POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM USING A FUEL CELL, CONTROLLER FOR THE SAME AND CONTROL METHOD

• US 20160134124A1
• Filed: 06/03/2014
• Published: 05/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: KAAG, BJORN CHRISTIAAN WOUTER, HILBIG, RAINER, KLEE, MAREIKE
• Granted Patent: US 9,979,203 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/10 Batteries in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/10 Fuel cells in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0656 by electrochemical means H01M8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/00 Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/30 The power source being a fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/40 Fuel cell technologies in production processes

Abstract

A power supply system comprises a fuel cell and a battery, each for supplying electrical power to a load. The system is controlled to use the fuel cell for a first period of time (82) to supply electrical power to the load, wherein the power demand is constant over a first time period (82). The battery is used simultaneously with the fuel cell for a second supply time of electrical power to the load, wherein the power varies (84). In this way, fluctuating output is provided by the battery, and the fuel cell output is maintained as constant as possible to prolong the lifetime. During the second supply time, the power to the load (80) can be provided as a constant contribution from the fuel cell and a variable contribution from the battery.

Claims

1. A controller configured to:

control a supply of electrical power to a load from at least one fuel cell (24) and at least one secondary power supply;

during a first supply time period, use the fuel cell for a constant first supply of electrical power to the load; and

during a second supply time period, simultaneously use the at least one fuel cell (24) for a constant second supply of electrical power to the load, and use the at least one secondary power supply for an additional second supply of electrical power to the load, wherein the constant second supply of electrical power is lower than the constant first supply of electrical power.

2. A controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the constant first supply of electrical power is the same as the supply of electrical power to the load.

3. A controller as claimed in claim 1. wherein the controller is further configured to, in a fourth supply time period different from the fourth and second supply time periods, cease the supply of electrical power from the fuel cell to the load.

4. A controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to, in a third supply time period after the second supply time period, use the fuel cell for a constant third supply of electrical power to the load wherein the constant third supply of electrical power is higher than the constant second supply of electrical power.

5. A controller as claimed in claim 4, wherein the secondary supply comprises a rechargeable device and wherein the controller is further configured to, in the third supply time period, also use the fuel cell to at least partly recharge the rechargeable device.

7. A controller as claimed in claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to use the fuel cell to recharge the rechargeable device to a predetermined maximum voltage which is below the maximum voltage to which the rechargeable device can be charged.

8. A controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary power supply comprises a rechargeable device and the controller is further configured to use the fuel cell to recharge the rechargeable device using only a constant current charging.

9. A system comprising:

a fuel cell for supplying electrical power to a load;

a secondary power supply; and

a controller as claimed in claim 1.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9, comprising the load, wherein the load comprises any one of, or a combination of:

a lighting unit, an outdoor lighting unit and a street lighting unit.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the load is for providing a light output and wherein the system further comprises a dimming controller for varying the light output.

12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the dimming controller is configured such that the varying light output, during at least part of the second supply time period, is a function of ambient light levels.

13. A system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a solar panel and a system for refuelling the fuel cell using the electrical power generated by the solar panel;

14. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the system for recharging the fuel cell comprises:

a water tank for storing water generated by the fuel cell;

an electrolyser for generating hydrogen from the water;

a hydrogen storage vessel; and

a compressor for compressing the hydrogen and providing it to the hydrogen storage vessel.

15. The system as claimed in claim 9, comprising the load, wherein the load comprises an oxygen generator for generating oxygen from ambient air.

6. A controller as claimed in 5, wherein the secondary power supply comprises a rechargeable device and the controller is further configured to use the rechargeable device for the additional second supply of electrical power until a predetermined rechargeable device voltage is reached, which predetermined rechargeable device voltage is greater than or equal to a minimum voltage to which the battery can be discharged.

16. A method of supplying an electrical power to a load from rom at least one fuel cell and from at least one secondary power, wherein the method comprises:

during a first supply time period, using the at least one fuel cell for a constant first supply of electrical power to the load; and

during a second supply time period, simultaneously using the at least one fuel cell for a constant second supply of electrical power to the load, and using the at least one secondary power supply for an additional second supply of electrical power to the load, wherein the constant second supply of electrical power is lower than the constant first supply of electrical power.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the secondary power supply comprises a rechargeable device, and the method comprises supplying electrical power to the battery from the fuel cell to recharge the rechargeable device using only a constant current charging regime.

18. A computer program product, downloadable from a communication network and/or stored on a computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising comprising code means which, when run on a computer, implement the method of claim 16.