Fuel-cell-based cogeneration system with radio frequency identification sensors

• US 8,450,017 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2010
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chung HSIN Electric & Machinery Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Chung HSIN Electric & Machinery Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Sun, Yu-Ming, Wu, Chi-Bin, Huang, To-Wei, Li, Ting-Kuan, Lin, Zhan-Yi
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mahase, Pameshanand
• Application Number:
  US12/961,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20120105206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 429/423
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/10 Fuel cells in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/405 Cogeneration of heat or hot water
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04029 Heat exchange using liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04067 Heat exchange or temperature measuring elements, thermal insulation, e.g. heat pipes, heat pumps, fins
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0432 Temperature; Ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0438 Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04701 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04746 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

The present invention discloses a fuel-cell-based cogeneration system with radio frequency identification (RFID) sensors. The fuel-cell-based cogeneration system with RFID sensors includes the fuel-cell-based cogeneration system and an RFID data processing system. The RFID data processing system captures data of the temperature and flow rate from the RFID sensors, while the system data are in turn converted into RFID signals. The RFID data processing system transmits a control signal generated from the RFID signal to control the operation of the fuel-cell-based cogeneration system. Since the RFID transmission technology, the sensor error caused by wires is consequently reduced. Furthermore, overall sensitivity and accuracy of the RFID sensors are increased, which leads to an accompanying increase in the stability of the operating system.

Claims

1. A fuel-cell-based cogeneration system with radio frequency identification sensors, comprising:

the fuel-cell-based cogeneration system including;

a fuel cell having a first output end and a first input end;

a first heat exchange pipe communicating the first output end and the first input end, and having a heat-dissipating motor, a first RFID sensor, a second RFID sensor, a first lateral of a heat exchanger and a third RFID sensor connected successively in series along a direction of water flows therein;

an isolating device having a chamber, which comprises a second output end, a second input end and at least one opening; and

a fourth RFID sensor that is combined with the isolating device for detecting a water temperature in the chamber; and

a second heat exchange pipe communicating the second output end and the second input end, and having a heat-storing motor, a fifth RFID sensor and a second lateral of the heat exchanger connected successively in series along a direction of water flows therein; and

an RFID data processing system including;

an RFID reader, when enabled, transmitting a first RFID signal to each said RFID sensor, and receiving a second RFID signal transmitted by each said RFID sensor; and

a microprocessor enabling the RFID reader, and generating a control signal according to the second RFID signal for controlling the heat-dissipating motor and the heat-storing motor.

2. The fuel-cell-based cogeneration system of claim 1, wherein each said RFID sensor comprises:

a detecting module capturing a status signal of the fuel cell; and

a data-capturing RFID module including;

a capturing-and-amplifying unit being electrically connected to the detecting module for converting the received status signal into a first digital signal;

a first digital data processing unit being electrically connected to the capturing-and-amplifying unit for converting the first digital signal into the second RFID signal;

a first antenna serving to transmit the second RFID signal and to receive the first RFID signal; and

a first RFID unit being electrically connected to the first digital data processing unit and the first antenna, enabling the data-capturing RFID module according to the first RFID signal, and transmitting the second RFID signal via the first antenna.

3. The fuel-cell-based cogeneration system of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader comprises:

a second antenna serving to transmit the first RFID signal and to receive the second RFID signal;

a second RFID unit being electrically connected to the second antenna, receiving the second RFID signal output by the second antenna, and transmitting the first RFID signal via the second antenna;

a second digital data processing unit being electrically connected to the second RFID unit for receiving the second RFID signal and converting the second RFID signal into a second digital signal; and

a data collecting unit being electrically connected to the second digital data processing unit, and storing a predetermined data signal, wherein the microprocessor compares the second digital signal with the predetermined data signal and generates the control signal accordingly.

4. The fuel-cell-based cogeneration system of claim 3, wherein the RFID reader further comprises a first memory device for storing the second digital signal.

5. The fuel-cell-based cogeneration system of claim 3, wherein the RFID reader further comprises a peripheral interface, which is electrically connected to the data collecting unit.

6. The fuel-cell-based cogeneration system of claim 5, wherein the peripheral interface is a serial port, a parallel port or a universal serial bus.

7. The fuel-cell-based cogeneration system of claim 5, wherein the peripheral interface further comprises a second memory device for storing the second digital signal.