Fuel Cell Anode Pressure Control Without Injector Hitting Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell systems using injectors to regulate internal pressures suffer from noise issues due to frequent needle movement, which is not addressed effectively by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system that replaces the injector with a stop valve and regulator, utilizing a controller to manage fuel and oxygen flow rates, performing leakage checks to ensure optimal operation and prevent hydrogen insufficiency, thereby maintaining quietness and preventing oxygen from remaining in the stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an injector with a solenoid and needle is used to regulate internal pressure of the fuel cell stack, then the pressure control function is achieved, but hitting noise is generated due to frequent needle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the noise-generating components (solenoid and needle) from the pressure control system. By replacing the injector with a stop valve and regulator combination, the harmful hitting noise is eliminated while preserving the essential pressure regulation function through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical solenoid-needle system with a different mechanical system consisting of a stop valve and regulator. This substitution eliminates the hitting noise generated by the needle striking the seat, while achieving the same pressure control objective through valve opening/closing and flow rate regulation mechanisms.
2Productivity
If the injector is used to frequently turn ON and OFF to regulate internal pressure, then the pressure regulation is achieved, but the needle frequently hits the edge of the gas ejection port generating noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the needle component that causes hitting noise during frequent operations. By using a stop valve and regulator system, the frequency of operation can be maintained for pressure regulation without the harmful side effect of needle impact noise.
3Ease of operation
If the injector structure with solenoid is used, then the gas ejection control is achieved, but the system generates hitting noise and requires complex components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the solenoid component from the gas ejection control system. By replacing it with a stop valve and regulator, the control function is maintained while eliminating the complex electromagnetic components and their associated noise generation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the solenoid-based electromagnetic mechanical system with a simpler valve and regulator mechanical system. This substitution reduces device complexity by eliminating the solenoid, needle, and associated components while maintaining effective gas ejection control through pressure-regulated flow.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell stack; a fuel tank; a fuel pipe connecting the fuel cell stack and the fuel tank; a fuel regulator disposed in the fuel pipe and configured to regulate a flow rate of fuel gas to be supplied from the fuel tank to an anode; a fuel stop valve disposed in the fuel pipe; and a controller. The controller is configured to execute, when activating or stopping the fuel cell stack: a first process of opening the fuel stop valve and the fuel regulator; a second process of closing the fuel stop valve and the fuel regulator when an anode internal pressure reaches a predetermined first anode pressure; and a third process of outputting a signal indicating occurrence of fuel leakage when the anode internal pressure after a predetermined first period is lower than a predetermined second anode pressure.