Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/KR101004689B1/en
Timestamp: 2019-12-07 17:50:44
Document Index: 356070613

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 14', 'art 14', 'art 27', 'art 29', 'art 23', 'art 14', 'art 29', 'art 23', 'art 29', 'art 14', 'art 47', 'art 47', 'art 47', 'art 44', 'art 44', 'art 44', 'art 44', 'art 116', 'art 116', 'art 116', 'art 116', 'art 16']

KR101004689B1 - Fuel battery device and method for controlling fuel battery - Google Patents
Fuel battery device and method for controlling fuel battery Download PDF
KR101004689B1
KR101004689B1 KR1020037014692A KR20037014692A KR101004689B1 KR 101004689 B1 KR101004689 B1 KR 101004689B1 KR 1020037014692 A KR1020037014692 A KR 1020037014692A KR 20037014692 A KR20037014692 A KR 20037014692A KR 101004689 B1 KR101004689 B1 KR 101004689B1
KR1020037014692A
KR20040090390A (en
타하라마사히코
2002-03-20 Priority to JP2002077719 priority Critical
2002-03-20 Priority to JP2002077658 priority
2002-03-20 Priority to JPJP-P-2002-00077658 priority
2002-03-20 Priority to JPJP-P-2002-00077719 priority
2003-02-28 Priority to JP2003053612A priority patent/JP4193521B2/en
2003-02-28 Priority to JPJP-P-2003-00053612 priority
2003-03-20 Application filed by 소니 가부시키가이샤 filed Critical 소니 가부시키가이샤
2003-03-20 Priority to PCT/JP2003/003435 priority patent/WO2003079479A1/en
2004-10-22 Publication of KR20040090390A publication Critical patent/KR20040090390A/en
2011-01-04 Publication of KR101004689B1 publication Critical patent/KR101004689B1/en
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel cell and a method for controlling such a fuel cell, each having an electric power generation body comprising an oxygen electrode, a fuel electrode, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the oxygen electrode and the fuel electrode.
In the fuel cell, when the load current is lowered during operation, when the supply amount of air is increased, or when it is left for a long time, the electrolyte membrane is dried and the ion exchange characteristics are lowered. Therefore, the output of the fuel cell itself is reduced. There was a problem that greatly decreases.
In the present invention, a load control unit or an air supply control unit for varying the load applied to the fuel cell according to the output state of the fuel cell is provided in the fuel cell, and the load is reduced when the output characteristic is lowered or the internal resistance value is increased. The problem was solved by controlling to increase the current or to suppress the air supply.
FUEL BATTERY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FUEL BATTERY}
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel cell device and a method for controlling such a fuel cell, which sandwich an electrolyte between a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode to supply fuel such as hydrogen and supply air while generating necessary electromotive force. will be.
A fuel cell is a device that generates electric power to a power generating body by supplying a fuel fluid such as hydrogen gas or methanol, and in the case of a solid polymer type, a structure in which a proton conductor membrane is generally sandwiched between an oxygen side electrode and a fuel side electrode. Have Air is supplied to the oxygen side electrode to supply oxygen, and a fuel fluid is supplied to the other fuel side electrode. When the fuel cell generates power, protons move in the electrolyte membrane as an ion exchange membrane, react with oxygen at the oxygen side electrode to generate a current, and water is generated at the oxygen side electrode. The power generator portion of the fuel cell is called an electrolyte membrane electrode assembly or a MEA (Membrane and Electrode Assembly), and the electrolyte membrane electrode assembly is arranged in a planar or planar manner to form a fuel cell having a planar structure. Or a lamination to form a fuel cell having a lamination structure (stack structure).
In recent years, such a fuel cell is expected to be widely used as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle in fields such as transportation vehicles, and is also expected to be practically used for a power supply system for a house. Research and development are also in progress for portable devices and small power supplies utilizing the characteristics and compactness.
As one type of fuel cell, there is a fuel cell of a type that does not have a humidification device for maintaining humidity to an electrolyte membrane or the like (hereinafter, referred to as a "self-humidifying fuel cell"). Such a self-humidifying fuel cell is configured such that moisture generated at the oxygen side electrode wets the electrolyte membrane and promotes ion exchange. In a fuel cell, the evaporation control of its moisture controls the power generation performance of the fuel cell itself, the output voltage directly affects the heat generation, and the output current directly affects the generated water. Therefore, the self-humidifying fuel cell needs to be operated in such a way that the generated water directly affected by the output current is balanced to wet the electrolyte membrane, so that excess generated water is not generated and the oxygen supply path is blocked.
By the way, especially in the above-mentioned self-humidifying fuel cell, when the load current is reduced during operation or when the supply amount of air is increased, the moisture of the electrolyte membrane is lowered and dried. In this dried fuel cell, ion exchange characteristics in the electrolyte membrane are lowered, and the output itself of the fuel cell is significantly lowered. In addition, the load current during the operation is not limited. For example, even when the fuel cell is left for a long time, the electrolyte membrane is in a dried state when restarted after standing, and the electrolyte membrane is moistened again after the restart. It was not easy, and it took a long time, several days, to recover to the original performance so that the required rated power was obtained. In particular, the problem of the drying of the electrolyte membrane is remarkable in an open air fuel cell that does not perform air feeding, and the problem of drying occurs only by leaving it after operation, and output characteristics are short. There is a problem that falls.
Then, in view of the above technical problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device and a fuel cell control method capable of preventing the problem of output reduction during operation or startup.
A fuel cell device of the present invention is a fuel cell having a power generation body comprising an oxygen electrode, a fuel electrode, and an electrolyte sandwiched between the oxygen electrode and the fuel electrode, wherein an output voltage of the fuel cell is equal to or less than a first predetermined value It is characterized by having a bypass circuit which electrically connects the said oxygen electrode and the said fuel electrode, and flows a current when it turns into.
According to the present invention, in the case where the bypass circuit is provided, for example, when the output characteristic decreases due to drying of the oxygen electrode, the bypass circuit is operated to load the load current applied to the fuel cell to the output state. By controlling accordingly, generation | occurrence | production of the generation water can be intentionally made large. The water produced here can form an appropriate wet state while suppressing drying of the oxygen electrode. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first predetermined value is in a range of, for example, 0.01 V or more and 0.8 V or less per power generator, for example, 1% to 95% of the normal electromotive force. Is set to. Moreover, you may set a 1st predetermined value at the ratio which fell from normal electromotive force.
In addition, the fuel cell device of the present invention is connected to the fuel cell and the fuel cell for generating electromotive force by supplying air to the oxygen electrode while supplying fuel to the fuel electrode by sandwiching an electrolyte between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode. And a load controller for varying the load applied to the fuel cell according to the output of the fuel cell or the state of the internal resistance.
In the fuel cell, when fuel is supplied to the fuel electrode, air is supplied to the oxygen electrode so that conduction of protons occurs in the electrolyte. The amount of proton conduction generated varies depending on the load current connected to the fuel cell. When the value of this load current is small, the output voltage is high and the heat generation is small. On the contrary, when the load current is large, the amount of proton conduction is large. This increases and the amount of generated water increases. This is because the reaction at the oxygen electrode becomes active. For example, when the output characteristic decreases due to the drying of the oxygen electrode, the load control unit is operated to control the load current applied to the fuel cell to vary according to the output state, thereby intentionally increasing generation of generated water. There is a number. The water produced here can form an appropriate wet state while suppressing drying of the oxygen electrode.
In addition, the control method of the fuel cell of the present invention includes a procedure for monitoring the output characteristics or the internal resistance characteristics of the fuel cell, and the fuel cell when the output characteristics or the internal resistance characteristics of the fuel cell are changed. It is characterized by having a procedure for controlling the flowing current to be larger than usual.
According to the control method of the fuel cell of the present invention, first, the output characteristics and the internal resistance characteristics of the fuel cell are monitored, and as a result, it is determined whether the output characteristics or the internal resistance characteristics of the fuel cell have changed. When the output characteristic or internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell changes, for example, when the output characteristic decreases due to drying of the oxygen electrode, the oxygen electrode is controlled to increase the current flowing through the fuel cell in comparison with the usual time. The reaction at is activated to increase the amount of generated water. Therefore, it becomes possible to suppress drying of the oxygen electrode and to form an appropriate wet state.
The fuel cell device of the present invention includes a fuel cell that generates electromotive force by supplying air to the oxygen electrode while supplying fuel to the fuel electrode by sandwiching an electrolyte between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode, and to the oxygen electrode of the fuel cell. And an air supply control unit for varying the supply amount of air supplied according to the output of the fuel cell or the internal resistance state.
In the fuel cell, when fuel is supplied to the fuel electrode, air is supplied to the oxygen electrode so that conduction of protons occurs in the electrolyte. The amount of proton conduction generated varies depending on the load current connected to the fuel cell. When the load current is large, the amount of proton conduction increases, and the amount of generated water increases. The supply amount of air supplied to the oxygen electrode of the fuel cell is, for example, ideally at the time of operation, but the evaporation amount of water depending on the generation amount of generated water and the supply amount of air is normally balanced and operated. By controlling the supply amount of air to suppress the evaporation amount of water on the surface of the fuel cell, for example, it is possible to suppress drying of the oxygen electrode and to provide an appropriate wet state.
In addition, the control method of the fuel cell of the present invention includes a procedure for monitoring the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell, and the air supplied to the fuel cell when the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell is changed. It is characterized by having a procedure for controlling the supply amount to be smaller than usual.
When the output characteristics or internal resistance characteristics of the fuel cell are changed, the amount of air supplied to the fuel cell is controlled to be smaller than usual, thereby suppressing drying of the oxygen electrode of the fuel cell and providing an appropriate wet state. Although the necessity can be directly monitored by using the output characteristics or the internal resistance characteristics of the fuel cell, it is possible to respond quickly in the event of power generation problems. In addition, in the present specification, the measurement of the electromotive force also includes the calculation by measuring the output current and the internal resistance of the fuel cell, or similar parameters.
1 is a block diagram showing a fuel cell device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a time chart showing an output voltage of the fuel cell device of one of the above embodiments. FIG.
3 is a schematic perspective view showing a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a scene (scene) of inserting a fuel cell card of an embodiment of the present invention into a notebook PC (personal computer).
FIG. 5 is an external perspective view illustrating the fuel cell card of FIG. 4. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing main parts of a fuel cell main body of the fuel cell device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
7 is a block diagram showing a fuel cell device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the fuel cell device of FIG. 7. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of the fuel cell device of FIG. 7. FIG.
10 is a block diagram showing a fuel cell device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing a fuel cell device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 12 is a time chart showing the output voltage of the fuel cell device of the fourth embodiment.
Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a fuel cell device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the fuel cell device of FIG. 13. FIG.
15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the fuel cell device of FIG.
Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing a fuel cell device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
17 is a block diagram showing a fuel cell device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
18 is a block diagram showing a fuel cell device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
A very preferred embodiment of the fuel cell device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a block diagram showing a fuel cell device of this embodiment. The fuel cell device 10 according to the present embodiment is connected to a fuel cell main body 11 for generating electromotive force, a control unit 13 for controlling load, and a fuel cell main body 11, and the fuel thereof. It has a load control part 14 which makes the value of the load applied to the battery main body 11 variable, The electromotive force is always supplied to the load apparatus 15 via the load control part 14, The fuel cell main body 11 The hydrogen supply device 12 for supplying a fuel fluid is connected to it.
