Hybrid system of fuel cell and superconducting magnetic energy storage device

• US 5,519,312 A
• Filed: 11/29/1993
• Issued: 05/21/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alfred University
• Original Assignee: Alfred University
• Inventors: Barus, Aristianto M., Wang, Xingwu
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US08/158,501
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 429/12, 429/13, 429/23, 320/3, 320/24, 320/61, 323/360, 363/59, 363/62, 363/97, 363/28, 363/14, 363/21
• US Class Current: 323/360
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 6/00 Superconducting magnets; Superconducting coils magnetic resonance assemblies using superconducting coil systems G01R33/3815
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/003 of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0488 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04888 of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04992 characterised by the implementation of mathematical or computational algorithms, e.g. feedback control loops, fuzzy logic, neural networks or artificial intelligence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/30 The power source being a fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/1582 Buck-boost converters H02M3/1584 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/60 Superconducting electric elements or equipment; Power systems integrating superconducting elements or equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 429/90 Fuel cell including means for power conditioning, e.g. Conversion to ac

Abstract

An apparatus for producing, storing, and delivering direct current electrical energy to a load which contains a fuel cell, a superconducting magnetic energy storage device, a switch electrically connected between the fuel cell and the superconducting magnetic storage device, and a converter for modifying at least one of the electrical characteristics of the direct current electrical energy.

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing, storing, and delivering direct current electrical energy to a load comprised of a fuel cell with a direct current, constant voltage output, a superconducting magnetic energy storage device with a variable voltage, a first switch electrically connected between said fuel cell and said superconducting magnetic storage device, a second switch electrically connected between said fuel cell and a converter, and said converter for modifying at least one of the electrical characteristics of said direct current electrical energy, wherein:

(a) said converter changes the voltage of said direct current electrical energy,

(b) said converter is comprised of a capacitive voltage smoothing circuit and an inductive current smoothing circuit,

(c) said apparatus is comprised of means for matching said direct current, constant voltage output of said fuel cell and said variable voltage of said superconducting magnetic storage device in accordance with the formula Vs=Vf/(1-k), wherein Vs is the said voltage output of said superconducting magnetic storage device, Vf is said constant voltage output of said fuel cell, and k is a duty cycle.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said converter increases the voltage of said direct current electrical energy.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said converter decrease the voltage of said direct current electrical energy.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said converter transfers said direct current electrical energy to alternating current electrical energy.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is comprised of a controller.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first switch is a thyristor.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said thyristor is a gate turn off thyristor.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is comprised of a current-limiting resistor.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said current limiting resistor is connected between said first switch and said fuel cell.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is comprised of a diode.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said diode is disposed between said fuel cell and said superconducting magnetic energy storage device.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is comprised of a capacitor.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said capacitor is connected in parallel with said load.