Fuel Cell Pump Cold-Start Control for Ice and Oil Viscosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell pumps experience difficulties in starting in low-temperature environments due to ice formation from water in the pump chamber and increased viscosity of lubricating oil, leading to prolonged startup times and potential gear adhesion.
Innovation Solution
A control unit in the fuel cell pump detects temperature and executes a low-temperature start mode process, involving rapid and low acceleration rotation starts, along with reverse rotation, to efficiently detach rotors from ice and agitate oil, reducing viscosity and facilitating startup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the fuel cell pump is started in a low-temperature environment using conventional methods, then the system structure remains simple, but the startup time is prolonged due to high oil viscosity and potential ice adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the starting current value and rotational acceleration based on detected temperature conditions. In low-temperature environments, the system increases the starting current and rotational acceleration to overcome high oil viscosity and ice adhesion, while returning to standard parameters in normal conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between startup time and control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes operational parameters (starting current value and rotational acceleration) based on temperature detection. By increasing these parameters in low-temperature conditions, the system overcomes the effects of high oil viscosity and ice adhesion, reducing startup time without requiring structural modifications.
2Speed
If the starting current is increased to overcome high oil viscosity in low-temperature environments, then the rotational acceleration improves, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the starting current value based on detected temperature conditions. In low-temperature environments, the system increases the starting current to achieve sufficient rotational acceleration to overcome high oil viscosity. In normal temperature conditions, the system uses standard current values, thus resolving the contradiction between rotational acceleration and power consumption by applying increased power only when necessary.
3Reliability
If rapid rotation start is used to detach rotors from ice in low-temperature environments, then the detachment efficiency improves, but the mechanical stress on gears increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts rotational acceleration based on temperature detection. In low-temperature conditions where ice adhesion is detected, the system increases rotational acceleration to rapidly detach rotors from ice, ensuring reliable operation. In normal conditions, standard rotational acceleration is used, minimizing unnecessary mechanical stress on gears while maintaining adequate rotor detachment capability.
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 low-temperature start mode process ensures rapid and efficient detachment of rotors from ice and agitation of oil, minimizing startup time and power consumption while preventing excessive current usage.
Implementation Method 1
The control unit is configured to be electrically connected to a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature
Implementation Method 2
a motor configured to rotate the drive shaft
Implementation Method 3
The oil contributes to lubrication of the drive gear and the driven gear and suppression of temperature increase
Implementation Method 4
The fuel cell pump is configured to supply a fuel gas or an oxidant gas to a fuel cell through synchronous rotation of the drive rotor and the driven rotor
Data Source
AI summary
A processing circuitry of a fuel cell pump is configured to execute a process including a rapid acceleration rotation start and subsequent low acceleration rotation start when a detected temperature is lower than or equal to a preset temperature, and to execute a normal start mode process in other cases. The processing circuitry is configured to, in the rapid acceleration rotation start, set a value of a starting current supplied to a motor and a rotational acceleration of the motor to be greater than those in the normal start mode process. The processing circuitry is configured to, in the low acceleration rotation start, set the value of the starting current supplied to the motor to be greater than that in the normal start mode process, and set the rotational acceleration of the motor to be lower than that at the execution of the rapid acceleration rotation start.