The fuel cell body 11 has a structure in which a substantially flat electrolyte membrane, which will be described later, is sandwiched between a fuel side electrode (fuel electrode) and an oxygen side electrode (oxygen electrode) as one example. Fuel fluid, such as hydrogen gas or methanol, is supplied from the hydrogen supply apparatus 12 which has a storage function. The oxygen side electrode is an electrode for taking in oxygen in the air, and sandwiches and replaces an electrolyte membrane with the fuel side electrode. The oxygen side electrode may be an open air type, or may have a structure in which air is sent out by a compressor, a pump, a fan, or the like. The fuel cell body 11 may have a stack stacked type in which a plurality of structures in which a substantially flat electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between the fuel side electrode and the oxygen side electrode may be stacked, or only one sheet or two sheets may be stacked to form a flat plate shape. It may be maintained.
The hydrogen supply device 12 is a device for supplying a fuel fluid such as hydrogen gas or methanol to the fuel cell main body 11, and as an example, a hydrogen high pressure tank, a cartridge incorporating a hydrogen storage alloy, or the like. You can use As described later, the hydrogen supply device l2 can be attached to or detached from the fuel cell main body 11, and the structure is configured to transmit and receive information on the fuel state at the joint portion. It is also possible.
The control unit 13 is a controller for controlling the fuel cell device 10, and monitors the output or internal resistance state of the fuel cell of the fuel cell body 11 and performs control according to the output or internal resistance state. The signal to be outputted to the load control unit 14. Although the control unit 13 is comprised by a necessary electronic circuit, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc., it does not necessarily need to be integral with the fuel cell main body 11, It is attached separately and the said fuel cell main body 11 May be utilized as part of an information processing unit of an electronic device equipped with. In the present embodiment, the control unit 13 monitors the output voltage or the internal resistance value of the fuel cell. However, the control unit 13 may monitor the output current without being limited to this, or may simultaneously monitor conditions such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.
The load control unit 14 is a bypass circuit for varying the load applied to the fuel cell body 11 according to the output or internal resistance state of the fuel cell body 11, and overloading the fuel cell body 11. In order to be in a current state, a switch element between the output terminals of the fuel cell body 11 may be disposed, and the switch element may be turned ON to short-circuit the fuel cell body 11. In order to make the overcurrent state, the output terminal of the fuel cell body 11 may be configured to be connected by a low resistance element. In addition, the load control unit 14 may also have a structure in which a primary side current such as a DC-DC converter is in an overcurrent state as described later. When the fuel cell main body 11 is placed in an overcurrent state, the output voltage of the fuel cell main body 11 rapidly decreases, so that a floating battery, a capacitor, or the like is connected to the rear end as a compensating means as lowered. You may comprise so that it may supply to the load apparatus l5 of ().
The load device 15 is a device to which the electromotive force generated in the fuel cell device 10 is supplied. For example, when the device on which the fuel cell device 10 is mounted is a personal computer, the load device 15 is a power source of the personal computer. Since the fuel cell device 10 is used, the load device 15 is an internal circuit, a peripheral device, or the like. In addition, when the fuel cell device 10 is mounted on a transport machine such as an automobile, the load device corresponds to a device such as a motor that brings propulsion force. In addition, when the fuel cell apparatus 10 is used as a small household power supply, a light bulb, a household electric apparatus, etc. correspond to a load apparatus.
Next, an example of the operation of the load control unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. 2 is the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell body at the time of supply air quantity and load current constant, and the horizontal axis is time t. In the fuel cell device 10 of FIG. 1, the initial voltage Vout is kept relatively high, but drying of the electrode on the surface of the fuel cell body 11 may be advanced by the use environment while the operation state continues. As a result, the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell main body 11 starts to gradually decrease, and falls below the threshold value voltage Vth at a certain time to. This threshold voltage Vth is a reference level indicating that the output of the fuel cell of the fuel cell main body 11 has decreased, and the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell main body 11 is critical on the control unit 13 side. When it is determined that the value voltage Vth is lower, the control unit 13 detects that the output of the fuel cell of the fuel cell main body 11 has decreased, and the operation for function recovery is performed. Specifically, a signal is sent from the control unit 13 to the load control unit 14, and the load control unit 14 is placed in a low resistance state, for example.
By shifting the load control unit 14 to a low resistance state, an overcurrent flows through the fuel cell body 11, and it is possible to return the surface of the dried fuel cell body 11 to a wet state for a short time. In the state where this overcurrent is flowing, since the load power at the output stage becomes smaller as seen from the fuel cell side, the output voltage is decreased, but inversely, a large amount of current flows, so that the intake of oxygen atoms by ion exchange is activated and moisture Happens a lot. Therefore, the surface of the fuel cell body 11 can be returned to the wet state in a very short time. In this way, while the load control unit 14 is in the low resistance state, power supply to the load device l5 at the rear end also becomes a problem, but a floating battery, a capacitor, or the like provided in the load control unit 14 is not a problem. By temporarily using the power compensation means, the power supply to the load device 15 is not interrupted.
By bringing the load control unit 14 into a low resistance state, the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell main body 11 continues to decrease rapidly, but at the time point t 1 in FIG. 2, the output voltage Vout is a voltage. Below the Vs, the drop in the output voltage Vout up to this point is detected on the control unit 13 side. As a result, the control unit 13 sends a signal to the load control unit 14 to end the operation for restoring the function of the fuel cell. In response to this signal, the load control unit 14 transitions the circuit form from a low resistance state to a normal state.
As a parameter for detecting the dry state of the fuel cell main body 11, for example, a current interrupt method is used instead of the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell main body at the time of supply air quantity and load current constant. Internal resistance value (r) can be used. In this case, when the internal resistance value r exceeds a certain value, overcurrent flows to the fuel cell main body 11 by the control as described above, and the surface of the dried fuel cell main body 11 dried for a short time is placed in a wet state. It is possible to revert. In this case, it corresponds to the output characteristic or internal resistance characteristic monitoring means by which the control unit 13 monitors the output characteristic or internal resistance characteristic of a fuel cell.
Thus, in the fuel cell apparatus 10 of this embodiment, when the output voltage Vout from the fuel cell main body 11 falls below the threshold voltage Vth (internal resistance is used, when internal resistance value is used). When the value is increased above the value rth, the control for bringing the fuel cell main body 11 into an overcurrent state is performed, and by this control, the restoring of the moisturizing state of the forced and temporary electrode is performed. For this reason, even when the surface of the fuel cell main body 11 is poor in operation or starting up for a long time and the rated output voltage cannot be obtained, the output characteristics of the fuel cell can be restored in a relatively short time. have. In the fuel cell device 10 according to the present embodiment, while the fuel cell body 11 is controlled to be in an overcurrent state, power compensation means such as a floating battery or a capacitor provided in the load control unit 14 is temporarily provided. By using this, the power supply to the load device 15 is not interrupted.
3 shows an example of a fuel cell device in which air flow means using a fan is formed on one side. An approximately rectangular card-like case body 21 is provided, and a power generating unit 23 is disposed inside the case body 21. Here, as an example, the case body 21 of the card type fuel cell can be made into a standardized size as a PC card, and specifically, a size standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA can be applied. This standardized size is set to 85.6 mm +/- 0.2 mm in length (long side), and 54.0 mm +/- 0.1 mm in width (short side). The thickness of the card is standardized for each of type I and type II, that is, for type I, the thickness of the connector portion is 3.3 ± 0.1 mm and the thickness of the base portion is 3.3 ± 0.2 mm. In addition, for type II, the thickness of the connector portion is 3.3 ± 0.1 mm, the thickness of the base portion is 5.0 mm or less, and the standard dimension of the thickness is ± 0.2 mm. Card-type case body 21 can also be configured to overlap the upper case body and the lower case body.
The card-like case body 21 is coupled with a hydrogen storage cartridge 22 that is substantially the same size in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the card-like case body 21 and can be continuously disposed. Inside the hydrogen storage cartridge 22, a hydrogen storage portion such as a hydrogen storage alloy is disposed, and is attached to and detached from the case body 21 of the fuel cell. When the hydrogen storage cartridge 22 is mounted, the fuel fluid can flow through the coupling of the fuel outlet and the engaging portion, and when the hydrogen storage cartridge 22 is removed, the fuel from the hydrogen storage cartridge 22 is removed. Has a mechanism to stop the spill.
Inside the card-shaped case body 21, a power generation unit 23 combining four power generating bodies, and a coupling unit for introducing fuel fluid from the hydrogen storage cartridge 22 into the card-type case body 21. (24), the power generation side coupling portion 25 into which the coupling portion 24 is inserted and coupled, the flow rate adjusting portion 27 connecting the power generation side coupling portion 25 via a pipe 26, A pipe 28 for connecting the flow rate adjusting unit 27 and the power generating unit 23, and a control circuit unit 29 for mounting the electronic component 30 on the wiring board 31 to perform output control or the like with these electronic components or the like. Have And inside the card-shaped case body 21, a pair of fans 32 and 33 as air flow means are further arrange | positioned so that it may extend along the side surface of a case body. Fans 32 and 33 are driven to rotate by corresponding motors 34 and 35 respectively. The fan 32 and the fan 33 are arranged in parallel, and in particular, in the present embodiment, the fan 32 and the fan 33 are arranged side by side in the up and down direction, respectively, and are located at the power generating body located at the upper side and the lower side. Air to the generator.
The fans 32 and 33 have a structure in which a wing | blade part is provided around the cylindrical rotating shaft, and each wing | blade part extends linearly in a rotating shaft direction, and is formed in a radial shape in the radial direction of a rotating shaft. Therefore, the fans 32 and 33 rotate about the rotational axis by the driving of the motors 34 and 35, and send the air along the grooves not shown in the direction perpendicular to the rotational axis to the space in the case body. The fans 32 and 33 are used for evaporation of water generated at the oxygen-side electrode as described later, and at the same time, it is possible to achieve heat radiation by sending air. The fans 32 and 33 are connected to the motors 34 and 35 via the connectors 36 and 37, but the motors 34 and 35 and the fans 32 and 33 are directly provided without installing the connectors 36 and 37. ) May be connected.
The power generator 23 is a structure in which four power generators are combined, and one power generator has a structure in which an electrolyte membrane such as a proton conductor is sandwiched between a fuel side electrode and an oxygen side electrode, and an oxygen side electrode or a fuel side The electrode is made of a conductive material such as a metal plate, a porous metal material, or a carbon material, and a current collector is connected to these oxygen side electrodes and fuel side electrodes. The current collector is an electrode material for taking out electromotive force generated from an electrode, and is constructed using a metal material, a carbon material, a nonwoven fabric having conductivity, or the like. The four power generating bodies are arranged with two stacked ones arranged in the case body. In the case where two power generators are overlapped, the fuel electrodes can be overlapped so that the faces face each other, and in this case, the fuel fluids can be overlapped and sent to the space between the combined fuel electrodes to activate the electrodes, and oxygen The surface that needs to be supplied is overlapped, and the front and rear surfaces of the combined generators become the oxygen side electrode surface.
