cartridge monitoring controller for a fuel cell according to claim 16, wherein the fluid control valve includes fluid flow rate control means, thereby achieving fluid metering control means. Control device. 16. The fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to claim 15, wherein the liquid output control circuit and the liquid amount monitoring circuit are installed in the supply cartridge, and the liquid output control circuit opens or closes the supply cartridge. A fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell, comprising: selecting a fluid control valve to be operated, and determining the amount of fuel solution in the supply cartridge in the liquid amount monitoring circuit. 16. The fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to claim 15, wherein the liquid output control circuits are installed in a fuel cartridge, a pure water cartridge, and a supply cartridge, respectively, and the fuel cartridge, the pure water cartridge, and The fluid control valve corresponding to the supply cartridge is selected to be opened or closed, and the liquid amount monitoring circuit determines the amount of liquid stored corresponding to the fuel cartridge, the pure water cartridge, and the supply cartridge. A fuel cartridge monitoring and control device for a fuel cell, comprising: 16. The fuel cartridge monitoring and control device for a fuel cell according to claim 15, further comprising a liquid level gauge, judging a liquid level altitude and achieving a fluid metering means. Fuel cartridge monitoring and control device. 16. The fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to claim 15, further comprising monitoring control means for the supply cartridge fuel solution concentration, one step further. 23. The fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell according to claim 21, wherein the supply cartridge fuel solution concentration monitoring control means is further advanced to monitor the supply cartridge fuel solution concentration information by the supply cartridge fuel solution concentration monitoring control means. The fuel control valve of the fuel cartridge is provided to the control unit, the monitoring control unit determines the amount of fuel supplied from the fuel cartridge by the logic determination means, and the fuel amount supplied to the supply cartridge by the fuel cartridge reaches the predetermined fuel amount. A fuel cartridge monitoring control device for a fuel cell, further comprising: closing the fluid control valve of the fuel cartridge via the control means of the monitoring control unit.

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