WO2001078176A1 - Full cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, and power conditioning methods - Google Patents
Full cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, and power conditioning methods Download PDFInfo
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- WO2001078176A1 WO2001078176A1 PCT/US2001/000546 US0100546W WO0178176A1 WO 2001078176 A1 WO2001078176 A1 WO 2001078176A1 US 0100546 W US0100546 W US 0100546W WO 0178176 A1 WO0178176 A1 WO 0178176A1
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- fuel cell
- electrical energy
- power conditioning
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- direct current
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- 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
- H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
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- 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
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- 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
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
- H01M8/04228—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells during shut-down
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- 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
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
- H01M8/04246—Short circuiting means for defective fuel cells
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- 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
- H01M8/04365—Temperature; Ambient temperature of other components of a fuel cell or fuel cell stacks
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- 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
- H01M8/04544—Voltage
- H01M8/04559—Voltage of fuel cell stacks
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- 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
- H01M8/04544—Voltage
- H01M8/04567—Voltage of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
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- 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
- H01M8/04574—Current
- H01M8/04589—Current of fuel cell stacks
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- 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
- H01M8/04865—Voltage
- H01M8/04888—Voltage of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
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- 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
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- 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
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
- H01M8/247—Arrangements for tightening a stack, for accommodation of a stack in a tank or for assembling different tanks
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- 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
- H02J1/00—Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
- H02J1/10—Parallel operation of dc sources
- H02J1/102—Parallel operation of dc sources being switching converters
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- 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
- H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
- H02J3/38—Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
- H02J3/381—Dispersed generators
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- 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
- H01M8/04335—Temperature; Ambient temperature of cathode reactants at the inlet or inside the fuel cell
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- 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
- H01M8/0435—Temperature; Ambient temperature of cathode exhausts
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- 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
- H01M8/04701—Temperature
- H01M8/04708—Temperature of fuel cell reactants
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- 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
- H01M8/04701—Temperature
- H01M8/04723—Temperature of the coolant
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- 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
- H01M8/04992—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the implementation of mathematical or computational algorithms, e.g. feedback control loops, fuzzy logic, neural networks or artificial intelligence
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- 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
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- 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
Definitions
- Fuel Cell Power Systems Direct Current Voltage Convenors, Fuel Cell Power Generation Methods, and Power Conditioning Methods
- the present inventions relates to fuel cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, power conditioning methods and direct current power conditioning methods.
- Fuel cells are known in the art.
- the fuel cell is an electrochemical device which reacts hydrogen, and oxygen, which is usually supplied from the ambient air, to produce electricity and water.
- the basic process is highly efficient and fuel cells fueled directly by hydrogen are substantially pollution free. Further, since fuel cells can be assembled into stacks of various sizes, power systems have been developed to produce a wide range of electrical power output levels and thus can be employed in numerous applications.
- humidification lowers the resistance of proton exchange membranes to proton flow.
- supplemental water can be introduced into the hydrogen or oxygen streams by various methods, or more directly to the proton exchange membrane by means of the physical phenomenon known as wicking, for example.
- MEAs membrane electrode assemblies
- Being able to run an MEA when it is self-humidified is advantageous because it decreases the complexity of the balance-of- plant with its associated costs.
- self-humidification heretofore has resulted in fuel cells running at lower current densities and thus, in turn, has resulted in more of these assemblies being required in order to generate a given amount of power.
- PEM fuel cells of various designs have operated with varying degrees of success, they have also had shortcomings which have detracted from their usefulness.
- PEM fuel cell power systems typically have a number of individual fuel cells which are serially electrically connected (stacked) together so that the power system can have a increased output voltage. In this arrangement, if one of the fuel cells in the stack fails, it no longer contributes voltage and power.
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary fuel cell power system according to the present invention.
- Fig. 2 is an illustrative representation of components of the fuel cell power system.
- Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary configuration of a fuel cell cartridge assembly of the fuel cell power system.
- Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary fuel cell cartridge.
- Fig. 4a is a functional block diagram of an exemplary fuel cell power system depicting modular concepts in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
- Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating plural fuel cell cartridges coupled in series with power conditioning circuitry.
- Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating plural fuel cell cartridges coupled in parallel with power conditioning circuitry.
- Fig. 7 is a characteristic voltage/current curve of the depicted fuel cell power system.
- Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of an exemplary configuration of power conditioning circuitry comprising DC-DC converter circuitry.
- Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary control operations of the power conditioning circuitry of Fig. 8.
- Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of a second configuration of power conditioning circuitry comprising DC-DC converter circuitry.
- Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of another configuration of power conditioning circuitry comprising DC-DC converter circuitry.
- Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of an exemplary configuration of power conditioning circuitry comprising inverter circuitry.
- Fig. 13 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary control operations of the power conditioning circuitry of Fig. 10 and Fig. 11.
- Fig. 14 is a schematic representation of an exemplary current sensing circuit.
- Fig. 15 is a schematic representation of an exemplary voltage sensing circuit.
- Fig. 16 is a schematic representation of another exemplary voltage sensing circuit. Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention and Disclosure of Invention
- a fuel cell power system comprises: a plurality of terminals adapted to couple with a load; a fuel cell configured to convert chemical energy into direct current electrical energy having a variable voltage potential; and a converter coupled intermediate the fuel cell and the terminals, the converter being configured to convert the direct current electrical energy having a variable voltage potential into direct current electrical energy having a substantially constant voltage potential.
- a second aspect of the invention comprises a fuel cell power system including: a plurality of terminals adapted to couple with a load; a fuel cell configured to convert chemical energy into direct current electrical energy; and an inverter coupled intermediate the fuel cell and the terminals, the inverter being configured to convert the direct current electricity into alternating current electrical energy.
- a direct current voltage converter comprising: an input adapted to receive direct current electrical energy having a variable voltage potential; converter circuitry coupled with the input and configured to convert the direct current electrical energy having the variable voltage potential into direct current electrical energy having a substantially constant voltage potential; and an output coupled with the converter circuitry and configured to receive the direct current electrical energy having the substantially constant voltage.
- a fuel cell power system comprising: a housing; a plurality of output terminals; at least one cartridge configured for reception within the housing and comprising: a fuel cell configured to convert chemical energy into electrical energy; and power conditioning circuitry configured to electrically condition the electrical energy; and an electrical connection configured to couple the power conditioning circuitry with the output terminals.
- a fuel cell power system comprises: a fuel cell configured to convert chemical energy into electrical energy; and power conditioning circuitry coupled with the fuel cell and configured to electrically condition the electrical energy; the power conditioning circuitry comprises a controller configured to monitor an operational parameter of the fuel cell power system and to control the conditioning of the electrical energy responsive to the monitoring.
- a fuel cell power system comprising: plurality of terminals adapted to couple with a load; a plurality of fuel cells configured to convert chemical energy into electrical energy and to provide the electrical energy to the terminals; and at least one power conditioning circuit electrically coupled with at least one of the fuel cells and configured to increase the voltage of the electrical energy from the at least one fuel cell.
- a fuel cell power system comprising: a power bus adapted to couple with a load; a plurality of fuel cells configured to convert chemical energy into electrical energy; and a plurality of power conditioning circuits electrically coupled intermediate the power bus and the fuel cells, the power conditioning circuits being configured to condition electrical energy from respective fuel cells.
- a fuel cell power system comprising: a plurality of terminals adapted to couple with a load; a plurality of fuel cells configured to convert chemical energy into electrical energy and to provide the electrical energy to the terminals; and a plurality of power conditioning circuits electrically coupled with respective fuel cells and configured to condition electrical energy from respective fuel cells.
- a fuel cell power system comprising: a plurality of terminals adapted to couple with a load; and a plurality of fuel cell cartridges individually comprising at least one fuel cell configured to convert chemical energy into electrical energy, the fuel cartridges being coupled in parallel with the terminals.
- Another aspect of the invention provides a fuel cell power generation method comprising: providing a fuel cell; first converting chemical energy to direct current electrical energy having a variable voltage potential using the fuel cell; second converting the direct current electrical energy having a variable voltage potential to direct current electrical energy having a substantially constant voltage potential; and outputting the direct current electrical energy having the substantially constant voltage potential.
- Another aspect provides a fuel cell power generation method comprising: providing a fuel cell having a plurality of terminals; first converting chemical energy to direct current electrical energy using the fuel cell; second converting the direct current electrical energy to alternating current electrical energy; and providing the alternating current electrical energy to the terminals.
- the invention provides a power conditioning method comprising: receiving direct current electrical energy having a variable voltage potential within a direct current converter; converting the direct current electrical energy having a variable voltage potential to direct current electrical energy having a substantially constant voltage potential using the direct current converter; and outputting the direct current electrical energy having the substantially constant voltage potential.
- Another aspect of the invention includes a fuel cell power generation method comprising: providing a housing; coupling a cartridge comprising at least one fuel cell and power conditioning circuitry with the housing; converting chemical energy into electrical energy using the fuel cells of the cartridges; conditioning the electrical energy using the power conditioning circuitry; and supplying the electrical energy to a plurality of terminals.
- Another aspect of the invention provides a fuel cell power generation method comprising: providing a housing; coupling a cartridge comprising at least one fuel cell and power conditioning circuitry with the housing; converting chemical energy into electrical energy using the fuel cells of the cartridges; conditioning the electrical energy using the power conditioning circuitry; and supplying the electrical energy to a plurality of terminals.
- Yet another aspect of the invention provides a direct current power conditioning method comprising: receiving direct current electrical energy having a variable voltage potential; supplying direct current electrical energy at a substantially constant voltage potential to a plurality of terminals; monitoring a voltage potential at the terminals; and charging an electrical energy storage device coupled with the terminals using the direct current electrical energy having the variable voltage potential responsive to the monitoring.
- Another aspect provides a fuel cell power generation method comprising: providing a plurality of fuel cells; converting chemical energy to electrical energy using the fuel cells; increasing the voltage potential of the electrical energy from at least one of the fuel cells using at least one power conditioning circuit; and supplying the electrical energy to a plurality of terminals adapted to be coupled to a load after the increasing.
- Another aspect provides a fuel cell power generation method comprising: providing a plurality of fuel cells; converting chemical energy to electrical energy using the fuel cells; conditioning the electrical energy using a plurality of power conditioning circuits corresponding to respective fuel cells; and supplying the electrical energy to a plurality of terminals adapted to be coupled to a load after the conditioning.
- Yet another aspect provides a fuel cell power generation method comprising: providing a plurality of fuel cell cartridges individually including at least one fuel cell; converting chemical energy to electrical energy using the fuel cells; and supplying the electrical energy using the fuel cell cartridges coupled in parallel to a plurality of terminals adapted to be coupled to a load.
- fuel cell power system 10 includes a housing 12 provided about a plurality of fuel cell cartridges 14. Housing 12 defines a subrack assembly in the described embodiment.
- Fuel cell power system 10 is configured to utilize one or more of fuel cell cartridges 14. Twelve such fuel cell cartridges 14 are utilized in the embodiment of fuel cell power 10 described herein. In the described embodiment, individual fuel cell cartridges 14 include a plurality of fuel cells. For example, individual fuel cell cartridges 14 include four fuel cells.
- Such fuel cells can comprise polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells.
- PEM polymer electrolyte membrane
- such fuel cells comprise membrane electrode assembly (MEA) fuel cells or membrane electrode diffusion assembly (MEDA) fuel cells.
- MEA membrane electrode assembly
- MEA membrane electrode diffusion assembly
- Further details of one configuration of fuel cells and fuel cell cartridges 14 are described in a co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/979,853, entitled "A Proton Exchange
- Housing 12 additionally includes an operator interface 16.
- operator interface 16 includes a display 18 and interface switches 20.
- Operator interface 16 is configured to indicate operation of fuel cell power system 10 and also enable an operator to control various functions of fuel cell power system 10.
- Display 18 of operator interface 16 is configured to emit a human perceptible signal, such as visible signals, to indicate operation of fuel cell power system 10.
- display 18 comprises a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) bar graph arrays to indicate operational conditions of respective fuel cell cartridges 14. In one configuration, individual bar graph arrays of display 18 indicate high and low voltages of fuel cells within the corresponding fuel cell cartridge 14.
- LED light emitting diode
- Interface switches 20 permit a user to control operations of fuel cell power system 10.
- one interface switch 20 can be provided to enable a user to turn on fuel cell power system 10.
- another interface switch 20 can include a load enable switch which permits a user to selectively apply power from fuel cell power system 10 to a load 22 coupled with the fuel cell power system 10.
- Another interface switch 20 can control a cartridge reset function described below.
- FIG. 2 some components of fuel cell power system 10 are shown. The components are internal and external of housing 12 of fuel cell power system 10. Internally, only three fuel cell cartridges 14 are shown for purposes of discussion herein. More fuel cell cartridges 14 are provided in typical configurations.
- Fuel cell power system 10 is shown coupled with a remote device 24. Fuel cell power system 10 is preferably configured to communicate with remote device 24. An exemplary remote device 24 comprises an off-site control and monitoring station. Fuel cell power system 10 receives communications from remote device 24 which may comprise data and commands. Fuel cell power system 10 is also configured to output data, requests, etc. to remote device 24.
- fuel cell power system 10 includes a control system 30.
- control system 30 One configuration of control system 30 is described below in detail.
- the illustrated control system 30 is coupled with a power supply sensor 31 associated with a power supply 32, and charge circuitry 34.
- Control system 30 is additionally coupled with fuel cell cartridges 14 and operator interface 16. Further, control system 30 is coupled with a communication port 36, switching device 38 and current sensor 40.
- Control system 30 is additionally coupled with a bleed solenoid 42 associated with a bleed valve 43.
- the depicted fuel cell power system 10 includes a fuel delivery system 28.
- Fuel delivery system 28 couples with a fuel supply 23 to supply fuel to fuel cell cartridges 14.
- Exemplary fuel comprises hydrogen gas in the described embodiment. Other fuels may be possible.
- the depicted fuel delivery system 28 includes a main valve 47 and plural auxiliary valves 45 associated with respective fuel cell cartridges 14.
- Main valve 47 controls the flow of fuel from fuel supply 23 into fuel cell power system 10.
- Auxiliary valves 45 control the flow of fuel to respective fuel cell cartridges 14.
- Control system 30 is coupled with plural auxiliary solenoids 44 of associated auxiliary valves 45.
- Control system 30 is further coupled with a main solenoid 46 of associated main valve 47.
- the depicted fuel cell power system 10 includes an air temperature control assembly 50.
- the illustrated air temperature control assembly 50 includes a plenum 51 having associated ports 52 corresponding to fuel cell cartridges 14. Within plenum 51 of air temperature control assembly 50, a temperature modifying element 53, fan 54, temperature sensor 55 and fuel sensor 61 are provided.
- a controllable air flow device or air passage 56 couples plenum 51 to exterior ambient air outside of housing 12. Air passage 56 can permit the intake of air into plenum 51 as well as the exhaustion of air from plenum 51.
- Control system 30 is coupled with control circuitry 51 of modifying element 53, control circuitry 48 and monitoring circuitry 49 of fan 54, temperature circuitry 68 associated with temperature sensor 55, control circuitry 57 of air passage 56, and heater 75 of fuel sensor 61.
- a first fuel sensor 58 is provided within housing 12 and outside of plenum 51 as shown. First fuel sensor 58 is operable to monitor for the presence of fuel within housing 12.
- a second fuel sensor 61 is provided within plenum 51 to monitor for the presence of fuel within plenum 51.
- Control system 30 is configured to couple with fuel detection circuitry 64 associated with fuel sensors 58, 61. Fuel detection circuitry 64 can condition measurements obtained from sensors 58, 61.
- Heaters 74, 75 are coupled with respective fuel sensors 58, 61 to provide selective heating of fuel sensors 58, 61 responsive to control from control system 30. Heaters 74, 75 are integral of fuel sensors 58, 61 in some configurations.
- An exemplary fuel sensor configuration with an integral heater has designation TGS 813 available from Figaro Engineering, Inc. Such heaters are preferably provided in a predefined temperature range to assure proper operation. Other configurations of sensors 58, 61 are possible.
- Control system 30 is also coupled with temperature circuitry 67 associated with temperature sensor 59 to monitor the exterior temperature. Temperature circuitry 67 conditions signals received from temperature sensor 59.
- Control system 30 is configured to at least one of control and monitor at least one operation of fuel cell power system 10.
- fuel from fuel supply 23 is applied to main valve 47.
- Main valve 47 is coupled with auxiliary valves 45 as shown.
- Responsive to control from control system 30, main valve 47 and auxiliary valves 45 apply fuel to respective fuel cell cartridges 14.
- Responsive to the supply of fuel, and in the presence of oxygen, fuel cell cartridges 14 produce electrical power.
- a power bus 60 couples the fuel cell cartridges 14 in series.
- Power bus 60 provides an electrical connection which is coupled with external terminals 62, 63 which may be connected with an external load 22 (shown in Fig. 1).
- Terminal 62 provides a positive terminal and terminal 63 provides a negative terminal of fuel cell power system 10.
- Air temperature control assembly 50 applies oxygen to the respective fuel cell cartridges 14 via ports 52.
- Fuel cell cartridges 14 are individually operable to convert chemical energy into electricity. As described below, fuel cartridges 14 individually contain plural fuel cells individually having an anode side and a cathode side. Auxiliary valves 45 apply fuel to the anode sides of the fuel cells. Plenum 51 directs air within the cathode sides of the fuel cells.
- Air temperature control assembly 50 preferably provides circulated air within a predetermined temperature range. Such circulated air can be exterior air and/or recirculated air. In the preferred embodiment, air temperature control assembly 50 provides air within plenum 51 within an approximate temperature range of 25 °Celsius to 80 "Celsius.
- modifying element 53 may be controlled via control system 30 using element control circuitry 41 to either increase or decrease the temperature of air present within plenum 51.
- Fan 54 operates to circulate the air within plenum 51 to respective fuel cell cartridges 14.
- Fan control circuitry 48 and fan monitor circuitry 49 are shown coupled with fan 54. Responsive to control from control system 30, fan control circuitry 48 operates to control air flow rates (e.g., speed of rotation) of fan 54.
- Fan monitor circuitry 49 operates to monitor the actual air flow rates induced by fan 54 (e.g., circuitry 49 can comprise a tachometer for rotational fan configurations).
- Control system 30 monitors the temperature of the air within plenum 51 using temperature sensor 55. During operation, heat is generated and emitted from fuel cell cartridges 14. Thus, it may be necessary to decrease the temperature of air within plenum 51 to provide efficient operation of fuel cell power system 10. Responsive to control from control system 30, air passage 56 can be utilized to introduce exterior air into plenum 51 and exhaust air from plenum 51 to ambient.
- Control system 30 communicates with control circuitry 57 to control air passage 56.
- air passage 56 includes a plurality of vanes and control circuitry 57 operates to control the position of the vanes of air passage 56 to selectively introduce exterior air into plenum 51.
- the vanes of air passage 56 can preferably be provided in a plurality of orientations between an open position and a closed position to vary the amount of exterior fresh air introduced into plenum 51 or the amount of air exhausted from plenum 51 responsive to control from control system 30.
- Air circulated within plenum 51 can comprise recirculated and/or fresh ambient air.
- control system 30 can also monitor the temperature of ambient air about housing 12. Control system 30 can utilize such exterior temperature information from temperature sensor 59 to control the operation of air passage 56. Temperature sensor 59 is located adjacent air passage 56 in a preferred embodiment.
- control system 30 controls air flow rates of fan 54 using fan control circuitry 48.
- Fan monitor circuitry 49 provides air flow rate information to control system 30.
- Control system 30 can monitor the total system voltage being delivered via power bus 60 by summing the individual cell voltages.
- Control system 30 can also monitor the electrical load being delivered via power bus 60 using current sensor 40. With knowledge of the system bus voltage and load, control system 30 can calculate waste thermal power and provide a desired cooling air flow.
- the efficiency of one or more fuel cells may be determined by dividing the respective fuel cell voltage by 1.23 (a theoretical maximum voltage of a single fuel cell). An average efficiency can be determined for fuel cells 90 of fuel cell power system 10. The remaining energy (energy not associated to electricity) as determined from the efficiency calculation is waste thermal power. The determined waste thermal power may be utilized to provide a desired cooling air flow. Control system 30 controls the air flow rates of fan 54 depending upon the waste thermal power in accordance with one aspect of the described fuel cell power system 10.
- non-fuel diluents such as cathode-side water and atmospheric constituents can diffuse from the cathode side of the fuel cell through a membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell and accumulate in the anode side of the fuel cell.
- impurities in the fuel supply delivered directly to the anode side of the fuel cell also accumulate. Without intervention, these diluents can dilute the fuel sufficiently enough to degrade performance. Accordingly, the anode side of the individual fuel cells is connected to a bleed manifold 65. Bleed manifold 65 is additionally coupled with bleed valve 43.
- Control system 30 selectively operates bleed solenoid 42 to selectively open and close bleed valve 43 permitting exhaustion of matter such as entrained diluents and perhaps some fuel via a bleed exhaust 66 within housing 12.
- Control system 30 can operate to open and close bleed valve 43 on a periodic basis.
- the frequency of openings and closings of bleed valve 43 can be determined by a number of factors, such as electrical load coupled with terminals 62, 63, etc.
- a fuel recovery system may be coupled with bleed exhaust 66 to retrieve unused fuel for recirculation or other uses.
- control system 30 selectively controls switching device 38 to couple power bus 60 with positive terminal 62.
- Switching device 38 can comprise parallel MOSFET switches to selectively couple power bus 60 with an external load 22.
- control system 30 may verify when an appropriate operational temperature within plenum 51 has been reached utilizing temperature sensor 55.
- control system 30 can verify that at least one electrical characteristic, such as voltage and/or current, of respective fuel cell cartridges 14 has been reached before closing switching device 38 to couple power bus 60 with an associated load 22.
- Power supply 32 includes power supplies having different voltage potentials in the described embodiment. For example, power supply 32 can provide a 5 Volt supply voltage for operating the digital circuitry of fuel cell power system 10, such as control system 30. Power supply 32 can also provide higher voltage potentials, such as +/- 12 Volts for operation of components such as fan 54 within fuel cell power system 10.
- power supply 32 can include a battery powering components during startup procedures. Following start-up procedures, power supply 32 can be coupled with power bus 60 and internal power utilized by fuel cell power system 10 can be derived from electrical power generated from fuel cell cartridges 14.
- Charge circuitry 34 is provided to selectively charge batteries of power supply 32 utilizing power from power bus 60.
- Control system 30 is configured to monitor electrical conditions of the batteries and the supplied voltages of power supply 32 using power supply sensors 31. Control system 30 can operate charge circuitry 34 to charge batteries of power supply 32 depending upon such monitoring operations.
- Control system 30 is also coupled with communication port 36 providing communications to an external device such as a remote device 24.
- An exemplary remote device 24 comprises an external control system or monitoring system off-site from fuel cell power system 10.
- Control system 30 can output data including requests, commands, operational conditions, etc., of fuel cell power system 10 using communication port 36.
- control system 30 can receive data including commands, requests, etc., from remote device 24 using communication port 36. Additional details of control system 30 are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/322,666, filed May 28, 1999, entitled Fuel Cell Power Systems and Methods of Controlling a Fuel Cell Power System, naming William A. Fuglevand, P.E., Dr. Shiblihanna I. Bayyuk, Ph.D., Greg A. Lloyd, Peter D. Devries, David R. Lott, and John P. Scartozzi as inventors, assigned to the assignee hereof, and incorporated herein by reference.
- Power conditioning circuitry 100 is illustrated coupled with bus 60 in the configuration depicted in Fig. 2. Power conditioning circuitry 100 is configured to receive and condition direct current electrical energy received from fuel cells within cartridges 14. Such conditioning of the electrical energy is described in detail below. Power conditioning circuitry 100 is provided within respective cartridges 14 to condition the electrical energy applied to bus 60 in some configurations (e.g., cartridge 14 in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4). Alternatively, power conditioning circuitry 100 is implemented externally of fuel cell cartridges 14. Referring to Fig. 3, an exemplary fuel cell cartridge 14 is shown.
- the depicted fuel cell cartridge 14 includes a fuel distribution frame 70 and a force application assembly which includes plural cathode covers 71 which partially occlude respective cavities housing membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) or membrane electrode diffusion assemblies (MEDA) within fuel distribution frame 70.
- the depicted fuel cell cartridge 14 includes four fuel cells 90. Other configurations are possible. Additional details of individual fuel cells 90 and cartridges 14 are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/979,853 incorporated by reference above.
- the respective cathode covers 71 individually cooperate or otherwise mate with each other, and with the fuel distribution frame 70.
- Individual apertures 72 which are defined by the cathode cover, define passageways 73 which permit air from plenum 51 to circulate to the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly contained within fuel distribution frame 70.
- the circulation of air through the fuel cell cartridge 14 is discussed in significant detail in U.S. patent application Serial No. 08/979,853 incorporated by reference above.
- Conductive members 63 extend outwardly from a main body of individual fuel cells within fuel cell cartridge 14. Conductive members 63 are designed to extend through respective gaps or openings which are provided in fuel distribution frame 70. Each conductive member 63 is received between and thereafter electrically coupled with pairs of conductive contacts which are mounted on a rear wall of a subrack described in greater detail below.
- Fuel cell cartridge 14 is operable to be coupled in series or parallel with a plurality of other fuel cell cartridges 14 by way of a subrack which is generally indicated by the numeral 76.
- Subrack 76 has a main body 77 having top and bottom portions 78, 79, respectively. The top and bottom portions are joined together by a rear wall 80. Elongated channels 81 are individually formed in top and bottom portions 78,
- Subrack 76 is made of a number of mirror image portions 85, which when joined together, form the main body 77 of subrack 76. These mirror image portions 85 are fabricated from a moldable dielectric substrate. Power bus 60 is affixed on rear wall
- a repeating pattern of eight pairs of conductive contacts 84 are attached on rear wall 80 and are coupled with power bus 60. Electrical coupling of fuel cells within fuel cell cartridge 14 with power bus 60 is implemented using contacts 84 in the described embodiment.
- First and second conduits 86, 87 are also attached to rear wall 80 and are operable to matingly couple in fluid flowing relation to the fuel distribution frame 70.
- the respective first and second conduits 86, 87 extend through rear wall 80 and connect with suitable external conduits (not shown).
- First conduit 86 is coupled in fluid flowing relation with fuel supply 23 (Fig. 1) and with anode sides of internal fuel cells. Further, second conduit 87 exhausts from the anode sides of the fuel cells to bleed manifold 65 (Fig. 2).
- Individual fuel cell cartridges 14 may be selectively deactivated.
- fuel cell cartridges 14 are individually physically removable from fuel cell power system 10. Removal of one or more fuel cell cartridges 14 may be desired for maintenance, replacement, etc. of the fuel cell cartridges 14. The remaining fuel cell cartridges 14 and internal fuel cells thereof may continue, if desired, to supply power to an associated load 22 with one or more of the fuel cell cartridges 14 deactivated (e.g.-, removed).
- Individual contacts 84 may be configured to maintain electrical continuity of bus 60 upon physical removal of a fuel cell cartridge 14 from an associated subrack 76. As shown, individual contacts 84 comprise make before break contacts which individually include plural conductive members configured to receive an associated contact 69 of a fuel cell cartridge 14. Individual contacts 69 can comprise a tang or knife. Upon physical removal of fuel cell cartridge 14 and the corresponding terminals 69, conductive members of contacts 84 are mechanically coupled together to maintain a closed circuit within bus 60 intermediate terminals 62, 63. Such maintains a supply of electrical power to load 22 coupled with terminals 62, 63 during removal of one or more fuel cell cartridges 14 from fuel cell power system 10.
- an exemplary fuel cell cartridge 14 comprises one or more fuel cells 90 coupled with power conditioning circuitry 100.
- Fuel cells 90 may be coupled in either series or parallel with power conditioning circuitry 100.
- Power conditioning circuitry 100 is coupled with contacts 69 to provide electrical coupling of fuel cells 90 with bus 60.
- Exemplary power conditioning circuitry 100 comprises a controller and memory described below. Other configurations are possible.
- the depicted fuel cell cartridge 14 includes internal power conditioning circuitry 100 according to one aspect of the invention as shown in Fig. 4.
- the power conditioning circuitry 100 is provided external of fuel cell cartridges 14 inside or outside of housing 12 of the fuel cell power system 10.
- Power conditioning circuitry 100 external of fuel cell cartridges 14 is shown in Fig 2, for example.
- Some configurations provide power conditioning circuitry 100 both within individual fuel cell cartridges 14 and external of fuel cell cartridges 14 and coupled with terminals 62, 63.
- External power conditioning circuitry 100 provided within housing 12 conditions electrical energy within bus 60 coupled with terminals 62, 63.
- Internal power conditioning circuitry 100 within fuel cell cartridges 14 provides conditioning of electrical energy supplied by respective fuel cell cartridges 14 to bus 60.
- the particular configuration of fuel cell power system 10 depends upon the particular application and design choice of a user, designer, etc.
- the fuel cell power system comprises a plurality of cartridges 14 which individually include one or more fuel cell (not shown in Fig. 4a), plural power conditioning circuits 100, and power bus 60.
- power conditioning circuits 100 are depicted intermediate power bus 60 and respective fuel cell cartridges 14 (including the fuel cells).
- the illustrated power conditioning circuits 100 correspond to respective fuel cell cartridges 14 in the depicted embodiment.
- Power conditioning circuits 100 are configured to condition electrical energy from respective fuel cell cartridges 14. For example, power conditioning circuits 100 are configured to increase the voltage potential, decrease the voltage potential, or provide a predetermined substantially output voltage potential.
- the couplings of power conditioning circuits 100 and power bus 60 are arranged in one configuration to provide power conditioning circuits 100 in parallel with terminals 62, 63. Such provides fuel cell cartridges 14 in parallel with terminals 62, 63. Alternatively, the couplings of power conditioning circuits 100 and power bus 60 provide fuel cell cartridges 14 in series with terminals 62, 63. Referring to Fig. 5, an exemplary arrangement of fuel cell power system 10 corresponding to the configuration of Fig. 2 is shown. In particular, the depicted fuel cell cartridges 14 are illustrated coupled in series via bus 60. Bus 60 is additionally coupled with power conditioning circuitry 100 external of fuel cell cartridges 14. More specifically, power conditioning circuitry 100 is provided intermediate fuel cell cartridges 14 and terminals 62, 63 in the depicted configuration.
- the illustrated embodiment of power conditioning circuitry 100 includes an internal controller 102 coupled with memory 103.
- a suitable controller 102 is available as a microprocessor having product designation 68HC912B32 from Motorola, Inc. Such a controller 102 is configured to provide pulse width modulation (PWM) of control signals according to certain aspects of the present invention. Other control configurations are utilized in other embodiments of the invention.
- PWM pulse width modulation
- controller 102 is configured according to some aspects of the present invention to monitor operational parameters of fuel cell power system 10 and to control power conditioning circuity 100 responsive to such monitoring.
- controller 102 is coupled with individual respective fuel cell cartridges 14 and is configured to monitor at least one operational parameter thereof.
- Controller 102 controls power conditioning circuitry 100 responsive to such monitoring in the described embodiment.
- Controller 102 is configured to monitor voltages and currents within fuel cell cartridges 14 according to certain aspects of the present invention. According to other aspects of the invention, controller 102 is configured to monitor other operational parameters of fuel cell power system 10, such as temperature within housing 12 or temperature within individual fuel cell cartridges 14 using temperature sensors (see, e.g., sensor 55 in Fig. 2). Other operational parameters may be monitored.
- Memory 103 is configured to store executable code for use within controller 102. Controller 102 utilizes memory 103 to store a history of operations of fuel cell power system 10 or other desired data. For example, memory 103 comprises both read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM) in the described embodiment. Controller 102 is coupled to provide communications with control system 30 in the described embodiment.
- controller 102 is implemented within control system 30 and control system 30 is configured to control power conditioning operations in accordance with another embodiment.
- Other power conditioning control arrangements are provided in other embodiments.
- FIG. 6 another configuration of the fuel cell power system is depicted as reference 10a.
- fuel cell power system 10a fuel cell cartridges 14 are coupled in parallel with terminals 62, 63 using bus 60.
- Power conditioning circuitry 100 is intermediate bus 60 and terminals 62, 63 in the illustrated arrangement.
- the utilization of fuel cell power system 10 or 10a depends upon the particular application or use of the power system and the design choice of a user, designer, etc.
- fuel cell power system 10 of Fig. 5 is utilized for increased current applications while fuel cell power system 10a is utilized for increased voltage applications.
- a characteristic curve of an exemplary fuel cell power system is illustrated.
- the depicted graphical representation illustrates voltage output of fuel cell power system 10 (i.e., serially arranged fuel cell cartridges 14) in relation to the output current within bus 60.
- the magnitude of the current corresponds or depends upon the usage of load 22.
- the maximum voltage is approximately 44 Volts.
- a maximum current output of the depicted fuel cell power system 10 arrangement is approximately 85 Amps.
- power conditioning circuitry 100 is configured to receive direct current electrical energy having a variable voltage potential (e.g., unconditioned from one or more fuel cell 90), and provide electrical energy having a substantially constant voltage potential.
- power conditioning circuitry 100 is configured for other operations according to other aspects of the present invention.
