Dual Battery Fuel Cell Power Split for Peak Load and Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell vehicle systems often struggle to meet varying energy and power demands due to the limitations of single battery configurations, which can lead to insufficient energy supply and premature battery degradation.
Innovation Solution
A dual battery fuel cell system is implemented, comprising a power-dense battery pack and an energy-dense battery pack, which are controlled based on driving conditions to optimize power delivery to the propulsion system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single battery configuration is used in fuel cell vehicles, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot meet varying energy and power demands and leads to premature battery degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The single battery system is segmented into two specialized battery packs: a power-dense battery pack for high power demands (acceleration, towing) and an energy-dense battery pack for sustained energy demands (cruising, extended range). This segmentation allows each battery to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall system adaptability while managing complexity through clear functional division.
2Power
If a power-dense battery is used, then high power demands are met, but energy supply for sustained operation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges a power-dense battery pack and an energy-dense battery pack into a hybrid battery system. The power-dense battery provides high power output for acceleration and towing demands, while the energy-dense battery supplies sustained energy for cruising and extended operation. The control system intelligently coordinates both batteries to meet combined power and energy requirements, resolving the contradiction between power delivery and sustained energy supply.
3Reliability
If a single battery handles all load requests, then the system is simple to control, but the battery experiences premature degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies local quality by assigning different operational characteristics to each battery based on its density characteristics. The power-dense battery is primarily engaged during high-power, short-duration events, while the energy-dense battery handles sustained, lower-power demands. This differentiated control strategy reduces stress on individual batteries, extending overall system reliability while managing control complexity through rule-based dispatch logic.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the fuel cell stack is the primary power source, then continuous operation is sustained, but supplemental power for peak demands is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The battery packs serve as preliminary action devices that can rapidly deliver supplemental power before the fuel cell stack can respond to peak power demands. During acceleration or towing events, the batteries provide immediate power supplementation, then gradually transfer load back to the fuel cell stack as it ramps up output. This preliminary action capability ensures peak demands are met without compromising continuous operation sustainability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The dual battery system effectively addresses different supplemental load requests by distributing power accordingly, enhancing the vehicle's ability to meet energy and power demands while extending battery life and improving overall system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the fuel cell stacks are operable to generate the electrical energy used by the motors/motor-generators to power the wheels
Implementation Method 2
one or more battery packs. In FCVs, the fuel cell stacks are operable to generate the electrical energy used by the motors/motor-generators
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for managing propulsion power sources—e.g., a fuel cell stack, a power-dense battery back, and an energy-dense battery pack—of a fuel cell vehicle. Such systems and methods can use a driving condition-to-power source mapping to identify which power source(s) of the fuel cell vehicle is/are appropriate for propelling the fuel cell vehicle under different driving condition (e.g., a rapid acceleration vs. cruise driving) based on relative power-density vs. energy-density demanded from a propulsion system of the fuel cell vehicle under the different driving conditions.