Hydrogen Injector Current Control for Fuel Cell Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hydrogen injectors in fuel cell systems consume unnecessary electric power due to continuous supply of high current after the solenoid valve has opened, despite only requiring a lower current to maintain the open position.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen injector that monitors the rate of change of current flowing through the coil to detect when the solenoid valve opens, then reduces the current to a lower value, utilizing the temperature decrease of the coil due to pressure-reduced hydrogen gas to determine this timing and minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the current is continuously supplied at the first current value after the solenoid valve opens, then the solenoid valve remains reliably open, but unnecessary electric power is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors the rate of change of current flowing through the coil to detect when the solenoid valve opens. When an increase in the rate of change is detected, the controller switches the current from the first current value to the second current value, creating a feedback-based control system that adjusts power consumption based on valve state
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the current supplied to the coil based on the operational state of the solenoid valve. The current transitions from a high first current value during opening to a lower second current value during maintained opening, optimizing energy usage while ensuring reliable valve operation
2Use of energy by moving object
If the current is decreased to the second current value immediately after opening, then electric power consumption is reduced, but the solenoid valve may not remain reliably open
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the rate of change of current to detect valve opening. This feedback mechanism ensures the current is decreased to the second current value at the optimal moment, providing enough time for the valve to fully open while minimizing unnecessary power consumption during the maintained open state
Solution Approach 2:
The system supplies the first current value for a predetermined period to ensure the solenoid valve opens reliably before transitioning to the second current value. This preliminary high current supply guarantees valve opening while limiting the duration of high power consumption
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 approach reduces electric power consumption by immediately switching to a lower current after the solenoid valve opens, optimizing energy use while maintaining efficient hydrogen injection to the fuel cell stack.
Implementation Method 1
The solenoid valve includes a coil configured to move a plunger (valve core) for opening and closing a flow path
Implementation Method 2
Reducing the pressure of high-pressure hydrogen gas decreases the temperature thereof. The pressure-reduced hydrogen gas cools the solenoid valve (coil)
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogen injector disclosed herein may include a solenoid valve connected to a hydrogen tank and a controller configured to supply a current to a coil of the solenoid valve. The controller may monitor a rate of change of the current while supplying the current equal to or greater than a first current value. The controller may decrease the current to a second current value which is lower than the first current value upon when the rate of change increases.