The power generation side coupling portion 25 is coupled to the coupling portion 24 of the hydrogen storage cartridge 22 to provide a mechanism for introducing a fuel fluid into the fuel cell while maintaining airtightness from the hydrogen storage cartridge 22. to be. Specifically, the leading end of the coupling portion 24 is inserted into the power generation side coupling portion 25, and has a mechanism that locks when pushed further, and gas leakage is prevented during such mounting operation. It is considered to be prevented. When the fuel fluid is not hydrogen gas and is a liquid such as a direct methanol system, a fuel fluid storage tank that is a removable material can be used instead of the hydrogen storage cartridge 22.
Although it is also possible to provide a mechanical flow rate adjustment mechanism in the power generation side coupling portion 25, in the fuel cell of the present embodiment, the flow rate adjustment portion 27 is provided between the power generation side coupling portion 25 and the power generation portion 23. Is excreted. This flow rate adjusting part 27 is an apparatus for making the flow rate of fuel fluid constant electronically or mechanically, and can provide a valve body etc. and can control a pressure.
The control circuit part 29 is a circuit which controls the electromotive force output from the power generation part 23. In the example of FIG. 3, the control unit 13 and the load control part 14 of the structure of FIG. 1 are formed. The control circuit unit 29 furthermore monitors the coupling state with the hydrogen storage cartridge 22 on the fuel supply side, or detects the load state of the output supply destination, and adjusts the output, for example, the mode of the apparatus using electromotive force (active mode). The output voltage can be adjusted according to the standby mode or the sleep mode).
In addition, the control circuit section 29 may be provided with a circuit section for controlling the motors 34 and 35 for driving the fans 32 and 33 described above. As a power supply used for this control circuit part 29, you may use a part of electric power which the power generation part 23 produced. A pair of output terminals 38 and 39 protrude from the control circuit section 29, and the tip ends of the output terminals 38 and 39 protrude outward from the card-shaped case body 21.
A fuel cell device of this embodiment having such a structure includes a fan for supplying oxygen to a fuel cell on one side of the card-shaped case body 21 and for promoting evaporation of generated water on the surface of the oxygen-side electrode. 32, 33) are excreted. By rotating these fans 32 and 33 and guiding air along grooves (not shown), it is possible to effectively remove water generated on the surface of the oxygen-side electrode, and to prevent a decrease in the output voltage.
In addition, in the fuel cell device of this embodiment, the control circuit part 29 in which the control unit 13 and the load control part 14 of the structure of FIG. 1 are formed is also mounted in the same card-shaped case body 21. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the output voltage can be appropriately adjusted, and the control according to the conditions and the environment can be easily performed. Moreover, the fuel cell device of this embodiment is not only a power generation device but also useful as a battery having an information processing function. In addition, the coupling portion has a structure in which fluid leakage such as gas leakage is prevented in advance, and safety as a device is also sufficient.
Next, an example of an atmospheric open fuel cell device will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. As one example, the fuel cell device of the present invention can be a fuel cell card 40 in the form of a flat card. The fuel cell card 40 is an apparatus as shown in FIG. It can be inserted and inserted from the card slot 42 of the notebook PC 41 which is a main body. The slot 42 may be a hole provided in the housing of the apparatus main body dedicated to the fuel cell card 40. However, the slot 42 may be a slot having a size standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA. Specifically, the size standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA is determined to be 85.6 mm ± 0.2 mm in length (long side) and 54.0 mm ± 0.1 mm in width (short side). The thickness of the card is standardized for each of Type I and Type II, that is, for Type I, the thickness of the connector portion is 3.3 ± 0.1 mm and the thickness of the base portion is 3.3 ± 0.2 mm. For Type II, the thickness of the connector portion is 3.3 ± 0.1 mm, the thickness of the base portion is 5.0 mm or less, and the standard dimension of the thickness is ± 0.2 mm. The fuel cell card 40 is also equipped with a hydrogen storage unit 44 as a fuel supply unit.
In addition, although the slot 42 is provided in the side part of the keyboard side main body of the notebook PC 41 which is an apparatus main body, in FIG. 4, the selectable part which shows this slot 42 is shown with the broken line in FIG. It may be part of the selectable bay 43. The selectable bay 43 is a plurality of functional members that are detachable from the notebook PC 41, and replaces the member incorporated in the selectable bay 43 when the expansion function of the PC is changed. In the case of using the fuel cell card 40, a dedicated adapter can also be used for external mounting, and the plurality of fuel cell cards 40 can be incorporated into an information processing device such as a notebook PC 41 at the same time. You may have to.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fuel cell card 40 assembled, and the fuel cell card 40 having a rounded corner portion in consideration of portability has a flat upper case body 46 having a lower case body 45. The upper case body 46 is fixed to the lower case body 45 by a screw or the like not shown in FIG. 5. The upper case body 46 has a plurality of rectangular openings 47 formed as gas inlets for introducing oxygen into the case body.
In the present example, each of the openings 47 is a substantially rectangular through-hole, and 15 rows of 5 rows and 3 columns are formed in two sets of horizontal arrays, and the upper case body 46 has a total of 30 pieces. The opening 47 faces. The opening 47 allows the oxygen-side electrode to be opened to the atmosphere as described later, so that effective oxygen injection is realized without the need for a special intake apparatus, and the removal of excess water discharged at the same time is also realized.
In this embodiment, since the pattern of each collector is a grid | lattice form in this embodiment, the shape of the opening part 47 becomes the same shape as this grid | lattice-shaped pattern, It is also possible to make it a different shape, and the shape of each opening part is It is also possible to make various shapes, such as circular, elliptical, stripe shape, and polygonal shape. In addition, although the opening part 47 is formed in this example by cut | disconnecting the upper case body 46 of a plate shape, it is a dust and dust in the range which does not damage the atmospheric open state of an oxygen side electrode. It is also possible to provide a net, a nonwoven fabric, or the like in the opening 47 to prevent intrusion or adhesion of the back. Although the opening part is formed in the lower case body 45 corresponding to the opening part 47 of the upper case body 46, it is the same in that a shape, a net | network, and a nonwoven fabric can be provided.
The hydrogen storage part 44 which can supply the above-mentioned hydrogen is the hydrogen storage part 44 to the pair of fitting holes 50 formed in the connection side surface of the lower case body 45. The pair of pins 48 formed on the side of the connection side of the () is fitted and connected to the fuel cell card 40. At this time, the projection 49, which is the hydrogen supply port of the hydrogen storage portion 44, is inserted into a rectangular fitting hole 51 formed on the side of the connection side of the lower case body 45, thereby fitting the fitting hole 51 in the case body. Is coupled to an end portion of a fuel pipe (not shown) that extends to the position of. The hydrogen storage unit 44 is a detachable material with respect to the fuel cell card 40. For example, when the remaining hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage unit 44 becomes small, the hydrogen storage unit 44 is removed. It is also possible to remove it from the fuel cell card 40, replace it with another hydrogen storage part 44 formed by sufficiently storing hydrogen, or inject hydrogen into the removed hydrogen storage part 44 and use it again. In this example, the hydrogen storage portion 44 is attached to the fuel cell card 40 by fitting the pin 48 of the hydrogen storage portion 44 to the fitting hole 51. However, other connection elements may be used. For example, you may use the structure which inserts into a key groove, the structure which uses a locking member, a magnet, etc. which slide against a biased spring.
6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a fuel cell body unit. In FIG. 6, two electrolyte membrane and electrode composites, that is, MEA (Membrane and Electrode Assembly) 67 and 68 are shown to overlap, and the fuel side electrode 63 is sandwiched between the proton conductor membranes 61 and 62 as ion exchange membranes. 64 and oxygen side electrodes 65 and 66 are formed. Catalyst materials, such as platinum, are formed in the fuel side electrodes 63 and 64 and the oxygen side electrodes 65 and 66, and the electrical power collector which is not shown in figure is also formed for taking out an electric charge. The pair of fuel side electrodes 63 and 64 face each other with a space necessary for introducing hydrogen or the like as fuel.
A fuel fluid such as hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel side electrodes 63 and 64 from outside, and the fuel fluid reaches the reaction region through pores in the electrode, and is adsorbed by a catalyst present in the electrode to generate active hydrogen. It becomes an atom. The hydrogen atoms become hydrogen ions, move to the oxygen-side electrode, which is the opposite pole, and send electrons generated at the time of ionization to the fuel-side electrodes 63 and 64, and these electrons become electromotive force to connect the circuit connected to the outside. The oxygen side electrodes 65 and 66 are reached.
The oxygen side electrodes 65 and 66 and the fuel side electrodes 63 and 64 are made of a conductive material such as a metal plate, a porous metal material or a carbon material, and these oxygen side electrodes 65 and 66 and the fuel side. The current collector is connected to the electrodes 63 and 64. The current collector is an electrode material for taking out electromotive force generated from an electrode, and is composed of a metal material, a carbon material, a nonwoven fabric having conductivity, or the like. In the present embodiment, the two MEAs 67 and 68 overlap the fuel side electrodes 63 and 64 to the inside, and as a result, oxygen is provided on the front and back sides of the two MEAs 67 and 68 that overlap. Side electrodes 65 and 66 are positioned. As one example, the MEAs 67 and 68 can be formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape in the longitudinal direction along the long side direction in the case of using a card-shaped case body, respectively, but may be other shapes. In addition, the MEAs 67 and 68 are not limited to a structure in which two are stacked, and four, eight, eight or more MEAs may be combined. Moreover, if the shape of each MEA is the same, it is good to mount the same MEA in manufacture, but it is not limited to this, You may combine MEA of a different shape. For example, the large size MEA and the small size MEA may be arranged in the same plane, or the thick MEA and the thin thickness MEA may be arranged in the same plane. Moreover, you may mount in the case body combining what differs the kind of MEA from which performance differs in terms of capacity | capacitance, efficiency, etc. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the MEAs 67 and 68 are disposed in the individual with the necessary rigidity, but each MEA may have flexibility, in which case The case body can also be made of a flexible material. Further, the structure may be such that the MEA itself can be replaced with the required cartridge type. In addition, the position of the MEA may be moved, for example, the MEA may be slid in the case body to shift the position, thereby changing the connection form between the MEAs.
Next, a more detailed embodiment of the fuel cell device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. First, as shown in FIG. 7, the fuel cell device of this embodiment has a fuel cell main body 71 having a structure in which a plurality of power generators such as MEAs are stacked, for example, to further control load. As a load control unit connected to the control unit 73 and the fuel cell main body 71 for varying the value of the load applied to the fuel cell main body 71, the switching element 78 and the resistance element 77 are provided. And a power supply compensation circuit section comprising a low resistance circuit section and a diode 79 and a floating battery 80. The load device 75 to which the electromotive force generated in the fuel cell body 71 is supplied is connected to the fuel cell body 71 via the load control unit. Furthermore, the fuel cell body 71 is configured to supply fuel fluid to the fuel cell body 71. The hydrogen supply device 72 is connected. In addition, an air supply compressor 76 for supplying air and evaporating excess water is connected to the fuel cell body 71.
