Fuel Cell Voltage Monitoring with Offset Regulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voltage monitoring systems for fuel cell batteries tend to report malfunctions prematurely, even when all cells are functioning correctly, due to the small potential differences within individual fuel cells and the need for precise independent monitoring to identify defective cells.

Innovation Solution

A battery with a voltage regulator device that adds an offset voltage to the measurement, using a passive diode as the regulator and an active optical element to control the voltage measurement across the cells, allowing for a wider voltage range before malfunction detection, thereby preventing untimely false alarms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If direct voltage measurement of fuel cell terminals is used, then measurement precision is maintained, but false malfunction detection occurs due to small potential differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage measurement accuracyVSAvoidmalfunction detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A voltage regulator device is introduced as an intermediary component between the fuel cell terminals and the monitoring circuit. This regulator adds a fixed offset voltage to the small potential difference generated by the fuel cell, transforming the measurement range to prevent false malfunction detection while maintaining measurement accuracy through the offset compensation calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement parameter is transformed by adding a fixed offset voltage through the voltage regulator device. This parameter change shifts the operating range from small potential differences (0.6-1.0V) to larger voltage ranges, eliminating false malfunctions while the system compensates for the offset to maintain accurate cell voltage measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If voltage offset is added to measurement, then false malfunction detection is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemalfunction detection reliabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage regulator device uses inexpensive passive components (diodes, resistors) that can be easily replaced. This approach accepts the added device complexity but minimizes cost and maintenance burden, making the system economically viable despite the additional components required for reliable measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If individual cell monitoring is implemented, then defective cell identification is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell voltage monitoring accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is segmented into independent monitoring circuits for each fuel cell, with each circuit including its own voltage regulator device. This segmentation enables individual cell voltage measurement and defective cell identification, while the modular structure keeps each monitoring unit simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution allows for reliable and cost-effective monitoring of fuel cell voltages, preventing premature malfunction detection and ensuring accurate identification of defective cells within the battery stack.

Implementation Method 1

an optocoupler connected in series to the terminals of the cell. An output signal of each optocoupler is adapted to settle at a positive or negative voltage depending on the voltage across the input of the optocoupler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptocoupling: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

the regulator device is a passive device, such as a diode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiode forward voltage drop: Diode

Implementation Method 3

produce electricity by oxidation-reduction reaction between a fuel, comprising hydrogen, and an oxidant, comprising oxygen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation-reduction reaction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 4

fuel cell cells are known which make it possible to produce electricity by oxidation-reduction reaction between a fuel, comprising hydrogen, and an oxidant, comprising oxygen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFuel cell electrochemical conversion: Fuel Cell

Data Source

PatentEP2826090B1Battery comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells and, for each cell, a device for controlling the voltage across the terminals of said cell

Publication Date: 2018.01.31 AREVA STOCKAGE DENERGIE

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4

AI summary

A battery is provided. The battery includes a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series with each other and adapted for each generating an electric current from an oxidation-reduction reaction between an oxidizing fluid and a reducing fluid. The battery also includes, for each electrochemical cell, a control device for controlling the voltage across the terminals of the cell. The battery also includes a voltage regulator device electrically connected to the cell so that the control device measures the voltage across the terminals of the cell, increased by an offset voltage across the terminals of the regulator device.