Fuel Cell Power Estimation During Cold Start
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for estimating the power of a fuel cell during the temperature-raising process are inadequate, leading to excessive delays in ignition start as they fail to accurately determine the available power required for vehicle operation, due to insufficient assessment of the temperature increase and power output.
Innovation Solution
A method that estimates the available power of a fuel cell by calculating a predictive current based on the current-voltage characteristic and cell voltage rate, allowing for precise determination of the power required to operate high-voltage vehicle components during the cold start process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the temperature-raising process is continued until the fuel cell reaches sufficient temperature, then the power output is improved, but the ignition start time is excessively delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary actions by pre-heating the fuel cell using an auxiliary heater before the main power-raising operation. This preliminary temperature increase allows the fuel cell to reach operational temperature faster, reducing the ignition start delay while still achieving the required power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts the current applied to the fuel cell during the temperature-raising process. By optimizing the current profile based on real-time temperature and power requirements, the system achieves the necessary power output more quickly without excessive delay in ignition start.
2Power
If a current for driving the vehicle is applied during the temperature-raising process, then the power requirement is met, but the stack voltage decreases below necessary conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The controller applies a preliminary current before full vehicle operation current is required. This preliminary current raises the temperature and voltage to levels that can support subsequent full power demands without causing voltage collapse, ensuring both power requirements and voltage stability are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller provides a cushioning effect by pre-charging the fuel cell with a controlled current that builds up voltage and temperature reserves. This beforehand cushioning prevents the stack voltage from dropping below necessary conditions when full vehicle current is subsequently applied.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method for estimating a power of a fuel cell. The method includes estimating a predictive current at a predetermined voltage in a controller, based on a present current-voltage characteristic of the fuel cell while the temperature of the fuel cell is being raised, estimating a first power, based on the estimated predictive current and the predetermined voltage, after the step of estimating the predictive current, estimating a second power based on a cell voltage rate while estimating the first power, and calculating an available power of the fuel cell, based on the first power and the second power, after the step of estimating the first power and the step of estimating the second power are performed.