A fuel gas concentration measuring and controlling device for a fuel cell engine

Abstract

The application provides a fuel gas concentration measuring and controlling device for a fuel cell engine, and belongs to the technical field of fuel cells. The device solves the problems of excessive number of sensors, detection blind area and low detection precision in the prior art. The device comprises a top cover, a ventilation pipeline, a fuel gas concentration sensor and a fan. The top cover is arranged above a target to be measured, covers the upper surface of the target to be measured, and is connected to the ventilation pipeline as an air inlet. The fuel gas concentration sensor is arranged in the ventilation pipeline, and its type is adapted to the fuel cell engine. The fan is arranged at an air outlet of the ventilation pipeline, and its air suction end faces the inner side of the ventilation pipeline, and its air exhaust end is arranged in the atmosphere of a safety area outside a cabin where the fuel cell engine is arranged. The device can actively suck the gas in the area where the target to be measured is arranged and discharge it to the safety area, solves the problems that the combustible gas in the semi-closed space cannot be effectively discharged and there is a detection blind area, and has high measuring and controlling efficiency and low cost.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and particularly relates to a fuel gas concentration measuring and controlling device for a fuel cell engine. BACKGROUND

[0002] The fuel cell engine is a device for converting chemical energy into electrical energy through electrochemical reaction of fuel gas and oxygen. The pipeline of the fuel cell engine mainly includes a fuel gas pipeline, an air pipeline and a water pipeline, wherein the design of the fuel gas pipeline is the most important.

[0003] Most of the fuel gas is flammable and explosive gas. For example, hydrogen, which has a smaller molecular weight than other gases, can penetrate many sealing materials, such as pipelines, non-welded connectors and non-metallic sealing elements (gaskets and packing, etc.), which are potential leakage points. At the same time, due to high buoyancy and diffusivity, accumulation to the explosion limit will cause safety accidents.

[0004] The prior art generally sets a corresponding gas concentration sensor in the engine installation space to monitor the concentration of fuel gas in real time, so as to understand the gas leakage of each part and then perform corresponding leakage point elimination operation. For the hydrogen fuel cell engine, the hydrogen concentration sensor is generally arranged at the highest point of the cabin or at the part most prone to gas leakage, such as the hydrogen storage cylinder, the hydrogen filling port, etc.

[0005] However, there are many semi-closed spaces in the fuel cell engine, and the fuel gas is not easy to discharge after entering, which leads to the inability to detect in time. Moreover, there are many parts prone to gas leakage, which leads to the need to arrange too many sensors. Furthermore, due to the certain thickness, the probe of the sensor can never be located at the highest point of the cabin, and there is a detection blind area in the range from the highest point of the cabin to the thickness of the sensor itself. The current detection method relies on the flow of fuel gas to capture the leaked fuel gas, which is greatly affected by the interference of external gas flow, which may cause the fuel gas to leak into other cabins, causing further hydrogen accumulation and further danger. In addition, the timeliness is poor and the hydrogen leakage cannot be detected in time. SUMMARY

[0006] In view of the above analysis, the embodiments of the present application aim to provide a fuel gas concentration measuring and controlling device for a fuel cell engine to solve the problems of too many sensors and detection blind area in the prior art and low detection accuracy.

[0007] In one aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a fuel gas concentration measuring and controlling device for a fuel cell engine, comprising a top cover (2), a ventilation pipeline (4), a fuel gas concentration sensor (3) and a fan (5); wherein,

[0008] The top cover (2) is arranged above the target (1) prone to fuel gas leakage, and covers the upper surface of the target (1) and is connected to the ventilation pipeline (4) as an air inlet;

[0009] The fuel gas concentration sensor (3) is arranged in the ventilation pipeline (4), and is matched with the fuel cell engine;

[0010] The fan (5) is arranged at the air outlet of the ventilation pipeline (4), and the air suction end is arranged towards the inside of the ventilation pipeline (4), and the air exhaust end is arranged in the atmosphere of the safety area outside the cabin where the fuel cell engine is arranged.

[0011] The beneficial effects of the above technical scheme are as follows: by arranging the top cover (2), the ventilation pipeline (4) and the fan (5), the gas in the area where the target (1) is arranged can be actively absorbed, the problem that the combustible gas in the semi-closed space in the engine system cannot be effectively discharged is solved, and for multiple leakage points, a fuel gas concentration sensor (3) does not need to be arranged above each leakage point, and only one or a group of fuel gas concentration sensors (3) are arranged in the ventilation pipeline (4), thereby reducing the number and cost of the sensors. Since the suction type active detection method is adopted, the blind area problem that cannot be detected in the thickness size of the fuel gas concentration sensor (3) itself is solved. The device has the ability of active detection and control, can collect fuel gas information in time for judgment, avoid further leakage of hydrogen gas to other cabins, and improve the detection efficiency.

[0012] Based on the further improvement of the above device, the top cover (2) is a structure with a tapered opening on the inner side, the lower end face edge is attached to the side wall of the cabin where the fuel cell engine is arranged, and the upper end face is fixedly connected to the air inlet of the ventilation pipeline (4); and,

[0013] The top cover (2) and the ventilation pipeline (4) are both made of a fuel gas type matched fuel gas resistant permeable material, or a fuel gas resistant permeable coating is coated on the inner side directly contacted with the suction gas.

[0014] Further, the measurement and control device further comprises a safety maintenance controller; wherein,

[0015] The safety maintenance controller is used to control the fan (5) to start regularly, and after each start of the fan (5), the fuel gas leakage state of the fuel cell engine is identified in real time according to the data collected by the fuel gas concentration sensor (3), and then a control instruction of continuing to start or stop the fan or an alarm information of a stop fault check is sent out;

[0016] The input end of the safety maintenance controller is connected to the data end of the fuel gas concentration sensor (3), and the output end is connected to the control end of the fan (5).

[0017] Furthermore, the safety maintenance controller further includes:

[0018] The data acquisition unit is used to acquire the data collected by the fuel gas concentration sensor (3), obtain the composition of the combustible gas components of the fuel gas in the inhaled gas in the ventilation duct (4) and the concentration of each combustible gas component, and send it to the data processing and control unit.

[0019] The data processing and control unit is used to control the fan (5) to start periodically; and after each start of the fan (5), it identifies the fuel gas leakage status of the fuel cell engine in real time according to the composition of the combustible gas components of the fuel gas and the concentration of each combustible gas component, and then issues a control command to continue to turn the fan (5) on or off, or issues a shutdown fault check alarm message; and the data processing and control unit has a display module, on which the display screen of the display module displays the composition of the combustible gas components of the fuel gas and the concentration of each combustible gas component at the current moment.

[0020] Furthermore, the data processing and control unit executes the following program:

[0021] Control the fan (5) to start periodically;

[0022] After each start of the fan (5), the combustible gas components of the fuel gas and the concentration of each combustible gas component at the current moment are obtained;

[0023] Identify the concentration of all combustible gas components p Are all values ​​less than their respective no-alarm values? p 0. If so, determine that the fuel cell engine is working normally and there is no fuel gas leakage at the target (1), and issue a shutdown control command to the fan (5); otherwise, proceed to the next step.

[0024] Identify the concentration of at least one combustible gas component. p The concentration exceeds the limit that the chamber containing the corresponding target (1) can withstand. p max If so, it is determined that there is a great risk in the operation of the fuel cell engine, and the fuel gas leakage at the target (1) is serious. All power supplies in the control room where the fuel cell engine is located are shut off, and an evacuation alarm is issued. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.

