Centrifugal compressor surge detection using a bi-directional MFM in a fuel cell system
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorJoseph D. Rainville
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fuel cell system including a turbomachine compressor that delivers charge air to the cathode side of a fuel cell module. A bi-directional mass flow meter measures the airflow through the compressor, and provides an indication of a reverse airflow through the compressor for surge protection. A controller receives a signal from the mass flow meter indicative of the reverse flow. The controller controls a motor driving the compressor and a back pressure valve at the cathode exhaust of the fuel cell module to control the pressure in the fuel cell module to remove the surge condition.
Claims14
A fuel cell system comprising:
- a fuel cell module including a cathode input responsive to a charge airflow and a cathode exhaust;
- a compressor generating the airflow applied to the cathode input of the fuel cell module;
- a surge detection device receiving the airflow sent to the compressor, said surge detection device being operable to determine and measure the airflow through the surge detection device in a forward direction and a reverse direction, said surge detection device generating a signal indicative of the direction of the airflow through the compressor;
- and
- a controller responsive to the signal from the surge detection device, said controller preventing compressor surge.
A fuel cell system comprising:
- a fuel cell module including a cathode input responsive to a charge airflow and a cathode exhaust;
- a turbomachine compressor generating the charge airflow applied to the cathode input of the fuel cell module;
- a bi-directional mass flow meter responsive to the airflow prior to the airflow being applied to the compressor, said mass flow meter generating a signal indicative of the direction of the airflow through the compressor;
- and
- a controller responsive to the signal from the mass flow meter, said controller controlling the speed of the compressor so as to prevent a reverse flow of air through the compressor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.