Fuel Cell Injection Current Apparatus for Fault Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for diagnosing faults in fuel cell stacks are complex, require numerous parts, and increase costs due to the need for sinusoidal alternating current injection, which complicates the configuration and increases part volume and cost.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that generate an alternating current component by changing the state of a switch in the signal current from a fuel cell stack, using an inductor to accumulate and output boost voltage, and a converter to provide the voltage to a load, eliminating the need for resistors and simplifying the system by calculating current, impedance, and total harmonic distortion to diagnose faults.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional sinusoidal alternating current injection method is used for fault diagnosis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and part volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault diagnosis accuracyVSAvoidapparatus configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential function of generating alternating current for fault diagnosis, eliminating unnecessary sinusoidal waveform generation components. By using a simple switch to generate square wave alternating current instead of complex sinusoidal current generation apparatus, the invention reduces device complexity while maintaining adequate measurement precision for fault diagnosis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of generating sinusoidal alternating current through complex apparatus as conventionally done, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple switch to generate square wave alternating current directly. This inversion simplifies the apparatus configuration while still enabling effective fault diagnosis through alternating current injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If conventional sinusoidal alternating current injection method is used for fault diagnosis, then measurement precision is improved, but product cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault diagnosis accuracyVSAvoidproduct cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential function of alternating current generation for fault diagnosis, removing complex sinusoidal waveform generation components. By using simple switches and basic circuit elements to generate square wave alternating current, the invention significantly reduces product cost while maintaining adequate measurement precision for fault diagnosis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive switches and basic circuit elements to generate alternating current for fault diagnosis, replacing expensive sinusoidal current generation apparatus. This approach uses cheap components that can be easily manufactured and replaced, reducing overall product cost while maintaining diagnostic functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If resistor is used in the current generation apparatus, then current control is achieved, but heat loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent control capabilityVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/resistive current control method with an electronic switching control method. Instead of using resistors to control current (which generates heat loss), the invention uses switches to control current flow through inductive elements, achieving current control with minimal energy loss and eliminating the need for heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 simplifies the configuration, reduces part volume and cost, decreases heat loss, and improves system efficiency by generating injection current through a switch-based alternating current component, enabling effective fault diagnosis in fuel cell stacks.

Implementation Method 1

an inductor configured to output accumulated energy according to a state of the switch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10170998B2Method for generating injection current for fuel cell stack and apparatus for performing the same

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 HYUNDAI KEFICO CORP

AI summary

An apparatus for generating injection current for a fuel cell stack includes a switch configured to retain any one state of an on state and an off state; an inductor configured to output accumulated energy according to a state of the switch; and a converter configured to provide an output of the inductor to a load or convert the output into a predetermined voltage and provide the predetermined voltage to a load.