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Electric system for fuel cell, fuel cell vehicle, and method of supplying electric power

  • US 8,293,414 B2
  • Filed: 09/03/2008
  • Issued: 10/23/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An electric system for a fuel cell, comprising:

  • a fuel cell for generating electric power by being supplied with a reactive gas;

    a first power supply line connected to said fuel cell and an electric motor of a fuel cell vehicle;

    a first electric accessory serving as at least part of a fuel cell accessory for operating said fuel cell;

    an auxiliary electric system operable under a voltage lower than a voltage output from said fuel cell;

    a first DC-to-DC converter for performing bidirectional voltage conversion, said first DC-to-DC converter connecting said auxiliary electric system to said first power supply line;

    a second DC-to-DC converter for lowering a voltage, said second DC-to-DC converter connecting at least a portion of said first electric accessory to said first power supply line for supplying electric power from said first power supply line to said first electric accessory, wherein the electric power supplied to the first electric accessory from the fuel cell passes through the second DC-to-DC converter without passing through the first DC-to-DC converter;

    said auxiliary electric system comprising;

    a first electric storage device;

    a second power supply line connecting said first electric storage device and said first DC-to-DC converter to each other; and

    a second electric accessory serving as an electric accessory other than said fuel cell accessory, said second electric accessory being connected to said second power supply line for being supplied with electric power from said second power supply line; and

    a power supply controller for controlling the first DC-to-DC converter and the second DC-to-DC converter, wherein the first DC-to-DC converter and the second DC-to-DC converter are connected to the power supply controller.

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