Fuel cell votage monitoring system and its method

A battery voltage and battery technology, applied in a fuel cell voltage monitoring system and its fields

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-11-21
HYDROGENICS CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0012] In order to overcome the problems associated with current methods of measuring cell voltage, the present invention proposes a novel circuit and method for monitoring the voltage of individual fuel cells in a fuel cell stack
Fuel cell voltage monitoring circuit is cost-effective and easy to operate

Method used

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  • Fuel cell votage monitoring system and its method
  • Fuel cell votage monitoring system and its method
  • Fuel cell votage monitoring system and its method

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Embodiment Construction

[0050] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0051] Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown the system proposed by Becker-Irvin (US Patent No. 5,914,606). Measurement points 114 and 116 are connected to the input of voltage divider 111 . Other measurement points are also connected to the respective inputs of other voltage dividers. All divider outputs are connected to a multiplexer 120 having outputs 129 and 130 . These outputs are connected to a difference amplifier, A7. The two voltage divider outputs are connected to a multiplexer 120 by closing switches appropriately, eg 124 and 127 . When the voltage dividers are "perfectly matched," the output of the difference amplifier is proportional to the differential voltage between the pair of points the voltage dividers are connected to. However, as discussed earlier, very high precision resistors must be used in the voltage divider. Also, any deviation in the resistance of these resistors will result in inc...

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PUM

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Abstract

This invention discloses a system and method for monitoring the voltage of a fuel cell stack. The system comprises a plurality of differential amplifiers, a switching network, an analog to digital converter and a controller. The system may further include a remote PC. Each differential amplifier has a high common-mode rejection ratio. The differential amplifiers are connected to terminals in the fuel cell stack at which the voltage is to be measured. An output of a single differential amplifier is chosen by the switching network, under the direction of the controller, and converted to digital values by the analog to digital converter. The digital values are used by the controller to calculate the cell voltage of the fuel cell. The controller also controls the analog to digital converter. The invention further comprises a calibration method and apparatus which are used to calibrate the measurement system before performing voltage measurement on the fuel cell stack. This invention allows the cells voltage of a fuel cell with almost any common-mode voltage to be measured using readily available differential amplifiers.

Description

field of invention [0001] The present invention relates to a voltage monitoring system and a method for measuring the voltage of individual cells. The invention has particular, but not exclusive, application to fuel cell stacks in which fuel cells are stacked in series. Background of the invention [0002] A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that generates an electromotive force by bringing fuel (typically hydrogen) and an oxidant (typically air) into contact with two suitable electrodes and an electrolyte. A fuel, such as hydrogen, is introduced at the first electrode, where it undergoes an electrochemical reaction in the presence of an electrolyte, producing electrons and cations in the first electrode. Electrons are transferred from the first electrode to the second electrode through a circuit connected between the two electrodes. The cations travel through the electrolyte to the second electrode. Simultaneously, an oxidizing agent, such as oxygen or air, is introd...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(China)
IPC IPC(8): G01R31/36H01M8/04
CPCG01R31/3658G01R31/396
Inventor S·马西R·B·戈帕尔
Owner HYDROGENICS CORP
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