SUPPLY OF POWER UTILIZING FUEL CELL AND RECHARGEABLE STORAGE PORTION
First Claim
1. Method for controlling a power supply device equipped with a fuel cell and rechargeable storage portion, said method comprising:
- (a) a step of progressively inputting power demand;
(b) a step of referring to a memory portion having stored in memory a relationship of said power demand to a target output value for output by said fuel cell and setting a target output value with reference to said power demand;
(c) a step of controlling operation of said fuel cell with reference to said target output value; and
(d) a step of charging/discharging said storage portion on the basis of said power demand and said target output value;
wherein in said step (b) said relationship is established within a range such that the slope of change in said target output value relative to change in said power demand does not exceed a predetermined value established on the basis of output responsiveness of said fuel cell.
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Abstract
Intended to utilize a fuel cell efficiently while ensuring good output responsiveness by the fuel cell. In a vehicle having a motor as the drive power source, a fuel cell and battery are on board as the power source for the motor. A target output value for the fuel cell is set within a range such that fuel cell output can track change in power demand. The battery is charged/discharged so as to compensate for delay in fuel cell output relative to power demand. By setting a higher target output value the lower the remaining charge in the battery, the fuel cell can be utilized efficiently while ensuring good output responsiveness.
18 Citations
6 Claims
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1. Method for controlling a power supply device equipped with a fuel cell and rechargeable storage portion, said method comprising:
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(a) a step of progressively inputting power demand;
(b) a step of referring to a memory portion having stored in memory a relationship of said power demand to a target output value for output by said fuel cell and setting a target output value with reference to said power demand;
(c) a step of controlling operation of said fuel cell with reference to said target output value; and
(d) a step of charging/discharging said storage portion on the basis of said power demand and said target output value;
wherein in said step (b) said relationship is established within a range such that the slope of change in said target output value relative to change in said power demand does not exceed a predetermined value established on the basis of output responsiveness of said fuel cell.
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2. Method for controlling a power supply device equipped with a fuel cell and rechargeable storage portion, said method comprising:
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(a) a step of setting a target output value for output by said fuel cell with reference to power demand under a predetermined timing; and
(b) a step of controlling operation of said fuel cell and said storage portion with reference to said target output value, wherein said predetermined timing in said step (a) is timing at which rate of change of said power demand exceeds a predetermined value.
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3. Method for controlling a power supply device equipped with a fuel cell and rechargeable storage portion, said method comprising:
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(a) a step of progressively inputting power demand;
(b) a step of estimating future power demand after a predetermined period of time;
(c) a step of setting a target output value for output by said fuel cell at the current time, on the basis of said future power demand, current power demand and output responsiveness of said fuel cell;
(d) a step of controlling operation of said fuel cell with reference to said target output value; and
(e) a step of charging/discharging said storage portion so as to compensate for difference between said current power demand and power outputtable by said fuel cell.
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4. Vehicle comprising a power supply device that supplies power using a fuel cell and rechargeable storage portion as the power source;
- and a motor for outputting drive power by means of power supplied by said power supply device, wherein said vehicle is characterized in that said power supply device comprises;
a power demand input portion for progressively inputting power demand with reference to the degree of acceleration of said vehicle;
a memory portion that holds in memory a relationship of said power demand to a target output value for output by said fuel cell, the relationship defined by a range such that the slope of change of said target output value relative to change in power demand does not exceed a certain predetermined value determined on the basis of output responsiveness of said fuel cell;
a target output value setting portion that refers to said memory portion to set said target output value with reference to said power demand;
a fuel cell control portion for controlling operation of said fuel cell with reference to said target output value; and
a charge/discharge portion for charging/discharging said storage portion on the basis of said power demand and said target output value.
- and a motor for outputting drive power by means of power supplied by said power supply device, wherein said vehicle is characterized in that said power supply device comprises;
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5. Vehicle comprising a power supply device that supplies power using a fuel cell and rechargeable storage portion as the power source;
- and a motor for outputting drive power by means of power supplied by said power supply device, wherein said vehicle is characterized in that said power supply device comprises;
a power demand input portion for progressively inputting power demand;
a power demand estimating portion for estimating future power demand after a predetermined period of time;
a target output value setting portion for setting a target output value for output by said fuel cell at the current point in time, based on said future power demand, current power demand and output responsiveness of said fuel cell;
a fuel cell control portion for controlling operation of said fuel cell with reference to said target output value; and
a charge/discharge portion for charging/discharging said storage portion so as to compensate for difference between said current power demand and power outputtable by said fuel cell. - View Dependent Claims (6)
- and a motor for outputting drive power by means of power supplied by said power supply device, wherein said vehicle is characterized in that said power supply device comprises;
Specification