Fuel Cell Stack Injection Current Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for diagnosing faults in fuel cell stacks are costly and increase circuit volume due to the need for high transformation ratios when boosting direct current from vehicle batteries, and they cannot measure stack voltage before power generation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a high voltage battery to boost only several tens of volts, incorporating converters to convert direct current to alternating current, and a control unit for feedback control to inject filtered alternating current into the fuel cell stack, with a bidirectional converter for voltage management, allowing fault diagnosis before power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a general battery is used for vehicle power supply, then the battery can provide sufficient power, but the transformation ratio increases leading to higher part costs and larger circuit volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter of the battery system by introducing a high voltage battery (e.g., 48V or higher) instead of conventional low-voltage batteries. This parameter change reduces the transformation ratio required for voltage boosting, thereby decreasing circuit volume and part costs while maintaining sufficient power supply capability for vehicle operations including fuel cell stack diagnosis
2Power
If conventional battery systems are used, then power supply is adequate, but fault diagnosis of fuel cell stack cannot be performed before power generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary fault diagnosis of the fuel cell stack before actual power generation begins. By using the high voltage battery to maintain a power-on state and perform diagnostic measurements (such as voltage measurements) in advance, the system can identify potential issues before they affect operational performance, improving reliability while maintaining adequate power supply
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
Reduces part costs and circuit volume while enabling fault diagnosis of fuel cell stacks before power generation by using a high voltage battery to decrease transformation ratios and maintain a power-on state, facilitating efficient voltage management.
Implementation Method 1
a first converter configured to convert direct current of a voltage corresponding to a high voltage battery, into direct current of a predetermined voltage
Implementation Method 2
a second converter configured to convert the converted direct current into alternating current
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for generating injection current for a fuel cell stack includes a first converter configured to convert direct current of a voltage corresponding to a high voltage battery, into direct current of a predetermined voltage; a second converter configured to convert the converted direct current into alternating current; a filter configured to filter a signal of a predetermined frequency band from the converted alternating current; and a control unit configured to perform a feedback control to allow the filtered alternating current to be injected without being distorted when injecting the filtered alternating current into the fuel cell stack.