- power conditioning circuitry 100 is configured to provide inverter functionality alone or in addition to the direct current voltage conversion operations. Referring to Figs. 8-13, exemplary configurations of power conditioning circuitry
- the depicted power conditioning circuitry 100 is implemented as a DC-DC step-down converter or voltage pre-regulator.
- the depicted DC-DC converter power conditioning circuitry 100 includes an input comprising input terminals 120, 122, converter circuitry 108 and output terminals 121, 123.
- Input terminals 120, 122 are configured to couple with fuel cell cartridges 14 using bus 60.
- Terminal 120 comprises a positive DC terminal and terminal 122 comprises a ground terminal.
- controller 102 is configured to monitor at least one operational parameter of fuel cell power system 10 and to control switch 114 responsive to the monitoring.
- controller 102 is configured to monitor a voltage potential of electrical energy storage device 112 at a node 116. Responsive to the monitoring, controller 102 operates switch 114 to selectively couple terminal 120 with node 116 to charge electrical energy storage device 112.
- FIG. 9 an exemplary method for controlling DC-DC converter circuitry 108 is illustrated.
- the depicted methodology is stored as executable code for use by controller 102 in the described embodiment. Such code is stored within internal memory of controller 102 or within memory 103 accessible by controller 102.
- the method of Fig. 9 maintains the output voltage of the power conditioning circuitry 100 above a threshold voltage. Other control methods are used in other embodiments.
- controller 102 proceeds to step S10 to initialize settings. For example, a desired output voltage potential is set along with an acceptable amount of deviation.
- the set point voltage is the desired voltage at node 116 and is referred to as V P .
- Acceptable deviation from the desired set point voltage is a window parameter referred to as W.
- controller 102 proceeds to step S24 to turn off switch 114. Controller 102 then returns to step S12.
- Multiplexers may be utilized to provide coupling intermediate the individual circuitry 160 of fuel cell cartridges 14 and controller 102.
- the signal outputted from amplifier 162 is provided to an analog-to-digital converter.
- Controller 102 includes analog-to-digital converter circuitry in one configuration. Alternatively, analog-to-digital converter circuitry is implemented as separate circuitry from controller 102.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2001574927A JP2003530667A (en) | 2000-04-07 | 2001-01-04 | Fuel cell power system, DC voltage converter, fuel cell power generation method, and power adjustment method |
AU5695201A AU5695201A (en) | 2000-04-07 | 2001-01-04 | Full cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, and power conditioning methods |
BR0109436-0A BR0109436A (en) | 2000-04-07 | 2001-01-04 | Fuel cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods and power conditioning methods and direct current power conditioning method |
AU2001256952A AU2001256952B2 (en) | 2000-04-07 | 2001-01-04 | Full cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, and power conditioning methods |
CA002402998A CA2402998A1 (en) | 2000-04-07 | 2001-01-04 | Full cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, and power conditioning methods |
MXPA02009815A MXPA02009815A (en) | 2000-04-07 | 2001-01-04 | Full cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, and power conditioning methods. |
EP01930413A EP1273059A4 (en) | 2000-04-07 | 2001-01-04 | Full cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, and power conditioning methods |
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US09/544,781 US6428918B1 (en) | 2000-04-07 | 2000-04-07 | Fuel cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, power conditioning methods and direct current power conditioning methods |
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US (1) | US6428918B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1273059A4 (en) |
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- 2001-01-04 MX MXPA02009815A patent/MXPA02009815A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2001-01-04 AU AU5695201A patent/AU5695201A/en active Pending
- 2001-01-04 WO PCT/US2001/000546 patent/WO2001078176A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2001-01-04 BR BR0109436-0A patent/BR0109436A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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US6858335B2 (en) * | 2001-11-14 | 2005-02-22 | Relion, Inc. | Fuel cell power systems and methods of operating fuel cell power systems |
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DE102007035217A1 (en) | 2007-07-25 | 2009-01-29 | Futuree Fuel Cell Solutions Gmbh | Power supply system for electrical load, has fuel cell stacks and accumulator standing in direct electric connection with each other, where stacks guide voltage, such that reversible unloading of accumulator is omitted |
DE102007035217B4 (en) * | 2007-07-25 | 2011-05-26 | Futuree Fuel Cell Solutions Gmbh | Energy supply system and method for its operation |
WO2011112777A1 (en) * | 2010-03-11 | 2011-09-15 | First Solar, Inc. | Photovoltaic inverter |
US8243446B2 (en) | 2010-03-11 | 2012-08-14 | First Solar, Inc. | Photovoltaic inverter |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU5695201A (en) | 2001-10-23 |
US6428918B1 (en) | 2002-08-06 |
EP1273059A1 (en) | 2003-01-08 |
EP1273059A4 (en) | 2007-08-22 |
CA2402998A1 (en) | 2001-10-18 |
JP2003530667A (en) | 2003-10-14 |
MXPA02009815A (en) | 2004-09-06 |
BR0109436A (en) | 2004-01-13 |
AU2001256952B2 (en) | 2005-08-18 |
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