Fuel cell controller self inspection
First Claim
1. A fuel cell system, comprising:
- a fuel cell stack;
at least one sensor proximate the fuel cell stack to detect an operating parameter of the fuel cell stack;
at least one actuator; and
a microcontroller coupled to receive signals from the sensor and to provide signals to the actuator and configured to perform a self test by;
setting a set of bits in a number of general registers of the microcontroller to a predefined pattern;
complementing the set of bits of one of the general registers;
copying the set of bits from the one of the general registers to a special register of the microcontroller;
determining if each bit in the set of bits copied to the special register was complemented; and
producing a notification signal based on the determination.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microcontroller in a fuel cell system performs at least a portion of a self-test of general registers while the system is in a starting state, and at least a portion of a self-test while in a running state. The self-test includes setting the general purpose registers to a first bit pattern, complementing the bits of one of the general registers, copying the complemented general register to a special register, determining if each bit in special register was complemented, and producing a notification. The microcontroller also verifies that the other general registers are not affected. The microcontroller again complements the previously complemented general purpose register, copies the complemented general register to the special register, determines if the special register matches the predefined pattern, and produces a notification. The microcontroller again verifies that the other general purpose registers were not affected. The process is repeated for the complement of the first bit pattern, and for each general register.
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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;
at least one sensor proximate the fuel cell stack to detect an operating parameter of the fuel cell stack;
at least one actuator; and
a microcontroller coupled to receive signals from the sensor and to provide signals to the actuator and configured to perform a self test by;
setting a set of bits in a number of general registers of the microcontroller to a predefined pattern;
complementing the set of bits of one of the general registers;
copying the set of bits from the one of the general registers to a special register of the microcontroller;
determining if each bit in the set of bits copied to the special register was complemented; and
producing a notification signal based on the determination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A controller for controlling an operation of a fuel cell system, the controller configured to:
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set a set of bits in a number of general registers of the controller to a predefined pattern;
complement the set of bits of one of the general registers;
copy the set of bits from the one of the general registers to a special register of the controller; and
determine if each bit in the set of bits copied to the special register was complemented. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A controller for controlling an operation of a fuel cell system, the controller configured to:
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perform at least a portion of one self test of the general registers of the controller while the fuel cell system is in a starting state prior to operation of the fuel cell system; and
perform at least a portion of one self test of the general registers of the controller while the fuel cell system is in a running state during operation of the fuel cell system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A controller readable memory carrying instructions for causing a controller to perform a self test, by:
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setting a set of bits in a number of general registers of the controller to a predefined pattern;
complementing the set of bits of one of the general registers;
copying the set of bits from the one of the general registers to a special register of the controller; and
determining if each bit in the set of bits copied to the special register was complemented. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A controller readable memory carrying instructions for causing a controller to:
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perform at least a portion of one self test of the controller while the fuel cell system is in a starting state prior to operation of the fuel cell system; and
perform at least a portion of one self test of the controller while the fuel cell system is in a running state during operation of the fuel cell system. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method of operating a controller in a fuel cell system, comprising:
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setting a set of bits in each of a number of general purpose registers of the controller to a predefined pattern;
successively, for each of the general propose registers of the controller, complementing the set of bits of the general purpose register;
copying the set of bits from the general purpose register to a special purpose register of the controller; and
determining if the bits copied to the special purpose register are complemented with respect to the predefined pattern. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of operating a controller in a fuel cell system, comprising:
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performing at least a portion of one self test of the controller while the fuel cell system is in a starting state prior to operation of the fuel cell system; and
performing at least a portion of one self test of the controller while the fuel cell system is in a running state during operation of the fuel cell system. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification