Fuel Cell Startup Control Using Battery Power Threshold
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell systems, if a fuel cell fails to start up due to issues like inadequate fuel or oxidizing gas supply, the vehicle stops as the electric power from the secondary battery is used up, leading to inconvenient and prolonged startup times.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system that calculates an allowable waiting time based on stored power in the secondary battery, issues an alarm if the fuel cell fails to start up within this time, allowing the system to be turned off without depleting the battery power, thereby reducing startup time and conserving energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the fuel cell system uses secondary battery power during startup, then the startup time is reduced, but the battery power is depleted and the vehicle stops if the fuel cell fails to start up
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates the allowable waiting time in advance based on the secondary battery's stored power level before attempting fuel cell startup. This preliminary calculation establishes a safety threshold that prevents complete battery depletion, allowing the system to prepare contingency measures before the actual startup attempt begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The alarming means provides real-time feedback to the user when the fuel cell fails to start up within the calculated allowable waiting time. This feedback mechanism alerts the user to the startup failure and the remaining battery status, enabling timely intervention to prevent complete power depletion and vehicle stoppage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the fuel cell system waits for complete startup before using battery power, then battery power is conserved, but the startup time increases and convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the allowable waiting time based on current battery charge levels before the fuel cell startup begins. This advance preparation establishes a safe operating window that balances battery conservation with user convenience, allowing the user to understand the expected wait time and remaining power buffer before the startup process commences.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the system allows extended waiting time for fuel cell startup, then the fuel cell has sufficient time to initialize, but the battery power is depleted before startup completion
Solution Approach 1:
The alarming means monitors the startup process continuously and provides feedback to the user when the fuel cell fails to start within the pre-calculated allowable waiting time. This real-time monitoring and alerting prevents the battery from being completely depleted during a failed startup attempt, maintaining a safety buffer of remaining power.
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
Enables the fuel cell system to be turned off without using up secondary battery power when startup fails, while shortening overall startup time and ensuring power remains for essential devices.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell which generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction of a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system is turned off without using up the electric power of a secondary battery in the case where a fuel cell fails to start up, while reducing the startup time of the fuel cell system. When an ignition key is turned on, a controller calculates allowable waiting time for a fuel cell to start up on the basis of the electric power stored in a secondary battery. If the fuel cell fails to start up during the period of time from the instant the ignition key was turned on until the allowable waiting time elapses, then the controller turns on an alarm lamp which indicates the startup failure of the fuel cell. Meanwhile, in the case where the fuel cell starts up, the controller begins a normal operation in which a traction motor and the like are actuated by using the electric power generated by the fuel cell and the electric power stored in the secondary battery.