TWM534898U - Intelligent power control system for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

An intelligent power control system for fuel cell includes an intelligent power converter, a fuel cell, and a power storage device. The fuel cell is coupled to the intelligent power converter and outputting a supply power to the intelligent power converter. The power storage device is coupled to the fuel cell and outputting a basic power to the fuel cell. On basis of the connection with a power grid and an AC load, the intelligent power control system is operated at one of a grid-connected operation mode, an integrated operation mode, and a stand-alone operation mode.

Description

Intelligent power control system for fuel cells

The present invention relates to a power control system, and more particularly to an intelligent power control system for a fuel cell.

With the advancement of science and technology and the development of the economy, the consumption of traditional energy sources such as media, oil and natural gas continues to rise, causing serious pollution on the earth and leading to environmental degradation such as greenhouse effect and acid rain. Therefore, in order to reduce environmental pollution, all countries are committed to the development of new alternative energy sources, and fuel cells are one of the important and promising options. Compared with traditional internal combustion engines, fuel cells have many advantages such as high energy conversion efficiency, no pollution, and low noise. However, the fuel cell is not the same as other power generation systems. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a smart power control system to increase the reliability of the fuel cell, maximize the performance of the fuel cell, extend the life of the fuel cell, and simultaneously protect it. The important load can continue to operate normally.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a smart power control system for a fuel cell, comprising: a smart power converter, a fuel cell, and Energy storage component. The fuel cell is coupled to the smart power converter and supplies the power output to the smart power converter. The energy storage component is coupled to the fuel cell and is powered by the base power to the fuel cell. The smart power control system operates in one of a grid-connected operation mode, an integrated operation mode, and an independent operation mode according to its connection state with the city grid road and the AC load.

In some embodiments, when the smart power control system is coupled to the utility grid and is not coupled to the AC load, the intelligent power control system operates in the grid-connected operation mode, and the smart power control system is coupled to the utility grid road. With the AC load, the intelligent power control system operates in the integrated operation mode. When the intelligent power control system is coupled to the AC load and is not coupled to the city grid road, the intelligent power control system operates in an independent operation mode.

In some embodiments, when the smart power control system is operated in the grid-connected operation mode, the supply power of the fuel cell is supplied to the city grid road after performing DC-DC conversion via the smart power converter.

In some embodiments, when the smart power control system is operating in the integrated operation mode, the smart power converter adjusts the interactive power supply mode according to the power consumption of the AC load and the power supply of the fuel cell.

In some embodiments, when the smart power control system is operated in the integrated operation mode and the power consumption power is greater than the supply power, the interactive power supply mode is that the power supply of the fuel cell is DC-converted via the smart power converter, and then the power is supplied. The AC load is applied, and the power grid circuit output is insufficient, and the power is supplied to the AC load via the smart power converter.

In some embodiments, when the smart power control system is operated in the integrated operation mode and the energy consumption is equal to the supply power, the above interaction is provided. The electric mode is that the power supply of the fuel cell is subjected to DC AC conversion via the smart power converter, and then supplied to the AC load.

In some embodiments, when the smart power control system is operated in the integrated operation mode and the power consumption power is less than the supply power, the interactive power supply mode is that the power supply of the fuel cell is converted by the smart power converter after the DC power conversion is performed. Give AC load and city grid road.

In some embodiments, when the smart power control system is operated in the independent operation mode, the supply power of the fuel cell is supplied to the AC load after performing DC-DC conversion via the smart power converter.

In some embodiments, the smart power control system is switched from the integrated operation mode to the independent operation mode, the energy storage component is coupled to the smart power converter, and the energy storage component supports the power output to the smart power supply. The converter performs DC-DC conversion via a smart power converter and supplies power to the AC load.

In some embodiments, the energy storage component is a supercapacitor or an energy storage battery.

The above described features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

100‧‧‧Smart Power Control System

110‧‧‧Smart Power Converter

120‧‧‧ fuel cell

130‧‧‧ Energy storage components

200‧‧‧ City Grid Road

300‧‧‧AC load

Sections 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E‧‧

A better understanding of the aspects of the present disclosure can be obtained from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. It should be noted that, according to industry standard practices, the features are not drawn to scale. In fact, in order to make the discussion clearer, The size of each feature can be arbitrarily increased or decreased.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a smart power control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

2 is a system block diagram showing a smart power control system operating in a grid-connected operation mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram showing a smart power control system operating in an integrated operation mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram showing a smart power control system operating in an independent operation mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a system block diagram showing a brief switching process in which the smart power control system is switched from the integrated operation mode to the independent operation mode according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

6 is a diagram showing changes in supply power of a fuel cell with time when a smart power control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure operates in different operation modes.

The disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing the various features disclosed herein. In order to simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and layouts are described below. Of course, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the disclosure. For example, if it is mentioned in the following description that the first feature is formed on the second feature, this may include an embodiment in which the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature; this may also include between the first feature and the second feature. Forming an embodiment of other features that does not directly interface the first feature with the second feature touch. Moreover, the disclosure may repeat the symbols and/or text in various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of brevity and clarity, but does not in itself determine the relationship between the various embodiments and/or arrangements discussed.

Furthermore, spatially relative terms such as "lower", "lower", """"""""""" These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. These devices can also be rotated (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or rotated to other directions), and the spatially relative descriptions used herein can also be interpreted accordingly.

1 is a block diagram of a smart power control system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The smart power control system 100 includes a smart power converter 110, a fuel cell 120, and an energy storage component 130. The fuel cell 120 is coupled to the smart power converter 110 and outputted to the smart power converter 110 with a supply of power. The energy storage component 130 is coupled to the fuel cell 120 and is powered by a basic power to the fuel cell 120. It should be noted that the energy storage component 130 is used to provide the basic power required for the fuel cell 120 itself to perform fuel energy conversion. It is worth mentioning that the smart power converter 110 is coupled to the energy storage component 130 to perform energy storage charging on the energy storage component 130.

The smart power control system 100 operates in one of a grid-connected operation mode, an integrated operation mode, and an independent operation mode in accordance with its connection state with the city grid road and the AC load. 2 is a system block diagram of the smart power control system 100 operating in the grid-connected mode of operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, when the smart power control system 100 is only coupled When connected to the city grid road 200, the intelligent power control system 100 operates in the grid-connected operation mode. The smart power converter 110 controls and adjusts the supply power of the fuel cell 120, the supplied power of the fuel cell 120 is output to the smart power converter 110, and the DC power conversion is performed via the smart power converter 110 to output the fuel cell 120. The direct current is converted into alternating current to supply power to the city grid road 200. It is worth mentioning that in the embodiment of the present invention, the power supply of the fuel cell 120 is controlled and adjusted by the smart power converter 110, thereby preventing the fuel cell 120 from being damaged due to excessive discharge.

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of the smart power control system 100 operating in the integrated operation mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, when the smart power control system 100 is coupled to the utility grid 200 and the AC load 300, the smart power control system 100 operates in an integrated operation mode. Based on the energy consumption of the AC load 300 and the power supplied by the fuel cell 120, the smart power converter 110 controls and adjusts the interactive power supply mode between the fuel cell 120 and the utility grid road 200.

When the smart power control system 100 operates in the integrated operation mode, and the power consumption of the AC load 300 is greater than the power supply of the fuel cell 120, the alternate power supply mode is that the power supply of the fuel cell 120 performs DC communication via the smart power converter 110. After the conversion, power is supplied to the AC load 300. On the other hand, the supply power of the fuel cell 120 is less than the shortage of the power consumption of the AC load 300, and the output power of the utility grid 200 is supplied to the AC load 300 via the smart power converter 110. It is worth mentioning that in the embodiment of the present invention, it is controlled and adjusted by the intelligent power converter 110. The fuel cell 120 is powered by the utility grid circuit 200 to ensure that the AC load 300 is functioning properly.

When the smart power control system 100 operates in the integrated operation mode, and the power consumption of the AC load 300 is equal to the power supply of the fuel cell 120, the alternate power supply mode is that the power supply of the fuel cell 120 performs DC communication via the smart power converter 110. After the conversion, power is supplied to the AC load 300.

When the smart power control system 100 operates in the integrated operation mode, and the power consumption of the AC load 300 is less than the power supply of the fuel cell 120, the alternate power supply mode is that the power supply of the fuel cell 120 performs DC communication via the smart power converter 110. After the conversion, in addition to supplying power to the AC load 300, the fuel cell 120 is supplied with more power than the excess portion of the AC power of the AC load 300, and moreover, after the DC power conversion is performed via the smart power converter 110, the power supply network is powered. 200. It is worth mentioning that in the embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell 120 is controlled and adjusted by the smart power converter 110 to maximize the utility of the fuel cell 120.

4 is a system block diagram of the smart power control system 100 operating in an independent mode of operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, when the smart power control system 100 is only coupled to the AC load 300, the smart power control system 100 operates in an independent operation mode. It should be noted that since the intelligent power control system 100 is not coupled to the city power grid, the independent mode is equivalent to the situation when the utility power is cut off. When the smart power control system 100 operates in the independent operation mode, the smart power converter 110 controls and adjusts the supply power of the fuel cell 120 according to the power consumption of the AC load 300, and the supply power of the fuel cell 120 is output to the smart power converter. 110, and After the DC power conversion is performed by the smart power converter 110, the power is supplied to the AC load 300. It is worth mentioning that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the power supply of the fuel cell 120 is controlled and adjusted by the smart power converter 110, so that when the utility power is cut off, the AC load 300 can still be used by the fuel cell 120. Output power to maintain normal operation.

In some embodiments, when the smart power control system 100 is operating in the independent operation mode, the smart power control system 100 can monitor the state of the utility grid road 200 to switch back to the integrated operation mode when the utility grid road 200 returns to normal or Grid operation mode.

FIG. 5 is a system block diagram showing a brief switching process of the smart power control system 100 switching from the integrated operation mode to the independent operation mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be noted that this process is equivalent to a brief switching process in which the intelligent power control system 100 is switched from the integrated operation mode to the independent operation mode when the utility power is suddenly turned off. During this process, since the fuel cell 120 cannot supply sufficient power to the AC load 300 at an instant, the AC load 300 has a need to temporarily support the power at this time. It should be noted that the smart power control system 100 operates in the standalone mode of operation of FIG. 4 when the short handoff process is completed.

When the smart power control system 100 is switched from the integrated operation mode to the independent operation mode, the energy storage component 130 is coupled to the smart power converter 110, and the energy storage component 130 provides the support power output to the intelligent power conversion. After performing DC-DC conversion via the smart power converter 110, the output voltage of the fuel cell 120 and the energy storage element 130 is converted into AC power, and is supplied to the AC load 300. Worth mentioning In the embodiment of the present invention, the power supply of the fuel cell 120 and the energy storage component 130 is controlled and adjusted by the smart power converter 110 to protect the AC load 300 from continuing to operate normally during the short-term operation mode switching. .

In the embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell may be a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the embodiment of the present invention, the energy storage component may be an ultracapacitor or an energy storage battery, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

6 is a graph showing changes in supply power of the fuel cell 120 over time when the smart power control system 100 operates in different operation modes according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, in the segment 6A of FIG. 6, the smart power control system 100 operates in a grid-connected operation mode, and the smart power converter 110 controls and adjusts the power supply of the fuel cell 120 so that the power of the fuel cell 120 is supplied. The stepped output mode is presented in steps of 20W, 40W, 45W, 70W, 60W, 45W, and 60W.

In section 6B of FIG. 6, the intelligent power control system 100 operates in the integrated operation mode, the power consumption of the AC load 300 is 105 W, the power supply of the fuel cell 120 is 70 W, and the fuel cell 120 is supplied with less power than the AC. The insufficient portion of the power consumption of the load 300 is output from the city grid circuit 200 to 35 W of insufficient power to the AC load 300.

The segment 6C in FIG. 6 corresponds to the mains power-off, and the smart power control system 100 operates in the independent operation mode, and the fuel cell 120 supplies power to the AC power of the AC load 300 by 105 W of supplied power.

Section 6D in Figure 6 is equivalent to the restoration of power from the mains, and The section 6B in FIG. 6 is similar, the intelligent power control system 100 operates in the integrated operation mode, the supply power of the fuel cell 120 is restored to 70 W, and the city grid circuit 200 also provides 35 W of insufficient power to supply power to the AC load 300. The energy consumption is 105W.

In section 6E of FIG. 6, the smart power control system 100 operates in an independent operation mode, and the smart power converter 110 controls and adjusts the supply power of the fuel cell 120 according to the power consumption of the AC load 300, so that the fuel cell 120 The supplied power is presented in a stepped output mode with 80W, 90W, and 105W.

It can be seen from the above that the intelligent power control system of the present invention can operate in different modes according to the situation of coupling to the power grid road and the AC load, so as to increase the reliability of the fuel cell, maximize the performance of the fuel cell, and prolong the fuel. The life of the battery, while protecting important loads, can continue to operate normally.

While the present disclosure has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments, other embodiments are still possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

It will be apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes in the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In view of the above, it is intended that the modifications and variations of the disclosure are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

The features of several embodiments are summarized above, and those skilled in the art will be able to understand the aspects of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that they can easily use this disclosure as a basis to design or modify other processes and knots. Thereby, the same objectives and/or the same advantages as those of the embodiments described herein are achieved. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

100‧‧‧Smart Power Control System

110‧‧‧Smart Power Converter

120‧‧‧ fuel cell

130‧‧‧ Energy storage components

Claims (10)

A smart power control system for a fuel cell, comprising: a smart power converter; a fuel cell coupled to the smart power converter and outputting power to the smart power converter; and a An energy storage component coupled to the fuel cell and powered by the basic power to the fuel cell; wherein the smart power control system operates in a grid-connected operation mode according to a connection state thereof with a city grid circuit and an AC load One of a comprehensive operation mode and an independent operation mode. The smart power control system of claim 1, wherein the smart power control system is operated when the smart power control system is coupled to the utility grid and is not coupled to the alternating current load. In the grid-connected operation mode, when the smart power control system is coupled to the city grid road and the AC load, the smart power control system operates in the integrated operation mode, and when the smart power control system is coupled to the AC load And not coupled to the city grid road, the intelligent power control system operates in the independent operation mode. The smart power control system of claim 2, wherein the smart power control system operates on the grid In the operation mode, the supplied power of the fuel cell is subjected to continuous current AC conversion via the smart power converter, and then supplied to the city power grid. The smart power control system according to claim 2, wherein when the smart power control system operates in the integrated operation mode, an energy consuming power according to the alternating current load and the power supply of the fuel battery The smart power converter adjusts an interactive power mode. The smart power control system of claim 4, wherein when the smart power control system operates in the integrated operation mode, and the energy consumption is greater than the supply power, the interactive power supply mode is the fuel The supplied power of the battery is subjected to the DC-AC conversion via the smart power converter, and is supplied to the AC load, and the utility grid circuit outputs an insufficient power, and the AC power is supplied to the AC load via the smart power converter. The smart power control system of claim 4, wherein when the smart power control system operates in the integrated operation mode and the energy consumption is equal to the supply power, the interactive power supply mode is the fuel The supplied power of the battery is supplied to the AC load after the DC power conversion is performed via the smart power converter. The intelligent power control system of claim 4, wherein the intelligent power control system operates in the integrated In an operation mode, and the power consumption power is less than the power supply, the interactive power supply mode is that the power supply of the fuel cell performs the DC-AC conversion via the smart power converter, and then supplies power to the AC load and the city grid road. . The smart power control system of claim 2, wherein the power supply of the fuel cell performs the direct current via the smart power converter when the smart power control system operates in the independent operation mode After the AC conversion, power is supplied to the AC load. The smart power control system of claim 2, wherein the smart power control system is switched from the integrated operation mode to the short-term switching process of the independent operation mode, and the energy storage component is coupled to the An intelligent power converter, wherein the energy storage component outputs power to the smart power converter, and the DC power conversion is performed by the smart power converter, and then the power is supplied to the AC load. The smart power control system of claim 1, wherein the energy storage component is a supercapacitor or an energy storage battery.