Fuel Cell Activation Device Switching Power Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cells often fail to activate during system power supply failures due to the lack of current detection and notification, leading to instability and inefficiency in power generation.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell activation apparatus with a storage battery, first and second sensors, and control unit that switches between system power supply and storage battery currents, and transmits detection results to the fuel cell, enabling both normal and self-sustained modes of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fuel cell relies on system power supply for activation, then normal operation is ensured, but the fuel cell cannot activate during power supply failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage battery as an intermediary power supply between the system power supply and the fuel cell. The storage battery provides current during system power failures, enabling the fuel cell to activate and operate independently when the main power supply is unavailable, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different power supply sources (system power supply and storage battery) based on the operational state. The system can transition from relying solely on system power supply to utilizing the storage battery during failures, providing adaptive response to changing conditions and ensuring continuous operation.
2Reliability
If the fuel cell operates without current detection and notification, then system complexity is reduced, but activation stability and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect current characteristics from the storage battery and provide feedback to the fuel cell control system. This feedback mechanism enables the fuel cell to recognize and adapt to the power supply source, improving activation stability and efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through targeted detection rather than comprehensive monitoring.
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
Ensures stable activation of the fuel cell in both power supply states by providing a stable current and notifying the fuel cell of current characteristics, enhancing power generation stability and reducing wasteful power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a storage battery; a first sensor which detects a current outputted by the storage battery
Implementation Method 2
a first sensor which detects a current outputted by the storage battery
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel cell activation apparatus (10) including: a storage battery (111); a current sensor (112) detecting a current outputted by the storage battery (111); a switch (101) switching between supplying the current outputted by the storage battery (111) and supplying a current provided from the system power supply; a switch (106) switching between transmitting a result of detecting by the current sensor (112) and transmitting a result of detecting by a current sensor (211) which detects the current provided from the system power supply; and a control unit (113) controlling the switch (101) and the switch (106) and thereby switching between a normal mode for activating, based on the result of detection performed by the current sensor (211), the fuel cell using the current provided from the system power supply and a self-sustained mode for activating, based on the result of detection performed by the current sensor (112), the fuel cell using the current outputted by the storage battery (111).