Fuel Cell Vehicle Performance Mode

• US 20090069975A1
• Filed: 09/06/2007
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Logan, Victor W., Masten, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,577,547 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A system and method for putting a fuel cell vehicle into a performance mode by preloading sub-systems in the fuel cell system so that high power is available from the fuel cell stack quicker than during normal fuel cell system operation. For example, if a driver activates a vehicle performance mode, the fuel cell system can respond by, for example, increasing the compressor speed, increasing anode recirculation, increasing air and cooling fluid flow through the radiator, increasing battery state-of-charge, etc. Thus, when the driver requests the high power after the system is in the performance mode, the system is able to deliver the desired power immediately or at least quicker and for a longer time period.

Claims

1. A method for initiating a performance mode of a fuel cell system in a vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a command that puts the vehicle in the performance mode;

preloading a plurality of vehicle sub-systems that act to reduce the time it takes a fuel cell stack in the fuel cell system to provide a predetermined high power; and

providing a performance request where the fuel cell stack does deliver the high power.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein preloading the vehicle sub-systems includes setting a cathode compressor to a high speed.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein preloading the vehicle sub-systems includes increasing the fuel pressure of an anode side of the fuel cell stack.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein preloading the vehicle sub-systems includes increasing an anode exhaust recirculation to the fuel cell stack.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein preloading the vehicle sub-systems includes setting a battery state-of-charge to a predetermined maximum.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein preloading the vehicle sub-systems includes increasing radiator fan flow to increase the thermal buffer of the fuel cell system.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising removing the preloading of the vehicle sub-systems after a predetermined period of time has expired if the performance request is not made.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein providing a command that puts the vehicle in the performance mode includes switching a switch.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein providing a command that puts the vehicle in the performance mode includes simultaneously applying throttle and braking of the vehicle.

10. A method for initiating a performance mode of a fuel cell system in a vehicle, said method comprising:

setting a cathode compressor to a high speed;

increasing the fuel pressure of an anode side of a fuel cell stack;

setting a battery state-of-charge to a predetermined maximum; and

increasing the thermal buffer of the fuel cell system.

11. The method according to claim 10 further comprising increasing an anode exhaust recirculation to the fuel cell stack.

12. The method according to claim 10 further comprising initiating the performance mode by switching a switch.

13. The method according to claim 10 further comprising providing a command that puts the vehicle in the performance mode by simultaneously applying a throttle pedal and a brake of the vehicle.

14. A method for initiating a performance mode of a fuel cell system in a vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a command that puts the vehicle in the performance mode;

preloading a plurality of vehicle sub-systems that operate to reduce the time it takes a fuel cell stack in the fuel cell system to provide a predetermined high power, said preloading of the vehicle sub-systems including setting a cathode compressor to a high speed, increasing the fuel pressure of an anode side of the fuel cell stack, setting a battery state-of-charge to a predetermined maximum and increasing radiator fan flow to increase the thermal buffer of the fuel cell system;

providing a performance request where the fuel cell stack does deliver the high power; and

removing the preloading of the vehicle sub-systems after a predetermined period of time has expired if the performance request is not made.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein preloading the vehicle sub-systems includes increasing an anode exhaust recirculation to the fuel cell stack.

16. The method according to claim 14 wherein providing a command that puts the vehicle in the performance mode includes switching a switch.

17. The method according to claim 14 wherein providing a command that puts the vehicle in the performance mode includes simultaneously applying throttle and braking of the vehicle.