Protection circuits for hybrid power systems
US7531916B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 12, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 28, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/40
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A power management and protection system is provided for a hybrid fuel cell system. The hybridization includes a fuel cell stack and an energy storage device (ESD) having either batteries, ultracapacitors, or both, in parallel with the fuel cell for delivering power to an electrical load. Voltage and current protection is provided to the stack, ESD, and load by use of a two stage control system. The first stage limits the current drawn from the stack and the charging rate of the ESD and provides for the voltage output to be within an adjustable predetermined range to prevent an over-voltage condition on the ESD and the load and an under-voltage condition in the stack. The second stage limits the current delivered to the load to an adjustable predetermined level, prevents an under-voltage condition on the load, and prevents rapid discharge of the ESD in the case of a short circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.