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AssigneeCellex Power Products, Inc.
InventorsCORLESS J. ADRIAN, DAVID LEBOE
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A system and method for improving the performance of a hybrid power supply apparatus comprising a power generating device, such as a fuel cell, and a primary energy storage device, such as a battery. The purpose of the invention is to provide an equalization charge to the battery from a source other than the fuel cell when the battery achieves a predetermined state of charge condition, thereby avoiding the need to operate the fuel cell in a low power output mode. When the predetermined state of charge condition is detected by a controller, the fuel cell is shut-down. In one aspect of the invention the equalization charge is provided to the battery by a secondary energy storage device, such as a plurality of capacitors or secondary batteries. The predetermined state of charge condition may be satisfied, for example, when the state of charge of the battery exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as 80% of the battery's storage capacity, for a predetermined period of time. In some aspects of the invention, the secondary energy storage device may also be connectable to the load. Preferably the system also includes a DC/DC converter for regulating current flow between the fuel cell and the storage devices.
A hybrid power supply system for supplying electrical power to a load comprising:
A method of operating a hybrid power supply apparatus including a power generating device adjustable between charging and shut-down modes and further including first and second energy storage devices chargeable by said power generating device, at least one of the first and second energy storage devices being connected to a load for delivering electrical power thereto, said method comprising:
A hybrid power supply system for supplying electrical power to a load comprising:
A method of operating a hybrid power supply apparatus including a power generating device adjustable between charging and non-charging modes and further including first and second energy storage devices chargeable by said power generating device, at least one of the first and second energy storage devices being connected to a load for delivering electrical power thereto, said method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.