Fuel Cell Segmentation with Energy Storage for Peak Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell vehicles face high costs and short service life due to oversized fuel cells designed to meet peak power demands, leading to frequent replacements and increased operating costs.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion system comprising a DC bus connected to multiple fuel cells and an energy storage device, where the controller regulates energy distribution to minimize transient demands on the fuel cells, allowing smaller, less costly fuel cells to operate efficiently by supplementing power with energy storage during peak demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If fuel cells are sized to meet peak power requirements during periods of steep acceleration, then power output is sufficient for maximum demand, but the fuel cells become significantly larger than desired for the majority of driving situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fuel cell system into multiple smaller fuel cells (first fuel cell, second fuel cell, etc.) rather than using a single large fuel cell. Each fuel cell operates within optimal power ranges, and their outputs are combined to meet peak demands. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high power output without requiring each individual fuel cell to be oversized, thus resolving the contradiction between power output and fuel cell size.
2Power
If a single large fuel cell is used to meet maximum power demand requirements, then power output is sufficient, but the service life decreases as the total number of transients experienced increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power delivery function across multiple fuel cells, each operating in more stable conditions with fewer transients. The control system manages power distribution to minimize transient exposure for each individual cell while maintaining the ability to meet peak power demands collectively, thereby extending overall system service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs energy storage devices (capacitors, batteries) to provide partial power output during transient conditions, reducing the burden on fuel cells. This allows fuel cells to operate at more stable, optimal points while energy storage devices handle the excessive power demands during acceleration and transient periods, preserving fuel cell service life.
3Power
If fuel cells are sized to meet peak power requirements, then power output is sufficient, but the cost of the vehicle increases both in initial cost and operating costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple smaller, less expensive fuel cells instead of one large, costly fuel cell. The segmented approach reduces initial manufacturing costs while meeting peak power requirements through coordinated operation of multiple cells and integration with energy storage devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses energy storage devices to provide partial power output during peak demands, reducing the size and cost requirements for fuel cells. This hybrid approach lowers both initial vehicle cost and operating costs while maintaining sufficient peak power capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If the size of fuel cells is decreased to reduce cost, then vehicle cost decreases, but the ability to meet peak power demands is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges fuel cells with energy storage devices (capacitors, batteries) to create a hybrid power system. This combination allows smaller, less expensive fuel cells to be used while the energy storage devices supplement power output during peak demands, collectively meeting peak power requirements without compromising cost effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses energy storage devices to provide partial or excessive power output during transient and peak conditions, enabling the use of smaller, more cost-effective fuel cells that would otherwise be insufficient for meeting peak power demands alone.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive circuit comprising a DC bus configured to supply power to a load, a first fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a first power output to the DC bus, and a second fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a second power output to the DC bus supplemental to the first fuel cell. The drive circuit further includes an energy storage device coupled to the DC bus and configured to receive energy from the DC bus when a combined output of the first and second fuel cells is greater than a power demand from a load, and provide energy to the DC bus when the combined output of the first and second fuel cells is less than the power demand from the load.