As described above, the fuel cell body 71 stacks MEAs sandwiching the electrolyte membrane between the fuel side electrode and the oxygen side electrode, supplies hydrogen to the fuel side electrode, and supplies air to the oxygen side electrode to generate electromotive force. A pair is generated between output terminals. Fuel fluid, such as hydrogen, is supplied from the hydrogen supply device 72 to the fuel cell main body 71 via the gas supply path 81, and the fuel fluid is sent to the fuel side electrode of the fuel cell main body 71.
The air supply compressor 76 is a device that causes a change in air pressure such as a fan and a pump. The air supply compressor 76 supplies oxygen contained in the air to the surface of the oxygen-side electrode of the fuel cell body 71, and It is a device for evaporating moisture generated on the surface by sending air. This air supply compressor 76 may be formed integrally with the fuel cell body 71, or may be a device that is detached as a separate member. The air supply compressor 76 is connected to the fuel cell body 71 via the air inlet pipe 82, and an oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell body 71 is disposed near the outlet of the air inlet pipe 82. do. If the oxygen-side electrode is covered with water, it is impossible to inject more oxygen, and the power generation characteristics are lowered. However, by providing an air supply compressor 76, unnecessary moisture is evaporated and removed. Therefore, the problem that moisture becomes excess in an oxygen side electrode and causes output fall is prevented beforehand. In the fuel cell main body 71, the fuel cell main body 71 is dried in reverse during startup or for a long time of operation, and as a result, the efficiency of ion exchange in the electrolyte membrane may be lowered. In the fuel cell device of the aspect, since an overcurrent can flow to the fuel cell body 71 temporarily, it is also possible to solve the dry state of the fuel cell body 71. Air supplied to the fuel cell body 71 is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell body 71 via the air exhaust pipe 83.
The load device 75 is a device to which the electromotive force generated in the fuel cell device is supplied. For example, when the device on which the fuel cell device is mounted is a PC, the fuel cell device is used as a power source for the PC. The load device 75 is an internal circuit, a peripheral device, or the like. In addition, when the fuel cell device is mounted on a transport machine such as an automobile, the load device corresponds to a device such as a motor that brings propulsion force. In addition, when a fuel cell apparatus is used as a small household power supply, a light bulb, a household electric apparatus, etc. correspond to the load apparatus 75.
In FIG. 7, the control unit 73 is an apparatus for controlling the low resistance circuit part and the power supply compensation circuit part of the load control part described next, monitoring the output or internal resistance state of the fuel cell main body 71. FIG. The state of the output or internal resistance of the fuel cell body 71 is monitored by the signaled information from the output terminal of the fuel cell, that is, the MEA. Although the apparatus of FIG. 7 employs a method of monitoring the state of the output or internal resistance of the fuel cell body 71, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is also possible to directly monitor the wettability of each electrode or the electrolyte membrane. It is also possible to use an air pressure sensor or the like and use it together with an output sensor.
In the present embodiment, the control unit 73 can monitor the operation state of the air supply compressor 76 or control the operation of the air supply compressor 76. When the operation of the air supply compressor 76 is controlled, the water supply is stopped by operating the air supply compressor 76 in a period in which an overcurrent flows to the fuel cell body 71 to generate water to restore the power generation function. Can stop evaporation. In addition, by stopping the operation of the air supply compressor 76, the generated water can be quickly penetrated into the electrolyte membrane, and the power generation performance can be quickly restored. In addition, the control unit 73 can also receive information on the power consumption state and the necessity of the load device 75, and can realize high-efficiency generation with little waste based on those information.
The fuel cell device according to the present embodiment is a load control section for varying the value of the load current applied to the fuel cell body 71, and includes a low resistance circuit section including the switching element 78 and the resistance element 77; It has a power supply compensating circuit section comprising a diode 79 and a floating battery 80. The switching element 78 and the resistance element 77 constituting the low resistance circuit portion are circuits that operate according to the signals from the control unit 73 described above. For example, as the switching element 78, in the present embodiment, A semiconductor device such as an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), a relay, or the like may be used. The resistance element 77 has an extremely small resistance value compared with the load device 75, and the potential difference generated at both ends when the current flows is small. When the switching element 78 and the resistance element 77 are connected in series between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the output terminal of the fuel cell body 71, and the gate electrode of the switching element 78 is controlled to the ON side, The switching element 78 is in a conductive state, so that the load current applied to the output terminal of the fuel cell body 71 increases.
The power compensation circuit portion of the load controller is composed of a diode 79 and a floating battery 80, and the diode 79 functions as a rectifier in the case where the output of the fuel cell main body 71 decreases. The floating battery 80 has a low resistance between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the output terminal of the fuel cell body 71 due to the operation of the low resistance circuit section composed of the switching element 78 and the resistance element 77. Instead of the fuel cell body 71, the device functions as a power source for the load device 75. The positive terminal of the floating battery 80 is connected to the positive terminal of the output terminal of the fuel cell body 71 via the diode 79, and is connected to the positive terminal side of the load device 75, and the floating battery 80 The negative terminal of is connected to the negative terminal of the output terminal of the fuel cell main body 71, and is connected to the negative terminal side of the load device 75. When the switching element 78 is in the on state, the floating battery 80 drives the load device 75 with the electromotive force. In addition, a capacitor or the like may be used instead of the floating battery 80.
FIG. 8 is an example of a time chart for explaining the operation of the fuel cell device of FIG. 7, in which the supply air amount of the fuel cell and the output voltage at a constant load current are used for detection as a dry state parameter. The horizontal axis represents time t, and the vertical axis represents cell current i cell and cell voltage V cell at a constant load current. The cell voltage V cell corresponds to the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell body 71. When the output voltage drop of the fuel cell main body 71 becomes remarkable, the fuel cell device detects that the output voltage drop decreases, and is lower than a certain value (for example, Vth in FIG. 2). If it is determined that the switching element 78 is in a conductive state by the signal from the control unit 73, as a result, the low-resistance circuit portion composed of the switching element 78 and the resistance element 77 is normally Transition from a load state or a non-conducting state to a low resistance state. Then, the fuel cell body 71 changes to a state of whether the output terminals have become low in resistance or short-circuited, and a large cell current i cell , that is, an overcurrent flows through the fuel cell body 71. Due to the overcurrent flowing through the fuel cell body 71, oxygen atoms are actively combined with hydrogen atoms at the oxygen-side electrode to temporarily generate a large amount of generated water, and when the output decreases due to drying, the electrolyte membrane is quickly returned to a wet state. It is possible to recover the output instantaneously.
When an overcurrent flows in the fuel cell body 71, the potential difference of the output terminal, i.e., the cell voltage V cell , also rapidly decreases. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, the voltage required for a relatively short time (for example, the voltage of FIG. 2). (Vs)}, the control unit 73 detects that the output voltage falls below the required voltage, and makes the switching element 78 transition to the OFF state. Then, the circuit state of the load control part returns to the normal state, and the current path passing through the switching element 78 and the resistance element 77 is interrupted. As a result, the cell voltage V cell , that is, the output voltage Vout is also reversed and rapidly increased. When the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell body 71 becomes higher again, the voltage of the floating battery 80 is exceeded, and electric power is supplied from the fuel cell body 71 to the load device 75 again. In this step, a large amount of generated water is generated when an overcurrent flows through the fuel cell main body 71, and the electrolyte membrane is quickly wetted, whereby the output can be restored instantaneously.
FIG. 8 further illustrates the case where the fuel cell device is operated. When the same output voltage decreases by continuing the operation again, overcurrent is applied to the fuel cell body 71 for the same function recovery. It is possible to improve the output voltage. In addition, as long as the load in the fuel cell main body 11 can maintain the self-humidification state, the output voltage is equilibrated to a predetermined value, and the output voltage can be maintained at that value for long-term power generation.
8 shows the case where the air supply from the air supply compressor 76 is set to a constant amount. It is also possible to control the air supply from the air supply compressor 76 in cooperation with the control of applying an overload current to the fuel cell body 71 to recover the output function as described above. In a period in which an overcurrent is flowed into 71 to generate moisture to restore the power generation function, control to stop the operation of the air supply compressor 76 once can be performed. By stopping such an air supply compressor 76 once, evaporation of water can be stopped and product water can quickly penetrate into an electrolyte membrane. Power generation performance can be restored quickly by suppressing evaporation of these moisture and infiltration of generated water into the electrolyte membrane.
Next, an example of each procedure for operating the fuel cell device of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The fuel cell device of the present embodiment operates to recover an output characteristic or an internal resistance when it falls outside the allowable range. In this example, since the permissible ranges are different in the operation at the time of starting immediately after the start of the operation of the fuel cell device and some time after the start, the processing is performed in different procedures. The procedure is a procedure of judgment of the control unit, for example, the control procedure of the CPU in the control unit 73 of FIG. 7 corresponds to the flowchart of FIG.
As the control procedure, first, in step S11, it is determined whether the current step is the operation immediately after the start of the operation of the fuel cell device and the operation at some time after the start. This can be monitored by a clock, a timer, or the like inside the control unit 73, but other data, for example, data from the load device side, may be used.
When it is determined that the determination result of the procedure S11 is at the time of startup, the procedure proceeds to the procedure S12, and each data of the voltage, current, and temperature is taken into the control unit 73 from the fuel cell main body 71. Subsequently, the voltage-current characteristic or internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell main body 71 in data acquisition is detected or calculated by these parameters, and it is determined whether the voltage-current initial characteristic or internal resistance characteristic is within an allowable range. It is determined in S13. If the voltage-current initial characteristic or internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell body 71 at the time of data acquisition is within the allowable range (YES), the procedure proceeds to step S14. The load control is continued as it is, and the process ends.
If it is determined that the voltage-current initial characteristic or internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell body 71 at the time of data injection is out of the allowable range (NO), the procedure proceeds to step S15 and the air supply from the air supply compressor 76 is performed. In order to keep the supply amount suitable for a normal load, and to transmit an overload current to the fuel cell main body 71, power elements, such as the switching element 78, are controlled from OFF to ON, and low resistance element 77 is carried out. Flows the current through. For this reason, in the oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell main body 71, a large amount of oxygen becomes moisture and is consumed, and the generated water obtains the wet state of the electrolyte membrane. Therefore, when the output decreases due to drying, the electrolyte membrane is quickly returned to the wet state, so that the output can be restored instantaneously. In addition, in this period, power cannot be supplied from the fuel cell body 71, but the load device 75 can temporarily use the power of the floating battery 80, and the power stage accompanying the power control can be avoided. Problems such as instantaneous blackouts can be effectively avoided.
In order to allow the overload current to flow through the fuel cell body 71, after controlling a power element such as the switching element 78 to ON, the procedure proceeds to step S16, and is the output voltage Vout lower than the voltage Vs? Whether or not the internal resistance value r is lower than rs is determined. If it is determined that the output voltage Vout has not yet fallen below the voltage Vs (the internal resistance value r has not fallen below rs) (NO), the procedure proceeds to step S18, where the fuel cell body 71 The overload current flowing through) is maintained as it is, and the flow returns to the procedure S16 for performing condition determination again.
