Fuel Cell Cooling Pump Speed Control for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell stacks in vehicles face challenges in maintaining optimal temperature to prevent flooding and dry-out phenomena while minimizing power consumption, as existing temperature control systems are inefficient in adjusting cooling water pump and fan operations.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the voltage of a cooling pump and power converter by implementing modes such as pump OFF and pump normal modes based on cooling water outlet temperature, air outlet temperature, and torque values to optimize the operation of the cooling system, and a low output avoidance mode to manage the bus terminal voltage, ensuring the fuel cell stack operates within a normal temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cooling water pump operates at high rotation speed to maintain fuel cell stack temperature, then the temperature control reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cooling water pump rotation speed adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically changes the pump's rotation speed based on real-time temperature measurements from the fuel cell stack, allowing the system to adapt to varying thermal conditions and minimize power consumption while maintaining temperature control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the cooling water pump by adjusting its rotation speed according to temperature conditions. When the fuel cell stack temperature is within the normal range, the pump operates at reduced speed or stops, thereby reducing power consumption while still maintaining effective temperature control when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the cooling water pump rotation speed is reduced to minimize power consumption, then the power consumption is reduced, but the temperature control reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the fuel cell stack temperature and using this information to adjust the cooling water pump operation. The controller receives temperature feedback and automatically increases pump rotation speed when temperature rises above the normal range, ensuring temperature control reliability is maintained only when necessary while minimizing power consumption during normal operation.
3Power
If the bus terminal voltage is allowed to increase to maximize power output, then the power output is improved, but the cooling system efficiency deteriorates due to increased heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control to monitor bus terminal voltage and adjust cooling water pump operation accordingly. When voltage increases and heat generation rises, the system increases pump rotation speed to enhance cooling efficiency, thereby managing the trade-off between power output and cooling system efficiency dynamically based on real-time conditions.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the cooling water pump operates continuously to maintain optimal temperature, then the temperature stability is improved, but the power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or conditional operation of the cooling water pump rather than continuous operation. The pump operates intermittently based on temperature conditions, running at reduced speed or stopping when the fuel cell stack temperature is within the normal range, and activating only when temperature control is needed. This approach maintains temperature stability while reducing power consumption and control system complexity.
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 effectively maintains the fuel cell stack temperature within a normal range, preventing flooding and dry-out, while reducing power consumption and allowing for temperature adjustments by charging the battery, thus enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the fuel cell system.
Implementation Method 1
a water cooling type which cools the fuel cell stack by circulating water through a cooling water channel in the fuel cell stack
Implementation Method 2
a fuel cell stack that generates electric energy from an electrochemical reaction of reaction gas
Implementation Method 3
a radiator 60 and a cooling fan 21 that discharges heat from cooling water to the exterior
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling a temperature of a fuel cell stack are provided. The method includes performing a pump OFF mode which turns off the cooling water pump or operates the cooling water pump while reducing the rotation speed of the cooling water pump to be less than the reference rotation speed, when a cooling water outlet temperature is equal to or less than a preset first temperature while a pump normal mode which adjusts a rotation speed of a cooling water pump to be equal to or greater than a preset reference rotation speed and varies rpm based on the cooling water outlet temperature is performed. In addition, the pump normal mode is performed when a cooling water outlet temperature estimation value of the fuel cell stack exceeds a preset second temperature while the pump OFF mode is performed.