Fuel cell system

• US 20020025464A1
• Filed: 07/25/2001
• Published: 02/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Breuer, Norbert
• Application Number:
  US09/911,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20020025464A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/22
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3842 combining voltage and current measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04313 characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04559 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04589 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04679 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04686 of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04992 characterised by the implementation of mathematical or computational algorithms, e.g. feedback control loops, fuzzy logic, neural networks or artificial intelligence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0606 with means for production of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell system has a fuel cell unit (1) and a fuel preparation unit. A measuring unit (7, 8) is provided for measuring at least a first operating parameter of the fuel cell unit (1). The fuel cell system makes possible an almost complete monitoring of the internal operating state of the fuel cell unit (1). The number of utilized sensors (7, 8) is reduced and thereby also the complexity of the system. This is achieved in that an evaluation unit (7, 8, 9) is provided for evaluating a time-dependent change of the first operating parameter of the fuel cell unit (1) in dependence upon a known time-dependent change of at least a second operating parameter of the fuel cell system.

Claims

1. A fuel cell system comprising:

a fuel preparation unit;

a fuel cell unit connected to said fuel preparation unit;

said fuel cell unit having a first operating parameter and said fuel cell system having a second operating parameter which changes in a known manner as a function of time;

a measuring unit for measuring at least said first operating parameter; and

,

an evaluation unit incorporating said measuring unit and being configured to evaluate a time-dependent change of said first operating parameter in dependence upon the time-dependent change of said second operating parameter.

2. The fuel cell system of claim 1, further comprising a generator for generating the known change of said second operating parameter as a function of time.

3. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein said second operating parameter is an electrochemical operating parameter of said fuel cell system;

and, wherein said fuel cell system further comprises a generator for generating the known change of said second operating parameter as a function of time.

4. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein said second operating parameter is a non-electrical operating parameter of said fuel cell system;

and, wherein said fuel cell system further comprises a generator for generating the known change of said second operating parameter as a function of time.

5. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein said evaluation unit is configured to compare a time-dependent change of said first operating parameter to a desired change of said first operating parameter.

6. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein a change of said second operating parameter causes a change of said first operating parameter;

and, wherein said evaluation unit further comprises a filter device for separating said change of said first operating parameter from changes of other operating parameters of said fuel cell system.

7. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein said evaluation unit includes at least one control unit for controlling said fuel cell unit.

8. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein said evaluation unit includes a control unit for controlling said fuel preparation unit.

9. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein said evaluation unit includes a recording device for recording the time-dependent trace of at least one of said operating parameters.

10. A motor vehicle comprising:

a fuel cell system incorporating a fuel preparation unit and a fuel cell unit connected to said fuel preparation unit;

said fuel cell unit having a first operating parameter and said fuel cell system having a second operating parameter which changes in a known manner as a function of time;

a measuring unit for measuring at least said first operating parameter; and

,

an evaluation unit incorporating said measuring unit and being configured to evaluate a time-dependent change of said first operating parameter in dependence upon the time-dependent change of said second operating parameter.

11. A generator system comprising;

a fuel preparation unit;

a fuel cell unit connected to said fuel preparation unit;

said fuel cell unit having a first operating parameter and said fuel cell system having a second operating parameter which changes in a known manner as a function of time;

a measuring unit for measuring at least said first operating parameter; and

,

an evaluation unit incorporating said measuring unit and being configured to evaluate a time-dependent change of said first operating parameter in dependence upon the time-dependent change of said second operating parameter.