Fuel cell assembly and method of control
AssigneeBallard Power Systems Inc.
InventorsJonathan Daniel O'Neill, Timothy W. Patterson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An exemplary method includes of operating a fuel cell at a first power output level that includes a plurality of operation parameters. Each operation parameter has a value to satisfy a first power demand. A change between the first power demand and a second power demand is determined. At least a first one of the operation parameters is maintained at a value corresponding to the first power output level or at an intermediate value while at least a second one of the operation parameters is changed to a value corresponding to a second power output level to satisfy the second power demand. The first operation parameter is delayed from changing to a value corresponding to the second power output level until a predetermined criterion is met.
Claims25
A method of operating a fuel cell, comprising the steps of:
- a) operating a fuel cell at a first power output level that includes a plurality of operation parameters, each operation parameter having a value to satisfy a first power demand;
- b) determining a change between the first power demand and a second power demand;
- c) maintaining at least a first one of the operation parameters at a value corresponding to the first power output level while changing at least a second one of the operation parameters to a value corresponding to a second power output level to satisfy the second power demand;
- and
- d) delaying changing the first operation parameter to a value corresponding to the second power output level until a predetermined criterion is met.
A fuel cell assembly comprising:
- a cell stack assembly;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- operate the cell stack assembly at a first power output level that includes a plurality of operation parameters, each operation parameter having a value corresponding to a first power demand;
- determine a change between the first power demand and a second power demand;
- maintain at least a first one of the operation parameters at a value corresponding to the first power output level while changing at least a second one of the operation parameters to a value corresponding to a second power output level;
- and
- delay a change in the first operation parameter to a value corresponding to the second power output level until a predetermined criterion is met.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.