JP2010014373A - Cogeneration device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cogeneration device capable of identifying a failure analysis portion without using a specific device. <P>SOLUTION: The cogeneration device is provided with a fuel cell power generation device 1; a hot water storage device 2 for collecting exhaust heat generated when power is generated by the fuel cell power generation device 1 and storing energy; a power generation device control means 3 for controlling a series of operations of the start, power generation and stop of the fuel cell power generation device 1; a hot water storage device control means 4 for controlling the operation of the hot water storage device 2; communication means 7a, 7b for exchanging information between the fuel cell power generation device 1 and the hot water storage device 2; a communication cable 6 for connecting the communication means 7a on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side and the communication means 7b on the hot water storage device 2 side; and information state informing means 5a, 5b for informing communication states. The information state informing means 5a, 5b are provided directly in a communication line, and when an abnormality occurs in the communication means 7a, 7b, a failed portion is identified based on the states of the information state informing means 5a, 5b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cogeneration apparatus having a failure diagnosis function for specifying a communication failure point in communication of a system composed of a plurality of units.

Currently, attention is focused on products with high energy utilization efficiency, such as fuel cell power generation systems and gas cogeneration systems, as interest in global warming prevention and CO ₂ reduction efforts is increasing.

  For example, a fuel cell power generation system generates hydrogen gas, which is a fuel gas mainly composed of hydrogen, from a source gas such as city gas by a hydrogen generator, and reacts the generated hydrogen gas with an oxidant gas to generate power. Do.

  In addition, the fuel cell power generation system cools the heat generated when generating electricity or reforming raw gas such as city gas into hydrogen with a hydrogen generator by circulating cooling water and recovering exhaust heat. Store the hot water in a hot water storage tank. In the fuel cell power generation system, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is used as domestic water for baths and kitchens, so the combination of power generation efficiency (electric power) and exhaust heat recovery efficiency (heat) is the primary. The fuel cell power generation system is a highly efficient system because of energy use efficiency.

  In this way, the fuel cell power generation system is a reformer that produces hydrogen from a source gas such as city gas, a stack that generates power by reacting hydrogen gas with an oxidant gas, and a DC voltage generated by the stack as an alternating current. The fuel cell power generator main unit is composed of an inverter that converts to voltage, and the hot water storage device that recovers the heat generated during power generation and stores it as hot water. The fuel cell power generator main unit and the hot water storage device are both large. Therefore, it is generally configured as a separate unit.

  Between the fuel cell power generation device main body and the hot water storage device, information such as the amount of hot water in the tank of the hot water storage device and the open / closed state of the valve is exchanged, and a series of power generation operations are performed as the entire fuel cell power generation device system.

  However, as described above, in the fuel cell power generation system, the power generation device main body and the hot water storage device are often configured as separate units. In addition, fuel cell power generator systems are often installed in place of conventional water heaters, and many of them are installed outdoors. Since the power generation device main body and the hot water storage device often exist as separate units, they may be installed several meters to a dozen meters apart depending on the environmental conditions of the installation location.

  In such an outdoor and remote installation condition, a series of operations are performed between the power generation device main body and the hot water storage device while communicating with a communication cable routed outdoors.

  Therefore, the inter-device communication of the fuel cell power generation device that is installed outdoors and is composed of a plurality of units is more likely to cause problems in communication due to deterioration over time than other devices. Also, since the two units are often installed apart from each other, it is difficult to confirm where the cause is when a problem occurs.

In such a case, conventionally, for example, a maintenance person has a device that monitors a communication line in the field and analyzes it, thereby identifying a failure location (for example, patent document). 1).
JP 2001-86041 A

  However, as described above, the above-described conventional configuration is a communication line for analyzing where an abnormality occurs in the inter-device communication of the fuel cell power generation system, and where the malfunction occurs in the power generation device main body, the hot water storage device, or the communication cable. Monitoring device is required.

  In view of the above-described conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a cogeneration apparatus that can specify a fault diagnosis location without using a special apparatus.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, a cogeneration apparatus of the present invention includes a power generation apparatus capable of generating power, a hot water storage apparatus that recovers exhaust heat generated when the power generation apparatus generates power and stores energy, and activation of the power generation apparatus Power generation device control means for controlling a series of operations of power generation and stop, hot water storage device control means for controlling operation of the hot water storage device, and communication means for exchanging information between the power generation device and the hot water storage device; A communication cable that connects the communication means on the power generation device side and the communication means on the hot water storage device side, and communication state notification means that notifies the communication state, and the communication state notification means is provided directly on the communication line. In addition, when an abnormality occurs in the communication means, it is possible to identify a failure location from the state of the communication status notification means.

  Thus, according to the present invention, for example, by providing communication state notification means such as an LED for notifying the communication state of the communication means in the communication line, it is possible to specify the fault diagnosis location from the lighting state of the communication state notification means.

  The cogeneration apparatus of the present invention is provided with a communication state notifying means such as an LED in the communication line between the apparatuses as in the power generator main body and the hot water storage apparatus. Since it is possible to specify whether an abnormality has occurred, it is possible to specify a fault diagnosis location without using a special device.

  The first invention controls a power generation device capable of generating power, a hot water storage device that recovers exhaust heat generated when the power generation device generates power and stores energy, and a series of operations of starting, generating, and stopping the power generation device. Power generation device control means, hot water storage device control means for controlling the operation of the hot water storage device, communication means for exchanging information between the power generation device and the hot water storage device, communication means on the power generation device side, and the hot water storage A communication cable for connecting the communication means on the apparatus side, and a communication state notifying means for notifying the communication state, the communication state notifying means being directly provided on the communication line, and when an abnormality occurs in the communication means The cogeneration apparatus is characterized in that it is possible to identify a failure location from the state of the communication state notification means.

  According to the above-described configuration and operation, the failure diagnosis method of the present invention can communicate with an LED or the like provided in the communication line of the communication means when an abnormality occurs in communication between the power generation device main body and the hot water storage device. Since the failure diagnosis location can be specified by the lighting state of the state notification means, when a communication abnormality occurs between the power generator body of the fuel cell power generator system and the hot water storage device, a maintenance person uses a special device. Even if it is not, since it is possible to specify which side of the power generation device main body side or the hot water storage device side is defective, it is possible to improve the workability of failure diagnosis.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, there is provided display means for operating the power generation device and the hot water storage device or displaying the operation state of the device. When an abnormality occurs in the communication state, the display means A failure location is specified from the display content and the state of the communication status notification means.

  According to the above configuration and operation, when a communication abnormality occurs between the power generation device main body and the hot water storage device of the fuel cell power generation system, first, a communication abnormality occurs between the devices using a method such as an error code on the display means. By informing the user, the user or the maintenance person can specify that an abnormality has occurred between the devices, and then can specify the failure diagnosis location by the lighting state of the communication state notification means such as an LED. Therefore, since it is possible to specify which side of the power generation device main body side or the hot water storage device side has a problem, it is possible to improve the workability of failure diagnosis.

  According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, the communication state notification means is configured by providing an LED on the communication line.

  According to the above configuration and operation, when an abnormality occurs in the communication between the power generator main body and the hot water storage device, the communication line is provided with communication state notifying means such as an LED directly. Even more specific failure diagnosis as described above is possible, so that the workability of the maintenance person can be improved.

  According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, the communication state notification means is provided on both the power generation device side and the hot water storage device side.

  According to the above configuration and operation, by providing the communication status notification means on both the power generator main body side and the hot water storage device side, not only the power generator main body side and the hot water storage unit side can be specified, but the communication cable is disconnected, etc. Therefore, it is possible to further specify the fault diagnosis location.

  According to a fifth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, when an abnormality occurs in the communication state, the failure location is specified from the display content of the display unit and the state of the communication state notification unit. It is possible to display a method for identifying a fault location on the display means.

  According to the above configuration and operation, when an abnormality occurs in the communication between the power generation device main body and the hot water storage device, the location of the communication state notification means to be confirmed and the coping method are displayed on the display means. By performing failure diagnosis according to the contents, the troubled part can be found, and the work burden on the maintenance person can be reduced.

According to a sixth invention, in any one of the first to fifth inventions, a maintenance display means for a maintenance person to operate the power generation system or confirm an operation state of the device, and a user operates the power generation system. According to the configuration and operation described above, when an abnormality occurs in communication between the power generator main body and the hot water storage device, the display means is provided. When displaying the location of the communication status notification means to be confirmed and the coping method, the maintenance display means for the maintenance person to operate the power generation system or the operation status of the equipment, and the user By providing separate display means for operating and confirming the operating status of the equipment, even if a system malfunction occurs, it is necessary to enter the room and check the display contents. There is no need. In addition, since the display means dedicated to the maintenance person can make the display content easy to use for maintenance purposes, the maintenance work efficiency of the maintenance person can be improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generation system that is a cogeneration system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a fuel cell power generation system includes a fuel cell power generation apparatus 1 that generates hydrogen by generating hydrogen from a source gas such as city gas, and hot water storage that collects heat generated during power generation and stores it as hot water in a hot water storage tank 25. The apparatus 2 is comprised.

  The fuel cell power generation device 1 uses a power generation device control means 3 for controlling a series of operations of power generation and stop, a communication means 7a for exchanging information with the hot water storage device 2, and a fuel gas and an oxidant gas. The cooling water is supplied to the water path of the stack 22 for generating power and the cooling of the stack 22, the exhaust heat recovery means 24a and 24b for recovering the heat from the exhaust gas from the hydrogen generator 21, and the exhaust heat recovery means 24a. Or pumps 23a, 23b for supplying water for exhaust heat recovery from the hot water storage device 2 to the water path of the exhaust heat recovery means 24b.

  Further, the hot water storage device 2 is a communication for exchanging information with the hot water storage device control means 4 for controlling the operation of the hot water storage device 2, the hot water storage tank 25 for storing the recovered hot water, and the fuel cell power generation device 1 main body. Means 7b are provided.

  The communication means 7a of the fuel cell power generator 1 and the communication means 7b of the hot water storage device 2 are connected by a communication cable 6, and the amount and temperature of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 25 of the hot water storage device 2, the fuel cell power generation device. Information such as power generation amount and power generation time is exchanged. In addition, information such as the amount and temperature of hot water, the amount of power generation, and the power generation time can be notified to the user by display means 8 such as a remote controller connected to the hot water storage device 2 via the communication cable 6.

  In addition to the display means 8 mainly used by the user, a maintenance display means 9 used by the maintenance person is provided on the fuel cell power generator 1 side.

  However, even if the display means 8 is configured to be connected to the fuel cell power generator 1, various effects can be notified to the user, so the effects of the present invention are not changed.

  Next, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a communication configuration of the fuel cell power generation system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, communication using an operation signal typified by RS-422 / 485 communication will be described as an example. The communication between the fuel cell power generation device 1 and the hot water storage device 2 will be described with the fuel cell power generation device 1 as a main station and the hot water storage device 2 as a subordinate station.

  However, the effect of the present invention does not change even if the communication method and the relationship between the main station and the subordinate station of the fuel cell power generation device 1 and the hot water storage device 2 are other than this.

  In addition, the effect of the present invention does not change even in a communication system other than RS-422 / 485 communication. A communication method other than RS-422 / 485 communication will be described in Embodiment 2.

  In FIG. 2, communication using a differential signal transmits a signal by transmitting a + signal, a − signal, and two signals having different polarities to the other party at the same time. Since the fuel cell power generation device 1 is the main station, first, a communication signal is transmitted from the power generation device control means 3 on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side, converted into a differential signal by the communication means 7 a, and hot water storage via the communication cable 6. A communication signal is transmitted to the device 2.

  The communication means 7b that has received the signal converts the differential signal again into the communication signal transmitted by the power generation device control means 3, and the hot water storage device control means 4 receives the signal.

  Next, when the hot water storage device control means 4 receives the signal normally, the hot water storage device control means 4 communicates toward the power generation device control means 3 through a route opposite to the transmission of the communication signal from the fuel cell power generation device 1 to the hot water storage device 2 described above. Send a signal.

  When a series of signals are exchanged between the fuel cell power generation device 1 and the hot water storage device 2, the communication state notification means 5a and 5b provided in the communication line are periodically exchanged when the signals are normally exchanged. It is flashing.

