Power output device with fuel cell and method therefor

• US 20020192519A1
• Filed: 06/17/2002
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Mizuno, Hideaki, Watanabe, Nobuo, Matsumoto, Tadaichi, Niimi, Yasuhiko, Kotoh, Takashi, Fujita, Tatsuya
• Granted Patent: US 8,012,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/432
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/162 of electrical cells or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/33 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/34 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/40 for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04365 of other components of a fuel cell or fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04373 of auxiliary devices, e.g. reformers, compressors, burners
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04589 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04619 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04626 of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04753 of fuel cell reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04776 at auxiliary devices, e.g. reformer, compressor, burner
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0494 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04947 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: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

An output limitation warning lamp is turned on when a possible output Qf of the fuel cell is less than a predetermined value L2. The output limitation warning lamp is provided at a combination meter in an instrument panel. The output limitation warning lamp is also turned on when a possible output Qb of the secondary battery is less than a predetermined value L3. Furthermore, the output limitation warning lamp is also turned on when an allowable drive output Qh, which is the sum of the possible output Qf of the fuel cell and the possible output Qb of the secondary battery, has been less than a required output Ed* calculated at a step before carrying out output limitation to more than a certain extent for longer than a predetermined length of time.

Claims

1. A power output device comprising:

a fuel cell;

a calculation device that calculates a parameter corresponding to a maximum possible electric power from the fuel cell;

a determining device that compares the calculated parameter with a predetermined value and for determining a state of a power shortage of electric power; and

a notification device that provides notification of the power shortage when the state of power shortage is determined by the determining device.

2. The power output device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation device includes:

a cell characteristic detecting device that detects a characteristic of the fuel cell; and

a device that calculates the parameter as a maximum output under a rated voltage according to the detected cell characteristic.

3. The power output device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation device includes:

a cell state detecting device that detects a state of the fuel cell; and

a device that calculates the parameter as an amount of limiting output for limiting an output of the fuel cell.

4. The power output device according to claim 3, wherein the state of the fuel cell detected through the cell state detecting device at least includes a temperature of the fuel cell.

5. The power output device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation device includes:

a fuel pump state detecting device that detects a state of a fuel pump for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell; and

a device that calculates the parameter as an amount of limiting fuel gas for limiting the amount of the fuel gas supplied from the fuel pump.

6. The power output device according to claim 5, wherein the state of the fuel pump detected through the fuel pump state detecting device is a temperature of a motor for the fuel pump.

7. The power output device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation device includes:

a compressor state detecting device that detects a state of a compressor for supplying pressurized oxidizing gas to the fuel cell; and

a device that calculates the parameter as an amount of limiting oxidizing gas for limiting the amount of the oxidizing gas supplied from the compressor.

8. The power output device according to claim 7, wherein the state of the compressor detected through the compressor state detecting device is a temperature of a motor for the compressor.

9. The power output device according to claim 1, wherein the notification device includes a notification lamp for visually carrying out the notification.

10. A power output device comprising:

a fuel cell;

a secondary battery which can be charged with an output from the fuel cell;

a calculation device that calculates a parameter corresponding to a possible electric power from the secondary battery;

a determining device that compares the calculated parameter with a predetermined value and for determining a state of a power shortage which is a shortage of the possible electric power from the secondary battery; and

a notification device that provides notification of the power shortage when the state of power shortage is determined by the determining device.

11. The power output device according to claim 10, wherein the calculation device includes:

a cell state detecting device that detects a state of the secondary battery; and

a device that calculates the parameter as an amount of limiting output for limiting an output of the secondary battery.

12. The power output device according to claim 11, wherein the state of the secondary battery detected through the cell state detecting device at least includes a state of charge of the secondary battery and a temperature of the secondary battery.

13. The power output device according to claim 10, wherein the notification device includes a notification lamp for visually carrying out the notification.

15. The power output device according to claim 14, wherein the notification device includes a notification lamp for visually carrying out the notification.

18. The power output device according to claim 17, wherein the notification device includes a notification lamp for visually carrying out the notification.

20. The power output device according to claim 19, wherein the indication device includes a meter for indicating that the maximum output power of the power output device is less than a predetermined value.

21. The power output device according to claim 20, wherein the meter includes:

a pointer which is movable according to the maximum output of the power output device,

a scale board for indicating a degree of swing of the pointer, and

a caution zone provided on the scale board for indicating that the maximum output of the power output device is less than the predetermined value.

22. The power output device according to claim 21, wherein the meter includes a notification lamp for providing notification of a power shortage when the pointer of the meter reaches the caution zone.

23. The power output device according to claim 19, further comprising:

a current output calculating device that calculates a current output from the power output device and

a current output indicating device that enables comparative indication of the current output and the indication through the indication device.

26. The power output device according to claim 25, wherein the indication device includes a meter for indicating that the maximum output of the power output device is less than a predetermined value.

27. The power output device according to claim 26, wherein the meter includes:

a pointer which is movable according to the maximum output of the power output device;

a scale board for indicating a degree of swing of the pointer; and

a caution zone provided on the scale board for indicating that the maximum output of the power output device is less than the predetermined value.

29. The power output device according to claim 28, wherein the indication device includes a meter for indicating that the maximum output is less than a predetermined value.

30. The power output device according to claim 29, wherein the meter includes:

a pointer which is movable according to the maximum output;

a scale board for indicating a degree of movement of the pointer; and

a caution zone provided on the scale board for indicating that the maximum output less than the predetermined value.

31. The power output device according to claim 30, wherein the meter includes a notification lamp for providing notification of a power shortage when the pointer of the meter reaches the caution zone.

14. A power output device comprising:

a fuel cell;

a secondary battery which can be charged with an output from the fuel cell;

an inverter for driving a motor with a supplied output from at least one of the fuel cell and the secondary battery;

a calculation device that calculates a parameter corresponding to the sum of a possible electric power from the fuel cell and the secondary battery;

a determining device that compares the calculated parameter with a predetermined value and for determining a state of a power shortage which is a shortage of the sum of the possible electric power; and

a notification device that provides notification of power shortage when the state of power shortage is determined through the determining device.

16. A power output device comprising:

a fuel cell;

a secondary battery which can be charged with an output from the fuel cell;

a first arithmetic device that calculates a first parameter corresponding to a possible electric power from the fuel cell;

a first determining device that compares the calculated first parameter with a first predetermined value and for determining a state of a power shortage which is a shortage of the possible electric power from the fuel cell;

a second arithmetic device that calculates a second parameter corresponding to a possible electric power from the secondary battery;

a second determining device that compares the calculated second parameter with a second predetermined value and for determining a state of power shortage which is a shortage of the possible electric power from the secondary battery; and

a notification device that provides notification of the power shortage when the state of power shortage is detected through either the first or second determining device.

17. A power output device comprising:

a fuel cell;

a fuel cell maximum output calculating device that calculates a possible maximum output from the fuel cell when a load is not applied on the power output device;

a device maximum output calculating device that uses the calculated maximum output of the fuel cell for calculating a possible maximum output from the power output device;

a determining device that determines a state of power shortage in which the calculated maximum output of the power output device is less than a predetermined value; and

a notification device that provides notification of the determined power shortage.

19. A power output device comprising:

a fuel cell;

a fuel cell maximum output calculating device that calculating a possible maximum output from the fuel cell when a load is not applied on the power output device;

a device maximum output calculating device that uses the calculated maximum output of the fuel cell for calculating a possible maximum output from the power output device; and

an indication device that indicates the maximum output of the power output device calculated through the device maximum output calculating device when the load is applied on the power output device.

24. A power output device comprising:

a fuel cell;

a secondary battery which can be charged with an output from the fuel cell;

a fuel cell maximum output calculating device that calculates a possible maximum output from the fuel cell when a load is not applied on the power output device;

a device maximum output calculating device that calculates the sum of the calculated maximum output of the fuel cell and a possible maximum output from the secondary battery as a possible maximum output from the power output device;

a determining device that determines a state of power shortage in which the calculated maximum output of the power output device is less than a predetermined value; and

a notification device that provides notification of the determined power shortage.

25. A power output device comprising:

a fuel cell;

a secondary battery which can be charged with an output from the fuel cell;

a fuel cell maximum output calculating device that calculates a possible maximum output from the fuel cell when a load is not applied on the power output device;

a device maximum output calculating device that calculates the sum of the calculated maximum output of the fuel cell and a possible maximum output from the secondary battery as a possible maximum output from the power output device; and

an indication device that indicates the maximum output calculated through the device maximum output calculating device when the load is applied on the power output device.

28. A power output device comprising:

a fuel cell;

a device maximum output calculating device that calculates a possible maximum output from the power output device;

a current output calculating device that calculates a current output from the power output device; and

an indication device that enables comparative indication of the maximum output calculated through the device maximum output calculating device and the current output calculated through the current output calculating device.

32. A method of outputting power from a fuel cell as an energy source, comprising the steps of:

(a) calculating a parameter corresponding to a possible electric power from the fuel cell;

(b) determining a state of power shortage, which is a shortage of the possible electric power, by comparing the calculated parameter with a predetermined value; and

(c) providing notification of the state of the power shortage when the state of power shortage is determined in step (b).

33. A method of outputting power from a fuel cell and a secondary battery which can be charged with an output from the fuel cell, as energy sources, comprising the steps of:

(a) calculating a parameter corresponding to a possible electric power from the secondary battery;

(b) determining a state of power shortage, which is a shortage of the possible electric power from the secondary battery, by comparing the calculated parameter with a predetermined value; and

(c) providing notification of the state of power shortage when the state of power shortage is determined in step (b).

38. The method of outputting power according to claim 37 further comprising the steps of:

(d) determining a state of power shortage in which the maximum output calculated through step (a) is less than a predetermined value; and

(e) providing notification of the state of power shortage.

39. The method of outputting power according to claim 37 further comprising the steps of:

(f) calculating a current output from the power output device; and

(g) enabling comparative indication of the calculated current output and the indication through step (c).

34. A method of outputting power for controlling a power output device with a fuel cell, a secondary battery which can be charged with an output from the fuel cell, and an inverter for driving a motor with a supplied output from at least one of the fuel cell and the secondary battery, comprising the steps of:

(a) calculating a required output of the motor;

(b) calculating a parameter corresponding to the sum of a possible electric power from the fuel cell and the secondary battery;

(c) determining a state of power shortage, which is a shortage of the sum of the electric power, by comparing the calculated parameter with a predetermined value; and

(d) providing notification of the state of power shortage when the state of power shortage is determined in step (c).

35. A method of outputting power from a fuel cell and a secondary battery which can be charged with an output from the fuel cell, as energy sources, comprising the steps of:

(a) calculating a first parameter corresponding to a possible electric power from the fuel cell;

(b) determining a state of power shortage, which is a shortage of the possible electric power from the fuel cell, by comparing the calculated first parameter with a first predetermined value;

(c) calculating a second parameter corresponding to a possible electric power from the secondary battery;

(d) determining a state of power shortage, which is a shortage of the possible electric power from the secondary battery, by comparing the calculated second parameter with a second predetermined value; and

(e) providing notification of the state of power shortage when the state of power shortage is determined in one of steps (b)and (d).

36. A method of outputting power from a fuel cell as an energy source, comprising the steps of:

(a) calculating a possible maximum output from the fuel cell when a load is not applied on the power output device;

(b) calculating a possible maximum output from the power output device by using the calculated maximum output of the fuel cell;

(c) determining a state of power shortage in which the calculated maximum output of the power output device is less than a predetermined value; and

(d) providing notification of the determined state of power shortage.

37. A method of outputting power from a fuel cell as an energy source, comprising the steps of:

(a) calculating a possible maximum output from the fuel cell when a load is not applied on the power output device;

(b) calculating a possible maximum output from the power output device by using the calculated maximum output of the fuel cell; and

(c) indicating the maximum output of the power output device calculated through step (b) when the load is applied on the power output device.

40. A method of outputting power from a fuel cell and a secondary battery which can be charged with an output from the fuel cell, comprising the steps of:

(a) calculating a possible maximum output from the fuel cell when a load is not applied on the power output device;

(b) calculating the sum of the calculated maximum output of the fuel cell and a possible maximum output from the secondary battery as a maximum output of the power output device;

(c) determining a state of power shortage in which the maximum output calculated through step (b) is less than a predetermined value; and

(d) providing notification of the determined state of power shortage.

41. A method of outputting power from a fuel cell and a secondary battery, which can be charged with an output from the fuel cell, comprising the steps of:

(a) calculating a possible maximum output from the fuel cell when a load is not applied on the power output device;

(b) calculating the sum of the calculated maximum output of the fuel cell and a possible maximum output from the secondary battery as a maximum output of the power output device; and

(c) indicating the maximum output calculated through step (b) when the load is applied on the power output device.

42. A method of outputting power from a fuel cell as an energy source, comprising the steps of:

(a) calculating a possible maximum output;

(b) calculating a current output; and

(c) indicating both the maximum output calculated through step (a) and the current output calculated through step (b) for comparison.

43. A method of outputting power according to claim 42, further comprising the steps of:

(d) determining a state of power shortage in which the maximum output calculated through step (a) is less than a predetermined value; and

(e) providing notification of the determined state of power shortage.