Method and system for controlling power distribution in a hybrid fuel cell vehicle
First Claim
1. A power distribution control system for a vehicle having a fuel cell and a second power source connected to an electrical bus, the control system comprising:
- a voltage regulator configured to control voltage on the bus;
a first controller for controlling the voltage regulator;
a computer programmed and configured with fuel cell characteristics for relating fuel cell voltage to fuel cell current, the computer being further programmed and configured to receive a current request at least partly based on vehicle loads, and to determine a first voltage related to the current request using the fuel cell characteristics; and
a second controller configured to receive a voltage signal from the computer and to provide a current command to the first controller, the voltage signal being at least partly based on the first voltage and a measured voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power distribution control system for a hybrid fuel cell vehicle is provided. The system includes a high energy converter (HEC) for providing current from an electrical bus to the battery, or from the battery to the bus. As a vehicle load changes, the HEC adjusts the battery current flow. A current command is sent to a fuel cell controller so that the fuel cell current output is adjusted. As the fuel cell current output changes, the HEC further adjusts the battery current flow, until there is a zero net current flow to and from the battery. At this point, a state of equilibrium is reached and the fuel cell provides all the current required by the vehicle loads.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power distribution control system for a vehicle having a fuel cell and a second power source connected to an electrical bus, the control system comprising:
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a voltage regulator configured to control voltage on the bus;
a first controller for controlling the voltage regulator;
a computer programmed and configured with fuel cell characteristics for relating fuel cell voltage to fuel cell current, the computer being further programmed and configured to receive a current request at least partly based on vehicle loads, and to determine a first voltage related to the current request using the fuel cell characteristics; and
a second controller configured to receive a voltage signal from the computer and to provide a current command to the first controller, the voltage signal being at least partly based on the first voltage and a measured voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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10. A method of controlling the power distribution in a vehicle having a fuel cell and a second power source, the method comprising:
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generating a first voltage based on a vehicle electrical load change;
generating a first current command at least partly based on the first voltage and a measured voltage;
adjusting current flow of the second power source at least partly based on the current command;
adjusting available fuel cell current at least partly based on the vehicle electrical load change;
continuously adjusting current flow of the second power source at least partly based on additional current commands until an equilibrium point is reached.
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17. A vehicle having a fuel cell and a second power source connected to an electrical bus, and a power distribution system for controlling the distribution of power in the vehicle, the power distribution system comprising:
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a voltage regulator configured to control voltage on the bus;
a first controller for controlling the voltage regulator;
a computer programmed and configured with fuel cell characteristics for relating fuel cell voltage to fuel cell current, the computer being further programmed and configured to receive a current request at least partly based on vehicle loads, and to determine a first voltage related to the current request using the fuel cell characteristics; and
a second controller configured to receive a voltage signal from the computer and to provide a current command to the first controller, the voltage signal being at least partly based on the first voltage and a measured voltage. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A controller for controlling the power distribution system in a vehicle, the vehicle having a fuel cell and a second power source, the controller comprising:
an algorithm for generating a first voltage at least partly based on vehicle electrical loads, for generating a current command at least partly based on the first voltage and a measured voltage, for adjusting current flow of the second power source at least partly based on the current command, for adjusting available fuel cell current at least partly based on the vehicle electrical loads, and for continuously adjusting the current flow of the second power source until an equilibrium point is reached. - View Dependent Claims (20)
Specification