Fuel Cell Stacked Assembly Resonance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell systems face challenges in preventing vibration-induced resonance in stacked assemblies, which can lead to increased costs due to hardware modifications and susceptibility to vibration changes over time, despite efforts to increase resonance frequency.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with a resonance determining unit and controller that adjusts parameters such as length, temperature, fastening load, fluid pressure, and electric power generation to shift the natural frequency of the stacked assembly outside the resonance region, thereby preventing resonance without increasing hardware components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a spring element is mounted to increase the resonance frequency of the stacked assembly, then the resonance frequency is increased, but the parts count and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes physical parameters of the existing stacked assembly (temperature, pressure, fastening load) to adjust the resonance frequency, avoiding the need to add spring elements or other hardware components. This resolves the contradiction by achieving the desired frequency change through parameter modulation rather than structural modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring element approach with a control system that uses sensors and actuators to dynamically adjust operational parameters. This substitution eliminates the need for additional mechanical components while achieving the same functional outcome of resonance frequency adjustment.
2Reliability
If the resonance frequency is increased by hardware modification, then the likelihood of vibration at resonance frequency is reduced, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that continuously monitors vibration characteristics and adjusts operational parameters in real-time to keep the resonance frequency away from problematic vibration ranges. This dynamic approach improves reliability without requiring permanent hardware modifications, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vibration sensors to detect resonance conditions and feeds this information back to the controller, which then adjusts parameters such as temperature or pressure to shift the resonance frequency. This closed-loop feedback system ensures reliable vibration avoidance while maintaining simple hardware configuration.
3Device complexity
If the resonance frequency is fixed by initial assembly, then the structure is simple, but the system becomes susceptible to resonance as parts deteriorate over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static resonance frequency determined by initial assembly into a dynamic parameter that can be adjusted during operation. By continuously adapting the resonance frequency through parameter changes, the system maintains its ability to avoid resonance even as parts deteriorate, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and long-term reliability.
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
Effectively prevents resonance phenomena in fuel cell systems by dynamically adjusting key parameters, ensuring stable operation despite changes in conditions, while maintaining a reduced component count and cost.
Implementation Method 1
the controller may be configured to increase or reduce a temperature of the stacked assembly if the resonance determining unit determines that the vibration of the stacked assembly is within the resonance region
Implementation Method 2
the controller may be configured to change a length of the stacked assembly in a stacking direction of the unit cells
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system includes a stacked assembly, a resonance determining unit, and a controller. The stacked assembly includes a plurality of unit cells stacked together. Each of the unit cells includes an electrolyte membrane, and a pair of electrodes between which the electrolyte membrane is sandwiched. The resonance determining unit is configured to determine whether vibration of the stacked assembly which occurs during running of a vehicle is within a resonance region of the stacked assembly. The controller is configured to change a natural frequency of the stacked assembly such that the vibration of the stacked assembly falls outside the resonance region, if the resonance determining unit determines that the vibration of the stacked assembly is within the resonance region.