515130 A7 ----------- —_B7____ 五、發明說明（I ) 發租之領域 本發明係有關於一般的能源產生系統，且尤指包括複 數個燃料電池組的燃料電池系統。 發明背鲁 燃料電池系統包栝一燃料處理器及一燃料電池組。該 燃料電池組從燃料處理器之化學反應生成流體，產生一電 流。例如，該燃料處理器可以從一般的原料，例如水、含 有碳的原料或均採用，來產生氫氣或富含氫氣的氣體。該 燃料電池組從氫氣產生電流。 傳統之燃料電池系統的例子顯示於圖一中，且通常地 以1〇來指示。系統1〇包括一燃料處理組件η及一燃料電 池組22。燃料處理組件u，包括合適的燃料處理器12及 一原料流饋送系統17，其饋送原料流16至燃料處理器。 該燃料處理器I2被設計成以從原料流16，其包含燃料處 理器的原料，產生含有氫氣的化學反應生成氫氣流14。 形成原料流16的組合成分及個別原料流的數目，將傾 向於視燃料處理器12被設計成以化學反應生成氫氣流14 的機制而定。例如，倘若燃料處理器12由流體或自熱再生 產生流體14，原料流16包含一含碳的原料18及水2〇。倘 若燃料處理器12由含碳原料的熱溶解，或催化作用部分氧 化來產生原料流14 ’原料流Μ包含一含碳原料而^包括 水。倘若燃料處理器I2由電解產生原料流Μ，原料流16 包含水而不包括含碳原料。含碳原料的例子包括醇類及碳 氫化合物。當原料流包含水及可溶於水的含碳原料，該原 4 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） -----------裝--------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 _________B7 五、發明說明（V ) 料流可以是如圖-中所顯示之單—原料流。讎含碳原料 係不可溶於水時，水及含碳原料如圖二中所顯示，以分開 (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 的原料流傳送。 燃料電池組22被設計成以從傳送到那裡之化學反應生 成的部分氫氣流產生電流。燃料電池組22包括在共用端面 板23之間整合在一起的複數個燃料電池24，其包含液體 傳送/排除導管(未顯示）。傳統燃料電池的例子包括質子交 換薄膜(PEM)燃料電池及鹼性燃料電池。燃料電池組22可. 以接收所有的化學反應生成的氫氣流14。所有原料流14 的某些可以額外地、或替代地經由合適的導管來傳送，在 另外的氫氣消耗程序中使用，燃燒來當作燃料或加熱，或 儲存以稍後再使用。 燃料電池組22接收化學反應生成的氫氣流14的至少 一實質部分，且從那裡產生電流26。該電流能夠使用以提 供電力到一相關的能量消耗裝置28，例如汽車或房子或其 他住家或商家。 圖三中，顯示燃料電池阻的一種說明實例。電池組 22(及其中所包含的單獨燃料電池24)包括一陽極區域32及 一陰極區域34，其係由一電解薄膜或氫氣可以通過的障壁 36所分離。該區域分別包括陽極及陰極電極38及40。燃 料電池組的陽極區域32接收化學反應生成的產物氫氣流 14的至少一實質部分。陽極區域32週期性地被淸洗，且 釋放一淸洗流體48，其可能包含氫氣。另外，氫氣可能連 續地從燃料電池組排出且再循環。該淸洗流可以排出到大. 5 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） 515130 A7 B7 _-------------- 五、發明說明（1 ) 氣、氧化、用以加熱、燃料或當作燃料處理器組件的原料 。從燃料電池組的淸洗流體可以集合至一合適的收集,粗# ，組合的淸洗流體可以被使用爲燃料原料、加熱、或其_ 用途，利用或儲存。 陰極區域34接收一氣流42，且釋放一陰極排氣流44 ，其部份或實質地耗盡氧氣。氣流42可以由氣體傳送系統 46傳送，其槪略描述於圖三，且可以是任何形式，例如風 扇、吹風機或類似的。從氫氣釋放的電子無法通過障壁36 ，而必須通過外部電路49，因而產生電流26，其可以使用 來滿足由裝置28外加的負載。燃料電池系統的功率需求系 統，稱爲燃料電池系統之設備需求的剩餘部分。 因爲燃料電池系統10端賴一單獨燃料電池組及一單獨 燃料處理器，它受害於那些組件上它的可靠性之某些限制 。例如，倘若電池組22需要維修，壞掉或其他需要得停止 運轉，除了若有的話預先儲存的電力之外，系統10不能夠 提供電力給裝置28。類似地，倘若燃料處理器12需要維 修，壞掉或其他需要得停止運轉，除了若有的話預先儲存 的原料之外，系統10不能夠提供例如產生的氫氣流原料 14，給燃料電池組22。 發明槪要 本發明係指具有至少一操作組件之冗餘的燃料電池系 統，例如燃料電池組的冗餘，及/或燃料處理器的冗餘。在 某些實施例中，該燃料電池系統可能包括複數個燃料電池 組，其被設計成以提供部分及/或總冗餘。在某些實施例中 6 (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) ---------訂---- MT. 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） 515130 A7 _____B7_______ 五、發明說明（十） ’燃料電池系統包括複數個燃料電池組，其被設計成以傳 送僅具有一單獨燃料電池組的比較燃料電池系統之相同的 最大額定功率輸出。在某些實施例中，相對於僅具有一單 獨燃料電池組的燃料電池系統，該燃料電池包括具有至少( 或總共)n+l的冗餘之複數個燃料電池組。在某些實施例中 ，該燃料電池系統包括一控制系統。在某些實施例中，該 燃料電池系統可能包括複數個燃料處理器以提供部份或總 冗餘。 圖式簡里說明 圖一係一種傳統燃料電池系統的槪略圖。 圖二係一種傳統燃料電池系統的槪略圖。 圖三係一種傳統燃料電池組的槪略圖。 圖四係根據本發明一種燃料電池系統的槪略圖。 圖五係根據本發明另一種燃料電池系統的槪略圖。 圖六係圖五之電源管理模組之一實施例的槪略圖。 圖七係根據本發明另一種燃料電池系統的槪略圖。 圖八係根據本發明另一種燃料電池系統的槪略圖。 圖九係根據本發明另一種燃料電池系統的槪略圖。 圖十係根據本發明具有一控制系統之一種燃料電池系 統的槪略圖。 圖十一係根據本發明具有一控制系統之另一種燃料電 池系統的槪略圖。 圖十二係合適用於根據本發明的燃料電池系統之使用 者介面的槪略圖。 7 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） -----------裝--------訂---------^^^1 (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 B7 修正515130 A7 ----------- --_ B7____ V. Description of the invention (I) Field of lease This invention relates to general energy generation systems, and more particularly to fuel cell systems including multiple fuel cell stacks. . The invention of the back fuel cell system includes a fuel processor and a fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack generates a fluid from a chemical reaction of a fuel processor to generate an electric current. For example, the fuel processor may be used from a common feedstock, such as water, a carbonaceous feedstock, or both, to produce hydrogen or a hydrogen-rich gas. The fuel cell stack generates electricity from hydrogen. An example of a conventional fuel cell system is shown in Figure 1 and is generally indicated at 10. The system 10 includes a fuel processing assembly n and a fuel cell stack 22. The fuel processing assembly u includes a suitable fuel processor 12 and a feed stream feed system 17 which feeds a feed stream 16 to the fuel processor. The fuel processor I2 is designed to produce a hydrogen stream 14 from a feed stream 16, which contains the feed of the fuel processor, to a chemical reaction containing hydrogen. The composition of the feed stream 16 and the number of individual feed streams will depend on the mechanism by which the fuel processor 12 is designed to generate a hydrogen stream 14 by a chemical reaction. For example, if the fuel processor 12 produces a fluid 14 from a fluid or autothermal regeneration, the feed stream 16 includes a carbon-containing feed 18 and water 20. Provided that the fuel processor 12 is thermally dissolved by a carbonaceous feedstock, or is partially oxidized by catalytic action to produce a feedstream 14 ', the feedstream M contains a carbonaceous feedstock and includes water. Provided that the fuel processor I2 produces a feed stream M from electrolysis, the feed stream 16 contains water and does not include carbonaceous feedstock. Examples of the carbonaceous raw materials include alcohols and hydrocarbons. When the raw material stream contains water and water-soluble carbon-containing raw materials, the original 4 paper sizes are applicable to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) ----------- pack- ------- Order --------- (Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) 515130 A7 _________B7 V. Description of the invention (V) The material flow can be as shown in Figure- No. 1-material flow.碳 Carbon-containing raw materials When water-insoluble materials are used, water and carbon-containing raw materials are conveyed in the raw material stream as shown in Figure 2 (please read the notes on the back before filling this page). The fuel cell stack 22 is designed to generate an electric current with a portion of the hydrogen gas flow generated from the chemical reaction transmitted there. The fuel cell stack 22 includes a plurality of fuel cells 24 integrated between a common end plate 23, which contains a liquid transfer / drain duct (not shown). Examples of conventional fuel cells include proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and alkaline fuel cells. The fuel cell stack 22 may receive a hydrogen stream 14 generated by all chemical reactions. Some of all feed streams 14 may be additionally, or alternatively, passed through suitable conduits, used in additional hydrogen consumption programs, burned for fuel or heated, or stored for later use. The fuel cell stack 22 receives at least a substantial portion of the hydrogen stream 14 generated by the chemical reaction and generates a current 26 therefrom. This current can be used to provide electricity to an associated energy consuming device 28, such as a car or house or other home or business. An illustrative example of the fuel cell resistance is shown in FIG. The battery pack 22 (and the individual fuel cells 24 included therein) includes an anode region 32 and a cathode region 34, which are separated by an electrolytic film or a barrier 36 through which hydrogen can pass. This area includes anode and cathode electrodes 38 and 40, respectively. The anode region 32 of the fuel cell stack receives at least a substantial portion of the product hydrogen stream 14 produced by the chemical reaction. The anode region 32 is periodically scrubbed, and a scrubbing fluid 48 is released, which may contain hydrogen. In addition, hydrogen may be continuously discharged from the fuel cell stack and recycled. The washing stream can be discharged to a large size. 5 This paper size is applicable to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) 515130 A7 B7 _-------------- V. Invention Note (1) Gas, oxidation, heating, fuel or raw materials for fuel processor components. The scrubbing fluid from the fuel cell stack can be collected into a suitable collection. The combined scrubbing fluid can be used as a fuel raw material, heating, or its purpose, utilization or storage. The cathode region 34 receives a gas stream 42 and releases a cathode exhaust stream 44 that is partially or substantially depleted of oxygen. The airflow 42 may be delivered by a gas delivery system 46, which is briefly described in Fig. 3, and may be in any form, such as a fan, a hair dryer, or the like. The electrons released from the hydrogen cannot pass through the barrier 36, but must pass through the external circuit 49, thus generating a current 26, which can be used to satisfy the load imposed by the device 28. The power demand system of a fuel cell system is called the remainder of the equipment requirements of the fuel cell system. Because the fuel cell system 10 relies on a separate fuel cell stack and a separate fuel processor, it suffers from certain limitations of its reliability on those components. For example, if the battery pack 22 needs to be repaired, is broken, or otherwise needs to stop operating, the system 10 cannot provide power to the device 28 other than the pre-stored power, if any. Similarly, if the fuel processor 12 requires maintenance, is broken, or otherwise needs to be shut down, the system 10 cannot provide, for example, the hydrogen stream raw material 14 generated to the fuel cell stack 22 except for the pre-stored raw materials, if any. . SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention refers to a redundant fuel cell system having at least one operating component, such as the redundancy of a fuel cell stack, and / or the redundancy of a fuel processor. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system may include a plurality of fuel cell stacks that are designed to provide partial and / or total redundancy. In some embodiments 6 (Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) --------- Order ---- MT. This paper size is applicable to China National Standard (CNS) A4 specifications (210 X 297 mm) 515130 A7 _____B7_______ 5. Description of the invention (ten) 'The fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks which are designed to transmit the same maximum rated power of a comparative fuel cell system having only a single fuel cell stack Output. In some embodiments, the fuel cell includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks having a redundancy of at least (or a total of) n + 1 relative to a fuel cell system having only a single fuel cell stack. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a control system. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system may include a plurality of fuel processors to provide partial or total redundancy. Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional fuel cell system. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a conventional fuel cell system. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a conventional fuel cell stack. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another fuel cell system according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the power management module of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another fuel cell system according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another fuel cell system according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of another fuel cell system according to the present invention. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system having a control system according to the present invention. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of another fuel cell system having a control system according to the present invention. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a user interface suitable for use in a fuel cell system according to the present invention. 7 This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm) ----------- installation -------- order --------- ^^^ 1 (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) 515130 A7 B7 Correction
五、發明說明（） 圖十三係根據本發明一種能源消耗裝置的部份槪略圖。 圖十四係於根據本發明的一合適燃料電池系統之燃料 處理器的槪略圖。 圖十五係根據本發明之另一合適燃料電池/系統之燃料 處理器的槪略圖。 圖十六係根據本發明另一種燃料電池系統的槪略圖。 元件符號說明 10 :系統 22 :單一電池組 32 :區域 60 :燃料電池系統 62 :燃料處理組件 64 :燃料處理器 66 :氫氣流 68 :進料流 70 :原料傳送系統 72 :含碳原料流 74 ··水 76、76^76生：電池組 77 :電池組件 78 :電流 80、8(^及80J能量消耗裝置 81 :電力管理模組 82 :燃料電池組 84:共用端面板 8 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 訂---------線- 515130 A7 _B7 五、發明說明（G ) 85 :換能器 (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 86 :電池組件 88 :電池 90 :充電器 92 :開關組件 93 : DC-DC轉換器 94、94’、94” ：管線組件 98 :閥門組件 1〇〇 :接觸器 102、106 :氣流 104 :氣體傳送系統 108 :冷卻液流體 110 :冷卻液供應或傳送系統 120 :控制系統 122 :控制器 124 :通訊連結 126 :感測組件 130 :使用者介面 132 :顯示區 134 :螢幕 136 :使用者輸入裝置 138 :使用者訊號裝置 140 :開關模組 150 :再生器 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） 515130 A7 _B7___ 五、發明說明（Ί ) 151 :外殻 152 :區域 154 :流體再生催化劑 156 :再生流體 158 :分離區或潔淨區 16Ό :流體 162 :富含氫氣之流體 164 :薄膜模組 166 :金屬薄膜 168 :潤飾區 170 :沼氣催化床 172 :氫氣生成裝置 180 :系統 齩佳窗施例之詳細說明 根據本發明所架構之一種燃料電池系統係顯示於圖四 中，且通常地以60來指示。系統60包括一燃料處理組件 62，其包括從經由進料流68傳送的原料，一被設計成以產 生化學反應生成的氫氣流66之一燃料處理器64。也應該 了解系統60的組件已經槪略描述，且燃料電池系統可以包‘ 括除了圖中那些特別描述之外的其他組件，例如進料幫浦 、送氣系統、熱交換機、加熱組件及類似的，例如合倂參 考中所發明的。 燃料處理器64可以經由任意合適的機制，產生化學反 應生成的氫氣流66。合適機制的例子包括蒸氣再生及自熱 10 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） --------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 五、發明說明（Z ) 再生，其中再生催化劑被使用以從含有含碳原料及水來產 生氫氣。其他用以產生氫氣的機制包括一含碳原料的加熱 及催化氧化，在該情況中原料流不包括水。化學反應產生 氫氣之另一種合適的機制係電解，這種情況中的原料是水 。圖四中，所顯示的進料流68從各自的原料傳送系統70. ，以雨個分開的原料流來傳送。它本發明的範圍內，進料 k可以疋單獨的原料流或可以是多於兩個的原料流。類似 地，原料流傳送系統可以是任何合適的形式，例如連接至 原料供應的一幫浦，和原料之加壓原料流組合的一閥門組 件等。 爲了說明的目的，以下的討論將描述當作一原料流再 生器的燃料處理器64，其被設計成以接收包含一含碳原料 流72及水74的進料流68。然而，在本發明的範圍內，燃 料處理器64可以是如以上所討論的其他形式。合適的含碳 原料流72的例子包括至少一種碳氫化合物或醇類。合適的 碳氫化合物包括甲烷、丙烷、天然氣、柴油、煤油、汽油 及類似的。合適的醇類包括甲醇、乙醇、及例如乙烯醇和 丙烯醇的烯類。當含碳原料係可溶於水，含碳原料及水可 以係，但不是必然地，以單獨的進料流68來傳送，例如圖 五中所顯示。當含碳原料流係不可溶於水時，分開的進料 流68被使用，如圖四中所顯示。 合適的原料流再生器之例子在美國專利申請案第 09/291，447號中發明，其案名爲，，燃料處理系統”，係於 1999年四月十二日建檔，該發明因此被合併參考。燃料處 本紙張尺度刺+目國家標準（CNS)A4規格（21〇 x 297__^7 -----------裝--------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 _____B7 _ 五、發明說明（1 ) 理組件62的其他組件也在美國專利申請案第〇9/19〇,917 號中發明，其案名爲”整合型燃料系統”，係於1998年十一 月十二日建檔，且該發明因此被合倂參考。 如圖四中所顯示，燃料處理組件62被調整以傳送至少 一部份的化學反應生成之氫氣流66至複數個燃料電池組 76。總而言之，複數個燃料電池可以稱之爲電池組件77。 電池組76從傳送至那裡的部分化學反應生成之氫氣流66 產生電流78，且該電流被使用以滿足能量消耗裝置go的 能量需求、或外加負載。裝置80的說明實例包括，但不侷 限於，一電動汽車、休旅車、船、工具、燈或照明組件、 電器(例如家用或其他應用）、一個或多個住宅(例如家庭、 公寓、城鎭、社區住宅等）、商用建築、微波轉播站、訊號 或通訊設備等。應該可瞭解裝置80係槪略描述於圖四中， 意謂代表一個或多個裝置或裝置的總合，其被調整以從燃 料電池系統汲取電流。再一次描述該點，顯示於圖五中的 裝置80包括一對裝置8〇1_及8〇2。每一個裝置8〇具有複數 個操作狀態，其包括至少一個第一操作狀態，其中該裝置 至少在燃料電池組件77上外加一部份的外加負載，及一第 二操作狀態，其中該裝置未在電池組件77上外加負載。 在圖四所顯示的說明實例中，四個電池組被顯示且通 常地以76^76^來指示。系統60包括複數個燃料電池組76 ’且不僅僅是包含複數個燃料電池的單一燃料電池組，所 以在區別上是重要的。如所顯示的，每一燃料電池組包含. 一個或多個燃料電池組82(典型上包含複數個燃料電池）， 12 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） --------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 ___B7_ 五、發明說明（丨。） 其係連接在共用端面板84之間且具有共用的液體導管。合 適的燃料電池之實例係質子交換薄膜(PEM)燃料電池及鹼 性燃料電池，然而，任何其他合適的燃料電池可以被使用 。同樣地，在圖二中所顯不的電池組，電池組及電池在架 構上可以是類似的。在每一個電池組中，燃料電池82如同 從傳送至電池組的原料產生電力的單元來運作，例如從傳 送至電池組之部分化學反應生成的氫氣流。每一電池組具 有複數個操作狀態，其包括至少一第一操作狀態，其中電. 池組接收至少部分化學反應生成之氫氣流66，且從那裡產 生電流，及第二操作狀態，其中燃料電池組未產生電流（且 典型上不接收部分氫氣流66)。 不像單獨的燃料電池組，組件77中的每一電池組可以 和其他電池組獨立操作。由此意謂倘若電池組故障或其他 停止操作方面，例如維修或修理，其他的電池組繼續操作 ，且因而產生電流78以滿足裝置80至少一部份的外加負 載。當至少一個電池組離線，或其他原因不產生電流時， 儘管電池組件的總額定功率輸出將無法獲得，只要至少它 的一個電池組在操作，電池組件將仍然能夠產生它的一部 份額定功率輸出。換言之，電池組件77提供單獨運轉電池 組的一種替換，其中最大額定功率輸出可獲得以供應裝置 80的外加負載，且未運轉的電池組，其中，除了若有的話 預先儲存的電力之外，沒有功率輸出可獲得。 要再詳述電池組件77的設備，定義一些術語係有幫助 的，其在這裡被使用，且提供電池組件77及系統60某些 13 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） -------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 _ B7____ 五、發明說明（U ) 說明的應用。如這裡所使用的，”最大額定功率輸出”係關 於燃料電池組76被設計、或架構以產生的功率輸出。例如 ，燃料電池組76的製造商，例如Energy Partners、Plug Power ' Η-Power ' Ballard Power ^ International Fuel Cells 、Teledyne和其他的，以電池組被設計以安全操作的最大 功率輸出，來定義他們的電池組之額定。類似地，術語”總 功率輸出”係關於電池組件77中複數個燃料電池組之最大 額定功率輸出的結合。如這裡所使用的，”合適的最大功率 輸出”係關於一燃料電池組或電池組件所需要提供以滿足裝 置80的外加負載之最大功率輸出。如這裡所使用的，術語 ”中間功率輸出”及”中間額定功率輸出”係關於小於它的總 額定功率輸出之燃料電池組件的輸出。例如，倘若電池組 件包括三個電池組且電池組之一係離線的，該電池組件將 能夠提供一調節功率輸出，意即剩下的兩個電池組之最大 額定功率輸出的總合。該輸出也係關於電池組件可獲得之 功率輸出，其將視特定時間可獲得之電池組的數目而定來 改變。 特定裝置80可以外加固定或可變負載至燃料電池系統 60(及燃料電池組件77)。外加負載的大小及變化量將傾向 於隨裝置的特定形式及架構，和其內被使用之裝置的應用 而改變。例如，特定的裝置80可以正常的外加負載至電池 組件77在300W及15kW的範圍。換言之，電池組件77 可以被設計以提供高到20kW的功率，使得該電池組件可 以滿足負載，供應系統60的設備平衡需求，及在裝置80 14 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） -------------------訂-----— (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 _B7___ 五、發明說明（) 的外加負載超出它的正常値之範圍的某些場合中，額外地 或替代地提供一緩衝器。在此一架構中，電池組件的總額 定功率輸出，及電池組件77合適的最大功率輸出係15kW 。電池組件77中單獨電池組76的最大額定功率輸出可以 改變，例如視電池組的數目及合適的冗餘數而定，如這裡 詳細所討論的。 爲了說明的目的，所舉例之裝置80的操作功率需求如 以下之範圍。汽車一般需要5-75kW的功率，5kW代表在 平穩的表面上最省油時的情況，而75kW代表在猛力加速 時的情況。家用電器的備用電力供應一般需要300W至13-. 15kW的範圍內之功率。休旅車、可移動房子或類似的， 除了汽車電力需求之外，典型上具有300W至7-10kW之 範圍內的需求。由此意謂著該功率範圍代表執行修旅車的 暖氣、冷氣及電器所需的電力，而不包括驅動汽車的功率 。例如帆船之船類一般具有100-300W至2-5kW的電力需 求。例如不斷電系統(UPS)的一些裝置80可以被設計用於 特定的功率需求，其係視該電源供應器使用的特定環境而 定。例如，被架構以提供電力至個人電腦的UPS，可能僅. 需要300W的功率。然而，被設計以提供電力至通訊設備 、發訊設備、實驗室、電腦網路或類似的之UPS，可能具 有局出甚多的功率需求。 應該可以瞭解以上的範圍係說明的實例，且類似的裝 置80可以操作在標準範圍之外。類似地，應該可以瞭解以 上的範圍係以操作時的功率需求來參考，因爲每一裝置可 15 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐〉 . -------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 ________ B7 _ 五、發明說明（，ή ) 能未連線或關閉，在此種情形中該裝置將不具有功率需求 Ο 在本發明的的範圍內，電池組件77中燃料電池組76 的數目可能從兩個至數打或更多電池組內變化。因爲系統 60包括複數個獨立電池組76，每一個電池組可以較小，且 可以具有最大額定功率輸出小於例如系統10中電池組22 ，僅使用單一電池組時的需求。當較小的電池組被使用時 ，它們典型上將比單一較大電池組來得便宜。個別電池組 成本的降低由於額外的控制及額外電池組所需的液體導管 的增加而稍微被影響。如這裡更詳細地討論，每一個電池 組在額定功率輸出替代地等於系統10中相對應的電池組 22 〇 如一比較性實例，考慮設計的燃料電池系統10提供 3kW之家電的備用電力(例如緊急或待命用途）。繼續該實 例’系統可能提供電力以滿足燃料電池系統之設備平衡需 求(意即’由系統60之組件所需的電力）。設備平衡的需求 及電力電子中的損耗典型上係幾百瓦至接近lkW的範圍。 在此一系統，合適的最大功率輸出係3kW，且電池組22 最大的額定功率輸出可以係4kW。因此系統10，可能提供 家用電器合適的最大功率輸出，及提供系統的設備平衡需 求。然而，倘若電池組22需要停止操作，例如倘若該電池 組故障，操作在可接受的操作參數之上、被污染需要升級 、或需要檢視、或維修的其它服務，系統10不能提供電力 至家用電器，直到該電池回來繼續工作。在此期間，該家 16 ^^尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公f ) '~ - --------^--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 ____B7_ 五、發明說明（4 ) 用電器沒有它的備用電力來源。要提醒的是，這係一個說 明實例且特定系統中數値可以改變。例如，倘若特定系統 的設備平衡需求超過IkW，然後燃料電池組22應該選擇. 具有較高的最大額定功率輸出。 倘若燃料電池系統60被使用以代替系統10，該系統 能夠提供至少一種調節的功率輸出，即使電池組件77中電 池組76之一故障，或離線、關閉或其它的停止運轉。例如 ，倘若每一個電池組76^76^具有lkW的最大額定功率輸 出，該電池組件將具有等於系統10之額定功率輸出的總額 定功率輸出。如果電池組之一離線，電池組件77(及系統 60)將仍然能夠提供3kW的調節功率輸出。在此情形中，. 家用電器或其他裝置80合適的最大功率輸出可能不能夠達 到，但至少一部份，且在某些情況中，該最大額定功率輸 出的實質部分可以達到。因此，電池組件77可以被描述具 有一第一操作狀態，其中所有的電池組76產生一電流、一 第二操作狀態，其中沒有電池組76產生一電流、及一第三 操作狀態，其中至少電池組76之一產生一電流且至少電池 組76之一沒有產生。而且，應該記得許多裝置80在主要 期間外加負載，倘若不再它們的操作時間之實質部分(80%. 或更多），其相對應小於它們合適的最大功率輸出。在此一 情形中，電池組件將能夠滿足家用電器的外加負載，即使 它不能夠提供合適的最大負載。 從以上的實例，電池組件77所舉例的設備包括個別的 電池組76，其總共具有等於裝置80合適的最大功率輸出 17 --------------------訂--------- Φ (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） 515130 A7 ____B7 _ 五、發明說明（） 之總額定功率輸出。此一系統60可以描述爲具有一燃料電 池組件，或複數個燃料電池組，其個別具有小於燃料電池 系統合適的最大功率輸出之額定功率輸出，但總共滿足該 系統合適的最大功率輸出。此一系統可以也描述爲具有中 間或部分冗餘’系統中可以提供一調節功率輸出，即使一 個或多個個別的電池組故障（只要至少有一個操作電池組) 〇 如以上所討論，電池組件77中之燃料電池組76的數 目可以變化，但總是將包括至少兩個燃料電池組。例如， 以上實例之敘述中所描述的電池組件可以替代地包括八個 具有500W之額定功率輸出的電池組76、兩個具有2kW之 額定功率輸出的電池組76、三個具有1.33kW之額定功率 輸出的電池組76等。 在本發明的某些實施例中，可以期望每一個別的電池 組76之功率額定足夠以提供至少一個“額外的”電池組，其 將使系統仍然能夠達到最大額定功率輸出，即使一個或多 個電池組故障或離線，例如爲了服務、維護或修理。例如 ，假設4kW的系統係期望的，具有五個額定lkW的電池 組使得合適的最大功率輸出仍然達成，即使一個電池組需 要離線或故障。在此架構中，系統60可以描述爲具有n+1 個冗餘，其中它仍然可以提供合適的最大功率輸出，即使 一個電池組不能產生電力。在本發明的範圍內，任何合適 程度的冗餘可以被提供，例如n+2個冗餘、n+3個冗餘等 。當燃料電池組件至少包括n+1個冗餘，它可以稱之爲具 18 本纸張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） -----I--------------訂--------« (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 __B7—____ 五、發明說明（少） 有總冗餘，其中電池組件（及相對應的燃料電池系統)仍然 可以提供合適的最大功率輸出，即使一個（或多個，視冗餘 的程度而定)個別的電池組故障或其它原因而離線。 應該可瞭解，由具有額外的電池組提供所增加的系統 可靠度，應該考慮這些額外的電池組的費用，例如前置成 本、操作成本、系統需求等。因此，沒有適用於所有使用 者及所有目的的最佳架構。而是，視如系統可以接受的成. 本、調節冗餘合適的程度及總冗餘合適的程度之因素而定 ，特定的系統可以被選擇。對於許多種應用，n+1個冗餘 將是合適的。當然，倘若單一燃料電池組具有足夠高的可 靠度，可以不需要冗餘。然而，往往難以預估特定電池組 的可靠度，尤其當由於系統組件上、下電池組發生故障， 電池組可能故障。在許多種應用中，若干程度的冗餘可能 需要，以確保燃料電池系統不能產生任何電流的後果。 因爲系統60包括複數個燃料電池組76，代替圖一及 圖二中所顯示之單一電池組22，該電池組可以視需要增加 上線，以滿足裝置80的外加負載(及/或燃料電池系統的設 備平衡需求，其在系統啓動時可能會比較大）。因此，對小 於最大的負載而言，只有滿足負載需求之燃料電池的數目 被上線來操作。對於例如住家應用的需求用途，電池組之 長的使用期限係有必要的，且負載每天週期性地在最大額 定功率輸出及最小功率輸出之間循環，僅操作滿足所需負 載的那些燃料電池組將導致燃料電池組操作時數上的降低 ，而具有較長的使用期限。因此，代替單一電池組總是在 19 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公爱)-- -------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 _______ B7_ """ --- '^_________ 五、發明說明（） 系統使用時上線，雜6G可以職足_ 8〇外加 負載所需的電池組數目，保留個別燃料電池組的操作使用 期限。個別電池組可能係手動選_、可能係相對應於外加 負載的大小自動地控制(從裝置80及系統6〇)，或可能係由 系統控制，如這裡詳細所討論。 該燃料電池組可以係串聯、並聯或串並聯來電氣連接 ，以滿足系統60所需求之外加電壓。例如，以上說明中所 0寸_之1 kW的電池組每一個均在加載下能產生12vdC。 這些電池組可以串聯電氣連接，以產生至電力電子的 48VDC的輸出。應該可以瞭解，這些値僅意謂提供描述實 例’且電池組件7 7所產生電流之電壓，隨外加負載而變化 。燃料電池組彼此電氣隔離，以方便於在維持電池組持續 供應電力至裝置80時，多個電池組之一的維護、服務、修 理等。 圖五中，系統60的實施例顯示係包括一電源管理模組 81，電力經其由電池組傳送至裝置80。如所顯示的，從電 池組件77的電力(或電流)78經過模組81，且然後如83所 指示實質地傳送至裝置80。當裝置80需要AC電源，模 組81將包括一換向器，用以轉換從電池組的DC電源爲 AC電源。電源管理模組的一實例包括圖六中所槪略描述 之一換能器85。模組81可能額外地或替代地包括含有一 個或多個電池88的電池組件86及相關的充電器90，其被 設計成以儲存額外的電力，且一開關組件92被設計成以從 電池組件77，選擇性傳送至裝置80或該電池組件。模組 . 20 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公t ) ------------—I—訂·丨1—I (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 _ B7___- 五、發明說明（β) 81可以額外地或替代地包括至少一個DC-DC轉換器93， 例如一升壓DC-DC轉換器，其增加電流78的電壓，或至 少一降壓DC-DC轉換器，其降低電流78的電壓。轉換器 93從電池組件77接收未調整的DC電流，其電壓隨外加 負載而變化，且調整該電流的電壓至所選定的値。所選定 的値可以高於或低於未調整的電壓，且也可以視轉換器的 輸出電流是否送至電池組件86或裝置80而定。模組81在 每一電池組76可能包含一 DC-DC轉換器，或替代地，每 一電池組可以電氣連接至，或包括，一指定的DC-DC轉換 器93，例如圖七中以虛線所槪略描述。如所顯示的，一推 進的DC-DC轉換器可以使用連接器100和燃料電池組76 整合，或它們可以是和電池組76分開的單元。從指定的 DC-DC轉換器之已調整的DC輸出可以並聯或串聯連接。 應該可以瞭解模組81可能包括這裡所討論以外的組件，並 非以上所有組件在一電源管理模組之實施例中均係必要的 〇 在圖七中，系統60的另一實施例被顯示，且包括一傳 送管線組件94，其至少接收所產生之氫氣流的一部份，且 分配至形成電池組件77的燃料電池組。如所顯示的，組件 94接收所產生的氫氣流66且分配氫氣流至電池組76。較 佳地’圖七中所顯示之管線組件77僅係一對燃料電池76 。如所討論的，必須具有至少兩個電池組以提供某些程度 的中間及/或總冗餘。 燃料電池系統60可以包括一閥門組件98，其係設計 21 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） —I--------———訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 __B7________ 五、發明說明（^ ) 成以調節或選擇性中斷，從管線組件94至電池組件77中 所選擇之燃料電池組的氫氣流。該閥門組件可以額外地調 整或選擇性中斷至整個電池組件的氫氣流。閥門組件98可 以包括任何用以選擇性導通或中斷至電池組件77及/或電 池組76的氫氣流之合適的架構。合適裝置的例子包括氣流 調整器、閥門、開關、開關組件、螺線管及類似。在圖七 中，閥門組件98顯示係和管線組件94整合。然而，在本 發明的範圍內’該閥門組件98可以外部配置該傳送管線組 件，儘管在某些實施例中，它仍然係直接或間接和其相連 接。 燃料電池系統60也可以包括連接器或其它合適的裝置 100,其被啓動以從外加負載電氣隔離組件77中的一個或 多個燃料電池組76。連接器可能以手動地啓動，例如使一 個電池組停止運轉、及/或由一^控制系統自動地啓動，例如 超過特定的操作參數或負載條件。倘若該電池組已經被污 染’例如曝露一氧化碳，倘若該電池組需要服務或檢查， 或倘若該電池組不需要以滿足外加負載，例如，一控制器 可以被啓動以使一特定電池組停止運轉。 電池組件77可以接收氫氣以外的原料。例如，每一個 燃料電池組76可以從氣體傳送系統ι〇4接收氣流1〇2。對 於圖二如以上所g寸論’氣流傳送至電池組的陰極區。氣流 可以由如圖八中之傳送管線組件94分配至電池組。在說明 實施例中，氣體傳送系統104，其可以是任意形式，傳送 一氣流106至管線組件94，其轉分配氣流1〇2至電池組76 22 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） --------------------訂—------^^9— (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 _ B7____ 五、發明說明（/) 。圖八中所顯示的燃料電池系統60的實施例也描述位於外 部管線組件94的開關組件98。再且’電池組件77以包括 個別燃料電池76L、76^至76^來顯示’說明任意數目的燃 料電池組可以被使用。 電池組76也可以接收一冷卻液流體1〇8，其調整電池 組的工作溫度。冷卻液供應或傳送系統的一實例’槪略描 述在圖八中之110,且可以是任意合適的形式。系統11〇 傳送一冷卻液流體112至管線組件，其轉送液流體1〇8至 個別電池組。合適的冷卻液之一實例，但不侷限於，氣體 、水、乙醇、及水-乙醇混合物。該冷卻液流體可以形成一 冷卻液迴路，或該冷卻液流體可以排洩、抽出、或其它使 用或處理以冷卻電池組76。應該可瞭解，該冷卻液不直接· 引入電池組之陽極或陰極。而是流經圍繞燃料電池組，在 形成電池組之燃料電池82之間的一外罩，及/或流經延伸 經過陽極及陰極區域的導管。 類似於氫氣流96，氣體流102最好僅傳送至電池組件 77中的電池組，其被操作以產生電流78。例如，傳送一氣 流至未被使用以產生電流的一 PEM燃料電池，可能使電池 組之電池中使用的電解薄膜變乾。冷卻液流體108可能僅 傳送至操作的電池，或可能每次均傳送至電池組件77中所 有的電池組。例如，維持冷卻液持續的流動至所有的電池 組’比起調整及選擇性中斷冷卻液流動，可能是較少的需 求或要求較少的資源。 當單一傳送管線組件94顯示於圖七中，燃料電池系統 23 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（21〇 x 297公爱) — "" --------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 「 —__B7__ 五、發明說明（) 6〇可能包括電池組件77之每一種原料分開的組件。此一 燃料電池系統60的一示範實施例係顯示於圖九中，其中氫 藏由管線組件94所分配，氣體由管線組件94,所分配，且 冷卻液由管線組件94”所分配。單一電池組可以從以上所 描述的供應器或來源，不需管線組件來接收任何或所有這 些流體，及每一個電池可以從一獨立的供應器或傳送系統 ’接收一個或多個這些流體，也在本發明的範圍內。 當流體96、102及/或108經由一傳送管線組件，傳送 至電池組件77中的個別電池組76，該流體最好係平行傳 送，而不是串連傳送。此架構使所有的電池組能夠實質地 在相同的混合、溫度等，接收各自的流體。 在圖十中，系統中所顯示的燃料電池組60之一實施例 包括具有一控制器122的一控制系統12〇，其被設計成以 管理系統60的操作。如所顯示的，控制器122經由通訊連 結124和燃料電池系統的各種組件通訊。連結124可以是 在控制器及燃料電池系統的相對應部分之間機械、有線或 無線之任意合適的形式。該通訊連結可以是單向或雙向通 訊。雙向通訊連結使控制器能夠，接收輸入或傳送訊號至 燃料電池系統之各種組件。合適的輸入實例包括一個或多 個電流操作條件，例如溫度、壓力、流速、組成、啓動狀 態' 負載等。這些輸入可以從相對應的組件直接接收，或 從關於所選定組件的感測組件126接收。 說明的通訊連結124及感測器126係顯示於圖10中， 然而’應該可瞭解在所有實施例中，控制器可以不包括圖 24 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） --------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 _____B7 —____ 五、發明說明（) 十中所顯示的所有連結及感測器，係在本發明的範圍內。 類似地，控制系統也可以包括額外的感測器及連結’例如 在具有燃料處理組件62(及它的燃料處理器64)及/或裝置 8〇的通訊中。 控制系統120可以被使用，由傳送一控制訊號至相對 應接觸器100，以從外加負載選擇性隔離一電池組。例如 ，倘若電池組被決定，當操作在可接受的操作參數之外時 ，該電池組可以從外加負載隔離，例如從通訊，從感測組 件126、其它感測器或偵測器、手動感測、或類似的。 燃料電池系統之實施例中，每一燃料電池組％中包括 它自己的DC-DC轉換器，倘若電池組傳送不合規定的效能 至外加負載時，每一 DC-DC轉換器可以被設計成以自動地 隔離該相對應的電池組。例如，倘若一特定DC-DC轉換器 未接收具有超過一已選定之最小電壓的一電壓之電流78時 ，然後該DC-DC轉換器自動地從外加負載隔離該電池組， 例如由啓動接觸器1〇〇或一合適的連接器或其它有關於該 DC-DC轉換器的開關。 控制系統120可以額外地或替代地被使用，以選擇性 地調整或中斷至形成組件77的一個或多個電池組之氫氣流 、氣體及/或冷卻液。例如，一特定電池組之氫氣及氣體流 ，及非必須的冷卻液可以被中斷，使得電池組不產生電流 。典型地，相對應的接觸器100也將被啓動，以從原料及 外加負載隔離電池組。倘若氫氣流中的污染被偵測到，控 制系統120也可以隔離一個或多個電池組，如此以避免受 25 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） --------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 ____ B7___— 五、發明說明（） 污染的氫氣流被傳送至電池組。 又，回到住家燃料電池系統的說明實施例，其額定係 4kW的粗估電力，或3kW的淨電力。當負載需求掉至實質 低於3kW的値時，該燃料電池控制器可能傳送一訊號，以 關閉及隔離一個或多個電池組76。尤其是當在一般住家中 功率消耗最小的時候，例如午夜或正午，四個燃料電池組 中的三個可能被發訊號關閉，且電氣隔離以降低至低於 lkW的淨功率輸出，僅足夠滿足住家在最小功率需求的最 小負載需求。在該例中，倘若住家中的最小功率消耗期間 每天持續12小時，且倘若僅lkW的電池組需要上線以滿 足最小負載，然後離線的3或4個燃料電池組將有效率地 增加電池組60%的使用期限。（在四天的週期中，每一燃料 電池組將操作一個全天及三個半天，或每96個小時的週期 ，操作60個小時）。 應該可瞭解使用期限的增加，正比於總系統操作時間 內特定電池組離線的百分比。控制器122可以被調整以根 據一預定的順序，選擇該電池組停止運轉，或另一種方式 ，該電池組可以隨機或輪流來選擇。預定的順序在將其它 的電池組的壽命最小化時，則該特定電池組的工作時數被 最大化。在此情形中，最大化的電池組比其餘的更快故障 ，且僅該特定電池需要被替換。倘若以輪流的順序，其中 維持上線之特定的電池組在電池組間係以輪流的順序，例 如每小時、每天、每週或每月爲基礎，電池組的整個操作 週期將接近相同，意謂所有的電池組將傾向接近於同時做 26 ^紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） 一 - (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) mmt§ n n n n It^-OJ* n n n n n I n I - 515130 A7 ___Β7 __ 五、發明說明（1 ) 更換，然而，該時間將比以預定順序架構，所需更換單一 最大化電池組的時間要長許多。 (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 控制系統120可能包括與控制器連通之一使用者介面 130。使用者介面130使得使用者監督及/或和控制器互動 。使用者介面130的說明實施例係顯示於圖十二中。如所 顯示的，介面130包括具有一螢幕134的一顯示區132， 或其它合適的顯示機制，其中訊息被呈現給使用者。例如 ，顯示區132可能顯示由一個或多個感測器組件126所量 測的電流値、系統60或裝置80的臨界及實際的操作參數 、在該電池組組件之各別電池組及個別的電池組之外加負 載、電池組潛在的及其它的操作參數等。預先的量測値也 可能被顯示。其它關於操作的訊息及燃料處理系統的效能· 也可以在區域32中顯示。 使用者介面130也可以包括一使用者輸入裝置136， 使用者經其和控制器連通。例如，輸入裝置136可以使使 用者能夠輸入命令，以改變燃料電池系統的操作狀態、改 變一個或多個已儲存的臨界値及/或系統的操作參數、及/ 或從控制器有關於系統的先前或現在之操作參數所要求的 訊息。輸入裝置136可以包括合適的裝置，用以接收使用 者輸入，包括轉盤及開關、按鍵、鍵墊、鍵盤、滑鼠、觸‘ 控式螢幕等。如圖八所顯示的係使用者訊號裝置138，其 警告使用者該可接受的臨界高度已被超過，且燃料電池組 已經被隔離。裝置138可以包括一警報器、燈號或任何其 他合適的機製用以警告使用者。 27 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） 515130 A7 _B7_____ 五、發明說明（< ) 應該可瞭解，燃料電池系統可能包括沒有使用者介面 的一控制器，其仍係在本發明的範圍內，且不需要包括這 裡所描述之使用者介面的所有元件。以上所描述之元件已 經在圖十二中槪略描述，然而，在本發明的所有範圍，其 係可以分開來實現。例如，使用者介面可能包括多個顯示 區，其係設計成每一個以顯示一個或多個以上所描述的使 用者訊息的方式。類似地，單一使用者輸入裝置可以被使 用，且該輸入裝置可能包括一顯示器，其提示使用者輸入 要求的値或讓使用者能夠在輸入螢幕之間選項。 控制系統120可以設計成以限制施加至燃料電池組件 77之峰値負載的大小或是最大所需功率輸出，及/或形成組 件77之個別電池組76。對於以上所描述之控制系統的特 性，該負載限制可以係額外的或替代的。限制外加至燃料 電池系統的峰値負載可保護該系統，避免外加的峰値負載 超過電池組件的額定功率輸出，或在特定時間超過電池組 件可獲得的額定功率輸出而損壞。負載限制可以係額外地 ，使得具有總額定功率輸出，其係低於所期望的最大功率 輸出之燃料電池組件77的使用，被要求滿足電池組件的外 加負載。另一方面，它可能使得具有較低的額定功率輸出 的燃料電池能夠使用，其比具有較高額定功率輸出的相對 電池組來得便宜。 在包括具有換流器85的電力管理模組81之系統60的 應用中，由系統120控制的負載管理也提供電路設計在較 低的峰値功率大小，得到節省成本的結果。當裝置80在大 28 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） --------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 —___B7_______ 五、發明說明（4) 部份或主要部分的時間，操作在一中間功率輸出，只需要 小的百分比時間就具有所期望的最大功率輸出，此一負載 管理控制可以尤其地有效。此一裝置80的例子係一家用電 器，其可以供應數百瓦至13-15kW範圍的負載。然而，除· 了峰値期間，例如早上及傍晚中一個或兩個小時的時間外 ，家用電器典型地供應遠小於所期望的最大功率輸出之負 載。 繼續住家燃料電池系統的說明實例，負載管理控制能 夠有效地使用燃料電池系統以降低（管理）家用電器中峰値 負載的大小。這可以使用開關模組140來達成，主要的家 用電器（烘乾機、洗碗機、吹風機、微波爐、咖啡機等）可 以插上它。該開關模組(通稱爲開關模組組件)和控制器122. 係互相連通，且能夠辨識較高優先權的負載（家用電器）， 而發訊號讓較低優先權的家用電器關閉。例如，較高優先 權之家用電器，例如微波爐可以發訊號讓較低優先權之家 用電器(例如洗碗機或哄衣機）關閉，使得微波爐可以使用 ，不會顯著增加家用電器負載的總需求。該訊號經由可以 內建於或和家用電器整合的開關模組來產生，或它可以是 讓家用電器插上之分開的模組。開關模組140以無線電或 經由存在的家用電器金屬線傳送之電氣訊號，和其他開關· 模組通訊。儘管任何合適的通訊連結可以被使用，經由存 在的金屬線混頻通訊係特別地有效的。此外，或以另一種 方式，開關模組可以和控制器122通訊，其接著直接選擇 性地打開/關閉家用電器的狀態(或操作狀態）。裝置或相關 29 ΐ紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐厂 " ' ---------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) M5130 A7 —-----B7 ______ 五、發明說明Μ ) 模組的優先權或層級可以由合適的機制來建立，例如由個 別的開關模組來預定(例如由具有高優先權模組、低優先權 模組、中優先權模組等），或由控制系統或開關模組組件來 儲存。 具有負載限制控制的裝置80之一說明實例係顯示於 圖十三。如所顯示的，裝置80包括裝置80r804,每一個 均包括或和開關模組140通訊。所顯示的模組係經由通訊 連結144而彼此通訊，且額外地或替代地以通訊連結124 和控制器122通訊。 管理家用電器的峰値電氣負載能夠導致峰値負載需求 的降低。例如，這裡持續所使用的例子，經由負載限制控 制的使用，家用電器可以降低25%、50%或更多。所期望 的功率輸出。例如，所期望的最大功率輸出可以降低至4-8kW的範圍。造成一個結果，該燃料電池系統能夠使用具 有較低淨電力輸出的燃料電池組，且電力電子電路能夠實 質地縮小。成本的節省係顯著的。 應該可瞭解所發明的燃料電池系統，其包括控制系統 及負載限制控制，可以使用在以上所描述的家用電器之外 的能源消耗裝置80。其他合適的裝置之實例包括商業建築 、汽車、微波中繼站、燈具、工具、通訊設備、發訊裝置 及這力所描述的其他裝置80。 如先前所討論的，燃料處理器64係產生氫氣之任意合 適的裝置。最佳地，該燃料處理器被調整以產生相當純的 氫氣’該燃料處理器甚至於最好被調整以產生純的氫氣。 30 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） --------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 ____B7____ 五、發明說明（β) 對於本發明的目的，相當純的氫氣係純度高於90%，最好 純度高於95%，最好純度更高於99%，甚至最好純度高於 99·5%。合適的燃料處理器係發明於美國專利申請案第 5,997,594 5虎及第5,861，137號、待審的美國專利申請案第 09/291，447號，其係建檔於1999年四月十三日，且案件名 稱爲”燃料處理系統”，及美國暫時專利申請案第 60/188,993號，其係建檔於2000年三月十三日，且案件名 稱爲”燃料處理器”，爲了所有目的，每一件均整個合倂來 參考。 合適的燃料處理器64的一實例係一流體再生器。合適 的流體再生器之一實例係顯示於圖十四中，且通常地以 150來指定。再生器150包括一再生、或產生氫氣、包括 流體再生催化劑154的區域152。另一方式，再生器150 可以是一自熱再生器，其包括一自熱再生催化劑。在再生 區152中，一再生流156係從形成進料流68的水及含水原 料產生。該再生流典型上包含氫氣及雜質，且因此傳送至 一分離區或潔淨區158，氫氣在那裡被潔淨。在分離區158 中，含有氫氣的流體由任意合適的壓力驅動分離過程，分 離成一股或多股以160來通稱，逐一產生的流體、及富含 氫氣流體162。在圖十四中，富含氫氣的流體162顯示形 成化學反應生成氫氣流66。 用以分離區158中使用之合適的架構之一實例係一薄 膜模組164，其包含一個或多個氫氣可滲透金屬薄膜166。 從複數個可選擇氫氣的金屬薄膜形成之合適的薄膜模組之 31 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） ---------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 _B7____ 五、發明說明（>1 ) 一實例，係發明於美國專利申請案第〇9/291，447號，其建 檔於1999年四月十三日，案件名稱爲”燃料處理系統”，且 該完整的發明在這裡合倂參考。在該申請案中，複數個一 般的平面薄膜係組合成一具有流體通道的薄膜模組，不純 的氣體流經其傳送至薄膜，純化後的氣體流從薄膜獲得， 且生成的流體從薄膜排除。襯墊，具有可彎曲的石墨襯墊· ，被使用以達成封住原料且滲透流體通道。以上同一申請 案中也揭露一管狀可選擇氫氣的薄膜，也可以被使用。其 他合適的薄膜或薄膜組件在美國專利申請案第09/618,886 號中被發明，其係建檔於2000年七月十九日，且案件名稱 爲”氫氣可滲透金屬薄膜及其產生的方法”，其完整的發明 在這裡被合倂參考。其他合適的燃料處理器也在合倂的專 利申請案中發明。 薄的、平直的、氫氣可滲透的薄膜最好係由鈀合金所. 組成，尤其是以35%至45%之銅的鈀。這些薄膜也可以稱 爲可選擇氫氣的薄膜，典型係以接近0.001英吋厚的薄范 片所構成。然而，該薄膜除了以上所討論外亦由該可選擇 氫氣的金屬及金屬合金外，氫氣可滲透及可選擇的陶瓷、 或碳膜所組成，均係在本發明的範圍內。薄膜可能具有比 以上所討論較厚或較薄的厚度。例如，該薄膜可能做得較 薄，例如由在氫氣流中等量增加來轉動、飛濺或蝕刻。該 氫氣可滲透薄膜可以任意合適的架構來配置，例如合倂參 考之專利申請案中所發明的在一般滲透通道周圍成對來配 置。該氫氣滲透薄膜可以係其他的架構，例如管狀架構， 32 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公爱） --------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 _______B7_ 五、發明說明（p ) 其係在合倂專利案中所發明。 在分離區域15中所使用，合適的壓力分離過程之另一 實例’係壓力擺動吸附(PSA)。在一壓力擺動吸附(psA)過 手壬中’菊1體雜質從含有氫氣的流體中排除。PSA係基於特 定氣體在適當的溫度及壓力條件下，將比其他氣體更容易 吸附至吸附材料上的原理。典型上，雜質被吸附而因此從 再生流體156排除。使用PSA用以氫氣潔淨的過程係由於 一般雜質(例如一氧化碳、二氧化碳、包括CH4的碳氫化合. 物、及氮氣)在吸附材料上較容易吸附。僅有氫氣非常不容 易吸附’且因此使得當雜質留在吸附劑上時，氫氣通過吸 附床。例如氨氣、硫化氫、及水的雜質氣體非常容易吸附 在吸附材料上時，因此從流體156和其他雜質一起排除。 倘若該吸附材料將再生且這些雜質出現在流體156中，分 離區域158最好包括一合適的裝置，其被調整以在流體 156傳送至吸附材料之前，排除這些雜質，因爲釋出這些 雜質係很困難的。 雜質氣體的吸附在提高壓力時發生。當壓力降低，雜 質從吸附材料釋出，因此再生該吸附材料。典型上，PSA 係循環的過程且需要至少兩個吸附床用以連續(如相對一組 )操作。可以在吸附床中使用之合適的吸附材料之例子係活 性碳及zeolite，尤其是5埃(5 angstrom)的zeolite。該吸附 材料一般係小九子的形式，且放入使用傳統封裝架構的一 圓柱形壓力容器。然而，應該可瞭解其他合適之吸附材料 成分、形式及架構可以被使用。 33 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） --------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 _B7___ 五、發明說明（U ) 再生器150可以，但不是必要的，又包括潤飾區168 ，例如圖十五所顯示。潤飾區168從分離區158，接收富 含氫氣的流體162,且又由降低濃度或排除在那裡所選定 的成分。例如，當流體162想要在燃料電池組件，例如組 件77中使用，可能損壞燃料電池組的成分，例如一氧化碳 或二氧化碳，可以從富含氫氣的流體中排除。一氧化碳的 濃度應該低於lOppm(每百萬分之一）以避免控制系統從燃 料電池組隔離。最佳地，該系統限制一氧化碳濃度低於 5ppm，且甚至最好低於lppm。二氧化碳的濃度可以高於 一氧化碳的濃度。例如，低於25%的二氧化碳濃度可以被 接受。尤其最好係濃度低於50ppm。應該可瞭解這裡所出 現可接受的最小濃度係說明實例，而除了這裡所出現之外 的濃度可以被使用，且在本發明的範圍內。例如，特定的 使用者或製造商可能需要不同於這裡的最小或最大濃度程 度。 區域168包括任意合適的架構用以排除或降低流體 162中所選定的成分之濃度。例如，當化學反應生成的流 體想要在PEM燃料電池組化其他裝置中使用，倘若該流體 含有高於預定濃度的一氧化碳或二氧化碳時，其將可能損 壞，包括至少一個沼氣催化床170係合適的。該床170轉 換一氧化碳及二氧化碳成沼氣及水，其均不會損壞燃料電 池組。潤飾區168也可以包括另一氫氣生成裝置172，例 如另一再生催化床，以轉換任何未反應的原料爲氫氣。在 此一實施例中，最好第二再生催化床係在沼氣催化床的上 34 --------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） 515130 A7 B7__ 五、發明說明（ 游’以便於在沼氣催化床的下游，不會再引入二氧化碳或 一*氧化碳。 流體再生器典型上係操作在200。(：及700°C的溫度， 且在50psi及i〇〇〇psi的壓力，儘管溫度在此範圍之外係在 本發明的範圍，例如視燃料處理器所使用的特定型式及架 構而定。任意合適的加熱機制或裝置可以被使用以提供熟 量’例如加熱器、燃燒器、燃燒催化劑、或類似的。該加 熱組件可以係在燃料處理器之外，或可以形成燃燒室，其 形成$分的燃料處理器。加熱組件的燃料可以由燃料處理 系統 '或燃料電池系統、或由外部來源所提供，或均採用 〇 在圖十四及十五中，再生器150顯示係包括一外殻 151 ’其中以上所描述的組件係被包括在內。外殻151，其 也可以稱爲罩殻，使例如再生器15〇的燃料處理器，能夠 當作一個單元來移動。因爲燃料處理器的組件可能當作一 個單元來加熱，故藉由提供保護性封裝，且降低燃料處理 器的加熱需求，也可以保護燃料處理器中的元件避免損壞 。外殻151可以，但不是必要的，包括例如一固體絕緣材 料、掩蓋絕緣材料，或一氣體塡充腔室的絕緣材料153。 然而，在本發明的範圍內，再生器可以沒有機構或外殻來 組成。當再生器15〇包括絕緣材料153，該絕緣材料可以 在外殼內部、外殻外部，或內外均有。當絕緣材料係在含 有以上描述的再生、分離及/或潤飾區的外殼之外部，該燃 料處理益可以在絕緣外部又包括一外蓋或外罩。 35 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公1 ) --------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 515130 A7 B7 五、發明說明（V]) 一個或多個元件可以延伸至外殻之外或至少位於外殻 151之外部，也在本發明的範圍內。例如，槪略描述於圖 十五中’潤飾區168可以在外殻151外部及/或再生區152 的一部份可以延伸至外殻之上。示範這些架構的燃料處理 器之其他實例，在合倂參考中描述且在這裡更詳細來討論 〇 如先前所討論，根據本發明的燃料電池系統可以額外 地或替代地包括有關於它的燃料電池之部份或總冗餘。此 一系統的一實例係顯示於圖十六中且通用地指定爲180。 如所顯示的，系統180包括一燃料處理組件62，其包括複 數個燃料處理器64。要說明的是，該燃料電池系統包括至 少兩個燃料處理器，且可能包括多於兩個燃料處理器，該· 燃料處理器以64!_至64^來指定。應該可瞭解，”n”可以低 至2，且可以選擇從兩個至一打或更多的數目。類似地， 儘管系統180顯示，也具有燃料電池組％的一冗餘，系統 180可以僅以一個單一電池組76來實現。 1：業上之應用 本發明可應用在能源產生系統，且尤指燃料處理及燃 料電池系統。 本發明應可以確信係提出了以上所包含多種具有獨立· 的設備之不同的發明。當這些發明的每一種已經以較佳的 形式來揭示，這裡所揭示及描述的那些特定實施例，不考 慮爲限制的意義，各種變化是可能的。本發明之目的包括 這裡所揭示的各種元件、特色、功能及/或特性之所有新型 36 --------------------訂--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公釐） 515130 A7 五、發明說明（外） 的及不明顯的組合和次組合。類似地，專利申請範圍引述，， 一種”或”第一種”元件或其等效物，吾人應該可瞭解此一專 利申請範圍包括一個或多個此種元件的合倂。 可以確信以下的專利申請範圍特別指出特定的組合及 次組合，其指的是一種所揭示的發明且係新型而不明顯的 、 ' ； 。實現其他特色、功能、元件及/或特性的組合及次組合之 發明，可以經由本專利申請範圍的改良或在這個或相關的 申請案中以新的本專利申請範圍來呈現。此種更改或新的 專利申請範圍，無論它們是否指的係不同的發明，或指的 係相同的發明，無論是否係不同的、較廣的、較窄的或等 於原先專利申請的範圍，也要注意係當作包括在本發明所 揭露的標的內。 37 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS)A4規格（210 X 297公f ) ^--------- (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁)5. Description of the invention () Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a part of an energy consumption device according to the present invention. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of a fuel processor of a suitable fuel cell system according to the present invention. Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of a fuel processor of another suitable fuel cell / system according to the present invention. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of another fuel cell system according to the present invention. Description of component symbols 10: System 22: Single battery pack 32: Area 60: Fuel cell system 62: Fuel processing module 64: Fuel processor 66: Hydrogen stream 68: Feed stream 70: Raw material transfer system 72: Carbonaceous feed stream 74 ·· Water 76, 76 ^ 76 Health: Battery pack 77: Battery pack 78: Current 80, 8 (^ and 80J energy consumption device 81: Power management module 82: Fuel cell stack 84: Common end panel 8 This paper size applies China National Standard (CNS) A4 Specification (210 X 297 mm) (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) Order --------- Line-515130 A7 _B7 V. Description of the Invention (G) 85: Transducer (please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) 86: Battery pack 88: Battery 90: Charger 92: Switching unit 93: DC-DC converter 94, 94 ', 94 ": Pipeline assembly 98: Valve assembly 100: Contactor 102, 106: Air flow 104: Gas delivery system 108: Coolant fluid 110: Coolant supply or delivery system 120: Control system 122: Controller 124: Communication link 126: Sensing component 130: user interface 132: display area 134: screen 136: user input device 138: user signal device 140: switch module 150: regenerator This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm) 515130 A7 _B7___ V. Description of the invention (Ί) 151: Housing 152: Zone 154: Fluid regeneration catalyst 156: Regeneration fluid 158: Separation zone or clean zone 16162: Fluid 162: Hydrogen-rich fluid 164: Membrane module 166: Metal film 168: Refining zone 170: Biogas catalyst bed 172: Hydrogen generation device 180: Detailed description of the system window embodiment A fuel cell system constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 4 and is generally indicated at 60. The system 60 includes a fuel processing assembly 62, which includes The raw material conveyed by the stream 68 is a fuel processor 64 which is designed to produce a hydrogen stream 66 generated by a chemical reaction. It should also be understood that the components of the system 60 have been briefly described, and the fuel cell system may include the following figures except Components other than those specifically described, such as feed pumps, air supply systems, heat exchangers, heating components, and the like, such as those invented in the composite reference. The processor 64 can generate a hydrogen gas stream 66 generated by a chemical reaction via any suitable mechanism. Examples of suitable mechanisms include steam regeneration and self-heating. 10 This paper is sized to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm)- ------------------- Order --------- (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) 515130 A7 V. Description of the invention (Z Regeneration, where a regeneration catalyst is used to produce hydrogen from a carbonaceous feedstock and water. Other mechanisms for generating hydrogen include heating and catalytic oxidation of a carbonaceous feedstock, in which case the feedstream does not include water. Another suitable mechanism for the production of hydrogen by chemical reactions is electrolysis, in which case the raw material is water. In Figure IV, the feed streams 68 are shown from the respective raw material transfer system 70. , Sent by a separate stream of raw material. It is within the scope of the present invention that the feed k may be a single feed stream or may be more than two feed streams. Similarly, the feed stream delivery system may be in any suitable form, such as a valve assembly connected to a pump of feedstock supply and a pressurized feedstream of feedstock. For illustrative purposes, the following discussion will describe a fuel processor 64 as a feedstream regenerator designed to receive a feedstream 68 comprising a carbonaceous feedstream 72 and water 74. However, within the scope of the present invention, the fuel processor 64 may take other forms as discussed above. Examples of suitable carbonaceous feed streams 72 include at least one hydrocarbon or alcohol. Suitable hydrocarbons include methane, propane, natural gas, diesel, kerosene, gasoline, and the like. Suitable alcohols include methanol, ethanol, and alkenes such as vinyl alcohol and allyl alcohol. When the carbonaceous feedstock is water-soluble, the carbonaceous feedstock and water may be, but not necessarily, conveyed in a separate feed stream 68, such as shown in FIG. When the carbonaceous feed stream is insoluble in water, a separate feed stream 68 is used, as shown in Figure IV. An example of a suitable feed stream regenerator was invented in U.S. Patent Application No. 09 / 291,447, entitled "Fuel Processing System", which was filed on April 12, 1999, and the invention was therefore Combined reference. The paper size of the Fuel Department + National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (21〇x 297 __ ^ 7 ----------- install -------- order ---- ----- (Please read the precautions on the back before filling out this page) 515130 A7 _____B7 _ 5. Description of the invention (1) The other components of the management module 62 are also in US Patent Application No. 09 / 19〇, 917 The invention, named "Integrated Fuel System", was filed on November 12, 1998, and the invention was incorporated for reference. As shown in Figure 4, the fuel processing assembly 62 was adjusted to Transfer at least a portion of the hydrogen stream 66 generated by the chemical reaction to a plurality of fuel cell stacks 76. In summary, the plurality of fuel cells may be referred to as a battery pack 77. The battery pack 76 generates a hydrogen stream from a portion of the chemical reaction transmitted there 66 generates a current 78, and this current is used to meet the energy demand of the energy consumption device go, or Loads. Illustrative examples of the device 80 include, but are not limited to, an electric vehicle, recreational vehicle, boat, tool, lamp or lighting assembly, electrical appliances (such as home or other applications), one or more dwellings (such as home, apartment , Urban buildings, community houses, etc.), commercial buildings, microwave relay stations, signals or communication equipment, etc. It should be understood that the device 80 is briefly described in Figure 4, meaning that it represents one or more devices or a combination of devices, It is adjusted to draw current from the fuel cell system. To describe this again, the device 80 shown in FIG. 5 includes a pair of devices 801_ and 802. Each device 80 has a plurality of operating states, which It includes at least a first operating state in which the device applies at least a portion of an external load to the fuel cell assembly 77, and a second operating state in which the device does not apply a load to the battery assembly 77. As shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, four battery packs are displayed and are generally indicated by 76 ^ 76 ^. The system 60 includes a plurality of fuel cell packs 76 'and is not just a single unit containing a plurality of fuel cells The fuel cell stack, to the distinction is important in. As shown, each fuel cell stack comprising. One or more fuel cell stacks 82 (typically containing multiple fuel cells), 12 paper sizes are applicable to China National Standard (CNS) A4 specifications (210 X 297 mm) -------- Order --- ------ (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) 515130 A7 ___B7_ V. Description of the invention (丨.) It is connected between the common end panels 84 and has a common liquid conduit. Examples of suitable fuel cells are proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and alkaline fuel cells, however, any other suitable fuel cell can be used. Similarly, the battery packs, batteries and batteries shown in Figure 2 may be similar in architecture. In each battery pack, the fuel cell 82 operates as a unit that generates electricity from the raw materials transferred to the battery pack, such as a stream of hydrogen generated from a partial chemical reaction transferred to the battery pack. Each battery pack has a plurality of operating states, including at least a first operating state, wherein electricity. The battery pack receives at least part of the hydrogen stream 66 generated by the chemical reaction and generates a current therefrom, and a second operating state in which the fuel cell stack does not generate a current (and typically does not receive a portion of the hydrogen stream 66). Unlike individual fuel cells, each cell in the module 77 can operate independently of other cells. This means that if the battery pack fails or otherwise ceases to operate, such as repairs or repairs, other battery packs continue to operate and, as a result, a current 78 is generated to satisfy at least a portion of the external load of the device 80. When at least one battery pack is offline, or no current is generated for other reasons, although the total rated power output of the battery pack will not be obtained, as long as at least one of its battery packs is operating, the battery pack will still be able to generate part of its rated power Output. In other words, the battery pack 77 provides an alternative to a stand-alone battery pack in which the maximum rated power output can be obtained to supply the external load of the device 80 and the non-operating battery pack, in addition to the pre-stored power, if any, No power output is available. To elaborate on the equipment of battery pack 77, it is helpful to define some terms, which are used here, and provide battery pack 77 and some of the system 60. 13 This paper standard applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm) ------------------- Order --------- (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) 515130 A7 _ B7____ 5. Application of invention description (U). As used herein, "maximum rated power output" relates to the power output that the fuel cell stack 76 is designed, or constructed to produce. For example, manufacturers of fuel cell stacks 76, such as Energy Partners, Plug Power 'Η-Power' Ballard Power ^ International Fuel Cells, Teledyne, and others, define their maximum power output for battery packs designed to operate safely. Battery pack rating. Similarly, the term "total power output" refers to a combination of the maximum rated power output of a plurality of fuel cell stacks in the battery pack 77. As used herein, "appropriate maximum power output" refers to the maximum power output required by a fuel cell or battery assembly to meet the external load of the device 80. As used herein, the terms "intermediate power output" and "intermediate rated power output" refer to the output of a fuel cell module that is less than its total rated power output. For example, if a battery pack includes three battery packs and one of the battery packs is offline, the battery pack will be able to provide a regulated power output, which means the sum of the maximum rated power output of the remaining two battery packs. This output is also related to the power output available from the battery pack, which will vary depending on the number of battery packs available at a particular time. The specific device 80 may be externally fixed or variable-loaded to the fuel cell system 60 (and the fuel cell assembly 77). The magnitude and variation of the external load will tend to change depending on the specific form and architecture of the device and the application of the device used within it. For example, the specific device 80 can be normally applied with a load to the battery module 77 in the range of 300W and 15kW. In other words, the battery module 77 can be designed to provide power up to 20kW, so that the battery module can meet the load, equipment balance requirements of the supply system 60, and the device 80 14 This paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification ( 210 X 297 mm) ------------------- Order ------ (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) 515130 A7 _B7___ V. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In some cases where the external load of () exceeds its normal range, a buffer is additionally or alternatively provided. In this architecture, the total constant output power of the battery pack and the appropriate maximum power output of the battery pack 77 are 15kW. The maximum rated power output of the individual battery packs 76 in the battery pack 77 may vary, for example, depending on the number of battery packs and the appropriate number of redundancy, as discussed in detail herein. For illustrative purposes, the operating power requirements of the illustrated device 80 are as follows. Automobiles generally require 5-75kW of power, 5kW represents the most fuel-efficient situation on a smooth surface, and 75kW represents the situation when the acceleration is severe. The backup power supply of household appliances generally requires 300W to 13-. Power in the range of 15kW. SUVs, mobile houses, or similar, typically have a demand in the range of 300W to 7-10kW in addition to the car's power requirements. This means that this power range represents the power required to perform heating, cooling, and electrical appliances for the repair of RVs, not including the power required to drive the car. Ships such as sailboats generally have a power requirement of 100-300W to 2-5kW. Some devices 80, such as uninterruptible power systems (UPS), may be designed for a specific power requirement, depending on the specific environment in which the power supply is used. For example, a UPS that is structured to provide power to a personal computer may be only. Requires 300W of power. However, a UPS designed to provide power to communications equipment, telecommunications equipment, laboratories, computer networks, or similar may have significant power requirements. It should be understood that the above ranges are illustrative examples, and similar devices 80 can operate outside the standard range. Similarly, it should be understood that the above ranges are referenced in terms of power requirements during operation, as each device can be 15 paper sizes applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm>). ------------------- Order --------- (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) 515130 A7 ________ B7 _ V. Invention Note (, price) can be unconnected or closed, in which case the device will not have power requirements. Within the scope of the present invention, the number of fuel cell stacks 76 in the battery pack 77 may range from two to several dozen. Or more within the battery pack. Because the system 60 includes a plurality of independent battery packs 76, each battery pack can be smaller and can have a maximum rated power output that is less