Fuel Cell Stack Fault Diagnosis via AC Absorption Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fault diagnosis methods for fuel cell stacks are complex and costly due to the requirement of DC-DC converters and DC-AC inverters, which also introduce signal distortion when injecting alternating current, making it difficult to accurately diagnose performance deterioration or failure in fuel cell stacks.
Innovation Solution
A simplified fault diagnosis apparatus using an AC absorption unit, an AC signal generator, and a diagnosis processing unit that generates and measures AC signals to diagnose fuel cell stack failures without the need for DC-DC converters or DC-AC inverters, allowing for a direct AC current flow and reducing the number of components and production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If DC-DC converter and DC-AC inverter are used to inject alternating current into the fuel cell stack, then fault diagnosis capability is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the DC-DC converter and DC-AC inverter from the fault diagnosis apparatus. Instead of using these complex power conversion devices to inject alternating current, the invention directly applies AC signal to the fuel cell stack, eliminating unnecessary components while maintaining diagnostic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cell stack itself is utilized to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the object being tested and the source of electrical signal for diagnosis. By measuring the stack's voltage and current responses to AC signal injection, the system achieves fault diagnosis without requiring separate power conversion equipment.
2Measurement precision
If DC-DC converter and DC-AC inverter are used to inject alternating current, then fault diagnosis capability is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the DC-DC converter and DC-AC inverter from the fault diagnosis apparatus. Instead of using these complex power conversion devices to inject alternating current, the invention directly applies AC signal to the fuel cell stack, eliminating unnecessary components while maintaining diagnostic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex power conversion equipment with simpler, more cost-effective components. The AC signal generation and measurement system uses basic electrical components that are significantly cheaper than industrial-grade converters and inverters, reducing production cost while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If capacitor is used to decouple when injecting alternating current into direct current, then current injection is enabled, but signal distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the capacitor from the circuit configuration. Instead of using a capacitor to decouple AC signal injection from the DC fuel cell stack, the invention employs a different topology where AC current is injected through a resistive path or direct connection, eliminating the capacitor-induced signal distortion while maintaining current injection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A failure diagnosis apparatus that includes an alternating current (AC) absorption unit that is connected to the fuel cell stack and switched based on an applied AC signal to enable a current from the fuel cell stack to flow. In addition, an AC signal generator is configured to generate the AC signal and supply the generated AC signal to the AC absorption unit. As the current from the fuel cell stack is absorbed by the AC absorption unit based on an alternating signal, a stack current input into a diagnosis processing unit includes an AC component, thus the diagnosis processing unit may diagnose fuel cell stack failure by analyzing a frequency of the AC component.