Method to improve reliability of a fuel cell system using low performance cell detection at low power operation
US8420271B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 14, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2031 |
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 detecting a low performing cell in a fuel cell stack using measured cell voltages. The method includes determining that the fuel cell stack is running, the stack coolant temperature is above a certain temperature and the stack current density is within a relatively low power range. The method further includes calculating the average cell voltage, and determining whether the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is greater than a predetermined threshold. If the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is greater than the predetermined threshold and the minimum cell voltage is less than another predetermined threshold, then the method increments a low performing cell timer. A ratio of the low performing cell timer and a system run timer is calculated to identify a low performing cell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.