Electrical equipment for connecting the electrical load of a ship to at least one fuel cell

Abstract

An electrical device (100) for connecting the ship's electrical load (L) to at least one fuel cell (10) comprises the following: The device (100) comprises: at least one power storage unit (20) configured to be connected to the at least one fuel cell (10) at a predetermined electrical node (N1), comprising a plurality of supercapacitors (30) connected to the electrical node (N1), and configured such that the plurality of supercapacitors (30) are charged by the fuel cell (10) during the initialization step of the device (100); the electrical node (N1) connecting the at least one fuel cell (10) and the at least one power storage unit (20), and a DC / AC type power converter (40) operationally connected between the at least one fuel cell (10) and the at least one power storage unit (20), comprising a plurality of input capacitors arranged on the DC side of the converter (40), configured to receive a DC current as input and supply a corresponding AC voltage to the electrical load (L); and an electrical precharge module (50) arranged between the electrical node (N1) connecting the at least one fuel cell (10) and the at least one power storage unit (20) and the converter (40). The electrical precharge module (50) is configured to precharge a plurality of input capacitors located on the DC side of the power converter (40) during the initialization step of the device (100). The at least one power storage unit (20) is configured to at least partially discharge the plurality of supercapacitors (30) when an instantaneous fluctuation of the electrical load (L) occurs, and to supply the electrical load (L) with power corresponding to the instantaneous fluctuations that the electrical load (L) requests from the at least one fuel cell (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the shipbuilding industry, and more particularly to an electrical device for connecting at least one fuel cell to an electrical load of a ship. Background of the Invention

[0002] Currently, the impact of ships, especially large ships such as cruise ships, on the environment is an important factor that can no longer be ignored, and shipbuilders and shipowners are fully aware of this point.

[0003] Therefore, the shipbuilding industry is constantly exploring alternative technologies to reduce the environmental impact of power generation on board.

[0004] Therefore, there is a strong need to integrate alternative technologies with low environmental impact, such as fuel cell generators, into the ship's power supply network and use them to drive the electrical loads of the ship, so as to reduce the impact of the ship on the environment as much as possible.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to devise and provide an electrical device for connecting an electrical load of a ship to at least one fuel cell and supplying power to the electrical load, instead of the conventional power supply network of the ship, thereby making it possible to reduce the environmental impact of the ship as much as possible.

[0006] Such an object of the present invention is achieved by the electrical device according to claim 1.

[0007] The present invention also relates to a method for connecting an electrical load of a ship to at least one fuel cell.

[0008] The present invention also relates to a power supply system for an electrical load of a ship comprising the electrical device, and a ship comprising the power supply system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] Other features and advantages of the electrical apparatus, related methods and systems according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, shown as non-limiting examples, and from the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 schematically shows an example of a ship in which an electrical system and related methods for supplying power to loads electrically connected to the ship's power supply network, according to the present invention, can be used.

[0011] Figure 2 schematically shows an electrical system for supplying power to the electrical load of a ship according to the present invention.

[0012] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the method of connecting the electrical load of a ship to at least one fuel cell according to the present invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0013] Referring to the aforementioned drawing, 100 as a whole shows an electrical device for connecting the electrical load L of the ship 1 to at least one fuel cell 10.

[0014] The electrical load L of a ship 1 represents a single onboard device or an electric "power" distribution system, and may also include the propulsion system or onboard lighting of an electric propulsion system ship.

[0015] Figure 1 shows an example of a vessel, which is generally referred to as reference number 1.

[0016] For the purposes of this explanation, "ship" refers to all vessels, including not only cruise ships and other vessels used for cruising, recreation, and tourism, such as those shown in Figure 1, but also other vessels such as those used in the military industry, merchant ships, and workboats.

[0017] The electrical load L and at least one fuel cell 10 are schematically shown in Figure 2.

[0018] At least one fuel cell 10 can be installed inside the ship and can be used for a load L as a power generation device with a low environmental impact, replacing the power provided by the in-ship power supply network provided on the ship 1.

[0019] At least one fuel cell 10 is any fuel cell not subject to technical constraints.

[0020] For example, at least one fuel cell 10 is a low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (LTPEMFC).

[0021] The in-ship power supply network is schematically shown by reference numeral 200 in FIG. 2.

[0022] At least one fuel cell 10 is adapted to supply a direct current to at least one power storage unit 20 described later.

[0023] The direct current supplied from at least one fuel cell is determined by the number of actually installed fuel cells and their electrical connections.

[0024] As an example, the direct current supplied by at least one fuel cell can be about 240 A.

[0025] The direct current corresponds to the voltage supplied by at least one fuel cell.

[0026] The voltage supplied by at least one fuel cell is determined by the number of actually installed fuel cells and their electrical connections.

[0027] As an example, the voltage supplied by at least one fuel cell can be about 412 V at the nominal value.

[0028] The in-ship power supply network 200 is adapted to supply an alternating current of, for example, 130 A, and the corresponding voltage is a three-phase voltage of, for example, about 440 V and 60 Hz.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, the electrical device 100 includes at least one power storage unit 20 configured to be connected to at least one fuel cell 10 at a corresponding electrical node N1.

[0030] The at least one power storage unit 20 includes a plurality of supercapacitors 30 connected to the electrical node N1.

[0031] More specifically, the at least one power storage unit 20 is configured to be connected to the at least one fuel cell 10 via the electrical node N1, and the plurality of supercapacitors 30 are arranged between the + / - output poles of the at least one fuel cell 10.

[0032] As an example, the plurality of supercapacitors 30 include 130F supercapacitors arranged in series by a predetermined number so as to obtain the total required power storage capacity.

[0033] The at least one fuel cell 10 is configured to charge the plurality of supercapacitors 30 of the at least one power storage unit 20 during the initialization step of the device 100.

[0034] The device 100 further includes a DC / AC power converter 40 (inverter), which will also be simply referred to as the converter 40 hereinafter. This converter 40 is operably connected between the electrical node N1 connecting the at least one fuel cell 10 and the at least one power storage unit 20 and the electrical load L.

[0035] According to the present invention, as clearly shown in FIG. 2 and described hereinafter, the DC / AC power converter 40 is configured to make the electrical node N1 connecting the at least one fuel cell 10 and the at least one power storage unit 20 and the electrical load L directly connectable to the at least one fuel cell 10. That is, there is no need to insert an additional DC / DC conversion or voltage stabilization stage between the at least one fuel cell 10 and the converter 40 of the device 100.

[0036] Therefore, according to the present invention, at least one power storage unit 20 can be directly connected to at least one fuel cell 10 via an electrical node N1, and the multiple supercapacitors 30 are directly positioned between the + / - output electrodes of the fuel cell 10.

[0037] In this regard, the converter 40 is configured so as not to actually require a stable, constant DC voltage at the DC input.

[0038] In fact, the converter 40 is configured to receive the minimum electrical startup voltage corresponding to the minimum voltage that at least one fuel cell 10 should supply as input on the DC side, and to ensure the stability of electrical quantities such as voltage and frequency up to the maximum voltage that at least one fuel cell 10 can supply on the AC side.

[0039] More specifically, the converter 40 (DC / AC inverter) is configured to generate a three-phase output voltage of a constant frequency, the effective value of which is constant and equal to the value obtained by converting the minimum DC voltage that at least one fuel cell 10 should supply to AC.

[0040] Furthermore, the components of the converter 40 (DC / AC inverter) are designed to withstand DC input voltages up to the maximum voltage that at least one fuel cell 10 can supply.

[0041] The electrical isolation transformer 85 described in relation to the following embodiments is located directly downstream of the DC / AC type power converter 40 (inverter) and serves not only to ensure galvanic isolation but also to adapt the voltage generated by the converter 40 (inverter) to the voltage of the downstream power distribution network.

[0042] For example, the converter 40 is configured to receive a very wide range of voltage values, such as 300-620Vdc and in the hundreds of volts, supplied by at least one fuel cell 10, as an input voltage value and to operate normally.

[0043] Returning to the present invention, the converter 40 is equipped with a plurality of input capacitors on its DC side.

[0044] The converter 40 is configured to receive a DC current as input and supply an AC voltage corresponding to the electrical load L.

[0045] The electrical device 100 includes an electrical node N1 that connects at least one fuel cell 10 and at least one power storage unit 20, and an electrical precharge module 50 positioned between it and a converter 40.

[0046] The electrical precharge module 50 is configured to precharge a plurality of input capacitors located on the DC side of the converter 40 during the initialization step of the device 100.

[0047] The pre-charging of the multiple input capacitors on the DC side of this converter effectively ensures the most stable electrical input voltage possible, suppressing fluctuations in the input voltage during the operation of the converter 40.

[0048] At least one power storage unit 20 is configured to discharge at least partially multiple supercapacitors 30 when an instantaneous fluctuation (so-called "step") of the electrical load L occurs, thereby supplying the electrical load L with power corresponding to the instantaneous fluctuation that the electrical load L requests from at least one fuel cell 10.

[0049] Therefore, the device 100 can supply power to a fluctuating electrical load L.

[0050] Such instantaneous or abrupt fluctuations (more precisely, "step fluctuations") of the electrical load L can occur, for example, when turning on the electrical load L or when starting one or more electric motors corresponding to the electrical load L.

[0051] Therefore, the device 100 is advantageous for ensuring continuous and stable power for the electrical load L and can compensate for inertia in the dynamic response of at least one fuel cell 10.

[0052] Therefore, the multiple supercapacitors 30 play an active role in the operation of the device 100 when instantaneous fluctuations (steps) of the electrical load L occur.

[0053] In fact, by discharging, the multiple supercapacitors 30 can supply power corresponding to the instantaneous power required by the electrical load L to at least one fuel cell 10.

[0054] Conversely, without the contribution of multiple supercapacitors 30, the power supply corresponding to such instantaneous fluctuations would depend entirely on the fuel cell 10, and because the fuel cell has a large response inertia, it would not be able to supply power instantaneously.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, at least one power storage unit 20 further comprises a resistor 60 arranged in series with the multiple supercapacitors 30, between the electrical node N1 and the multiple supercapacitors 30.

[0056] In this embodiment shown in Figure 2, at least one power storage unit 20 includes a diode 61 connected across a resistor 60.

[0057] The resistor 60 is configured to limit the current absorbed by the multiple supercapacitors 30 during their respective charging phases.

[0058] The diode 61 is configured to pass the current supplied by the multiple supercapacitors 30 through each of the discharge stages of the multiple supercapacitors 30, and to supply the electrical load L with the power corresponding to the instantaneous fluctuations described above, which the electrical load L requires from at least one fuel cell 10.

[0059] Therefore, when the device 100 is started, if multiple supercapacitors 30 of at least one energy storage unit 20 are discharged, they are charged by at least one fuel cell via the resistor 60.

[0060] Similarly, if multiple supercapacitors 30 of at least one energy storage unit 20 partially discharge during the operation of the device 100, they are recharged by at least one fuel cell 10 via the resistor 60.

[0061] In this way, it is possible to keep at least one energy storage unit 20 constantly charged and ready to supply power.

[0062] Therefore, it is confirmed once again that the multiple supercapacitors 30 play an active role in the operation of the device 100 during instantaneous fluctuations (steps) of the electrical load L.

[0063] In fact, by discharging, the multiple supercapacitors 30 can supply power that corresponds to the instantaneous fluctuations required by the electrical load L to at least one fuel cell 10.

[0064] Conversely, without the contribution of multiple supercapacitors 30, the power required to respond to such instantaneous fluctuations would depend entirely on the fuel cell 10, and because the fuel cell has a large response inertia, it would not be able to supply the power for those instantaneous fluctuations instantaneously.

[0065] In a configuration combined with any of the above embodiments, the DC / AC type power converter 40 includes a three-phase inverter configured to convert a DC current received as input into a corresponding AC voltage.

[0066] In a configuration combined with any of the above embodiments, the AC voltage output from the converter 40 is adjusted by pulse width modulation (PWM) control.

[0067] In one embodiment shown in Figure 2, according to any of the above embodiments, the electrical device 100 further comprises a first switch 70.

[0068] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 (Figure 2), the electrical device 100 further includes an electrical isolation transformer 85 located directly downstream of the DC / AC type power converter 40.

[0069] In this regard, it is reaffirmed that the electrical isolation transformer 85, positioned directly downstream of the DC / AC type power converter 40 (inverter), not only ensures galvanic isolation but also plays a role in matching the voltage generated by the converter 40 (inverter) to the voltage of the downstream power distribution network.

[0070] The first switch 70 includes the following:

[0071] -First input terminal T1: Functionally connected to a DC / AC type power converter 40 via an electrical isolation transformer 85, and receives AC voltage.

[0072] - Second input terminal T2: Can be activated and connected to the ship's onboard power network 200 of vessel 1, and receives another AC voltage supplied by the ship's onboard power supply network 200.

[0073] -Output terminal TU: Functionally connectable to electrical load L.

[0074] -First switching block C1: Automatically and functionally connects the output terminal TU of the first switch 70 to the first input terminal T1.

[0075] - Second switching block C2: Automatically and functionally connects the output terminal TU of the first switch 70 to the second input terminal T2.

[0076] The first switch 70 further includes a logic control unit configured to automatically switch between the first switching block C1 and the second switching block C2 between the first configuration and the second operating configuration without interrupting the power supply to the electrical load L. The first configuration powers the electrical load L with an AC voltage supplied by the converter 40 via at least one fuel cell 10. The second operating configuration powers the electrical load L with another AC voltage supplied by the ship's onboard power network 200 when the AC voltage from at least one fuel cell 10 via the converter 40 is unavailable.

[0077] In an embodiment combining the above configurations, the logic control unit is configured to switch the first operating configuration and maintain that state during normal operation of at least one fuel cell 10 and electrical device 100.

[0078] In an embodiment combining any of the above forms, in an embodiment in which a first switch 70 is provided, the logic control unit of the first switch 70 is configured to switch to a second operating configuration and maintain that state when at least one failure state occurs in at least one fuel cell 10 and at least one electrical device 100.

[0079] Examples of at least one failure condition of at least one fuel cell 10 and at least one electrical device 100 include (but are not limited to):

[0080] - The DC voltage supplied by the DC / AC type power converter 40 is outside the reference range.

[0081] - The DC / AC power converter 40 is in an overload condition.

[0082] -At least one fuel cell 10 has stopped working.

[0083] In another embodiment, shown in Figure 2 and combined with any of the above configurations, if a first switch 70 is provided, the electrical device 100 further includes a second switch 80 that can be manually operated without interrupting the power supply to the electrical load L. This second switch 80 allows the electrical load L to be connected to the ship's onboard power network 200 via a bypass power supply connection BP, without going through the connection between the output terminal TU of the first switch 70 and the electrical load L, for example, when the DC / AC type power converter 40 is taken out of service for maintenance after a failure.

[0084] Although not shown in the figures, in embodiments combining any of the above configurations, the electrical device 100 further includes a data processing unit and a user interface functionally connected to the data processing unit.

[0085] In this embodiment, the data processing unit is configured to provide a plurality of pieces of information representing the operating status of the electrical device 100 via a user interface.

[0086] Examples of information representing the operating status of the electrical device 100 include, but are not limited to, the following.

[0087] Information indicating the fault status of the DC / AC type power converter 40.

[0088] Information indicating the status of the DC / AC type power converter 40 in use.

[0089] Information indicating the status of the DC / AC type power converter 40 synchronized with the bypass power supply connection.

[0090] Information indicating the availability of bypass power supply connections.

[0091] Information indicating the status of the bypass power supply connection in use.

[0092] Information indicating the status of one or more automatic protection switches 90

[0093] Information indicating the manual bypass power supply connection mode currently in use.

[0094] In an embodiment not shown in the figure, combined with the above, the data processing unit of the electrical device 100 is configured to determine and provide multiple pieces of information representing the electrical parameters of the electrical device 100 via a user interface.

[0095] Examples of information indicating the electrical parameters of the electrical device 100 include, but are not limited to, the following.

[0096] ―Information indicating the input voltage to the DC / AC type power converter 40

[0097] —Information indicating the operating frequency of the onboard power supply network 200 of ship 1

[0098] —Information showing the voltage of the ship's power supply network 200

[0099] —Information indicating the continuous electrical output power of the electrical device 100

[0100] —Information indicating the operating output frequency of the electrical device 100

[0101] —Information indicating the continuous electrical output voltage of electrical device 100

[0102] In an embodiment shown in Figure 2, which combines any of the above configurations, the electrical device 100 further comprises a plurality of automatic switches 90 that protect the power supply connections of the inputs and outputs of the electrical device 100.

[0103] Next, a method 300 for connecting an electrical load L to at least one fuel cell 10 will be described, with reference to the block diagram in Figure 3. Hereinafter, in the present invention, this will also be referred to simply as the connection method or method.

[0104] The components and information used in the following explanation of the method have already been described in the description of apparatus 100, and will not be repeated for the sake of brevity.

[0105] Method 300 includes a symbolic step ST indicating a start.

[0106] Method 300 includes step 301 of preparing at least one fuel cell 10 and at least one power storage unit 20 configured to be connected to each of the electrical nodes N1.

[0107] At least one power storage unit 20 comprises multiple supercapacitors 30 connected to an electrical node N1.

[0108] Method 300 further includes step 302 of preparing an electrical node N1 connecting at least one fuel cell 10 and at least one power storage unit 20, and a DC / AC type power converter 40 connected between it and an electrical load L.

[0109] The converter 40 includes multiple input capacitors located on the DC side of the converter 40.

[0110] The converter 40 is configured to receive a DC current as input and supply an AC voltage corresponding to the electrical load L.

[0111] Method 300 includes a step 303 in the initialization step of the device 100 in which at least one fuel cell 10 charges a plurality of supercapacitors 30 of at least one power storage unit 20.

[0112] Method 300 further includes a step 304 in the initialization step of the device 100 in which an electrical precharge module 50 is placed between an electrical node N1 connecting at least one fuel cell 10 and at least one power storage unit 20 and the converter 40 to precharge a plurality of input capacitors located on the DC side of the converter 40.

[0113] Method 300 further includes step 305 of at least partially discharging a plurality of supercapacitors 30 in the event of instantaneous fluctuations in the electrical load L, and step 306 of supplying power to the load L by at least one power storage unit 20 to correspond to the instantaneous fluctuations that the electrical load L requires from at least one fuel cell 10.

[0114] Such instantaneous or abrupt fluctuations in the electrical load L are as already defined above.

[0115] The device 100 is capable of operating with such fluctuating electrical loads L.

[0116] Method 300 ensures continuous and stable power supply to the electrical load L and compensates for the inertia of the dynamic response of at least one fuel cell 10.

[0117] As mentioned above, the multiple supercapacitors 30 play an active role in the operation of the device 100 when instantaneous fluctuations (steps) in the electrical load L occur.

[0118] In fact, by discharging, the multiple supercapacitors 30 can supply power in response to the instantaneous fluctuations that the electrical load L demands from at least one fuel cell 10.

[0119] Conversely, without the contribution of multiple supercapacitors 30, the power required to respond to such instantaneous fluctuations would depend entirely on the fuel cell 10. However, because the fuel cell 10 has a large response inertia, it cannot immediately supply power in response to instantaneous fluctuations.

[0120] Method 300 includes a symbolic step ED indicating termination.

[0121] Other steps of the method according to other embodiments correspond to different functions of the electrical device 100 described above, according to different forms of the electrical device 100.

[0122] As described above, the present invention also relates to a system 400 (hereinafter also simply referred to as a connection system or system) for supplying power to an electrical load L of a ship 1.

[0123] System 400 includes the onboard power supply network 200 described above.

[0124] The system 400 comprises at least one fuel cell 10 as described above.

[0125] The system 400 further comprises an electrical device 100 according to the present invention according to any of the above-described embodiments.

[0126] As described above, the present invention also relates to a ship 1 equipped with a system 400 that supplies power to the electrical load L of the ship 1 described above.

[0127] An example of the operation of the electrical device 100 according to the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 2.

[0128] The electrical device 100 connects the electrical load L of the ship 1 to at least one fuel cell 10.

[0129] At least one power storage unit 20 of the device 100 is connected in parallel to at least one fuel cell 10 at their respective electrical nodes N1.

[0130] At least one power storage unit 20 comprises multiple supercapacitors 30 connected to an electrical node N1.

[0131] At least one fuel cell 10 charges multiple supercapacitors 30 of at least one power storage unit 20 during the initialization step of the device 100.

[0132] The DC / AC power converter 40 of the electrical device 100 is connected between an electrical node N1 that connects at least one fuel cell 10 and at least one power storage unit 20, and the electrical load L of the ship 1.

[0133] The converter 40 includes multiple input capacitors located on the DC side of the converter 40.

[0134] The converter 40 receives a DC current as input and supplies a corresponding AC voltage to the electrical load L.

[0135] The electrical precharge module 50 is positioned between the electrical node N1, which connects at least one fuel cell 10 and at least one power storage unit 20, and the converter 40.

[0136] The electrical precharge module 50 precharges multiple input capacitors on the DC side of the converter 40 during the initialization step of the device 100.

[0137] When an instantaneous fluctuation occurs in the electrical load L, at least one power storage unit 20 discharges at least partially multiple supercapacitors 30 to supply power corresponding to the instantaneous fluctuation required by the electrical load L to at least one fuel cell 10.

[0138] The device 100 can drive the fluctuating electrical load L in this manner.

[0139] Therefore, a continuous and stable power supply to the electrical load L and compensation for the inertia of the dynamic response of at least one fuel cell 10 are ensured.

[0140] In fact, by discharging, multiple supercapacitors 30 can supply power to at least one fuel cell 10 in accordance with the instantaneous fluctuations required by the electrical load L.

[0141] Conversely, without the contribution of multiple supercapacitors 30, the power required to respond to such instantaneous fluctuations would depend entirely on the fuel cell 10, and the fuel cell 10's large inertia would prevent it from supplying that power instantaneously.

[0142] As can be understood, the object of the present invention is fully achieved because an electrical device for connecting an electrical load to at least one fuel cell has some of the advantages described above.

[0143] In fact, the electrical device according to the present invention makes it possible to integrate environmentally friendly alternative technologies, such as fuel cell generators, into the ship's power supply network. Fuel cell generators can be used to supply power to the ship's electrical loads, thereby reducing the ship's environmental impact as much as possible.

[0144] The multiple supercapacitors 30 provided within the device 100 play an active role when the electrical load L undergoes instantaneous fluctuations (steps).

[0145] In fact, by discharging, the supercapacitor 30 can supply power in response to the instantaneous fluctuations that the electrical load L demands from at least one fuel cell 10.

[0146] Conversely, without the contribution of multiple supercapacitors 30, the power required to respond to such instantaneous fluctuations would depend entirely on the fuel cell 10, and due to the large inertia of the fuel cell 10's response, it would not be able to supply that power immediately.

[0147] Furthermore, a logic control unit of the first switch, which may be provided in the device 100, can switch to and maintain a first operating state of the electrical equipment without interrupting the power supply to the electrical load. In the first operating state, the electrical load L is powered by at least one fuel cell 10 while at least one fuel cell and electrical equipment are operating normally. The logic control unit of the first switch can also switch to and maintain a second operating state without interrupting the power supply to the electrical load. In the second operating state, if at least one fuel cell and at least one of the electrical equipment fails, the electrical load L is powered by the onboard power supply network 200.

[0148] Furthermore, a second switch that may be provided in the device 100 allows for manual operation of the connection of an electrical load to the ship's onboard power supply network via a bypass power supply connection without interrupting the power supply to the electrical load, and if the DC / AC type power converter is taken out of service, the connection between the output terminal of the first switch and the electrical load is substantially disconnected.

[0149] The apparatus according to the present invention has the following advantages.

[0150] - The power conversion stage can be reduced to a single DC / AC inverter (converter 40). This inverter can ensure a stable output voltage (amplitude and frequency) on the AC side throughout the entire operating range of at least one fuel cell, even when the load voltage fluctuates significantly.

[0151] -By reducing the power conversion stage to a single DC / AC inverter, power conversion efficiency can be optimized. This type of generator has the characteristic of its output voltage fluctuating significantly in response to load changes (fuel cell voltage drops by approximately 50% from idle to 100% load), but this inverter ensures a stable output voltage (amplitude and frequency) on the AC side over the entire operating range of at least one fuel cell.

[0152] - The energy storage system (ESS) can be integrated based on a supercapacitor that directly shares a DC connection with at least one fuel cell. In this respect, the use of a supercapacitor has many advantages over the use of batteries, including higher safety, and makes it possible to install the converter 40, i.e., the device, in the same room as the fuel cell.

[0153] - A second input line (bypass) from the onboard power supply network 200 is connected to a static switch (first solid-state line switch). The static switch of such a unit has two input voltages: an input voltage from the onboard power supply network 200 and an input voltage generated by the converter 40 (DC / AC inverter). The internal control logic unit is configured to synchronize the two input voltages handled by the first switch. This configuration allows power to be supplied to the load without interruption in the event of a shutdown or failure of the fuel cell system, when at least one fuel cell is used as an alternative power source to the load.

[0154] -A manually operated bypass switch (second switch) allows for continued power supply to the load without power outages, even during maintenance of this device.

[0155] - Regardless of whether the second input line (bypass) is powered from the ship's power supply network, if at least one fuel cell is operating and connected to device 100, i.e., converter 40, the following series of processes are performed:

[0156] -If discharged, charge multiple supercapacitors via resistor 60.

[0157] - Multiple input capacitors located on the DC side of the converter 40 are charged via special resistors and charging contactors (open initially, closed at the end of processing) connected in parallel within the electrical pre-charge module 50.

[0158] - Start up converter 40 (DC / AC inverter).

[0159] - The first switch (static switch) is switched over without power outage under the control of the converter 40.

[0160] The load is powered by the device's DC / AC inverter system-static switch path.

[0161] At least one electrical storage unit based on a supercapacitor is used in "peak shaving" mode. That is, when the load steps up (power demand is greater than or equal to the output of at least one fuel cell), the supercapacitor is discharged via diode 61. When the load steps down, the supercapacitor is recharged by at least one fuel cell, and the power of at least one fuel cell decreases gradually in accordance with the decrease in power demand.

[0162] If power is supplied from the ship's power supply network, and the following conditions apply,

[0163] - If the output of converter 40 (DC / AC inverter) falls outside the acceptable range due to an internal failure,

[0164] - If at least one fuel cell has stopped,

[0165] The first switch is switched to the bypass line without interruption, and the load is powered by the ship's power supply network via the device's second bypass input line-static switch system.

[0166] If power is supplied from the ship's power supply network and the converter 40 (DC / AC inverter) or the static switch of the device requires maintenance, the manual bypass switch (second switch 80) is activated.

[0167] Without causing a power outage at the load, the static switch is disconnected on the output side (manual bypass switch), and the load is switched to the ship's power supply network via the bypass power supply connection BP.

[0168] Thus, the converter 40 (DC / AC inverter) and the static switch are isolated by opening an appropriate input switch provided at the direct connection point between at least one fuel cell and the upstream of the second switching block C2 of the first switch 70, and further by opening an appropriate electrical switch interposed between the multiple supercapacitors 30 and the electrical node N1 to disconnect the multiple supercapacitors 30. After isolation, the multiple supercapacitors 30 can be discharged into another resistor connected in parallel by closing a dedicated electrical switch.

[0169] To address incidental needs, those skilled in the art may modify or adjust the embodiments of the electrical device described above, or replace them with other functionally equivalent elements, without departing from the scope of the following claims. Furthermore, each feature described as belonging to a particular embodiment can be implemented independently without relying on other embodiments.

Claims

1. An electrical device (100) for connecting the electrical load (L) of a ship (1) to at least one fuel cell (10), At least one power storage unit (20) configured to be connected to the at least one fuel cell (10) at a predetermined electrical node (N1), comprising a plurality of supercapacitors (30) connected to the electrical node (N1), wherein in the initialization step of the device (100), the plurality of supercapacitors (30) are charged by the fuel cell (10), A DC / AC type power converter (40) connected between the electrical node (N1) connecting the at least one fuel cell (10) and the at least one power storage unit (20) and the electrical load (L), wherein the electrical node (N1) connecting the at least one fuel cell (10) and the at least one power storage unit (20) and the electrical load (L) can be directly connected to the fuel cell (10), and the power converter (40) is equipped with a plurality of input capacitors located on the DC side of the converter (40), and is configured to receive a DC current as input and supply a corresponding AC voltage to the electrical load (L), An electrical precharge module (50) is disposed between the electrical node (N1) connecting the at least one fuel cell (10) and the at least one power storage unit (20) and the converter (40), wherein the electrical precharge module (50) is configured to precharge a plurality of input capacitors located on the DC side of the power converter (40) during the initialization step of the device (100), An electrical device wherein the at least one power storage unit (20) is configured to at least partially discharge the plurality of supercapacitors (30) when an instantaneous fluctuation of the electrical load (L) occurs, and to supply the electrical load (L) with power corresponding to the instantaneous fluctuations that the electrical load (L) requests from the at least one fuel cell (10).

2. The electrical device (100) according to claim 1, The at least one power storage unit (20) further comprises a plurality of resistors (60) arranged in series between the electrical node (N1) and the plurality of supercapacitors (30), with diodes (61) connected across each of the resistors (60). The resistor (60) limits the current absorbed by the plurality of supercapacitors (30) in the corresponding charging step. An electrical device wherein the diode (61) is configured to pass current supplied from the plurality of supercapacitors (30) during a corresponding discharge step, and to supply power to the electrical load (L) in accordance with the instantaneous fluctuations that the electrical load (L) requires from the at least one fuel cell (10).

3. The electrical device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, The DC / AC type power converter (40) is an electrical device that includes a three-phase inverter that converts the DC current received as input into an AC voltage.

4. The electrical device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, An electrical device in which the AC voltage output by the power converter (40) is adjusted by pulse width modulation (PWM) control.

5. The electrical device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Further equipped with a first switch (70), The electrical device (100) further includes an isolation transformer (85) directly located downstream of the converter (40), The first switch (70) is The isolation transformer (85) can be connected to the DC / AC type power converter (40), and the first input terminal (T1) that receives the AC voltage, A second input terminal (T2) is connectable to the onboard power supply network (200) of the ship (1) and receives another AC voltage supplied from the onboard power supply network (200) of the ship (1), The output terminal (T-U) that can be connected to the aforementioned electrical load, and the first switching block (C1) that can be automatically connected, The system includes a second switching block (C2) that can automatically connect the output terminal (T-U) of the first switch (70) to the second input terminal (T2) of the first switch (70), The first switch (70) further includes a logic control unit configured to automatically operate the first switching block (C1) and the second switching block (C2) between the first configuration and the second operating configuration of the electrical device (100) without interrupting the power supply to the electrical load (L). An electrical device comprising: in the first configuration, an AC voltage supplied from a converter (40) for driving the electrical load (L) via the at least one fuel cell (10) to the electrical load (L); and in the second operating configuration, if it is not possible to supply an AC voltage from the at least one fuel cell (10) via the converter (40), an additional AC voltage supplied to the electrical load (L) for driving the electrical load (L) via the onboard power supply network (200) of the ship (1).

6. The electrical device (100) according to claim 5, The logic control unit is configured to switch the electrical device (100) to the first operating configuration and maintain that state while the at least one fuel cell (10) and the electrical device (100) are operating normally.

7. The electrical device (100) according to claim 5 or 6, The logic control unit is configured to switch to the second operating configuration and maintain that state if a failure occurs in at least one of the at least one fuel cell (10) and at least one of the electrical devices (100).

8. The electrical device (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, An electrical device further comprising a second switch (80), the second switch being manually operable without interrupting the power supply to the electrical load (L), and connecting the electrical load (L) to the onboard power supply network (200) of the ship (1) via a bypass power supply connection (B-P) without going through the connection between the output terminal (T-U) of the first electrical switch (70) and the electrical load (L), when the DC / AC type power converter (40) is stopped.

9. An electrical device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, It comprises a data processing unit and a user interface, The data processing unit is configured to supply a plurality of pieces of information indicating the operating status of the electrical device (100) via the user interface.

10. The electrical device (100) according to claim 9, The data processing unit of the electrical device (100) is configured to supply a plurality of pieces of information indicating the electrical parameters of the electrical device (100) via the user interface.

11. The electrical device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, An electrical device further comprising a plurality of automatic circuit breakers (90) for protecting the power supply connections of the input and output of the electrical device (100).

12. A method (300) for connecting the electrical load (L) of a ship (1) to at least one fuel cell (10), Step (301) of preparing at least one power storage unit (20) configured to be connected to the at least one fuel cell (10) at a corresponding electrical node (N1), wherein the at least one power storage unit (20) comprises a plurality of supercapacitors (30) connected to the electrical node (N1), Step (302) of preparing a DC / AC type power converter (40) connecting the electrical node (N1) which connects the at least one fuel cell (10) and the at least one power storage unit (20) and the electrical load (L), wherein the converter (40) comprises a plurality of input capacitors located on the DC side of the converter (40) and is configured to receive a DC current as input and supply a corresponding AC voltage to the electrical load (L), The initialization step of the apparatus (100) includes a step (303) of charging the plurality of supercapacitors (30) of the at least one power storage unit (20) via the at least one fuel cell (10), The electrical precharge module (50) is positioned between the electrical node (N1) connecting the at least one fuel cell (10) and the at least one power storage unit (20) and the converter (40), and in the initialization step of the electrical device (100), the step (304) of precharging the plurality of input capacitors positioned on the DC side of the converter (40), Step (305) of discharging at least partially the plurality of supercapacitors (30) when the electrical load (L) fluctuates instantaneously, Step (306) of supplying the electrical load (L) to the electrical load (L) with the at least one power storage unit (20) to power corresponding to the instantaneous fluctuations that the electrical load (L) requests from the at least one fuel cell (10) and A method that includes this.

13. A power supply system (400) for the electrical load (L) of a ship (1), Onboard power supply network (200), At least one fuel cell (10), The electrical device (100) described in any one of the above paragraphs and A power supply system equipped with the following features.

14. A ship comprising a power supply system (400) for the electrical load (L) of the ship (1) according to claim 13.

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