Patent · US Active

Efficiency based stand-by mode for fuel cell propulsion systems

US8952649B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
2References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 19, 2012
Grant dateFeb 10, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 28, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T90/40
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for operating a fuel cell system in a stand-by mode. The method includes determining a power limit value based on fuel cell stack and battery power optimization, where if a system power request falls below the power limit value the system will enter the stand-by mode. The system first enters a dynamic stand-by mode where the fuel cell stack is turned off and a compressor providing cathode air to the cathode side of the stack is operated at an idle speed. The method accumulates a compressor power value identifying how much energy has been consumed by operating the compressor at the idle speed during the dynamic stand-by mode, and then switches to a static stand-by mode where the compressor is turned off when the accumulated compressor power value reaches a compressor restart energy value that identifies how much energy it takes to start the compressor.

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