Fuel Cell Sensor Reset for Continuous Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell systems tend to stop operating unnecessarily due to temporary abnormalities in flow sensors or communication issues between sensors and the control device, leading to decreased usability and prolonged restart times.
Innovation Solution
The control device performs a reset process to reconnect switches and maintain normal operation of flow sensors and communication, allowing the system to continue operating even with sensor or communication abnormalities by adjusting the driving amounts of pumps and blowers based on detected flow amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fuel cell system stops operating when sensor abnormality or communication abnormality is detected, then the system safety is improved, but the usability and continuous operation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its response to sensor abnormalities based on the type of abnormality detected. For temporary abnormalities (such as communication glitches), the system performs a reset process and continues operation. For persistent abnormalities, it stops operation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between safety and usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (continuation vs. stoppage) based on the characteristics of the detected abnormality. By analyzing whether the abnormality is temporary or persistent through multiple detection cycles, the system adjusts its operational state accordingly, maintaining both safety and usability.
2Measurement precision
If the fuel cell system stops operating when flow sensor abnormality is detected, then the measurement reliability is improved, but the continuous operation capability and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically responds to sensor abnormalities by performing reset processes for temporary issues while maintaining operation, and only stopping for persistent abnormalities. This dynamic approach preserves measurement reliability while maximizing continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a reset process as a preliminary action before stopping operation. This preliminary reset attempt can resolve temporary sensor abnormalities, allowing the system to continue operating and thus maintaining productivity while still ensuring measurement reliability through subsequent verification.
3Reliability
If the system performs reset process by disconnecting and reconnecting switches, then the sensor and communication can reset normally, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-reset through automated detection and control processes. The control device automatically detects sensor abnormalities, executes reset processes by controlling switch disconnection and reconnection, and determines whether to continue operation, reducing the need for manual intervention while managing the complexity internally.
4Ease of operation
If the system maintains operation during temporary sensor abnormalities, then the usability is improved, but the risk of operating with faulty sensor data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on the persistence of detected abnormalities. It continues operation for temporary abnormalities after successful reset, but stops operation for persistent abnormalities that indicate genuine faults. This dynamic response balances usability with operational safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple abnormality detection cycles to determine whether to continue or stop operation. By monitoring whether abnormalities persist after reset attempts, the system gains feedback on the true state of sensor health, allowing it to maintain operation when safe and stop when necessary, thus balancing usability and safety.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A fuel cell system (1) includes at least one of a first flow sensor (11a2) detecting a flow amount of the source material for reforming and a second flow sensor (11c2) detecting a flow amount of the cathode gas, and at least one of switches (18b, 18c) electrically connecting/disconnecting at least one of the first flow sensor (11a2) and the second flow sensor (11c2) to/from a power supply. The control device (15) includes an abnormality determination portion (15f, 15g) determining whether at least one of an abnormality of a sensor and a communication abnormality occurs, and a reset process portion (15h) operating a reset process reconnecting the switch (18b, 18c) after disconnecting when the abnormality determination portion (15f, 15g) determines that at least one of the abnormality of the sensor and the communication abnormality occurs at the flow sensor (11a2, 11c2).