[0025] Identify the concentration of at least one combustible gas component. p In the corresponding [ p 1, p maxif yes, it is determined that there is fuel gas leakage at the target (1) and it has an impact on the fuel cell engine operation, the fuel cell engine is controlled to stop, and a stop fault check warning information is sent, and the fan (5) is controlled to continue to exhaust, otherwise, the next step is performed; p 1 is an alarm value corresponding to the combustible gas component;

[0026] determine whether there is at least one combustible gas component p corresponding to p 0, p 1] between, if yes, it is determined that there is slight fuel gas leakage at the target (1) but it does not affect the operation of the fuel cell engine, a continue monitoring warning is sent, and the fan (5) is controlled to continue to exhaust until the fuel cell engine operates normally.

[0027] Further, the connection part of the top cover (2) and the ventilation pipeline (4) is provided with at least one sealing element; wherein,

[0028] The sealing element is made of a fuel gas type matched flame retardant fuel gas permeable material.

[0029] Further, the fuel gas concentration sensor (3) comprises at least one of a hydrogen concentration sensor, a carbon monoxide concentration sensor, a methane concentration sensor, a hydrogen sulfide concentration sensor, and a hydrocarbon gas concentration sensor.

[0030] Further, the fuel cell engine is one of a hydrogen fuel cell engine, a phosphoric acid fuel cell engine, a hydrogen sulfide fuel cell engine, and a hydrocarbon fuel cell engine.

[0031] Further, the fan (5) is an explosion-proof fan.

[0032] Further, the safety maintenance controller further comprises an audible and visual alarm unit; wherein,

[0033] The input end of the audible and visual alarm unit is connected with the output end of the data processing and control unit.

[0034] Compared with the prior art, the present application can at least achieve one of the following beneficial effects:

[0035] 1. The fan (5) is started periodically, the fuel gas concentration sensor 3 detects the concentration of the set fuel gas in the gas in real time, the concentration signal is transmitted to the controller (ECU) for concentration judgment. The fuel gas is not limited to hydrogen, but can also be other medium gas, and is not limited to single gas component, but can also be composite gas component. According to the demand, a plurality of different types of fuel gas concentration sensors (3) are set, and the specific components can be determined according to the type of fuel cell engine.

[0036] 2, after the fan (5), the fuel gas in the cabin can be actively absorbed and discharged to the atmosphere in the safe area, which can avoid the problem that the fuel gas (hydrogen) in the fuel cell engine or other semi-closed space cannot be discharged in time. It is not limited to fuel gas measurement and control of fuel cell engine cabin, and can also be used in other spaces with fuel gas leakage, such as gas cylinder space and cabin.

[0037] 3, for multiple leakage points, without arranging gas sensors above each leakage point, only one or a group of fuel gas concentration sensors (3) can be arranged in the ventilation pipeline (4) at the top of the top cover, which reduces the number of sensors and reduces the use cost.

[0038] 4, the device has active fuel gas detection capability, no blind area, high detection efficiency, fast regulation and control speed, which can effectively avoid fuel gas drifting to other cabins and improve the use safety of fuel cell engine.

[0039] The summary section is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0040] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the figures, and wherein:

[0041] Figure 1 The composition of the fuel gas concentration measurement and control device of embodiment 1 is shown in the schematic diagram;

[0042] Figure 2 The control principle of the fuel gas concentration measurement and control device of embodiment 2 is shown in the schematic diagram.

[0043] Reference signs:

[0044] 1- target to be measured; 2- top cover; 3- fuel gas concentration sensor; 4- ventilation pipeline; 5- fan. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure more thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0046] The term "includes" and its variants are meant to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, product, or apparatus. The term "or" means "and / or" unless otherwise indicated. The term "based on" means "based, at least in part, on" unless otherwise indicated. The terms "one example embodiment" and "an embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment." The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional example embodiment." The terms "a first," "a second," etc. do not require that there be only one of the identified objects. Other explicit or implicit definitions can be found below.

[0047] Embodiment 1

[0048] One embodiment of the present application discloses a fuel gas concentration monitoring device for fuel cell engine, as shown in the figure, comprising a top cover 2, a ventilation pipeline 4, a fuel gas concentration sensor 3 and a fan 5. Figure 1

[0049] The top cover 2 is arranged above the target to be measured which is prone to fuel gas leakage, and its opening covers the upper surface of the target to be measured and connects the ventilation pipeline 4 as an air inlet.

