Fuel cell system

The control device in the fuel cell system balances loads across auxiliary devices by switching operating modes, enhancing system efficiency and reducing operational imbalances.

JP2026092469APending Publication Date: 2026-06-05TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
Filing Date
2024-11-26
Publication Date
2026-06-05

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing fuel cell systems do not consider equalizing the loads of multiple auxiliary machines, leading to imbalanced operation and potential inefficiencies.

Method used

A control device that selectively switches between first and second operating modes to adjust the operating ranges and opportunities of auxiliary devices, such as valves and compressors, to equalize the loads by reducing the load on one device while increasing it on another.

Benefits of technology

The solution effectively balances the loads across auxiliary devices, improving system efficiency and reducing operational imbalances.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

This technology provides a way to equalize the loads of multiple auxiliary devices. [Solution] The fuel cell system comprises one or more flow paths, a plurality of auxiliary components, and a control device that controls the operation of the plurality of auxiliary components and can selectively execute a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The plurality of auxiliary components include a first auxiliary component and a second auxiliary component. In the first operating mode, the operating range or operating opportunity set for the first auxiliary component is smaller than the operating range or operating opportunity set for the first auxiliary component in the second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the operating range or operating opportunity set for the second auxiliary component is larger than the operating range or operating opportunity set for the second auxiliary component in the second operating mode. The control device is configured to execute the first operating mode when the first cumulative operating amount of the first auxiliary component is less than or equal to a first predetermined amount, and to execute the second operating mode when the first cumulative operating amount exceeds a first predetermined amount.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a fuel cell system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel cell system including one or more flow paths through which a fluid used in the fuel cell system flows, a plurality of auxiliary machines provided in the one or more flow paths, and a control device that controls the operation of the plurality of auxiliary machines.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the fuel cell system of Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to equalizing the loads of a plurality of auxiliary machines.

[0005] This specification provides a technology capable of equalizing the loads of a plurality of auxiliary machines.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In a first aspect of this technology, the fuel cell system may include one or more flow paths through which a fluid used in the fuel cell system flows, a plurality of auxiliary devices provided in the one or more flow paths, and a control device that controls the operation of the plurality of auxiliary devices and can selectively execute a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The plurality of auxiliary devices may include a first auxiliary device and a second auxiliary device. The operating range or operating opportunity set for the first auxiliary device in the first operating mode may be smaller than the operating range or operating opportunity set for the first auxiliary device in the second operating mode. The operating range or operating opportunity set for the second auxiliary device in the first operating mode may be larger than the operating range or operating opportunity set for the second auxiliary device in the second operating mode. The control device may be configured to execute the first operating mode when the first cumulative operating amount of the first auxiliary device is less than or equal to a first predetermined amount, and to execute the second operating mode when the first cumulative operating amount exceeds a first predetermined amount.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the control device executes a second operating mode when the first cumulative operating amount exceeds a first predetermined amount. By increasing the operating range or operating opportunity set for the second auxiliary device in the second operating mode, the operating range or operating opportunity set for the first auxiliary device in the second operating mode can be reduced. Therefore, by executing the second operating mode, the load on the first auxiliary device can be reduced, and the load on the second auxiliary device can be increased. Consequently, the loads on multiple auxiliary devices can be equalized.

[0008] Here, "leveling" means that the difference between the load of the first auxiliary device and the load of the second auxiliary device can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the control device operates only in the first operating mode.

[0009] In a second embodiment, the fuel cell system in the first embodiment may further include an air compressor and a fuel cell stack. The one or more passages may include a supply passage for supplying air from the air compressor to the fuel cell stack, a discharge passage for recovering the reaction air discharged from the fuel cell stack, and a bypass passage connecting a first position in the supply passage and a second position in the discharge passage. The first auxiliary device may be a first control valve located upstream of the second position in the discharge passage, and the second auxiliary device may be a second control valve provided in the bypass passage.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the load on the first control valve and the load on the second control valve can be equalized.

[0011] In a third embodiment, in the second embodiment, the control device may be configured to execute the second operating mode when the first cumulative operating amount exceeds the first predetermined amount and the second cumulative operating amount of the second auxiliary device is less than or equal to the second predetermined amount, and to execute the first operating mode when the first cumulative operating amount exceeds the first predetermined amount and the second cumulative operating amount exceeds the second predetermined amount.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the control device can return to the first operating mode at an appropriate timing.

[0013] In a fourth embodiment, in either the second or third embodiment, the plurality of auxiliary devices may include a third control valve located downstream of the first position in the supply flow path. The operating range set for the third control valve in the first operating mode may be smaller than the operating range set for the third control valve in the second operating mode.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the loads of the first control valve, the second control valve, and the third control valve can be equalized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of the fuel cell system 2 according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the information in memory 100. [Figure 3] A flowchart of the operation mode determination process performed by the control device 10. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] (Examples) As shown in Figure 1, the fuel cell system 2 comprises a fuel cell stack 4, an air supply system 6 that supplies air as an oxidizer gas, a hydrogen circulation system 8 that supplies hydrogen gas as a fuel gas, and a control device 10. Although not shown, the fuel cell system 2 further includes a water-cooled cooling system for cooling the fuel cell stack 4. The fuel cell system 2 may also be equipped with an air-cooled cooling system instead of a water-cooled cooling system. The fuel cell stack 4 generates electricity by reacting oxygen contained in the air supplied from the air supply system 6 with hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen circulation system 8. The application of the fuel cell system 2 is not particularly limited. For example, the fuel cell system 2 may be a mobile fuel cell system mounted on a moving object such as a vehicle or ship, or it may be a stationary fuel cell system used in a stationary power generation facility.

[0017] The air supply system 6 includes an air compressor 20 and an air passage 22. The air compressor 20 supplies oxygen-containing air to the fuel cell stack 4. The air passage 22 includes an air supply passage 24, an air discharge passage 26, and a bypass passage 28.

[0018] The air supply passage 24 supplies air from the air compressor 20 to the fuel cell stack 4. The upstream end of the air supply passage 24 is connected to the air compressor 20, and the downstream end of the air supply passage 24 is connected to the fuel cell stack 4. The air supply passage 24 is provided with a check valve 30, a first pressure sensor 32, and an inlet valve 34. The check valve 30 is provided upstream of the first pressure sensor 32. The first pressure sensor 32 is provided between the check valve 30 and the inlet valve 34. The inlet valve 34 opens and closes the flow passage in the air supply passage 24.

[0019] The air discharge passage 26 recovers the air after reaction discharged from the fuel cell stack 4. The upstream end of the air discharge passage 26 is connected to the fuel cell stack 4, and the downstream end of the air discharge passage 26 is connected to the location where the air and water after reaction are discharged. The air discharge passage 26 is provided with a pressure regulating valve 36.

[0020] The bypass passage 28 connects the air supply passage 24 and the air discharge passage 26. The bypass passage 28 connects the first position 24A of the air supply passage 24 and the second position 26A of the air discharge passage 26. The first position 24A is the position between the first pressure sensor 32 and the inlet valve 34. The second position 26A is the position downstream of the pressure regulating valve 36. The bypass passage 28 is provided with a flow dividing valve 38.

[0021] The hydrogen circulation system 8 includes a fuel tank 50, a hydrogen flow passage 52, an injector 54, a linear solenoid valve (LSV) 56, an ejector 58, and a gas-liquid separator 60. The fuel tank 50 stores hydrogen gas as fuel gas.

[0022] The hydrogen flow path 52 includes a hydrogen supply flow path 70, a hydrogen discharge flow path 72, a circulation flow path 74, and an exhaust and drainage flow path 76. The hydrogen supply flow path 70 connects the fuel tank 50 and the fuel cell stack 4. The hydrogen discharge flow path 72 connects the fuel cell stack 4 and the gas-liquid separator 60. The hydrogen discharge flow path 72 is a flow path for discharging the water generated in the fuel cell stack 4 and the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 4. Hereinafter, the exhaust gas will be referred to as "fuel off-gas". The circulation flow path 74 connects the gas-liquid separator 60 and the ejector 58. The circulation flow path 74 supplies the fuel off-gas to the ejector 58. The exhaust and drainage flow path 76 connects the gas-liquid separator 60 and the air discharge flow path 26.

[0023] The hydrogen supply flow path 70 includes a first supply flow path 80, a second supply flow path 82 branched from the first supply flow path 80, and a third supply flow path 84. The first supply flow path 80 and the second supply flow path 82 connect the fuel tank 50 and the ejector 58. An injector 54 and a second pressure sensor 90 are provided in the first supply flow path 80. The injector 54 is provided between the branch portion of the second supply flow path 82 and the ejector 58. The second pressure sensor 90 is provided between the branch portion of the second supply flow path 82 and the fuel tank 50. The second pressure sensor 90 detects the pressure in the flow path upstream of the injector 54 and the LSV 56. The downstream end of the second supply flow path 82 is connected to the ejector 58. An LSV 56 is provided in the second supply flow path 82. The third supply flow path 84 connects the ejector 58 and the fuel cell stack 4. A third pressure sensor 92 is provided in the third supply flow path 84. The third pressure sensor 92 detects the pressure in the flow path downstream of the ejector 58. The injector 54 and the LSV 56 adjust the supply flow rate of hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack 4. The structures of the injector 54 and the LSV 56 are not particularly limited, and known injector and LSV structures can be adopted. The ejector 58 sucks the fuel off-gas from the circulation flow path 74.

[0024] The gas-liquid separator 60 is connected to the downstream end of the hydrogen discharge channel 72, the upstream end of the circulation channel 74, and the upstream end of the exhaust drain channel 76. An exhaust drain valve 94 is provided in the exhaust drain channel 76.

[0025] The control device 10 is configured as a computer equipped with a processor and memory 100 such as RAM or ROM. As shown in Figure 2, the memory 100 stores a program 102, a cumulative operation amount 110 for the pressure regulating valve, a cumulative operation amount 112 for the flow diversion valve, a pressure regulating valve threshold 120, a flow diversion valve threshold 122, a first operation table 130, and a second operation table 132.

[0026] The control device 10 controls the operation of each part of the fuel cell system 2 according to the program 102. The control device 10 is connected to the first pressure sensor 32, the second pressure sensor 90, and the third pressure sensor 92. The control device 10 uses information obtained from each sensor 32, 90, 92, etc., to determine the target air flow rate, target air pressure, and target hydrogen flow rate to be supplied to the fuel cell stack 4. The control device 10 controls the operation of the injector 54 and ejector 58 so that the pressure of the air supplied to the fuel cell stack 4 becomes the target air pressure and the amount of air supplied to the fuel cell stack 4 becomes the target amount of air. The control device 10 is configured to selectively execute a first operating mode and a second operating mode as modes for controlling the operation of the inlet valve 34, pressure regulating valve 36, and flow diversion valve 38. The control device 10 also controls the operation of the air compressor 20, inlet valve 34, pressure regulating valve 36, and flow diversion valve 38 so that the hydrogen flow rate supplied to the fuel cell stack 4 becomes the target hydrogen flow rate.

[0027] The cumulative operation amount 110 for the pressure regulating valve, the cumulative operation amount 112 for the flow diversion valve, the pressure regulating valve threshold 120, and the flow diversion valve threshold 122 are information used in the operation mode determination process (see Figure 3) described later. The cumulative operation amount 110 for the pressure regulating valve is a value that indicates the cumulative operation amount of the pressure regulating valve 36. Specifically, the cumulative operation amount 110 for the pressure regulating valve indicates the cumulative value of the opening degree to which the pressure regulating valve 36 has operated. The cumulative operation amount 112 for the flow diversion valve is a value that indicates the cumulative operation amount of the flow diversion valve 38. Specifically, the cumulative operation amount 112 for the flow diversion valve indicates the cumulative value of the opening degree to which the flow diversion valve 38 has operated. The pressure regulating valve threshold 120 and the flow diversion valve threshold 122 are thresholds for switching the operation mode. For example, the pressure regulating valve threshold 120 is a value obtained by multiplying the upper limit operation amount of the pressure regulating valve 36 by "0.7". The upper limit operation amount of the pressure regulating valve 36 is determined by durability tests, etc. For example, the flow diversion valve threshold 122 is the value obtained by multiplying the upper limit of the flow diversion valve 38 by "0.7". The upper limit of the flow diversion valve 38 is determined by durability tests, etc.

[0028] The first operation table 130 and the second operation table 132 correspond to the first and second operation modes, respectively. The first and second operation tables 130 and 132 are tables that show the operation details of the inlet valve 34, the pressure regulating valve 36, and the flow diversion valve 38. The operation details are the operating ranges of the inlet valve 34, the pressure regulating valve 36, and the flow diversion valve 38. The first and second operation tables 130 and 132 have settings for the opening degree of each valve in the low-load, medium-load, and high-load regions. The low-load region is the region where the required power generation is relatively small. The high-load region is the region where the required power generation is relatively large. The medium-load region is the region between the low-load and high-load regions.

[0029] First, let's explain the contents of the first operation table 130. The opening degrees for the low-load, medium-load, and high-load regions of the inlet valve 34 are set to "10°", "75°", and "75°", respectively. The opening degrees for the low-load, medium-load, and high-load regions of the pressure regulating valve 36 are set to "10°", "75°", and "25°", respectively. The opening degrees for the low-load, medium-load, and high-load regions of the flow divider valve 38 are set to "10°", "10°", and "10°", respectively. Thus, in the first operation table 130, the operating range of the pressure regulating valve 36 is larger than the operating range of the flow divider valve 38. On the other hand, the operating range of the pressure regulating valve 36 and the operating range of the inlet valve 34 are the same. However, the operating frequency of the pressure regulating valve 36 is higher than the operating frequency of the flow divider valve 38.

[0030] Next, the contents of the second operation table 132 will be explained. The opening degrees of the inlet valve 34 in the low load, medium load, and high load regions are set to "75°", "75°", and "75°", respectively. The opening degrees of the pressure regulating valve 36 in the low load, medium load, and high load regions are set to "75°", "75°", and "25°", respectively. The opening degrees of the flow diversion valve 38 in the low load, medium load, and high load regions are set to "75°", "10°", and "10°", respectively. Thus, in the second operation table 132, the operating range of the flow diversion valve 38 is larger than the operating range of the pressure regulating valve 36. Also, the operating range of the pressure regulating valve 36 is larger than the operating range of the inlet valve 34.

[0031] The characteristics of the first operation table 130 and the second operation table 132 can be summarized as follows: The operating range set for the pressure regulating valve 36 in the first operation table 130 is smaller than the operating range set for the pressure regulating valve 36 in the second operation table 132. Also, the operating range set for the flow divider valve 38 in the first operation table 130 is larger than the operating range set for the flow divider valve 38 in the second operation table 132 mode. Furthermore, the operating range set for the inlet valve 34 in the first operation table 130 is larger than the operating range set for the inlet valve 34 in the second operation table 132.

[0032] (Operating mode determination process; Figure 3) Referring to Figure 3, the operation mode determination process performed by the control device 10 of the fuel cell system 2 will be described.

[0033] In S10, the control device 10 decides to operate in the first operating mode. That is, the control device 10 decides to control the operation of the inlet valve 34, the pressure regulating valve 36, and the flow diversion valve 38 using the first operation table 130 in the memory 100. When S10 ends, the control device 10 proceeds to S20.

[0034] In S20, the control device 10 monitors whether the cumulative pressure regulating valve operation amount 110 in memory 100 exceeds the pressure regulating valve threshold 120 in memory 100. If the cumulative pressure regulating valve operation amount 110 exceeds the pressure regulating valve threshold 120, the control device 10 determines YES in S20 and proceeds to S22.

[0035] In S22, the control device 10 decides to operate in the second operating mode. That is, the control device 10 decides to control the operation of the inlet valve 34, the pressure regulating valve 36, and the flow diversion valve 38 using the second operation table 132 in the memory 100. When S22 ends, the control device 10 proceeds to S30. That is, the control device 10 operates in the first operating mode until the cumulative operation amount 110 of the pressure regulating valve exceeds the pressure regulating valve threshold 120.

[0036] In S30, the control device 10 monitors whether the cumulative operation amount 112 of the diversion valve in the memory 100 exceeds the diversion valve threshold 122 in the memory 100. If the cumulative operation amount 112 of the diversion valve exceeds the diversion valve threshold 122, the control device 10 determines YES in S30 and proceeds to S32.

[0037] In S32, the control device 10 decides to operate in the first operating mode. When S32 ends, the control device 10 terminates the process shown in Figure 3. If the control device 10 has terminated the process shown in Figure 3, it will operate in the first operating mode until the power to the fuel cell system 2 is turned off. That is, the control device 10 operates in the second operating mode from the time the cumulative operation amount 110 of the pressure regulating valve exceeds the pressure regulating valve threshold 120 until the cumulative operation amount 112 of the flow diversion valve exceeds the flow diversion valve threshold 122. Then, after the cumulative operation amount 110 of the pressure regulating valve exceeds the pressure regulating valve threshold 120 and the cumulative operation amount 112 of the flow diversion valve exceeds the flow diversion valve threshold 122, the control device 10 operates in the first operating mode.

[0038] In the following, the inlet valve 34, pressure regulating valve 36, and flow divider valve 38 may be referred to as "multiple auxiliary devices."

[0039] As described above, the fuel cell system 2 includes an air passage 22 through which air used in the fuel cell system 2 flows, a plurality of auxiliary devices provided in the air passage 22, and a control device 10 that controls the operation of the plurality of auxiliary devices and can selectively execute a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The plurality of auxiliary devices include a pressure regulating valve 36 (an example of a "first auxiliary device") and a flow divider valve 38 (an example of a "second auxiliary device"). The operating range set for the pressure regulating valve 36 in the first operating mode is smaller than the operating range set for the pressure regulating valve 36 in the second operating mode. The operating range set for the flow divider valve 38 in the first operating mode is larger than the amount of operation set for the flow divider valve 38 in the second operating mode. The control device 10 is configured to execute a first operating mode (S10) when the cumulative operating amount of the pressure regulating valve 110 (an example of the "first cumulative operating amount") is less than or equal to the pressure regulating valve threshold 120 (an example of the "first predetermined amount") (NO in S20 of Figure 3), and to execute a second operating mode (S22) when the cumulative operating amount of the pressure regulating valve 110 exceeds the pressure regulating valve threshold 120 (YES in S20).

[0040] According to the above configuration, the control device 10 executes a second operating mode when the cumulative operating amount 110 of the pressure regulating valve exceeds the pressure regulating valve threshold 120. By increasing the operating range set for the flow diversion valve 38 in the second operating mode, the operating range set for the pressure regulating valve 36 in the second operating mode can be decreased. Therefore, by executing the second operating mode, the load on the pressure regulating valve 36 can be reduced, while the load on the flow diversion valve 38 can be increased. Consequently, the loads of multiple auxiliary devices can be leveled.

[0041] In this embodiment in particular, the load on the pressure regulating valve 36 in the first operating mode is greater than the load on the flow divider valve 38 in the first operating mode. On the other hand, the load on the pressure regulating valve 36 in the second operating mode is less than the load on the flow divider valve 38 in the second operating mode. Therefore, the loads on the pressure regulating valve 36 and the flow divider valve 38 can be equalized.

[0042] The fuel cell system 2 further includes an air compressor 20 and a fuel cell stack 4. The air passage 22 includes an air supply passage 24 (an example of a "supply passage") that supplies air from the air compressor 20 to the fuel cell stack 4, an air discharge passage 26 (an example of a "discharge passage") that recovers the reaction air discharged from the fuel cell stack 4, and a bypass passage 28 that connects the first position 24A of the air supply passage 24 and the second position 26A of the air discharge passage 26. A pressure regulating valve 36 (an example of a "first control valve") is located upstream of the second position 26A in the air discharge passage 26, and a flow divider valve 38 (an example of a "second control valve") is provided in the bypass passage 28.

[0043] According to the above configuration, the load on the pressure regulating valve 36 and the load on the flow diversion valve 38 can be equalized.

[0044] Furthermore, the control device 10 is configured to execute a second operating mode (S22) when the cumulative operating amount 110 of the pressure regulating valve exceeds the pressure regulating valve threshold 120 and the cumulative operating amount 112 of the diversion valve 38 (an example of the "second cumulative operating amount") is less than or equal to the diversion valve threshold 122 (an example of the "second predetermined amount") (NO in S30), and to execute a first operating mode (S32) when the cumulative operating amount 110 of the pressure regulating valve exceeds the pressure regulating valve threshold 120 and the cumulative operating amount 112 of the diversion valve exceeds the diversion valve threshold 122 (YES in S30).

[0045] According to the above configuration, the control device 10 can return to the first operating mode at an appropriate timing.

[0046] Furthermore, the auxiliary equipment includes an inlet valve 34 (an example of a "third control valve") located downstream of the first position 24A in the air supply passage 24. The operating range set for the inlet valve 34 in the first operating mode is greater than the operating range set for the inlet valve 34 in the second operating mode.

[0047] According to the above configuration, the load on the flow divider valve 38 and the load on the inlet valve 34 can be equalized.

[0048] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technologies described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above.

[0049] (First Modified Example) In the above embodiment, the control device 10 changes the operating range of the inlet valve 34, the pressure regulating valve 36, and the flow diversion valve 38 in the first and second operating modes. In the modified example, the control device 10 may change the operating frequency of the injector 54 and the LSV 56 in the first and second operating modes. In this modified example, the memory 100 of the control device 10 stores the cumulative operation amount of the injector, the cumulative operation amount of the LSV, the injector threshold, and the LSV threshold. The cumulative operation amount of the injector is a value that indicates the cumulative operation amount of the injector 54 (e.g., the number of operations). The cumulative operation amount of the LSV is a value that indicates the cumulative operation amount of the LSV 56 (e.g., the number of operations). As an example, the injector threshold and the LSV threshold are values ​​obtained by multiplying the upper limit operation amount of the injector 54 by "0.7" and the upper limit operation amount of the LSV 56 by "0.7", respectively. The upper limits of the injector 54 and the LSV 56 are determined by durability tests and other means.

[0050] The control device 10 operates the injector 54 in the low-load region of the first operating mode, and operates the LSV 56 in the medium-load and high-load regions of the first operating mode. It is assumed that the fuel cell system 2 operates in the low-load region more frequently than it operates in the medium-load and high-load regions. In this case, the injector 54 operates more frequently than the LSV 56 operates. That is, in the first operating mode, the load on the injector 54 is greater than the load on the LSV 56.

[0051] Therefore, in this modified example, the control device 10 operates the injector 54 and LSV 56 in the low-load region of the second operating mode, and operates the LSV 56 in the medium-load and high-load regions of the second operating mode. By operating the injector 54 and LSV 56 in the low-load region, the frequency of operation of the injector 54 in the low-load region can be reduced compared to a configuration in which only the injector 54 operates in the low-load region. Furthermore, by operating the LSV 56 in the low-load, medium-load, and high-load regions, the frequency of operation of the LSV 56 can be increased. With this configuration, the load on the injector 54 and the load on the LSV 56 can be equalized.

[0052] In this modified example, hydrogen gas is an example of a "fluid." The hydrogen flow path 52 is an example of "one or more flow paths." The injector 54 and LSV 56 are examples of "multiple auxiliary devices." The injector 54 and LSV 56 are examples of "first auxiliary device" and "second auxiliary device," respectively.

[0053] In another modified example, the control device 10 may change the operation of the inlet valve 34, pressure regulating valve 36, flow diversion valve 38, injector 54, and LSV 56 in the first and second operating modes.

[0054] (Second Modification) Steps S30 and S32 in Figure 3 can be omitted. In this modification, the control device 10 operates in the first operating mode after YES is determined in S20.

[0055] (Third modified example) The operation of the inlet valve 34 in the first operating mode and the second operating mode may be the same.

[0056] Furthermore, the technical elements described herein or in the drawings demonstrate technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies illustrated herein or in the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives itself constitutes technical usefulness. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 2: Fuel cell system, 4: Fuel cell stack, 6: Air supply system, 8: Hydrogen circulation system, 10: Control device, 20: Air compressor, 22: Air passage, 24: Air supply passage, 24A: First position, 26: Air discharge passage, 26A: Second position, 28: Bypass passage, 30: Check valve, 32: First pressure sensor, 34: Inlet valve, 36: Pressure regulating valve, 38: Flow diversion valve, 50: Fuel tank, 52: Hydrogen passage, 54: Injector, 56: LSV, 58: Ejector 60: Gas-liquid separator, 70: Hydrogen supply channel, 72: Hydrogen discharge channel, 74: Circulation channel, 76: Exhaust drain channel, 80: First supply channel, 82: Second supply channel, 84: Third supply channel, 90: Second pressure sensor, 92: Third pressure sensor, 94: Exhaust drain valve, 100: Memory, 102: Program, 110: Cumulative operation amount of pressure regulating valve, 112: Cumulative operation amount of flow diversion valve, 120: Pressure regulating valve threshold, 122: Flow diversion valve threshold, 130: First operation table, 132: Second operation table

Claims

1. A fuel cell system, One or more flow channels through which the fluid used in the fuel cell system flows, Multiple auxiliary devices provided in the one or more flow paths, The system includes a control device that controls the operation of the aforementioned multiple auxiliary devices and is capable of selectively executing a first operating mode and a second operating mode, The aforementioned plurality of auxiliary devices include a first auxiliary device and a second auxiliary device, In the first operating mode, the operating range or operating opportunity set for the first auxiliary device is smaller than the operating range or operating opportunity set for the first auxiliary device in the second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the operating range or operating opportunity set for the second auxiliary device is greater than the operating range or operating opportunity set for the second auxiliary device in the second operating mode. The control device is When the first cumulative operating amount of the first auxiliary device is less than or equal to a first predetermined amount, the first operating mode is executed. The system is configured to execute the second operating mode when the first cumulative operating amount exceeds a first predetermined amount. Fuel cell system.

2. The aforementioned fuel cell system further, Air compressor and Fuel cell stack and Equipped with, The one or more flow paths described above are A supply channel for supplying air from the air compressor to the fuel cell stack, A discharge channel for recovering the reaction air discharged from the fuel cell stack, The system includes a bypass channel connecting the first position of the supply channel and the second position of the discharge channel, The first auxiliary device is a first control valve positioned upstream of the second position in the discharge passage, The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the second auxiliary device is a second control valve provided in the bypass flow path.

3. The control device is If the cumulative amount of the first operation exceeds the first predetermined amount, and the cumulative amount of the second auxiliary device is less than or equal to the second predetermined amount, the second operation mode is executed. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, configured to execute the first operating mode when the first cumulative operating amount exceeds the first predetermined amount and the second cumulative operating amount exceeds the second predetermined amount.

4. The plurality of auxiliary devices include a third control valve located downstream of the first position in the supply channel, The fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein the operating range set for the third control valve in the first operating mode is greater than the operating range set for the third control valve in the second operating mode.