Modular Fuel Cell Battery Power Control to Prevent Overcharging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy supply systems lack an effective energy management means, leading to potential overcharging of batteries and reduced lifespan of fuel cells, especially when batteries and fuel cells of comparable capacity are used together.
Innovation Solution
An energy supply system comprising energy supply modules connected in parallel, each module autonomously controlled and equipped with a battery, a fuel cell connected via a DC/DC converter, and an energy management system that controls the operating points of the fuel cell and DC/DC converter based on the battery's state of charge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a battery and fuel cell of comparable capacity are used together without energy management means, then the system can provide flexible power supply, but the battery may be overcharged and the fuel cell may be overloaded, reducing their lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the energy supply function into separate modules: battery module, fuel cell module with DC/DC converter, and energy management module. Each module operates semi-independently with the energy management module coordinating their interaction to prevent overcharging and overloading.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy management module continuously monitors the state of charge of the battery and the operating conditions of the fuel cell, and adjusts the operating points of both components in real-time based on feedback signals, preventing overcharging and overloading while optimizing power distribution.
2Reliability
If a central energy management system controls multiple generators and batteries, then system stability is ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single complex central control system, the patent implements distributed energy management where each energy supply module has its own control unit. The control units communicate with each other and coordinate their operation, reducing the complexity of any single control unit while maintaining overall system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control units are designed with universal functionality to manage multiple types of energy storage devices (batteries, capacitors) and power generators (fuel cells, generators). This multi-functional design reduces the need for specialized control circuits for each component type, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If the fuel cell is used for battery maintenance charging, then the battery remains charged, but the fuel cell operates at low efficiency due to small size and long operation time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating points of the fuel cell and DC/DC converter based on the battery's state of charge and power demands. The fuel cell operates at high efficiency points during active power supply and reduces operation during maintenance charging, while the DC/DC converter dynamically adjusts its conversion ratio to optimize overall system efficiency.
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
This solution ensures flexible, reliable energy supply while maximizing the lifespan of components by preventing overcharging and optimizing power distribution between batteries and fuel cells.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell (4) which couples to the load connections (2) via a DC/DC converter (5)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an energy supply system having energy supply modules which are connected in parallel and each controlled autonomously, the energy supply modules each including load connections, a battery which couples directly to the load connections, a fuel cell which couples to the load connections via a DC/DC converter, characterized in that, within an energy supply module, the operating point of the fuel cell and the operating point of the DC/DC converter are able to be controlled by an energy management system on the basis of a state of charge of the battery, and to a method for supplying energy.