than, for example, the battery pack 22 in the system 10, when only a single battery pack is used. When smaller battery packs are used, they will typically be cheaper than a single larger battery pack. The reduction in the cost of individual battery packs is slightly affected by the additional controls and the increase in liquid conduits required for additional battery packs. As discussed in more detail here, the rated power output of each battery pack is instead equal to the corresponding battery pack 22 in the system 10. As a comparative example, consider a fuel cell system 10 designed to provide 3kW of backup power for appliances (such as emergency Or standby use). Continuing this example 'the system may provide power to meet the equipment balancing needs of the fuel cell system (meaning' the power required by the components of the system 60). Equipment balancing requirements and losses in power electronics typically range from a few hundred watts to close to lkW. In this system, a suitable maximum power output is 3kW, and the maximum rated power output of the battery pack 22 can be 4kW. Therefore, the system 10 may provide a suitable maximum power output of the household appliances, and provide a system equipment balancing requirement. However, if the battery pack 22 needs to stop operating, for example, if the battery pack fails, operates above acceptable operating parameters, is polluted and needs to be upgraded, or needs other services for inspection or repair, the system 10 cannot provide power to the home appliance Until the battery comes back to continue working. In the meantime, the 16 ^^ standard of this home is in compliance with China National Standard (CNS) A4 specifications (210 X 297 male f) '~--------- ^ --------- (please first (Please read the notes on the back and fill in this page) 515130 A7 ____B7_ 5. Description of the invention (4) The electrical appliance does not have its backup power source. It should be reminded that this is an illustrative example and that data can be changed in a particular system. For example, if the equipment balance demand for a particular system exceeds IkW, then the fuel cell stack 22 should be selected. Has a higher maximum rated power output. Provided that the fuel cell system 60 is used in place of the system 10, the system can provide at least one regulated power output even if one of the battery packs 76 in the battery pack 77 fails, or goes offline, shuts down, or otherwise stops operating. For example, if each battery pack 76 ^ 76 ^ has a maximum rated power output of lkW, the battery assembly will have a total constant power output equal to the total rated power output of the system 10. If one of the battery packs goes offline, battery pack 77 (and system 60) will still be able to provide a regulated power output of 3 kW. In this case,. A suitable maximum power output for a household appliance or other device 80 may not be achievable, but at least a portion, and in some cases, a substantial portion of the maximum rated power output may be achieved. Therefore, the battery pack 77 can be described as having a first operating state in which all the battery packs 76 generate a current, a second operating state, in which no battery pack 76 generates a current, and a third operating state in which at least the battery One of the groups 76 generates a current and at least one of the battery groups 76 does not. Moreover, it should be remembered that many devices 80 are loaded during the main period, if no longer a substantial part of their operating time (80%. Or more), which should be less than their appropriate maximum power output. In this case, the battery pack will be able to meet the external load of the home appliance, even if it cannot provide a suitable maximum load. From the above examples, the equipment exemplified by the battery assembly 77 includes individual battery packs 76, which have a total maximum power output 17 equal to that of the device 80 ------------------- -Order --------- Φ (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) 515130 A7 ____B7 _ V. Description of the invention () The total rated power output. Such a system 60 can be described as having a fuel cell assembly or a plurality of fuel cell stacks, each of which has a rated power output that is less than the appropriate maximum power output of the fuel cell system, but in total meets the appropriate maximum power output of the system. This system can also be described as having intermediate or partial redundancy. 'The system can provide a regulated power output even if one or more individual battery packs fail (as long as at least one operating battery pack). 〇 As discussed above, the battery assembly The number of fuel cell stacks 76 in 77 may vary, but will always include at least two fuel cell stacks. For example, the battery assembly described in the description of the above example may alternatively include eight battery packs 76 with a rated power output of 500W, two battery packs 76 with a rated power output of 2kW, and three with 1. Battery pack 76 with 33kW rated power output. In certain embodiments of the present invention, it may be expected that the power rating of each individual battery pack 76 is sufficient to provide at least one "extra" battery pack, which will still enable the system to reach its maximum rated power output, even if one or more A battery pack is faulty or offline, for example for service, maintenance or repair. For example, suppose a 4 kW system is desired, with five battery packs rated at lkW so that the appropriate maximum power output is still achieved, even if one battery pack needs to be offline or fails. In this architecture, the system 60 can be described as having n + 1 redundancy, where it can still provide a suitable maximum power output, even if one battery pack cannot generate power. Within the scope of the present invention, any suitable degree of redundancy may be provided, such as n + 2 redundancy, n + 3 redundancy, etc. When the fuel cell assembly includes at least n + 1 redundancy, it can be said to have 18 paper sizes applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm) ----- I ---- ---------- Order -------- «(Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) 515130 A7 __B7 —____ 5. Description of the invention (less) There is total redundancy, Among them, the battery assembly (and the corresponding fuel cell system) can still provide a suitable maximum power output, even if one (or more, depending on the degree of redundancy) of an individual battery pack failure or other reasons goes offline. It should be understood that the increased system reliability provided by having additional battery packs should take into account the cost of these additional battery packs, such as upfront costs, operating costs, system requirements, and so on. Therefore, there is no optimal architecture for all users and all purposes. Rather, as if the system is acceptable. Depending on factors such as the appropriate degree of adjustment and adjustment redundancy, and the appropriate degree of overall redundancy, a particular system can be selected. For many applications, n + 1 redundancy will be appropriate. Of course, if a single fuel cell stack is sufficiently reliable, redundancy may not be needed. However, it is often difficult to estimate the reliability of a particular battery pack, especially when the battery pack may fail due to failure of the upper and lower battery packs of the system components. In many applications, some degree of redundancy may be needed to ensure that the fuel cell system cannot produce any current consequences. Because the system 60 includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks 76, instead of the single battery stack 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery pack may be added online as needed to meet the external load of the device 80 (and / or the fuel cell system). Equipment balance requirements, which may be large at system startup). Therefore, for loads that are less than the maximum, only the number of fuel cells that meet the load demand is brought online for operation. For demanding applications such as home applications, a long battery pack life is necessary, and the load cycles between the maximum rated power output and the minimum power output periodically every day, operating only those fuel cell stacks that meet the required load This will lead to a reduction in the operating hours of the fuel cell stack and a longer service life. Therefore, instead of a single battery pack, the Chinese national standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 public love) is always applied at 19 paper sizes --------------------- Order --------- (Please read the precautions on the back before filling out this page) 515130 A7 _______ B7_ " " " --- '^ _________ V. Description of the Invention () When the system is online, Miscellaneous 6G can be full-service_80 plus the number of battery packs required by the load, retaining the operating life of individual fuel cell stacks. Individual battery packs may be manually selected, may be automatically controlled corresponding to the size of the external load (from device 80 and system 60), or may be controlled by the system, as discussed in detail herein. The fuel cell stack can be electrically connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel to meet the applied voltage required by the system 60. For example, each of the 0-inch 1-kW battery packs in the above description can generate 12vdC under load. These battery packs can be electrically connected in series to produce a 48VDC output to power electronics. It should be understood that these 値 are only meant to provide a description example 'and the voltage of the current generated by the battery pack 7 7 varies with the applied load. The fuel cell stacks are electrically isolated from each other to facilitate maintenance, service, repair, etc. of one of the plurality of battery stacks while maintaining the continuous supply of power to the device 80 by the battery stacks. In FIG. 5, the embodiment of the system 60 includes a power management module 81 through which power is transmitted from the battery pack to the device 80. As shown, the power (or current) 78 from the battery pack 77 passes through the module 81 and is then substantially transferred to the device 80 as indicated by 83. When the device 80 requires AC power, the module 81 will include a commutator to convert the DC power from the battery pack to AC power. An example of a power management module includes a transducer 85, which is not described briefly in FIG. The module 81 may additionally or alternatively include a battery assembly 86 and associated charger 90 containing one or more batteries 88, which are designed to store additional power, and a switch assembly 92 is designed to remove the battery assembly 77. Selectively transmit to the device 80 or the battery pack. Module. 20 This paper size is applicable to China National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297g t) ------------— I—Order · 丨 1—I (Please read the precautions on the back before (Fill in this page) 515130 A7 _ B7 ___- 5. Description of the Invention (β) 81 may additionally or alternatively include at least one DC-DC converter 93, such as a boost DC-DC converter, which increases the voltage of the current 78, Or at least one step-down DC-DC converter, which reduces the voltage of the current 78. The converter 93 receives an unregulated DC current from the battery pack 77, the voltage of which varies with the applied load, and adjusts the voltage of this current to the selected voltage. The selected voltage can be higher or lower than the unregulated voltage, and it can also depend on whether the output current of the converter is sent to the battery pack 86 or the device 80. The module 81 may include a DC-DC converter in each battery pack 76, or alternatively, each battery pack may be electrically connected to, or include, a designated DC-DC converter 93, such as the dashed line in FIG. Slightly described. As shown, an advanced DC-DC converter may be integrated with the fuel cell stack 76 using the connector 100, or they may be separate units from the battery stack 76. Adjusted DC outputs from a specified DC-DC converter can be connected in parallel or in series. It should be understood that the module 81 may include components other than those discussed here, not all of the above components are necessary in an embodiment of a power management module. In FIG. 7, another embodiment of the system 60 is shown, and A transfer line assembly 94 is included that receives at least a portion of the generated hydrogen stream and is distributed to a fuel cell stack forming a battery assembly 77. As shown, the assembly 94 receives the generated hydrogen stream 66 and distributes the hydrogen stream to the battery pack 76. Preferably, the line assembly 77 shown in FIG. 7 is only a pair of fuel cells 76. As discussed, there must be at least two battery packs to provide some level of intermediate and / or total redundancy. The fuel cell system 60 may include a valve assembly 98, which is designed 21 This paper size is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm) —I --------——— Order-- ------- (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) 515130 A7 __B7________ V. Description of the Invention (^) The adjustment is made to adjust or selectively interrupt, from the pipeline assembly 94 to the battery assembly 77 Fuel cell hydrogen flow. The valve assembly can additionally adjust or selectively interrupt the hydrogen flow to the entire battery assembly. The valve assembly 98 may include any suitable structure for selectively conducting or interrupting the flow of hydrogen to the battery assembly 77 and / or the battery pack 76. Examples of suitable devices include air flow regulators, valves, switches, switch assemblies, solenoids and the like. In FIG. 7, the valve assembly 98 is shown integrated with the line assembly 94. However, within the scope of the present invention 'the valve assembly 98 may be externally configured with the transfer line assembly, although in some embodiments it may still be directly or indirectly connected to it. The fuel cell system 60 may also include a connector or other suitable device 100 that is activated to electrically isolate one or more fuel cell stacks 76 in the assembly 77 from the load. The connector may be activated manually, such as stopping a battery pack, and / or automatically activated by a control system, such as exceeding certain operating parameters or load conditions. If the battery pack has been contaminated, for example, exposed to carbon monoxide, if the battery pack needs service or inspection, or if the battery pack does not need to meet the external load, for example, a controller can be activated to stop a particular battery pack from operating. The battery pack 77 can receive materials other than hydrogen. For example, each fuel cell stack 76 may receive a gas flow 102 from a gas delivery system ι04. As shown in Fig. 2, the gas flow is transmitted to the cathode region of the battery pack. The airflow may be distributed to the battery pack by the transfer line assembly 94 as shown in FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, the gas delivery system 104 may be in any form, and transmits an airflow 106 to the pipeline assembly 94, which transfers and distributes the airflow 102 to the battery pack 76 22 This paper size applies to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm) -------------------- Order ------- ^^ 9— (Please read the notes on the back before filling in this (Page) 515130 A7 _ B7____ 5. Description of the invention (/). The embodiment of the fuel cell system 60 shown in FIG. 8 also describes a switch assembly 98 located in the external line assembly 94. Furthermore, 'the battery pack 77 is shown as including individual fuel cells 76L, 76 ^ to 76 ^', indicating that any number of fuel cell packs can be used. The battery pack 76 may also receive a coolant fluid 108 that regulates the operating temperature of the battery pack. An example of the cooling liquid supply or delivery system is outlined at 110 in Fig. 8 and may be in any suitable form. The system 110 transmits a coolant fluid 112 to the pipeline assembly, which transfers the fluid fluid 108 to an individual battery pack. One example of a suitable coolant is, but is not limited to, gas, water, ethanol, and water-ethanol mixtures. The coolant fluid may form a coolant circuit, or the coolant fluid may be drained, withdrawn, or otherwise used or processed to cool the battery pack 76. It should be understood that this coolant is not directly introduced into the anode or cathode of the battery pack. Instead, it flows through a housing that surrounds the fuel cell stack, between the fuel cells 82 forming the stack, and / or through conduits that extend through the anode and cathode regions. Similar to the hydrogen stream 96, the gas stream 102 is preferably delivered only to the battery pack in the battery pack 77, which is operated to produce a current 78. For example, transmitting a gas stream to a PEM fuel cell that is not used to generate current may dry out the electrolytic film used in the battery cells of the battery pack. The coolant fluid 108 may be delivered only to the operating battery, or it may be delivered to all of the battery packs in the battery pack 77 each time. For example, maintaining a continuous flow of coolant to all battery packs' may require less resources or require less resources than adjusting and selectively interrupting the flow of coolant. When a single transfer line assembly 94 is shown in Figure 7, the fuel cell system 23 paper size applies to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (21〇x 297 public love) — " " --------- ----------- Order --------- (Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) 515130 A7 "—__ B7__ V. Description of the invention () 6〇 May include batteries Separate modules for each raw material of module 77. An exemplary embodiment of this fuel cell system 60 is shown in Figure 9, where the hydrogen reservoir is distributed by the pipeline module 94, the gas is distributed by the pipeline module 94, and the coolant is Dispensed by pipeline assembly 94 ". A single battery pack can receive any or all of these fluids from the supply or source described above, without the need for a pipeline assembly, and each battery can receive one or more of these fluids from a separate supply or delivery system, also Within the scope of the present invention. When the fluids 96, 102, and / or 108 are transferred via a transfer line assembly to individual battery packs 76 in the battery pack 77, the fluids are preferably transferred in parallel rather than in series. This architecture enables all battery packs to receive their respective fluids at essentially the same mix, temperature, etc. In Fig. 10, one embodiment of the fuel cell stack 60 shown in the system includes a control system 120 having a controller 122, which is designed to manage the operation of the system 60. As shown, the controller 122 communicates with various components of the fuel cell system via a communication connection 124. The link 124 may be in any suitable form, mechanical, wired, or wireless, between the controller and corresponding portions of the fuel cell system. The communication link can be one-way or two-way communication. The two-way communication link enables the controller to receive input or send signals to various components of the fuel cell system. Examples of suitable inputs include one or more current operating conditions, such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, composition, starting state 'load, and so on. These inputs may be received directly from the corresponding component or from the sensing component 126 regarding the selected component. The illustrated communication link 124 and the sensor 126 are shown in FIG. 10, but it should be understood that in all embodiments, the controller may not include FIG. 24. This paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm) -------------------- Order --------- (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) 515130 A7 _____B7 —____ 5. Description of the invention () All the connections and sensors shown in the ten are within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, the control system may also include additional sensors and connections ', e.g., in a communication having a fuel processing assembly 62 (and its fuel processor 64) and / or a device 80. The control system 120 can be used to send a control signal to the corresponding contactor 100 to selectively isolate a battery pack from an external load. For example, if a battery pack is determined, the battery pack can be isolated from an external load when operating outside acceptable operating parameters, such as from communication, from sensing component 126, other sensors or detectors, manual sensing Test, or similar. In the embodiment of the fuel cell system, each fuel cell group includes its own DC-DC converter. If the battery group transmits substandard performance to an external load, each DC-DC converter can be designed to The corresponding battery pack is automatically isolated. For example, if a particular DC-DC converter does not receive a current 78 having a voltage exceeding a selected minimum voltage, then the DC-DC converter automatically isolates the battery pack from an external load, such as by a start contactor 100 or a suitable connector or other switch related to the DC-DC converter. The control system 120 may additionally or alternatively be used to selectively adjust or interrupt the hydrogen flow, gas, and / or coolant to one or more battery packs forming the assembly 77. For example, the hydrogen and gas flow of a particular battery pack, as well as unnecessary coolant, can be interrupted so that the battery pack does not generate current. Typically, the corresponding contactor 100 will also be activated to isolate the battery pack from the raw materials and the external load. If contamination in the hydrogen stream is detected, the control system 120 can also isolate one or more battery packs, so as to avoid being affected by 25 paper standards that apply to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm)- ------------------ Order --------- (Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) 515130 A7 ____ B7 ___— 5. Description of the invention () The contaminated hydrogen stream is transmitted to the battery pack. Returning to the illustrative embodiment of the home fuel cell system, the rated power is a rough estimated power of 4 kW or a net power of 3 kW. When the load demand drops to substantially below 3 kW, the fuel cell controller may send a signal to shut down and isolate one or more battery packs 76. Especially when the power consumption is the smallest in general homes, such as midnight or noon, three of the four fuel cell stacks may be closed by a signal and electrically isolated to reduce the net power output below lkW, which is enough to meet Minimum load requirements for homes with minimum power requirements. In this example, if the minimum power consumption period in the home lasts 12 hours per day, and if only the lkW battery pack needs to be online to meet the minimum load, then 3 or 4 fuel cell packs offline will effectively increase the battery pack 60 % Of life. (In a four-day cycle, each fuel cell stack will operate for one full day and three and a half days, or every 96-hour cycle for 60 hours of operation). It should be understood that the increase in the lifespan is proportional to the percentage that a particular battery pack is offline during the total system operating time. The controller 122 may be adjusted to select the battery pack to stop running according to a predetermined sequence, or in another way, the battery pack may be selected randomly or in turn. When the predetermined sequence minimizes the life of other battery packs, the operating hours of that particular battery pack are maximized. In this case, the maximized battery pack fails faster than the rest, and only that particular battery needs to be replaced. If in a rotating order, the specific battery packs that are maintained online are rotated among the battery packs, such as hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly, the entire operating cycle of the battery packs will be close to the same, meaning All battery packs will tend to be close to 26 ^ Paper size applies Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm) I-(Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) mmt§ nnnn It ^ -OJ * nnnnn I n I-515130 A7 ___ Β7 __ 5. Description of the invention (1) Replacement, however, this time will be much longer than the time required to replace a single maximized battery pack in a predetermined sequence architecture. (Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page.) The control system 120 may include a user interface 130 that communicates with the controller. The user interface 130 enables a user to monitor and / or interact with the controller. An illustrative embodiment of the user interface 130 is shown in FIG. As shown, the interface 130 includes a display area 132 having a screen 134, or other suitable display mechanisms, in which messages are presented to the user. For example, the display area 132 may display the current measured by one or more sensor assemblies 126, the critical and actual operating parameters of the system 60 or device 80, the individual battery packs in the battery pack assembly, and individual Add load to the battery pack, potential battery pack, and other operating parameters. Pre-measurements may also be displayed. Other operational information and the effectiveness of the fuel processing system can also be displayed in area 32. The user interface 130 may also include a user input device 136 through which the user communicates with the controller. For example, the input device 136 may enable a user to input commands to change the operating state of the fuel cell system, change one or more stored critical thresholds and / or operating parameters of the system, and / or from the controller to the system Information required by previous or present operating parameters. The input device 136 may include suitable devices for receiving user input, including dials and switches, keys, key pads, keyboards, mice, touch-controlled screens, and the like. The user signal device 138 shown in Figure 8 warns the user that the acceptable critical height has been exceeded and the fuel cell stack has been isolated. The device 138 may include an alarm, a light, or any other suitable mechanism to alert the user. 27 This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) 515130 A7 _B7_____ V. Description of the invention ( <) It should be understood that the fuel cell system may include a controller without a user interface, which is still within the scope of the present invention and does not need to include all the components of the user interface described herein. The elements described above have been briefly described in Fig. 12, however, they can be implemented separately in all the scope of the present invention. For example, the user interface may include multiple display areas that are each designed to display one or more of the user messages described above. Similarly, a single user input device may be used, and the input device may include a display that prompts the user for the requested input or enables the user to select between input screens. The control system 120 may be designed to limit the magnitude of the peak load applied to the fuel cell assembly 77 or the maximum required power output, and / or form individual battery packs 76 of the assembly 77. For the characteristics of the control system described above, this load limit may be additional or alternative. Limiting the peak load applied to a fuel cell system protects the system and prevents the added peak load from exceeding the rated power output of the battery module or damaging it at a specific time. The load limit may be additionally such that it has a total rated power output, which is the use of the fuel cell module 77 below the desired maximum power output, and is required to meet the external load of the battery module. On the other hand, it may enable the use of a fuel cell with a lower rated power output, which is cheaper than a relative battery pack with a higher rated power output. In the application of the system 60 including the power management module 81 with the inverter 85, the load management controlled by the system 120 also provides a circuit design at a lower peak power level, which results in cost savings. When the device 80 is in the large 28 paper size, it applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm) -------------------- Order ---- ----- (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) 515130 A7 —___ B7_______ V. Description of the invention (4) Part or main part of time, operating at an intermediate power output, only a small percentage of time is required With the desired maximum power output, this load management control can be particularly effective. An example of such a device 80 is an electrical appliance that can supply loads ranging from hundreds of watts to 13-15 kW. However, except during peak hours, such as one or two hours in the morning and evening, household appliances typically supply loads that are much smaller than the desired maximum power output. Continuing the illustrative example of a home fuel cell system, the load management control can effectively use the fuel cell system to reduce (manage) peak load loads in household appliances. This can be achieved using the switch module 140, and the main household appliances (dryer, dishwasher, hair dryer, microwave oven, coffee machine, etc.) can be plugged in it. The switch module (commonly referred to as the switch module assembly) and the controller 122 are connected to each other, and can recognize a higher priority load (home appliance), and send a signal to turn off the lower priority home appliance. For example, higher priority household appliances, such as microwave ovens, can signal lower priority household appliances (such as dishwashers or clothes dryers) to turn off microwave ovens, without significantly increasing the overall demand for household appliances. . The signal is generated by a switch module that can be built in or integrated with the home appliance, or it can be a separate module that plugs the home appliance. The switch module 140 communicates with other switches and modules by radio or by an electrical signal transmitted through a metal wire of an existing household appliance. Although any suitable communication link can be used, the existing mixed-wire communication system is particularly effective. In addition, or in another way, the switch module may communicate with the controller 122, which then directly selectively opens / closes the state (or operation state) of the home appliance. Device or related 29 ΐ Paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm factory " '--------------------- Order- ------- (Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) M5130 A7 —----- B7 ______ V. Invention Description M) The priority or hierarchy of the module can be established by a suitable mechanism , For example, by individual switch modules (such as high-priority modules, low-priority modules, medium-priority modules, etc.), or stored by the control system or switch module components. An illustrative example of one of the devices 80 with load limit control is shown in FIG. As shown, the devices 80 include devices 80r804, each of which includes or communicates with a switch module 140. The modules shown communicate with each other via communication link 144 and additionally or alternatively communicate with controller 122 via communication link 124. Managing peak-to-peak electrical loads for household appliances can lead to reduced peak-to-peak load demand. For example, the example used here continuously, through the use of load limit control, household appliances can be reduced by 25%, 50% or more. Desired power output. For example, the desired maximum power output can be reduced to the range of 4-8kW. As a result, the fuel cell system can use a fuel cell stack having a lower net power output, and the power electronic circuit can be substantially reduced. The cost savings are significant. It should be understood that the invented fuel cell system, which includes a control system and a load limit control, can use an energy consuming device 80 other than the household appliances described above. Examples of other suitable devices include commercial buildings, automobiles, microwave relay stations, lighting fixtures, tools, communication equipment, signaling devices, and other devices 80 described by this force. As previously discussed, the fuel processor 64 is any suitable device for generating hydrogen. Optimally, the fuel processor is adjusted to produce fairly pure hydrogen ' The fuel processor is even better adjusted to produce pure hydrogen. 30 This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) -------------------- Order --------- (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) 515130 A7 ____B7____ V. Description of the invention (β) For the purpose of the present invention, the purity of a fairly pure hydrogen system is higher than 90%, preferably higher than 95%, and best The purity is higher than 99%, and even better than 99.5%. A suitable fuel processor was invented in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 5,997,594 5 and 5,861,137, and Pending U.S. Patent Application No. 09 / 291,447, which was filed on April 13, 1999 , And the case name is "Fuel Processing System", and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 188,993, which was filed on March 13, 2000, and the case name is "Fuel Processor", for all purposes, Each piece is here for reference. An example of a suitable fuel processor 64 is a fluid regenerator. An example of a suitable fluid regenerator is shown in Figure XIV, and is usually designated at 150. The regenerator 150 includes a region 152 that regenerates or produces hydrogen and includes a fluid regeneration catalyst 154. Alternatively, the regenerator 150 may be a self-heating regenerator, which includes a self-heating regeneration catalyst. In the regeneration zone 152, a regeneration stream 156 is generated from the water and water-containing raw materials forming the feed stream 68. The regeneration stream typically contains hydrogen and impurities and is therefore passed to a separation zone or clean zone 158 where the hydrogen is cleaned. In the separation zone 158, the hydrogen-containing fluid is driven by any suitable pressure to separate the fluid into one or more strands, which are generally referred to as 160, a fluid generated one by one, and a hydrogen-rich fluid 162. In Fig. 14, hydrogen-rich fluid 162 is shown to form a chemical reaction to produce hydrogen stream 66. An example of a suitable architecture for use in the separation zone 158 is a thin film module 164 that includes one or more hydrogen permeable metal thin films 166. 31 of suitable thin film modules formed from a plurality of metal films with selectable hydrogen This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) ------------- -------- Order --------- (Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) 515130 A7 _B7____ V. Description of the invention (> 1) An example, which was invented in the United States Patent application No. 09 / 291,447, filed on April 13, 1999, with the case name "Fuel Processing System", and the complete invention is incorporated herein by reference. In this application, a plurality of general planar thin films are combined into a thin film module having a fluid channel, and impure gas flows through the thin film module, and the purified gas flow is obtained from the thin film, and the generated fluid is excluded from the thin film. The gasket, which has a flexible graphite gasket, is used to seal the material and penetrate the fluid channel. In the same application, a tubular film of selectable hydrogen is also disclosed, which can also be used. Other suitable films or film modules were invented in US Patent Application No. 09 / 618,886, which was filed on July 19, 2000, and the case name is "Hydrogen Permeable Metal Films and Methods of Producing" The complete invention is incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable fuel processors are also invented in the combined patent applications. Thin, flat, hydrogen-permeable films are preferably made of palladium alloys, especially 35% to 45% copper palladium. These films can also be referred to as hydrogen-selectable films, and are typically made up of thin sheets that are approximately 0.001 inches thick. However, in addition to the above discussion, the film is also composed of the hydrogen-selectable metal and metal alloy, hydrogen-permeable and optional ceramic, or carbon film, which are all within the scope of the present invention. The film may be thicker or thinner than discussed above. For example, the film may be made thinner, e.g., spun, etched, or etched by a moderate increase in hydrogen flow. The hydrogen permeable membrane may be configured in any suitable structure, such as the pair of perimeter permeation channels invented in the incorporated patent application. The hydrogen permeable membrane can be other structures, such as a tubular structure, 32 paper sizes are applicable to China National Standard (CNS) A4 specifications (210 X 297 public love) -------- Order ------- -(Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) 515130 A7 _______B7_ V. Description of the invention (p) It was invented in a joint patent case. Another example of a suitable pressure separation process used in the separation zone 15 is pressure swing adsorption (PSA). Impurities in the < RTI ID = 0.0 > ' 1 < / RTI > body are removed from a fluid containing hydrogen in a pressure swing adsorption (psA). PSA is based on the principle that a specific gas will be more easily adsorbed onto an adsorbent material than other gases under appropriate temperature and pressure conditions. Typically, impurities are adsorbed and are therefore removed from the regeneration fluid 156. The process of using PSA for hydrogen cleaning is because the general impurities (such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons including CH4, and nitrogen) are more easily adsorbed on the adsorbent. Only hydrogen is very difficult to adsorb ' and therefore allows hydrogen to pass through the adsorption bed while impurities remain on the adsorbent. Impurities such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and water are easily adsorbed on the adsorbent material, and therefore are excluded from the fluid 156 together with other impurities. If the adsorbent material is to be regenerated and the impurities are present in the fluid 156, the separation region 158 preferably includes a suitable device that is adjusted to exclude the impurities before the fluid 156 is transferred to the adsorbent material, because the release of these impurities is very difficult. Adsorption of impurity gases occurs when the pressure is increased. When the pressure is lowered, impurities are released from the adsorbent material, thus regenerating the adsorbent material. Typically, PSA is a cyclic process and requires at least two adsorption beds for continuous (e.g., a relative group) operation. Examples of suitable adsorption materials that can be used in the adsorption bed are activated carbon and zeolite, especially 5 angstrom zeolite. The adsorption material is generally in the form of a small nine, and is placed in a cylindrical pressure vessel using a traditional packaging structure. However, it should be understood that other suitable adsorbent material compositions, forms, and structures can be used. 33 This paper size is applicable to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) -------------------- Order --------- (Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) 515130 A7 _B7___ V. Description of the invention (U) The regenerator 150 can, but is not necessary, and includes a retouching area 168, as shown in Figure 15. The retouching zone 168 receives the hydrogen-rich fluid 162 from the separation zone 158, and in turn reduces the concentration or excludes selected components there. For example, when the fluid 162 is intended for use in a fuel cell assembly, such as assembly 77, components of the fuel cell stack, such as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, may be removed from the hydrogen-rich fluid. The concentration of carbon monoxide should be less than 10 ppm (per millionth) to avoid isolation of the control system from the fuel cell stack. Optimally, the system limits carbon monoxide concentrations to less than 5 ppm, and even more preferably to less than 1 ppm. The concentration of carbon dioxide can be higher than the concentration of carbon monoxide. For example, CO2 concentrations below 25% are acceptable. Especially preferably, the concentration is less than 50 ppm. It should be understood that the minimum acceptable concentrations shown here are illustrative examples, and concentrations other than those shown here can be used and are within the scope of the present invention. For example, a specific user or manufacturer may require a concentration range other than the minimum or maximum. Region 168 includes any suitable structure to exclude or reduce the concentration of selected components in fluid 162. For example, when the fluid produced by a chemical reaction is intended to be used in other devices of a PEM fuel cell stack, if the fluid contains carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide above a predetermined concentration, it may be damaged, including at least one biogas catalytic bed 170. . The bed 170 converts carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into biogas and water, which will not damage the fuel battery pack. The retouching zone 168 may also include another hydrogen generating device 172, such as another regenerative catalytic bed, to convert any unreacted feedstock to hydrogen. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the second regeneration catalytic bed is attached to the biogas catalytic bed. -(Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) This paper size is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) 515130 A7 B7__ 5. Description of the invention (swim 'for easy use in biogas catalytic beds Downstream, no carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide will be introduced. Fluid regenerators typically operate at 200. (: and 700 ° C temperature, and at 50 psi and 1000 psi pressure, although the temperature is in this range The outside is within the scope of the present invention, for example, depending on the specific type and architecture used by the fuel processor. Any suitable heating mechanism or device may be used to provide a cooked amount 'such as a heater, burner, combustion catalyst, or Similarly. The heating assembly may be external to the fuel processor, or may form a combustion chamber, which forms a fuel processor of $ cents. The fuel of the heating assembly may be from a fuel processing system or a fuel cell system, or from an external source. Provided, or both are used in Figures 14 and 15 The display unit of the regenerator 150 includes a housing 151 'in which the components described above are included. The housing 151, which may also be referred to as a housing, enables a fuel processor such as the regenerator 150 to be used as a Unit to move. Because the components of the fuel processor may be heated as a unit, by providing a protective package and reducing the heating requirements of the fuel processor, the components in the fuel processor can also be protected from damage. Housing 151 Yes, but it is not necessary, and includes, for example, a solid insulating material, a covering insulating material, or an insulating material 153 filling the chamber. However, within the scope of the present invention, the regenerator may be composed without a mechanism or a housing. When the regenerator 15 includes an insulating material 153, the insulating material may be inside the housing, outside the housing, or inside and outside. When the insulating material is outside the housing containing the regeneration, separation and / or retouching area described above, the Fuel treatment benefits can include an outer cover or cover on the outside of the insulation. 35 This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 male 1) ) -------------------- Order --------- (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) 515130 A7 B7 V. Invention Explanation (V)) One or more elements may extend beyond the housing or at least outside the housing 151, which is also within the scope of the present invention. For example, the outline is shown in FIG. The exterior of the case 151 and / or a portion of the regeneration zone 152 may extend above the case. Other examples of fuel processors demonstrating these architectures are described in the combined reference and discussed in more detail herein, as previously discussed The fuel cell system according to the present invention may additionally or alternatively include part or total redundancy with respect to its fuel cell. An example of such a system is shown in Figure 16 and is generally designated as 180. As shown, the system 180 includes a fuel processing assembly 62 that includes a plurality of fuel processors 64. It is to be noted that the fuel cell system includes at least two fuel processors, and may include more than two fuel processors, and the fuel processors are designated by 64! _ To 64 ^. It should be understood that "n" can be as low as 2, and a number from two to a dozen or more can be selected. Similarly, although the system 180 shows a redundancy of the fuel cell stack, the system 180 can be implemented with only a single battery stack 76. 1: Industry application The present invention can be applied to energy generation systems, and particularly to fuel processing and fuel cell systems. The present invention should be believed to be the invention of a number of different inventions with independent devices. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense, and various changes are possible. The object of the present invention includes all new types of various elements, features, functions and / or characteristics disclosed herein 36 -------------------- Order ------ --- (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) This paper size is applicable to Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 (210 X 297 mm) 515130 A7 V. Description of the invention (outside) and unobvious combinations And times combination. Similarly, the scope of the patent application cites, "a" or "first" element or its equivalent, and we should be able to understand that the scope of this patent application includes a combination of one or more of these elements. It is believed that the following patents The scope of the application specifies a particular combination and sub-combination, which refers to a disclosed invention and is a novel and not obvious, '... Which realizes other combinations, sub-combinations of other features, functions, elements and / or characteristics, It can be presented through improvements in the scope of this patent application or in this or related applications as new scope of this patent application. Such changes or new scope of patent applications, whether they refer to different inventions, or to The same invention, whether it is a different, broader, narrower, or equal to the scope of the original patent application, should also be considered as included in the subject matter disclosed by the present invention. 37 This paper size applies to Chinese national standards (CNS) A4 specifications (210 X 297 male f) ^ --------- (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page)