FUEL CELL STARTUP METHOD FOR FAST FREEZE STARTUP
First Claim
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1. A method of starting a fuel cell system, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a). providing a fuel cell stack, a first power source, at least one startup component;
(b). determining a state of charge of the first power source;
(c). selecting one of at least two startup procedures for starting the at least one startup component as a function of the state of charge of the first power source;
(d). controlling power flow between the fuel cell system and the first power source; and
(e). maintaining a desired fuel cell stack voltage using a load schedule to manage a load on the fuel cell stack.
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Abstract
A method for starting a cold or frozen fuel cell stack as efficiently and quickly as possible in a vehicle application is based upon a state of charge of a first power source such as a high voltage battery. Power flow between the first power source and fuel cell system is coordinated in conjunction with a specific load schedule and parallel control algorithms to minimize the start time required and optimize system warm-up.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of starting a fuel cell system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a). providing a fuel cell stack, a first power source, at least one startup component; (b). determining a state of charge of the first power source; (c). selecting one of at least two startup procedures for starting the at least one startup component as a function of the state of charge of the first power source; (d). controlling power flow between the fuel cell system and the first power source; and (e). maintaining a desired fuel cell stack voltage using a load schedule to manage a load on the fuel cell stack. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of starting a fuel cell system having a fuel cell stack, a first power source, a second power source, a plurality of startup components, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. determining a state of charge of the first power source; b. starting the startup components using the first power source if the state of charge of the first power source is sufficient; c. starting the startup components using the second power source if the state of charge of the first power source is sufficient; d. connecting the fuel cell stack to a voltage bus after the fuel cell stack achieves open circuit voltage; e. controlling the fuel cell stack power using a load schedule to maintain a desired fuel cell voltage; f. controlling the startup components connected to the fuel cell using local control loops having the ability to override the load schedule; and g. monitoring a temperature of the fuel cell stack and controlling the fuel cell stack power using the load schedule until a target fuel cell stack temperature is achieved. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of starting a fuel cell system comprising the steps of:
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(a). starting the fuel cell system using a battery; (b). transferring the power providing responsibilities from the battery to the fuel cell stack after the fuel cell stack has achieved open cell voltage; (c). increasing the load on a fuel cell stack by ramping up power to a set of loads according to a schedule when a fuel cell stack voltage is higher than desired; (d). decreasing the load on the fuel cell stack by ramping down power to the set of loads according to the reverse order specified in the schedule when the fuel cell stack voltages are lower than desired; (e). monitoring a temperature of the fuel cell stack; and (f). controlling the fuel cell stack power using the schedule until a target fuel cell stack temperature is achieved. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification