Fuel Cell Valve Control Abnormality Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell systems face issues with abnormal power generation due to sensor abnormalities in the on/off valve control system, leading to incorrect fuel gas supply and potential component deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with an on/off valve and a sensor that detects gas state, featuring control means to stop the valve's operation when the sensor falls into an abnormal state, including a shut valve to prevent pressure rise and automatic restart upon sensor recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an on/off valve with pressure sensor control is used to regulate fuel gas supply, then the fuel gas supply pressure can be controlled, but the system becomes vulnerable to sensor abnormalities causing wrong valve operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control means continuously monitors the sensor output and compares it against expected operational ranges. When the sensor value deviates from the normal range, the control means detects this as an abnormality and adjusts the on/off valve operation accordingly, creating a feedback loop that maintains system reliability despite sensor issues
Solution Approach 2:
The control means acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the on/off valve. It processes the sensor signal and makes decisions about valve operation, isolating the valve from direct sensor control and allowing for abnormality detection and intervention before wrong operation occurs
2Device complexity
If the on/off valve continues operation during sensor abnormality, then the valve structure remains simple, but abnormal fuel gas supply occurs causing power generation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The control means is designed to detect sensor abnormalities and stop the on/off valve operation before wrong fuel gas supply can occur. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effect from manifesting, addressing the problem proactively rather than reactively
Solution Approach 2:
The control means applies a counter-action by stopping the valve operation when sensor abnormality is detected. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the potential wrong operation that would result from the abnormal sensor reading, preventing harmful fuel gas supply
3Device complexity
If sensor abnormality is not detected, then the control system remains simple, but immediate fuel gas amount changes disturb normal power generation
Solution Approach 1:
The control means implements continuous feedback monitoring of the sensor output to detect abnormalities. When an abnormality is detected, the system responds by stopping the on/off valve, preventing disturbances to power generation and maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The control means automatically detects sensor abnormalities and takes corrective action by stopping the valve operation without external intervention. This self-service capability maintains power generation efficiency by preventing abnormal fuel gas supply conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, a fuel supply passage through which a fuel gas supplied from a fuel supply source flows to the fuel cell, an on/off valve which regulates the state of the gas on the upstream side of the fuel supply passage to supply the gas to the downstream side thereof, a sensor which detects the state of the gas in the fuel supply passage, and control means for controlling the on/off valve based on a value detected by the sensor. The control means stops the opening/closing operation of the on/off valve when the sensor falls into an abnormal state.