Predictive Fuel Cell Power Control for Start-Stop Aging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell systems in vehicles experience unnecessary degradation and increased fuel consumption due to frequent on-off cycles during low load conditions, which accelerates aging and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method predicts upcoming driving events and determines the optimal operating condition for the fuel cell system, either keeping it running or turning it off, to balance fuel economy and aging, with preparation actions taken before the event to adjust energy storage levels and initiate cooling as necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the fuel cell system is turned off during low load conditions to save fuel and reduce wear, then fuel consumption and wear are reduced, but frequent on-off cycles accelerate aging and reduce system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The control method predicts upcoming driving events in advance and performs preparation actions before the actual event occurs. The processor predicts whether the vehicle will enter a low load condition, and if so, keeps the fuel cell system running during the prediction period to avoid frequent on-off cycles, while still preparing to turn it off when the predicted low load condition actually occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the fuel cell operating strategy based on predicted driving conditions. Instead of a static on-off control, the system transitions between different operational states (running continuously, preparing to turn off, or turned off) based on real-time predictions of upcoming driving events, optimizing the balance between fuel savings and system longevity.
2Quantity of substance
If the fuel cell system is turned off during low load conditions, then fuel is saved, but the system must be turned on again when energy storage is insufficient, accelerating aging
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary prediction of upcoming driving events to determine whether the vehicle will enter a low load condition. Based on this prediction, the control method keeps the fuel cell running during the prediction period or prepares appropriate actions before the low load condition occurs, avoiding the need to turn the system off and on frequently, thereby extending service life while still achieving fuel savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The control method continuously monitors the state of the energy storage system and compares it with predicted driving requirements. When the energy storage level is insufficient to cover upcoming demand, the system receives feedback and adjusts by keeping the fuel cell running or turning it on before needed, preventing excessive on-off cycling and extending system service life.
3Reliability
If the fuel cell system runs continuously to avoid frequent on-off cycles, then system efficiency and service life are maintained, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor predicts upcoming driving events in advance and determines the optimal operating strategy before the actual driving condition occurs. By predicting low load conditions beforehand, the system can make informed decisions about when to keep the fuel cell running and when to turn it off, achieving fuel savings without causing frequent on-off cycles that would harm service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the fuel cell based on predicted driving conditions. Instead of a binary on-off control, the system adjusts the operating state dynamically, keeping the fuel cell in different states (running, preparing to turn off, turned off) based on predicted load conditions, energy storage levels, and upcoming driving events, thereby optimizing the balance between fuel consumption and service life.
4Productivity
If the fuel cell system is turned on and off frequently during low load conditions, then fuel economy is improved, but the aging process accelerates and fuel cell system efficiency reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The control method uses prediction of upcoming driving events to perform preliminary assessment of whether turning off the fuel cell would be beneficial. By predicting future driving conditions, the system avoids making hasty on-off decisions based solely on current low load conditions, thereby improving fuel economy without accelerating aging or reducing system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a dynamic control strategy that adapts to predicted driving conditions rather than using a static on-off threshold. The control method transitions between different operational modes based on real-time predictions, energy storage levels, and upcoming driving events, optimizing the balance between fuel economy and maintaining fuel cell system efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a computer system (400) and a method for controlling a power system (130) of a vehicle (100). The power system comprises a fuel cell system (110) and an energy storage system (120) comprising one or more batteries. The method comprises: - predicting an upcoming driving event associated with a start time and a time duration, the driving event being an event during which the vehicle is expected to be operated under a load condition, - determining a preferred operating condition of the fuel cell system during the predicted upcoming driving event based on the load condition and on the time duration, and - controlling the power system by performing a preparation action associated with the power system in dependence of the determined operating condition of the fuel system before the start time of the predicted upcoming driving event.