Method and system for balanced control of backup power

• US 7,244,524 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2005
• Issued: 07/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc. (NEL ASA)
• Original Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc. (NEL ASA)
• Inventors: Porter, Stephen, McCluskey, Donald, Spaner, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Kalafut; Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US11/034,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20050122653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 429/9, 429/21, 429/22, 429/23, 307/64, 320/101, 320/138
• US Class Current: 429/9
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/003 of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/40 Fuel cell technologies in production processes

Abstract

A power system comprising: a primary power source in electrical communication with a electrolysis cell, wherein the electrolysis cell is in electrical communication with a bus; a secondary power source in electrical communication with the bus, wherein the secondary power source comprises an electrochemical system including a fuel cell. The system further includes: a controller electrically disposed between and in operable communication with the bus and the electrolysis cell, and electrically disposed between and in communication with the bus and the secondary power source. The controller monitors the primary power source, initiates powering by the bridge power source when the primary power source exhibits selected characteristics, initiates the secondary power source when the electrolysis cell is depleted exceeding a first selected threshold, and initiates interruption of powering by the secondary power source.

Claims

1. A power system, comprising:

a primary power source in electrical communication with an electrolysis cell, wherein said electrolysis cell is in electrical communication with a bus;

a secondary power source in electrical communication with said bus, wherein said secondary power source comprises an electrochemical system including a fuel cell;

a controller electrically disposed between and in operable communication with said bus and said electrolysis cell, and electrically disposed between and in communication with said bus and said secondary power source;

wherein said controller is configured to monitor said primary power source, initiate powering by said electrolysis cell when said primary power source exhibits selected first characteristics, initiate said secondary power source when said electrolysis cell exhibits a selected second characteristic, and initiate interruption of powering by said secondary power source when at least one of said primary power source does not exhibit said selected first characteristics and said secondary power source exhibits a selected third characteristic.

2. The power system of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to initiate interruption of said electrolysis cell when said secondary power source is producing a desired power.

3. The power system of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to initiate powering with said electrolysis cell if said secondary power source is depleted beyond a second selected threshold.

4. The power system of claim 3, wherein said second selected threshold is responsive to a pressure of hydrogen remaining in a hydrogen storage device.

5. The power system of claim 1, further including a converter electrically disposed between and in electrical communication with said primary power source and said electrolysis cell.

6. The power system of claim 1, wherein said selected second characteristic comprises a duration of about 1 second to about 30 seconds.

7. The power system of claim 1, wherein said selected characteristics include at least one of, unavailable, inoperable, inadequate to provide power at expected parameters, and unfueled.

8. A method for operating a power system, comprising:

monitoring a primary power source;

if said primary power source exhibits first selected characteristics, directing power from an electrolysis cell to a bus; and

if said electrolysis cell is operated to a first selected threshold, initiating a secondary power source and powering said bus with said secondary power source until at least one of said primary power source does not exhibit said first selected characteristics and said secondary power source exhibits second selected characteristics; and

wherein said secondary power source comprises a fuel cell.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising recharging said electrolysis cell with power from said bus and operating said secondary power source at least until said electrolysis cell produces hydrogen gas.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising powering said bus with said electrolysis cell if said primary power source exhibits said first selected characteristics and said secondary power source exhibits said second selected characteristics.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising recharging said electrolysis cell with power from said primary power source.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing power for selected loads if said secondary power source is operated beyond a second selected threshold, wherein said selected loads include status and diagnostics.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said second selected threshold is a pressure of hydrogen remaining in a hydrogen storage device.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein said first selected threshold is a duration of about 1 second to about 30 seconds.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein said first selected characteristics and said second selected characteristics are, individually, at least one of, unavailable, inoperable, inadequate to provide power at expected parameters, and unfueled.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein a third selected threshold is determined based upon a demand for power by said controller from said electrolysis cell.

17. A method for operating a power system, comprising:

monitoring a primary power source; and

if said primary power source is insufficient to meet a demand for power, powering a bus with an electrolysis cell; and

if said electrolysis cell is operated to a first selected threshold, initiating a secondary power source and powering with said secondary power source until at least one of said primary power source is sufficient to meet said demand and said secondary power source exhibits second selected characteristics;

wherein said secondary power source comprises a fuel cell, and wherein at said first selected threshold is that said electrolysis cell comprises sufficient power to power said bus while said secondary power source initiates.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising recharging said electrolysis cell with power from said bus and operating said secondary power source at least until said electrolysis cell is recharged.

19. A power system, comprising:

a primary power source in electrical communication with an electrolysis cell, wherein said electrolysis cell is in electrical communication with a bus;

a secondary power source in electrical communication with said bus, wherein said secondary power source comprises an electrochemical system including a fuel cell;

a controller electrically disposed between and in operable communication with said bus and said electrolysis cell, and electrically disposed between and in communication with said bus and said secondary power source;

wherein said controller is configured to monitor said primary power source, initiate powering by said electrolysis cell when said primary power source exhibits selected first characteristics, initiate said secondary power source, and initiate interruption of powering by said electrolysis cell when said secondary power source is ready to produce power.

20. The power system of claim 19, wherein said controller is configured to initiate powering with said electrolysis cell if said secondary power source is depleted beyond a second selected threshold.