Modular Boost Converter for Fuel Cell Supercapacitor Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell technology faces challenges in providing high power outputs efficiently and cost-effectively for commercial vehicles, particularly during acceleration and deceleration, due to limitations in existing power management systems that increase weight, complexity, and material costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular boost converter system that integrates a fuel cell, a high voltage battery, and a supercapacitor, allowing for interchangeable energy transfer between the fuel cell and capacitor using a single DC/DC converter, reducing overall system weight and cost while enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If batteries with higher rates of charge/discharge are used to provide high power during acceleration, then power delivery capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a fuel cell system with a supercapacitor energy storage device to create a hybrid power system. The supercapacitor handles high-power transient demands during acceleration, while the fuel cell provides baseline power, thereby reducing the need for expensive high-rate batteries while maintaining power delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular boost converter is designed to work with multiple energy storage types (supercapacitor and battery), providing a universal power management solution that can adapt to different energy storage configurations and optimize power delivery across various operating conditions.
2Power
If more sources of energy storage are incorporated to provide high power outputs, then power delivery capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional converters
Solution Approach 1:
The modular boost converter is designed as a universal power management device that can interface with multiple energy storage types (supercapacitor and battery). This single multi-functional converter replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized converters, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability to deliver high power outputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different energy storage sources based on power demands. The modular boost converter can selectively draw from or charge the supercapacitor and battery, optimizing power delivery while simplifying the overall system architecture through intelligent power management.
3Power
If traditional power management systems are used for fuel cell vehicles, then power delivery is maintained, but weight increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fuel cell system with a supercapacitor and uses a single modular boost converter to manage power from both sources. This consolidated approach eliminates the need for separate power management hardware for each energy storage device, reducing overall system weight while maintaining power delivery capability.
4Power
If traditional power management systems are used for fuel cell vehicles, then power delivery is maintained, but material cost increases due to additional converters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple energy storage sources (fuel cell and supercapacitor) and manages them through a single modular boost converter. This consolidation reduces the total number of converters required, thereby reducing material costs while maintaining full power delivery capability across all operating conditions.
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 modular boost converter system enables efficient and cost-effective high power transfers during high-demand moments, such as acceleration, while minimizing weight and complexity, providing a simpler and more efficient high voltage architecture for fuel cell powered electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor (e.g., a supercapacitor)... with the modular boost converter, high rates of power can be quickly transferred at desired moments while discharging or charging the capacitor
Implementation Method 2
Fuel cells have become an important renewable energy option
Implementation Method 3
batteries with higher rates of charge/discharge can be used
Data Source
AI summary
A modular boost converter includes a fuel cell, a modular boost converter, a battery, a motor, and a capacitor. The modular boost converter includes a plurality of modules. Each of the plurality of modules include a boost system. Only one converter is necessary to utilize each of the fuel cell and the capacitor. The single converter can have a capacity to convert power greater than the energy of the fuel cell, but the total output power of the converter is less than the total energy provided by the fuel cell and the capacitor combined. The modular boost converter utilizes internal module switching to selectively draw energy from at least one of the fuel cell and the capacitor.