Fuel Cell High-Potential Avoidance Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fuel cell systems with fixed high-potential avoidance voltage settings lead to increased opportunities for the state of high-potential avoidance control to shift from permitted to prohibited, resulting in accelerated deterioration of the fuel cell stack, as the power generated is constant regardless of the state of charge of the power storage device.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system that includes a control device to adjust the high-potential avoidance voltage based on the state of charge of the power storage device, allowing variable power generation and consumption to extend the time of high-potential avoidance control, thereby reducing fuel cell deterioration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed high-potential avoidance voltage is used, then the control is simple, but the fuel cell stack deteriorates faster due to frequent switching between permitted and prohibited states
Solution Approach 1:
The high-potential avoidance voltage is changed from a fixed constant value to a variable value that dynamically adjusts based on the state of charge of the power storage device. The control device sets different avoidance voltages according to SOC levels, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and extend the duration of high-potential avoidance control, thereby reducing frequent switching and improving fuel cell stack durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage parameter of the high-potential avoidance control is modified based on the state of charge of the power storage device. By changing the avoidance voltage parameter dynamically rather than keeping it fixed, the system optimizes the balance between control simplicity and fuel cell durability, reducing the frequency of state transitions.
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
The variable high-potential avoidance voltage setting extends the time of high-potential avoidance control, preventing overcharge and reducing fuel cell stack deterioration by adjusting power generation and consumption according to the state of charge and power storage capacity.
Implementation Method 1
A fuel cell is a power generation device that generates electric power through electrochemical oxidation of a fuel
Implementation Method 2
a polymer electrolyte membrane for selectively transporting hydrogen ions is sandwiched
Implementation Method 3
Each of the electrodes of the pair contains, as its main constituent, carbon powder that carries a platinum-based metal catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system is provided which can extend the time during which a high-potential avoidance control is performed as much as possible, thereby reducing deterioration of a fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell that generates electric power upon a supply of a reaction gas; a power storage device that is charged with at least a part of power generated by the fuel cell; and a controller that controls an output voltage of the fuel cell with, as an upper limit, a high-potential avoidance voltage lower than an open end voltage thereof. The controller variably sets the high-potential avoidance voltage in accordance with the amount of charge SOC of the power storage device.