Fuel Cell Coolant Filling with Gas Path Pressure Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell systems face challenges in efficiently filling coolant to the coolant circuit without damaging sensitive components like bipolar plates, and there is a need to reduce the time required for this process.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for controlling fluid pressure in the gas paths between bipolar plates during coolant filling, using inert gases and pressure sensors to manage differential pressures and maintain optimal pressure levels, thereby reducing the risk of damage and time required for filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If coolant is filled quickly to the coolant circuit, then the filling time is reduced, but the risk of damaging bipolar plates increases due to uncontrolled pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the fluid pressure in the coolant path using a pressure sensor and adjusts the gas pressure in the gas path accordingly. When coolant filling causes pressure changes in the coolant path, the controller detects these changes and modifies the gas path pressure to maintain safe differential pressure levels, enabling fast filling without damaging the bipolar plates.
Solution Approach 2:
An inert gas is introduced into the gas path as an intermediary substance to indirectly control the pressure environment during coolant filling. The gas pressure acts as a mediator that balances the pressure differential across the bipolar plates, allowing rapid coolant injection while preventing direct pressure damage to the plates.
2Productivity
If fluid pressure in the coolant path is increased to speed up filling, then productivity is improved, but the differential pressure may damage bipolar plates
Solution Approach 1:
The inert gas in the gas path serves as a pressure mediator that counterbalances the increased coolant pressure. When coolant pressure is raised to improve filling speed, the controller simultaneously adjusts gas pressure to maintain the differential pressure within safe limits, preventing damage while enabling high-speed filling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the pressure parameters in the gas path in response to coolant filling operations. By adjusting gas pressure to match and counterbalance coolant pressure changes, the system enables rapid filling while maintaining safe differential pressure conditions across the bipolar plates.
3Reliability
If gas pressure control is implemented in the gas path, then the safety of bipolar plates is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure sensor monitors the coolant path pressure and feeds this information to a controller that automatically adjusts gas pressure accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system provides robust protection for the bipolar plates while keeping the control logic relatively simple and automated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing pressure changes during coolant filling as the control signal itself. The coolant filling process automatically generates the pressure variations that the sensor detects and the controller responds to, eliminating the need for separate control signals or complex external control systems.
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
The method and device enable faster and safer coolant filling by minimizing the risk of damage to bipolar plates and optimizing pressure control, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the coolant circuit filling process.
Implementation Method 1
controlling a fluid pressure in the at least one gas path... ensuring that a differential pressure, being a difference between the fluid pressure in the coolant path and the fluid pressure in the at least one gas path, is below a differential pressure threshold
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for filling a coolant to a coolant circuit (2) of a fuel cell system (1), the method comprising: - filling (S1) coolant to the coolant circuit (2), - during filling coolant to the coolant circuit (2), controlling (S2) a fluid pressure in at least one gas path (41, 42) of a fuel cell stack (3) of the fuel cell system (1). The disclosure also relates to a device (100) for filling a coolant to a coolant circuit (2) of a fuel cell system (1), to a fuel cell system (1) and to a vehicle (200)