US20040217732A1 - Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies - Google Patents
Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040217732A1 US20040217732A1 US10/426,942 US42694203A US2004217732A1 US 20040217732 A1 US20040217732 A1 US 20040217732A1 US 42694203 A US42694203 A US 42694203A US 2004217732 A1 US2004217732 A1 US 2004217732A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- power
- converter
- fuel cell
- auxiliary
- cell stack
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/34—Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
- B60L58/40—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M16/00—Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators
- H01M16/003—Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
- H01M16/006—Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
- H01M8/04537—Electric variables
- H01M8/04604—Power, energy, capacity or load
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
- H01M8/04746—Pressure; Flow
- H01M8/04768—Pressure; Flow of the coolant
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
- H01M8/04858—Electric variables
- H01M8/04925—Power, energy, capacity or load
- H01M8/0494—Power, energy, capacity or load of fuel cell stacks
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
- H01M8/04858—Electric variables
- H01M8/04925—Power, energy, capacity or load
- H01M8/04947—Power, energy, capacity or load of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
- H01M8/04955—Shut-off or shut-down of fuel cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
- H02M3/00—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output
- H02M3/22—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac
- H02M3/24—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters
- H02M3/28—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
- H01M2250/20—Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
- H01M8/0432—Temperature; Ambient temperature
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
- H01M8/0438—Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
- H01M8/04388—Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow of anode reactants at the inlet or inside the fuel cell
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
- H01M8/0438—Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
- H01M8/04395—Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow of cathode reactants at the inlet or inside the fuel cell
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
- H01M8/04746—Pressure; Flow
- H01M8/04753—Pressure; Flow of fuel cell reactants
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J2300/00—Systems for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by decentralized, dispersed, or local generation
- H02J2300/30—The power source being a fuel cell
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
- Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02T90/40—Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
Definitions
- the present power converter architectures and methods generally relate to fuel cell systems, and more particularly to controlling an output power, voltage and/or current of a power supply including one or more fuel cell systems.
- Electrochemical fuel cells convert fuel and oxygen to electricity.
- Solid polymer electrochemical fuel cells generally employ a membrane electrode assembly (“MEA”) which includes an ion exchange membrane or solid polymer electrolyte disposed between two electrodes typically comprising a layer of porous, electrically conductive sheet material, such as carbon fiber paper or carbon cloth.
- MEA membrane electrode assembly
- the MEA contains a layer of catalyst, typically in the form of finely comminuted platinum, at each membrane electrode interface to induce the desired electrochemical reaction.
- the electrodes are electrically coupled to conduct electrons between the electrodes through an external circuit.
- a number of MEAs are electrically coupled in series to form a fuel cell stack having a desired power output.
- the MEA is disposed between two electrically conductive fluid flow field plates or separator plates.
- Fluid flow field plates have flow passages to direct fuel and oxygen to the electrodes, namely the anode and the cathode, respectively.
- the fluid flow field plates act as current collectors, provide support for the electrodes, provide access channels for the fuel and oxygen, and provide channels for the removal of reaction products, such as water formed during the fuel cell operation.
- the fuel cell system may use the reaction products in maintaining the reaction. For example, reaction water may be used for hydrating the ion exchange membrane and/or maintaining the temperature of the fuel cell stack.
- the stack's capability to produce current flow is a direct function of the amount of available reactant. Increased reactant flow increases reactant availability.
- Stack voltage varies inversely with respect to the stack current in a non-linear mathematical relationship.
- the relationship between stack voltage and stack current at a given flow of reactant is typically represented as a polarization curve for the fuel cell stack.
- a set or family of polarization curves can represent the stack voltage-current relationship at a variety of reactant flow rates.
- Fuel cell stacks are generally more efficient under high loads. In typical applications, the desired output voltage is the controlling parameter, and the reactant flow is adjusted accordingly. This results in the fuel cell stack operating less efficiently (i.e., along a less than optimal polarization curve) than desired.
- One approach is to employ a battery electrically coupled in parallel with the fuel cell system to provide additional current when the demand of the load exceeds the output of the fuel cell stack and to store current when the output of the fuel cell stack exceeds the demand of the load.
- a circuit to selectively provide power between a power source and a load comprises a main power converter having a primary side and a secondary side, the primary side of the main power converter electrically coupled directly to the power source without at least one of a switch and a diode therebetween, and the secondary side of the main power converter electrically couplable to the load; and at least one controller coupled to control the main power converter.
- a power storage device may be electrically coupled in parallel across the secondary side of the main power converter to buffer power.
- an auxiliary isolated power supply may be electrically coupled between the power storage device and at least one controller to provide power to the main converter controller and at least one controller to provide power to the main converter power stage and driver and to at least one first auxiliary load of the power supply, for example a fan such as such as a cooling fan of a fuel cell system.
- One or more switches may be selectively operable to electrically couple the auxiliary isolated power supply to the first auxiliary load in a first state and to alternatively electrically couple the power source to the first auxiliary load in a second state.
- a power supply that selectively provides power to a load comprises a fuel cell stack; a main isolated DC/DC converter comprising a transformer, a primary side and a secondary side, the primary side of the main isolated DC/DC converter electrically connected directly to the fuel cell stack; a power storage device electrically coupled to the secondary side of the main isolated DC/DC converter to receive power therefrom; and at least a first auxiliary fuel cell system component load alternatively electrically couplable to the fuel cell stack to receive power therefrom and the power storage device to receive power therefrom.
- a power supply that selectively provides power to a load Via voltage bus, comprises a fuel cell stack; a power bus to electrically couple at least one external load to the fuel cell stack, the power bus comprising a main isolated DC/DC converter wherein the main isolated DC/DC converter is the only on/off switching device between the fuel cell stack and the load; and at least one controller coupled to control the main isolated DC/DC converter.
- a method of selectively providing power to a load from a fuel cell stack comprises: electrically directly connecting a fuel cell stack to a main isolated DC/DC converter; selectively operating the main isolated DC/DC converter to supply power to the load a first time; and selectively stopping operation of the main isolated DC/DC converter to stop supplying power to the load at a second time.
- the method may further comprise in an idle state, supplying power to the fan from a fuel cell stack, and disabling the main power converter to prevent the supplying of power to the load from a fuel cell stack.
- the method may further include: in a failure state, disabling the main power converter to prevent the supplying of power to the load from a fuel cell stack, and supplying power to the fan from the power storage device via the auxiliary power supply.
- the method may even further include in a standby state, operating the auxiliary power supply, stopping a reactant flow to the fuel stack to stop the fuel cell stack operation, and disabling the main power converter to prevent the supplying of power to the load from a fuel cell stack.
- multiple power supplies may be electrically coupled in series and/or parallel, preferably in parallel, in a modular fashion to provide power at a different power rating and at a desired voltage.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system powering an external load, the fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack, fan, main isolated power converter, isolated auxiliary power converter, power storage device, fuel cell controller, DC/DC controller and a pair of switches, according to one illustrated embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell system including a single throw, double pole switch, according to one alternative embodiment.
- FIG. 3A is a state transition diagram for operating the fuel cell system according to one illustrated embodiment.
- FIGS. 3B and 3C are a state transition table for operating the fuel cell system according to the state transition diagram of FIG. 3A.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a number of fuel cell systems electrically coupled in series to supply a desired power a load at a desired voltage.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a number of fuel cell systems electrically coupled in parallel to supply power a load at a desired voltage.
- FIG. 1 shows a power supply 6 providing power to an external load 8 according to one illustrated embodiment of the present power converter architectures and methods.
- the external load 8 typically constitutes the device to be powered by the power supply 6 , such as a vehicle, appliance, computer and/or associated peripherals, lighting, and/or communications equipment.
- the power supply 6 may also provide power to one or more internal loads, for example control electronics, as discussed below.
- the power supply 6 comprises a fuel cell system 10 , a main power converter 12 , and a voltage bus 14 .
- Fuel cell system 10 comprises a fuel cell stack 16 composed of a number of individual fuel cells electrically coupled in series.
- the fuel cell stack 16 receives reactants, such as hydrogen and air via reactant supply systems (not shown) which may include one or more reactant supply reservoirs or sources, a reformer, and/or one or more control elements such as compressors, pumps and/or valves. Operation of the fuel cell stack 16 produces reactant product, typically including water.
- the fuel cell system 10 may reuse some or all of the reactant products. For example returning some of the water to the fuel cell stack 16 to humidify the hydrogen and air at the correct temperature, to hydrate the ion exchange membranes, and/or to control the temperature of the fuel cell stack 16 .
- Operation of the fuel cell stack 16 produces a voltage V FC across rails 14 a , 14 b of the voltage bus 14 .
- the voltage bus 14 electrically couples the fuel cell stack directly to a primary side of the main power converter 12 without the use of any intervening switches or diodes. This takes advantage of galvanic isolation between the fuel cell stack 16 and load 8 , discussed in detail below. Eliminating unnecessary switches and diodes provides a number of benefits such as reducing the parts counts, reducing costs associated with high current rated devices such as high current rated power relays and high current rated diodes, and reducing the significant losses associated with such devices.
- the fuel cell system 10 may include one or more controllers, such as fuel cell controller 18 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 can take a variety of forms, for example, a microprocessor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other programmed or programmable integrated circuit and the like.
- the fuel cell controller 18 receives input from one or more customer interfaces 20 such as an ON/OFF switch, voltage adjusting switch, etc.
- the fuel cell controller 18 also receives operational data 22 for the fuel cell stack 16 , for example, readings or measurements of temperature, reactant flows, and valve and/or switch conditions.
- the fuel cell controller 18 provides commands or stack control signals 24 to various actuators for controlling the operation of the fuel cell stack 16 .
- stack control signals 24 may actuate actuators such as solenoids for opening and closing valves to start, stop or adjust reactant flows.
- the fuel cell system 10 includes one or more fans, such as a cooling fan 26 that is selectively operable to provide an air flow 28 for maintaining the temperature of the fuel cell stack 16 within acceptable bounds or reactant supply fan for supplying fuel or oxidant (e.g., air or oxygen) to the fuel cell stack 16 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 may control the cooling fan 26 via fan speed commands 30 .
- the main power converter 12 may take a variety of forms such as a full-bridge DC/DC converter, a half-bridge DC/DC converter, a forward DC/DC converter, or their derivatives.
- the main power converter 12 may take the form of an isolated, full-bridge DC/DC converter power stage and driver electrically coupled on the voltage bus 14 between the fuel cell stack 16 and the load 8 , as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
- the main power converter 12 is operable to convert the DC voltage V FC produced by the fuel cell stack 16 to a desired DC output voltage V OUT suitable for the load 8 .
- a variety of DC/DC converter topologies may be suitable, which typically employ semiconductor switching devices in a circuit that uses an inductor, a transformer or a capacitor as an energy storage and filter element to transfer energy from the input to the output in discrete packets or pulses.
- the DC/DC converter may employ a full-bridge DC/DC converter topology, a push-pull DC/DC converter topology, a half-bridge DC/DC converter topology, or a forward DC/DC converter topology.
- the main power converter 12 may employ a high switching frequency (e.g., 100 kHz) approach, in order to reduce size, cost and weight.
- the details of these and other suitable converter topologies will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
- the main power converter 12 may rely on the galvanic isolation inherent in the transformer in the main power converter 12 to provide isolation between a primary side and a secondary side of the main power converter 12 .
- the main power converter 12 is operable under a variety of control techniques, such as frequency modulation, pulse-width modulation (i.e., PWM), average-current control, and peak-current control, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
- control techniques such as frequency modulation, pulse-width modulation (i.e., PWM), average-current control, and peak-current control, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
- the power supply 6 may include one or more power converter controllers to control the main power converter 12 via appropriate drivers, for example, a DC/DC controller 32 .
- the DC/DC controller 32 may operate in conjunction with the fuel cell controller 18 , communicating data and/or commands therebetween.
- the fuel cell controller 18 may provide to the DC/DC controller 32 : a voltage reference signal 34 representing the value of a desired output voltage V OUT , a fan enable signal 36 identifying a state (e.g., ON/OFF; High, Medium, Low) of the cooling fan 26 , a DC/DC enable signal 38 identifying a desired state (e.g., ON/OFF) of the main power converter 12 , and/or a wakeup signal 40 identifying a state (e.g., ON/OFF) of main power converter 12 .
- the DC/DC controller 32 may provide a status signal 42 to the fuel cell controller 18 identifying an operational status of the DC/DC controller 32 and/or main power converter 12 .
- the DC/DC controller 32 may also receive feedback signals 44 from the main power converter 12 .
- the DC/DC controller 32 produces control signals, such as pulse width modulated signals 46 , to control the operation of the main power converter 12 via appropriate drivers. Since some embodiments directly couple the fuel cell stack 16 to the main power converter 12 without any intervening switches and/or diodes, the operation of the main power converter 12 serves as the ON/OFF control between the fuel cell stack 16 and main power converter 12 and/or load 8 . Thus, power from the fuel cell stack 16 can be turned ON and OFF by enabling and disabling the main power converter 12 .
- the power supply 6 may also include an power storage device 48 , such as a “super” or “ultra” capacitor and/or a battery, electrically coupled in parallel across the load 8 , at the output side of the main power converter 12 .
- the open circuit voltage of the power storage device 48 is selected to be similar to the desired maximum output voltage of the power supply 6 .
- An internal resistance of the power storage device 48 is selected to be much lower than an internal resistance of the main power converter 12 , thus the power storage device 48 acts as a buffer, absorbing excess current when the fuel cell stack 16 produces more current than the load 8 requires, and providing current to the load 8 when the fuel cell stack 16 produces less current than the load 8 requires.
- the coupling of the power storage device 48 across the load 8 reduces the maximum power rating requirement of the fuel cell stack 16 .
- the power storage device 48 also supplies energy to the internal loads of the power supply 6 when the fuel cell stack 16 is, for example, in a startup state, failure state and/or standby state, as more fully discussed below.
- the power supply 6 includes an auxiliary power converter 50 to provide power to the various internal loads of the fuel cell system 10 .
- the auxiliary power converter 50 may provide power to the main power converter 12 , the DC/DC controller 32 and/or the fuel cell controller 18 .
- a single auxiliary power converter 50 may also supply power to other internal loads of the fuel cell system for example the cooling fan 26 .
- the architecture of the power supply 6 takes advantage of the existing auxiliary power converter used to power the control circuitry (e.g., DC/DC controller 32 , fuel cell controller 18 ) to eliminate a dedicated cooling fan power supply typically found in fuel cell systems.
- the auxiliary power converter 50 may take the form of a widely-used flyback converter.
- the auxiliary power converter 50 may be isolated, for example, relying on the galvanic isolation associated with the flyback transformer in the auxiliary power converter 50 , to provide protection between the remainder of the power supply 6 and/or the load 8 .
- the power supply 6 may employ one or more switches selectively operable to supply power to the cooling fan 26 directly from the fuel cell stack 16 , or alternatively, supply power to the cooling fan 26 via the auxiliary power converter 50 .
- a first switch SW 1 may electrically couple the cooling fan 26 to the voltage bus 14 in a closed state, and electrically uncouple the cooling fan 26 from the voltage bus 14 in an open state.
- a second switch SW 2 may electrically couple the cooling fan 26 to the auxiliary power converter 50 in a closed state, and electrically uncouple the cooling fan 26 from the auxiliary power converter 50 in an open state.
- the DC/DC controller 32 may control the state (e.g., ON/OFF) of the switches SW 1 , SW 2 in response to the fuel cell controller 18 .
- the power supply 6 may further include a pair of diodes D 1 , D 2 to protect against reverse current flow.
- FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the power supply 6 .
- This alternative embodiment, and those alternative embodiments and other alternatives described herein, are substantially similar to previously described embodiments, and common acts and structures are identified by the same reference numbers. Only significant differences in the operation and structure are described below.
- the power supply 6 of FIG. 2 employs a single switch SW 3 in place of the first and second switches SW 1 , SW 2 , and a single diode D 3 .
- the switch SW 3 is selectively operable to alternatively electrically couple the cooling fan 26 directly to the fuel cell stack 16 or to the power storage device 48 via the auxiliary power converter 50 .
- This alternative embodiment may be simpler to operate and less costly than the embodiment of FIG. 1, but may not be capable of functioning under several of the operating states discussed below.
- FIG. 3A is a state transition diagram and FIGS. 3B and 3C are a state transition table illustrating a state machine 100 for operating the power supply 6 .
- the state machine 100 involves a variety of states or operating modes, some of Which are activated by a user selecting an appropriate control on the customer interface 20 , and others which are automatically entered via the fuel cell controller 18 and/or DC/DC controller 32 in response to certain operating conditions.
- FIG. 3A shows the valid transitions for the state machine 100 .
- the power supply 6 may transition from an off state 102 to a standby state 104 .
- the power supply 6 may transition from the standby state 104 to the off state 102 or to a startup state 106 .
- the power supply 6 may transition from the startup state 106 to the standby state 104 , to a fault state 108 , or to an idle state 110 .
- the power supply 6 may transition from the fault state 108 to the standby state 104 .
- the power supply 6 may transition from the idle state 110 to the fault state 108 or to a boost state 112 .
- the power supply 6 may transition from the boost state 112 to the fault state 108 or the idle state 110 .
- the off state 102 is the beginning state for the power supply 6 .
- the various subsystems such as the fuel cell stack 16 , main power converter 12 , fuel cell controller 18 , cooling fan 26 , DC/DC controller 32 and/or auxiliary power converter 50 are not operating.
- the standby state 104 maintains the controllers in an operational state after receiving the wake-up command, while the housekeeping power supply for controllers is activated, and controllers in power supply 6 are awake and ready to communicate with customer interface 20 .
- the standby state 104 may be activated by an appropriate user input via the customer interface 20 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 causes the DC/DC controller 32 to open the first switch SW 1 , if not already open, to electrically uncouple the cooling fan 26 from the fuel cell stack 16 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 also causes the DC/DC controller 32 to open the second switch SW 2 , if not already open, to electrically uncouple the cooling fan 26 from the auxiliary power converter 50 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 further disables the fuel cell stack 16 , for example, by stopping reactant flow to the fuel cell stack 16 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 further causes the DC/DC controller 32 to disable the main power converter 12 .
- the startup state 106 may be entered in response to the user selecting an appropriate ON/OFF switch, or the automatic sensing of a loss of power from an independent power source such as a public or private electrical grid.
- the startup state 106 may allow the various subsystems of the power supply 6 to come up to operational levels, for example, allowing the fuel cell stack 16 to come up to its open circuit voltage V FC .
- the fuel cell controller 18 causes the DC/DC controller 32 to open the first switch SW 1 , if not already open, in step 106 to electrically uncouple the cooling fan 26 from the voltage bus 14 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 also causes the DC/DC controller 32 to close the second switch SW 2 , if not already closed, to electrically couple the cooling fan 26 to the power storage device 48 to receive power via the auxiliary power converter 50 .
- the fault state 108 may be entered when one or more operating values goes out of bounds or some other erroneous condition occurs, the failure state protecting the various subsystems of the power supply 6 , as well as the load 8 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 causes the DC/DC controller 32 to open the first switch SW 1 , if not already open, to electrically uncouple the cooling fan 26 from the voltage bus 14 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 also causes the DC/DC controller 32 to disable the main power converter 12 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 further causes the DC/DC controller 32 to close the second switch SW 2 , if not already closed, to electrically couple the cooling fan 26 to the power storage device 48 via the auxiliary power converter 50 .
- the idle state 110 may be entered to maintain the power supply 6 in an operational state, while the load 8 does not require power.
- the idle state 110 may be activated by an appropriate user input via the customer interface 20 , or by automatically sensing of the loss of load 8 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 causes the DC/DC controller 32 to open the second switch SW 2 , if not already open, to electrically uncouple the cooling fan 26 from the auxiliary power converter 50 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 also causes the DC/DC controller 32 to close the first switch SW 1 , if not already closed, to electrically couple the cooling fan 26 directly to the fuel cell stack 16 via the voltage bus 14 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 further causes the DC/DC controller 32 to disable the main power converter 12 .
- the boost state 112 may be entered once the power supply 6 is fully operational, to supply power to the load 8 .
- the boost state 112 may be activated by an appropriate user input via the customer interface 20 , or by automatically sensing of the load 8 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 causes the DC/DC controller 32 to open the second switch SW 2 , if not already open, to electrically uncouple the cooling fan 26 from the auxiliary power converter 50 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 also causes the DC/DC controller 32 to close the first switch SW 1 , if not already closed, to electrically couple the cooling fan 26 directly to the fuel cell stack 16 via the voltage bus 14 .
- the fuel cell controller 18 further causes the DC/DC controller 32 to provide PWM signals 46 to the main power converter 12 , enabling the main power converter 12 in order to supply power to the load 8 from the fuel stack 16 .
- FIG. 4 shows a number of power supplies 6 1 - 6 n electrically coupled in series on a voltage bus 14 to power a load 8 .
- the ellipses indicate that any number of additional power supplies may be electrically coupled between the first power supply 6 1 and the n th power supply 6 n .
- This modular approach allows customers to reconfigure a power supply system of a n times output power at n times output voltage while utilizing the same fuel cell stack design and the same power supply 6 module.
- FIG. 5 shows a number of power supplies 6 1 - 6 n electrically coupled in parallel on a voltage bus 14 formed by voltage rails 14 a , 14 b to power a load 8 .
- This modular approach allows a customer to reconfigure a power supply system of a n times output power at the same voltage, while utilizing the same fuel cell stack design and the same power supply 6 module.
- the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 can be combined in various arrangements of series and parallel coupled to provide a modular approach to the manufacture, validation, and distribution of power supply systems.
- the disclosed embodiments may provide a number of advantages over existing systems. For example, the above described approaches may reduce the time required to produce a suitable power supply system that meets a customer's specific desired power and voltage requirements. Having a power supply system more closely tailored to the actual load requirements and/or capable of adjusting the output voltage via a power converter saves costs since fewer cells are required in the fuel cell stack 16 , and since only a relatively few, or even only one, standard fuel cell stack 16 must be designed, validated, manufactured, inventoried and distributed. Further, having a power supply system more closely tailored to the actual load requirements allows the fuel cell stack 16 to operate more efficiently.
- the power converter to adjust the voltage, allows the fuel cell stack 16 to operate at maximum load, independent of the desired load voltage, also allowing the fuel cell stack to operate more efficiently along the optimum polarization curve.
- the elimination of costly and lossy high voltage switches and/or diodes also adds to the savings in cost and efficiency.
- the elimination of a dedicated power supply for the fan provides significant cost and efficiency savings.
- the coupling of the power storage device 48 across the load 8 provides significant saving by reducing the maximum power rating of the fuel cell stack 16 .
- the main power converter 12 may from time-to-time, or as required, generate a current pulse to decontaminate the fuel cell stack 16 , thereby improving fuel cell stack performance.
- Suitable methods of operation may include additional steps, eliminate some steps, and/or perform some steps in a different order.
- the fuel cell controller 18 may employ a different order for determining the operating state, and/or for opening and closing the switches SW 1 , SW 2 .
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present power converter architectures and methods generally relate to fuel cell systems, and more particularly to controlling an output power, voltage and/or current of a power supply including one or more fuel cell systems.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Electrochemical fuel cells convert fuel and oxygen to electricity. Solid polymer electrochemical fuel cells generally employ a membrane electrode assembly (“MEA”) which includes an ion exchange membrane or solid polymer electrolyte disposed between two electrodes typically comprising a layer of porous, electrically conductive sheet material, such as carbon fiber paper or carbon cloth. The MEA contains a layer of catalyst, typically in the form of finely comminuted platinum, at each membrane electrode interface to induce the desired electrochemical reaction. In operation, the electrodes are electrically coupled to conduct electrons between the electrodes through an external circuit. Typically, a number of MEAs are electrically coupled in series to form a fuel cell stack having a desired power output.
- In typical fuel cells, the MEA is disposed between two electrically conductive fluid flow field plates or separator plates. Fluid flow field plates have flow passages to direct fuel and oxygen to the electrodes, namely the anode and the cathode, respectively. The fluid flow field plates act as current collectors, provide support for the electrodes, provide access channels for the fuel and oxygen, and provide channels for the removal of reaction products, such as water formed during the fuel cell operation. The fuel cell system may use the reaction products in maintaining the reaction. For example, reaction water may be used for hydrating the ion exchange membrane and/or maintaining the temperature of the fuel cell stack.
- The stack's capability to produce current flow is a direct function of the amount of available reactant. Increased reactant flow increases reactant availability. Stack voltage varies inversely with respect to the stack current in a non-linear mathematical relationship. The relationship between stack voltage and stack current at a given flow of reactant is typically represented as a polarization curve for the fuel cell stack. A set or family of polarization curves can represent the stack voltage-current relationship at a variety of reactant flow rates. Fuel cell stacks are generally more efficient under high loads. In typical applications, the desired output voltage is the controlling parameter, and the reactant flow is adjusted accordingly. This results in the fuel cell stack operating less efficiently (i.e., along a less than optimal polarization curve) than desired.
- In most practical applications, it is desirable to maintain an approximately constant voltage output from the fuel cell stack. One approach is to employ a battery electrically coupled in parallel with the fuel cell system to provide additional current when the demand of the load exceeds the output of the fuel cell stack and to store current when the output of the fuel cell stack exceeds the demand of the load.
- The many different practical applications for fuel cell based power supplies require a large variety of different power/voltage delivery capabilities. Typically this requires using a fuel cell stack with a higher rating than actually required, or alternatively, specially designing the fuel cell stack for the particular application. In most instances, it is prohibitively costly and operationally inefficient to employ a power supply capable of providing more power than required by the application. It is also costly and inefficient to design, manufacture, validate, and maintain inventories of different power supplies capable of meeting the demand of each potential application (e.g., 1 kW, 2 kW, 5 kW, 10 kW, etc. in power, 24V, 48V, etc. in voltage). Further, it is desirable to increase the reliability of the power supply without significantly increasing the cost. Thus, a less costly, less complex, more flexible, and/or more efficient approach to fuel cell based power supplies is desirable.
- In one aspect, a circuit to selectively provide power between a power source and a load comprises a main power converter having a primary side and a secondary side, the primary side of the main power converter electrically coupled directly to the power source without at least one of a switch and a diode therebetween, and the secondary side of the main power converter electrically couplable to the load; and at least one controller coupled to control the main power converter. A power storage device may be electrically coupled in parallel across the secondary side of the main power converter to buffer power. Further, an auxiliary isolated power supply may be electrically coupled between the power storage device and at least one controller to provide power to the main converter controller and at least one controller to provide power to the main converter power stage and driver and to at least one first auxiliary load of the power supply, for example a fan such as such as a cooling fan of a fuel cell system. One or more switches may be selectively operable to electrically couple the auxiliary isolated power supply to the first auxiliary load in a first state and to alternatively electrically couple the power source to the first auxiliary load in a second state.
- In another aspect a power supply that selectively provides power to a load comprises a fuel cell stack; a main isolated DC/DC converter comprising a transformer, a primary side and a secondary side, the primary side of the main isolated DC/DC converter electrically connected directly to the fuel cell stack; a power storage device electrically coupled to the secondary side of the main isolated DC/DC converter to receive power therefrom; and at least a first auxiliary fuel cell system component load alternatively electrically couplable to the fuel cell stack to receive power therefrom and the power storage device to receive power therefrom.
- In yet another aspect, a power supply that selectively provides power to a load Via voltage bus, comprises a fuel cell stack; a power bus to electrically couple at least one external load to the fuel cell stack, the power bus comprising a main isolated DC/DC converter wherein the main isolated DC/DC converter is the only on/off switching device between the fuel cell stack and the load; and at least one controller coupled to control the main isolated DC/DC converter.
- In a further aspect a method of selectively providing power to a load from a fuel cell stack comprises: electrically directly connecting a fuel cell stack to a main isolated DC/DC converter; selectively operating the main isolated DC/DC converter to supply power to the load a first time; and selectively stopping operation of the main isolated DC/DC converter to stop supplying power to the load at a second time.
- In an even further aspect, a method of operating a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack, a fan, a main isolated power converter, and a power converter controller comprises electrically coupling a power storage device in parallel across a secondary or output side of the main isolated DC/DC converter; supplying power to the power converter controller via the auxiliary power supply; supplying power to the fan via the auxiliary power supply at a first time; and supplying power to the fan directly from a fuel cell stack without the use of the auxiliary power supply at a second time.
- In even a further aspect a method of operating a power supply comprising a fuel stack, a fan and at least one power storage device comprises: in a startup state, supplying power to the fan from the power storage device via an auxiliary power supply; and in a boost state, supplying power to the fan from a fuel cell stack, and enabling a main power converter to supply power to a load from the fuel cell stack via the main power converter. The method may further comprise in an idle state, supplying power to the fan from a fuel cell stack, and disabling the main power converter to prevent the supplying of power to the load from a fuel cell stack. The method may further include: in a failure state, disabling the main power converter to prevent the supplying of power to the load from a fuel cell stack, and supplying power to the fan from the power storage device via the auxiliary power supply. The method may even further include in a standby state, operating the auxiliary power supply, stopping a reactant flow to the fuel stack to stop the fuel cell stack operation, and disabling the main power converter to prevent the supplying of power to the load from a fuel cell stack.
- In an even further aspect, multiple power supplies may be electrically coupled in series and/or parallel, preferably in parallel, in a modular fashion to provide power at a different power rating and at a desired voltage.
- In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements and angles are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system powering an external load, the fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack, fan, main isolated power converter, isolated auxiliary power converter, power storage device, fuel cell controller, DC/DC controller and a pair of switches, according to one illustrated embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell system including a single throw, double pole switch, according to one alternative embodiment.
- FIG. 3A is a state transition diagram for operating the fuel cell system according to one illustrated embodiment.
- FIGS. 3B and 3C are a state transition table for operating the fuel cell system according to the state transition diagram of FIG. 3A.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a number of fuel cell systems electrically coupled in series to supply a desired power a load at a desired voltage.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a number of fuel cell systems electrically coupled in parallel to supply power a load at a desired voltage.
- In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments of the present power converter architectures and methods. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the present power converter architectures and methods may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with fuel cells, fuel cell stacks, fuel cell systems, reactant delivery systems, power storage devices such as batteries and “super” or “ultra” capacitors, temperature control systems, controllers, and power converters such as DC/DC converters, have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments of the present power converter architectures and methods.
- Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprises” and variations thereof, such as “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as “including, but not limited to.”
- FIG. 1 shows a
power supply 6 providing power to anexternal load 8 according to one illustrated embodiment of the present power converter architectures and methods. Theexternal load 8 typically constitutes the device to be powered by thepower supply 6, such as a vehicle, appliance, computer and/or associated peripherals, lighting, and/or communications equipment. Thepower supply 6 may also provide power to one or more internal loads, for example control electronics, as discussed below. - The
power supply 6 comprises afuel cell system 10, amain power converter 12, and avoltage bus 14. -
Fuel cell system 10 comprises afuel cell stack 16 composed of a number of individual fuel cells electrically coupled in series. Thefuel cell stack 16 receives reactants, such as hydrogen and air via reactant supply systems (not shown) which may include one or more reactant supply reservoirs or sources, a reformer, and/or one or more control elements such as compressors, pumps and/or valves. Operation of thefuel cell stack 16 produces reactant product, typically including water. Thefuel cell system 10 may reuse some or all of the reactant products. For example returning some of the water to thefuel cell stack 16 to humidify the hydrogen and air at the correct temperature, to hydrate the ion exchange membranes, and/or to control the temperature of thefuel cell stack 16. Operation of thefuel cell stack 16 produces a voltage VFC acrossrails voltage bus 14. In some embodiments, thevoltage bus 14 electrically couples the fuel cell stack directly to a primary side of themain power converter 12 without the use of any intervening switches or diodes. This takes advantage of galvanic isolation between thefuel cell stack 16 andload 8, discussed in detail below. Eliminating unnecessary switches and diodes provides a number of benefits such as reducing the parts counts, reducing costs associated with high current rated devices such as high current rated power relays and high current rated diodes, and reducing the significant losses associated with such devices. - The
fuel cell system 10 may include one or more controllers, such asfuel cell controller 18. Thefuel cell controller 18 can take a variety of forms, for example, a microprocessor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other programmed or programmable integrated circuit and the like. Thefuel cell controller 18 receives input from one ormore customer interfaces 20 such as an ON/OFF switch, voltage adjusting switch, etc. Thefuel cell controller 18 also receivesoperational data 22 for thefuel cell stack 16, for example, readings or measurements of temperature, reactant flows, and valve and/or switch conditions. Thefuel cell controller 18 provides commands or stack control signals 24 to various actuators for controlling the operation of thefuel cell stack 16. For example, stack control signals 24 may actuate actuators such as solenoids for opening and closing valves to start, stop or adjust reactant flows. - The
fuel cell system 10 includes one or more fans, such as a coolingfan 26 that is selectively operable to provide anair flow 28 for maintaining the temperature of thefuel cell stack 16 within acceptable bounds or reactant supply fan for supplying fuel or oxidant (e.g., air or oxygen) to thefuel cell stack 16. Thefuel cell controller 18 may control the coolingfan 26 via fan speed commands 30. - The
main power converter 12 may take a variety of forms such as a full-bridge DC/DC converter, a half-bridge DC/DC converter, a forward DC/DC converter, or their derivatives. For example, themain power converter 12 may take the form of an isolated, full-bridge DC/DC converter power stage and driver electrically coupled on thevoltage bus 14 between thefuel cell stack 16 and theload 8, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the illustrated embodiment, themain power converter 12 is operable to convert the DC voltage VFC produced by thefuel cell stack 16 to a desired DC output voltage VOUT suitable for theload 8. - A variety of DC/DC converter topologies may be suitable, which typically employ semiconductor switching devices in a circuit that uses an inductor, a transformer or a capacitor as an energy storage and filter element to transfer energy from the input to the output in discrete packets or pulses. For example, the DC/DC converter may employ a full-bridge DC/DC converter topology, a push-pull DC/DC converter topology, a half-bridge DC/DC converter topology, or a forward DC/DC converter topology. In particular, the
main power converter 12 may employ a high switching frequency (e.g., 100 kHz) approach, in order to reduce size, cost and weight. The details of these and other suitable converter topologies will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Themain power converter 12 may rely on the galvanic isolation inherent in the transformer in themain power converter 12 to provide isolation between a primary side and a secondary side of themain power converter 12. - The
main power converter 12 is operable under a variety of control techniques, such as frequency modulation, pulse-width modulation (i.e., PWM), average-current control, and peak-current control, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art. - The
power supply 6 may include one or more power converter controllers to control themain power converter 12 via appropriate drivers, for example, a DC/DC controller 32. The DC/DC controller 32 may operate in conjunction with thefuel cell controller 18, communicating data and/or commands therebetween. For example, thefuel cell controller 18 may provide to the DC/DC controller 32: avoltage reference signal 34 representing the value of a desired output voltage VOUT, a fan enablesignal 36 identifying a state (e.g., ON/OFF; High, Medium, Low) of the coolingfan 26, a DC/DC enablesignal 38 identifying a desired state (e.g., ON/OFF) of themain power converter 12, and/or awakeup signal 40 identifying a state (e.g., ON/OFF) ofmain power converter 12. The DC/DC controller 32 may provide astatus signal 42 to thefuel cell controller 18 identifying an operational status of the DC/DC controller 32 and/ormain power converter 12. The DC/DC controller 32 may also receive feedback signals 44 from themain power converter 12. The DC/DC controller 32 produces control signals, such as pulse width modulated signals 46, to control the operation of themain power converter 12 via appropriate drivers. Since some embodiments directly couple thefuel cell stack 16 to themain power converter 12 without any intervening switches and/or diodes, the operation of themain power converter 12 serves as the ON/OFF control between thefuel cell stack 16 andmain power converter 12 and/orload 8. Thus, power from thefuel cell stack 16 can be turned ON and OFF by enabling and disabling themain power converter 12. - The
power supply 6 may also include anpower storage device 48, such as a “super” or “ultra” capacitor and/or a battery, electrically coupled in parallel across theload 8, at the output side of themain power converter 12. The open circuit voltage of thepower storage device 48 is selected to be similar to the desired maximum output voltage of thepower supply 6. An internal resistance of thepower storage device 48 is selected to be much lower than an internal resistance of themain power converter 12, thus thepower storage device 48 acts as a buffer, absorbing excess current when thefuel cell stack 16 produces more current than theload 8 requires, and providing current to theload 8 when thefuel cell stack 16 produces less current than theload 8 requires. The coupling of thepower storage device 48 across theload 8 reduces the maximum power rating requirement of thefuel cell stack 16. Thepower storage device 48 also supplies energy to the internal loads of thepower supply 6 when thefuel cell stack 16 is, for example, in a startup state, failure state and/or standby state, as more fully discussed below. - The
power supply 6 includes anauxiliary power converter 50 to provide power to the various internal loads of thefuel cell system 10. For example, theauxiliary power converter 50 may provide power to themain power converter 12, the DC/DC controller 32 and/or thefuel cell controller 18. A singleauxiliary power converter 50 may also supply power to other internal loads of the fuel cell system for example the coolingfan 26. Thus, the architecture of thepower supply 6 takes advantage of the existing auxiliary power converter used to power the control circuitry (e.g., DC/DC controller 32, fuel cell controller 18) to eliminate a dedicated cooling fan power supply typically found in fuel cell systems. Theauxiliary power converter 50 may take the form of a widely-used flyback converter. Theauxiliary power converter 50 may be isolated, for example, relying on the galvanic isolation associated with the flyback transformer in theauxiliary power converter 50, to provide protection between the remainder of thepower supply 6 and/or theload 8. - The
power supply 6 may employ one or more switches selectively operable to supply power to the coolingfan 26 directly from thefuel cell stack 16, or alternatively, supply power to the coolingfan 26 via theauxiliary power converter 50. For example, a first switch SW1 may electrically couple the coolingfan 26 to thevoltage bus 14 in a closed state, and electrically uncouple the coolingfan 26 from thevoltage bus 14 in an open state. A second switch SW2 may electrically couple the coolingfan 26 to theauxiliary power converter 50 in a closed state, and electrically uncouple the coolingfan 26 from theauxiliary power converter 50 in an open state. The DC/DC controller 32 may control the state (e.g., ON/OFF) of the switches SW1, SW2 in response to thefuel cell controller 18. Thepower supply 6 may further include a pair of diodes D1, D2 to protect against reverse current flow. - FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the
power supply 6. This alternative embodiment, and those alternative embodiments and other alternatives described herein, are substantially similar to previously described embodiments, and common acts and structures are identified by the same reference numbers. Only significant differences in the operation and structure are described below. - In particular, the
power supply 6 of FIG. 2 employs a single switch SW3 in place of the first and second switches SW1, SW2, and a single diode D3. The switch SW3 is selectively operable to alternatively electrically couple the coolingfan 26 directly to thefuel cell stack 16 or to thepower storage device 48 via theauxiliary power converter 50. This alternative embodiment may be simpler to operate and less costly than the embodiment of FIG. 1, but may not be capable of functioning under several of the operating states discussed below. - FIG. 3A is a state transition diagram and FIGS. 3B and 3C are a state transition table illustrating a
state machine 100 for operating thepower supply 6. - The
state machine 100 involves a variety of states or operating modes, some of Which are activated by a user selecting an appropriate control on thecustomer interface 20, and others which are automatically entered via thefuel cell controller 18 and/or DC/DC controller 32 in response to certain operating conditions. - FIG. 3A shows the valid transitions for the
state machine 100. For example, thepower supply 6 may transition from anoff state 102 to astandby state 104. Thepower supply 6 may transition from thestandby state 104 to theoff state 102 or to astartup state 106. Thepower supply 6 may transition from thestartup state 106 to thestandby state 104, to afault state 108, or to anidle state 110. Thepower supply 6 may transition from thefault state 108 to thestandby state 104. Thepower supply 6 may transition from theidle state 110 to thefault state 108 or to aboost state 112. Thepower supply 6 may transition from theboost state 112 to thefault state 108 or theidle state 110. - The above transitions are represented by arrows on the state transition diagram (FIG. 3A), each of the arrows having a reference number that identifies the transitions in the state transition table (FIGS. 3B and 3C).
- The
off state 102 is the beginning state for thepower supply 6. In theoff state 102 the various subsystems such as thefuel cell stack 16,main power converter 12,fuel cell controller 18, coolingfan 26, DC/DC controller 32 and/orauxiliary power converter 50 are not operating. - The
standby state 104 maintains the controllers in an operational state after receiving the wake-up command, while the housekeeping power supply for controllers is activated, and controllers inpower supply 6 are awake and ready to communicate withcustomer interface 20. Thestandby state 104 may be activated by an appropriate user input via thecustomer interface 20. To enter thestandby state 104, thefuel cell controller 18 causes the DC/DC controller 32 to open the first switch SW1, if not already open, to electrically uncouple the coolingfan 26 from thefuel cell stack 16. Thefuel cell controller 18 also causes the DC/DC controller 32 to open the second switch SW2, if not already open, to electrically uncouple the coolingfan 26 from theauxiliary power converter 50. Thefuel cell controller 18 further disables thefuel cell stack 16, for example, by stopping reactant flow to thefuel cell stack 16. Thefuel cell controller 18 further causes the DC/DC controller 32 to disable themain power converter 12. - The
startup state 106 may be entered in response to the user selecting an appropriate ON/OFF switch, or the automatic sensing of a loss of power from an independent power source such as a public or private electrical grid. Thestartup state 106 may allow the various subsystems of thepower supply 6 to come up to operational levels, for example, allowing thefuel cell stack 16 to come up to its open circuit voltage VFC. To enter thestartup state 106, thefuel cell controller 18 causes the DC/DC controller 32 to open the first switch SW1, if not already open, instep 106 to electrically uncouple the coolingfan 26 from thevoltage bus 14. Thefuel cell controller 18 also causes the DC/DC controller 32 to close the second switch SW2, if not already closed, to electrically couple the coolingfan 26 to thepower storage device 48 to receive power via theauxiliary power converter 50. - The
fault state 108 may be entered when one or more operating values goes out of bounds or some other erroneous condition occurs, the failure state protecting the various subsystems of thepower supply 6, as well as theload 8. To enter thefault state 108, thefuel cell controller 18 causes the DC/DC controller 32 to open the first switch SW1, if not already open, to electrically uncouple the coolingfan 26 from thevoltage bus 14. Thefuel cell controller 18 also causes the DC/DC controller 32 to disable themain power converter 12. Thefuel cell controller 18 further causes the DC/DC controller 32 to close the second switch SW2, if not already closed, to electrically couple the coolingfan 26 to thepower storage device 48 via theauxiliary power converter 50. - The
idle state 110 may be entered to maintain thepower supply 6 in an operational state, while theload 8 does not require power. Theidle state 110 may be activated by an appropriate user input via thecustomer interface 20, or by automatically sensing of the loss ofload 8. To enter theidle state 110, thefuel cell controller 18 causes the DC/DC controller 32 to open the second switch SW2, if not already open, to electrically uncouple the coolingfan 26 from theauxiliary power converter 50. Thefuel cell controller 18 also causes the DC/DC controller 32 to close the first switch SW1, if not already closed, to electrically couple the coolingfan 26 directly to thefuel cell stack 16 via thevoltage bus 14. Thefuel cell controller 18 further causes the DC/DC controller 32 to disable themain power converter 12. - The
boost state 112 may be entered once thepower supply 6 is fully operational, to supply power to theload 8. Theboost state 112 may be activated by an appropriate user input via thecustomer interface 20, or by automatically sensing of theload 8. To enter theboost state 112, thefuel cell controller 18 causes the DC/DC controller 32 to open the second switch SW2, if not already open, to electrically uncouple the coolingfan 26 from theauxiliary power converter 50. Thefuel cell controller 18 also causes the DC/DC controller 32 to close the first switch SW1, if not already closed, to electrically couple the coolingfan 26 directly to thefuel cell stack 16 via thevoltage bus 14. Thefuel cell controller 18 further causes the DC/DC controller 32 to provide PWM signals 46 to themain power converter 12, enabling themain power converter 12 in order to supply power to theload 8 from thefuel stack 16. - The above teachings may be implemented in a modular approach to providing power supply systems of a large variety of output powers and voltages, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
- FIG. 4 shows a number of power supplies6 1-6 n electrically coupled in series on a
voltage bus 14 to power aload 8. The ellipses indicate that any number of additional power supplies may be electrically coupled between thefirst power supply 6 1 and the nth power supply 6 n. This modular approach allows customers to reconfigure a power supply system of a n times output power at n times output voltage while utilizing the same fuel cell stack design and thesame power supply 6 module. - FIG. 5 shows a number of power supplies6 1-6 n electrically coupled in parallel on a
voltage bus 14 formed byvoltage rails load 8. This modular approach allows a customer to reconfigure a power supply system of a n times output power at the same voltage, while utilizing the same fuel cell stack design and thesame power supply 6 module. The embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 can be combined in various arrangements of series and parallel coupled to provide a modular approach to the manufacture, validation, and distribution of power supply systems. - The disclosed embodiments may provide a number of advantages over existing systems. For example, the above described approaches may reduce the time required to produce a suitable power supply system that meets a customer's specific desired power and voltage requirements. Having a power supply system more closely tailored to the actual load requirements and/or capable of adjusting the output voltage via a power converter saves costs since fewer cells are required in the
fuel cell stack 16, and since only a relatively few, or even only one, standardfuel cell stack 16 must be designed, validated, manufactured, inventoried and distributed. Further, having a power supply system more closely tailored to the actual load requirements allows thefuel cell stack 16 to operate more efficiently. Use of the power converter to adjust the voltage, allows thefuel cell stack 16 to operate at maximum load, independent of the desired load voltage, also allowing the fuel cell stack to operate more efficiently along the optimum polarization curve. As noted above, the elimination of costly and lossy high voltage switches and/or diodes also adds to the savings in cost and efficiency. As further discussed above, the elimination of a dedicated power supply for the fan provides significant cost and efficiency savings. The coupling of thepower storage device 48 across theload 8 provides significant saving by reducing the maximum power rating of thefuel cell stack 16. Even further, themain power converter 12 may from time-to-time, or as required, generate a current pulse to decontaminate thefuel cell stack 16, thereby improving fuel cell stack performance. - Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the power supply are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present power converter architectures and methods, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art. The teachings provided herein can be applied to other fuel cell systems, not necessarily the exemplary fuel cell systems generally described above.
- The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above U.S. patents, patent applications and publications referred to in this specification, including but not limited to, commonly assigned pending U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 10/017,480, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Controlling Voltage From a Fuel Cell System” (Attorney Docket No. 130109.436); Ser. No. 10/017,462, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Multiple Mode Control of Voltage From a Fuel Cell System” (Attorney Docket No. 130109.442); and Serial No. 10/017,461, entitled “Fuel Cell System Multiple Stage Voltage Control Method and Apparatus” (Attorney Docket No. 130109.446), all filed Dec. 14, 2001; Serial No. 60/421,126, entitled “Adjustable Array Of Fuel Cell Systems In Power Supply” filed May 16, 2002 (Atty. Docket No. 130109.449P1); and serial No. 60/436,759, entitled “Electric Power Plan With Adjustable Array Of Fuel Cell Systems” filed Dec. 17, 2002 (Atty. Docket No. 130109.449P2), are all incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the present power converter architectures and methods can be modified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuits and concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments of the present power converter architectures and methods. Suitable methods of operation may include additional steps, eliminate some steps, and/or perform some steps in a different order. For example, the
fuel cell controller 18 may employ a different order for determining the operating state, and/or for opening and closing the switches SW1, SW2. - These and other changes can be made to the present power converter architectures and methods in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all fuel cell systems that operate in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.
Claims (41)
Priority Applications (8)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/426,942 US20040217732A1 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2003-04-29 | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies |
US10/654,872 US7449259B2 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2003-09-04 | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies |
JP2006504123A JP2006525629A (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2004-04-28 | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supply |
JP2006504122A JP4616247B2 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2004-04-28 | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supply |
PCT/CA2004/000628 WO2004098035A1 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2004-04-28 | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies |
PCT/CA2004/000629 WO2004098064A2 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2004-04-28 | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies |
EP04729800A EP1620937A1 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2004-04-28 | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies |
EP04729804A EP1627461A2 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2004-04-28 | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/426,942 US20040217732A1 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2003-04-29 | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/654,872 Continuation-In-Part US7449259B2 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2003-09-04 | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040217732A1 true US20040217732A1 (en) | 2004-11-04 |
Family
ID=33309997
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/426,942 Abandoned US20040217732A1 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2003-04-29 | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies |
US10/654,872 Expired - Fee Related US7449259B2 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2003-09-04 | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/654,872 Expired - Fee Related US7449259B2 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2003-09-04 | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20040217732A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1627461A2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2006525629A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004098064A2 (en) |
Cited By (33)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050069738A1 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2005-03-31 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Fuel cell |
EP1758194A2 (en) * | 2005-08-22 | 2007-02-28 | LG Electronics Inc. | Fuel cell having charging unit |
WO2007050577A2 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-05-03 | The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois | Fuel-cell based power generating system having power conditioning apparatus |
US20070112472A1 (en) * | 2005-11-16 | 2007-05-17 | Inventec Corporation | Method for reducing instantaneous current on startup |
US20070107766A1 (en) * | 2005-11-12 | 2007-05-17 | Langley John B Ii | Multi-source ambient energy power supply for embedded devices or remote sensor or RFID networks |
WO2007055117A1 (en) * | 2005-11-09 | 2007-05-18 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel cell system with electric storage device and voltage converter |
EP1848055A1 (en) * | 2006-04-17 | 2007-10-24 | Bloom Energy Corporation | An online configurable control system for fuel cells |
US20080166604A1 (en) * | 2006-12-20 | 2008-07-10 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Model based real-time optimization of fuel cell clusters |
US20080259660A1 (en) * | 2007-04-23 | 2008-10-23 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Power conditioner and method of operating the same |
US7659022B2 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2010-02-09 | Modine Manufacturing Company | Integrated solid oxide fuel cell and fuel processor |
US7994751B2 (en) * | 2007-08-08 | 2011-08-09 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Fuel cell power supply device |
US8137855B2 (en) | 2007-07-26 | 2012-03-20 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Hot box design with a multi-stream heat exchanger and single air control |
US8232673B2 (en) | 2007-04-17 | 2012-07-31 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Power conditioner and method of managing the same |
US8241801B2 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2012-08-14 | Modine Manufacturing Company | Integrated solid oxide fuel cell and fuel processor |
US8288041B2 (en) | 2008-02-19 | 2012-10-16 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Fuel cell system containing anode tail gas oxidizer and hybrid heat exchanger/reformer |
EP2360766A3 (en) * | 2010-02-12 | 2012-11-21 | Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp. | Parallel Fuel Cell Electrical Power System |
US8440362B2 (en) | 2010-09-24 | 2013-05-14 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Fuel cell mechanical components |
US20130175972A1 (en) * | 2011-07-14 | 2013-07-11 | Panasonic Corporation | Fuel cell system and method for controlling the same |
US8563180B2 (en) | 2011-01-06 | 2013-10-22 | Bloom Energy Corporation | SOFC hot box components |
US8852820B2 (en) | 2007-08-15 | 2014-10-07 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Fuel cell stack module shell with integrated heat exchanger |
US8968958B2 (en) | 2008-07-08 | 2015-03-03 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Voltage lead jumper connected fuel cell columns |
US9141923B2 (en) | 2012-09-25 | 2015-09-22 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Optimizing contractual management of the total output of a fleet of fuel cells |
US9190693B2 (en) | 2006-01-23 | 2015-11-17 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Modular fuel cell system |
US9287572B2 (en) | 2013-10-23 | 2016-03-15 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Pre-reformer for selective reformation of higher hydrocarbons |
US9461320B2 (en) | 2014-02-12 | 2016-10-04 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Structure and method for fuel cell system where multiple fuel cells and power electronics feed loads in parallel allowing for integrated electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) |
US20160352108A1 (en) * | 2015-06-01 | 2016-12-01 | Fujitsu Limited | Electronic apparatus, power supply control device, and power supply system |
US9755263B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2017-09-05 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Fuel cell mechanical components |
US20170353038A1 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2017-12-07 | Abb Schweiz Ag | Power System Comprising A Central Energy Storage System And A Method Of Controlling Power Transfer In A Power System |
US10651496B2 (en) | 2015-03-06 | 2020-05-12 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Modular pad for a fuel cell system |
EP3672014A4 (en) * | 2017-08-14 | 2020-06-24 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Power control system |
EP3671922A4 (en) * | 2017-08-14 | 2020-08-12 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Power supply system and control method thereof |
WO2022046117A1 (en) * | 2020-08-31 | 2022-03-03 | Google Llc | Parallel charger circuit with battery feedback control |
US11398634B2 (en) | 2018-03-27 | 2022-07-26 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Solid oxide fuel cell system and method of operating the same using peak shaving gas |
Families Citing this family (55)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7556660B2 (en) | 2003-06-11 | 2009-07-07 | James Kevin Shurtleff | Apparatus and system for promoting a substantially complete reaction of an anhydrous hydride reactant |
US6991864B2 (en) * | 2003-09-23 | 2006-01-31 | Utc Fuel Cells, Llc | Storage of fuel cell energy during startup and shutdown |
DE102004001424B4 (en) * | 2004-01-09 | 2021-03-04 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Fuel cell system with a control unit |
JP4855743B2 (en) * | 2004-09-30 | 2012-01-18 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Power supply device using fuel cell and control method thereof |
US20060068239A1 (en) * | 2004-09-30 | 2006-03-30 | Yasuaki Norimatsu | Electric power source apparatus using fuel cell and method of controlling the same |
JP4979885B2 (en) * | 2004-11-02 | 2012-07-18 | パナソニック株式会社 | Power supply |
FR2878087A1 (en) * | 2004-11-15 | 2006-05-19 | France Telecom | AUTONOMOUS ELECTRIC CHARGER |
KR100645690B1 (en) * | 2005-04-12 | 2006-11-14 | 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 | Method for shutting down a fuel cell system and fuel cell apparatus using the same |
KR100768849B1 (en) * | 2005-12-06 | 2007-10-22 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Power supply apparatus and method for line conection type fuel cell system |
JP2007242330A (en) * | 2006-03-07 | 2007-09-20 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Fuel cell power generator system |
GB0607959D0 (en) * | 2006-04-21 | 2006-05-31 | Itm Fuel Cells Ltd | DC-DC converter |
JP4495111B2 (en) * | 2006-05-10 | 2010-06-30 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Contactor failure detection device in fuel cell system |
US7651542B2 (en) | 2006-07-27 | 2010-01-26 | Thulite, Inc | System for generating hydrogen from a chemical hydride |
US7648786B2 (en) | 2006-07-27 | 2010-01-19 | Trulite, Inc | System for generating electricity from a chemical hydride |
KR100742301B1 (en) | 2006-08-08 | 2007-07-24 | (주)퓨얼셀 파워 | Fuel cell system and operating method thereof |
JP4898343B2 (en) * | 2006-08-09 | 2012-03-14 | パナソニック株式会社 | Power supply |
WO2008028049A2 (en) * | 2006-08-30 | 2008-03-06 | Wispi.Net | Hybrid power system |
KR100787245B1 (en) * | 2006-11-28 | 2007-12-21 | (주)퓨얼셀 파워 | Fuel cell system including reliable power distributor |
TW200830625A (en) * | 2007-01-03 | 2008-07-16 | Syspotek Corp | Fuel cell device |
JP5023374B2 (en) * | 2007-02-05 | 2012-09-12 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Fuel cell system |
JP4761162B2 (en) * | 2007-03-07 | 2011-08-31 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Fuel cell system |
US7793746B2 (en) * | 2007-03-09 | 2010-09-14 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Noise-comfort function for cooling systems with proportional variable speed fans |
US8357214B2 (en) | 2007-04-26 | 2013-01-22 | Trulite, Inc. | Apparatus, system, and method for generating a gas from solid reactant pouches |
EP2181477A4 (en) | 2007-07-25 | 2011-08-03 | Trulite Inc | Apparatus, system, and method to manage the generation and use of hybrid electric power |
KR100911964B1 (en) * | 2007-10-17 | 2009-08-13 | 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 | Air breathing type polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and operation method thereof |
DE102007050377A1 (en) * | 2007-10-22 | 2009-04-23 | Daimler Ag | Fuel cell system with at least one fuel cell |
US7773375B1 (en) * | 2008-01-04 | 2010-08-10 | APlus Mobile Inc. | Ruggedized computer and aspects thereof |
US7968240B2 (en) * | 2008-01-15 | 2011-06-28 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | System and method for shorting a fuel cell stack |
KR20090127718A (en) * | 2008-06-09 | 2009-12-14 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Fuel cell power management system and anti-islanding method thereof |
US8864855B2 (en) * | 2008-10-01 | 2014-10-21 | Societe Bic | Portable hydrogen generator |
KR20100108761A (en) * | 2009-03-30 | 2010-10-08 | 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 | Fuel cell system and method for controlling operations of multiple fuel cells |
JP4761259B2 (en) * | 2009-05-28 | 2011-08-31 | Toto株式会社 | Solid oxide fuel cell |
US8920994B2 (en) * | 2009-07-10 | 2014-12-30 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel cell system |
US8232761B1 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2012-07-31 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Power conditioner for microbial fuel cells |
DE102009046501A1 (en) * | 2009-11-06 | 2011-05-12 | SB LiMotive Company Ltd., Suwon | Battery system with DC / DC converters |
US20120064424A1 (en) * | 2010-09-15 | 2012-03-15 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Low cost method and signal processing algorithm to rapidly detect abnormal operation of an individual fuel cell in a plurality of series connected fuel cells |
WO2013098999A1 (en) * | 2011-12-28 | 2013-07-04 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Fuel cell system |
CA2869203C (en) * | 2012-04-02 | 2021-08-10 | Hydrogenics Corporation | Method and apparatus for starting a fuel cell from a discharged state |
KR101910972B1 (en) * | 2012-10-24 | 2018-10-23 | 삼성전자주식회사 | fuel cell system and electronic device controlling the same |
US9601940B2 (en) * | 2013-08-06 | 2017-03-21 | Analog Devices, Inc. | Battery pack with locally controlled disconnect safeguards |
KR101516899B1 (en) * | 2013-12-31 | 2015-05-04 | 현대모비스 주식회사 | Power conversion apparatus for vehicle and Method for controling the same |
KR102127294B1 (en) * | 2014-03-18 | 2020-07-07 | 에스케이이노베이션 주식회사 | Apparatus and method for controlling fuel cell system using reconfigurable switch network |
KR101551086B1 (en) | 2014-05-02 | 2015-09-08 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Emergency Power supply system using fuelcell |
US9525411B2 (en) * | 2014-11-13 | 2016-12-20 | Analog Devices, Inc. | Power supply circuits for gate drivers |
US9676288B2 (en) * | 2015-03-20 | 2017-06-13 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Battery open-circuit voltage measurement using reverse current pulse |
US20160276843A1 (en) | 2015-03-20 | 2016-09-22 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Battery Charge Strategy Using Discharge Cycle |
KR102485478B1 (en) * | 2015-12-14 | 2023-01-06 | 현대모비스 주식회사 | Device for preventing a reverse current of the DC-DC converter of vehicle and method thereof |
WO2017213987A1 (en) * | 2016-06-06 | 2017-12-14 | Fuelcell Energy, Inc. | Fuel cell load cycling to support the electric grid |
US10069160B2 (en) * | 2016-07-27 | 2018-09-04 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Stack voltage control for recovery mode using boost converter |
US10522859B2 (en) * | 2017-05-01 | 2019-12-31 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Dynamic low-power control of cell voltage in a fuel cell stack during low-power operating modes |
US11545687B1 (en) * | 2017-12-29 | 2023-01-03 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Systems and methods of restoring fuel cell system performance |
DE102018208987A1 (en) | 2018-06-07 | 2019-12-12 | Audi Ag | Flushing system for a housing and fuel cell system |
KR102305054B1 (en) * | 2020-01-30 | 2021-09-27 | (주)미섬시스텍 | Apparatus and method for auto-controlling power supply in battery management system |
CN116418233A (en) * | 2021-12-30 | 2023-07-11 | 艾科微电子(深圳)有限公司 | Flyback converter and control method thereof |
EP4328074A1 (en) | 2022-08-23 | 2024-02-28 | Stadler Rail AG | Railway vehicle, method for operating a railway vehicle and use of a traction battery |
Citations (43)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US47309A (en) * | 1865-04-18 | Improvement in cocks | ||
US111977A (en) * | 1871-02-21 | Improvement in implements for slitting and looping rags for carpets | ||
US113594A (en) * | 1871-04-11 | Improvement in spinning-wheels | ||
US113599A (en) * | 1871-04-11 | Improvement in oil-reservoirs for axle-boxes | ||
US4411967A (en) * | 1981-06-11 | 1983-10-25 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Cell generating system |
US5334463A (en) * | 1991-11-29 | 1994-08-02 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Hybrid fuel battery system and the operation method thereof |
US5734238A (en) * | 1994-03-04 | 1998-03-31 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Control system in electric vehicle |
US6096449A (en) * | 1997-11-20 | 2000-08-01 | Avista Labs | Fuel cell and method for controlling same |
US6175214B1 (en) * | 1998-10-14 | 2001-01-16 | Raytheon Company | High voltage power supply using thin metal film batteries |
US6187464B1 (en) * | 1998-06-01 | 2001-02-13 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Method for activating fuel cell |
US20010044040A1 (en) * | 2000-05-22 | 2001-11-22 | Uribe Francisco A. | Method for improving fuel cell performance |
US6424545B2 (en) * | 2000-03-06 | 2002-07-23 | Mitel Knowledge Corporation | Efficient, dual-source, wide-input range, isolated DC-DC converter with effective current limit |
US6428918B1 (en) * | 2000-04-07 | 2002-08-06 | Avista Laboratories, Inc. | Fuel cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, power conditioning methods and direct current power conditioning methods |
US6442047B1 (en) * | 1999-10-08 | 2002-08-27 | Lambda Electronics, Inc. | Power conversion apparatus and methods with reduced current and voltage switching |
US6451470B1 (en) * | 1997-03-06 | 2002-09-17 | Magnet-Motor Gesellschaft Für Magnetmotorische Technik Mbh | Gas diffusion electrode with reduced diffusing capacity for water and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells |
US6462430B1 (en) * | 1999-09-01 | 2002-10-08 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Hybrid car and dynamo-electric machine |
US20020169991A1 (en) * | 2001-05-09 | 2002-11-14 | Weinold Christoffer S. | Mobile data system having automated shutdown |
US6483723B2 (en) * | 2000-11-07 | 2002-11-19 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Switching power supply |
US6484075B2 (en) * | 2000-06-12 | 2002-11-19 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Idle control device for fuel cell vehicle |
US6487094B1 (en) * | 2001-10-10 | 2002-11-26 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | High efficiency DC-DC power converter |
US6486627B1 (en) * | 2000-06-23 | 2002-11-26 | Indigo Energy, Inc. | Flywheel uninterruptible power source |
US6490175B2 (en) * | 2000-04-26 | 2002-12-03 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | DC to DC converter |
US6492891B2 (en) * | 2000-06-14 | 2002-12-10 | Denso Corporation | Transformer device, high voltage generating apparatus having the same, and lighting system having them |
US6497974B2 (en) * | 2001-05-23 | 2002-12-24 | Avista Laboratories, Inc. | Fuel cell power system, method of distributing power, and method of operating a fuel cell power system |
US6504735B2 (en) * | 2001-03-12 | 2003-01-07 | 02 Micro International Ltd. | Regulated voltage reducing high-voltage isolated DC/DC converter system |
US6507506B1 (en) * | 1999-06-09 | 2003-01-14 | Lear Automotive (Eeds) Spain, S. L. | Dual voltage electrical distribution system |
US20030012038A1 (en) * | 2000-10-27 | 2003-01-16 | Welches Richard S. | Inverter DC link volts "tooth" modulation scheme |
US6509712B1 (en) * | 1999-06-24 | 2003-01-21 | David M. Landis | Voltage bus regulation circuit |
US6512351B2 (en) * | 2000-11-16 | 2003-01-28 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki | Power supply circuit of mobile unit supplied with power without contact, and mobile unit |
US6515872B2 (en) * | 2000-11-14 | 2003-02-04 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Automobile and electric power system controller thereof |
US6515455B2 (en) * | 2000-08-25 | 2003-02-04 | Denso Corporation | Apparatus for starting drive of load by high-voltage battery |
US6516254B1 (en) * | 2001-08-01 | 2003-02-04 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Control device for hybrid vehicle |
US6518727B2 (en) * | 2001-02-21 | 2003-02-11 | Denso Corporation | Charging control system for air conditioner and battery |
US6522110B1 (en) * | 2001-10-23 | 2003-02-18 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Multiple output switching regulator |
US6525515B1 (en) * | 2001-09-24 | 2003-02-25 | Supertex, Inc. | Feedback apparatus and method for adaptively controlling power supplied to a hot-pluggable subsystem |
US6525516B2 (en) * | 1999-12-07 | 2003-02-25 | Volterra Semiconductor Corporation | Switching regulator with capacitance near load |
US6529392B2 (en) * | 2000-09-06 | 2003-03-04 | Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Switching power supply unit |
US6531853B2 (en) * | 2000-11-21 | 2003-03-11 | Rohm Co., Ltd. | DC-DC converter |
US6531792B2 (en) * | 2001-04-10 | 2003-03-11 | Fujitsu Limited | DC-DC converter and storage apparatus |
US6573682B1 (en) * | 2001-12-14 | 2003-06-03 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Fuel cell system multiple stage voltage control method and apparatus |
US6744237B2 (en) * | 2002-03-28 | 2004-06-01 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Hybrid power system for an electric vehicle |
US6839246B1 (en) * | 1999-12-27 | 2005-01-04 | Emerson Network Power Co., Ltd. | Self-driving circuit for a DC/DC converter |
US20050084726A1 (en) * | 2000-03-29 | 2005-04-21 | Dickman Anthony J. | Fuel cell system with load management |
Family Cites Families (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH02160373A (en) * | 1988-12-14 | 1990-06-20 | Toshiba Corp | Method for emergency stop of fuel battery power generating device |
JPH03295173A (en) * | 1990-04-13 | 1991-12-26 | Toshiba Corp | Fuel cell power generating system |
JPH0765851A (en) * | 1993-08-24 | 1995-03-10 | Tokyo Gas Co Ltd | Dc output fuel cell system and its operation |
FR2709873B1 (en) * | 1993-09-06 | 1995-10-20 | Imra Europe Sa | Fuel cell voltage generator. |
JPH08162136A (en) | 1994-12-07 | 1996-06-21 | Fuji Electric Co Ltd | Fuel cell generating device |
JP3088320B2 (en) * | 1997-02-06 | 2000-09-18 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Method for removing carbon monoxide from hydrogen gas containing carbon monoxide, electrochemical device thereof, method of operating the same, method of operating fuel cell, and fuel cell power generation system |
DE19710819C1 (en) * | 1997-03-15 | 1998-04-02 | Forschungszentrum Juelich Gmbh | Fuel cell with anode-electrolyte-cathode unit |
US6096448A (en) | 1997-12-23 | 2000-08-01 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Method and apparatus for operating an electrochemical fuel cell with periodic fuel starvation at the anode |
JP3429661B2 (en) * | 1998-02-13 | 2003-07-22 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Polymer electrolyte fuel cell |
US6323626B1 (en) * | 2000-02-14 | 2001-11-27 | General Motors Corporation | DC/DC converter for a fuel cell having a non-linear inductor |
US6628011B2 (en) | 2000-07-28 | 2003-09-30 | International Power System, Inc. | DC to DC converter and power management system |
JP2002231292A (en) * | 2001-01-31 | 2002-08-16 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Fuel cell and fuel cell-driven cooling-freezing device |
US6452815B1 (en) * | 2001-02-22 | 2002-09-17 | Lizhi Zhu | Accelerated commutation for passive clamp isolated boost converters |
US6841275B2 (en) | 2001-12-14 | 2005-01-11 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Method and apparatus for controlling voltage from a fuel cell system |
US7144646B2 (en) | 2001-12-14 | 2006-12-05 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Method and apparatus for multiple mode control of voltage from a fuel cell system |
US7932634B2 (en) * | 2003-03-05 | 2011-04-26 | The Gillette Company | Fuel cell hybrid power supply |
US7632583B2 (en) * | 2003-05-06 | 2009-12-15 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Apparatus for improving the performance of a fuel cell electric power system |
US6991864B2 (en) * | 2003-09-23 | 2006-01-31 | Utc Fuel Cells, Llc | Storage of fuel cell energy during startup and shutdown |
-
2003
- 2003-04-29 US US10/426,942 patent/US20040217732A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-09-04 US US10/654,872 patent/US7449259B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-04-28 JP JP2006504123A patent/JP2006525629A/en active Pending
- 2004-04-28 EP EP04729804A patent/EP1627461A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-04-28 WO PCT/CA2004/000629 patent/WO2004098064A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (43)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US111977A (en) * | 1871-02-21 | Improvement in implements for slitting and looping rags for carpets | ||
US113594A (en) * | 1871-04-11 | Improvement in spinning-wheels | ||
US113599A (en) * | 1871-04-11 | Improvement in oil-reservoirs for axle-boxes | ||
US47309A (en) * | 1865-04-18 | Improvement in cocks | ||
US4411967A (en) * | 1981-06-11 | 1983-10-25 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Cell generating system |
US5334463A (en) * | 1991-11-29 | 1994-08-02 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Hybrid fuel battery system and the operation method thereof |
US5734238A (en) * | 1994-03-04 | 1998-03-31 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Control system in electric vehicle |
US6451470B1 (en) * | 1997-03-06 | 2002-09-17 | Magnet-Motor Gesellschaft Für Magnetmotorische Technik Mbh | Gas diffusion electrode with reduced diffusing capacity for water and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells |
US6096449A (en) * | 1997-11-20 | 2000-08-01 | Avista Labs | Fuel cell and method for controlling same |
US6187464B1 (en) * | 1998-06-01 | 2001-02-13 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Method for activating fuel cell |
US6175214B1 (en) * | 1998-10-14 | 2001-01-16 | Raytheon Company | High voltage power supply using thin metal film batteries |
US6507506B1 (en) * | 1999-06-09 | 2003-01-14 | Lear Automotive (Eeds) Spain, S. L. | Dual voltage electrical distribution system |
US6509712B1 (en) * | 1999-06-24 | 2003-01-21 | David M. Landis | Voltage bus regulation circuit |
US6462430B1 (en) * | 1999-09-01 | 2002-10-08 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Hybrid car and dynamo-electric machine |
US6442047B1 (en) * | 1999-10-08 | 2002-08-27 | Lambda Electronics, Inc. | Power conversion apparatus and methods with reduced current and voltage switching |
US6525516B2 (en) * | 1999-12-07 | 2003-02-25 | Volterra Semiconductor Corporation | Switching regulator with capacitance near load |
US6839246B1 (en) * | 1999-12-27 | 2005-01-04 | Emerson Network Power Co., Ltd. | Self-driving circuit for a DC/DC converter |
US6424545B2 (en) * | 2000-03-06 | 2002-07-23 | Mitel Knowledge Corporation | Efficient, dual-source, wide-input range, isolated DC-DC converter with effective current limit |
US20050084726A1 (en) * | 2000-03-29 | 2005-04-21 | Dickman Anthony J. | Fuel cell system with load management |
US6428918B1 (en) * | 2000-04-07 | 2002-08-06 | Avista Laboratories, Inc. | Fuel cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, power conditioning methods and direct current power conditioning methods |
US6490175B2 (en) * | 2000-04-26 | 2002-12-03 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | DC to DC converter |
US20010044040A1 (en) * | 2000-05-22 | 2001-11-22 | Uribe Francisco A. | Method for improving fuel cell performance |
US6484075B2 (en) * | 2000-06-12 | 2002-11-19 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Idle control device for fuel cell vehicle |
US6492891B2 (en) * | 2000-06-14 | 2002-12-10 | Denso Corporation | Transformer device, high voltage generating apparatus having the same, and lighting system having them |
US6486627B1 (en) * | 2000-06-23 | 2002-11-26 | Indigo Energy, Inc. | Flywheel uninterruptible power source |
US6515455B2 (en) * | 2000-08-25 | 2003-02-04 | Denso Corporation | Apparatus for starting drive of load by high-voltage battery |
US6529392B2 (en) * | 2000-09-06 | 2003-03-04 | Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Switching power supply unit |
US20030012038A1 (en) * | 2000-10-27 | 2003-01-16 | Welches Richard S. | Inverter DC link volts "tooth" modulation scheme |
US6483723B2 (en) * | 2000-11-07 | 2002-11-19 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Switching power supply |
US6515872B2 (en) * | 2000-11-14 | 2003-02-04 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Automobile and electric power system controller thereof |
US6512351B2 (en) * | 2000-11-16 | 2003-01-28 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki | Power supply circuit of mobile unit supplied with power without contact, and mobile unit |
US6531853B2 (en) * | 2000-11-21 | 2003-03-11 | Rohm Co., Ltd. | DC-DC converter |
US6518727B2 (en) * | 2001-02-21 | 2003-02-11 | Denso Corporation | Charging control system for air conditioner and battery |
US6504735B2 (en) * | 2001-03-12 | 2003-01-07 | 02 Micro International Ltd. | Regulated voltage reducing high-voltage isolated DC/DC converter system |
US6531792B2 (en) * | 2001-04-10 | 2003-03-11 | Fujitsu Limited | DC-DC converter and storage apparatus |
US20020169991A1 (en) * | 2001-05-09 | 2002-11-14 | Weinold Christoffer S. | Mobile data system having automated shutdown |
US6497974B2 (en) * | 2001-05-23 | 2002-12-24 | Avista Laboratories, Inc. | Fuel cell power system, method of distributing power, and method of operating a fuel cell power system |
US6516254B1 (en) * | 2001-08-01 | 2003-02-04 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Control device for hybrid vehicle |
US6525515B1 (en) * | 2001-09-24 | 2003-02-25 | Supertex, Inc. | Feedback apparatus and method for adaptively controlling power supplied to a hot-pluggable subsystem |
US6487094B1 (en) * | 2001-10-10 | 2002-11-26 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | High efficiency DC-DC power converter |
US6522110B1 (en) * | 2001-10-23 | 2003-02-18 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Multiple output switching regulator |
US6573682B1 (en) * | 2001-12-14 | 2003-06-03 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Fuel cell system multiple stage voltage control method and apparatus |
US6744237B2 (en) * | 2002-03-28 | 2004-06-01 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Hybrid power system for an electric vehicle |
Cited By (73)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050069738A1 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2005-03-31 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Fuel cell |
EP1758194A3 (en) * | 2005-08-22 | 2007-11-28 | LG Electronics Inc. | Fuel cell having charging unit |
EP1758194A2 (en) * | 2005-08-22 | 2007-02-28 | LG Electronics Inc. | Fuel cell having charging unit |
US20090102291A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2009-04-23 | The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinoi | Fuel-Cell Based Power Generating System Having Power Conditioning Apparatus |
WO2007050577A3 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-07-12 | Univ Illinois | Fuel-cell based power generating system having power conditioning apparatus |
US7808129B2 (en) | 2005-10-24 | 2010-10-05 | The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois | Fuel-cell based power generating system having power conditioning apparatus |
WO2007050577A2 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-05-03 | The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois | Fuel-cell based power generating system having power conditioning apparatus |
DE112006003043B4 (en) | 2005-11-09 | 2020-06-25 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Control method for a fuel cell system with an electrical storage device and a voltage converter |
WO2007055117A1 (en) * | 2005-11-09 | 2007-05-18 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel cell system with electric storage device and voltage converter |
US8173312B2 (en) | 2005-11-09 | 2012-05-08 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel cell system with electric storage device and voltage converter |
KR100986707B1 (en) * | 2005-11-09 | 2010-10-08 | 도요타 지도샤(주) | Fuel cell system with electric storage device and voltage converter |
WO2007059367A3 (en) * | 2005-11-12 | 2007-11-29 | Ambient Micro Llc | Multi-source ambient energy power supply for embedded devices or remote sensor or rfid networks |
US20070107766A1 (en) * | 2005-11-12 | 2007-05-17 | Langley John B Ii | Multi-source ambient energy power supply for embedded devices or remote sensor or RFID networks |
WO2007059367A2 (en) * | 2005-11-12 | 2007-05-24 | Ambient Micro Llc | Multi-source ambient energy power supply for embedded devices or remote sensor or rfid networks |
US20070112472A1 (en) * | 2005-11-16 | 2007-05-17 | Inventec Corporation | Method for reducing instantaneous current on startup |
US7356386B2 (en) * | 2005-11-16 | 2008-04-08 | Inventec Corporation | Method for reducing instantaneous current on startup |
US9947955B2 (en) | 2006-01-23 | 2018-04-17 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Modular fuel cell system |
US9190693B2 (en) | 2006-01-23 | 2015-11-17 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Modular fuel cell system |
US20100092814A1 (en) * | 2006-04-17 | 2010-04-15 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Online configurable control system for fuel cells |
EP1848055A1 (en) * | 2006-04-17 | 2007-10-24 | Bloom Energy Corporation | An online configurable control system for fuel cells |
US7599760B2 (en) | 2006-04-17 | 2009-10-06 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Online configurable control system for fuel cells |
US8185214B2 (en) | 2006-04-17 | 2012-05-22 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Online configurable control system for fuel cells |
US7659022B2 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2010-02-09 | Modine Manufacturing Company | Integrated solid oxide fuel cell and fuel processor |
US8026013B2 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2011-09-27 | Modine Manufacturing Company | Annular or ring shaped fuel cell unit |
US8241801B2 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2012-08-14 | Modine Manufacturing Company | Integrated solid oxide fuel cell and fuel processor |
US7951496B2 (en) | 2006-12-20 | 2011-05-31 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Model based real-time optimization of fuel cell clusters |
US20080166604A1 (en) * | 2006-12-20 | 2008-07-10 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Model based real-time optimization of fuel cell clusters |
US8232673B2 (en) | 2007-04-17 | 2012-07-31 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Power conditioner and method of managing the same |
US7656057B2 (en) | 2007-04-23 | 2010-02-02 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Power conditioner and method of operating the same |
US20080259660A1 (en) * | 2007-04-23 | 2008-10-23 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Power conditioner and method of operating the same |
US8137855B2 (en) | 2007-07-26 | 2012-03-20 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Hot box design with a multi-stream heat exchanger and single air control |
US8920997B2 (en) | 2007-07-26 | 2014-12-30 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Hybrid fuel heat exchanger—pre-reformer in SOFC systems |
US9166240B2 (en) | 2007-07-26 | 2015-10-20 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Hot box design with a multi-stream heat exchanger and single air control |
US9680175B2 (en) | 2007-07-26 | 2017-06-13 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Integrated fuel line to support CPOX and SMR reactions in SOFC systems |
US7994751B2 (en) * | 2007-08-08 | 2011-08-09 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Fuel cell power supply device |
US9722273B2 (en) | 2007-08-15 | 2017-08-01 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Fuel cell system components |
US8852820B2 (en) | 2007-08-15 | 2014-10-07 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Fuel cell stack module shell with integrated heat exchanger |
US8535839B2 (en) | 2008-02-19 | 2013-09-17 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Fuel cell system containing anode tail gas oxidizer and hybrid heat exchanger/reformer |
US9105894B2 (en) | 2008-02-19 | 2015-08-11 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Fuel cell system containing anode tail gas oxidizer and hybrid heat exchanger/reformer |
US8288041B2 (en) | 2008-02-19 | 2012-10-16 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Fuel cell system containing anode tail gas oxidizer and hybrid heat exchanger/reformer |
US8968958B2 (en) | 2008-07-08 | 2015-03-03 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Voltage lead jumper connected fuel cell columns |
EP2360766A3 (en) * | 2010-02-12 | 2012-11-21 | Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp. | Parallel Fuel Cell Electrical Power System |
US9520602B2 (en) | 2010-09-01 | 2016-12-13 | Bloom Energy Corporation | SOFC hot box components |
US9190673B2 (en) | 2010-09-01 | 2015-11-17 | Bloom Energy Corporation | SOFC hot box components |
US8822101B2 (en) | 2010-09-24 | 2014-09-02 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Fuel cell mechanical components |
US10840535B2 (en) | 2010-09-24 | 2020-11-17 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Fuel cell mechanical components |
US8440362B2 (en) | 2010-09-24 | 2013-05-14 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Fuel cell mechanical components |
US8563180B2 (en) | 2011-01-06 | 2013-10-22 | Bloom Energy Corporation | SOFC hot box components |
US8968943B2 (en) | 2011-01-06 | 2015-03-03 | Bloom Energy Corporation | SOFC hot box components |
US8877399B2 (en) | 2011-01-06 | 2014-11-04 | Bloom Energy Corporation | SOFC hot box components |
US9780392B2 (en) | 2011-01-06 | 2017-10-03 | Bloom Energy Corporation | SOFC hot box components |
US10797327B2 (en) | 2011-01-06 | 2020-10-06 | Bloom Energy Corporation | SOFC hot box components |
US9941525B2 (en) | 2011-01-06 | 2018-04-10 | Bloom Energy Corporation | SOFC hot box components |
US9991526B2 (en) | 2011-01-06 | 2018-06-05 | Bloom Energy Corporation | SOFC hot box components |
US20130175972A1 (en) * | 2011-07-14 | 2013-07-11 | Panasonic Corporation | Fuel cell system and method for controlling the same |
US9141923B2 (en) | 2012-09-25 | 2015-09-22 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Optimizing contractual management of the total output of a fleet of fuel cells |
US9755263B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2017-09-05 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Fuel cell mechanical components |
US9287572B2 (en) | 2013-10-23 | 2016-03-15 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Pre-reformer for selective reformation of higher hydrocarbons |
US9799902B2 (en) | 2013-10-23 | 2017-10-24 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Pre-reformer for selective reformation of higher hydrocarbons |
US9461320B2 (en) | 2014-02-12 | 2016-10-04 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Structure and method for fuel cell system where multiple fuel cells and power electronics feed loads in parallel allowing for integrated electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) |
US10084319B2 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2018-09-25 | Abb Schweiz Ag | Power system comprising a central energy storage system and a method of controlling power transfer in a power system |
US20170353038A1 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2017-12-07 | Abb Schweiz Ag | Power System Comprising A Central Energy Storage System And A Method Of Controlling Power Transfer In A Power System |
US10651496B2 (en) | 2015-03-06 | 2020-05-12 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Modular pad for a fuel cell system |
US20160352108A1 (en) * | 2015-06-01 | 2016-12-01 | Fujitsu Limited | Electronic apparatus, power supply control device, and power supply system |
EP3672014A4 (en) * | 2017-08-14 | 2020-06-24 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Power control system |
EP3671922A4 (en) * | 2017-08-14 | 2020-08-12 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Power supply system and control method thereof |
US10840527B2 (en) | 2017-08-14 | 2020-11-17 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Power supply system and control method thereof |
US10916957B2 (en) | 2017-08-14 | 2021-02-09 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Power control system |
US11398634B2 (en) | 2018-03-27 | 2022-07-26 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Solid oxide fuel cell system and method of operating the same using peak shaving gas |
US11876257B2 (en) | 2018-03-27 | 2024-01-16 | Bloom Energy Corporation | Solid oxide fuel cell system and method of operating the same using peak shaving gas |
WO2022046117A1 (en) * | 2020-08-31 | 2022-03-03 | Google Llc | Parallel charger circuit with battery feedback control |
US20220302734A1 (en) * | 2020-08-31 | 2022-09-22 | Google Llc | Parallel charger circuit with battery feedback control |
US11916478B2 (en) * | 2020-08-31 | 2024-02-27 | Google Llc | Parallel charger circuit with battery feedback control |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2006525629A (en) | 2006-11-09 |
US7449259B2 (en) | 2008-11-11 |
WO2004098064A3 (en) | 2005-05-26 |
WO2004098064A2 (en) | 2004-11-11 |
EP1627461A2 (en) | 2006-02-22 |
US20040219399A1 (en) | 2004-11-04 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20040217732A1 (en) | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supplies | |
US6573682B1 (en) | Fuel cell system multiple stage voltage control method and apparatus | |
US20040009380A1 (en) | Adjustable array of fuel cell systems | |
US7419734B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for fuel cell systems | |
US6838923B2 (en) | Power supply and ultracapacitor based battery simulator | |
US6428918B1 (en) | Fuel cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, power conditioning methods and direct current power conditioning methods | |
US7144646B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for multiple mode control of voltage from a fuel cell system | |
US6841275B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for controlling voltage from a fuel cell system | |
US20080160370A1 (en) | Adaptive Current Controller for a Fuel-Cell System | |
AU2001256952A1 (en) | Full cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, and power conditioning methods | |
CA2447856A1 (en) | Fuel cell power system, method of distributing power, and method of operating a fuel cell power system | |
CA2583549A1 (en) | Fuel cell system method and apparatus | |
US7808129B2 (en) | Fuel-cell based power generating system having power conditioning apparatus | |
TWI401837B (en) | Rehydration of fuel cells | |
JP4616247B2 (en) | Power converter architecture and method for integrated fuel cell based power supply | |
EP1459407A2 (en) | Regulation of a hybrid fuel cell system | |
WO2006136100A1 (en) | Power supplying device and power supplying method | |
EP2087546B1 (en) | Fuel cell system including reliable power distributor | |
JP2005184970A (en) | Power generating system | |
CN117480700A (en) | Fuel cell power system |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC., CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ZHU, LIZHI;HAMPO, RICHARD J.;DAVIS, ROY I.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:014433/0405;SIGNING DATES FROM 20030716 TO 20030820 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS AG, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC.;REEL/FRAME:017946/0290 Effective date: 20050722 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FUEL CELL SYSTEMS GMBH, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS AG;REEL/FRAME:017971/0897 Effective date: 20050729 Owner name: NUCELLSYS GMBH, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FUEL CELL SYSTEMS GMBH;REEL/FRAME:017931/0963 Effective date: 20050831 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |