Power slope targeting for DC generators
First Claim
1. A method of efficiently operating a fuel cell, said method comprising:
- determining a maximum allowable power output of the fuel cell by determining a point on a power curve of the fuel cell at which additional power output may cause damage to the fuel cell;
measuring a power output from the fuel cell;
adjusting one or more electrical parameters of the fuel cell to cause an actual power output of the fuel cell to approximate the maximum allowable power output.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A simple feedback control loop, in conjunction with an improved maximum power point tracking intermediate controller, can be used ensure efficient operation of a power generator. The improved maximum power point tracking controller operates the generator at its maximum allowable power point. A power output of the generator is measured and compared to a power output setpoint. Operating characteristics of the generator are then adjusted to cause the maximum allowable power point and measured power output to approximate the power output setpoint. Although applicable to all types of generators, this is particularly beneficial in fuel cell generator systems and other systems where damage to generator components can occur if operated above a maximum allowable power output level. In other systems, the maximum allowable power output may approach or equal a maximum power point (or maximum possible power point).
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method of efficiently operating a fuel cell, said method comprising:
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determining a maximum allowable power output of the fuel cell by determining a point on a power curve of the fuel cell at which additional power output may cause damage to the fuel cell;
measuring a power output from the fuel cell;
adjusting one or more electrical parameters of the fuel cell to cause an actual power output of the fuel cell to approximate the maximum allowable power output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of operating a fuel cell, said method comprising:
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identifying a maximum allowable power point for the fuel cell; and
operating the fuel cell with a power output near the maximum allowable power point. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of efficiently operating a fuel cell system, said method comprising:
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determining the operating characteristics of the fuel cell system;
identifying a maximum allowable power point for the fuel cell system using the operating characteristics of the fuel cell system; and
operating the fuel cell system at or about its maximum allowable power point. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A fuel cell system control circuit, comprising:
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a power measuring device for measuring a power output from a fuel cell system;
a comparison circuit for comparing the measured power output determined based on a maximum allowable power point with a power setpoint; and
a fuel flow controller configured to control a feed rate of reactants to the fuel cell based on a difference between the measured power output and the power setpoint. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of controlling a generator, said method comprising:
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evaluating generator characteristics to determine a target slope on a curve representing generator characteristics;
using the target slope to determine a maximum allowable power point for a set of operating conditions, wherein the maximum allowable power point represents a power output above which point the generator may become damaged or impaired; and
operating the generator to generate a power output approximating the maximum allowable power point. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A generator comprising:
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a power generating device;
a power measuring device configured to measure a power output from the power generating device;
a power slope targeting controller configured to determine a maximum allowable power point based on a power slope target for the generator;
a comparator configured to compare the measured power output with power output setpoint and to generate a control signal based on a difference between the power output setpoint and the measured power output; and
a power controller configured to control the power output from the generator in response to the control signal from the comparator. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A fuel cell generator system comprising:
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a fuel cell;
a power output measuring device for measuring a power output from the fuel cell;
a power control system that operates the fuel cell at its maximum power point determined based on the fuel cell operating conditions a comparator for comparing the measured power output with a power output setpoint; and
a flow controller for controlling a flow rate of fuel into the fuel cell based on a control signal from the comparator. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification