Fuel Cell Pressure Control Valve Sensor Failure Strategy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell systems cannot maintain accurate control of the air compressor when an abnormality occurs in the pressure sensor for detecting oxide gas pressure, leading to immediate cessation of cell operation.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with a pressure control valve that opens to a predetermined setting of 80% or more when an abnormality is detected in the pressure detection means, allowing continued operation and preventing damage to system components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fuel cell system stops operation immediately when an abnormality is detected in the pressure sensor, then system safety is maintained, but operational continuity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control device opens the pressure control valve to a predetermined opening (80% or more) in advance when sensor abnormality is detected, before complete system shutdown occurs. This preliminary action maintains sufficient gas supply pressure to allow the fuel cell to continue operating at reduced capacity, enabling safe return to a service location while preventing immediate operational cessation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a fail-safe measure by pre-setting the pressure control valve to a safe predetermined opening position that ensures minimum gas supply pressure. This cushioning approach provides a buffer that prevents complete system failure and allows continued operation under abnormal conditions, balancing safety requirements with operational continuity needs
2Productivity
If the pressure control valve opening is set to a fixed high value (80% or more) during sensor abnormality, then operational continuity is maintained, but control precision is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control device changes the operating parameter of the pressure control valve from dynamic adjustment based on sensor feedback to a fixed predetermined opening (80% or more) when sensor abnormality is detected. This parameter change maintains sufficient gas flow for continued operation while accepting the trade-off of reduced control precision, enabling the system to reach a service location safely
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system (10) of the present invention has a fuel cell (20) which generates electric power by being supplied with reactive gas, an air compressor (C1) which supplies oxidizing gas to the fuel cell (20), a pressure sensor (P2) which detects the pressure of oxidizing gas, a pressure control valve (C2) which adjusts the pressure of oxidizing gas, and a control device (50) which adjusts the valve opening of the pressure control valve (C2) on the basis of the pressure detected by the pressure sensor (P2). When an abnormality in the pressure sensor (P2) is detected, the control device (50) opens the pressure control valve (C2) so that the valve opening thereof is equal to or larger than a predetermined opening. This arrangement ensures that the cell operation can be continued for a while instead of being immediately stopped in the event of abnormality in the pressure sensor (P2).