Method for controlling fuel cell system
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, comprising:
- generating electric current via an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas by the fuel cell including a solid polymer electrolyte membrane;
detecting, using a controller, an impedance of the fuel cell;
determining, using the controller, whether the impedance increases to a threshold impedance; and
increasing, using the controller, the electric current generated by the fuel cell when the impedance is determined to increase to the threshold impedance, wherein an amount of water generated in the fuel cell increases when the electric current is increased,wherein an oxidant gas supply mechanism supplies the oxidant gas at a lowest supply flow rate when the fuel cell is performing idling electric power generation, and the oxidant gas supply mechanism maintains the lowest supply flow rate when increasing the electric current.
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Abstract
A method for controlling a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, includes generating electric current via an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas by the fuel cell including a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. An impedance of the fuel cell is detected. It is determined whether the impedance reaches a threshold impedance. The electric current generated by the fuel cell is increased when the impedance is determined to reach the threshold impedance.
18 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, comprising:
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generating electric current via an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas by the fuel cell including a solid polymer electrolyte membrane; detecting, using a controller, an impedance of the fuel cell; determining, using the controller, whether the impedance increases to a threshold impedance; and increasing, using the controller, the electric current generated by the fuel cell when the impedance is determined to increase to the threshold impedance, wherein an amount of water generated in the fuel cell increases when the electric current is increased, wherein an oxidant gas supply mechanism supplies the oxidant gas at a lowest supply flow rate when the fuel cell is performing idling electric power generation, and the oxidant gas supply mechanism maintains the lowest supply flow rate when increasing the electric current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for controlling a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, comprising:
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generating electric current via an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas by the fuel cell including a solid polymer electrolyte membrane; cooling oxidant gas supplied to the fuel cell with a coolant cooled by a radiator; determining, using a controller, whether a temperature of the coolant increases to a threshold temperature; and increasing, using the controller, the electric current generated by the fuel cell when the temperature of the coolant is determined to increase to the threshold temperature, wherein an amount of water generated in the fuel cell increases when the electric current is increased, wherein an oxidant gas supply mechanism supplies the oxidant gas at a lowest supply flow rate when the fuel cell is performing idling electric power generation, and the oxidant gas supply mechanism maintains the lowest supply flow rate when increasing the electric current. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for controlling a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, comprising:
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generating electric current via an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas by the fuel cell including a solid polymer electrolyte membrane; detecting, using a controller, an impedance of the fuel cell; determining, using the controller, whether the impedance increases to a threshold impedance; cooling oxidant gas supplied to the fuel cell with a coolant cooled by a radiator; determining, using the controller, whether a temperature of the coolant increases to a threshold temperature; and increasing, using the controller, the output electric current generated by the fuel cell when the impedance is determined to increase to the threshold impedance or when the temperature of the coolant is determined to increase to the threshold temperature, wherein an amount of water generated in the fuel cell increases when the output electric current is increased, wherein an oxidant gas supply mechanism supplies the oxidant gas at a lowest supply flow rate when the fuel cell is performing idling electric power generation, and the oxidant gas supply mechanism maintains the lowest supply flow rate when increasing the electric current. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification