Fuel Cell Compressor Abnormality Discrimination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell systems face incorrect abnormality determinations due to power consumption issues, where abnormalities in components are not accurately distinguished from those in other parts of the system, leading to unnecessary replacements.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system configuration that includes a compressor, flow rate measurement unit, pressure measurement units, and a determiner to differentiate between compressor and downstream abnormalities based on power consumption and pressure values within set ranges, preventing incorrect determinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If power consumption monitoring is used to detect abnormalities in the fuel cell system, then abnormality detection capability is improved, but false determination between compressor and downstream abnormalities occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the abnormality detection into two distinct stages: first detecting power consumption abnormalities, then determining whether the abnormality originates from the compressor or downstream components by comparing actual power consumption against reference values. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high detection sensitivity while reducing false determinations through structured analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter from simple power consumption threshold detection to comparative analysis using reference power consumption values stored in memory. By storing reference values obtained under normal operating conditions and comparing them with actual measurements, the system adapts to varying operating conditions while maintaining accurate abnormality determination.
2Reliability
If the system replaces the fuel transportation system upon detecting power consumption abnormalities, then system reliability is improved, but unnecessary replacements occur due to incorrect abnormality determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reference power consumption values as an intermediary between raw power consumption measurements and replacement decisions. These reference values, stored in memory under normal operating conditions, serve as a mediator to objectively determine whether an abnormality truly exists and requires component replacement, preventing premature or unnecessary replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-storing reference power consumption values obtained under normal operating conditions before actual abnormality detection occurs. This preliminary preparation enables accurate comparison during operation, ensuring that replacement decisions are based on genuine abnormalities rather than normal variations in power consumption.
3Ease of operation
If power consumption monitoring is implemented without reference values, then detection simplicity is improved, but determination accuracy deteriorates due to inability to distinguish compressor from downstream abnormalities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of normal operating conditions in the form of reference power consumption values stored in memory. This copying approach preserves the simplicity of direct power consumption monitoring while adding the capability to identify abnormality sources, as the system compares actual readings against the stored reference copy of normal behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell configured to generate electric power using a reactive gas; a compressor configured to compress the reactive gas and feed the compressed reactive gas to the fuel cell; a flow rate measurement unit configured to measure a flow rate of the reactive gas; a pressure measurement unit configured to measure a pressure of the compressed reactive gas; a power value acquirer configured to acquire a value of electric power consumed by the compressor; and a determiner configured to perform determination with regard to an abnormality of the fuel cell system and to provide an output indicating that an abnormality occurs. When the value of electric power corresponding to a value indicating the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit exceeds a first set value, the determiner provides an output indicating that an abnormality occurs in the compressor in a case of (a1) where a value of the pressure measured by the pressure measurement unit corresponding to the value indicating the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit is within a set range. The determiner is also configured to provide an output indicating that an abnormality occurs on a downstream side of the compressor in a case of (a2) where the value of the pressure corresponding to the value indicating the flow rate is out of the set range. This configuration allows for discrimination between an abnormality occurring in the compressor and an abnormality occurring on the downstream side of the compressor.