FUEL CELL SYSTEM START-UP USING VOLTAGE PROFILE CONTROL
First Claim
1. A fuel cell system comprising:
- a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells and a stack voltage;
a direct current-direct current (DC-DC) boost converter; and
a controller configured to regulate the stack voltage via the DC-DC boost converter during start-up of the fuel cell stack, and programmed with a plurality of calibrated voltage profiles each having a corresponding magnitude and rate of change;
wherein the controller is configured to detect an air start of the fuel cell stack in response to a requested start-up of the fuel cell stack, and responsive to the detected air start, to enforce a predetermined voltage profile of the stack voltage during an actual start-up of the fuel cell stack via regulation of the DC-DC boost converter using the plurality of calibrated voltage profiles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel cell system for a vehicle or other system includes a fuel cell stack, a DC-DC boost converter, and a controller. The stack has a plurality of fuel cells and a stack voltage. The controller regulates the stack voltage during start-up of the fuel cell stack via the boost converter, and is programmed with a plurality of calibrated voltage profiles each having a corresponding magnitude and rate of change. The controller is configured to execute a method which includes detecting an air start of the fuel cell stack in response to a requested start-up of the fuel cell stack. The controller then enforces the stack voltage to the predetermined voltage profiles during an actual start-up of the fuel cell stack, doing so via regulation of the boost converter and using the plurality of calibrated voltage profiles.
4 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fuel cell system comprising:
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a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells and a stack voltage; a direct current-direct current (DC-DC) boost converter; and a controller configured to regulate the stack voltage via the DC-DC boost converter during start-up of the fuel cell stack, and programmed with a plurality of calibrated voltage profiles each having a corresponding magnitude and rate of change; wherein the controller is configured to detect an air start of the fuel cell stack in response to a requested start-up of the fuel cell stack, and responsive to the detected air start, to enforce a predetermined voltage profile of the stack voltage during an actual start-up of the fuel cell stack via regulation of the DC-DC boost converter using the plurality of calibrated voltage profiles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle comprising:
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a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells and a stack voltage; a direct current-direct current (DC-DC) boost converter; a battery pack electrically connected to the fuel cell stack and having a DC output voltage; a power inverter module (PIM) electrically connected to the battery pack and configured to convert the DC output voltage to an alternating current (AC) voltage; an electric machine electrically connected to the PIM and energized via the AC voltage to produce an output torque; a drive wheel connected to the electric machine and driven via the output torque from the electric machine to propel the vehicle; and a controller operable for regulating the stack voltage via the DC-DC boost converter during start-up of the fuel cell stack, and programmed with a plurality of calibrated voltage profiles each having a corresponding magnitude and rate of change, wherein the controller is configured to detect an air start of the fuel cell stack in response to a requested start-up of the fuel cell stack, and responsive to the detected air start, to enforce a predetermined voltage profile of the stack voltage during an actual start-up of the fuel cell stack via regulation of the DC-DC boost converter using the plurality of calibrated voltage profiles. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for use with a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells and a stack voltage, the method comprising:
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detecting an air start of the fuel cell stack via a controller in response to a requested start-up of the fuel cell stack, wherein the controller is programmed with a plurality of calibrated voltage profiles each having a corresponding magnitude and rate of change; and responsive to the detected air start, enforcing a predetermined voltage profile of the stack voltage via the controller during an actual start-up of the fuel cell stack, including regulating operation of a direct current-direct current (DC-DC) boost converter using the plurality of calibrated voltage profiles; wherein the calibrated voltage profiles include a first voltage profile corresponding to an anode pressurization stage and a second voltage profile corresponding to a cathode fill stage, with the second voltage profile having a rate of change that is less than that of the first voltage profile. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification