Variable Phase Voltage Converter for Hybrid Fuel Cell Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid fuel cell systems do not optimize converter efficiency, as they do not adapt the number of phases based on the power passing through the voltage converter, leading to suboptimal energy conversion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A controller adjusts the number of phases in the voltage converter based on the equivalent power passing through, switching between single and multi-phase operations to maximize efficiency by minimizing losses, specifically using a three-phase bridge type converter configuration with predetermined threshold values to prevent unstable hunting states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the voltage converter operates with a fixed number of phases, then the system structure is simple, but the conversion efficiency is not optimized for varying power levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the number of phases in the voltage converter variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the operating phases based on the magnitude of power to be converted, allowing the system to adapt its configuration to match actual load conditions and optimize efficiency across different operating ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of phase number based on power level. By switching between different numbers of phases (e.g., 1 phase, 2 phases, or 3 phases) according to the power magnitude, the system optimizes conversion efficiency for each operating condition while managing the complexity through controlled parameter variation.
2Productivity
If the voltage converter uses more phases, then the conversion efficiency improves at high power levels, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage converter operation into multiple modes based on power levels, with each mode using an appropriate number of phases. This segmentation allows the system to use simpler configurations (fewer phases) for low power and more complex configurations (more phases) only when needed for high power, thereby optimizing efficiency without permanently increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage converter is designed with multi-functionality to operate in different phase configurations using the same hardware structure. The converter can function with 1, 2, or 3 phases depending on the operating conditions, making a single device capable of handling various power levels efficiently without requiring separate converters for each mode.
3Power
If the number of phases is increased, then the power handling capability improves, but the copper losses and iron losses in the reactor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the number of active phases based on the actual power handling requirement. By using only the necessary number of phases for the current load (e.g., 1 phase for low power, 3 phases for high power), the system achieves adequate power handling capability while minimizing reactor copper losses and iron losses that would occur with unnecessary phases operating at low load.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a hybrid fuel cell system for improving converter efficiency. In a hybrid fuel cell system (1) in which a fuel cell (22) and an electricity storage device (21) are connected via a voltage converter (20), the voltage converter (20) has a plurality of phases (P1, P2, P3), and the number of phases of operation can be changed in accordance with the power passing through the voltage converter (20). As the number of phases can be changed in accordance with the power passing through the voltage converter (20), it is possible to select the number of phases that give a higher efficiency voltage conversion in accordance with the passing power, and the efficiency of the voltage converter (20) can be greatly improved.