Emergency Start for Fuel Cell Vehicles via Self-Powered Air Blower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell-powered vehicles cannot be started if the high-voltage battery or DC-DC converter fails, as the air blower necessary for starting the fuel cell ceases to function, leading to a nitrogenous atmosphere in the cathode and eventual formation of an oxygen-rich atmosphere, making it impossible to restart the vehicle without repair.
Innovation Solution
An emergency start method and system that detects an abnormal state in the power supply system of the air blower, opens an air-check valve to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell, and operates the air blower using power generated from the fuel cell, allowing for an emergency start even if the high-voltage battery or converter is faulty, with air-check valves at both inlet and outlet preventing external air introduction and optimizing hydrogen supply based on elapsed time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the high-voltage battery or DC-DC converter breaks down, then the power supply system fails, but the air blower cannot operate to supply air to the fuel cell
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell is enabled to supply power directly to the air blower through the air-check valve mechanism, allowing the system to self-start without external power supply. The fuel cell generates electricity from hydrogen and oxygen reactions, and this electricity powers the air blower to supply air back to the fuel cell, creating a self-sustaining startup cycle that eliminates dependency on the high-voltage battery or DC-DC converter.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the air supply function from the power supply system by introducing the air-check valve as an independent control mechanism. The air-check valve is divided into first and second valves positioned at different locations (air inlet and air outlet), allowing selective control of air circulation paths. This segmentation enables the air blower to be powered directly by the fuel cell rather than through the conventional power supply chain.
2Reliability
If the air-check valve opens to enable emergency start, then the fuel cell can restart without power system, but external air may be introduced into the cathode
Solution Approach 1:
The air-check valve acts as an intermediary device that selectively controls air flow paths. The first air-check valve at the air inlet and the second air-check valve at the air outlet work together as intermediary components that allow internal air circulation when open, while preventing external air contamination. The valve mechanism serves as a mediator between the fuel cell's internal atmosphere and the external environment, enabling emergency operation without compromising cathode purity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If hydrogen is supplied continuously to the fuel cell, then the fuel cell can maintain operation, but unnecessary hydrogen consumption or leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the operational state of the fuel cell and the air-check valve status. Hydrogen supply is adjusted based on feedback signals indicating whether the fuel cell is in emergency mode or normal operation. The controller receives feedback from sensors detecting air flow, voltage output, and valve position, then modulates hydrogen supply accordingly - maintaining supply during emergency operation to sustain the fuel cell, but reducing or stopping supply when normal power restoration is detected, thereby preventing unnecessary hydrogen consumption and leakage.
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
Enables the emergency start of a fuel cell-powered vehicle within 3 to 4 hours after system failure, ensuring the vehicle can be driven to a service center for repair, while preventing unnecessary hydrogen consumption or leakage by timing the hydrogen supply based on the elapsed time since the fuel cell stopped.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell, and the air blower operates with power generated from the fuel cell
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency start method for a fuel cell-powered vehicle includes starting the vehicle and detecting an abnormal state of a power supply system of an air blower upon the start of the vehicle. If the power supply system of the air blower is in the abnormal state, an air-check valve of a fuel cell opens. Hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell, and the air blower operates with power generated from the fuel cell and an emergency start system.