Intermediate circuit with a first switch for switching a fuel cell stack and second switch for short-circuting the fuel stack, fuel cell system with an intermediate circuit, and method for controlling the intermediate circuit

• US 8,206,861 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2006
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Aberle, Markus, Hoermann, Juergen
• Primary Examiner(s): Ridley, Basia
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cullen, Sean P
• Application Number:
  US12/303,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20090325003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,215 Days
• Field of Search: 429/431, 429/428, 429/429, 429/430, 429/432, 307/113, 307/116, 307/125
• US Class Current: 429/431
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/31 for starting of fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/34 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

An intermediate circuit for controlling the connection of a fuel cell stack to a load bus includes three switching elements arranged in a pi configuration. At least one such switching element is provided for short circuiting either or both of the fuel cell stack and the load bus, while a further switching element controllably interrupts the line connection between the fuel cell stack and the load bus. The respective switches are driven according to a control method that accommodates start-up operation, switch-off operation, emergency shut down, and a self diagnostic mode.

Claims

1. An intermediate circuit for connecting a fuel cell stack to a load bus, said intermediate circuit comprising:

a first switching means connected between the fuel cell stack and the load bus, for switching the fuel cell stack on or off on the load bus;

at least one additional switching means for short-circuiting one of the fuel cell stack and the load bus; and

control means for controlling the at least one additional switching means to short-circuit said one of the fuel cell stack and the load bus in the event of malfunction,

wherein said first and at least one additional switching means comprises switching elements,

wherein said control means controls the at least one additional switching means in a clocked manner by pulse width modulation, whereby current that flows through said at least one additional switching means is limited by a pulse-pause ratio of the at least one additional switching means.

2. An intermediate circuit for connecting a fuel cell stack to a load bus, said intermediate circuit comprising:

a first electronic switch connected in series between an output of said fuel cell stack and an input of said load bus; and

means for limiting current flowing from said fuel cell stack when said first electronic switch is open;

wherein said means for limiting current comprises i) a second electronic switch connected in parallel with said fuel cell stack, and ii) a control means for generating a pulse width modulated signal that causes said second electronic switch to be clocked on and off with a pulse-pause ratio that is adapted to an instantaneous power output capacity of the fuel cell stack.

3. An intermediate circuit for connecting a fuel cell stack to a load bus, said intermediate circuit comprising:

a first electronic switching element which is connected between the fuel cell stack and the load bus for switching the fuel cell stack on or off on the load bus;

at least one additional electronic switching element connected for short-circuiting the fuel cell stack and/or the load bus, wherein the at least one additional electronic switching element includes a second electronic switching element which is connected for short-circuiting the fuel cell stack when the first switching element is open and a third electronic switching element which is connected for short-circuiting the load bus when the first switching element is open;

a control device for the third electronic switching element, said control device being configured such that in the event of malfunction the third electronic switching element is closed; and

a further control device for controlling the second electronic switching element, said further control device being configured such that the second electronic switching element may be controlled by one of a clocked manner, and pulse width modulation.

4. The intermediate circuit according to claim 3, wherein the first, second, and third switching elements are connected in a PI configuration.

5. The intermediate circuit according to claim 3, wherein the at least one additional electronic switching element includes multiple redundantly connected switching elements.

6. The intermediate circuit according to claim 3, wherein the first switching element is configured to disconnect the fuel cell stack and load bus, without reverse current flow.

7. The intermediate circuit according to claim 3, wherein the first switching element is provided only singly in the intermediate circuit.

8. A fuel cell system comprising:

a fuel cell stack;

a load bus; and

an intermediate circuit according to claim 3.