Fuel cell stack inspection device and method

Abstract

The invention provides a fuel cell stack inspection device and method, and the device comprises n cascaded collection modules, the collection modules are connected with a stack model, the first collection module and the nth collection module are connected with an isolation communication module, the isolation communication module is connected with an MCU unit, and the MCU unit is connected with a storage unit and a CAN interface; the DCDC converter is connected with the galvanic pile model and the MCU unit, the n isolated power supply units are connected with the DCDC converter, and the isolated power supply units are correspondingly connected with the acquisition module; and the upper computer is connected with the CAN interface. The variable voltage is obtained from the galvanic pile model through the DCDC converter, and voltage conversion is performed through wide-range input voltage DCDC to supply power to the acquisition module, so that the problem of power supply complexity of a high-voltage system is solved, the problem of wiring complexity is reduced, the problem that inspection data is stored in the storage unit and the problem that the data is difficult to trace is solved, and the inspection data is effectively utilized to obtain an inspection judgment result.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cell inspection, and particularly, to a fuel cell stack inspection device and method. Background Art

[0002] The health state of a fuel cell is mainly reflected in its single cell voltage. Adverse operating conditions such as over-drying, over-wetting, lack of gas, and mechanical damage and other factors will all cause changes in the single cell voltage of the fuel cell.

[0003] The change in the stack voltage is a result of long-term accumulation. Long-term recording of the change in the single cell voltage of the stack is beneficial to the later system design and also provides effective data for the stack production.

[0004] The data measured by an impedance analyzer can be used to estimate the parameters of the stack model, and further obtain important parameters such as ohmic impedance, polarization impedance, and double-layer capacitance effect. Using each parameter can comprehensively and accurately analyze the health state of the fuel cell. However, this method takes a long time and has a high cost, and it is difficult to be used for on-site analysis.

[0005] If the health state of the fuel cell is detected by real-time detection of adverse operations such as over-drying, over-wetting, and lack of gas, various sensors need to be added, resulting in increased complexity. For a multi-stack system or a high-voltage power supply system, if inspection work is required to know the health state of the fuel cell, a dedicated low voltage for power supply of the inspection board needs to be generated, resulting in complex wiring.

[0006] In view of this, the present invention provides a fuel cell stack inspection device and method. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies, a fuel cell stack inspection device and method are provided. The present invention mainly uses n acquisition modules to respectively obtain corresponding inspection data; the n acquisition modules sequentially transmit the corresponding inspection data to the MCU unit; the MCU unit transmits the inspection data to the storage unit; the host computer obtains the inspection data from the storage unit and obtains an inspection determination result according to the inspection data.

[0008] The technical means adopted by the present invention are as follows:

[0009] The present invention provides a fuel cell stack inspection device, including:

[0010] A stack model;

[0011] The stack inspection module includes n cascaded acquisition modules, where n is a positive integer. The acquisition module is connected to the stack model. The first acquisition module and the nth acquisition module are connected to the isolation communication module. The isolation communication module is connected to the MCU unit, and the MCU unit is connected to the storage unit and the CAN interface. The stack inspection module further includes a DCDC converter connected to the stack model and the MCU unit. n isolation power supply units are connected to the DCDC converter, and the isolation power supply units are correspondingly connected to the acquisition modules.

[0012] The host computer is connected to the CAN interface.

[0013] Further, the stack model includes n channel groups, and the maximum number of channels in the channel group is k, where k is a positive integer.

[0014] The maximum number of channels in the acquisition module is p, where p is a positive integer and p≥k.

[0015] Further, the MCU unit includes a WIFI communication sub-unit, and the WIFI communication sub-unit is wirelessly connected to the host computer.

[0016] On the other hand, the present invention provides a fuel cell stack inspection method, which is applied to the fuel cell stack inspection device described above, and includes:

[0017] The n acquisition modules respectively acquire corresponding inspection data.

[0018] The n acquisition modules sequentially transmit the corresponding inspection data to the MCU unit.

[0019] The MCU unit transmits the inspection data to the storage unit.

[0020] The host computer obtains the inspection data from the storage unit and obtains an inspection determination result according to the inspection data.

[0021] Further, the step that the n acquisition modules sequentially transmit the corresponding inspection data to the MCU unit includes:

[0022] At the 2t - 1 moment, where t is a positive integer, the first acquisition module to the nth acquisition module sequentially transmit the corresponding inspection data to the MCU unit.

[0023] At the 2t moment, the nth acquisition module to the first acquisition module sequentially transmit the corresponding inspection data to the MCU unit.

[0024] Further, the step that the host computer obtains the inspection data from the storage unit and obtains an inspection determination result according to the inspection data includes:

[0025] Judge whether there is a single cell with a single cell voltage lower than the lowest allowable voltage under the working condition according to the inspection data;

[0026] If not, determine that the stack model has no fault.

[0027] Further, if so, count the number of single cells with a single cell voltage lower than the lowest allowable voltage under the working condition, and store the number of the single cell, the stack number to which the single cell belongs, and the single cell voltage in the fault storage area;

[0028] When the number is greater than 0 and less than 1 / 3 of the threshold, determine that the stack model has a third-level fault and give an alarm;

[0029] When the number is greater than or equal to 1 / 3 of the threshold and less than the threshold, determine that the stack model has a second-level fault and give an alarm;

[0030] When the number is greater than or equal to the threshold, determine that the stack model has a first-level fault and give an alarm.

[0031] Further, the inspection data is stored in the storage unit in csv format.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0033] 1. The fuel cell stack inspection device and method provided by the present invention are connected with an MCU unit and n isolated power supply units through a DCDC converter. The isolated power supply units are correspondingly connected with the acquisition module. The variable voltage is obtained from the stack model, and the voltage is converted by a wide-range input voltage DCDC to supply power to the acquisition module, thereby solving the problem of complex power supply in a high-voltage system and reducing the complexity of wiring.

[0034] 2. The fuel cell stack inspection device and method provided by the present invention, the MCU unit includes a WIFI communication sub-unit, and the WIFI communication sub-unit is wirelessly connected to the upper computer, so that the upper computer can communicate with the MCU unit through the CAN interface or communicate with the MCU unit through the WIFI communication sub-unit, and the communication reliability is higher.

[0035] 3. The fuel cell stack inspection device and method provided by the present invention store the inspection data through the storage unit, solve the problem of difficult data traceability, and effectively utilize the inspection data to obtain the inspection judgment result. Description of the Drawings

[0036] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a fuel cell stack inspection device provided by the present invention.

[0038] Figure 2 It is a schematic flowchart of a fuel cell stack inspection method provided by the present invention.

[0039] Figure 3 It is a link diagram for the acquisition module to transmit data.

[0040] Figure 4 It is a flowchart for data reading and configuration.

[0041] Figure 5 It is a communication schematic diagram between the stack inspection module and the host computer.

[0042] In the figure: 1. Stack model; 2. Stack inspection module; 3. Acquisition module; 4. Isolated communication module; 5. MCU unit; 6. Storage unit; 7. CAN interface; 8. DCDC converter; 9. Isolated power supply unit; 10. WIFI communication sub-unit. Detailed implementation manners

[0043] It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. The following will refer to the drawings and combine the embodiments to detail the present invention.

[0044] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of them. The description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and in no way restrictive of the present invention and its application or use. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0045] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, they specify the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0046] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangements of components and steps, numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention. At the same time, it should be clear that, for the sake of convenience of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn in actual proportional relationships. Technologies, methods, and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such technologies, methods, and devices should be regarded as part of the authorized specification. In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be construed as merely exemplary and not as a limitation. Therefore, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that like reference numerals and letters denote like items in the following drawings, and thus, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not require further discussion in subsequent drawings.

[0047] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationships indicated by orientation words such as "front, rear, upper, lower, left, right", "lateral, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal", and "top, bottom" are generally based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. Without contrary description, these orientation words do not indicate and imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the protection scope of the present invention. The orientation words "inside, outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contour of each component itself.

[0048] For ease of description, spatial relative terms, such as "above", "over", "on the upper surface", "upper", etc., may be used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature shown in the figure with respect to other devices or features. It should be understood that the spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is inverted, a device described as "above" or "over" other devices or structures will then be positioned "below" or "beneath" the other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both orientations of "above" and "below". The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and corresponding interpretations of the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be made.

[0049] In addition, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to limit components is merely for the convenience of differentiating the corresponding components. Without further statement, the above terms have no special meaning, and thus should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0050] Combined with Figure 1 , Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a fuel cell stack inspection device provided by the present invention, to illustrate a specific embodiment of the fuel cell stack inspection device provided by the present invention, including:

[0051] Stack model 1;

[0052] The stack inspection module 2 includes n cascaded acquisition modules 3, where n is a positive integer. The acquisition module 3 is connected to the stack model 1. The first acquisition module and the nth acquisition module are connected to the isolation communication module 4. The isolation communication module 4 is connected to the MCU unit 5. The MCU unit 5 is connected to the storage unit 6 and the CAN interface 7. The stack inspection module 2 further includes a DCDC converter 8 connected to the stack model 1 and the MCU unit 5. n isolation power supply units 9 are connected to the DCDC converter 8, and the isolation power supply units 9 are correspondingly connected to the acquisition modules 3;

[0053] The host computer is connected to the CAN interface 7.

[0054] It can be understood that in Figure 1The host computer is not shown. The DCDC converter 8 is respectively connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the fuel cell stack model 1. The DCDC converter 8 obtains the voltage from the fuel cell stack model 1 and converts it, and supplies power to the acquisition module 3 through the isolated power supply unit 9, and supplies power to the storage unit 6 and the isolated communication module 4 through the MCU unit 5, thereby solving the problem of complex power supply of the high-voltage system and reducing the complexity of wiring. The n cascaded acquisition modules 3 use the G2401CE isolation network transformer for signal isolation communication. The MCU unit 5 uses a 32-bit MCU, and the CAN interface 7 supports CAN2.0B. Of course, this is not limited thereto, and this embodiment does not make specific limitations on this.

[0055] In some alternative embodiments, the fuel cell stack model 1 includes n channel groups, and the maximum number of channels in the channel group is k, where k is a positive integer.

[0056] The maximum number of channels of the acquisition module 3 is p, where p is a positive integer and p≥k.

[0057] In some alternative embodiments, continue to refer to Figure 1 , the MCU unit 5 includes a WIFI communication sub-unit 10, and the WIFI communication sub-unit 10 is wirelessly connected to the host computer, so that the host computer can communicate with the MCU unit 5 through the CAN interface 7 or communicate with the MCU unit 5 through the WIFI communication sub-unit 10, and the communication reliability is higher. The WIFI communication sub-unit 10 is connected to the host computer for TCP / UDP connection, and the maximum data transmission speed is 150 Mbps, so that the communication between the fuel cell stack inspection module 2 and the host computer is faster.

[0058] Based on the same inventive concept, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic flow chart of a fuel cell stack inspection method provided by the present invention, to illustrate a fuel cell stack inspection method provided by the present invention, which is applied to the fuel cell stack inspection device in any one of the above embodiments, and includes:

[0059] The n acquisition modules respectively obtain corresponding inspection data.

[0060] The n acquisition modules sequentially transmit the corresponding inspection data to the MCU unit.

[0061] The MCU unit transmits the inspection data to the storage unit.

[0062] The host computer obtains the inspection data from the storage unit and obtains an inspection determination result according to the inspection data.

[0063] It can be understood that the host computer can communicate with the MCU unit through the CAN interface, or can also communicate with the MCU unit through the WIFI communication sub-unit. Using wireless communication, the data transmission rate is fast and communication wires can be saved. The host computer obtains the inspection data stored in the storage unit through wireless communication, and can also set the configuration data of the acquisition module, such as the total voltage range. Of course, this is not limited to this. When the host computer sets the configuration data of the acquisition module through wireless communication, the host computer transmits the configuration data to the corresponding acquisition module step by step according to the preset order of n acquisition modules. The storage unit stores the inspection data, solves the problem of difficult data traceability, and effectively uses the inspection data to obtain the inspection judgment result.

[0064] In some alternative embodiments, referring to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 3 is a link diagram for transmitting data to the acquisition module, Figure 4 is a flowchart for data reading and configuration, Figure 5 is a communication schematic diagram between the stack inspection module and the host computer. The n acquisition modules sequentially transmit the corresponding inspection data to the MCU unit, including:

[0065] At the 2t - 1 moment, where t is a positive integer, the corresponding inspection data is sequentially transmitted from the 1st acquisition module to the nth acquisition module to the MCU unit;

[0066] At the 2t moment, the corresponding inspection data is sequentially transmitted from the nth acquisition module to the 1st acquisition module to the MCU unit.

[0067] It can be understood that in Figure 3Among them, the model of the acquisition module is LTC6806, and the model of the MCU unit is ESP32. Of course, it is not limited to this. Before the inspection data of the acquisition module is transmitted to the MCU unit, the isolation communication module processes the inspection data and sends it to the MCU unit after converting it into a format that the MCU unit can receive. Transmitting the corresponding inspection data from the first acquisition module to the nth acquisition module to the MCU unit in sequence is in the positive order, that is, the first acquisition module transmits the inspection data to the second acquisition module, the second acquisition module transmits the inspection data to the third acquisition module,..., the n - 1th acquisition module transmits the inspection data to the nth acquisition module, and the nth acquisition module transmits the inspection data to the isolation communication module. Transmitting the corresponding inspection data from the nth acquisition module to the first acquisition module to the MCU unit in sequence is in the reverse order, that is, the nth acquisition module transmits the inspection data to the n - 1th acquisition module,..., the second acquisition module transmits the inspection data to the first acquisition module, and the first acquisition module transmits the inspection data to the isolation communication module. The positive order and the reverse order are alternated, which will not reduce the data acquisition speed, but can improve the success rate of data acquisition when a group of acquisition modules in the daisy chain fails and the entire link data is interrupted, increasing the reliability.

[0068] In some alternative implementations, with continued reference to Figure 2 , the host computer obtains the inspection data from the storage unit and obtains the inspection determination result based on the inspection data, including:

[0069] Determine whether there is a single cell with a single cell voltage lower than the minimum allowable voltage under the working condition according to the inspection data;

[0070] If not, it is determined that the stack model has no fault.

[0071] If there is, count the number of single cells with a single cell voltage lower than the minimum allowable voltage under the working condition, and store the serial number of the single cell, the serial number of the stack to which the single cell belongs, and the single cell voltage in the fault storage area;

[0072] When the number is greater than 0 and less than 1 / 3 of the threshold, it is determined that the stack model has a third-level fault and an alarm is issued;

[0073] When the number is greater than or equal to 1 / 3 of the threshold and less than the threshold, it is determined that the stack model has a second-level fault and an alarm is issued;

[0074] When the number is greater than or equal to the threshold, it is determined that the stack model has a first-level fault and an alarm is issued.

[0075] It can be understood that in Figure 2 , Vmin - Th is the minimum allowable voltage under the working condition, Nvmin is the number, and Nvmin_Th is the threshold. The state of the single cell voltage can be known by using the inspection data, so as to obtain the health status of the fuel cell and find out its location.

[0076] In some alternative embodiments, the inspection data is stored in the storage unit in csv format.

[0077] It can be understood that if the storage unit is an SD card and the inspection data is set to be stored in csv format, in addition to obtaining the inspection data stored in the storage unit through WIFI communication, it can also be read offline using a card reader.

[0078] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell stack inspection device, characterized in that, it includes: a stack model; a stack inspection module, including n cascaded acquisition modules, where n is a positive integer. The acquisition module is connected to the stack model. The first acquisition module and the nth acquisition module are connected to an isolation communication module. The isolation communication module is connected to an MCU unit, and the MCU unit is connected to a storage unit and a CAN interface. The stack inspection module also includes a DCDC converter connected to the stack model and the MCU unit. n isolation power supply units are connected to the DCDC converter, and the isolation power supply unit is correspondingly connected to the acquisition module; a host computer, connected to the CAN interface.

2. The fuel cell stack inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the stack model includes n channel groups, and the maximum number of channels in the channel group is k, where k is a positive integer; the maximum number of channels in the acquisition module is p, where p is a positive integer and p≥k.

3. The fuel cell stack inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the MCU unit includes a WIFI communication sub-unit, and the WIFI communication sub-unit is wirelessly connected to the host computer.

4. A fuel cell stack inspection method, characterized in that, applied to the fuel cell stack inspection device according to any one of claims 1-3, including: n of the acquisition modules respectively obtain corresponding inspection data; n of the acquisition modules sequentially transmit the corresponding inspection data to the MCU unit; the MCU unit transmits the inspection data to the storage unit; the host computer obtains the inspection data from the storage unit and obtains an inspection determination result according to the inspection data.

5. The fuel cell stack inspection method according to claim 4, characterized in that, the n acquisition modules sequentially transmit the corresponding inspection data to the MCU unit, including: at the 2t-1 moment, where t is a positive integer, the first acquisition module to the nth acquisition module sequentially transmit the corresponding inspection data to the MCU unit; at the 2t moment, the nth acquisition module to the first acquisition module sequentially transmit the corresponding inspection data to the MCU unit.

6. The fuel cell stack inspection method according to claim 4, characterized in that, the host computer obtains the inspection data from the storage unit and obtains an inspection determination result according to the inspection data, including: judging whether there is a single cell with a single cell voltage lower than the lowest allowable voltage under the working condition according to the inspection data; if not, it is determined that the stack model has no fault.

7. The fuel cell stack inspection method according to claim 6, characterized in that, if so, count the number of single cells with a single cell voltage lower than the lowest allowable voltage under the working condition, and store the number of the single cell, the stack number to which the single cell belongs, and the single cell voltage in the fault storage area; when the number is greater than 0 and less than 1 / 3 of the threshold, it is determined that the stack model has a third-level fault and an alarm is issued; When the quantity is greater than or equal to 1 / 3 of the threshold value and less than the threshold value, it is determined that the stack model has a secondary fault and an alarm is issued; When the quantity is greater than or equal to the threshold value, it is determined that the stack model has a primary fault and an alarm is issued.

8. The fuel cell stack inspection method according to claim 4, characterized in that the inspection data is stored in the storage unit in csv format.

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