A fuel cell system, control method, computer, and vehicle

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of fuel cells, in particular to a fuel cell system, a control method, a computer and a vehicle, the system comprising an engine, a heat dissipation system of an electric pile and a voltage converter; the voltage converter is electrically connected with the engine; the engine has a cooling inlet and a cooling outlet, the heat dissipation system comprises a heat dissipation inlet and a heat dissipation outlet; the cooling outlet and the heat dissipation inlet are communicated through a pipeline; the voltage converter comprises a heating area, the heating area is connected in parallel on the pipeline of the cooling outlet and connected back to the cooling inlet, and the heating area is provided with an electric heating element; the electric energy generated by the fuel cell engine is directly used to heat the cooling liquid in the cooling system through the electric heating element, the quick power response demand of the whole vehicle on the fuel cell system can be greatly met, the fuel utilization rate is improved, and the starting time of the fuel cell system under low temperature is shortened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and more specifically to a fuel cell system, control method, computer, and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With the accelerated development of new energy strategies worldwide, hydrogen fuel cells have seen rapid growth. In recent years, hydrogen fuel cells have experienced rapid development in the field of new energy vehicles, gradually entering a stage of large-scale production and marketization. This is particularly true in commercial vehicles, where development has been especially rapid, aligning with national new energy strategies. Vehicles have expanded from small logistics vehicles to heavy-duty trucks and tractors. Power outputs have also increased from the original 30kW to the current 120kW, 240kW, and even higher.

[0003] Due to the specific usage scenarios of automobiles, higher demands are placed on power response speed and start-up time. The ultimate goal is to approach the level of gasoline-powered vehicles. Because low winter temperatures severely impact the start-up time of fuel cell engines, this significantly extends the engine's power response speed.

[0004] Currently, there are two existing technological solutions:

[0005] The first method involves drawing power from the vehicle's power battery to supply the PTC, which heats the fuel cell coolant to the target temperature, thereby increasing the temperature of the fuel cell stack.

[0006] The second method involves operating the fuel cell at low temperatures with a small voltage and a large current. Heat is generated through the internal resistance of the fuel cell, thereby increasing the internal temperature and enabling startup.

[0007] However, existing technologies have the following problems:

[0008] The first option directly contradicts the characteristic of low-temperature discharge current of power batteries, which seriously affects the heating power of PTC and thus the engine power response time.

[0009] In the second approach, the coolant flows through an external small circulation loop to achieve a uniform temperature increase in the fuel cell stack. However, the electrical energy generated by the stack is limited by the inability of the low-temperature power battery to charge at high power. The DC-DC converter cannot operate at high power to charge the power battery, indirectly affecting the fuel cell stack's ability to operate at high power. This prolongs the engine's self-heating time and impacts the vehicle's requirement for rapid power response. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system, control method, computer and vehicle that can improve the power response speed of fuel cell engine without charging the power battery.

[0011] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the first technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0012] A fuel cell system includes an engine, a stack cooling system, and a voltage converter; the voltage converter is electrically connected to the engine.

[0013] The engine has a cooling inlet and a cooling outlet, and the heat dissipation system includes a heat dissipation inlet and a heat dissipation outlet; the cooling outlet and the heat dissipation inlet are connected by a pipe and a first valve is provided, and the cooling inlet and the heat dissipation outlet are connected by a pipe and a second valve is provided.

[0014] The voltage converter includes a heating zone and a heat dissipation zone that are isolated from each other. The heating zone is connected in parallel to the pipeline between the cooling outlet and the first valve and back to the cooling inlet. The heating zone has an electric heating element.

[0015] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the second technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0016] A control method for a fuel cell system, including

[0017] Start the engine;

[0018] If the engine operating temperature is lower than a preset value or a preset range, the first and second valves are closed and the third valve is opened. The voltage converter uses the electrical energy generated by the engine to power the heating element to heat the coolant. Otherwise, no action is taken.

[0019] After heating the coolant, check again whether the engine operating temperature is lower than the preset value or preset range. If so, continue heating; otherwise, open the first and second valves and close the third valve.

[0020] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the third technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0021] A computer includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor implements the control method described above when executing the computer program.

[0022] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the fourth technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0023] A vehicle comprising the aforementioned fuel cell system.

