Fuel Cell Hydrogen Discharge Valve Abnormality Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing abnormality detection systems for hydrogen discharge valves in fuel cell systems cannot accurately determine failures during transition states, such as when the accelerator pedal is abruptly depressed, as they rely on normal operation conditions for failure determination.

Innovation Solution

An abnormality detecting device with a hydrogen off-gas circulation passage, a discharge passage, a hydrogen discharge valve, and gas state quantity detecting means positioned downstream from the valve, which determines abnormalities based on the gas state quantity of the hydrogen off-gas, allowing for accurate detection regardless of the fuel cell's operation state. This device can include a mixing chamber for enhanced accuracy and may utilize pressure, temperature, or dielectric constant sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If abnormality determination is made only during normal operation, then the detection system is simple, but it cannot detect failures during transition states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure detection capabilityVSAvoidoperation state coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic abnormality determination by continuously monitoring gas state quantity during all operation states (normal, transition, and transient states). The system adapts the determination criteria based on the current operation state, enabling reliable failure detection across varying operating conditions rather than only during steady-state normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the determination parameter from fixed normal-operation-based criteria to dynamic gas state quantity measurements that adapt to different operation states. By monitoring parameters such as hydrogen concentration, temperature, and pressure in real-time across all operation states, the system achieves comprehensive failure detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If gas state quantity detecting means is positioned downstream from the hydrogen discharge valve, then abnormality detection accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormality detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces gas state quantity detecting means as an intermediary element positioned downstream from the hydrogen discharge valve. This detector serves as a mediator that indirectly measures valve abnormality by monitoring the gas state (composition, temperature, pressure) after the valve, providing accurate failure detection without requiring direct contact with or complex integration into the valve mechanism itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If real-time gas state monitoring is implemented, then failure detection during transition states is enabled, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransition state detectionVSAvoiddetection system energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback-based monitoring system where gas state quantity is continuously measured downstream from the hydrogen discharge valve and fed back to the control unit. This feedback loop enables real-time detection of valve abnormalities during transition states by comparing actual gas state parameters against expected values, allowing the system to adaptively respond to changing operating conditions while maintaining energy efficiency through intelligent control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 reliable detection of hydrogen discharge valve abnormalities during both normal and transition operation states, improving the accuracy and safety of fuel cell system operations by determining valve failures based on real-time gas state changes.

Implementation Method 1

gas state quantity detecting means for detecting a gas state quantity of the hydrogen off-gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas state quantity detection:

Data Source

PatentUS7718286B2Abnormality detecting device of fuel cell system

Publication Date: 2010.05.18 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

An abnormality detecting device of a fuel cell system according to the invention includes a hydrogen off-gas circulation passage for making hydrogen off-gas discharged from a fuel cell flow back to an anode; a discharge passage for discharging part of the hydrogen off-gas, which is circulated through the hydrogen off-gas circulation passage, from the hydrogen off-gas circulation passage; a hydrogen discharge valve provided in the discharge passage; abnormality determining means for determining whether an abnormality has occurred in opening/closing of the hydrogen discharge valve and gas state quantity detecting means for detecting a gas state quantity of the hydrogen off-gas, the gas state quantity detecting means being provided in the discharge passage at a position downstream from the hydrogen discharge valve. The abnormality determining means determines whether an abnormality has occurred in opening/closing of the hydrogen discharge valve based on the gas state quantity of the hydrogen off-gas.