Method and device for determining power distribution, controller, vehicle and product

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a method and device for determining power distribution, a controller, a vehicle and a computer program product. The method includes obtaining a temperature constraint and a power constraint for cooling a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system includes a fan and a pump. The method further includes determining a plurality of power distributions for the fan and the pump based on the temperature constraint and the power constraint. The method also includes determining a plurality of performance corresponding to the plurality of power allocations. The method further includes selecting a power allocation from a plurality of power allocations based on the plurality of performance. In this manner, the use of various thermal system loads can be optimized, and system efficiency and performance can be improved taking into account the setpoints of stack inlet and outlet temperatures.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to the field of fuel cells, and in particular to methods, apparatus, controllers, vehicles, and computer program products for determining power distribution. Background Technology

[0002] A fuel cell system typically includes a fuel cell stack, a hydrogen tank, a converter, and other equipment. It generates electricity through the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen fuel with a catalyst to power vehicles. Fuel cell systems are characterized by high thermal efficiency, low pollution, and long service life.

[0003] Typically, the high-pressure (HV) loads used in the thermal system of a fuel cell system during normal operation include HV pumps and HV fans, which play a crucial role in the overall operation of the fuel cell stack. Fuel cell stack operation involves electrochemical processes within the stack, generating electrical energy from a fuel source (usually hydrogen) and oxygen from the air. Additionally, at low-pressure levels, three-way valves and radiators are commonly used. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In general, the various example embodiments of this disclosure provide technical solutions for determining power allocation.

[0005] In a first aspect, a method for determining power allocation is provided. The method includes obtaining temperature constraints and power constraints for cooling a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system includes a fan and a pump. The method further includes determining multiple power allocations for the fan and pump based on the temperature constraints and power constraints. The method also includes determining multiple performance characteristics corresponding to the multiple power allocations. Finally, the method includes selecting a power allocation from the multiple power allocations based on the multiple performance characteristics.

[0006] In a second aspect, an apparatus for determining power allocation is provided. The apparatus includes an acquisition module configured to acquire temperature constraints and power constraints for cooling a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system includes a fan and a pump. The apparatus also includes a first determining module configured to determine multiple power allocations for the fan and pump based on the temperature and power constraints. The apparatus further includes a second determining module configured to determine multiple performance characteristics corresponding to the multiple power allocations. The apparatus also includes a selection module configured to select a power allocation from the multiple power allocations based on the multiple performance characteristics.

[0007] In a third aspect, a controller is provided. The controller includes a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to perform the method according to the first aspect.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a controller as described in the third aspect.

[0009] In a fifth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method described in the first aspect.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes instructions stored therein, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method according to the first aspect.

[0011] It should be understood that this summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein will become more readily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, several exemplary embodiments disclosed herein will be described by way of example and non-limitation, wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 The illustration shows a schematic diagram of an example fuel cell system that can implement various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 2 Another schematic diagram illustrates an example fuel cell system that can implement various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 3 The illustration shows an example diagram of a simplified fuel cell system including a load according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 4 The illustration shows an example block diagram of controlling the cooling of a fuel cell system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 5 The illustration shows a flowchart of an example method for determining power allocation according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 6 The illustration shows a block diagram of an example apparatus for determining power allocation according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0019] Figure 7 A block diagram of a controller according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0020] In all the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The principles of this disclosure will now be described with reference to several exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Although exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the described embodiments are merely intended to assist those skilled in the art in better understanding and implementing this disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure in any way.

[0022] The terms “comprising” or “including” and variations thereof should be understood as open-ended terms meaning “including, but not limited to”. Unless the context explicitly states otherwise, the term “or” should be understood as “and / or”. The term “based on” should be understood as “at least partially based on”. The term “operable to” means that a function, action, movement, or state can be achieved through operation induced by a user or external mechanism. The terms “one embodiment” and “embodiment” should be understood as “at least one embodiment”. The term “another embodiment” should be understood as “at least one other embodiment”. The terms “first,” “second,” etc., can refer to different or the same objects. Other definitions, whether explicit or implicit, may be included below. Unless the context explicitly states otherwise, the definitions of terms are consistent throughout the description.

[0023] In one embodiment, the functionality or algorithm described herein may be implemented in software. The software may consist of computer-executable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium or computer-readable storage device (e.g., one or more non-transient memory or other types of hardware-based storage devices, whether local or networked). Furthermore, this functionality corresponds to a module, which may be software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. Multiple functions may be performed in one or more modules as needed; the described embodiments are merely exemplary. The software may execute on a digital signal processor, ASIC, microprocessor, or other type of processor running on a computer system (e.g., a personal computer, server, or other computer system), thereby turning such a computer system into a specially programmed machine.

[0024] Functions can be configured to perform operations using, for example, software, hardware, firmware, etc. For example, the phrase "configured to" can refer to the logical circuit structure of a hardware element used to implement an associated function. The phrase "configured to" can also refer to the logical circuit structure of a hardware element in a coded design used to implement an associated function of firmware or software. The term "module" refers to a structural element that can be implemented using any suitable hardware (e.g., a processor, etc.), software (e.g., an application, etc.), firmware, or any combination of hardware, software, and firmware. The term "logic" encompasses any function used to perform a task. For example, each operation shown in a flowchart corresponds to the logic used to perform that operation. Operations can be performed using software, hardware, firmware, etc. The terms "component," "system," etc., can refer to computer-related entities, hardware, and executing software, firmware, or combinations thereof. A component can be a process, object, executable file, program, function, subroutine, computer, or a combination of software and hardware running on a processor. The term "processor" can refer to a hardware component, such as the processing unit of a computer system.

[0025] As used herein, the term "a" (or "an") is defined as one or more. Furthermore, the use of introductory phrases such as "at least one" and "one or more" in claims should not be construed as implying that another claim element introduced by the indefinite article "a" (or "an") limits any particular claim containing such an introduced claim element to disclosure containing only one such element, even if the same claim includes the introductory phrase "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article such as "a" or "an". The same applies to the use of definite articles.

[0026] Furthermore, the claimed subject matter can be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture, using standard programming and engineering techniques to generate software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof to control a computing device to implement the disclosed subject matter. Computer-readable storage media can include, but is not limited to, magnetic storage devices such as hard disks, floppy disks, magnetic tapes, optical discs, compact discs (CDs), digital versatile optical discs (DVDs), smart cards, flash memory devices, etc. Conversely, computer-readable media (i.e., non-storage media) may additionally include communication media, such as transmission media for wireless signals.

[0027] As mentioned above, HV pumps and HV fans are crucial actuators that support the cooling of fuel cell stacks. Specifically, the input power of the HV pumps and HV fans can be controlled to cool the stack inlet and outlet temperatures of the fuel cell system. In conventional approaches, the primary objective is to satisfy the temperature setpoints at the stack inlet and outlet temperatures, and to consider optimal load utilization in advance by comparing all possible combinations and finding one that results in a high computational load for the fuel cell control unit (FCCU) (e.g., multi-objective approaches). Typically, conventional methods include model-based controllers, internal model control (IMC) strategies, proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers, or Gaussian process models.

[0028] Based on the requirements of fuel cell stacks, controlling the stack inlet temperature has the highest priority compared to the target difference between the stack inlet and stack outlet temperatures. Furthermore, given the increasing use of various thermal configurations and the growing number of actuators in fuel cell systems, proper optimization of load utilization is crucial.

[0029] Therefore, if the objective is limited to controlling the temperature at the fuel cell stack inlet, the stack outlet temperature may also increase (though not by a significant margin). In this case, additional degrees of freedom can be utilized to optimize load control using two or more HV actuators in a more robust manner. Thus, in fuel cell systems, optimizing the use of various thermal system loads is crucial for achieving improved system efficiency and performance, taking setpoint considerations into account.

[0030] Therefore, an optimized method for determining the power distribution between pumps and fans is needed. To overcome the limitations of traditional control methods, this technical solution is proposed to integrate a maximization strategy to identify the optimal partitioning requests for different actuators. By implementing the proposed solution, the power distribution between loads (e.g., pumps and fans) can be optimized to minimize energy consumption and maintain target temperatures while considering cost factors. This allows for the optimization of the use of various thermal system loads and improves system efficiency and performance by taking into account the fuel cell inlet and outlet temperature setpoints.

[0031] Figure 1 The illustration shows a schematic diagram of an example fuel cell system 100 that may implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. The example fuel cell system 100 is merely illustrative and is not intended to imply any limitation on the scope or functionality of the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein.

[0032] like Figure 1As shown, the example fuel cell system 100 may include a fuel cell stack 101. The fuel cell stack 101 may include an anode 102, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 103, and a cathode 104. In the fuel cell stack 101, hydrogen in the anode 102 and oxygen in the cathode 104 can undergo an electrochemical reaction at the MEA 103 to generate electrical energy, which is then used to power a load via a DC / DC converter 105. In the fuel cell stack 101, a potential difference is generated between the anode 102 and the cathode 104 during the electrochemical reaction; this potential difference is the output voltage of the fuel cell stack 101. In embodiments of this disclosure, the fuel cell system 100 may include multiple subsystems, such as a hydrogen system (which can provide hydrogen), a cathode system (which can provide humid air), a thermal system (which can control the temperature of the stack), and an electrical system (which can obtain current from the stack).

[0033] In some example embodiments, the fuel cell system 100 may include a hydrogen injector 106, a water separator 107, a hydrogen circulation pump 108, a drain valve 109, an exhaust valve 110, and a tail exhaust valve 113. The hydrogen injector 106 supplies hydrogen from the hydrogen storage system to the anode 102 of the fuel cell stack 101, and the hydrogen injector 106 controls the pressure and flow rate of the hydrogen. The water separator 107 separates the liquid water discharged from the anode 102. The hydrogen circulation pump 108 circulates unreacted hydrogen from the outlet of the anode 102 to the inlet of the anode 102. The drain valve 109 discharges the liquid water separated by the water separator 107. The exhaust valve 110 discharges impurity gases (such as nitrogen) when the proportion of impurity gases in the anode 102 becomes high. Both the liquid water discharged by the drain valve 109 and the gas discharged by the exhaust valve 110 can be discharged from the fuel cell system through the tail exhaust valve 113.

[0034] Water separator 107 separates liquid water discharged from anode 102. Hydrogen circulation pump 108 promotes the recirculation of unconsumed hydrogen within anode 102 and guides it from the anode outlet back to its inlet. Drain valve 109 functions to discharge the liquid water separated by water separator 107. Exhaust valve 110 discharges impurity gases (such as nitrogen) when the concentration in anode 102 becomes high. The liquid water discharged by drain valve 109 and the gas discharged by exhaust valve 110 can then be discharged from fuel cell system 100 through tail exhaust valve 113. Fuel cell system 100 may also include air compressor 111 and back pressure valve 112. Air compressor 111 is used to pressurize air to supply air to cathode 104 of fuel cell stack 120. Back pressure valve 112 is used to regulate the gas pressure within cathode 104 and discharge post-reaction exhaust gases (mainly nitrogen) from cathode 104. The gas discharged from the back pressure valve 112 can be discharged from the fuel cell system through the tail exhaust valve 113.

[0035] It should be understood that the fuel cell system 100 is merely an example of an embodiment of this disclosure and does not limit the technical solutions provided by this disclosure. The fuel cell system 100 may also include more or fewer components. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system 100 may further include a coolant circuit. In some embodiments, shut-off valves may be provided at the air inlet and outlet of the anode 102. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system 100 may include an intercooler for cooling air and a humidifier for humidifying air. It should also be understood that the fuel cell system can be applied to various scenarios and can be configured as a power source or auxiliary power source in various devices, including but not limited to vehicles, yachts, aerospace equipment, underwater propulsion equipment, etc.

[0036] The opening, operation, and closing of the components in the fuel cell system 100 can be controlled by a controller 113, which may be, for example, an FCCU. The controller 113 may include a fan reduction unit 114 for reducing the fan speed to control the fan used for the fuel cell, and a pressure control unit 115 for activating a pressure control mode to control the pressure for the fuel cell.

[0037] Typically, during the startup phase of a fuel cell system 100, operation focuses primarily on maintaining the stack inlet and outlet temperatures using a bypass loop. This involves activating the HV pump and the three-way valve in the closed position. As the temperature rises, the thermal system transitions to a radiator path, where a fan is activated to provide additional cooling. The pump and fan can serve two distinct purposes. Therefore, two different objectives (stack inlet temperature and stack outlet temperature) can be considered when performing load optimization.

[0038] refer to Figure 2 The illustration shows another schematic diagram of an example fuel cell system 200, in which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The fuel cell system 200 may be a more specific schematic diagram of the fuel cell system 100.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the fuel cell system 200 may include a fuel cell stack 216. The fuel cell stack 216 may include multiple fuel cell units connected in series or parallel to meet specific voltage and power requirements. For example, each fuel cell unit may consist of an anode (fuel electrode), a cathode (oxidant electrode), and an electrolyte (e.g., a proton exchange membrane) located between the two electrodes.

[0040] In some embodiments, the fuel cell system 200 may further include a high-pressure water pump 218 for performing various functions, such as cooling system circulation, fuel circulation, or providing pressure to a hydraulic system. The fuel cell system 200 may also include a three-way valve 220 for controlling the flow direction of a coolant or working fluid (e.g., hydrogen, oxygen, water, etc.) to maintain the system's temperature and pressure within a desired operating range. The three-way valve 220 can adjust the fluid flow direction via different paths as needed by the system, thereby enabling precise control of the fuel cell temperature and other operating conditions.

[0041] In some embodiments, the fuel cell system 200 may further include a radiator 222, which conducts heat generated by the fuel cell to the air via a coolant circulation system to ensure that the fuel cell stack 216 does not overheat. This prevents performance degradation or damage to the fuel cell system. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system 200 may further include a fan 224, which increases airflow and improves the heat dissipation efficiency of the radiator 222, enabling the fuel cell system 200 to cool down more quickly.

[0042] For example, in embodiments of this disclosure, the fuel cell system 200 can select the airflow and air pressure of the fan 224 based on factors such as the usage scenario and heat dissipation requirements to ensure sufficient cooling effect. For instance, the fuel cell system 200 can monitor the temperature of the fuel cell stack and the heat sink using temperature sensors and automatically adjust the fan speed according to temperature changes. In some exemplary embodiments, the fuel cell system 200 can also adjust the fan speed according to the load requirements of the fuel cell to optimize the responsiveness and efficiency of the cooling system.

[0043] refer to Figure 3 The illustration shows an example diagram of a simplified fuel cell system 300 including a load according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 As shown, the loads considered in this disclosure are pump 314, fan 318, and three-way valve 320. Pump 314 is an HV cooling pump. Fan 318 is an HV cooling fan. In some example embodiments, the number of fans connected may vary depending on the rated power of the fuel cell stack. Three-way valve 320 may be used to open and / or close the flow to the radiator path, or by default, once the fuel cell stack heats up and exceeds a threshold, the flow is redirected to a bypass path, and then the radiator path is selected.

[0044] The fuel cell stack 302 may include stack terminals 304, stack anodes 306, stack cathodes 308, and stack cooling connections 310. Stack cooling connections 310 may be connected to a particulate filter 312 and a three-way valve 320. Particulate filter 312 may be connected to a pump 314 and a leveling tank 316. Leveling tank 316 may be connected to a fan 318. Three-way valve 320 may also be connected to fan 318.

