US4988283A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fuel cell power generating apparatus and method for controlling the apparatus
Assignee: Fuji Electric Co Ltd
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Filing: 1989-01-13
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Granted: 1991-01-29
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Expires: 2009-01-13
Abstract
Abstract An electric power supplied to an electric load (24) is determined and the current (i FC ) outputted from a fuel cell part (7) is controlled in accordance with a load power signal (701) which corresponds to the detected result. A fuel cell output following the variation of the power load (24) can be obtained by controlling the amounts of a starting material (41) to be reformed, a reformed fuel (42) and an air (43) to be supplied based on this output current. When the power load (24) is at a low level, the foregoing output from the fuel cell is also supplied to a heating portion (10) for heating the fuel cell part so as not to reduce the current (i FC ) outputted from the fuel cell part. Since the output current is not reduced, it is possible to prevent an extreme increase in the electrode voltage of the fuel cell part (7) and hence the deterioration of the electrode is reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Makoto Nagasawa
- 👤 Hideyuki Miwa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:15
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/44; H01M16/00; H01M16/003; H01M16/006; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04007; H01M8/04037; H01M8/04298; H01M8/04313; H01M8/0432; H01M8/04328; H01M8/04335; H01M8/04358; H01M8/04365; H01M8/04537; H01M8/04544; H01M8/04559; H01M8/04574; H01M8/04589; H01M8/04597; H01M8/04604; H01M8/04626; H01M8/04694; H01M8/04701; H01M8/04731; H01M8/04738; H01M8/04746; H01M8/04753; H01M8/04768; H01M8/04776; H01M8/04858; H01M8/04895; H01M8/0491; H01M8/04917; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; H01M8/04014; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A fuel cell power generating apparatus which comprises a fuel cell, a fuel reforming portion for generating a reformed fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell and a heating portion for heating the fuel cell, the fuel cell generating apparatus, comprising: a first detecting means for detecting power supplied to a load; an operational control means for operating an electric current command signal for leading out an electric current from said fuel cell based on a first detected signal outputted from said first detecting means; and a second detecting means for detecting an electric current outputted from said fuel cell based on said electric current command signal; thereby the flow rate of a material which is fed to said fuel reforming portion to produce said reformed fuel being controlled on the basis of a control signal obtained by processing a second signal detected by said second detecting means with said processing means and an electric power being supplied to said heating portion on the basis of said first signal detected by said first detecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A fuel cell power generating apparatus which comprises a fuel cell, a fuel reforming portion for generating a reformed fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell and a heating portion for heating the fuel cell, the fuel cell generating apparatus, comprising: a first detecting means for detecting power supplied to a load; an operational control means for operating an electric current command signal for leading out an electric current from said fuel cell based on a first detected signal outputted from said first detecting means; and a second detecting means for detecting an electric current outputted from said fuel cell based on said electric current command signal; thereby the flow rate of a material which is fed to said fuel reforming portion to produce said reformed fuel being controlled on the basis of a control signal obtained by processing a second signal detected by said second detecting means with said processing means and an electric power being supplied to said heating portion on the basis of said first signal detected by said first detecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first detecting means comprises an output voltage detecting part for detecting a voltage between both ends of said load, an output current detecting part for detecting a current passing through said load and a load power processing part.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said load power processing part is in the form of an AC transducer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said output current detecting part is in the form of a Hall CT.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said output current detecting part is in the form of a shunt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second detecting means is in the form of a Hall CT.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control of the flow rate of said material for producing said reformed fuel is performed by a controlling means which comprises an operating device, a pulse width modulator and a power element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said operating device comprises a function generator in the form of a CPU, an operational amplifier and a resistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
183 words
A fuel cell power generating apparatus which comprises a fuel cell, a fuel reforming portion for generating a reformed gas to be supplied to the fuel cell and a heating portion for heating the fuel cell, the fuel cell generating apparatus, comprising: a first detecting means for detecting power supplied to a load; an operational control means for operating an electric power command signal for leading out an electric power from said fuel cell based on a first signal detected by said first detecting means; and a current operating means for operating a current command signal for use in leading out a current from said fuel cell based on said electric power command signal; thereby the flow rate of a material which is fed to said fuel reforming portion to produce said reformed fuel being controlled on the basis of a control signal obtained by processing a current command signal operated by said current operating means with said processing means and an electric power being supplied to said heating portion on the basis of said first signal detected by said first detecting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
183 words
A fuel cell power generating apparatus which comprises a fuel cell, a fuel reforming portion for generating a reformed gas to be supplied to the fuel cell and a heating portion for heating the fuel cell, the fuel cell generating apparatus, comprising: a first detecting means for detecting power supplied to a load; an operational control means for operating an electric power command signal for leading out an electric power from said fuel cell based on a first signal detected by said first detecting means; and a current operating means for operating a current command signal for use in leading out a current from said fuel cell based on said electric power command signal; thereby the flow rate of a material which is fed to said fuel reforming portion to produce said reformed fuel being controlled on the basis of a control signal obtained by processing a current command signal operated by said current operating means with said processing means and an electric power being supplied to said heating portion on the basis of said first signal detected by said first detecting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first detecting means comprises an output voltage detecting part for detecting a voltage between both ends of said load, an output current detecting part for detecting a current passing through said load and a load power processing part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said load power processing part is in the form of an AC transducer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said output current detecting part is in the form of a Hall CT.