fuel cell system

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell system for supplying power to an external unit and one or more auxiliary systems of the fuel cell system.SOLUTION: A fuel cell system 10 includes a plurality of fuel cell units 22 each generating lower-voltage DC power. The fuel cell system 10 includes a plurality of DC-DC converters 26 each electrically connected to each of the fuel cell units 22 and configured to convert the lower-voltage DC power to higher-voltage DC power. The fuel cell system 10 includes a primary load power conversion unit 30 electrically connected to the plurality of DC-DC converters 26 and configured to output a primary load. The fuel cell system 10 includes an auxiliary load power conversion unit 32 electrically connected to the plurality of DC-DC converters 26 and configured to output an auxiliary load.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The embodiments disclosed herein relate to fuel cell systems, and more particularly to fuel cell systems for powering devices external to the fuel cell system and one or more auxiliary systems. [Background technology]

[0002] A fuel cell system can provide power to one or more systems external to the fuel cell system. For example, a fuel cell system can be used to power a vehicle, a building, or a data center. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] This section generally summarizes the disclosure and does not comprehensively describe its entire scope or all of its features.

[0004] In one aspect, a fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell units configured to generate low-voltage DC power. The fuel cell system includes a plurality of DC-DC converters electrically connected to the fuel cell units to convert the low-voltage DC power to high-voltage DC power. The fuel cell system includes a primary load power conversion unit electrically connected to the plurality of DC-DC converters to output a primary load. The fuel cell system includes an auxiliary load power conversion unit electrically connected to the plurality of DC-DC converters to output an auxiliary load.

[0005] In another aspect, a fuel cell system includes a fuel cell container configured to house a plurality of fuel cell units configured to generate low-voltage DC power. The fuel cell container is also configured to house a plurality of DC-DC converters electrically connected to the fuel cell units to convert the low-voltage DC power to high-voltage DC power. The fuel cell system also includes a power electronics container configured to house a main load power conversion unit electrically connected to the plurality of DC-DC converters and configured to output a main load. The power electronics container is also configured to house an auxiliary load power conversion unit electrically connected to the plurality of DC-DC converters and configured to output an auxiliary load.

[0006] In yet another aspect, a fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell units configured to generate low-voltage DC power. The fuel cell system includes a plurality of DC-DC converters electrically connected to the fuel cell units to convert the low-voltage DC power to high-voltage DC power. The fuel cell system includes a main load power conversion unit electrically connected to the plurality of DC-DC converters to output a main load. The fuel cell system includes an auxiliary load power conversion unit electrically connected to the plurality of DC-DC converters to output an auxiliary load. The fuel cell system also includes a programmable logic controller configured to operate the fuel cell system in response to a power demand.

[0007] These and other aspects are described in further detail below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various systems, methods, and other embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be understood that the element boundaries (e.g., boxes, boxes, or other shapes) depicted in the figures represent one embodiment of the boundaries. In some embodiments, one element may be designed as multiple elements, or multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some embodiments, an element shown as an internal part of another element may be implemented as an external part, and vice versa. Additionally, elements may not be drawn to scale. [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of a fuel cell system. [Figure 2] 1 shows an example of a fuel cell unit of a fuel cell system. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an example of a communication interface for a fuel cell system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A fuel cell system for powering devices external to the fuel cell system and one or more auxiliary systems is described, the fuel cell system having a container for housing the fuel cell system and a communication interface for operating the fuel cell system.

[0010] Referring to FIG. 1 , an example of a fuel cell system 10 is shown. The fuel cell system 10 can be used to provide power to an external device 12. The external device 12 can be a building, such as a residential or commercial building. However, it should be understood that the external device 12 can be any type of power demand structure, system, etc. The external device 12 can be configured to receive power from the fuel cell system 10, request power (e.g., a power request or demand) from the fuel cell system 10, and can also draw a load from the fuel cell system 10 based on which power draw and power generation can be measured.

[0011] Fuel cell system 10 may be housed within one or more containers. For example, fuel cell system 10 may be housed within a single container 14. In another example, fuel cell system 10 may be housed within two containers, for example, a fuel cell container 16 and a power electronics container 18. Fuel cell container 16 may house one or more components of fuel cell system 10, and power electronics container 18 may house one or more power electronic components of fuel cell system 10, as described in more detail below.

[0012] The fuel cell system 10 includes multiple fuel cell units 22A-22F. Each of the fuel cell units 22A-22F may include four individual fuel cells connected in parallel. As best shown in FIG. 2, a single fuel cell unit 22 is shown, which may be similar to any of the fuel cell units 22A-22F of FIG. 1. Here, the fuel cell unit 22 includes four fuel cells 24A-24D connected in parallel. Each of the fuel cells 24A-24D may be an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel and an oxidant into electrical power. In one example, the fuel may be hydrogen, although any type of fuel suitable for different types of fuel cells may be utilized. The fuel cells 24A-24D may be configured to output direct current (DC) power. For example, each fuel cell unit 22 may output 240 kW of DC power, although this power may vary depending on the size and number of fuel cells included in the fuel cell unit.

[0013] Referring again to FIG. 1 , the fuel cell system 10 also includes multiple DC-DC converters 26A-26F. The DC-DC converters 26A-26F can be housed within the fuel cell container 16. The DC-DC converters 26A-26F can be electrically connected to the fuel cell units 22A-22F, respectively. The DC-DC converters 26A-26F are configured to adjust the output voltages of the fuel cell units 22A-22F, respectively. For example, the DC-DC converters 26A-26F can adjust the output voltages of the fuel cell units 22A-22F to 650V. The DC-DC converters 26A-26F can also convert the output power of the fuel cell units 22A-22F to a higher voltage. For example, the DC-DC converters 26A-26F can convert the 650V DC power output from the fuel cell units 22A-22F to 1000V DC power. The DC-DC converters 26A-26F can also be electrically connected to one or more components of the power engineering container 18. DC-DC converters 26A-26F may be any suitable DC-DC converter. For example, one or more of DC-DC converters 26A-26F may be a Dynapower DPS-500 Bi-Directional DC-DC Converter manufactured by Dynapower Company, LLC of South Burlington, Vermont. However, any equivalent DC-DC converter may be used.

[0014] The fuel cell system 10 also includes one or more switchgear components 28. The switchgear components 28 may be housed within the power engineering container 18. The switchgear components 28 may be DC switchgear components and may include one or more switches, circuit breakers, and / or fuses configured to connect components of the fuel cell container 16 to components of the power engineering container 18. For example, the switchgear components 28 may be electrically connected to the DC-DC converters 26A-26F, the main load power conversion unit 30, the auxiliary load power conversion unit 32, and the battery unit 34. The switchgear components 28 may also be configured to supply DC power output by the fuel cell unit 22 to the external device 12.

[0015] The main load power conversion unit 30 may be housed within the power engineering container 18. The main load power conversion unit 30 may be configured to supply a main load (e.g., electrical power) to the external device 12. The main load power conversion unit 30 may be electrically connected to the switchgear component 28 and configured to convert DC power output by the DC-DC converter 26 to AC power. For example, the main load power conversion unit 30 may convert 1000 V DC power output by the DC-DC converter 26 to 480 V AC power that can be supplied to the external device 12. The main load power conversion unit 30 may be any suitable power conversion unit, such as an inverter. For example, the main load power conversion unit 30 may be a Dynapower CPS-1500, a 1500 kW Utility Scale Energy Storage Inverter manufactured by Dynapower Company, LLC of South Burlington, Vermont. An auxiliary load power conversion unit 32 may be housed within the power engineering container 18. The auxiliary load power conversion unit 32 may be configured to supply auxiliary loads (e.g., power) to one or more auxiliary systems 52 (e.g., parasitic systems) (see FIG. 3 ) of the fuel cell system 10. The auxiliary systems 52 may include one or more systems and / or components of the fuel cell system 10 necessary to keep the fuel cell system 10 operating. For example, the auxiliary load power conversion unit 32 may be configured to supply auxiliary loads to one or more power panels 36A-36E, a transformer 38, an uninterruptible power supply 40, a control system, a lighting system, valves, sensors, etc. of the fuel cell system 10. Some of these components are described in further detail below.

[0016] The auxiliary load power conversion unit 32 may be electrically connected to the switchgear component 28 and may be configured to convert the DC power output by the DC-DC converter 26 to AC power. For example, the auxiliary load power conversion unit 32 may convert the 1000 V DC power output by the DC-DC converter 26 to 480 V AC power that can be supplied to the auxiliary system 52 of the fuel cell system 10. The auxiliary load power conversion unit 32 may be any suitable power conversion unit, such as an inverter. For example, the auxiliary load power conversion unit 32 may be a Dynapower MPS-125 EHV inverter for behind-the-meter energy storage manufactured by Dynapower Company, LLC, of ​​South Burlington, Vermont. The battery unit 34 may be housed within the power engineering container 18 and configured to provide initial start-up power to the fuel cell system 10. The battery unit 34 may also be configured to adjust the input voltage of the DC-DC converters 26A-26F in response to changes in the power requirements of the external device 12. Furthermore, the battery unit 34 may also be configured to provide additional power to the external device 12, as needed, to compensate for any power discrepancies between the fuel cell power and the load if one or more of the fuel cell units 22A-22F fail. The battery unit 34 may be any suitable battery unit. For example, the battery unit 34 may be a 1000V Lithium Titanium Oxide (LTO) battery.

[0017] As described above, the auxiliary system 52 and / or components of the fuel cell system 10 may include one or more power panels 36A-36E. The power panels 36A and 36B may be housed within the power engineering container 18, and the auxiliary load power conversion unit 32 may be configured to connect to various other components of the fuel cell container 16 and / or power engineering container 18 via the power panels 36C-36E. The power panels 36A-36E may include one or more circuit breakers and may be configured to protect the components of the fuel cell system 10 from power surges or voltage drops. The power panels 36A-36E may also be configured to convert the 480V AC power output by the auxiliary load power conversion unit 32 to 120V AC power or 220V AC power, depending on the voltage requirements of the external device 12.

[0018] The fuel cell system 10 may also include an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 40. The UPS 40 may be electrically connected to one or more of the power panels 36 and may be configured to provide emergency power to the fuel cell system 10 and / or any auxiliary systems of the fuel cell system 10 in the event of a failure of the battery unit 34. The UPS 40 may also be connected to a utility supply 42. The fuel cell system 10 also includes a transformer 38 electrically connected to at least one of the power panels 36A and / or 36B. The transformer 38 may be configured to step down the input and / or output voltage of the power panels 36A-36B and / or the UPS 40.

[0019] 3 , the fuel cell system 10 may include a communication interface 44. The communication interface 44 includes various communication components configured to distribute and / or transmit commands and / or information between the external device 12 and the fuel cell system 10. For example, the fuel cell system 10 may be configured to receive a power request from the external device 12 via the communication interface 44 and operate the fuel cell system 10 in response to the power request. Accordingly, the external device 12 may include an external device interface 46. The external device interface 46 may be configured to transmit a power request to the fuel cell system 10.

[0020] The communications interface 44 may include a programmable logic controller (PLC) 50. The PLC 50 may include a processing unit with integrated memory, a power supply, input interfaces, and output interfaces, among other components typical of a PLC. The PLC 50 may be configured to operate various components of the fuel cell system 10 in response to power requests from the external device 12. The PLC 50 is also configured to receive and / or output requests to and / or from one or more of the auxiliary systems 52 and / or one or more of the power electronics components 54 of the fuel cell system 10.

[0021] The communication interface 44 may also include multiple gateway electronic control units (ECUs) 56A and 56B. The gateway ECUs 56A and 56B may be electrically connected to the PLC 50 and the fuel cell units 22A and 22B. It should be understood that only two fuel cell units 22A and 22B are shown for simplified illustration. In one example, the gateway ECU 56A may control one subset of the fuel cell units, while the gateway ECU 56B controls another subset of the fuel cell units.

[0022] The gateway ECUs 56A and 56B can be configured to operate the fuel cell units 22A and 22B, respectively, based on a power request from the external device 12. The gateway ECUs 56A and 56B may also be configured to communicate with and / or operate one or more fuel cell ECUs 58 of the fuel cells within each fuel cell unit 22. For example, as previously described, the fuel cell unit 22A may have four separate fuel cells connected in series, as shown in FIG. 2 . Each of these four separate fuel cells has an ECU that can control the operation of the fuel cell. In this example, the fuel cell unit 22A has fuel cell ECUs 58A-58D for its four fuel cells, while the fuel cell unit 22B has fuel cell ECUs 58E-58H for its four fuel cells. When the gateway ECUs 56A and 56B receive an "on" command from the external device 12, the gateway ECUs 56A and 56B send this request to the fuel cell units 22A and 22B to turn on their respective fuel cell units 22A and 22B, enabling any fuel cells comprising the fuel cell units 22A and 22B to operate and begin generating electricity. The gateway ECUs 56A and 56B can distribute the power requests evenly or unevenly across the fuel cell units 22A and 22B.

[0023] It should be understood that any of the systems described herein can be configured in various arrangements using separate integrated circuits and / or chips. The circuits are connected via connecting paths to provide communication signals between the separate circuits. Of course, while separate integrated circuits are described, in various embodiments the circuits can be integrated on a common integrated circuit substrate. Furthermore, the integrated circuits can be combined into fewer integrated circuits or split into more integrated circuits.

[0024] In other embodiments, the described methods and / or methods equivalent thereto may be implemented using computer-executable instructions. Thus, in one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises stored computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a machine (e.g., a processing device, a computer, etc.), cause the machine (and / or associated components) to perform the described methods.

[0025] For ease of explanation, the illustrated methodologies in the figures are shown and described as a series of blocks; however, it should be understood that the methodologies are not limited by the order of the blocks, and that some blocks may occur in a different order than illustrated and described and / or concurrently with other blocks. Also, fewer than all of the illustrated blocks may be used to implement the example methodologies. Blocks may be combined or separated into multiple components. Furthermore, additional and / or alternative methodologies may employ additional blocks not illustrated.

[0026] Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are intended as examples only. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art how to variously employ the aspects of the present specification in substantially all appropriate structural details. Furthermore, the terms and expressions used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather to provide an understandable description of possible implementations.

[0027] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate possible architectures, functions, and operations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, having one or more executable instructions for performing a particular logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions shown in the blocks may occur out of the order shown in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved.

[0028] The above-described systems, components, and / or processes may be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software, either centralized in one processing system or distributed where different elements are distributed across several interconnected processing systems. Any type of processing system or other apparatus adapted to perform the methods described herein is suitable. A combination of hardware and software may be a processing system having computer-usable program code that, when loaded and executed, controls the processing system to perform the methods described herein. The systems, components, and / or processes may also be embedded in computer-readable storage, such as a computer program product or other data program storage device, that is machine-readable and tangibly embodies a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform the methods and processes described herein. These elements may also be embedded in an application product that has all the features enabling implementation of the methods described herein, which, when loaded into a processing system, can perform these methods.

[0029] Furthermore, the arrangements described herein may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable media having computer-readable program code embodied thereon, e.g., recorded thereon. Any combination of one or more computer-readable media may be utilized. The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable recording medium. The phrase "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a continuous recording medium. The computer-readable medium may take forms including, but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical disks, magnetic disks, etc. Volatile media may include, for example, semiconductor memory, dynamic memory, etc. Examples of such computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tape, other magnetic media, ASICs, graphics processing units (GPUs), CDs, other optical media, RAM, ROM, memory chips or cards, memory sticks, and other media readable by a computer, processor, or other electronic device. In the context of this document, a computer-readable medium may be any tangible medium that can have or record a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0030] The following includes definitions of selected terms used herein. The definitions include various examples and / or forms of components that fall within the scope of the terms and that may be used for various implementations. The examples are not intended to be limiting. Both singular and plural forms of terms may be included in the definitions.

[0031] References to "one embodiment," "embodiment," "one example," "example," etc. indicate that the embodiment or example so described may include certain features, structures, characteristics, capabilities, elements, or limitations, but not all embodiments or examples necessarily have the particular features, structures, characteristics, capabilities, elements, or limitations. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase "in one embodiment" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

[0032] As used herein, a "module" includes computer or electrical hardware components, firmware, a serial computer-readable medium storing instructions, and / or a combination of these components configured to perform a function or operation and / or cause a function or operation from another logic, method, and / or system. A module may include a microprocessor controlled by an algorithm, discrete logic (e.g., ASIC), analog circuitry, digital circuitry, a programmed logic device, a memory device having instructions that, when executed, perform an algorithm, etc. In one or more embodiments, a module may include one or more CMOS gates, a combination of gates, or other circuit components. Where multiple modules are described, one or more embodiments may include incorporating multiple modules into one physical modular component. Similarly, where a single module is described, one or more embodiments may distribute the single module among multiple physical components.

[0033] Additionally, as used herein, a module includes a routine, program, object, component, data structure, etc. that performs a task or implements a data type. In further aspects, a memory typically stores the referenced module. The memory associated with a module may be a buffer or cache embedded within a processing unit, RAM, ROM, flash memory, or another suitable electronic storage medium. In further aspects, a module contemplated by the present disclosure is implemented as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a hardware component of a system-on-chip (SoC), a programmable logic array (PLA), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or another suitable hardware component embedded with a defined configuration set (e.g., instructions) for performing the disclosed functions.

[0034] In one or more configurations, one or more of the modules described herein may include artificial or computational intelligence elements, such as neural networks, fuzzy logic, or other machine learning algorithms. Further, in one or more configurations, one or more of the modules may be distributed among multiple modules described herein.

[0035] Program code embodied on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including, but not limited to, wireless, wired, fiber optic, cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present configurations may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java™, Smalltalk, C++, ladder logic, any other PLC text-based programming language, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, 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), and the connection may also be to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0036] The terms "a" and "an," as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term "plurality," as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term "another," as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms "comprising" and / or "having," as used herein, are defined as including (i.e., open-ended). The phrase "at least one of ... and ..." as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As an example, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" includes A only, B only, C only, or any combination thereof (e.g., AB, AC, BC, or ABC).

[0037] Aspects of the present specification may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. a plurality of fuel cell units housed within a fuel cell container, each of which generates low voltage DC power; a plurality of DC-DC converters housed within the fuel cell container, each DC-DC converter electrically connected to a respective one of the fuel cell units, for converting the low-voltage DC power into high-voltage DC power; a primary load power conversion unit housed within a power electronics container, electrically connected to the plurality of DC-DC converters, and configured to output a primary load to an external device external to the fuel cell system; an auxiliary load power conversion unit housed within the power engineering container and electrically connected to the plurality of DC-DC converters, the auxiliary load power conversion unit outputting an auxiliary load to one or more auxiliary systems of the fuel cell system necessary to keep the fuel cell system operating; a continuous power supply providing emergency power to the fuel cell system and the one or more auxiliary systems of the fuel cell system; A fuel cell system having:

2. 2. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the main load power conversion unit converts the high voltage DC power into AC power, and the main load is AC power.

3. 3. The fuel cell system of claim 2, wherein the primary load is supplied to the external device to provide power to the external device.

4. 4. The fuel cell system of claim 3, wherein the external device is a residential or commercial building.

5. 2. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary load power conversion unit converts the high voltage DC power into AC power, and the auxiliary load is AC power.

6. 6. The fuel cell system of claim 5, wherein the auxiliary load is supplied to the one or more auxiliary systems of the fuel cell system to provide power to the one or more auxiliary systems.

7. 10. The fuel cell system of claim 1, further comprising one or more switchgear components housed within the power engineering container that electrically connect the plurality of DC-DC converters to the main load power conversion unit and the auxiliary load power conversion unit and provide the low-voltage DC power to an external device.

8. 8. The fuel cell system of claim 7, further comprising a battery unit housed within the power engineering container and electrically connected to the one or more switchgear components, the battery unit providing starting power to the fuel cell system.

9. 10. The fuel cell system of claim 8, further comprising an uninterruptible power supply housed within the power engineering container to provide power to the fuel cell system in the event of a failure of the battery unit.

10. a fuel cell container housing a plurality of fuel cell units each generating low-voltage DC power, and a plurality of DC-DC converters each electrically connected to a respective one of the fuel cell units and converting the low-voltage DC power to high-voltage DC power; a power electronics container housing a main load power conversion unit electrically connected to the plurality of DC-DC converters and configured to output a main load to an external device external to the fuel cell system, an auxiliary load power conversion unit electrically connected to the plurality of DC-DC converters and configured to output an auxiliary load to one or more auxiliary systems of the fuel cell system that are necessary to keep the fuel cell system operating, and a continuous power supply that provides emergency power to the fuel cell system and one or more auxiliary systems of the fuel cell system; and The fuel cell system, wherein the main load power conversion unit and the auxiliary load power conversion unit convert the high voltage DC power into AC power, and the main load and the auxiliary load are AC power.

11. 11. The fuel cell system of claim 10, wherein the primary load is supplied to the external device to provide power to the external device.

12. The fuel cell system of claim 10 , wherein the external device is a residential or commercial building.

13. 11. The fuel cell system of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary load is supplied to the one or more auxiliary systems of the fuel cell system located within the fuel cell container to provide power to the one or more auxiliary systems.

14. 11. The fuel cell system of claim 10, wherein the power engineering container further houses one or more switchgear components that electrically connect the plurality of DC-DC converters to the main load power conversion unit and the auxiliary load power conversion unit and provide the low-voltage DC power to an external device.

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