[0045] FCCU 322 can receive temperature constraints 324 and power constraints 326 from the user, or receive preset temperature constraints 324 and power constraints 326 from a storage device. FCCU 322 can also receive information about the load (such as fan 318 and pump 314) and determine the optimal power allocation for fan 318 and pump 314.

[0046] refer to Figure 4 The diagram illustrates an example block diagram 400 for controlling the cooling of a fuel cell system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In block diagram 400 (also referred to as system 400), one or more signals from a set of signals (450, 452, 454, 456) can be transmitted to block 460. Block 460 is designed as a virtual module intended to implement the methods proposed in this disclosure. Specifically, signal 450 carries actual current and voltage information for the HV fan and HV pump. Signal 452 defines the speed range of the HV pump, including its minimum and maximum speed limits. Correspondingly, signal 454 also sets minimum and maximum speed limits for the HV fan. Finally, signal 456 comprehensively reflects the total load or total power of the HV pump and HV fan system.

[0047] Therefore, at box 458, system 400 can calculate the minimum and maximum power or load values ​​of the HV pump and HV fan. Further, based on this total load or total power data, the system can derive the required equidistant load values ​​and corresponding current values ​​for all efficiency tables (or graphs). Specifically, the system can set equidistant load points evenly distributed between the minimum and maximum load values, for example, by executing a loop containing 100 iterations. To calculate the total current load, the system can sum the power consumption of the HV fan and HV pump.

[0048] In box 462, system 400 initiates an iterative loop process that evaluates the efficiency performance of the HV pump and HV fan at each of 100 preset operating points. By analyzing these efficiency points, system 400 can identify which combination of operating points achieves the highest overall efficiency under a given load condition. Specifically, for each operating point in the loop, the system calculates the efficiency values ​​of the HV pump and HV fan separately and sums these two values ​​to obtain the overall efficiency (i.e., overall performance) for that operating point. Finally, by comprehensively comparing the overall efficiency values ​​across all operating points, the system can determine the optimal operating point configuration.

[0049] At box 464, system 400 generates and determines the efficiency diagram of fan 1. Subsequently, in box 466, the efficiency diagram of fan 2 is also plotted. Then, in box 468, the efficiency diagram of the pump is similarly determined. At this time, signal 424 carries the actual temperature data of the fuel cell inlet and outlet, while signal 422 reflects the reference temperature information of the fuel cell inlet and outlet. These signals are input to box 426 for further calculation and processing using a proportional-integral (PI) controller.

[0050] The task of block 426 is to calculate the deviation between the actual temperatures at the fuel cell inlet and outlet and the desired temperatures set by the IMC controller (i.e., the setpoint temperature). Based on these deviations, system 400 derives corresponding weights or cost factors. This cost factor plays a crucial role in the decision-making process, helping the system determine whether to continue operating using the method proposed in this disclosure (e.g., introducing an optimal operating point) or switch to using a conventional IMC controller. Specifically, if the calculated deviation is large, the system determines that the method proposed in this disclosure is no longer applicable under the current conditions and disables it accordingly. At block 470, system 400 can identify and determine the maximum efficiency point achievable under the current load conditions. Subsequently, in block 472, this optimal power allocation request is sent to cost function deviation processing block 412 for further evaluation.

[0051] Within the IMC (Internal Model Control) framework, components including the pre-controller 418, controller 414, cost function deviation processing block 412, and observer 416 work collaboratively. The setpoint values ​​420 at the fuel cell stack inlet and outlet are transmitted to the pre-controller 418. The pre-controller 418 incorporates an accurate model of the controlled system (such as the fuel cell stack, pump, etc.), which forms the basis for planning the control trajectory. By utilizing this model, the pre-controller can plan the path of control actions, ensuring the gradual implementation of control commands, thereby effectively avoiding any sudden input changes that might cause system instability or oscillations, and guaranteeing the stable operation of the system.

[0052] Next, the desired setpoints are transmitted to controller 414. Controller 414 takes into account the error deviation between the actual system and the model output, and this deviation information is subsequently adjusted and corrected in pre-controller 418. Simultaneously, these desired setpoints are also sent to cost function deviation processing box 412 for further evaluation and decision-making.

[0053] In addition, the error deviation is also sent to observer 416. Observer 416 is a component that can deeply analyze the dynamic characteristics of the system. It pays special attention to key parameters such as the rate of change of the system response and the rate of change of the stack temperature to ensure accurate monitoring and prediction of the system state.

[0054] Cost function deviation processing box 412 is responsible for determining the requested values ​​for multiple system components, including HV fan 402, HV pump 404, three-way valve 406, water jet 408, and radiator 410. Subsequently, the actual operating values ​​of these system components (HV fan 402, HV pump 404, three-way valve 406, water jet 408, and radiator 410) are fed back to observer 416 for further analysis and monitoring.

