Patent · US Active

Adaptive gain scheduled control for current limitation based on voltage performance of a fuel cell system

US7955743B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
2References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 6, 2008
Grant dateJun 7, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 28, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E60/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for limiting the output current of a fuel cell stack as the stack degrades overtime. A look-up table identifies a predetermined voltage set-point for stack current density. A first comparator provides a voltage difference signal between the set-point and the stack voltage. The voltage difference signal is provided to a controller, such as a proportional-integral controller, that provides a current limiting signal. The current limiting signal and a current request signal are provided to a second comparator that selects which signal will be used to limit the maximum output current of the stack. A polarization curve estimator estimates parameters of the stack that will change over the life of the stack. The parameters are provided to a gain scheduler that provides gains to the controller that are based on where in the life of the stack it is currently operating.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.