Module level redundancy for fuel cell systems
AssigneeGoogle Inc.
InventorAllen Wayne Schade
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure relates to module level redundancy for fuel cell systems. A monitoring component monitors a set of operational parameters for a fuel cell group. The fuel cell group includes a set of fuel cell units, each having a set of fuel cell stacks. The fuel cell stacks include a set of gas powered fuel cells that convert air and fuel into electricity using a chemical reaction. The monitoring component determines that the set of operational parameters do not satisfy a set of operational criteria, and, in response, a load balancing component adjusts the electrical output capacity of the set of fuel cell units included in the fuel cell group.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- a memory, communicatively coupled to a processor, the memory having stored therein executable instructions, comprising:
- a module level redundancy component that organizes fuel cell units from a plurality of sets of fuel cell units into a plurality of sets of fuel cell groups to supply an amount of electrical output to a load, wherein respective fuel cell groups comprise at least one fuel cell unit from each of a set of fuel cell units, and respective sets of fuel cell units have different fuel supplies;
- and
- a control component that monitors at least one operational parameter for the sets of fuel cell groups.
A method, comprising:
- organizing, by a system including a processor, fuel cell units from a plurality of sets of fuel cell units into a plurality of sets of fuel cell groups to supply an amount of electrical output to a load, wherein respective fuel cell groups comprise at least one fuel cell unit from each of a set of fuel cell units, and respective sets of fuel cell units have different fuel supplies;
- monitoring, by a system, at least one operational parameter for the sets of fuel cell groups.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution, cause a system including a processor to perform operations comprising:
- arranging fuel cell units from a plurality of sets of fuel cell units into a plurality of sets of fuel cell groups to supply an amount of electrical output to a load, wherein respective fuel cell groups comprise at least one fuel cell unit from each of a set of fuel cell units, and respective sets of fuel cell units have different fuel supplies;
- monitoring at least one operational parameter for the sets of fuel cell groups.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.