Method for detecting compressor surge in a fuel cell system using a mass flow meter
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorJoseph D. Rainville
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for detecting compressor surge in a fuel cell system. The system includes 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.
Claims15
A method for detecting and eliminating a surge condition of a compressor in a fuel cell module, said method comprising:
- detecting a reverse airflow through the compressor using a bi-directional mass flow meter;
- and
- preventing compressor surge in response to the detected reverse airflow.
A method for detecting and eliminating a surge condition of a compressor in a fuel cell system, said method comprising:
- providing an airflow from the compressor to a cathode input of the fuel cell system;
- measuring the airflow sent to the compressor using a bi-directional mass flow meter in both a forward direction and a reverse direction;
- and
- preventing compressor surge in response to an airflow in the reverse direction through the compressor from the cathode input.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.