Controlling a fuel cell system based on fuel cell impedance characteristic
AssigneeBloom Energy Corporation
InventorsMatthias Gottmann, Patrick Muhl, Chad Pearson, James Daniel Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of controlling a fuel cell system includes applying alternating current (AC) signals to an individual fuel cell. The AC signals have a plurality of different frequencies. A voltage across the individual fuel cell is determined at each of the plurality of different frequencies. An impedance characteristic of the individual fuel cell is determined based at least in part on the voltage across the individual fuel cell at each of the plurality of different frequencies. The individual fuel cell is controlled based at least in part on the impedance characteristic.
Claims13
A method of controlling a fuel cell system comprising:
- determining an impedance characteristic of at least one fuel cell, wherein the impedance characteristic is determined while the at least one fuel cell is providing power to a load;
- and
- controlling the at least one fuel cell based at least in part on the impedance characteristic to optimize at least one operational parameter of the at least one fuel cell while the at least one fuel cell continues providing the power to the load;
- wherein controlling the at least one fuel cell comprises optimizing a fuel flow rate for the at least one fuel cell.
A method of controlling a fuel cell system comprising:
- loading and unloading at least one fuel cell at a plurality of different frequencies;
- determining a voltage across the at least one fuel cell at each of the plurality of different frequencies using a monitoring circuit, wherein the voltage is determined while the at least one fuel cell is providing power to a load;
- determining, based at least in part on the voltage across the at least one fuel cell at each of the plurality of different frequencies, an impedance characteristic of the at least one fuel cell;
- and
- controlling the at least one fuel cell based at least in part on the impedance characteristic to optimize at least one operational parameter of the at least one fuel cell while the at least one fuel cell continues providing the power to the load;
- wherein controlling the at least one fuel cell comprises optimizing a fuel flow rate for the at least one fuel cell.
A method of controlling a fuel cell system comprising:
- determining an impedance characteristic of at least one fuel cell, wherein the impedance characteristic is determined while the at least one fuel cell is providing power to a load;
- and
- controlling the at least one fuel cell based at least in part on the impedance characteristic to optimize at least one operational parameter of the at least one fuel cell while the at least one fuel cell continues providing the power to the load;
- wherein determining an impedance characteristic of at least one fuel cell comprises:
- applying alternating current (AC) signals to the at least one fuel cell, wherein the AC signals have a plurality of different frequencies;
- determining a voltage across the at least one fuel cell at each of the plurality of different frequencies using a monitoring circuit, wherein the monitoring circuit includes a power source configured to apply the AC signals to the at least one fuel cell;
- and
- determining based at least in part on the voltage across the at least one fuel cell at each of the plurality of different frequencies an impedance characteristic of the at least one fuel cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.