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said output current detecting part is in the form of a shunt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said current operating means is in the form of a divider.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said control of said flow rate of said material for producing said reformed fuel is performed by a controlling means which comprises an operating device, a pulse width modulator and a power element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said operating device comprises a function generator in the form of a CPU, an operational amplifier and a resistor.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for controlling a fuel cell power generating apparatus comprising a fuel cell, a fuel reforming portion for generating a reformed fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell and a heating portion for heating the fuel cell, said method comprising the steps of: a first detecting step for detecting an electric power supplied to a load; controlling an operation of a current command signal for leading out a current from said fuel cell on the basis of a first signal detected by said first detecting means; and a second detecting step for detecting a current outputted from said fuel cell based on the current command signal; thereby a flow rate of a material which is fed to said fuel reforming portion to produce said reformed fuel being controlled on the basis of a control signal obtained by processing a second signal detected by said second detecting step through said processing step and an electric power being supplied to said heating portion on the basis of said first signal detected through said first detecting step.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for controlling a fuel cell power generating apparatus comprising a fuel cell, a fuel reforming portion for generating a reformed fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell and a heating portion for heating the fuel cell, said method comprising the steps of: a first detecting step for detecting an electric power supplied to a load; controlling an operation of a current command signal for leading out a current from said fuel cell on the basis of a first signal detected by said first detecting means; and a second detecting step for detecting a current outputted from said fuel cell based on the current command signal; thereby a flow rate of a material which is fed to said fuel reforming portion to produce said reformed fuel being controlled on the basis of a control signal obtained by processing a second signal detected by said second detecting step through said processing step and an electric power being supplied to said heating portion on the basis of said first signal detected through said first detecting step.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said first detecting step comprises a detecting step by means of an output voltage detecting part for detecting said voltage across said load, a detecting step by means of an output current detecting part for detecting a current passing through said load and an operating step by means of a load power operating part.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said load power operating part is in the form of an AC transducer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said output current detecting part may be in the form of a Hall CT.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said output current detecting part may be in the form of a shunt.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said detecting means in said second detecting step is in the form of a Hall CT.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein a control of a flow rate of said material for producing said reformed fuel is performed by a controlling means which comprises an operating device, a pulse width modulator and a power element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said operating device comprises a function generator in the form of a CPU, an operational amplifier and a resistor.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
182 words
A method for controlling a fuel cell power generating apparatus comprising a fuel cell, a fuel reforming portion for generating a reformed gas to be supplied to the fuel cell and a heating portion for heating the fuel cell, said method comprising the steps of: a first detecting step for detecting an electric power supplied to a load; an operational control step for operating an electric power command signal for outputting an electric power from said fuel cell on the basis of a first signal detected by said first detecting step; and operating a current command signal for leading out a current from said fuel cell based on said electric power command signal; thereby the flow rate of a material which is fed to said fuel reforming portion to produce the reformed fuel being controlled on the basis of a control signal obtained by operating said current command signal processed by said current operating means through said processing step and an electric power being supplied to said heating portion on the basis of said first signal detected through the first detecting step.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
182 words
A method for controlling a fuel cell power generating apparatus comprising a fuel cell, a fuel reforming portion for generating a reformed gas to be supplied to the fuel cell and a heating portion for heating the fuel cell, said method comprising the steps of: a first detecting step for detecting an electric power supplied to a load; an operational control step for operating an electric power command signal for outputting an electric power from said fuel cell on the basis of a first signal detected by said first detecting step; and operating a current command signal for leading out a current from said fuel cell based on said electric power command signal; thereby the flow rate of a material which is fed to said fuel reforming portion to produce the reformed fuel being controlled on the basis of a control signal obtained by operating said current command signal processed by said current operating means through said processing step and an electric power being supplied to said heating portion on the basis of said first signal detected through the first detecting step.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said first detecting step comprises a detecting step by means of an output voltage detecting part for detecting a voltage across said detecting step by means of an output current detecting part for detecting a current passing through said load and an operating step by means of a load power operating part.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein said load power operating part is in the form of an AC transducer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein said output current detecting part is in the form of a Hall CT.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein said output current detecting part is in the form of a shunt.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell generating apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said current operating means is in the form of a divider.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell as claimed in claim 25, wherein a control of a flow rate of said material for producing said reformed fuel is performed by a controlling means which comprises an operating device, a pulse width modulator and a power element.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method for controlling the fuel cell as claimed in claim 31, wherein said operating device comprises a function generator in the form of a CPU, an operational amplifier and a resistor.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for controlling a fuel cell to which a reformed fuel is supplied, said method comprising the steps of: outputting an electric power to a heating portion for heating said fuel cell and simultaneously computing a current outputted from said fuel cell based on a predetermined electric power and an electric power for charging a secondary battery when said value obtained by subtracting an electric power supplied to a load from said predetermined power based on properties of said fuel cell is positive; computing a current outputted from said fuel cell on the basis of said electric power supplied to said load and said power for charging said secondary battery which backs up said fuel cell when said subtraction value is not positive; and supplying, to a fuel reforming device, a material for producing a fuel corresponding to said calculated value, for supplying an electric power outputted from said fuel cell to said secondary battery and for controlling said cell so that an output therefrom becomes not less than said predetermined electric power.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for controlling a fuel cell to which a reformed fuel is supplied, said method comprising the steps of: outputting an electric power to a heating portion for heating said fuel cell and simultaneously computing a current outputted from said fuel cell based on a predetermined electric power and an electric power for charging a secondary battery when said value obtained by subtracting an electric power supplied to a load from said predetermined power based on properties of said fuel cell is positive; computing a current outputted from said fuel cell on the basis of said electric power supplied to said load and said power for charging said secondary battery which backs up said fuel cell when said subtraction value is not positive; and supplying, to a fuel reforming device, a material for producing a fuel corresponding to said calculated value, for supplying an electric power outputted from said fuel cell to said secondary battery and for controlling said cell so that an output therefrom becomes not less than said predetermined electric power.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for controlling a fuel cell to which a reformed fuel is supplied, said method comprising the steps of: outputting an electric power to a heating portion for heating said fuel cell and simultaneously computing a current outputted from said fuel cell based on a predetermined electric power when said value obtained by subtracting an electric power supplied to a load from said predetermined power based on properties of said fuel cell is positive; computing a current outputted from said fuel cell on said basis of said electric power supplied to said load when said subtraction value is not positive; and supplying a material for producing a fuel to a fuel reforming device corresponding to said calculated value and for controlling said fuel cell so that an output therefrom becomes not less than said predetermined electric power.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for controlling a fuel cell to which a reformed fuel is supplied, said method comprising the steps of: outputting an electric power to a heating portion for heating said fuel cell and simultaneously computing a current outputted from said fuel cell based on a predetermined electric power when said value obtained by subtracting an electric power supplied to a load from said predetermined power based on properties of said fuel cell is positive; computing a current outputted from said fuel cell on said basis of said electric power supplied to said load when said subtraction value is not positive; and supplying a material for producing a fuel to a fuel reforming device corresponding to said calculated value and for controlling said fuel cell so that an output therefrom becomes not less than said predetermined electric power.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
236 words
A method for controlling a fuel cell to which a reformed fuel is supplied, said method comprising the steps of: computing a current outputted from said fuel cell from a predetermined electric power based on properties of said fuel cell; and supplying a material for producing a fuel corresponding to said calculated value and for calculating an electric power outputted to a heating portion for heating said fuel cell based on a predetermined electric power and an electric power for charging a secondary battery which back up said fuel cell; and, during steady operation; outputting an electric power to said heating portion and simultaneously calculating an output current of said fuel cell on the basis of a predetermined electric power and said power for charging said secondary battery when said subtraction value obtained by subtracting an electric power supplied to a load from the predetermined power is positive; while if said subtraction value is not positive, said method comprising a step of calculating an output current of said fuel cell based on said power supplied to said load and said power for charging said secondary battery; and supplying a material for producing a fuel to a fuel reforming device corresponding to said calculated value, for supplying said output power from said fuel cell to said secondary battery and for controlling said fuel cell so that an output therefrom becomes not less than said predetermined electric power.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
236 words
A method for controlling a fuel cell to which a reformed fuel is supplied, said method comprising the steps of: computing a current outputted from said fuel cell from a predetermined electric power based on properties of said fuel cell; and supplying a material for producing a fuel corresponding to said calculated value and for calculating an electric power outputted to a heating portion for heating said fuel cell based on a predetermined electric power and an electric power for charging a secondary battery which back up said fuel cell; and, during steady operation; outputting an electric power to said heating portion and simultaneously calculating an output current of said fuel cell on the basis of a predetermined electric power and said power for charging said secondary battery when said subtraction value obtained by subtracting an electric power supplied to a load from the predetermined power is positive; while if said subtraction value is not positive, said method comprising a step of calculating an output current of said fuel cell based on said power supplied to said load and said power for charging said secondary battery; and supplying a material for producing a fuel to a fuel reforming device corresponding to said calculated value, for supplying said output power from said fuel cell to said secondary battery and for controlling said fuel cell so that an output therefrom becomes not less than said predetermined electric power.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3745047A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-28 | 1994-07-30 | 1995-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-28 | 1998-07-30 | 1999-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-28 | 2002-07-30 | 2003-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |