Patent ID: 8835065
Filing Date: 2014-09-16
Classification: B60L,H01M,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method of starting a fuel cell system for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: (a). providing a fuel cell stack, a first power source, at least one startup component; (b). determining a state of charge of the first power source; (c). selecting either a fast startup procedure or a slow start up procedure for starting the at least one startup component as a function of the state of charge of the first power source, wherein the fast startup procedure includes applying full power to the at least one startup component and power to other components based on a system starting temperature, and wherein the slow startup procedure includes applying less than full power to the at least one startup component and no power to the other components; (d). controlling power flow between the fuel cell system and the first power source; and (e). maintaining a desired fuel cell stack voltage, while balancing an increasing fuel cell temperature ramp-up rate, using a load schedule to manage a load on the fuel cell stack, wherein the load schedule includes a ramp function as loads are added and removed according to the load schedule, and wherein the ramp function when increasing the load on the fuel cell stack includes, in operational order, the steps of: supplying power to the at least one startup component of the fuel cell system; supplying power to a propulsion motor of the vehicle, if the vehicle is not idling; and recharging the first power source.