Fuel Cell Controller Using Battery SOC for Stable Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel cell systems struggle to stabilize output requests from users while considering battery state of charge (SOC) in output limit states, leading to potential durability issues due to inadequate control over fuel cell usage and battery supplementation.

Innovation Solution

A controller and method that calculate fuel cell output by excluding battery output, using factors like residual available energy, SOC, and system request output, to derive an output command value that adapts to durability conditions, ensuring stable operation and extended fuel cell durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the maximum output of fuel cell is limited to improve durability, then fuel cell durability is improved, but the system cannot satisfy variable output requests of user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel cell durabilityVSAvoidoutput request satisfaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary charging of the battery before the fuel cell reaches its output limit state. By calculating the output limit time in advance and preemptively charging the battery, the system prepares energy reserves that will be available when the fuel cell needs to be restricted, thus satisfying user output requests even when the fuel cell is operating at limited output levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The battery acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the fuel cell and the user's output requests. When the fuel cell output is insufficient or limited, the battery supplements the power delivery to meet the user's demands. This intermediary role allows the fuel cell to operate within safe limits while the system as a whole maintains the required output performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If battery supplements fuel cell output when fuel cell output is insufficient, then system output is maintained, but battery may supply insufficient output when fully discharged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem outputVSAvoidbattery output reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the battery's state of charge (SOC) and uses this feedback information to adjust its operation. When the battery SOC drops below a predetermined threshold, the system modifies its charging strategy, prioritizing battery recharging over other operations. This feedback mechanism ensures the battery maintains sufficient charge levels to reliably supplement fuel cell output when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If output limit time is calculated only for preset output values, then output limit information is available for specific points, but output limit time is unknown for continuous output values less than maximum output

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput limit information availabilityVSAvoidcontinuous output control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses interpolation techniques to calculate output limit times for continuous output values based on the discrete preset output value data. By applying mathematical relationships between output power and time, the system derives output limit information for any output level between the preset values, enabling continuous output control while maintaining accurate output limit management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20230062541A1Controller and controlling method of operating fuel cell

Publication Date: 2023.03.02 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A controller and a controlling method of operating a fuel cell are provided. The controller for operating a fuel cell in a system, the system being configured to generate an output through the fuel cell and a battery, includes an input part configured to receive a system request output of a user, a calculating part configured to calculate a fuel cell output by excluding a battery output from the system request output of the user, the battery output being derived through a plurality of factors, the plurality of factors including residual available energy of the fuel cell, and an operating part configured to control the operation of the fuel cell in response to the fuel cell output calculated by the calculating part.