[0055] refer to Figure 5 The illustration shows a flowchart of an example method 500 for determining power allocation according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Typically, method 500 can be a maximization algorithm that optimizes power allocation among loads (HV pumps, HV fans, etc.) to minimize energy consumption and maintain a target temperature by incorporating cost factors. In this context, the goal is to reduce the energy consumed by the HV loads. For example, suppose the initial energy consumption of the HV pump is 1200 watts and the energy consumption of the HV fan is 600 watts. The aim is to find a control strategy that minimizes these energy values ​​as much as possible while still satisfying the desired stack temperature setpoint.

[0056] Method 500 can maintain the required temperature setpoint to avoid degrading fuel cell performance. It should be understood that controllers (such as FCCUs and vehicle control units, VCUs) can execute Method 500. The following description will use the FCCU as an example.

[0057] At point 502, the FCCU obtains temperature and power constraints for cooling the fuel cell system, which includes a fan and pump. Temperature constraints, often referred to as global constraints, set a series of acceptable ranges or threshold standards for the stack inlet and outlet temperatures. For example, these constraints include: the stack inlet temperature must be maintained above a certain fixed value (e.g., 60°C) to ensure normal system operation; simultaneously, the stack outlet temperature should not exceed another set fixed upper limit; furthermore, to maintain system stability and efficiency, the temperature difference between the stack inlet and outlet can be limited to a certain range (e.g., not exceeding 15°C). Regarding error deviation, it also needs to meet certain threshold requirements, such as its absolute value being less than 10°C, to ensure the accuracy of system control.

[0058] Power constraints, also known as local constraints, can include the maximum and minimum loads that HV pumps and HV fans can withstand during operation, or their maximum and minimum power output. These upper and lower limits of load and power are usually defined based on the equipment's design specifications and performance data, taking into account factors such as the motor power ratings provided by the manufacturer, efficiency curves, and any other relevant performance indicators, thereby defining the operating limits and capability ranges of each component.

[0059] By implementing such power constraints, it can be ensured that the power distribution between the HV pump and HV fan remains within a preset reasonable range, preventing either from operating under overload. For example, the system will adjust according to actual conditions to ensure that the power demand on the HV pump and HV fan does not exceed their respective maximum carrying capacity. Furthermore, the FCCU can construct and optimize the cost function based on these constraints, with objectives such as minimizing energy consumption under system load, thereby achieving a more efficient and economical operating strategy.

[0060] At point 504, the FCCU determines multiple power allocations for the fan and HV pump based on temperature and power constraints. For example, the total current load can be calculated by adding the power consumption of the HV fan and the HV pump. If the load of the HV fan is 1500W and the load of the HV pump is 2500W, then the total load is 1500W + 2500W = 4000W.

[0061] In some exemplary implementations, the FCCU can calculate a series of operating points for the HV pump (high-pressure pump) based on its minimum and maximum power output capabilities. These operating points can represent the amount of hydrogen and oxygen required to generate a specific amount of electricity under different stack operating conditions.

[0062] For example, if the minimum power of an HV pump is set to 300W, while the maximum power can reach 4300W, then its power adjustment range is the difference between the two, i.e., 4300W - 300W = 4000W. To manage this power range more precisely, the FCCU can choose to divide it into a certain number of operating points to achieve even power distribution. Assuming the FCCU selects 200 operating points as the dividing benchmark, then this 4000W power range will be equally divided into power increments of 20W for each operating point (i.e., 4000W / 200 = 20W). It should be noted that these 200 operating points are merely an example value; in actual applications, they can be adjusted according to specific needs and do not constitute a limitation.

[0063] In some example implementations, starting with a minimum power of 300W for the HV pump, and gradually increasing by 20W, two hundred different operating points can be generated. This process is achieved by continuously adjusting the power distribution between the HV pump and the HV fan. Taking the initial step as an example, for the first operating point, the HV pump is allocated 300W of power, while the HV fan may receive an initial value (assuming a total power of 4300W, the HV fan may be allocated 4000W, but the specific value here is adjusted according to the total system power).

[0064] The second step then begins, where the power of the HV pump increases to 320W (i.e., 300W + 20W), while the power of the HV fan decreases by 20W to 3980W to maintain the balance of the total system power. This process continues in subsequent steps, such as the third and fourth, with the power of the HV pump increasing by 20W in each iteration, while the power of the HV fan decreases by the same amount to maintain a constant total power or adjust it according to a specific strategy.

[0065] This iterative process continues until step 200 (or until the predetermined total number of operating points is reached), thereby determining a series of power allocation schemes for the HV pump and HV fan. These two hundred operating points represent different combinations of power levels that can be operated within their respective power ranges. By setting these operating points, the system can ensure that the total load is optimally distributed between the HV pump and HV fan, thereby improving the overall system efficiency and performance.

[0066] At point 506, the FCCU determines multiple performance parameters corresponding to various power allocations. For example, the FCCU can evaluate the efficiency characteristics of the HV pump and HV fan at different operating points. For each of the previously defined 200 operating points, the FCCU can analyze the efficiency of both at that point. In this process, the FCCU calculates the efficiency values ​​of the HV pump and HV fan separately at each operating point and sums these values ​​to obtain the total efficiency (or overall performance) at that operating point. In this way, the FCCU can comprehensively evaluate the impact of different power allocations on the overall system efficiency.

[0067] After calculating the efficiency at all operating points and summing the total efficiency, the FCCU initiates a comparison mechanism to identify the combination of operating points that achieves the highest total efficiency under a given load condition. This combination of operating points with the highest total efficiency can be determined by comparing the total efficiency values ​​at all operating points. Ultimately, the FCCU selects the combination of operating points that achieves the highest total efficiency of the system as the optimal solution. In some example embodiments, performance data shared by the manufacturer will mention the efficiency values ​​for the HV pump and HV fan at different operating points. Typically, efficiency = output power / input power.

[0068] For example, for an HV fan, the output power can be determined using the following performance data, and the efficiency of the HV fan can be further calculated. These performance data include: airflow rate (m³ / s). 3 / s), pressure difference (Pa or N / m) 3 The output power of an HV fan can be expressed as the product of airflow rate and pressure difference, along with its rotational speed (rpm), power (kW), and efficiency (%).

[0069] For HV pumps, the output power can be determined using the following performance data, and the efficiency of the HV fan can be further calculated. These performance data include: flow rate (m³ / s). 3 / s), pressure head (m), fluid density (kg / m³) 3 ), gravitational acceleration (9.81 m / s²) 2 The output power of an HV pump can be expressed as the product of four physical quantities: flow rate, pressure head, fluid density, and gravitational acceleration.

[0070] At 508, the FCCU can select a power allocation from multiple power allocations based on several performance factors. For example, the FCCU can select the power allocation with the highest overall efficiency. In some example embodiments, the FCCU can utilize the optimal operating point obtained in block 506 and incorporate it into the IMC control strategy.

[0071] In some example embodiments, the optimal operating point calculated using a cost function can be integrated into an IMC (Internal Model Control) strategy. This strategy dynamically adjusts the setpoints of the HV pump and HV fan to further optimize their operational performance. Strict adherence to temperature constraints is crucial in this process, particularly ensuring that the stack temperature remains within a preset acceptable range.

[0072] It is worth noting that when the deviation during optimization is significant, leading to a substantial increase in the cost of employing optimization techniques, Method 500 can be automatically disabled. In this case, the system will rely solely on the IMC controller to maintain operation and meet basic requirements. Furthermore, if a temperature deviation is detected to exceed a preset threshold, Method 500 will selectively override the speed value recommended by the cost function and set it to zero. This decision means that under abnormal temperature conditions, the system will operate entirely using the IMC control strategy, with the goal of rapidly and effectively adjusting the stack temperature back to the desired range.

[0073] By combining the cost function with the IMC control strategy and taking temperature constraints into account, a balance between optimizing energy consumption and efficiency can be achieved while ensuring that the stack temperature remains within acceptable limits. Energy consumption can be optimized and system efficiency improved by continuously monitoring deviations and adjusting the operating points of the HV pump and HV fan based on the optimal operating point, while still maintaining the desired stack temperature.

[0074] By implementing embodiments of method 500, power distribution among loads (e.g., HV pumps and HV fans) can be optimized to minimize energy consumption and maintain target temperatures while taking cost factors into account. This allows for optimization of the use of various thermal system loads and enables improved system efficiency and performance that takes into account temperature setpoints at the stack inlet and outlet.

[0075] refer to Figure 6 The illustration shows a block diagram of an example apparatus 600 for determining power allocation according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparatus 600 includes an acquisition module 602 configured to acquire temperature constraints and power constraints for cooling a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system includes a fan and a pump. Apparatus 600 also includes a first determination module 604 configured to determine multiple power allocations for the fan and pump based on the temperature and power constraints. Apparatus 600 also includes a second determination module 606 configured to determine multiple performance characteristics corresponding to the multiple power allocations. Apparatus 600 also includes a selection module 608 configured to select a power allocation from the multiple power allocations based on the multiple performance characteristics.

[0076] In some embodiments, temperature constraints may include at least one of the following: a temperature range at the fuel cell stack inlet; a temperature range at the fuel cell stack outlet; a temperature range for the temperature difference between the fuel cell stack outlet and the fuel cell stack inlet; a temperature threshold at the fuel cell stack inlet; a temperature threshold at the fuel cell stack outlet; or a temperature threshold for the temperature difference between the fuel cell stack outlet and the fuel cell stack inlet.

[0077] In some embodiments, the power constraint may include at least one of the following: maximum fan load; maximum fan power; minimum fan load; minimum fan power; maximum pump load; maximum pump power; minimum pump load; or minimum pump power.

[0078] In some embodiments, the first determining module 604 may further include a first module configured to acquire the number of operating points for determining the plurality of power allocations; determine the power gap between two adjacent steps based on the number of operating points, the maximum power of the pump, and the minimum power of the pump; and determine the plurality of power allocations associated with the plurality of steps based on the power gap and the maximum power of the pump.

[0079] In some embodiments, the second determining module 606 may further include a second module configured to, for each operating point, determine the output power of the fan and the output power of the pump based on the corresponding power allocation among a plurality of power allocations; determine the performance for the fan based on the output power of the fan and the input power of the fan; determine the performance for the pump based on the output power of the pump and the input power of the pump; and determine the total performance at each operating point by summing the performance for the fan and the performance for the pump.

[0080] In some embodiments, the selection module 608 may further include a third module configured to select the power allocation with the highest performance from a plurality of power allocations as the selected power allocation.

[0081] In some embodiments, the fan is a high-pressure (HV) fan and the pump is an HV pump. In some example embodiments, the device 600 may also include a fourth module configured to send the selected power distribution to the fuel cell control unit (FCCU) of the fuel cell system; and to acquire multiple parameter values ​​for controlling the operating performance of the fan and pump.

[0082] In some embodiments, the apparatus 600 may further include a fourth module configured to: determine a first actual temperature at the fuel cell stack inlet; determine a second actual temperature at the fuel cell stack outlet; determine a first difference between the first actual temperature and a predetermined desired temperature at the fuel cell stack inlet from the FCCU; determine a second difference between the second actual temperature and a predetermined desired temperature at the fuel cell stack outlet from the FCCU; determine, based on at least one of the first or second difference, whether to apply a selected power allocation to control the cooling of the fuel cell system; and, in response to determining that the selected power allocation should not be applied, notify the FCCU not to use the selected power allocation to determine multiple parameter values ​​for controlling the operating performance of the HV fan and HV pump.

[0083] In some embodiments, the operating performance of an HV pump is associated with the flow rate, pressure head, fluid density, gravitational acceleration, and input power for the HV pump. In some embodiments, the operating performance of an HV fan is associated with the airflow rate, pressure differential, and input power for the HV fan.

[0084] By implementing Figure 6 Similarly, in example embodiments, the use of various thermal system loads can be optimized, and improved system efficiency and performance can be achieved by taking into account the setpoints of the stack inlet and outlet temperatures.

[0085] refer to Figure 7 The diagram illustrates a block diagram of a controller 700 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the controller 700 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 701, which can perform various appropriate actions and processes based on computer program instructions stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 702 or loaded from a storage unit into a random access memory (RAM) 703. The RAM 703 also stores various programs and data required to operate the controller 700. The CPU 701, ROM 702, and RAM 703 are interconnected via a bus 704, and an input / output (I / O) interface 705 is also connected to the bus 704.

[0086] Each of the above processes and procedures, such as method 500, can be executed by processing unit 701. For example, in some embodiments, method 500 can be implemented as a computer software program tangibly contained in a computer-readable medium, such as a storage unit. In some embodiments, the computer-readable medium is a non-transient computer-readable medium. In some embodiments, the computer program can be partially or wholly loaded and / or installed into controller 700 via ROM 702 and / or communication unit. When the computer program is loaded into RAM 703 and executed by CPU 701, one or more steps of method 500 described above are implemented. Alternatively, in other embodiments, CPU 701 can also be configured in any suitable manner to implement the above processes / methods.

[0087] This disclosure may be a method, apparatus, system, and / or computer program product. A computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions loaded thereon for performing various aspects of this disclosure.

[0088] Computer-readable storage media can be tangible devices capable of retaining and storing instructions for use by an instruction execution apparatus. Computer-readable storage media can be, for example, but not limited to, electronic storage devices, magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, electromagnetic storage devices, semiconductor storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples (not an exhaustive list) of computer-readable storage media include: portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), static random access memory (SRAM), portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile optical disc (DVD), memory sticks, floppy disks, mechanical encoding devices (e.g., punched cards or raised structures in recesses where instructions are recorded), and any suitable combination thereof. The computer-readable storage media used herein should not be construed as transient signals themselves, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through waveguides or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses through fiber optic cables), or electrical signals transmitted through wires.

[0089] The computer-readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to a suitable computing / processing device, or downloaded via a network (e.g., the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, and / or a wireless network) to an external computer or external storage device. The network may include copper cables, optical fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and / or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives the computer-readable program instructions from the network and forwards them to a computer-readable storage medium within the suitable computing / processing device.

[0090] Computer-readable program instructions used to perform the operations of this disclosure may be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, status setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer-readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer, partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter case, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet provided by an Internet service provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry, including, for example, a programmable logic circuit (PLC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a programmable logic array (PLA), may be personalized using the status information of the computer-readable program instructions to execute the computer-readable program instructions, thereby implementing various aspects of this disclosure.

[0091] This document describes aspects of the present disclosure with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that each block in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.

[0092] These computer-readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or one or more block diagrams. These computer-readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can instruct a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, and / or other apparatus to operate in a particular manner, such that the computer-readable storage medium in which the instructions are stored includes an article of manufacture comprising instructions for implementing aspects of the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0093] Computer-readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device, thereby producing a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions executed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device implement the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0094] Flowcharts and block diagrams illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of this disclosure. In this regard, each box in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or code portion, including one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions indicated in the boxes may be implemented in a different order than that shown in the figures. For example, two consecutively displayed boxes may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or sometimes the boxes may be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each box in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of boxes in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, may be implemented by a dedicated hardware system performing the specified function or action, or by a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0095] Furthermore, although the operations are shown in a specific order, they should not be construed as requiring these operations to be performed in the specific order or sequence shown, or requiring all the shown operations to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, while several specific implementation details are included in the foregoing discussion, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure, but rather as a description of the features of particular embodiments. Certain features described in the context of different embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments.

[0096] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the units and algorithm steps can be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0097] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the detailed working process of the above-described systems, devices, and units can be referred to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0098] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the described apparatus embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division of units is merely a logical functional division, and may be other divisions in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or certain features may be omitted or not performed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be implemented through some interface. Indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be implemented in an electronic, mechanical, or other form.

[0099] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units. They may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected to achieve the purpose of the technical solution of the embodiment according to actual needs.

[0100] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0101] When a function is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions in this application, essentially or in parts or portions that contribute to the prior art, can be implemented in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disks, optical discs, and any medium capable of storing program code.

[0102] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any variations or substitutions that are readily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method (500) for determining power allocation, comprising: (502) Obtain (324) temperature constraints (326) and power constraints (326) for cooling a fuel cell system (300), wherein the fuel cell system (300) includes a fan (318) and a pump (314); Based on the temperature constraint (324) and the power constraint (326), multiple power allocations for the fan (318) and the pump (314) are determined (504); Determine (506) multiple performance characteristics corresponding to the multiple power allocations; as well as Based on the multiple performance parameters, a power allocation is selected (508) from the multiple power allocations.

2. The method (500) according to claim 1, wherein the temperature constraint (324) comprises at least one of the following: Temperature range at the fuel cell stack inlet; Temperature range at the fuel cell stack outlet; The temperature range of the temperature difference between the fuel cell stack outlet and the fuel cell stack inlet; The temperature threshold at the inlet of the fuel cell stack; The temperature threshold at the outlet of the fuel cell stack; or The temperature threshold for the temperature difference between the fuel cell stack outlet and the fuel cell stack inlet.

3. The method (500) according to claim 1, wherein the power constraint (326) comprises at least one of the following: The maximum load of the fan (318); The maximum power of the fan (318); The minimum load of the fan (318); The minimum power of the fan (318); The maximum load of the pump (314); The maximum power of the pump (314); The minimum load of the pump (314); or The minimum power of the pump (314).

4. The method (500) according to claim 3, wherein determining (504) the plurality of power allocations for the fan (318) and the pump (314) based on the temperature constraint (324) and the power constraint (326) comprises: Obtain the number of operating points used to determine the plurality of power allocations; Based on the number of operation points, the maximum power of the pump (314), and the minimum power of the pump (314), the power gap between two adjacent steps is determined; as well as Based on the power gap and the maximum power of the pump (314), the plurality of power allocations associated with the plurality of steps are determined.

5. The method (500) of claim 1, wherein determining (506) the plurality of performances corresponding to the plurality of power allocations includes: For each operating point, the output power of the fan (318) and the output power of the pump (314) are determined based on the corresponding power allocation among the plurality of power allocations; Based on the output power and input power of the fan (318), the performance of the fan is determined; Based on the output power and input power of the pump (314), the performance of the pump (314) is determined; as well as The sum of the performance for the fan (314) and the performance for the pump (314) is determined as the total performance at each operating point.

6. The method (500) of claim 1, wherein selecting (508) a power distribution from the plurality of power allocations based on the plurality of performances comprises: The power allocation with the highest performance is selected from the plurality of power allocations as the selected power allocation.

7. The method (500) according to claim 1, wherein the fan (318) is a high-pressure HV fan, the pump (314) is an HV pump, and the method further comprises: The selected power allocation is sent to the fuel cell control unit (FCCU) (322) of the fuel cell system (300); as well as Obtain multiple parameter values ​​for controlling the operational performance of the fan (318) and the pump (314).

8. The method (500) according to claim 7, further comprising: Determine the first actual temperature at the fuel cell stack inlet; Determine the second actual temperature at the fuel cell stack outlet; Determine a first difference between the first actual temperature and a predetermined desired temperature from the fuel cell stack inlet of the FCCU (322); Determine a second difference between the second actual temperature and the predetermined desired temperature from the fuel cell stack outlet of the FCCU (322); Based on at least one of the first difference or the second difference, determine whether to apply the selected power distribution to control the cooling of the fuel cell system; as well as In response to determining that the selected power allocation is not to be applied, the FCCU (322) is not notified not to use the selected power allocation to determine the plurality of parameter values ​​for controlling the operating performance of the HV fan and the HV pump.

9. The method (500) of claim 8, wherein the operating performance of the HV pump is associated with the flow rate, pressure head, fluid density, gravitational acceleration, and input power for the HV pump.

10. The method (500) of claim 8, wherein the operating performance of the HV fan is associated with the airflow rate, pressure difference, and input power for the HV fan.

11. A device (600) for determining power distribution, comprising: The acquisition module (602) is configured to acquire temperature constraints and power constraints for cooling a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system includes a fan and a pump; The first determining module (604) is configured to determine multiple power allocations for the fan and the pump based on the temperature constraint and the power constraint; The second determining module (606) is configured to determine a plurality of performance corresponding to the plurality of power allocations; as well as The selection module (608) is configured to select a power allocation from the plurality of power allocations based on the plurality of performance characteristics.

12. A controller (700), comprising: processor; as well as A memory coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-10.

13. A vehicle comprising the controller according to claim 12.

14. A computer program product containing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-10.

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