[0050] The top cover 2 can be designed separately or directly use the top of the installation cabin (reserved connection part of the ventilation pipeline 4) as the top cover 2.

[0051] The fuel gas concentration sensor 3 is arranged inside the ventilation pipeline 4, used to monitor the concentration of fuel gas in the inhaled gas, and its type is adapted to the fuel cell engine 1.

[0052] The fuel gas here is related to the type of fuel cell engine 1. For hydrogen fuel cell engine, the fuel gas is hydrogen H2, and the fuel gas concentration sensor 3 is hydrogen concentration sensor. For phosphoric acid fuel cell engine, the main components of fuel gas include H2 and CO, and the fuel gas concentration sensor 3 is hydrogen concentration sensor + CO concentration sensor. For hydrogen sulfide fuel cell engine, the main component of fuel gas is hydrogen sulfide, and the fuel gas concentration sensor 3 is hydrogen sulfide concentration sensor. For hydrocarbon fuel cell engine, the fuel gas is hydrocarbon, for example, for methane fuel cell engine, the main component of fuel gas is methane, and the fuel gas concentration sensor 3 is methane concentration sensor.

[0053] The fan 5 is arranged at the air outlet of the ventilation pipeline 4, its air inlet end faces the inside of the ventilation pipeline 4, and its air outlet end is arranged in the atmosphere of the safety area outside the cabin where the fuel cell engine 1 is located, used to actively absorb the gas in the cabin, play the role of air suction, and avoid the problem that hydrogen in the fuel cell or semi-closed space cannot be discharged in time.

[0054] The pipeline arrangement of the ventilation pipeline 4 can not be limited, and can be adjusted according to the needs.

[0055] ​In implementation, the device can ensure the safety of the area where the target 1 is located, thereby ensuring the safe operation of the whole vehicle. When the vehicle is parked, the gas storage cylinder storing fuel gas will leak a certain amount of fuel gas, which can be continuously discharged to the safe area outside the cabin through the fan 5. In particular, for hydrogen, which has a smaller density, when leakage occurs, the leaked hydrogen will move upwards. When the vehicle is running, the air flow enters from the air inlet of the roof 2 and is discharged from the air outlet of the ventilation pipeline 4, forming the entire air flow path, so that the hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen storage cabin is always within a safe range. The device is simple and easy to implement, and has less modification to the vehicle. The fuel cell engine can leak fuel gas during running and parking, which can be discharged outside the vehicle in time through the fan 5, avoiding accumulation and ensuring that the hydrogen concentration in the area where the hydrogen storage cabin or the fuel cell engine is located is always within a safe range, thereby ensuring the safe operation of the whole vehicle.

[0056] Compared with the prior art, the measurement and control device provided by the embodiment can actively absorb the gas in the area where the target 1 is located by arranging the roof 2, the ventilation pipeline 4 and the fan 5, thereby solving the problem that the flammable gas in the semi-closed space in the engine system cannot be effectively discharged. Moreover, for multiple leakage points, a fuel gas concentration sensor 3 does not need to be arranged above each leakage point, and only one or a group of fuel gas concentration sensors 3 need to be arranged in the ventilation pipeline 4, thereby reducing the number and cost of sensors. Since the suction type active detection method is adopted, the blind area that cannot be detected within the thickness of the fuel gas concentration sensor 3 is solved. The device has the ability of active detection and regulation, can collect fuel gas information in time for judgment, avoid further leakage of hydrogen gas to other cabins, and improve the detection efficiency.

[0057] Embodiment 2

[0058] On the basis of embodiment 1, the target 1 is a fuel cell engine 1, a gas storage cylinder storing fuel gas, a cabin where the fuel cell engine 1 is located, or a cabin where the gas storage cylinder is located.

[0059] The suction range of the fan 5 is the local area or the entire cabin where the fuel cell engine and the gas storage cylinder are located, and the suction force is related to the power of the fan, which can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0060] Preferably, for the cabin where the target 1 is the fuel cell engine 1, the roof 2 adopts a structure with a tapered opening on the inner side, the lower end face edge of which is attached to the side wall of the cabin where the fuel cell engine 1 is located, and the upper end face is fixedly connected with the air inlet of the ventilation pipeline 4, so as to suck the entire cabin.

[0061] The tapered opening can make the leaked fuel gas (hydrogen) be discharged to the outside of the vehicle spontaneously or forcibly, thereby avoiding the accumulation of the leaked fuel gas and the resulting safety hazard.

[0062] Preferably, the air inlet of the ventilation duct 4 is located at the highest point of the top cover 2, so that the gas can be discharged upwards.

[0063] Preferably, both the top cover 2 and the ventilation duct 4 are made of a fuel gas-resistant permeability-resistant material that matches the type of fuel gas, or have a fuel gas-resistant permeability-resistant coating applied to their inner surfaces that are in direct contact with the inhaled gas. For hydrogen, the appropriate fuel gas-resistant permeability-resistant material can be one of Al2O3, Cr2O3, Y2O3, Si2, Er2O3, etc. Typically, single-layer oxide hydrogen-resistant coatings are mostly Cr2O3 or Al2O3, while Si2 is often used in combination with other coatings. Y2O3 coatings can reduce tritium permeability by two orders of magnitude and are often used in combination with other coatings. For other fuel gases, relevant technical manuals and material handbooks can be consulted to select a suitable fuel gas-resistant permeability-resistant material.

[0064] Preferably, the fuel gas concentration measurement and control device for the fuel cell engine further includes a safety maintenance controller. The input terminal of the safety maintenance controller is connected to the data terminal of the fuel gas concentration sensor 3, and its output terminal is connected to the control terminal of the fan 5.

[0065] The safety maintenance controller is used to control the periodic start of fan 5, and after each start of fan 5, it identifies the fuel gas leakage status of the fuel cell engine in real time based on the data collected by fuel gas concentration sensor 3, and then issues control commands to continue to start or stop fan 5, or issues shutdown fault inspection alarm information.

[0066] Specifically, for fuel cell engines that contain only one combustible gas component, such as hydrogen fuel cell engines, when the data collected by fuel gas concentration sensor 3... p (Fuel gas concentration) less than p If the value is 0, the fuel cell engine is determined to be working normally, and the safety maintenance controller sends a shutdown control command to fan 5. p 0 represents a value where no alarm is needed, such as... Figure 2 As shown.

[0067] When the data collected by fuel gas concentration sensor 3 p In ( p 0, p 1) If it is determined that there is a slight fuel gas leak in the target 1 (fuel cell engine, gas storage tank), the safety maintenance controller sends a continue-on control command to fan 5 to start fan 5 for exhaust. p 1 is the alarm value.

[0068] When the data collected by fuel gas concentration sensor 3 p In ( p 1, p maxbetween 0.5% and 1.5%, it is determined that the hydrogen concentration is excessive, the fuel cell engine cannot continue to operate, and the fan 5 is started to exhaust the gas. p max is the maximum value that the target 1 cabin can withstand.

[0069] When the data collected by the fuel gas concentration sensor 3 p is greater than p max , it is determined that the fuel cell engine may catch fire and explode, all power supplies need to be turned off, and professional personnel are required to handle it.

[0070] The above p 0, p 1, p max are obtained through laboratory calibration.

[0071] Preferably, the safety maintenance controller comprises a data acquisition unit, a data processing and control unit connected in sequence. The data processing and control unit has a display module, and the display screen of the display module displays the data collected by the fuel gas concentration sensor 3 at the current time.

[0072] The data acquisition unit is used to obtain the data collected by the fuel gas concentration sensor 3, obtain the combustible gas component composition of the fuel gas in the suction gas in the ventilation pipeline 4 and the concentration of each combustible gas component, and send it to the data processing and control unit.

[0073] The data processing and control unit is used to control the fan 5 to start regularly, and after each start of the fan 5, the fuel gas leakage state of the fuel cell engine is identified in real time according to the combustible gas component composition of the fuel gas and the concentration of each combustible gas component, and then a control instruction of continuing to start or turn off the fan 5 is issued, or an alarm information of stopping for fault checking is issued.

[0074] Preferably, for the fuel cell engine containing more than one combustible gas component, the number of combustible gas components can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc., and the data processing and control unit executes the following program:

[0075] S1. Control the fan 5 to start regularly;

[0076] S2. After each start of the fan 5, obtain the combustible gas component of the fuel gas and the concentration of each combustible gas component at the current time;

[0077] S3. Identify whether the concentrations of all combustible gas components p are all less than the respective alarm-free values p0, if yes, it is determined that the fuel cell engine works normally and there is no fuel gas leakage at the target 1 to be tested, and a shutdown control command is sent to the fan 5, otherwise, the next step is performed;

[0078] S4. Identifying whether the concentration of at least one combustible gas component exists p is greater than the limit concentration that the cabin where the target 1 to be tested is located can withstand p max , if yes, it is determined that there is a great risk in the operation of the fuel cell engine and the fuel gas leakage at the target 1 to be tested is serious, all power supplies in the cabin where the fuel cell engine is located are controlled to be turned off, and an evacuation warning information is sent, otherwise, the next step is performed;

[0079] S5. Identifying whether the concentration of at least one combustible gas component exists p between the corresponding p 1, p max , if yes, it is determined that there is fuel gas leakage at the target 1 to be tested and it has an impact on the operation of the fuel cell engine, the fuel cell engine is controlled to be shut down, a shutdown fault checking warning information is sent, and the fan 5 is continuously controlled to exhaust, otherwise, the next step is performed; p 1 is the alarm value corresponding to the combustible gas component;

[0080] S6. Identifying whether the concentration of at least one combustible gas component exists p between the corresponding p 0, p 1], if yes, it is determined that there is slight fuel gas leakage at the target 1 to be tested but it does not affect the operation of the fuel cell engine, a continue monitoring warning is sent, and the fan 5 is continuously controlled to exhaust until the fuel cell engine works normally (i.e. the concentration of all combustible gas components p is less than the corresponding no alarm value ​ 0, a shutdown control command is sent to the fan 5).

[0081] The above procedure only involves the combustible gas components of the fuel gas, and the non-combustible gas components such as nitrogen generally have no impact on the safety of the fuel cell engine, and thus are not included in the measurement and control range.

[0082] Preferably, the top cover 2 and the ventilation pipeline 4 can be fixed by using a sealing element + bolt connection mode. At least one sealing element is arranged at the connection part of the top cover 2 and the ventilation pipeline 4. The sealing element is made of a fuel gas type matched flame-retardant fuel gas permeable material.

[0083] Preferably, the fuel gas concentration sensor 3 includes at least one of a hydrogen concentration sensor, a carbon monoxide concentration sensor, a methane concentration sensor, a hydrogen sulfide concentration sensor, and a hydrocarbon gas concentration sensor.

[0084] Preferably, the fuel cell engine 1 is one of a hydrogen fuel cell engine, a phosphoric acid fuel cell engine, a hydrogen sulfide fuel cell engine, and a hydrocarbon fuel cell engine.

[0085] Preferably, the fan 5 is an explosion-proof fan.

[0086] Preferably, the controller further comprises an audible and light alarm unit, wherein an input end of the audible and light alarm unit is connected to an output end of the data processing and control unit, and the audible and light alarm unit is configured to emit different audible and light alarms according to the range of the data collected by the fuel gas concentration sensor 3.

[0087] In the above scheme, after the audible and light alarm unit is configured, when the fuel gas concentration sensor detects that the hydrogen concentration reaches the set alarm level, the audible and light alarm unit alarms externally to remind the relevant departments to handle the danger.

[0088] Preferably, the fuel gas concentration measurement and control device for the fuel cell engine further comprises a rechargeable power supply configured to supply power to the fan 5 and the controller as an independent power supply. When the vehicle is running, the rechargeable power supply can be charged. When the vehicle is parked and the entire vehicle is in a power-off state, the fuel gas concentration measurement and control device for the fuel cell engine can continue to work to monitor the hydrogen concentration of the target to be measured 1. When the concentration reaches the alarm concentration, the fan 5 can be automatically turned on to quickly exhaust the leaked hydrogen.

[0089] Preferably, the air inlet of the top cover 2 and the air outlet of the ventilation pipeline 4 are respectively provided with waterproof covers.

[0090] Compared with the prior art, the fuel gas concentration measurement and control device provided by the embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0091] 1. The fan 5 is started periodically. The fuel gas concentration sensor 3 detects the concentration of the set fuel gas in the gas in real time and online. The concentration signal is transmitted to the controller (ECU) for concentration judgment. The fuel gas is not limited to hydrogen, but can also be other medium gas. It is not limited to a single gas component, but can also be a composite gas component. According to the demand, multiple fuel gas concentration sensors 3 of different types can be set. The specific components can be determined according to the type of the fuel cell engine.

[0092] 2. After the fan 5 is added, the fuel gas in the cabin can be actively absorbed and discharged to the atmosphere in the safe area, which can avoid the problem that the fuel gas (hydrogen) in the fuel cell engine or other semi-closed space cannot be discharged in time. It is not limited to fuel gas measurement and control in the cabin of the fuel cell engine, but can also be used in other spaces with fuel gas leakage, such as the space of the gas cylinder and the cabin.

[0093] 3、For multiple leakage points, there is no need to arrange gas sensors above each leakage point, only one or a group of fuel gas concentration sensors arranged in the vent line 4 of the upper part of the top cover, reducing the number of sensors and reducing the use cost.

[0094] 4、The device has active fuel gas detection capability, no blind area, high detection efficiency, fast regulation speed, can effectively avoid fuel gas drifting to other cabins, and improve the use safety of the fuel cell engine.

[0095] The above has described various embodiments of the present disclosure, the above description is exemplary, not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and changes are obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The selection of the terms used herein is intended to best explain the principles, practical application or improvement of the prior art of the embodiments, or to enable other ordinary skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A fuel gas concentration measurement and control device for a fuel cell engine, characterized in that, The device comprises a top cover (2), a ventilation pipeline (4), a fuel gas concentration sensor (3) and a fan (5); The top cover (2) is arranged above the target (1) to be detected which is prone to fuel gas leakage, and its opening covers the upper surface of the target (1) to be detected and is connected to the ventilation pipeline (4) as an air inlet; The fuel gas concentration sensor (3) is arranged inside the ventilation pipeline (4) and is adapted to the fuel cell engine; The fan (5) is arranged at the air outlet of the ventilation pipeline (4), and its suction end is directed to the inside of the ventilation pipeline (4), and its exhaust end is arranged in the atmosphere of the safety area outside the cabin where the fuel cell engine is located; The target (1) to be detected comprises one of a fuel cell engine, a gas cylinder storing fuel gas, a cabin where the fuel cell engine is located, or a cabin where the gas cylinder is located; Further comprising a safety maintenance controller, wherein The safety maintenance controller is configured to control the fan (5) to start periodically, and after each start of the fan (5), identify the fuel gas leakage state of the fuel cell engine in real time according to the data collected by the fuel gas concentration sensor (3), and then send a control instruction to continue or stop the fan (5), or send a shutdown fault check warning message; The input end of the safety maintenance controller is connected to the data end of the fuel gas concentration sensor (3), and the output end is connected to the control end of the fan (5); The fuel gas concentration sensor (3) comprises at least one of a hydrogen concentration sensor, a carbon monoxide concentration sensor, a methane concentration sensor, a hydrogen sulfide concentration sensor, and a hydrocarbon gas concentration sensor; The fuel cell engine is one of a hydrogen fuel cell engine, a phosphoric acid fuel cell engine, a hydrogen sulfide fuel cell engine, and a hydrocarbon fuel cell engine; The safety maintenance controller further comprises a data processing and control unit, which executes the following programs: Control the fan (5) to start periodically; After each start of the fan (5), obtain the combustible gas components of the fuel gas and the concentration of each combustible gas component at the current time; Identify whether the concentration of all combustible gas components is less than the corresponding alarm value ρ0, if yes, determine that the fuel cell engine is working normally and there is no fuel gas leakage at the target (1) to be detected, and send a shutdown control instruction to the fan (5), otherwise, execute the next step; identifying whether the concentration p of at least one combustible gas component is greater than the limit concentration p that the cabin where the target (1) is located can withstand max If yes, it is judged that there is a great risk in the operation of the fuel cell engine and the fuel gas leakage at the target (1) is serious, all power supplies in the cabin where the fuel cell engine is located are turned off, and an evacuation warning message is sent out, otherwise, the next step is executed; Identify whether there is at least one combustible gas component with a concentration ρ in the corresponding [ρ1, ρ2] range. max If the fuel gas leak is detected at the target (1) and affects the operation of the fuel cell engine, the fuel cell engine is shut down and a shutdown fault inspection alarm is issued. The fan (5) is then controlled to exhaust the gas. Otherwise, the next step is executed. Wherein, ρ1 is the alarm value corresponding to the combustible gas component. Identify whether the concentration of at least one combustible gas component is in the corresponding [ρ0, ρ1] range, if yes, determine that there is a slight fuel gas leakage at the target (1) to be detected but it does not affect the operation of the fuel cell engine, send a continue monitoring warning, and continue to control the fan (5) to exhaust until the fuel cell engine works normally.

2. The fuel gas concentration measuring and controlling device for a fuel cell engine according to claim 1, wherein The top cover (2) adopts a structure with a tapered opening on the inner side, the lower end edge is attached to the side wall of the cabin where the fuel cell engine is located, and the upper end is fixedly connected to the air inlet of the ventilation pipeline (4); and The top cover (2) and the ventilation pipeline (4) are made of fuel gas type matched fuel gas resistant permeable material, or coated with fuel gas resistant permeable coating on the inner side which directly contacts with the inhaled gas.

3. The fuel gas concentration measuring and controlling device for a fuel cell engine according to claim 1, wherein The safety maintenance controller further comprises: a data acquisition unit for obtaining data collected by the fuel gas concentration sensor (3), obtaining the combustible gas component composition of the fuel gas in the suction gas in the ventilation pipeline (4) and the concentration of each combustible gas component, and sending to the data processing and control unit; the data processing and control unit is used for controlling the fan (5) to start regularly, and after each start of the fan (5), identifying the fuel gas leakage state of the fuel cell engine in real time according to the combustible gas component composition of the fuel gas and the concentration of each combustible gas component, and then issuing a control instruction of continuing to open or close the fan (5), or issuing a shutdown fault checking alarm information; and the data processing and control unit has a display module, and the display screen of the display module displays the combustible gas component composition of the fuel gas and the concentration of each combustible gas component at the current time.

4. The fuel gas concentration measuring and controlling device for a fuel cell engine according to any one of claims 1 and 3, wherein The connecting part of the top cover (2) and the ventilation pipeline (4) is provided with at least one sealing element; wherein The sealing element is made of a fuel gas type matched fuel gas permeation resistant material.

5. The fuel gas concentration measuring and controlling device for a fuel cell engine according to any one of claims 1, 3, wherein The fan (5) is an explosion-proof fan.

6. The fuel gas concentration measuring and controlling device for a fuel cell engine according to claim 3, wherein The safety maintenance controller further comprises an audible and visual alarm unit; wherein The input end of the audible and visual alarm unit is connected with the output end of the data processing and control unit.

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