Regenerative compressor motor control for a fuel cell power system
First Claim
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1. A variable capacity compressor system that is operable in a normal mode and a rapid transient mode selected from an upward and a downward variation, comprising:
- a compressor that compresses a fluid;
a motor that drives said compressor; and
a controller that selects a power source for said motor, said power source being either a main power source when operating in said normal mode or a supplemental power source when operating in said rapid transient mode which is upward.
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Abstract
A variable capacity compressor that is operable in a normal mode and either an upward or downward rapid transient mode includes a compressor that compresses a fluid and a motor that drives the compressor. A controller powers the motor from a main power source when operating in the normal mode and powers the motor from a supplemental power source when operating in the upward rapid transient mode.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A variable capacity compressor system that is operable in a normal mode and a rapid transient mode selected from an upward and a downward variation, comprising:
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a compressor that compresses a fluid;
a motor that drives said compressor; and
a controller that selects a power source for said motor, said power source being either a main power source when operating in said normal mode or a supplemental power source when operating in said rapid transient mode which is upward. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fuel cell system, comprising:
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a fuel cell that processes an oxidant to produce electrical energy;
a variable capacity compressor system that supplies said oxidant to said fuel cell and that is operable in a normal mode and a rapid transient mode selected from an upward and downward variation, said variable capacity compressor system comprising;
a compressor that compresses said oxidant; and
a controller that monitors a power demand from said fuel cell and that selects a power source for said compressor, said power source being either a main power source when operating in said normal mode or a supplemental power source when operating in said rapid transient mode which is upward. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of operating a variable capacity compressor system, comprising:
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operating said variable capacity compressor in a normal mode at a first capacity;
powering said variable capacity compressor from a main power source during said normal mode;
adjusting said variable capacity compressor from said first capacity to a second capacity when in a rapid transient mode; and
when in said rapid transient mode either;
a) powering said variable capacity compressor from a supplemental power source when said rapid transient mode is an upward rapid transient mode, or b) regeneratively braking a motor associated with said compressor to produce charging current for said supplemental power source when operating in said rapid transient mode which is a downward rapid transient mode. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification