Fuel cell hybrid power supply
First Claim
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1. A hybrid voltage power supply that provides a fixed output voltage, the power supply, comprising:
- a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from a fuel cell and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell, the DC/DC converter configured to provide substantially constant current drain from the fuel cell and a charging voltage that is less than a full charge voltage of the rechargeable cell; and
a circuit disposed to sense voltage across the fuel cell to cause the rechargeable cell to supply a regeneration current to the fuel cell when the value of voltage of the fuel cell falls below a threshold value.
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Abstract
A hybrid power supply includes a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from a fuel cell and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell, set to provide a fixed output voltage that is less than the full charge voltage of the rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply includes a circuit including a fuel cell current control that senses fuel cell current, and controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the fuel cell side of the hybrid power supply.
26 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A hybrid voltage power supply that provides a fixed output voltage, the power supply, comprising:
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a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from a fuel cell and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell, the DC/DC converter configured to provide substantially constant current drain from the fuel cell and a charging voltage that is less than a full charge voltage of the rechargeable cell; and a circuit disposed to sense voltage across the fuel cell to cause the rechargeable cell to supply a regeneration current to the fuel cell when the value of voltage of the fuel cell falls below a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A hybrid constant voltage power supply comprising:
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a fuel cell; a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from the fuel cell and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell, at a voltage that is less the full charge voltage of the rechargeable cell; and a fuel cell current sensor/comparator, included in a feedback control loop of the DC/DC converter, which controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge from the fuel cell; and a circuit disposed to sense voltage across the fuel cell to cause the rechargeable battery to supply a regeneration current to the fuel cell when the value of voltage of the fuel cell falls below a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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delivering energy from a fuel cell to a rechargeable cell through a switching type DC/DC boost type converter at a fixed voltage that is less than a full charge voltage of the rechargeable cell with the DC/DC converter drawing a constant current from a fuel cell to allow the fuel cell to operate at maximum efficiency; and sensing voltage across the fuel cell to cause the rechargeable battery to supply a regeneration current to the fuel cell when the value of voltage of the fuel cell falls below a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification