System and method for operating positive temperature coefficient heater in fuel cell vehicle
First Claim
1. A system for operating a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater in a fuel cell vehicle comprising:
- a fuel cell stack;
a PTC heater generating heat when supplied with an electric current; and
a controller configured to check a key-start state of the vehicle, determine whether or not an outdoor temperature is lower than a reference temperature, and if it is determined that the vehicle is key-started to activate the fuel cell stack and that the outdoor temperature is lower than the reference temperature, supply electrical energy generated by the fuel cell stack to the PTC heater, thereby driving the PTC heater.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for operating a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater in a fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell stack and a PTC heater generating heat when supplied with an electric current. A controller is configured to check a key-start state of the vehicle and determine whether or not an outdoor temperature is lower than a reference temperature. If it is determined that the vehicle is key-started so as to activate the fuel cell stack, and the outdoor temperature is lower than the reference temperature, the controller supplies electrical energy generated by the fuel cell stack to the PTC heater, thereby driving the PTC heater.
11 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A system for operating a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater in a fuel cell vehicle comprising:
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a fuel cell stack; a PTC heater generating heat when supplied with an electric current; and a controller configured to check a key-start state of the vehicle, determine whether or not an outdoor temperature is lower than a reference temperature, and if it is determined that the vehicle is key-started to activate the fuel cell stack and that the outdoor temperature is lower than the reference temperature, supply electrical energy generated by the fuel cell stack to the PTC heater, thereby driving the PTC heater. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of operating a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater in a fuel cell vehicle comprising:
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a stage of checking a key-start state of the vehicle and if the vehicle is key-started, determining whether or not there is a voltage of a fuel cell stack; a stage of checking whether or not an outdoor temperature is lower than a reference temperature; a stage of supplying electrical energy generated by the fuel cell stack to the PTC heater, if it is determined that the vehicle is key-started so as to activate the fuel cell stack and that the outdoor temperature is lower than the reference temperature to drive the PTC heater; and a stage of activating and warming up the fuel cell stack as the PTC heater is powered. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification