Fuel Cell Flow Rate Measurement Device Operation Determination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining if a fuel cell is in operation based on instantaneous and moving average gas flow rates are prone to errors due to fluctuations in measured flow rates caused by installation environments and other factors.
Innovation Solution
A flow rate measurement device calculates first and second average flow rates over set periods and uses specific conditions to determine if a fuel cell is operational, including a gradual upward trend in average flow rates and limited variation, enhancing accuracy even in fluctuating environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If instantaneous flow rate and moving average value are used to determine fuel cell operation, then the determination method is simple, but the accuracy deteriorates due to flow rate fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the determination process into multiple segments: setting multiple determination periods (first period with M flow rates, second period with N first periods), calculating separate average flow rates for each period, and evaluating multiple conditions (A, B, C) for each period. This segmentation allows the system to analyze flow rate patterns at different time scales, improving accuracy while maintaining a structured, manageable determination framework.
2Measurement precision
If average flow rates over multiple periods are calculated and multiple conditions are evaluated, then the determination accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing determination periods that are set at regular intervals. The first period uses M flow rates, and the second period uses N first periods, creating a rhythmic, repeating evaluation cycle. This periodic structure simplifies the complexity by providing a predictable, systematic approach to multi-period analysis, making the determination process more manageable despite evaluating multiple conditions.
3Speed
If determination is based on instantaneous flow rate, then the response time is fast, but the reliability deteriorates due to flow rate fluctuations from installation environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-setting determination periods and establishing multiple evaluation conditions (A, B, C) before actual determination occurs. The system prepares the framework for analyzing average flow rates across multiple periods in advance, so when determination is needed, it can quickly evaluate whether the pre-established conditions are met. This reduces response time while maintaining reliability through the robust pre-configured multi-condition evaluation system.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A flow rate measurement device includes flow rate measurer (102) to measure a flow rate of a fluid at regular time intervals, the fluid flowing in flow path (101), period setting unit (104) to set a first period and a second period, arithmetic unit (105) to calculate first average flow rates and amounts of change each between the average flow rates in sequence, and second average flow rates and amounts of change each between the average flow rates in sequence in a predetermined period, and fuel cell determinator (106) to determine whether or not a fuel cell is in operation. Fuel cell determinator (106) determines that a fuel cell is in operation when an increment of the second average flow rate within a first predetermined flow rate range repeats for first predetermined successive times, an increment of the first average flow rate within a second predetermined flow rate range repeats for second predetermined times or more in each of the second periods, and an increment of the first average flow rate not greater than or equal to a third predetermined flow rate in each of the second periods.