Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus – product – and – Having diverse cells or diverse removable cells in a support...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-06
2001-04-10
Kalafut, Stephen (Department: 1745)
Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and
Having diverse cells or diverse removable cells in a support...
C429S010000, C429S006000, C180S193000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06214484
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fuel cell arrangements having a fuel cell with a preceding methanol reformer and an energy reservoir connected in parallel with the fuel cell, and to methods for controlling the energy flow of such arrangements.
Fuel cell arrangements are known in particular as low-emission power sources in the field of motor vehicles. In such arrangements methanol, contained in a tank like conventional fuel, is converted into electrical energy which drives an electric motor by a fuel cell with a methanol reformer. To produce a sufficiently high voltage, a plurality of such fuel cells are operated in series, providing a fuel cell “stack”. Because a fuel cell can only be run up slowly into its operating state, an energy reservoir, for example a battery connected in parallel, serves as starting aid and as a power buffer to deal with peak power demands in the system. A disadvantage of this method is poor efficiency with low propulsion output demand i.e., a low partial load and a fully charged battery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell arrangement and a method for controlling a fuel cell arrangement which overcome disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to provide a fuel cell arrangement with a fuel cell having a methanol reformer an energy reservoir connected in parallel with the fuel cell and a method of controlling that arrangement so as to operate the system at a high level of energy utilization.
These and other objects of the invention are attained by providing a fuel cell arrangement including a fuel cell having a methanol reformer and an associated electrical energy reservoir connected in parallel with the fuel cell, along with a charge condition sensor by which the charge condition of the energy reservoir is detected and a control unit which controls the fuel cell in accordance with the charge condition of the energy reservoir, and including a boost adjustor connected in parallel with the outputs of the fuel cell and the energy reservoir. This permits dynamic changes in the output demand to be satisfied only by the energy reservoir while allowing the fuel cell to operate statically at an optimum point so that the energy utilization of the system is enhanced considerably.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4839574 (1989-06-01), Takabayashi
patent: 4883724 (1989-11-01), Yamamoto
patent: 4904548 (1990-02-01), Tajima
patent: 5139894 (1992-08-01), Mizuno et al.
patent: 5154986 (1992-10-01), Takechi et al.
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Abstract of JP 63-236269 published Oct. 3, 1988.
Abstract of JP 02-168803 published Jun. 28, 1990.
Nadal et al., “Development of Hybrid Fuel Cell/Battery Powered Electric Vehicle”, Int'l Jour. Of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 21, No. 6, (Jun. 1, 1996).
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Kalafut Stephen
Volkswagon AG
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