Fuel Cell Air System Abnormality Detection via Dynamic Pressure Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell systems cannot diagnose air system abnormalities during transient operation due to increased target pressure values, leading to potential damage from high pressure.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with a pressure detector and controller that reduces internal air pressure to a target value when it exceeds a predetermined threshold, determining an abnormality based on repeated occurrences within a set time period, and returning to normal control to ensure stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the target pressure value of the air is increased during transient operation, then the output voltage stability of the fuel cell is improved, but the ability to diagnose air system abnormalities is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the abnormality determination threshold based on operation mode. During transient operation, a first (higher) threshold is used, while during ordinary operation, a second (lower) threshold is used. This allows the system to tolerate higher pressure fluctuations during transient states without false abnormality diagnoses, while maintaining sensitive detection during stable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the abnormality determination threshold variable rather than fixed. The threshold dynamically changes based on whether the fuel cell is in transient or ordinary operation mode, allowing the diagnostic system to adapt its sensitivity to the current operational context and avoid false positives during transient states.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the internal pressure in the air system is reduced frequently to a target pressure reduction value, then the fuel cell is protected from high pressure damage, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring the internal pressure of the air system and comparing it against the abnormality determination threshold. When pressure exceeds the threshold, the system triggers pressure reduction control, and when pressure returns to normal, it provides feedback to stop the reduction control, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically responds to pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting high pressure conditions and initiating pressure reduction control without external intervention. The control unit autonomously monitors pressure, determines abnormalities, activates pressure reduction when needed, and deactivates it when pressure normalizes, making the system self-regulating.
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to allow even a temporary increase in air pressure to be diagnosed as an abnormality. There is provided a fuel cell system including a fuel cell. The fuel cell system comprises an air system that is configured to supply the air to the fuel cell and discharge the air from the fuel cell; a pressure detector that is configured to detect an internal pressure in the air system; a pressure reduction controller that is configured to reduce the internal pressure in the air system to a target pressure reduction value, when the detected pressure becomes higher than a first abnormality detection value during a predetermined time period (S150 and S200 to S220); and a first determiner that is configured to determine that the air system has an abnormality upon determination that number of times when it is determined that the detected pressure becomes higher than the first abnormality detection value is equal to or higher than a predetermined number of times during the predetermined time period (S150, S180, S190 and S160).