[0024] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By electrically connecting the voltage converter to the engine, the electrical energy generated by the fuel cell engine can directly heat the coolant in the cooling system through the heating element, thereby increasing the temperature of the fuel cell engine. Since the generated electrical energy directly heats the fuel cell engine, the process of converting chemical energy into electrical energy and then into heat energy results in extremely high energy utilization. This greatly improves the engine's heating efficiency, eliminating the need to charge the power battery and allowing the fuel cell to operate at high power through the DC / DC voltage converter. This rapidly increases the temperature of the fuel cell stack, significantly improving the fuel cell's start-up time at low temperatures. This greatly satisfies the vehicle's demand for rapid power response from the fuel cell system, improves fuel utilization, and shortens the fuel cell system's start-up time at low temperatures. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a connection block diagram of a fuel cell system and a vehicle cooling system according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Labeling Explanation: 1. Engine; 11. Cooling Inlet; 12. Cooling Outlet; 2. Fuel Cell Heat Dissipation System; 21. Heat Dissipation Inlet; 22. Heat Dissipation Outlet; 3. Voltage Converter; 31. Heating Zone; 32. Heat Dissipation Zone; 4. First Valve; 5. Second Valve; 6. Third Valve; 7. Vehicle Cooling System. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To explain in detail the technical content, objectives, and effects of the present invention, the following description is provided in conjunction with the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 1 A fuel cell system includes an engine 1, a stack cooling system 2, and a voltage converter 3; the voltage converter 3 is electrically connected to the engine 1.

[0029] The engine 1 has a cooling inlet 11 and a cooling outlet 12, and the heat dissipation system includes a heat dissipation inlet 21 and a heat dissipation outlet 22; the cooling outlet 12 is connected to the heat dissipation inlet 21 by a pipe and is provided with a first valve 4, and the cooling inlet 11 is connected to the heat dissipation outlet 22 by a pipe and is provided with a second valve 5.

[0030] The voltage converter 3 includes a heating zone 31 and a heat dissipation zone 32 that are isolated from each other. The heating zone 31 is connected in parallel to the pipeline between the cooling outlet 12 and the first valve 4 and is connected back to the cooling inlet 11. The heating zone 31 has an electric heating element.

[0031] As described above, by electrically connecting the voltage converter to the engine, the electrical energy generated by the fuel cell engine can directly heat the coolant in the cooling system through the heating element, thereby increasing the temperature of the fuel cell engine. Since the generated electrical energy directly heats the fuel cell engine, the process of converting chemical energy into electrical energy and then into heat energy results in extremely high energy utilization. This greatly improves the engine's heating efficiency, eliminating the need to charge the power battery and allowing the fuel cell to operate at high power through the DC / DC voltage converter. This rapidly increases the temperature of the fuel cell stack, significantly improving the fuel cell's start-up time at low temperatures. This greatly satisfies the vehicle's demand for rapid power response from the fuel cell system, improves fuel utilization, and shortens the fuel cell system's start-up time at low temperatures.

[0032] Furthermore, the heating zone 31 is heat-insulated.

[0033] As can be seen from the above description, by using a heat-insulated heating zone 31, heat conduction to the outside can be reduced, thereby providing more heat to the fuel cell engine 1 and increasing its temperature faster.

[0034] Furthermore, the heating element is a PTC.

[0035] Furthermore, the voltage converter 3 has a power module that is electrically connected to the PTC.

[0036] Furthermore, the cooling outlet 12 is connected to the heating zone 31 by a pipe, and a third valve 6 is installed on the pipe.

[0037] As can be seen from the above description, by adding a third valve 6, temperature control can be more precise.

[0038] A control method for the above-mentioned fuel cell system includes:

[0039] Start engine 1;

[0040] Determine whether the operating temperature of engine 1 is lower than a preset value or a preset range. If so, close the first valve 4 and the second valve 5, and open the third valve 6. The voltage converter 3 uses the electrical energy generated by engine 1 to power the heating element to heat the coolant; otherwise, it does not operate.

[0041] After heating the coolant, check again whether the engine 1 operating temperature is lower than the preset value or preset range. If so, continue heating; otherwise, open the first valve 4 and the second valve 5, and close the third valve 6.

[0042] Furthermore, the voltage converter 3 boosts the electrical energy generated by the engine 1 to power the heating element and heat the coolant.

[0043] As can be seen from the above description, boosted electrical energy can improve efficiency.

[0044] A computer includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor implements the control method described above when executing the computer program.

[0045] A vehicle comprising the aforementioned fuel cell system.

[0046] Furthermore, the vehicle also includes a vehicle cooling system 7, and the heat dissipation area 32 of the voltage converter 3 is connected to the vehicle cooling system 7 through a pipe.

[0047] As can be seen from the above description, the heat dissipation area 32 is cooled by the vehicle cooling system 7, which enables the heat of the voltage converter 3 to be dissipated.

[0048] Example 1

[0049] A fuel cell system includes an engine, a stack cooling system, and a voltage converter; the voltage converter is electrically connected to the engine.

[0050] The engine has a cooling inlet and a cooling outlet, and the heat dissipation system includes a heat dissipation inlet and a heat dissipation outlet; the cooling outlet and the heat dissipation inlet are connected by a pipe and a first valve is provided, and the cooling inlet and the heat dissipation outlet are connected by a pipe and a second valve is provided.

[0051] The voltage converter includes a heating zone and a heat dissipation zone that are isolated from each other. The heating zone is connected in parallel to the pipeline between the cooling outlet and the first valve and back to the cooling inlet. The heating zone contains a PTC.

[0052] The heating zone is insulated.

[0053] The voltage converter has a power module, which is electrically connected to the PTC.

[0054] The cooling outlet is connected to the heating zone by a pipe, which is equipped with a third valve.

[0055] Example 2

[0056] A control method for a fuel cell system according to Embodiment 1 includes:

[0057] Start the engine;

[0058] If the engine operating temperature is less than 0°C, the first and second valves are closed and the third valve is opened. The voltage converter boosts the electrical energy generated by the engine to power the heating elements and heat the coolant. Otherwise, it does not operate.

[0059] After heating the coolant, check again whether the engine operating temperature is below 0°C. If so, continue heating; otherwise, open the first and second valves, close the third valve, and repeat the process.

[0060] Example 3

[0061] A computer includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor executes the computer program to implement the control method described in Embodiment 2.

[0062] Example 4

[0063] A vehicle comprising the fuel cell system described in Example 1.

[0064] The vehicle also includes a vehicle cooling system, and the cooling area of ​​the voltage converter is connected to the vehicle cooling system through a pipe.

[0065] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent modifications made based on the content of the present invention specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell system characterized by comprising: The engine, the heat dissipation system of the electric pile and the voltage converter are included. The voltage converter is electrically connected with the engine. The engine has a cooling inlet and a cooling outlet, and the heat dissipation system has a heat dissipation inlet and a heat dissipation outlet. The cooling outlet and the heat dissipation inlet are connected through a pipeline and provided with a first valve, and the cooling inlet and the heat dissipation outlet are connected through a pipeline and provided with a second valve. The voltage converter includes a heating area and a heat dissipation area which are isolated from each other, the heating area is connected in parallel to the pipeline between the cooling outlet and the first valve and connected back to the cooling inlet, and the heating area has an electric heating element. The heating area is subjected to heat insulation treatment. The electric heating element is a PTC. The voltage converter has a power module which is electrically connected with the PTC. The cooling outlet and the heating area are connected through a pipeline which is provided with a third valve.

2. A control method of the fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized by, The starting engine is included. It is determined whether the engine operating temperature is less than a preset value or a preset interval, if yes, the first valve and the second valve are closed, and the third valve is opened, and the voltage converter supplies power to the electric heating element to heat the cooling liquid with the electric energy generated by the engine. Otherwise, no action is taken. After the cooling liquid is heated, it is determined again whether the engine operating temperature is less than a preset value or a preset interval, if yes, the heating is continued. Otherwise, the first valve and the second valve are opened, and the third valve is closed.

3. The control method according to claim 2, characterized by, The voltage converter supplies power to the electric heating element to heat the cooling liquid after boosting the electric energy generated by the engine.

4. A computer comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that, The processor executes the computer program to realize the control method of any one of claims 2-3.

5. A vehicle characterized by comprising: The fuel cell system of claim 1 is included.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein, The vehicle further includes a vehicle heat dissipation system, and the heat dissipation area of the voltage converter is connected with the vehicle heat dissipation system through a pipeline.

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