  This is because two communication lines that transmit differential signals always transmit signals of opposite polarities when transmitting communication signals. That is, an LED or the like is placed between the two communication lines. By connecting, the LED blinks due to the potential difference of the differential signal, and it can be visually confirmed that the communication is normally performed.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a diagnosis method for specifying a more specific failure location when a communication abnormality occurs will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for identifying a failure location when a communication abnormality occurs between devices in a system that performs communication between the fuel cell power generation device 1 and the hot water storage device 2.

  In the fuel cell power generation system, since the fuel cell power generation device 1 is the main station and the hot water storage device 2 is the subordinate station, communication is always performed from the power generation device control means 3 on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side to the hot water storage device control of the hot water storage device 2. A communication signal is first transmitted toward the means 4. When the hot water storage device control means 4 receives the signal, a communication signal is transmitted from the hot water storage device control means 4 to the power generation device control means 3 this time.

  Based on the above, a method for identifying a failure location when a communication abnormality occurs will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of display means for performing information and operation of the fuel cell power generation system.

  In FIG. 4, the display means 8 has an operation means 31 for performing a remote operation of the fuel cell power generation system.

  The user operates the operation means 31 to check the information displayed on the screen of the display means 8, and to set the temperature when the fuel cell power generation system uses the hot water stored in the power generation, stop and hot water storage tanks. Etc. can be set.

  Further, the display means 8 can display the operating state of the fuel cell power generation system. For example, it is information such as how many watts the fuel cell power generator 1 is currently generating and how much hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank.

  Further, when an abnormality occurs in the fuel cell power generation system, information such as an error code (notation “999” shown in the upper left of the screen in the example of FIG. 4) is displayed on a part of the screen as shown in FIG. Thus, if an abnormality occurs in the system, the user can be notified.

  For example, when “999” is an error code of communication abnormality in communication between devices of the fuel cell power generation device 1 and the hot water storage device 2, the display of “999” displayed on the screen of the display unit 8 in FIG. , It can be confirmed that an abnormality has occurred in the inter-device communication (S1).

  If there is an abnormality in communication between devices, it is conventional to specify where the cause of the abnormality is on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side, the hot water storage device 2 side, or the communication cable 6. However, in the first embodiment, communication state notification means provided on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side and the hot water storage device 2 side must be confirmed by connecting a communication monitor device or the like. The failure location can be specified by the lighting state of 5a and 5b.

  In FIG. 3, when a communication abnormality between apparatuses is displayed on the display means 8 (S1), first, the state of the communication state notifying means 5a on the fuel cell power generation apparatus 1 side which is the main station is confirmed. Here, the communication state notification means 5a is an LED provided in the communication line. When communication is normally performed, a communication signal is transmitted from the fuel cell power generation device 1 side, and therefore the LEDs provided in the communication line blink in synchronization with the communication signal.

  However, on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side, for example, when a failure of the power generation device control means 3 represented by a microcomputer or a failure of the communication means 7a occurs, no communication signal is generated on the communication line. The LED on the battery power generation device 1 side remains off or remains lit.

  Whether the light is turned off or turned on at this time varies depending on the timing of the occurrence of the failure and the content of the failure (such as a short failure or an open failure), but neither LED blinks.

  Therefore, when a communication abnormality occurs between devices and an error code for communication between devices occurs on the display means 8, first, the lighting state of the communication state notification means 5a on the fuel cell power generator 1 side is confirmed (S2).

  For the reasons described above, if the LED of the communication state notification means 5a is not blinking, it can be determined that the substrate on the fuel cell power generator 1 side is faulty (S3), and the substrate on the fuel cell power generator 1 side can be replaced. It becomes.

  If the LED of the communication state notification means 5a is blinking, it can be determined that the substrate on the fuel cell power generator 1 side is normal, and the process proceeds to the next step.

  Next, the lighting state of the communication state notification means 5b on the hot water storage device 2 side is confirmed (S4). As shown in FIG. 2, the communication state notification means 5a on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side and the communication state notification means 5b on the hot water storage device 2 side are provided on the same communication line, so that the communication cable 6 is disconnected. If the insertion of the connector is not incomplete, the LED that is the communication state notifying unit 5b on the hot water storage device 2 side at the same timing as the LED that is the communication state notifying unit 5a on the fuel cell power generation device 1 blinks. Also flashes.

  Therefore, after confirming the state of the communication state notifying unit 5a on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side, the state of the LED which is the communication state notifying unit 5b on the hot water storage device 2 side is confirmed (S4). For the reasons described above, if the LED of the communication state notification means 5b is not blinking, it can be determined that the failure of the communication cable 6 or the insufficient insertion of the connector is the cause of the abnormality (S5), and the insertion of the connector of the communication cable 6 It is possible to deal with such as redoing and replacement of the communication cable 6.

  If the LED of the communication status notifying means 5b is blinking, a communication abnormality between the devices has occurred although the communication signal is normally transmitted from the fuel cell power generation device 1 side. Since it can be determined that the substrate on the second side is out of order (S6), the substrate on the hot water storage device 2 side can be replaced.

  As described above, in the fuel cell power generator system that is the cogeneration apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, whether or not the communication signal is normally exchanged, the fuel cell power generator can be used without bringing a tester, an oscilloscope or the like to the site. The failure location can be specified by checking the lighting state of the LEDs provided on the 1 side and the hot water storage device 2 side, so the burden on the maintenance person can be reduced and the work efficiency can be increased.

  Further, the maintenance display means 9 as shown in FIG. 5 is provided separately from the display means 8 for the user to operate the fuel cell power generation device 1, so that the flow of the failure diagnosis as shown in FIG. As shown in the maintenance display unit 9 as shown in FIG. 5, the maintenance person can proceed with the failure diagnosis while operating the maintenance operation unit 41 provided in the maintenance display unit 9.

Thus, the maintenance person can check the error code displayed on the maintenance display means 9 without entering the user's home, and can proceed with the failure diagnosis according to the screen. The maintenance operator does not need to enter the house, and the maintenance operator can perform failure diagnosis according to the screen. Therefore, it is not necessary to check the maintenance manual, and the workability of the maintenance operator can be improved.
(Embodiment 2)
The cogeneration apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment in which the communication method for inter-device communication is provided separately for the transmission line and the reception line in addition to the first embodiment. The configuration and operation are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Therefore, the configuration and operation of the second embodiment will be described below with a focus on differences from the first embodiment, and the other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 6 is an example of a configuration diagram of a cogeneration apparatus when transmission and reception communication lines are provided independently, as represented by the RS232C communication standard.

  In FIG. 6, the fuel cell power generation device 1 is provided on the communication line side for receiving the signal transmitted from the hot water storage device 2 and the communication state notification means 51 a provided on the communication line side for transmitting to the hot water storage device 2 side. Communication state notifying means 51b.

  The hot water storage device 2 is provided on the communication line side for transmitting the signal transmitted from the fuel cell power generation device 1 to the communication line side for receiving the signal transmitted from the fuel cell power generation device 1 and on the communication line side for transmitting to the fuel cell power generation device 1 side. Communication state notifying means 52b.

  Here, the communication between the devices is performed according to the RS232C communication standard, and the communication between the fuel cell power generation device 1 and the hot water storage device 2 is described with the fuel cell power generation device 1 as the main station and the hot water storage device 2 as the subordinate station. To do.

  However, the effect of the invention does not change even if the communication method and the relationship between the main station and the subordinate station of the fuel cell power generation device 1 and the hot water storage device 2 are other than this.

  In FIG. 6, since the fuel cell power generation device 1 is the main station, first, a communication signal is transmitted from the power generation device control means 3 on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side, converted into a signal of the RS232C communication standard by the communication means 71a, and communicated. A communication signal is transmitted to the hot water storage device 2 via the cable 6. The communication means 71b that has received the signal converts the signal of the RS232C communication standard again into the communication signal transmitted by the power generation device control means 3, and the hot water storage device control means 4 receives the signal.

  Next, when the hot water storage device control means 4 receives the signal normally, the hot water storage device control means 4 communicates toward the power generation device control means 3 through a route opposite to the transmission of the communication signal from the fuel cell power generation device 1 to the hot water storage device 2 described above. Send a signal.

  When a series of signals are exchanged between the fuel cell power generation device 1 and the hot water storage device 2, the communication status notification means 51a, 51b, 52a, and 52b provided in the communication line communicates when the signals are normally exchanged. Since it is only blinking synchronously with the Hi / Lo state of the signal, it can be confirmed whether or not communication between the devices is normally performed by checking the lighting state of the LED.

  Next, the operation in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 7, when a communication abnormality between apparatuses is displayed on the display means 8 (T1), first, the state of the communication state notification means 51a on the fuel cell power generation apparatus 1 side which is the main station is confirmed. Here, the communication status notification means is an LED provided in the communication line.

  When communication is normally performed, a communication signal is transmitted from the fuel cell power generation device 1 side. Therefore, communication state notification means 51a provided on the communication line (transmission side) on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side. Blinks in synchronization with the communication signal.

  However, on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side, for example, when a failure of the power generation device control means 3 represented by a microcomputer, a failure of the communication means 71a, etc., a communication signal is not generated on the communication line. The communication status notifying means 51a remains off or in a lit state.

  Whether the light is turned off or turned on at this time varies depending on the timing of the occurrence of the failure and the content of the failure (such as a short failure or an open failure), but neither LED blinks.

  Therefore, when a communication abnormality occurs between devices and an error code for communication between devices occurs on the display means 8, first, the lighting state of the communication state notification means 51a on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side is confirmed (T2). For the reasons described above, if the LED of the communication state notification means 51a is not blinking, it can be determined that the substrate on the fuel cell power generator 1 side is faulty (T3), and the substrate on the fuel cell power generator 1 side can be replaced. It becomes correspondence.

  If the LED of the communication state notification means 51a is blinking, it can be determined that the substrate on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side is normal, and the process proceeds to the next step.

  Next, the lighting state of the communication state notification means 52a on the hot water storage device 2 side is confirmed (T4). As shown in FIG. 6, since the communication state notification means 51a on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side and the communication state notification means 52a on the hot water storage device 2 side are provided on the same communication line, the communication cable 6 is disconnected. If the insertion of the connector is not incomplete, the LED that is the communication state notifying means 52a on the hot water storage device 2 side at the same timing as the LED that is the communication state notifying means 51a on the fuel cell power generator 1 side flashes. Also flashes.

  Therefore, after confirming the state of the communication state notifying unit 51a on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side, the state of the LED which is the communication state notifying unit 52a on the hot water storage device 2 side is confirmed (T4). For the reasons described above, if the LED of the communication status notification means 5b is not blinking, it can be determined that the failure of the communication cable 6 or the insufficient insertion of the connector is the cause of the abnormality (T5), and the insertion of the connector of the communication cable 6 It is possible to deal with such as redoing and replacement of the communication cable 6.

  If the LED of the communication state notifying means 52a is blinking, it can be determined that the communication signal has been normally transmitted from the fuel cell power generation device 1 side, so the process proceeds to the next step.

  Next, the lighting state of the communication state notification means 52b on the hot water storage device 2 side is confirmed (T6). Although the signal is normally transmitted from the fuel cell power generator 1 side, the fact that the communication state notification means 52b does not blink means that the transmission signal to the fuel cell power generator 1 side is not output. It is.

  This may be because the hot water storage device control means 4 is not normally receiving a communication signal or the hot water storage device control means 4 is not transmitting a communication signal due to a malfunction of the microcomputer, etc. Since both are problems on the hot water storage device 2 side, it is confirmed whether the communication status notification means 52b on the hot water storage device 2 side is flashing (T6). The substrate is replaced (T7).

  If the LED of the communication state notification means 52b is blinking, it can be determined that the substrate on the hot water storage device 2 side is normal, and the process proceeds to the next step.

  Next, the lighting state of the communication state notification means 52a on the hot water storage device 2 side is confirmed (T8). As shown in FIG. 6, since the communication state notifying unit 52b on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side and the communication state notifying unit 51b on the hot water storage device 2 side are provided on the same communication line, the communication cable 6 is disconnected. If the insertion of the connector is not incomplete, the LED that is the communication state notifying unit 52b on the fuel cell power generator 1 side also flashes at the same timing as the LED that is the communication state notifying unit 52b on the hot water storage device 2 side flashes. .

  Therefore, after confirming the state of the communication state notification unit 52b on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side, the state of the LED that is the communication state notification unit 51b on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side is confirmed (T8).

  For the reasons described above, if the LED of the communication status notification means 51b is not blinking, it can be determined that the failure of the communication cable 6 or the insufficient insertion of the connector is the cause of the abnormality (T9), and the insertion of the connector of the communication cable 6 It is possible to deal with such as redoing and replacement of the communication cable 6.

  If the LED of the communication state notification means 51b is blinking, it means that the transmission signal from the hot water storage device 2 side has not been normally received on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side, and the substrate on the fuel cell power generation device 1 side is Since it can be determined that a failure has occurred, it is necessary to replace the substrate on the fuel cell power generator 1 side (T10).

  Identify the failure location by checking the lighting status of the LEDs on the fuel cell power generator 1 side and hot water storage device 2 side, without bringing a tester or oscilloscope, etc. Therefore, the burden on the maintenance person can be reduced and the work efficiency can be increased.

  However, although the RS232C communication has been described as an embodiment, for example, a configuration in which data is exchanged independently between the transmission line and the reception line even when direct communication is performed using a serial port of a microcomputer. Since there is no substitute, the effect of the invention does not change.

  Further, although both the first embodiment and the second embodiment are applicable, the fuel cell power generation device 1 and the hot water storage device 2 do not exist as separate units, and as shown in FIG. Even in the case of the generation apparatus 101, the apparatus becomes relatively large, and there is no change in that it is possible to quickly identify a location where a failure has occurred, so the effect of the invention does not change.

  The cogeneration apparatus of the present invention is provided with a communication state notifying means such as an LED in the communication line between the apparatuses as in the power generator main body and the hot water storage apparatus. Since it is possible to specify whether an abnormality has occurred, it is possible to specify a fault diagnosis location without using a special device. Therefore, it can be applied to a cogeneration apparatus including a plurality of devices such as a fuel cell power generation system and an engine power generation system.

1 is a configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generation system that is a cogeneration system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Block diagram of the communication circuit of the fuel cell power generation system that is the cogeneration system Flow chart of a failure diagnosis method for the fuel cell power generation system that is the cogeneration system Configuration diagram of display means of fuel cell power generation system which is the cogeneration system Configuration diagram of display means for maintenance of the fuel cell power generation system which is the cogeneration system The block diagram of the communication circuit of the fuel cell power generator system which is a cogeneration apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention Flow chart of a failure diagnosis method for the fuel cell power generation system that is the cogeneration system FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generator system in which a fuel cell power generator that is a cogeneration apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention is integrated.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cell power generation device 2 Hot water storage device 3 Electric power generation device control means 4 Hot water storage device control means 5a, 5b, 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b Communication state notification means 6 Communication cable 7a, 7b, 71a, 71b Communication means 8 Display means 9 Maintenance Display means

Claims (6)

A power generator capable of generating power, a hot water storage device that recovers exhaust heat generated when the power generator generates power and stores energy, and a power generator control means that controls a series of operations of starting, generating, and stopping the power generator. A hot water storage device control means for controlling the operation of the hot water storage device, a communication means for exchanging information between the power generation device and the hot water storage device, the communication means on the power generation device side, and the hot water storage device side A communication cable for connecting the communication means; and a communication state notifying means for notifying a communication state between the power generation device and the hot water storage device, the communication state notifying means being directly provided on a communication line, A cogeneration apparatus capable of specifying a failure location from the state of the communication state notification means when an abnormality occurs in the means. It has a display means for operating the power generation device and the hot water storage device or displaying the operation state of the device. When an abnormality occurs in the communication state, the display content of the display means and the communication state notification means The cogeneration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a failure location can be specified from a state. The cogeneration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication state notification unit is configured by providing an LED on a communication line. The cogeneration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication state notification means is provided on both the power generation apparatus side and the hot water storage apparatus side. When an abnormality occurs in the communication state, it is possible to specify the failure location from the display content of the display means and the state of the communication status notification means, and to display the failure location identification method on the display means. The cogeneration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cogeneration apparatus is characterized. Maintenance display means for the maintenance person to operate the power generation system and check the operation state of the equipment, and display means for the user to operate the power generation system and check the operation state of the equipment are provided separately. The cogeneration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:

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