Fuel cell system having dynamic power distribution
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsMatthew C. Kirklin, Alan B. Martin, Biju Edamana
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A distribution method and system for a plurality of fuel cell systems (FCSs) configured to provide electrical energy. The distribution being configured for determining a demand of a load for the electrical energy and correspondingly implementing a powering operation. The powering operation executing a startup operation according to a startup order specified for one or more secondary FCSs of the FCSs. The powering operation including individually performing the startup operations for each of the secondary FCSs according to the startup order, and while each of the second FCSs are performing the startup operation, controlling another one or more of the FCSs to mask a power variance associated therewith.
Claims20
A dynamic power distribution method for a vehicle having a plurality of fuel cell systems (FCSs), the method comprising:
- determining a power capability of each FCS to individually provide electrical energy to a traction motor, the traction motor converting the electrical energy to mechanical energy for purposes of propelling the vehicle;
- determining a power request for the traction motor, the power request representing a demand of the traction motor for the electrical energy;
- and
- implementing a powering operation to meet the demand, the powering operation including executing a startup operation according to a startup order specified for one or more secondary FCSs of the FCSs, the startup order sequentially listing the secondary FCSs in order relative to a primary FCS of the FCSs, the powering operation including individually performing the startup operations for each of the secondary FCSs according to the startup order such that each of the secondary FCSs begins the startup operation after the primary FCS and each secondary FCS therebefore completes the startup operation.
A dynamic power distribution system comprising:
- a plurality of fuel cell systems (FCSs) configured to provide electrical energy;
- and
- a controller configured to selectively distribute the electrical energy from one or more of the FCSs to a load, the controller including a processor and a memory, the memory including a plurality of non-transitory instructions, which when executed with the processor, are configured for:
- determining a demand of the load for the electrical energy;
- and
- implementing a powering operation to meet the demand, the powering operation including executing a startup operation according to a startup order specified for one or more secondary FCSs of the FCSs, the startup order sequentially listing the secondary FCSs in order relative to a primary FCS of the FCSs, the powering operation including individually performing the startup operations for each of the secondary FCSs according to the startup order, and while each of the second FCSs are performing the startup operation, controlling another one or more of the FCSs to mask a startup variance associated therewith.
A method for controlling distribution for a plurality of fuel cell systems (FCSs) configured to provide electrical energy on a megawatt scale, the method comprising:
- determining a demand of a load for the electrical energy;
- and
- implementing a powering operation to meet the demand, the powering operation including executing a startup operation according to a startup order specified for one or more secondary FCSs of the FCSs, the startup order sequentially listing the secondary FCSs in order relative to a primary FCS of the FCSs, the powering operation including individually performing the startup operations for each of the secondary FCSs according to the startup order, and while each of the second FCSs are performing the startup operation, controlling another one or more of the FCSs to mask a power variance associated therewith.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.