Fuel cell startup method for fast freeze startup
First Claim
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1. A method of starting a fuel cell system, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a fuel cell stack, a plurality of startup components, and at least one power source;
starting the plurality of startup components using the at least one power source;
connecting the fuel cell stack to a voltage bus after the fuel cell stack achieves open circuit voltage, wherein the voltage bus provides electrical communication between the fuel cell stack and at least one of the plurality of startup components;
opening at least one fuel injector after the fuel cell stack achieves open circuit voltage and prior to connecting to the voltage bus; and
controlling the fuel cell stack power using a load schedule to maintain a desired fuel cell voltage.
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Abstract
A method for starting a cold or frozen fuel cell stack as efficiently and quickly as possible in a vehicle application is based upon a state of charge of a first power source such as a high voltage battery. Power flow between the first power source and fuel cell system is coordinated in conjunction with a specific load schedule and parallel control algorithms to minimize the start time required and optimize system warm-up.
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13 Claims
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1. A method of starting a fuel cell system, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a fuel cell stack, a plurality of startup components, and at least one power source; starting the plurality of startup components using the at least one power source; connecting the fuel cell stack to a voltage bus after the fuel cell stack achieves open circuit voltage, wherein the voltage bus provides electrical communication between the fuel cell stack and at least one of the plurality of startup components; opening at least one fuel injector after the fuel cell stack achieves open circuit voltage and prior to connecting to the voltage bus; and controlling the fuel cell stack power using a load schedule to maintain a desired fuel cell voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of starting a fuel cell system, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a fuel cell stack, a plurality of startup components, and at least one power source, wherein the at least one power source comprises a first power source and a second power source; starting the plurality of startup components using the at least one power source; connecting the fuel cell stack to a voltage bus after the fuel cell stack achieves open circuit voltage, wherein the voltage bus provides electrical communication between the fuel cell stack and at least one of the plurality of startup components; controlling the fuel cell stack power using a load schedule to maintain a desired fuel cell voltage; determining a state of charge of the first power source; starting the plurality of startup components using the first power source if the state of charge of the first power source is determined to be sufficient; and starting the plurality of startup components using the second power source if the state of charge of the first power source is determined to be insufficient; wherein the starting of the plurality of startup components using the first power source includes applying full power to at least one of the plurality of startup components and the starting of the plurality of startup components using the second power source includes applying less than full power to each of the plurality of startup components and no power to at least one of the startup components.
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Specification