Fuel cell system apparatus
First Claim
1. A power system, comprising:
- at least one balance of plant (BOP) device;
a power source operable to provide a first amount of power at a power source voltage;
a fuel cell stack operable to provide a second amount of power at a fuel cell stack voltage;
a first voltage controlled element electrically coupled between the power source and the at least one BOP device, and operable to transfer a portion of the first amount of power from the power source to the at least one BOP device when the power source voltage is greater than the fuel cell stack voltage; and
a second voltage controlled element electrically coupled between the fuel cell stack and the at least one BOP device, and operable to transfer a portion of the second amount of power from the fuel cell stack to the at least one BOP device in response to the fuel cell stack voltage being greater than the power source voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power system is disclosed that includes a fuel cell stack primary power source, a secondary power source, a first direct current bus, a first voltage controlled element that electrically couples power from the secondary power source to the first direct current bus when a voltage across the secondary power source is greater than a voltage across the fuel cell stack primary power source, a second voltage controlled element that electrically couples power from the fuel cell stack primary power source to the first direct current bus when the voltage across the fuel cell stack primary power source is greater than the voltage across the secondary power source, and at least one balance of plant load electrically coupled to the first direct current bus.
41 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A power system, comprising:
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at least one balance of plant (BOP) device; a power source operable to provide a first amount of power at a power source voltage; a fuel cell stack operable to provide a second amount of power at a fuel cell stack voltage; a first voltage controlled element electrically coupled between the power source and the at least one BOP device, and operable to transfer a portion of the first amount of power from the power source to the at least one BOP device when the power source voltage is greater than the fuel cell stack voltage; and a second voltage controlled element electrically coupled between the fuel cell stack and the at least one BOP device, and operable to transfer a portion of the second amount of power from the fuel cell stack to the at least one BOP device in response to the fuel cell stack voltage being greater than the power source voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A power system, comprising:
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a fuel cell stack primary power source; a secondary power source; a first direct current bus; a first voltage controlled element that electrically couples power from the secondary power source to the first direct current bus when a voltage across the secondary power source is greater than a voltage across the fuel cell stack primary power source; a second voltage controlled element that electrically couples power from the fuel cell stack primary power source to the first direct current bus when the voltage across the fuel cell stack primary power source is greater than the voltage across the secondary power source; and at least one balance of plant load electrically coupled to the first direct current bus. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A power system, comprising:
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a power source operable to provide a first amount of power; a fuel cell stack operable to provide a second amount of power at a fuel cell stack voltage; at least one balance of plant (BOP) device operable to receive the first amount of power from the power source and operable to receive the second amount of power from the fuel cell stack; a primary direct current (DC) bus operable to receive at least the first amount of power from the power source and operable at a DC bus voltage; a first voltage controlled element electrically coupled between the primary DC bus and the at least one BOP device, and operable to transfer at least a portion of the first amount of power from the power source to the at least one BOP device when the DC bus voltage is greater than the fuel cell stack voltage; and a second voltage controlled element electrically coupled between the fuel cell stack and the at least one BOP device, and operable to transfer at least a portion of the second amount of power from the fuel cell stack to the at least one BOP device in response to the fuel cell stack voltage being greater than the DC bus voltage. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification