Capacitor hybrid fuel cell power generator
First Claim
1. A method of operating an electrical power generator comprising at least one fuel cell and at least one capacitor electrically coupled together in parallel, the method comprising:
- (a) monitoring a current drawn by a load;
(b) monitoring a voltage across the capacitor; and
(c) operating the fuel cell to generate an electrical output within a target output range when either the monitored current or voltage are within a respective selected current and voltage range, the fuel cell output supplying the load and/or recharging the capacitor;
wherein the capacitor is configured to discharge stored electrical energy to the load when the load exceeds the target output range.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical power generator comprising at least one fuel cell and at least one capacitor electrically coupled together in parallel is operated in a manner that reduces stress on the fuel cell and prolongs fuel cell operating life. The operation comprises: monitoring a current drawn by a load; monitoring a voltage across the capacitor; and operating the fuel cell to generate an electrical output within a target output range when either the monitored current or voltage are within a respective selected current and voltage range, the fuel cell output supplying the load and/or recharging the capacitor. The capacitor is configured to discharge stored electrical energy to the load when the load exceeds the target output range.
102 Citations
37 Claims
-
1. A method of operating an electrical power generator comprising at least one fuel cell and at least one capacitor electrically coupled together in parallel, the method comprising:
-
(a) monitoring a current drawn by a load;
(b) monitoring a voltage across the capacitor; and
(c) operating the fuel cell to generate an electrical output within a target output range when either the monitored current or voltage are within a respective selected current and voltage range, the fuel cell output supplying the load and/or recharging the capacitor;
wherein the capacitor is configured to discharge stored electrical energy to the load when the load exceeds the target output range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A computer readable memory having recorded statements and instructions for execution by a programmable device to carry out a method of operating an electrical power generator comprising at least one fuel cell and at least one capacitor electrically coupled together in parallel, the method comprising
(a) monitoring a current drawn by a load; -
(b) monitoring a voltage across the capacitor; and
(c) operating the fuel cell to generate an electrical output within a target output range when either the monitored current or voltage are within a respective selected current and voltage range, the fuel cell output supplying the load and/or recharging the capacitor;
wherein the capacitor is configured to discharge stored electrical energy to the load when the load exceeds the target output range. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. An electrical power generator comprising
(a) at least one fuel cell; -
(b) at least one capacitor electrically coupled to the fuel cell in parallel;
(c) a current sensor for monitoring a current drawn by a load;
(d) a voltage sensor for monitoring a voltage across the capacitor; and
(e) a controller communicative with the current sensor and voltage sensor, and programmed with a method of operating the generator comprising (i) monitoring the current sensor;
(ii) monitoring the voltage sensor; and
(iii) operating the fuel cell to generate an electrical output within a target output range when either the monitored current or voltage are within a respective selected current and voltage range, the fuel cell output supplying the load and/or recharging the capacitor;
wherein the capacitor is configured to discharge stored electrical energy to the load when the load exceeds the target output range. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
-
Specification