Fuel cell network power system

• US 6,992,460 B1
• Filed: 07/21/2005
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited (Lb-shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Jadoo Power Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Van Fleet, Barbara H., Arikara, Muralidharan P., Bawden, Jr., Lawrence R., Berger, William Jackson
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US11/187,437
• Time in Patent Office: 194 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101, 320/116, 320/122, 429/12, 429/13, 429/24
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/10 Fuel cells in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04679 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0488 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell power module is provided. The module comprises (a) power production unit, (b) a power conditioning and protection unit, and (c) a control unit, each unit being modules and integrated into a module for independent removal. Multiple modules are networked so that each module is connected to a master controller so that if one module is removed from operation, the other is able to continue operation.

Claims

1. A network fuel cell power system comprising:

a plurality of fuel cell power modules, each fuel cell power module includes;

a power production unit;

a power conditioning and protection unit;

a control unit; and

a local hydrogen storage source connected to the power production unit of an associated fuel cell power module;

a common hydrogen storage source, connected to each fuel cell power module of the plurality of fuel cell power modules; and

wherein, in response to a loss of hydrogen from the common hydrogen storage source, the local hydrogen storage source of at least one of the plurality of fuel cell power modules provides hydrogen to the power production unit of the associated fuel cell power module.

2. The network fuel cell power system of claim 1 wherein if one of the plurality of fuel cell power modules fails or is removed from or ceases operation, one or more of the other fuel cell power modules of the plurality of fuel cell power modules continue operation.

3. The network fuel cell power system of claim 1 further including a first master controller, electrically coupled to the control unit of each fuel cell power module, to control or manage operation of the plurality of fuel cell power modules.

4. The network fuel cell power system of claim 3 wherein the first master controller, in response to a failure or removal from operation of a given fuel cell power module, instructs at least one of the other fuel cell power modules to increase the amount of power produced by the associated power production unit of the at least one other fuel cell power module.

5. The network fuel cell power system of claim 1 further including back planes having connections to communicate with the plurality of fuel cell power modules.

6. The network fuel cell power system of claim 5 wherein each back plane includes one or more of a fluid, data and power interfaces that connect to an associated fluid, data and power interface of a fuel cell power module.

7. The fuel cell power module of claim 6 wherein the interfaces between the back planes and at least one of the power production unit and the power conditioning and protection unit of the plurality of the fuel cell power modules are configured to connect in a single action.

8. The network fuel cell power system of claim 1 further including a second master controller, electrically coupled to the control unit of each fuel cell power module, to control or manage operation of the plurality of fuel cell power modules wherein, in response to a failure, removal or cease of operation of the first master controller, the second master controller controls or manages the network fuel cell power system.

9. The network power system of claim 1 wherein the power production unit, the power conditioning and protection unit, and the control unit of each fuel cell power module are independently removable during operation of the network fuel cell power system.

10. The network fuel cell power system of claim 1 wherein in response to a failure of the first master controller, the control unit of each fuel cell power module of each fuel cell power module performs control functions to permit continued operation of the associated fuel cell power module.

11. The network fuel cell power system of claim 1 wherein the power production unit and the power conditioning and protection unit of each fuel cell power module continues operating in response to a failure of the first master controller.

12. The network fuel cell power system of claim 1 wherein a failure of any fuel cell power module causes one or more of the other fuel cell power modules of the plurality of fuel cell power modules to automatically adjust its output power.

13. The network fuel cell power system of claim 1 wherein the local hydrogen storage source and/or the common hydrogen storage source (i) contains hydrogen, in gas or liquid form, and/or (ii) derives hydrogen from any hydrogen containing compound.

14. The network fuel cell power system of claim 1 further including:

a dual feed hydrogen supply manifold to connect the common hydrogen storage source to the plurality of fuel cell power modules; and

a first set of valves, disposed within the supply manifold, to segment the supply manifold, wherein the first set of valves, in response to control signals, isolates one or more sections of the supply manifold.

15. The network fuel cell power system of claim 14 further including:

a dual hydrogen exhaust manifold; and

a second set of valves, disposed within the exhaust manifold, to segment the exhaust manifold, wherein the second set of valves, in response to control signals, isolates one or more sections of the exhaust manifold while allowing one or more of the fuel cell power modules to purge hydrogen.

16. The network fuel cell power system of claim 1 further including:

dual coolant pumps; and

dual feed inlet and outlet manifolds, coupled to the plurality of fuel cell power modules;

wherein the dual coolant pumps supply coolant to dual feed inlet and outlet manifolds.

17. The network fuel cell power system of claim 1 further including:

a dual feed hydrogen supply manifold to connect the common hydrogen storage source to the plurality of fuel cell power modules;

a first set of valves, disposed within the supply manifold, to segment the supply manifold, wherein the first set of valves, in response to control signals, isolates individual sections of the supply manifold;

a dual hydrogen exhaust manifold; and

a second set of valves, disposed within the exhaust manifold, to segment the exhaust manifold, wherein the second set of valves, in response to control signals, isolates one or more sections of the exhaust manifold.

18. The network fuel cell power system of claim 1 wherein the power conditioning and protection unit includes a voltage conditioning device.

19. The network fuel cell power system of claim 18 wherein the voltage conditioning device is a DC—

DC converter or a DC-AC inverter.

20. A network fuel cell power system comprising:

a plurality of fuel cell power modules, each fuel cell power module includes;

a power production unit;

a power conditioning and protection unit;

a control unit; and

a local hydrogen storage source connected to the power production unit of an associated fuel cell power module;

a common hydrogen storage source, connected to each fuel cell power module of the plurality of fuel cell power modules;

a first master controller, electrically coupled to the control unit of each fuel cell power module, to control or manage operation of the plurality of fuel cell power modules;

a dual feed hydrogen supply manifold to connect the common hydrogen storage source to the plurality of fuel cell power modules;

a first set of valves, disposed within the supply manifold, to segment the supply manifold, wherein the first set of valves, in response to control signals from the first master controller, isolates one or more sections of the supply manifold; and

wherein, in response to a loss of hydrogen from the common hydrogen storage source, the local hydrogen storage source of at least one of the plurality of fuel cell power modules provides hydrogen to the power production unit of the associated fuel cell power module.

21. The network fuel cell power system of claim 20 further including:

a dual hydrogen exhaust manifold; and

a second set of valves, disposed within the exhaust manifold, to segment the exhaust manifold, wherein the second set of valves, in response to control signals, isolates one or more sections of the exhaust manifold while allowing one or more of the fuel cell power modules to purge hydrogen.

22. The network fuel cell power system of claim 20 wherein the first master controller, in response to a failure or removal from operation of a given fuel cell power module, instructs at least one of the other fuel cell power modules to increase the amount of power produced by the associated power production unit of the at least one other fuel cell power module.

23. The network fuel cell power system of claim 20 further including back planes having connections to communicate with the plurality of fuel cell power modules.

24. The network fuel cell power system of claim 23 wherein each back plane includes one or more of a fluid, data and power interfaces that connect to an associated fluid, data and power interface of the plurality of fuel cell power modules.

25. The network fuel cell power system of claim 23 wherein each back plane is modular.

26. The network fuel cell power system of claim 20 wherein the power production unit, the power conditioning and protection unit, and the control unit of each fuel cell power module are independently removable during operation of the network fuel cell power system.

27. The network fuel cell power system of claim 20 wherein the power conditioning and protection unit of each fuel cell power module continues operation in response to a failure of the first master controller.

28. The network fuel cell power system of claim 20 further including a second master controller, electrically coupled to the control unit of each fuel cell power module, to control or manage operation of the plurality of fuel cell power modules wherein, in response to a failure, removal or cease of operation of the first master controller, the second master controller controls or manages the network fuel cell power system.

29. The network fuel cell power system of claim 20 wherein a failure of any fuel cell power module causes one or more of the other fuel cell power modules of the plurality of fuel cell power modules to automatically adjust its output power.

30. The network fuel cell power system of claim 20 wherein the local hydrogen storage source and/or the common hydrogen storage source (i) contains hydrogen, in gas or liquid form, and/or (ii) derives hydrogen from any hydrogen containing compound.

31. The network fuel cell power system of claim 20 wherein the power conditioning and protection unit includes a voltage conditioning device.

32. The network fuel cell power system of claim 31 wherein the voltage conditioning device is a DC—

DC converter or a DC-AC inverter.