Fuel Cell Power Control with Battery Buffer for EV Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited autonomy of fuel cells in electric vehicles due to heavy, bulky, and expensive hydrogen storage tanks, which restricts the amount of hydrogen that can be stored on board, necessitating an optimization of hydrogen consumption to enhance vehicle range without increasing tank size.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling an electrical power system in electric vehicles that optimizes fuel cell operation by using a combination of a hydrogen tank and a battery, where an electronic control device manages power distribution between the fuel cell and battery to reduce hydrogen consumption, ensuring efficient energy use and extended vehicle autonomy without the need for larger tanks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the amount of hydrogen stored on board is increased to extend vehicle autonomy, then the vehicle's range is improved, but the tank becomes more massive and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel cell system with a battery system to create a hybrid powertrain. The battery serves as an auxiliary energy storage device that complements the hydrogen tank, allowing the vehicle to extend its autonomy without proportionally increasing hydrogen storage capacity. This merging of two different energy storage technologies resolves the contradiction by distributing the energy storage function across multiple components with different characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device dynamically adjusts the operating parameters of the fuel cell, specifically modulating the hydrogen consumption rate based on vehicle power demands and battery state of charge. By changing the operational parameters rather than simply increasing storage capacity, the system optimizes hydrogen utilization efficiency, thereby extending effective autonomy without requiring proportional increases in tank size or mass.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the hydrogen tank size is increased to provide more energy autonomy, then the vehicle's range is extended, but the tank becomes more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fuel cell system with a battery system to create a hybrid powertrain. The battery serves as an auxiliary energy storage device that complements the hydrogen tank, allowing the vehicle to extend its autonomy without proportionally increasing hydrogen storage capacity. This merging of two different energy storage technologies resolves the contradiction by distributing the energy storage function across multiple components with different characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device dynamically adjusts the operating parameters of the fuel cell, specifically modulating the hydrogen consumption rate based on vehicle power demands and battery state of charge. By changing the operational parameters rather than simply increasing storage capacity, the system optimizes hydrogen utilization efficiency, thereby extending effective autonomy without requiring proportional increases in tank size or mass.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the hydrogen tank volume is increased to enhance energy autonomy, then the vehicle's range is improved, but the tank occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel cell system with a battery system to create a hybrid powertrain. The battery serves as an auxiliary energy storage device that complements the hydrogen tank, allowing the vehicle to extend its autonomy without proportionally increasing hydrogen storage capacity. This merging of two different energy storage technologies resolves the contradiction by distributing the energy storage function across multiple components with different characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device dynamically adjusts the operating parameters of the fuel cell, specifically modulating the hydrogen consumption rate based on vehicle power demands and battery state of charge. By changing the operational parameters rather than simply increasing storage capacity, the system optimizes hydrogen utilization efficiency, thereby extending effective autonomy without requiring proportional increases in tank size or mass.
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 approach reduces hydrogen consumption, thereby increasing vehicle autonomy without the need for larger, more expensive tanks, ensuring the fuel cell can provide electrical power when needed while maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell (8)
Implementation Method 2
a battery (16)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for controlling an electrical power supply system for an electric vehicle (2) comprises steps consisting of: • acquiring (100) a first power setpoint value corresponding to the electrical power to be supplied by the battery; • determining (102) the electrical power required by the drive system and the electrical power required by said at least one auxiliary device; • determining (104) the state of the battery; • calculating (106) at least one electrical power value to be delivered by the fuel cell; • calculating (108) a second electrical power setpoint value to be supplied by the fuel cell, this value being optimized so that the fuel cell operates at a level equal to or close to its maximum efficiency point.