Remedial actions for air flow errors in a fuel cell system
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsDerek R. Lebzelter, Loren Devries, Todd K. Preston, Joseph Mussro, John P. Nolan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for operating a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell system in a vehicle when an error in cathode air flow rate is detected. The system and method include estimating a cathode air flow rate and detecting an error in the estimated cathode air flow rate. The system and method also include utilizing high frequency resistance measurements from a high frequency resistance sensor to control a relative humidity of the fuel cell stack when the error in the estimated cathode air flow rate has been detected.
Claims20
A method for operating a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell system in a vehicle, said method comprising:
- estimating a cathode air flow rate from cathode inlet air mass flow measurements;
- detecting an error in the estimated cathode air flow rate by comparing the estimated cathode air flow rate to a cathode air flow model that is based on output power of the fuel cell stack;
- determining whether a predetermined minimum cell voltage threshold value of voltage of fuel cells in the fuel cell stack has been reached;
- adjusting the cathode air flow rate to the fuel cell stack to be a cathode air flow set point if the predetermined minimum cell voltage threshold value has been reached;
- and
- utilizing high frequency resistance measurements from a high frequency resistance sensor to control a relative humidity of the fuel cell stack when the error in the estimated cathode air flow rate has been detected.
A method for operating a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell system in a vehicle, said method comprising:
- estimating a cathode air flow rate from cathode inlet air mass flow measurements;
- detecting an error in the estimated cathode air flow rate by comparing the estimated cathode air flow rate to a cathode air flow model that is based on power output of the fuel cell stack;
- and
- utilizing high frequency resistance measurements from a high frequency resistance sensor to control a relative humidity of the fuel cell stack when the error in the estimated cathode air flow rate has been detected.
A system for operating a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell system in a vehicle, said system comprising:
- a controls unit that includes:
- means for estimating a cathode air flow rate from cathode inlet air mass flow measurements;
- means for detecting an error in the estimated cathode air flow rate by comparing the estimated cathode air flow rate to a cathode air flow model that is based on power output of the fuel cell stack;
- and
- means for utilizing high frequency resistance measurements from a high frequency resistance sensor to control a relative humidity of the fuel cell stack when the error in the estimated cathode air flow rate has been detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.