Method and apparatus for controlling a combined heat and power fuel cell system
First Claim
1. A fuel cell system, comprising:
- a fuel cell stack and a first coolant circuit, wherein the first coolant circuit is adapted to circulate a first coolant through the fuel cell stack and transfer heat from the fuel cell stack to a heat sink;
a second heat source and a second coolant circuit, wherein the second coolant circuit is adapted to circulate a second coolant through the second heat source to transfer heat from the second heat source to the heat sink;
wherein the heat sink adapted to remove heat from each of the first and second coolant circuits;
a controller connected to a first pump and adapted to vary an output of the first pump, wherein the first pump is located in the first coolant circuit; and
a second pump, wherein the controller is connected to the second pump and adapted to vary an output of the second pump, and wherein the second pump is located in the second coolant circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cogeneration fuel cell system and associated methods of operation are provided that accommodate a demand for heat as well as a demand for electric power. The system is operated among various modes to balance heat and power demand signals. In general, a fuel cell system is coupled to a power sink and a heat sink, and a controller is adapted to respond to data signals from the power sink and the heat sink. As examples, such data signals from the heat sink may include a temperature indication or a heat demand signal (such as from a thermostat), and such data signals from the power sink may include a voltage or current measurement, an electrical power demand signal, or an electrical load.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A fuel cell system, comprising:
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a fuel cell stack and a first coolant circuit, wherein the first coolant circuit is adapted to circulate a first coolant through the fuel cell stack and transfer heat from the fuel cell stack to a heat sink;
a second heat source and a second coolant circuit, wherein the second coolant circuit is adapted to circulate a second coolant through the second heat source to transfer heat from the second heat source to the heat sink;
wherein the heat sink adapted to remove heat from each of the first and second coolant circuits;
a controller connected to a first pump and adapted to vary an output of the first pump, wherein the first pump is located in the first coolant circuit; and
a second pump, wherein the controller is connected to the second pump and adapted to vary an output of the second pump, and wherein the second pump is located in the second coolant circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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15. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:
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transferring heat from a fuel cell to a first coolant circuit;
transferring heat from a second system heat source to a second coolant circuit;
transferring heat from each of the first and second coolant circuits to a heat sink;
varying a first coolant flow through the first coolant circuit to maintain a temperature of the fuel cell below a predetermined level; and
varying a second coolant flow through the second coolant circuit to maintain the second system heat source below a predetermined level.
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23. A fuel cell system, comprising:
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a first heat source and a first coolant circuit, wherein the first coolant circuit is adapted to circulate a first coolant through the fuel cell stack and remove heat from the first heat source;
a second heat source and a second coolant circuit, wherein the second coolant circuit is adapted to circulate a second coolant through the second heat source to remove heat from the second heat source;
a first heat exchanger comprising a first coolant flow path and a second coolant flow path, wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to transfer heat from the first coolant to the second coolant when a first temperature of the first coolant is greater than a second temperature of the second coolant;
a second heat exchanger located along the second coolant circuit downstream from the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger being adapted to transfer heat from the second coolant circuit to a heat sink fluid when the second coolant in the second heat exchanger has a higher temperature than the heat sink fluid;
a radiator system comprising a radiator and a fan, the radiator system being located along the second coolant circuit between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, the radiator being adapted to remove heat from the second coolant circuit;
a controller connected to a first pump and adapted to vary an output of the first pump, wherein the first pump is located in the first coolant circuit;
a second pump, wherein the controller is connected to the second pump and adapted to vary an output of the second pump, and wherein the second pump is located in the second coolant circuit.
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Specification