Systems and methods for initiating auxiliary fuel cell system operation
First Claim
1. An auxiliary power system adapted to provide supplemental power to an energy-consuming assembly normally adapted to be powered by a primary power source, the auxiliary power system comprising:
- an auxiliary fuel cell system, comprising;
a fuel cell stack adapted to produce an electrical output from a fuel and an oxidant;
a rechargeable energy-storage device;
a diode electrically positioned between the energy-consuming assembly and the auxiliary fuel cell system, wherein the diode is adapted to be forward biased to permit current flow from the auxiliary fuel cell system and the primary power source to the energy-consuming assembly, while restricting current flow from the primary power source to the auxiliary fuel cell system;
a controller adapted to initiate the production of the electrical output by the auxiliary fuel cell system responsive to at least one triggering event indicative of a demand for the electrical output to be produced by the auxiliary fuel cell system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Fuel cell systems that provide backup, or auxiliary, power to one or more energy-consuming devices normally powered by a primary power source (PPS). Operating methods and controllers for auxiliary fuel cell systems and/or for power systems that include a PPS and an auxiliary power source in the form of an auxiliary fuel cell system (AFCS) are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes, or is in communication with, a controller that selectively initiates the production of an electric current by the AFCS responsive to a triggering event. An illustrative triggering event includes a predetermined voltage drop across a diode or similar current-regulating, or flow-regulating, device that is electrically between the AFCS and the energy-consuming device(s) and/or the PPS. Another illustrative triggering event includes the voltage (or state of charge or readiness to satisfy an applied load) of a battery or other energy-storage device associated with the AFCS.
-
Citations
29 Claims
-
1. An auxiliary power system adapted to provide supplemental power to an energy-consuming assembly normally adapted to be powered by a primary power source, the auxiliary power system comprising:
-
an auxiliary fuel cell system, comprising;
a fuel cell stack adapted to produce an electrical output from a fuel and an oxidant;
a rechargeable energy-storage device;
a diode electrically positioned between the energy-consuming assembly and the auxiliary fuel cell system, wherein the diode is adapted to be forward biased to permit current flow from the auxiliary fuel cell system and the primary power source to the energy-consuming assembly, while restricting current flow from the primary power source to the auxiliary fuel cell system;
a controller adapted to initiate the production of the electrical output by the auxiliary fuel cell system responsive to at least one triggering event indicative of a demand for the electrical output to be produced by the auxiliary fuel cell system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. In an energy-producing system that is adapted to provide an electrical output to satisfy an applied load from an energy-consuming assembly and which includes a primary power source that is normally adapted to provide an electrical output to satisfy the applied load and an auxiliary power system that is adapted to provide an electrical output to satisfy the applied load when the primary power source is not available to satisfy the applied load and which includes an auxiliary fuel cell system that comprises at least a fuel cell stack that is adapted to produce an electrical output and an energy storage device, a method for initiating startup of the auxiliary fuel cell system, the method comprising:
-
monitoring a state of charge of a battery assembly associated with the auxiliary fuel cell system; and
initiating delivery of fuel and oxidant to the fuel cell stack responsive to the state of charge of the battery assembly falling below a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
-
26. In an energy-producing system that is adapted to provide an electrical output to satisfy an applied load from an energy-consuming assembly and which includes a primary power source that is normally adapted to provide an electrical output to satisfy the applied load and an auxiliary power system that is adapted to provide an electrical output to satisfy the applied load when the primary power source is not available to satisfy the applied load and which includes a fuel cell stack that is adapted to produce an electrical output, a battery assembly, and a diode electrically positioned between the an auxiliary fuel cell system and at least one of the energy-consuming assembly and the primary power source, a method for initiating startup of the auxiliary fuel cell system, the method comprising:
-
monitoring voltage across the diode; and
initiating delivery of fuel and oxidant to the fuel cell stack responsive to the monitored voltage across the diode exceeding a predetermined threshold voltage. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
-
Specification