Fuel Cell Valve Assembly Vibration Control via Flow Oscillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell systems experience noise and vibration issues due to the valve assembly's operation, which affects the flow rate of fuel and can lead to component failure and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A controller is implemented to oscillate the fuel flow rate between specific upper and lower limit values within the vibration generation range, using proportional, integral, and differential control signals to maintain the flow rate and reduce vibrations, thereby minimizing noise and maintaining system efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the valve assembly adjusts the flow rate of fuel, then the fuel supply to the fuel cell stack is controlled, but vibrations and noise are generated in the valve assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic oscillation of the fuel flow rate by alternating between a first value (greater than upper limit of vibration generation range) and a second value (less than lower limit of vibration generation range). This periodic action prevents the flow rate from staying within the vibration generation range, thereby eliminating vibrations and noise while maintaining fuel supply control.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the flow rate of fuel is oscillated to avoid vibration generation range, then vibrations and noise are reduced, but the flow rate stability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the fuel flow rate and uses feedback control to determine when oscillation is needed. By detecting when the flow rate enters the vibration generation range, the controller activates oscillation only when necessary, and maintains the average flow rate at the target value, thus preserving flow rate stability while reducing vibrations and noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes the flow rate parameter dynamically by oscillating between two distinct values (first value and second value) that are both outside the vibration generation range. This parameter change strategy allows the system to avoid vibrations while maintaining the average flow rate at the desired level through controlled alternation between the two values.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system of controlling a valve assembly to maintain a feed flow rate while avoiding a vibration generation range in order to reduce noise due to vibrations generated in the valve assembly is provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack that receives fuel and generates electric energy and a valve assembly that adjusts a flow rate of fuel that is supplied to the fuel cell stack. A controller then oscillates the flow rate of the fuel to alternately have a first value that is equal to or greater than a upper limit value of a first vibration generation range and a second value that is equal to or less than a lower limit value of the first vibration generation range, in response to determining that the flow rate of the fuel supplied through the valve assembly is included in the first vibration generation range.