Energy management module of fuel cell hybrid power system for unmanned aerial vehicle and active control method of energy management module

Abstract

The invention provides an energy management module of a fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, belongs to the technical field of power electronics and energy management, and aims to solve the problems that in small mobile equipment, if a multi-energy system cannot be dynamically adjusted, a fuel cell is in a non-optimal working state for a long time, and the service life and the overall performance of the fuel cell are seriously influenced. Comprising a control module, an electrical measurement module, a temperature measurement element, an anti-backflow module and a DC-DC step-down converter. The fuel cells and the lithium cells are firstly connected to the electrical measurement module and then connected to the anti-backflow module, all outputs are finally connected in parallel, and the number of the fuel cells and the number of the lithium cells are respectively more than one; the input end of the DC-DC step-down converter is connected to the parallel end of the fuel cell, and the output of the DC-DC step-down converter is connected to the lithium battery; the control module receives measurement signals from the electrical measurement module and the temperature measurement element and outputs control signals to the DC-DC step-down converter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of power electronics and energy management, and more specifically, particularly relates to an energy management module of a fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle and an active control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Fuel cell electric systems show broad development prospects due to their high energy density, fast refueling and zero emissions.

[0003] Compared with pure electric systems, fuel cell electric systems can achieve longer driving range in a shorter refueling time. However, under transient conditions such as starting, accelerating or climbing, the reaction gas response rate of the fuel cell system lags behind the load change rate, resulting in its inability to accurately provide the required power during these transient periods, and it is also prone to performance degradation. In addition, the fuel cell system directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy to achieve unidirectional power output, so it cannot store the regenerative braking energy generated during deceleration and braking. These defects may affect the economy, reliability and durability of the fuel cell system. To this end, fuel cell systems are usually equipped with lithium batteries or supercapacitors as secondary energy storage devices to form a fuel cell hybrid system to solve the above problems.

[0004] Fuel cell hybrid systems have shown great potential not only in the automotive field, but also in other applications such as drones. By combining fuel cells with secondary energy storage devices, drones can achieve longer flight time and more stable power output.

[0005] However, the integration of multiple energy sources increases the complexity of the power system operation mode. How to make multiple energy sources operate efficiently, stably and reliably has become one of the key technical challenges of fuel cell hybrid power systems.

[0006] In specific applications, how to effectively implement this advanced technology faces many challenges. Especially in small mobile devices such as drones and electric bicycles, due to the limited available space and load capacity, large devices used in fuel cell vehicles, such as large DC-DC converters, cannot be directly applied. Small mobile devices such as drones and electric bicycles require more compact and lightweight hardware topology design to meet their operating requirements. Therefore, the integrated design of hydrogen-electric systems must be based on the characteristics of these specific platforms.

[0007] In addition, most small mobile devices do not consider active energy management of fuel cells, and even rely on a single hydrogen-electricity supply, lacking a flexible energy scheduling mechanism. In fact, during flight, transient power may change frequently, and if there is no real-time monitoring and dynamic adjustment, the fuel cell will be in a non-optimal working state for a long time, seriously affecting its life and overall performance. Ignoring or oversimplifying energy management in actual applications may lead to load demand mismatch and accelerated fuel cell loss, and also make the energy generated during regenerative braking unable to be effectively stored and utilized, resulting in energy waste.

[0008] Therefore, in view of this, the existing structure and deficiencies are studied and improved, and an energy management module and an active control method of a fuel cell hybrid power system for unmanned aerial vehicles are provided, in order to achieve a more practical purpose. Summary of the invention

[0009] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an energy management module of a fuel cell hybrid power system for unmanned aerial vehicles and an active control method thereof, so as to solve the problem that in small mobile devices, if the multi-energy system cannot be dynamically adjusted, the fuel cell will be in a non-optimal working state for a long time, seriously affecting its life and overall performance.

[0010] The purpose and efficacy of the energy management module and active control method of a fuel cell hybrid power system for a drone of the present invention are achieved by the following specific technical means:

[0011] An energy management module for a fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:

[0012] Control module, electrical measurement module, temperature measurement element, anti-reverse injection module and DC-DC step-down converter;

[0013] The fuel cell and the lithium battery are respectively connected to the electrical measurement module first, and then to the anti-backflow module, and all outputs are finally connected in parallel, and more than one fuel cell and one lithium battery are provided;

[0014] The input end of the DC-DC buck converter is connected to the parallel end of the fuel cell, and the output is connected to the lithium battery;

[0015] The control module receives measurement signals from the electrical measurement module and the temperature measurement element, and outputs a control signal to the DC-DC step-down converter.

[0016] Preferably, the control module is equipped with a microcontroller, and the microcontroller has data processing and analysis functions, and can also receive input signals from the electrical measurement module and the temperature measurement element, and output analog voltage signals, PWM signals or control signals for driving relays.

[0017] Preferably, the electrical measurement module includes a voltage sensor and a current sensor.

[0018] Preferably, the temperature measuring element may be a thermistor or a thermocouple; the control module dynamically adjusts the speed of the fan after algorithm processing.

[0019] Preferably, the anti-backflow module adopts an ideal diode structure.

[0020] Preferably, the DC-DC step-down converter can receive an external voltage signal to control the output voltage or output current.

[0021] Preferably, the control module is further provided with a communication module, and the control module can communicate with a cloud server or a remote monitoring system to achieve remote data collection and system status monitoring.

[0022] Preferably, a self-check module is also provided, and the self-check module can automatically take protective measures when a system abnormality, overheating or overload is detected.

[0023] Preferably, the control module, the electrical measurement module, the temperature measurement element, the anti-backflow module and the DC-DC step-down converter are assembled as separate modules.

[0024] Preferably, the control module, the electrical measurement module, the temperature measurement element, the anti-backflow module and the DC-DC step-down converter are integrated into an integrated structure.

[0025] An active control method for an energy management module of a fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle comprises:

[0026] The electrical measurement module including voltage sensor and current sensor can monitor the working status of fuel cell and lithium battery and load power demand in real time;

[0027] Through the temperature measurement module, the temperature of the fuel cell, lithium battery, energy management module and environment is monitored in real time;

[0028] transmitting the acquired electrical measurement signals and temperature measurement signals to a control module;

[0029] Based on the measurement signal, the control module calculates the optimal power distribution point using an algorithm and outputs a control signal to the DC-DC buck converter;

[0030] The DC-DC step-down converter adjusts the output voltage or current according to the control signal to dynamically adjust the power distribution between the fuel cell and the lithium battery.

[0031] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0032] 1. The energy management module can monitor and adjust the power output and input between different energy sources in real time, ensuring that the fuel cell operates in its optimal working state and avoiding power lag problems under transient conditions. Through this energy management module, not only can the output power of each energy source be balanced and energy waste be reduced, but the service life of the fuel cell and secondary energy storage device can also be extended, and the economy, reliability and durability of the system can be improved. This design is suitable for a variety of hybrid power applications including drones and electric bicycles, further promoting the widespread application of hybrid power systems in various small mobile devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of electrical connections of a first embodiment of an energy management module of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of signal connections of a first embodiment of an energy management module of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 The energy management method of the energy management module embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of electrical connections of a second embodiment of an energy management module of the present invention;

[0037] In the figure, the corresponding relationship between the component names and the figure numbers is as follows:

[0038] Among them: 1. Energy management module; 11. Control module; 12. Electrical measurement module; 13. Temperature measurement element; 14. Anti-backflow module; 15. DC-DC step-down converter; 2. Fuel cell; 3. Lithium battery; 4. Load; 5. Hydrogen cylinder pressure reducing valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0040] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more than two; the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", "front end", "rear end", "head", "tail", etc. are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0041] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0042] Embodiment 1:

[0043] As attached Figure 1 As shown:

[0044] The present invention provides an energy management module for a fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:

[0045] A control module 11, an electrical measurement module 12, a temperature measurement element 13, an anti-backflow module 14 and a DC-DC step-down converter 15;

[0046] The fuel cell 2 and the lithium battery 3 are first connected to the electrical measurement module 12, and then connected to the anti-backflow module 14, and all outputs are finally connected in parallel. One fuel cell 2 and one lithium battery 3 are provided respectively;

[0047] The input end of the DC-DC step-down converter 5 is connected to the parallel end of the fuel cell, and the output is connected to the lithium battery;

[0048] The control module 11 receives measurement signals from the electrical measurement module 12 and the temperature measurement element 13 , and outputs a control signal to the DC-DC step-down converter 15 .

[0049] In this embodiment, the fuel cell 2 is an air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell, and the load 4 is a drive motor, a heater or other electrical equipment; the selection of the lithium battery 3 needs to match the operating voltage of the fuel cell 2. The fuel cell 2 or the lithium battery 3 is first connected to the electrical measurement module 12, and then connected to the anti-backflow module 14. All outputs are finally connected in parallel to the load, and the bus voltage is determined by the energy storage element with a higher voltage. The anti-backflow module 14 adopts an ideal diode structure to ensure the unidirectionality of energy flow and effectively protect the fuel cells in the system from reverse charging. The control module 11 obtains the required power from the output end of the DC-DC step-down converter 5.

[0050] The control module 11 is equipped with a microcontroller, and the microcontroller has data processing and analysis functions, and can also receive input signals from the electrical measurement module 12 and the temperature measurement element 13, and output analog voltage signals, PWM signals or control signals for driving relays. The control module 11 is equipped with a microcontroller, and has data processing and analysis functions, and can receive input signals from the electrical measurement module and the temperature measurement element, and output analog voltage signals, PWM signals or control signals for driving relays, so as to achieve precise regulation and optimized management of the system.

[0051] As attached Figure 2 As shown, the electrical measurement module 12 includes a voltage sensor and a current sensor. The voltage sensor is implemented by a voltage divider, and the current sensor is implemented by a shunt resistor or a Hall effect sensor, which is used to monitor the working state and charging and discharging of the fuel cell and the lithium battery in real time; the module is connected to the control module 11 through wiring to obtain low-voltage power supply and transmit electrical measurement signals.

[0052] The control module 11 processes the received signal based on the algorithm, and outputs an analog voltage signal to the DC-DC buck converter 15 according to the working state of the hybrid system, and dynamically adjusts its output voltage or output current to adjust the power distribution between the fuel cell and the lithium battery. When the energy management module is applied to a hydrogen fuel cell system supplied by a high-pressure hydrogen cylinder, the control module also receives a gas pressure signal from the hydrogen cylinder pressure reducing valve; when the gas pressure signal is lower than the preset threshold, the buzzer alarm is triggered or an alarm is sent to an external device through a communication interface to remind the user to replenish hydrogen in time or return home in time.

[0053] The temperature measuring element 13 can be a thermistor or a thermocouple; the control module 11 dynamically adjusts the speed of the fan after algorithm processing. The temperature measuring element 13 can monitor the temperature of the fuel cell 2, the lithium battery 3, the energy management module and the environment in real time, and transmit the temperature signal to the control module 11; the control module 11 dynamically adjusts the speed of the fan after algorithm processing to prevent performance degradation or safety hazards caused by overheating. The temperature measuring element 13 is a thermocouple or a thermistor, which is fixed to the surface, geometric center or heat source of the object to be measured (such as a fuel cell, lithium battery, etc.) by thermal conductive glue; the element is connected to the control module 11 through wiring to obtain low-voltage power supply and transmit temperature measurement signals.

[0054] The DC-DC step-down converter 15 may receive an external voltage signal to control an output voltage or an output current.

[0055] The control module 11 is also provided with a communication module, and the communication module is provided to realize data interaction with an external control system such as a flight control system, thereby enhancing the capabilities of intelligent control and data analysis. The control module 11 can communicate with a cloud server or a remote monitoring system to realize remote data collection and system status monitoring, thereby improving the controllability and intelligence level of the system.

[0056] A self-check module is also provided, which can automatically take protective measures when the system is detected to be abnormal, overheated or overloaded. The self-check module has a self-protection function, which can automatically take protective measures when the system is detected to be abnormal, overheated or overloaded, such as reducing the output power, cutting off the power supply or activating the alarm device to prevent equipment damage or safety accidents.

[0057] The control module 11 , the electrical measurement module 12 , the temperature measurement element 13 , the backflow prevention module 14 , and the DC-DC step-down converter 15 are respectively assembled as discrete modules.

[0058] The control module 11, the electrical measurement module 12, the temperature measurement element 13, the anti-backflow module 14 and the DC-DC buck converter 15 are integrated into an integrated structure. The modular structure or the integrated structure is selected according to the specific situation to adapt to different application requirements and system designs.

[0059] As attached Figure 3 As shown, an active control method for an energy management module of a fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle comprises:

[0060] The working status of the fuel cell and the lithium battery and the load power demand are monitored in real time through the electrical measurement module 12 including a voltage sensor and a current sensor;

[0061] The temperature of the fuel cell, lithium battery, energy management module and environment is monitored in real time through the temperature measurement module 13;

[0062] Transmitting the acquired electrical measurement signal and temperature measurement signal to the control module 11;

[0063] According to the measurement signal, the control module 11 calculates the optimal power distribution point using an algorithm and outputs a control signal to the DC-DC buck converter 15;

[0064] The DC-DC step-down converter 15 adjusts the output voltage or current according to the control signal to dynamically adjust the power distribution between the fuel cell and the lithium battery.

[0065] First, the electrical measurement module 12 and the temperature measurement element 13 respectively collect electrical measurement signals and temperature measurement signals of the energy storage element (fuel cell 2 and lithium battery 3). These signals are input into the microprocessor of the control module 11 after digital-to-analog conversion.

[0066] Electrical measurement signal processing: The microprocessor monitors the voltage and current status of the fuel cell 2 and the lithium battery 3 in real time through electrical measurement signals to determine their working status. The power demand of the load 4 is calculated by subtracting the charging power of the lithium battery 3 and the power consumption of the peripheral circuit from the total output power of the system, avoiding the need to modify the load hardware to directly measure its power.

[0067] Calculate the optimal power distribution point: Based on the current state of the energy storage element, load demand and temperature information, the microprocessor uses deterministic rules, fuzzy algorithms or predictive algorithms to calculate the optimal power distribution point: This distribution point determines the charging voltage and current that the DC-DC buck converter 15 should adjust to optimize the operating efficiency of the fuel cell and lithium battery. The optimization goal is achieved through a comprehensive evaluation function of fuel economy and energy storage element life cost.

[0068] Control signal output and charging regulation: After the microprocessor calculates the appropriate charging voltage and current, it generates an analog voltage signal and outputs it to the DC-DC buck converter 15. The converter adjusts the output charging voltage or current according to the signal to achieve charging management of the lithium battery.

[0069] Dynamic adjustment of power distribution: The charging state of the lithium battery is determined by the difference between its current voltage and the charging voltage set by the DC-DC buck converter. If the lithium battery voltage is lower than the charging voltage, it is in the charging state; if it is higher than the charging voltage, it enters the discharging state. This process gradually adjusts the lithium battery voltage to the optimal power distribution point, that is, the corresponding charging voltage. The duration of charging or discharging depends on the power demand of the current load and the charging current of the lithium battery.

[0070] Embodiment 2:

[0071] As attached Figure 2 and attached Figure 4 As shown, the remaining features are the same as those of Example 1, with the difference being that two lithium batteries and two fuel cells are provided in this embodiment, and each is connected in series with an electrical measurement module and an anti-backflow module. Compared with Example 1, Example 2 adds electrical measurement modules and anti-backflow modules that match the number of fuel cells and lithium batteries. The overall system architecture remains unchanged, and the system design remains consistent, that is, different numbers of battery configurations can be achieved under the same framework. Depending on the type of energy storage element selected, the rated parameters of the DC-DC step-down converter 15 need to be matched accordingly to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the system. For the signal connection part, please refer to Figure 3Referring to the first and second embodiments, the energy management module and method can be flexibly extended to any combination of any number of fuel cells and lithium batteries, so that the hybrid power system has a high degree of combination freedom.

[0072] The embodiments of the present invention are given for the purpose of illustration and description, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the disclosed forms. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments are selected and described in order to better illustrate the principles and practical applications of the present invention and to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present invention and thereby design various embodiments with various modifications suitable for specific uses.

Claims

1. An energy management module for a fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, characterized in that: include: A control module (11), an electrical measurement module (12), a temperature measurement element (13), an anti-backflow module (14) and a DC-DC step-down converter (15); The fuel cell (2) and the lithium battery (3) are respectively connected to the electrical measurement module (12) first, and then connected to the anti-backflow module (14), and all outputs are finally connected in parallel, and at least one fuel cell (2) and one lithium battery (3) are provided; The input end of the DC-DC step-down converter (5) is connected to the parallel end of the fuel cell, and the output is connected to the lithium battery; The control module (11) receives measurement signals from the electrical measurement module (12) and the temperature measurement element (13), and outputs a control signal to the DC-DC step-down converter (15).

2. The energy management module of the fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control module (11) is equipped with a microcontroller, and the microcontroller has data processing and analysis functions, and is also capable of receiving input signals from the electrical measurement module (12) and the temperature measurement element (13), and outputting analog voltage signals, PWM signals or control signals for driving relays.

3. The energy management module of the fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical measurement module (12) comprises a voltage sensor and a current sensor.

4. The energy management module of the fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature measuring element (13) may be a thermistor or a thermocouple; the control module (11) dynamically adjusts the rotation speed of the fan after algorithm processing.

5. The energy management module of the fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anti-backflow module (14) adopts an ideal diode structure.

6. The energy management module of the fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The DC-DC step-down converter (15) can receive an external voltage signal to control the output voltage or output current.

7. The energy management module of the fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control module (11) is also provided with a communication module.

8. The energy management module of the fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control module (11) is connected to a cloud server or a remote monitoring system for communication, thereby realizing remote data collection and system status monitoring.

9. The energy management module of the fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: A self-check module is also provided, which can automatically take protective measures when system abnormality, overheating or overload is detected.

10. An energy management module for a fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The control module (11), the electrical measurement module (12), the temperature measurement element (13), the anti-backflow module (14) and the DC-DC step-down converter (15) are respectively assembled as discrete modules, or integrated into an integrated structure.

11. An active control method for an energy management module of a fuel cell hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, characterized in that: include: The working status of the fuel cell and the lithium battery and the load power demand are monitored in real time through an electrical measurement module (12) including a voltage sensor and a current sensor; The temperature of the fuel cell, the lithium battery, the energy management module and the environment is monitored in real time through the temperature measurement module (13); and the acquired electrical measurement signal and temperature measurement signal are transmitted to the control module (11); According to the measurement signal, the control module (11) calculates the optimal power distribution point using an algorithm and outputs a control signal to the DC-DC step-down converter (15); The DC-DC step-down converter (15) adjusts the output voltage or current according to the control signal to dynamically adjust the power distribution between the fuel cell and the lithium battery.

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