Proceeding to the procedure S16, when it is determined that the output voltage Vout is lower than the voltage Vs (the internal resistance value r is lower than rs) (YES), the fuel cell body 71 has already occurred. The function recovery is performed by the generated water, and the overload current flowing through the fuel cell body 71 is cut off. Therefore, switching elements 78 such as power elements are controlled from the on state to the off state. By controlling the switching element 78 in such an off state, the current flowing through the resistance element 77 is cut off (procedure S17), and at the same time, the overload current flowing through the fuel cell body 71 is also cut off. As a result, the load on the fuel cell body 71 becomes a normal load, and the output voltage Vout returns to its original state as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 8, for example.
Subsequently, in the case of the operation at a time elapsed time from the start of operation, it is determined that the operation is performed in step S11, and the procedure proceeds to step S19, where the data of the voltage, current, and temperature are transferred from the fuel cell body 71 to the control unit 73. Blown into). Subsequently, the voltage-current characteristic or internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell main body 71 in data acquisition is detected or calculated by these parameters, and the voltage-current fall characteristic or the increase characteristic of internal resistance during the operation is within an allowable range. It is determined in the procedure S20. If the voltage-current dropping characteristic or the increase characteristic of the internal resistance of the fuel cell body 71 at the time of data acquisition is within the allowable range (YES), the procedure proceeds to step S21, and the present operating situation is assumed to be good, and The load control is continued as it is, and the process ends.
In the case where it is determined that the voltage-current dropping characteristic or the increase characteristic of the internal resistance of the fuel cell body 71 at the time of data injection is out of the allowable range (N0), the procedure proceeds to step S15 and from the air supply compressor 76. Air supply is maintained at a supply amount suitable for a normal load, and a power element such as the switching element 78 is controlled from off to on in order to flow an overload current to the fuel cell main body 71, thereby providing a low resistance resistance element. The current flows to (77). For this reason, in the oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell main body 71, a large amount of oxygen becomes moisture and is consumed, and the wet state of the electrolyte membrane is obtained by the generated water. Therefore, when the output decreases due to drying, it is possible to recover the output momentarily in order to return the electrolyte membrane to the wet state quickly. In this period, the power supply from the fuel cell main body 71 cannot be supplied, but the load device 75 can temporarily use the power of the floating battery 80, such as a step that is accompanied by power control. Problems can also be effectively avoided.
In addition, as in the case of startup, in order to flow an overload current to the fuel cell body 71, after controlling a power element such as the switching element 78 to ON, the procedure proceeds to step S16, where the output voltage Vout is increased. It is determined whether or not the voltage is lower than the voltage Vs (whether the internal resistance value r is lower than the rs). If it is determined that the output voltage Vout has not fallen below the voltage Vs (the internal resistance value r has not fallen below rs) (NO), the procedure proceeds to step S18, where the fuel cell main body 71 The overload current flowing through) is maintained as it is, and the flow returns to the procedure S16 for performing condition determination again.
Proceeding to the procedure S16, when it is determined that the output voltage Vout is lower than the voltage Vs (the internal resistance value r is lower than rs) (YES), the fuel cell body 71 has already occurred. The function recovery is performed by the generated water, and the overload current flowing through the fuel cell body 71 is cut off. For this reason, switching elements 78, such as a power element, are controlled from the on state to the off state. By controlling the switching element 78 in such an off state, the current flowing through the resistance element 77 is interrupted (procedure S17), and at the same time, the overload current flowing through the fuel cell body 71 is also blocked. As a result, the load on the fuel cell body 71 becomes a normal load, and the output voltage Vout returns to its original state as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 8, for example.
As described above, the fuel cell device of the present embodiment determines whether the voltage-current characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic, which is the output characteristic from the fuel cell body, is within the allowable range, and when the deviation is out of the allowable range, By controlling the on state, an overload current flows through the fuel cell body. In addition, after the overload current flows, the switching element is controlled to be in the off state when the level falls below a certain level with reference to the output voltage or the internal resistance value, so that the overload current to the fuel cell body is stopped. Therefore, the recovery of the output characteristics of the fuel cell body can be performed in a relatively short time, and since the control proceeds while monitoring the output characteristics or the increase characteristics of the internal resistance, the recovery operation is not unnecessary. In particular, whether the voltage-current characteristic or the increase in the internal resistance, which are the output characteristics from the fuel cell body, is within the allowable range, is controlled differently during startup and during operation, and even if the electrolyte membrane states are slightly different, Control can be performed.
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the fuel cell apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated. The apparatus of FIG. 10 has, for example, a fuel cell main body 91 having a structure in which a plurality of MEAs such as MEAs are stacked, a control unit 93 for controlling load, and a fuel cell main body 91. ) Is a load control section for varying the value of the load applied to the fuel cell body 91, having a power compensation circuit section comprising a DC-DC converter 97, a diode 99, and a floating battery 98; have. The power supply compensating circuit portion functions as a bypass circuit that makes electrical connections between both electrodes when the output voltage becomes below the threshold voltage. A load device 95 through which the electromotive force generated in the fuel cell main body 91 is supplied is connected to the fuel cell main body 91 via the load control unit. Furthermore, a fuel fluid is supplied to the fuel cell main body 91 through the fuel introduction pipe ( A hydrogen supply device 92 for supplying via 101 is connected. In addition, an air supply compressor 96 for supplying air and evaporating excess moisture is connected to the fuel cell main body 91. The air from the air supply compressor 96 reaches the fuel cell body 91 via the air inlet pipe 102 and is exhausted along with the excess water through the air exhaust pipe 103.
In the apparatus of FIG. 10, the fuel cell body 91, the hydrogen supply device 92, the control unit 93, the load device 95, and the air supply compressor 96 respectively correspond to those shown in FIG. 7. It has the same structure as the apparatus, and duplicate description is omitted here for the sake of simplicity. The device of FIG. 10 has a configuration in which the DC-DC converter 97 is disposed in place of the low resistance circuit in the device of FIG. 7, and the DC-DC converter 97 is a control signal from the control unit 93. As a result, the input current on the primary side can be increased. That is, the DC-DC converter 97 greatly increases the input current on the primary side when the voltage-current characteristic or the increase characteristic of the internal resistance, which are output characteristics from the fuel cell body, is out of the allowable range, and thereby Due to this, it has a function of flowing an overcurrent to the fuel cell body. Due to this overcurrent, a large amount of oxygen is consumed in the oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell main body 91 to become moisture, and the wet state of the electrolyte membrane is obtained by the generated water. Therefore, when the output decreases due to drying, the output can be restored instantaneously in order to return the electrolyte membrane to the wet state quickly. In addition, in this period, the power supply from the fuel cell main body 91 cannot be supplied, but the power of the floating battery 98 can be temporarily used by the load device 95, such as a step that involves power control. Problems can also be effectively avoided.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, in order to allow an overcurrent to flow through the fuel cell body, a short circuit or low resistance between the pair of output terminals is configured, but the resistance value of the output terminal must be manipulated. It is not limited to the method, and means for short-circuit or low resistance between the fuel-side electrode and the oxygen-side electrode may be formed in the MEA itself, the current collector, or the like. You may make it install more than one. In addition, in order to achieve a uniform function recovery process in the electrolyte membrane, it is also possible to perform dedicated wiring for flowing an overcurrent to the fuel cell body.
In the present embodiment, an example in which the predetermined output characteristic recovery operation is performed while monitoring the output voltage, the internal resistance, or the like of the fuel cell main body has been described. It is also possible to perform a recovery operation, and in particular, a good result can be obtained even when the timer is used during startup. In addition, when the fuel cell main body is composed of a plurality of generators, it is possible to perform overcurrent treatment on all of the generators at once, but it is also possible to sequentially process the generators to which the overcurrent is applied by shifting them in time. Do.
It is also possible to use the control unit 93 for both load control and air supply, as will be described later.
A very preferred embodiment of the fuel cell device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing a fuel cell device of this embodiment. The fuel cell device 110 according to the present embodiment includes a fuel cell body 111 that generates electromotive force, a control unit 113 for controlling load, and air for sending air to the fuel cell body 111. It has an air supply control part 116, The electromotive force is always supplied to the load apparatus 115 from the output terminal of the fuel cell main body 111, The hydrogen supply apparatus for supplying fuel fluid to the fuel cell main body 111 112 is connected.
The fuel cell main body 111 has a structure in which a substantially flat electrolyte membrane as described later is sandwiched between the fuel side electrode and the oxygen side electrode as an example, and the fuel side electrode has a hydrogen supply device having a hydrogen storage function ( 112 is supplied with a fuel fluid such as hydrogen gas or methanol. The oxygen side electrode is an electrode for blowing oxygen in the air, and the electrolyte membrane is sandwiched and replaced with the fuel side electrode. The oxygen side electrode may be an open air type, or may have a structure in which air is sent by a compressor, a pump, a fan, or the like. The fuel cell body 111 may have a stack (lamination) type in which a plurality of structures in which a substantially flat electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between a fuel side electrode and an oxygen side electrode may be stacked, and one or two layers are stacked to maintain a flat plate shape. You can do it.
The hydrogen supply device 112 is a device for supplying a fuel fluid such as alcohol such as hydrogen gas or methanol to the fuel cell body 111. As an example, a hydrogen high pressure tank, a cartridge containing a hydrogen storage alloy, or the like is used. It is available. As described later, the hydrogen supply device 112 can be attached to or detached from the fuel cell main body 111, and a structure in which information about the fuel state is transmitted and received at the joint portion can also be provided.
The control unit 113 is a controller for controlling the fuel cell device 110, and monitors the output or internal resistance state of the fuel cell of the fuel cell body 111 and performs control according to the output or internal resistance state. A signal to be output is output to the air supply control unit 116. The control unit 113 is constituted by a necessary electronic circuit, a central processing unit (CPU), and the like, but is not necessarily integrated with the fuel cell body 111, and is mounted separately or includes the fuel cell body 111. A part of the information processing unit of the electronic device may be utilized. In the present embodiment, the control unit 113 monitors the output voltage or the internal resistance value of the fuel cell. However, the control unit 113 may monitor the output current without being limited thereto or simultaneously monitor conditions such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. .
The air supply control part 116 is a control part which makes the air supplied to the fuel cell main body 111 vary according to the output of this fuel cell main body 111, or an internal resistance state. A device that changes the air pressure of a compressor, a fan, a pump, or the like, supplies oxygen contained in the air to the surface of the oxygen-side electrode of the fuel cell body 111, and at the same time, absorbs moisture generated on the surface of the oxygen-side electrode. It is a device that evaporates by sending it to air. This air supply control part 116 may be formed integrally with the fuel cell main body 111, and may be a device which attaches or detaches as a separate member.
The load device 115 is a device to which the electromotive force generated in the fuel cell device 110 is supplied. For example, when the device on which the fuel cell device 110 is mounted is a PC, the fuel is used as a power source of the PC. Since the battery device 110 is used, the load device 115 is an internal circuit, a peripheral device, or the like. In addition, when the fuel cell device 110 is mounted on a transport machine such as an automobile, the load device corresponds to a device such as a motor that brings propulsion force. In addition, when the fuel cell apparatus 110 is used as a small household power supply, a light bulb, a household electric apparatus, etc. correspond to a load apparatus.
Moreover, in order to put the fuel cell main body 111 into an overcurrent state, the switching element between the output terminals of the fuel cell main body 111 may be arrange | positioned, the switch element may be made ON, and it may make it short-circuit. In order to make the battery main body 111 an overcurrent state, you may comprise so that the output terminal of the fuel cell main body 111 may be connected by the low resistance element.
Next, an example of the operation of the air supply control unit 16 is described with reference to FIG. 12. 12 is the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell main body at a constant load current, and the horizontal axis is time t. In the fuel cell device 110 of FIG. 11, although the initial voltage Vout is kept relatively large, drying of the electrode on the surface of the fuel cell body 111 may progress due to the use environment while the operation state continues. . As a result, the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell main body 111 starts to gradually decrease and falls below the threshold voltage Vth at a certain time t 0 . This threshold voltage Vth is a reference level which shows that the output of the fuel cell of the fuel cell main body 1111 fell, and the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell main body 111 is threshold on the control unit 113 side. When it is determined that the value voltage Vth is lower, the control unit 113 detects that the output of the fuel cell of the fuel cell main body 111 has decreased, and the operation for function recovery is performed. Specifically, a signal is sent from the control unit 113 to the air supply control unit l16, and for example, the air sent from the air supply control unit 116 is temporarily stopped.
Transition of the air supply control unit l16 to the blowing stop state prevents evaporation of moisture on the surface of the fuel cell main body 111, and it is possible to return the dried surface of the fuel cell main body 111 to a wet state for a short time. Do. When this air supply control part 116 is in the air blowing stop state, a load current flows through a fuel cell, and water generate | occur | produces by injecting oxygen atoms by ion exchange. Therefore, the surface of the fuel cell main body 111 can be returned to a wet state in a very short time. In this way, while the air supply control unit 116 is in the air blowing stop state, the power supply to the load device 115 at the rear end is a problem as well, but power compensation means such as a floating battery or a capacitor, which will be described later, is temporarily By using it, the electric power feeding to the load apparatus 115 does not lose | break.
By bringing the air supply control unit 116 into the air blowing stop state, the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell main body 111 continues to decrease rapidly, but at the time point t 1 in FIG. 12, the output voltage Vout becomes a voltage. Below the Vs, the drop of the output voltage Vout up to this point is detected on the control unit 113 side. As a result, the control unit 113 sends a signal to the air supply control unit 16 to end the operation for restoring the function of the fuel cell. In response to this signal, the air supply control unit 116 transitions the mode of the device from the state of stopping the air to the normal state of blowing operation.
In addition, as a parameter for detecting the dry state of the fuel cell main body 111, instead of the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell main body at the time of said load current constant, the internal resistance value (for example, using a current interrupt method) is used. r) can be used. In this case, when the internal resistance value r exceeds a certain value, the fuel cell main body 111 is in the air blowing stop state by the control as described above, so that the surface of the fuel cell main body 111 dried for a short time is removed. It is possible to return to the wet state.
Thus, in the fuel cell apparatus 110 of this embodiment, when the output voltage Vout from the fuel cell main body 111 falls below the threshold voltage Vth (internal resistance is used, when internal resistance value is used). When the value is increased above the value rth}, the air supply control unit 116 is placed in the blow stop state, and the fuel cell main body 111 is controlled to be in an overcurrent state. Recovery is done. Therefore, even in the case of operation such as a long time or starting up, even when the moisture on the surface of the fuel cell body 111 is poor and the rated output voltage cannot be obtained, the output characteristics of the fuel cell can be restored in a relatively short time. . In addition, in the fuel cell device 110 of the present embodiment, the output voltage is also lowered while the air supply control unit 116 is in the air blowing stop state. Thus, the power of a floating battery, a capacitor, or the like described later Compensation means can be used temporarily.
Next, a more detailed embodiment of the fuel cell device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. First, as shown in FIG. 13, the fuel cell apparatus of this embodiment has the fuel cell main body 171 of the structure which laminated | stacked the power generating bodies like several MEA, for example, and performs load control further. The switching element 178 and the resistance element 177 as a load control unit connected to the control unit 173 and the fuel cell main body 171 to vary the value of the load applied to the fuel cell main body 171. A low resistance circuit portion, and a power compensation circuit portion composed of a diode 179 and a floating battery 180. The load device 175 to which the electromotive force generated in the fuel cell body 171 is supplied is connected to the fuel cell body 171 via the load control unit, and the hydrogen for supplying fuel fluid to the fuel cell body 171 is further connected. The supply device l72 is connected. In addition, an air supply compressor 176 is connected to the fuel cell main body 171 as an air supply control unit for supplying air and evaporating excess moisture. This air supply compressor 176 functions as the air supply control part 16 in FIG.
As described above, the fuel cell main body 171 stacks the MEA sandwiching the electrolyte membrane between the fuel side electrode and the oxygen side electrode, supplies hydrogen to the fuel side electrode, and supplies air to the oxygen side electrode. A pair is generated between the output terminals. Fuel fluid such as hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen supply device 172 to the fuel cell main body 171 via the gas supply path 181, and the fuel fluid is sent to the fuel side electrode of the fuel cell main body 171.
The air supply compressor 176 is a device that functions as an air supply control unit. For example, the air supply compressor 176 includes a mechanism for causing a change in air pressure such as a fan and a pump. It is an apparatus for supplying oxygen contained in and evaporating moisture generated on the surface of the oxygen side electrode by sending air. The air supply compressor 176 may be formed integrally with the fuel cell main body 171 or may be a device that is detached as a separate member. The air supply compressor 176 is connected to the fuel cell main body 171 via the air inlet pipe 182, and the oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell main body 171 is disposed near the outlet of the air inlet pipe l82. do. If the oxygen-side electrode is covered with water, it is impossible to inject more oxygen and the power generation characteristics are lowered. However, by providing the air supply compressor 176, unnecessary moisture is evaporated and removed. As a result, problems such as excess water at the oxygen-side electrode, resulting in a decrease in output, are prevented. In addition, in the fuel cell main body 171, the fuel cell main body 171 is dried on the contrary at the time of starting or long time operation, and as a result, there exists a possibility that the efficiency of ion exchange in an electrolyte membrane may fall, In the fuel cell apparatus of the aspect, the fuel cell body 171 can be temporarily stopped in the air blowing state, so that the dry state of the fuel cell body 171 can be solved. The air supplied to the fuel cell body 171 is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell body 171 through the air exhaust pipe 183.
The load device 175 is a device to which the electromotive force generated in the fuel cell device is supplied. For example, when the device on which the fuel cell device is mounted is a PC, the fuel cell device is used as a power source for the PC. The load device 175 is an internal circuit, a peripheral device, or the like. In addition, when the fuel cell device is mounted on a transport machine such as an automobile, the load device corresponds to a device such as a motor that brings propulsion force. In addition, when the fuel cell device is used as a small household power supply, a light bulb, a household electric device, or the like corresponds to the load device 175.
In FIG. 13, the control unit 173 controls the low resistance circuit portion and the power compensation circuit portion of the air supply compressor 176 and the load control unit, which will be described later, while monitoring the output or internal resistance state of the fuel cell body 171. It is an apparatus for doing so. The state of the output of the fuel cell main body 171 or the internal resistance is monitored by the signaled information from the output terminal of the fuel cell, that is, the MEA. Although the apparatus of FIG. 13 uses the method of monitoring the state of the output or internal resistance of the fuel cell main body 171, it is not limited to this, It is also possible to monitor the wettability of each electrode or electrolyte membrane directly, and It is also possible to use a barometric pressure sensor or a combination with an output sensor. In addition, the control unit 173 can directly monitor the operation status of the air supply compressor 176.
In the case of controlling the operation of the air supply compressor 176 to restore the power generation function, water is generated by flowing a current through the fuel cell body 171. In other words, by stopping the operation of the air supply compressor 176, evaporation of water can be prevented, and at the same time, the generated water can be quickly penetrated into the electrolyte membrane. The blowing stop of this air supply compressor 176 is good in a comparatively short period of time, and can generate power generation performance quickly. In addition, the control unit 173 can also receive information on the power consumption state and the need of the load device 175, and can realize high-efficiency generation with little waste based on those information.
In addition to the control of the blowing operation of the air supply compressor 176, the fuel cell device of the present embodiment is a load control unit for varying the value of the load current applied to the fuel cell body 171. 178 and a resistance resistor circuit 177, and a power compensation circuit section consisting of a diode 179 and a floating battery 180. The switching element 178 and the resistance element 177 which constitute a low resistance circuit part are circuits which operate according to the signal from the control unit 173 mentioned above, for example, as the switching element 178, You may use semiconductor elements, such as an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), a relay, etc. in the form. The resistance element 177 has an extremely small resistance value compared with the load device 175, and the potential difference generated at both ends when a current flows becomes a small value. When the switching element 178 and the resistance element 177 are connected in series between the plus terminal and the minus terminal of the output terminal of the fuel cell main body 171, and the gate electrode of the switching element 178 is controlled to the on side, the switching element 178 is brought into a conductive state, and the load current applied to the output terminal of the fuel cell body 171 increases.
The power compensation circuit part of the load control part is comprised of the diode 179 and the floating battery 180, and the diode 179 functions as a rectifier in the case where the output of the fuel cell main body 171 falls. The floating battery 180 has a low resistance between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the output terminal of the fuel cell main body l71 due to the operation of the low resistance circuit section composed of the switching element 178 and the resistance element 177. Instead of the fuel cell body 171, the device functions as a power source for the load device 175. The plus terminal of the floating battery 180 is connected to the plus terminal of the output terminal of the fuel cell body 171 via the diode 179 and simultaneously connected to the plus terminal side of the load device 175, and the floating battery 180 The negative terminal of is connected to the negative terminal of the output terminal of the fuel cell main body 171 and is connected to the negative terminal side of the load device 175. When the switching element 178 is in the on state, the floating battery 180 drives the load device 175 with the electromotive force. In addition, a capacitor or the like may be used instead of the floating battery 180.
FIG. 14 is an example of a time chart for explaining the operation of the fuel cell device of FIG. 13, and an example in which the output voltage at a constant load current of the fuel cell is used for detection as a dry state parameter. The horizontal axis represents time t, and the vertical axis represents cell voltage V cell at a constant load current. The cell voltage V cell corresponds to the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell body 171. When the output voltage drop of the fuel cell main body 171 becomes remarkable, the fuel cell device detects that the output voltage drop decreases, and is lower than a certain value (for example, Vth in FIG. 12). When it is determined that the air supply compressor 176 is controlled to blow the air, the air supply compressor 176 is controlled by the signal from the control unit 173.
When restoring the power generation performance, first, the air supply from the air supply compressor 176 is controlled. For example, in the state where the output voltage of the fuel cell main body 171 falls, the control which stops supply of air by stopping operation | movement of the air supply compressor 176 once can be performed. By stopping the air supply compressor 176 once, the evaporation of water can be prevented, and the generated water can be quickly penetrated into the electrolyte membrane. By penetration, power generation performance can be quickly restored.
In addition, the transition of the low resistance circuit portion to the low resistance causes the fuel cell body 171 to change to a state where the output terminals are low resistance or short-circuited, and a large overcurrent is applied to the fuel cell body 171. Will flow. Due to the overcurrent flowing through the fuel cell main body 171, oxygen atoms are actively combined with hydrogen atoms at the oxygen-side electrode to temporarily generate a large amount of generated water, and when the output decreases due to drying, the electrolyte membrane is quickly wetted. It is possible to restore the output momentarily in order to undo it.
When the supply of air to the fuel cell main body 171 is stopped, the potential difference of the output terminal, that is, the cell voltage V cell also decreases rapidly, as shown in FIG. For example, below the voltage Vs of FIG. 12, the control unit 173 detects that the output voltage is lower than the required voltage, and makes the transition to normal air supply control. Then, the air supply control unit returns to the normal state and supplies air to the oxygen side electrode. As a result, the cell voltage V cell , that is, the output voltage Vout is also reversed and rapidly increased. When the output voltage Vout of the fuel cell body 171 becomes high again, the voltage Vb of the floating battery 180 is exceeded, and the supply of power from the fuel cell body 171 to the load device 175 is again performed. Is done. In this step, a large amount of generated water is generated when the air supply to the fuel cell main body 171 is stopped, and the electrolyte membrane is quickly wetted, so that the output can be restored instantaneously.
FIG. 14 further illustrates the case where the fuel cell device is operated. When the same output voltage decreases by continuing the operation again, air supply to the fuel cell body 171 for restoring the same function may be stopped. Similarly, the output voltage can be improved. In addition, if the air supply from the fuel cell body 171 is such that the self-humidification state can be maintained, the output voltage is balanced to a predetermined value, and the output voltage can be maintained at that value to enable long-term power generation.
Next, an example of each procedure for operating the fuel cell device of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 15. The fuel cell device of the present embodiment operates to recover the output characteristics or the internal resistance characteristics when they fall outside the allowable range. In this example, since the allowable ranges are different in the operation at the time of starting immediately after the start of the operation of the fuel cell device and some time after the start of the operation, the processing is performed in different procedures. This procedure is a procedure of judgment of the control unit, for example, the control procedure of the CPU in the control unit 173 of FIG. 13 corresponds to the flowchart of FIG.
As the control procedure, first, in step S31, it is determined whether the current step is the operation immediately after starting the operation of the fuel cell device and the operation at some time after the start. This can be monitored by a clock, a timer, or the like inside the control unit 173, but other data, for example, data on the load device side, may be used.
When it is determined that the determination result of the procedure S31 is the start time, the procedure proceeds to the procedure S32, and each data of the voltage, current, and temperature is taken into the control unit 173 from the fuel cell main body 171. Subsequently, these parameters detect or calculate the voltage-current characteristic or internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell main body 171 in the data acquisition, and it is determined whether the voltage-current initial characteristic or internal resistance characteristic is within the allowable range. Judging from If the voltage-current initial characteristic or internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell main body 171 in the data injection is within the allowable range (YES), the procedure proceeds to step S34, and the present operating situation is assumed to be good, The load control is continued as it is, and the process ends.
When it is determined that the voltage-current initial characteristic or internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell main body 171 in the data injection is out of the allowable range (NO), the procedure proceeds to step S35 to supply air from the air supply compressor 176. Stop. By stopping the air supply from the air supply compressor 176, evaporation of moisture generated at the oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell main body 171 is suppressed. Subsequently, the procedure proceeds to step S36, where it is determined whether the output voltage Vout is lower than the voltage Vb. Here, the voltage Vb is the nominal voltage Vb of the floating battery 180 described above, but in view of its control and fine adjustment, a rather high bias voltage or a low bias voltage is set. It may be. If the output voltage Vout is not lower than the voltage Vb (NO), the process returns to the procedure S36 while continuing to stop the supply of the air from the air supply compressor 176 (procedure S41), and again output voltage. It is determined whether or not Vout is lower than the voltage Vb.
In step S36, it is determined whether or not the output voltage Vout is lower than the voltage Vb, and when the output voltage Vout is lower than the voltage Vb (YES), control to apply the load to the load resistance is performed. (Step S37), power elements such as the switching element 178 are controlled from off to on, and current is sent to the low resistance element 177. As a result, in the oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell body 171, a large amount of oxygen is consumed to become water, and the generated water obtains the wet state of the electrolyte membrane. Therefore, when the output decreases due to drying, the output can be restored instantaneously in order to return the electrolyte membrane to the wet state quickly. In addition, since the power supply from the fuel cell main body 171 cannot be provided in the period, the load device 175 can temporarily use the power of the floating battery 180, and the step that is accompanied by power control, etc. This problem can also be effectively avoided.
In order to allow the overload current to flow to the fuel cell main body 171, after controlling a power element such as the switching element 178 to on, the procedure proceeds to step S38, where the output voltage Vout is lower than the voltage Vs. Whether or not the internal resistance value r is lower than rs is determined. If it is determined that the output voltage Vout is not lower than the voltage Vs (the internal resistance value r is lower than rs) (NO), the procedure proceeds to step S41, and from the air supply compressor 176. While continuing to stop supplying air, the overload current flowing through the fuel cell main body 171 is maintained as it is, and the flow returns to the procedure S36 for performing condition determination again.
If it is determined in step S38 that the output voltage Vout is lower than the voltage Vs (the internal resistance value r is lower than rs) (YES), the generated water already generated in the fuel cell main body 171 is determined. By the function recovery, the overload current flowing through the fuel cell main body 171 is interrupted in step S39. Therefore, switching elements 178 such as power elements are controlled from the on state to the off state. By controlling the switching element 178 in the off state as described above, the current flowing through the resistance element 177 is cut off, and at the same time, the overload current flowing through the fuel cell main body 171 is also cut off. As a result, the load applied to the fuel cell body 171 becomes a normal load. In addition, when it is determined that the output voltage Vout is lower than the voltage Vs (the internal resistance value r is lower than rs) (YES), the air supply from the air supply compressor 176 is also resumed. (Step S40), the processing ends. Although FIG. 15 introduces an example of the procedure in the case of combining the air supply control and the load current control, this embodiment also becomes the case of the air supply control alone. In other words, the procedure S36, S37, S39, and S41 may be omitted.
Subsequently, in the operation that is the time elapsed from the start of operation, it is determined that the operation is performed in step S31, and the procedure proceeds to step S42, in which the data of the voltage, current, and temperature are transmitted from the fuel cell body 171 to the control unit 173. Blown into). Subsequently, these parameters detect or calculate the voltage-current characteristics or internal resistance characteristics of the fuel cell main body 171 in the data acquisition, and whether or not the voltage-current deterioration characteristics or internal resistance characteristics during its operation are within the allowable range. It is determined in the procedure S43. If the voltage-current lowering characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell main body 171 in the data acquisition is within the allowable range (YES), the procedure proceeds to step S44, where the present operating situation is good, and The load control is continued as it is, and the process ends.
When it is determined that the voltage-current lowering characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell body 171 at the time of data injection is outside the allowable range (N0), the procedure proceeds to step S35, where the air from the air supply compressor 176 is supplied. Stop supply. By stopping the air supply from the air supply compressor 176, evaporation of water generated at the oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell main body 171 is suppressed. Next, in order to flow an overload current to the fuel cell main body 171, it progresses to the procedure S36, and it is judged whether the output voltage Vout fell below the voltage Vb. Although the voltage Vb is the nominal voltage Vb of the above-mentioned floating battery 180, in view of the control and the unadjusted amount, a rather high bias voltage may be set or a low bias voltage may be set. If the output voltage Vout is not lower than the voltage Vb (NO), the output voltage is returned to the procedure S36 while continuing the stop of the air supply from the air supply compressor 176 (procedure S41), and again output voltage. It is determined whether or not Vout is lower than the voltage Vb.
In step S36, it is determined whether or not the output voltage Vout is lower than the voltage Vb. When the output voltage Vout is lower than the voltage Vb (YES), control is applied to apply an electrical load to the load resistance. (Procedure S37) The power element such as the switching element 178 is controlled from off to on, and a current flows through the low resistance element 177. For this reason, in the oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell main body 171, a large amount of oxygen is consumed and it becomes water, and the produced | generated water acquires the wet state of an electrolyte membrane. Therefore, when the output decreases due to drying, the electrolyte membrane is quickly returned to the wet state, so that the output can be restored instantaneously. In addition, in this period, since the power supply from the fuel cell main body 171 cannot be supplied, the load device 175 can temporarily use the power of the floating battery 180, which is accompanied by power control. This problem can also be effectively avoided.
In order to allow the overload current to flow through the fuel cell body 171, after controlling a power element such as the switching element 178 to ON, the procedure proceeds to step S38, where the output voltage Vout is lower than the voltage Vs. Whether or not the internal resistance value r is lower than rs is determined. If it is determined that the output voltage Vout is still lower than the voltage Vs (the internal resistance value r is lower than the rs) (NO), the procedure proceeds to step S41, from the air supply compressor 176. While continuing to stop supplying air, the overload current flowing through the fuel cell main body 171 is maintained as it is, and the flow returns to the procedure S36 for performing condition determination again.
Also during this operation, when it is determined that the output voltage Vout is lower than the voltage Vs in the procedure S38 as in the start-up (the internal resistance value r is lower than the rs) (YES), the fuel cell is already present. It is assumed that the function recovery is performed by the generated water generated in the main body 171, and the overload current flowing through the fuel cell main body 171 is interrupted in step S39. For this reason, switching elements 178, such as a power element, are controlled from the on state to the off state. By controlling the switching element 178 in the off state as described above, the current flowing through the resistance element 177 is cut off, and at the same time, the overload current flowing through the fuel cell body 171 is also cut off. As a result, the load applied to the fuel cell body 171 becomes a normal load. In addition, when it is determined that the output voltage Vout is lower than the voltage Vs (the internal resistance value r is lower than rs) (YES), the air supply from the air supply compressor 176 is also resumed. (Step S40), the processing ends.
As described above, the fuel cell device of the present embodiment determines whether the voltage-current characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic, which is the output characteristic from the fuel cell body, is within the allowable range, and when it is out of the allowable range, the air supply compressor The air supply from 176 is stopped, and furthermore, the switching element is controlled to the on state so that an overload current flows through the fuel cell body. In addition, after the overload current flows, the switching element is controlled to be in the off state when the voltage falls below a certain level with reference to the output voltage or the internal resistance value, so that the overload current to the fuel cell body is stopped.
Therefore, since the recovery of the output characteristics of the fuel cell body can be performed in a relatively short time, and the control proceeds while monitoring the output characteristics, the recovery operation is not unnecessary. In particular, whether the voltage-current characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic, which is the output characteristic from the fuel cell body, is within the allowable range, different control is performed at startup and during operation, and each control is accurate even if the state of the electrolyte membrane is slightly different. Can be done.
In the present embodiment, the air supply from the air supply compressor 176 has been described as being stopped in the period for output recovery, but the air volume of the air is lowered for output recovery instead of stop, and then restored after the recovery. The return control may be performed. In addition, in the procedure of FIG. 15, after controlling the air supply from the air supply compressor 176, it is comprised so that the amount of electric current which may flow through a fuel cell main body may be adjusted, but after adjusting the amount of electric current which flows through a fuel cell main body, an air supply compressor ( The air supply from the air supply compressor 176 may be controlled, or the air supply from the air supply compressor 176 may be controlled.
Next, with reference to FIG. 16, the fuel cell apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment is demonstrated. The apparatus of FIG. 16 has, for example, a fuel cell body 211 having a structure in which a plurality of power generators such as MEAs are stacked, a control unit 213 for controlling air supply and load, and a fuel cell. A low resistance circuit portion comprising a switching element 218 and a resistance element 217 and a diode 219 as a load control unit connected to the main body 211 to vary the value of the load applied to the fuel cell main body 211. And a power compensating circuit portion formed of the floating battery 220.
A load device 215 through which the electromotive force generated in the fuel cell main body 211 is supplied is connected to the fuel cell main body 211 via the load control unit. Furthermore, a fuel fluid is supplied to the fuel cell main body 211 through the fuel introduction pipe ( A hydrogen supply device 212 for supplying via 223 is connected. In addition, an air supply compressor 216 for supplying oxygen and evaporating excess moisture is connected to the fuel cell body 211. The air from the air supply compressor 216 reaches the fuel cell body 211 via the air introduction pipe 224 and is exhausted along with the excess water through the air exhaust pipe 222.
The air exhaust pipe 222 passes through the oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell body 211 and is a fluid path for evaporating and discharging excess water generated at the oxygen side electrode. In particular, in the present embodiment, the air exhaust pipe 222 is provided with a shutoff valve 221 capable of blocking the flow of air in the air exhaust pipe 222. The shutoff valve 221 indicates a shutoff state and a circulation state in accordance with a signal from the control unit 213. For example, when the output characteristic of the fuel cell body 211 is deteriorated, the flow of air is shut off. In order to transition the shutoff valve 221 to a blocked state. By transitioning the shutoff valve 221 to the shutoff state, the removal of water from the oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell body 211 is suppressed, and the wet state of the electrolyte membrane is quickly obtained by the generated water. Therefore, when output fall is caused by drying, it is possible to recover an output instantaneously. In the apparatus of FIG. 16, the fuel cell body 211, the hydrogen supply device 212, the load device 215, and the air supply compressor 216 are the same as the corresponding devices shown in FIG. 13. Configuration, and duplicate descriptions are omitted here for simplicity.
In the apparatus of FIG. 16, in addition to the control of the air supply of the air supply compressor 216 by the control unit 213, the flow of air on the oxygen side electrode surface is also controlled by the shutoff valve 221 formed in the air exhaust pipe 222. In a device in which the air supply compressor 216 is stopped or the like is undesirable, the shutoff valve 221 can ensure reliable control.
In the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, when the output decreases due to drying, the output can be restored instantaneously in order to return the electrolyte membrane to the wet state quickly. In addition, in this period, the power supply from the fuel cell body 211 cannot be supplied, but the load device 215 can temporarily use the power of the floating battery 220, such as a step that is accompanied by power control. Problems can also be effectively avoided.
Next, with reference to FIG. 17, the fuel cell apparatus which concerns on 7th Embodiment is demonstrated. The apparatus of FIG. 17 has, for example, a fuel cell body 231 having a structure in which a plurality of MEAs such as MEAs are stacked, a control unit 233 for controlling air supply and load, and a fuel cell. A low resistance circuit section comprising a switching element 238 and a resistance element 237 as a load control unit connected to the main body 231 to vary the value of the load applied to the fuel cell main body 231, and a diode 239. And a power compensating circuit part including the floating battery 240.
A load device 235 through which the electromotive force generated in the fuel cell body 231 is supplied is connected to the fuel cell body 231 via the load control unit. The hydrogen supply apparatus 232 for supplying via is connected. In addition, an air supply compressor 236 for supplying oxygen and evaporating excess moisture is connected to the fuel cell body 231. The air from the air supply compressor 236 reaches the fuel cell body 231 via the air introduction pipe 242 and is exhausted along with the excess water through the air exhaust pipe 241.
The air introduction pipe 242 is a fluid passage for sending air to the oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell body 231. In particular, in the present embodiment, the air inlet pipe 242 is provided with a shutoff valve 243 capable of blocking the flow of air in the air exhaust pipe 241. The shutoff valve 243 indicates a shutoff state and a circulation state in response to a signal from the control unit 233. For example, when the output characteristic of the fuel cell main body 231 is deteriorated, the shutoff valve 243 A shutoff valve 243 for blocking is shifted to a shutoff state. By transitioning the shutoff valve 243 to the shutoff state, the removal of water from the oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell body 231 is suppressed, and the wet state of the electrolyte membrane is quickly obtained by the generated water. Therefore, when output fall is caused by drying, it is possible to recover an output instantaneously. In the apparatus of FIG. 17, the fuel cell body 231, the hydrogen supply device 232, the load device 235, and the air supply compressor 236 are similar to the corresponding devices shown in FIG. 13. Configuration, and duplicate descriptions are omitted here for simplicity.
In the apparatus of FIG. 17, in addition to the control of the air supply of the air supply compressor 236 by the control unit 233, the flow of air on the surface of the oxygen side electrode also by the shutoff valve 243 formed in the air inlet tube 242. Can be controlled. In an apparatus in which the stop of the air supply compressor 236 is not preferable, the shutoff valve 243 can provide reliable control.
In the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, when the output decreases due to drying, the output can be restored instantaneously in order to quickly return the electrolyte membrane to the wet state. In this period, the power supply from the fuel cell main body 231 cannot be supplied. However, the load device 235 can temporarily use the power of the floating battery 240, such as a step that is accompanied by power control. Problems can also be effectively avoided.
Next, with reference to FIG. 18, the fuel cell apparatus which concerns on 8th Embodiment is demonstrated. The apparatus of FIG. 18 has, for example, a fuel cell body 251 having a structure in which a plurality of power generators such as MEAs are stacked, a control unit 253 for controlling air supply and load, and a fuel cell. A low resistance circuit portion comprising a switching element 258 and a resistance element 257 and a diode 259 as a load control unit connected to the main body 251 to vary the value of the load applied to the fuel cell main body 251. And a power compensating circuit section comprising a floating battery 260.
A load device 255 through which the electromotive force generated in the fuel cell body 251 is supplied is connected to the fuel cell body 251 via the load control unit. The hydrogen supply device 252 for supplying via is connected. In addition, the fuel cell body 251 is configured to be housed inside the case body as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 described above, and to generate power by blowing air through the opening portion 262 from the outside of the case body. Consists of.
In the present embodiment, the shutter 264 is provided in proximity to the opening 262, and the shutter 264 is opened and closed in response to a signal from the control unit 253, and the oxygen side of the fuel cell body 251 is provided. It is controlled whether air is supplied to the electrode. For example, when the shutter 264 is closed, air does not flow into the air inlet pipe 263 continuous to the shutter 264, and the water at the oxygen side electrode of the fuel cell main body 251 is removed. Removal is suppressed, and the wet state of the electrolyte membrane is quickly obtained by the generated water. Therefore, in the case where the output drop is caused by drying, it is possible to recover the output instantaneously. In the apparatus of FIG. 18, the fuel cell main body 251, the hydrogen supply device 252, and the load device 255 have the same configurations as the corresponding devices shown in FIG. 13, respectively. Duplicate description is omitted for the sake of brevity.
In the apparatus of FIG. 18, in addition to the control of the air supply of the air supply compressor 236 by the control unit 253, the flow of air on the surface of the oxygen side electrode also by the shutter 264 disposed close to the opening 262. Can be controlled. In an apparatus in which the air supply compressor 236 is not stopped, etc., it is possible to reliably control the shutter 264.
In the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, when the output decreases due to drying, the output can be restored instantaneously in order to return the electrolyte membrane to the wet state quickly. In this period, the power supply from the fuel cell main body 251 cannot be supplied. However, the load device 255 can temporarily use the power of the floating battery 260, such as a sequential step involving power control. Problems can also be effectively avoided.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, in order to allow an overcurrent to flow through the fuel cell body, a short circuit or low resistance between the pair of output terminals is configured, but the resistance value of the output terminal must be manipulated. Not limited to the method, a means for shorting or reducing resistance between the fuel side electrode and the oxygen side electrode may be formed in the MEA itself or the current collector, and the means for shorting or reducing the resistance is not limited to a single number. You may install it. In addition, in order to achieve a uniform function recovery process in the electrolyte membrane, it is also possible to perform dedicated wiring for flowing an overcurrent to the fuel cell body.
In the present embodiment, an example in which the predetermined output characteristic recovery operation is performed while monitoring the output voltage and the like of the fuel cell main body has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the predetermined output characteristic recovery operation is automatically performed by a timer or the like. It is also possible to do this. Particularly, at the time of starting or the like, a good result can be obtained even by using a timer. In addition, when the fuel cell main body is composed of a plurality of generators, it is possible to perform overcurrent treatment on all of the generators at once, but it is also possible to sequentially process the generators to which the overcurrent is applied by shifting them in time. Do.
In the present invention, a notebook PC is described as a device on which a fuel cell and a fuel cell card are mounted. As another use example, the present invention is a printer, a facsimile, a PC peripheral device, a telephone, a television receiver, an image display device. , Telecommunication equipment, mobile terminals, cameras, audio and video equipment, electric fans, radios, clocks, refrigerators, hair dryers, irons, pots, vacuum cleaners, rice cookers, electronic cookers, lighting equipment, game machines and radio control cars , Power tools, medical equipment, measuring equipment, on-board equipment, office equipment, health care equipment, electronically controlled robots, clothing-type electronic devices, various electric equipment, transportation machinery for vehicles, ships, aircraft, etc. It can be used for an apparatus and other uses. In particular, the present invention may be used in a fuel cell for a small portable device, because the relatively simple mechanism may be used. Small portable devices include laptop computers, PDAs, mobile phones, portable audio devices such as CDs and MDs, and portable video devices such as portable DVD digital cameras and digital video cameras.
Moreover, although the example which mainly uses hydrogen gas as a fuel was demonstrated in this invention, you may make it the structure which uses alcohol, such as methanol (liquid), as a fuel corresponding to what is called a direct methanol system.
According to the fuel cell device and the fuel cell control method of the present invention, when the load applied to the fuel cell is changed according to the output state of the fuel cell or the internal resistance state, and the output voltage is controlled to be low, the output current is As it becomes larger, the reaction at the oxygen-side electrode becomes active, and the amount of generated water increases. The generated water can suppress the drying of the oxygen electrode and at the same time form an appropriate wet state of the electrolyte, and can instantaneously restore the output characteristics.
Further, according to the fuel cell device and the fuel cell control method of the present invention, the air supply amount by the air supply control unit is changed according to the output or internal resistance state of the fuel cell, and the control is performed to suppress the evaporation amount of water on the surface of the fuel cell. This makes it possible to suppress drying of the oxygen side electrode and to provide an appropriate wet state. Therefore, according to the fuel cell device and the fuel cell control method of the present invention, the output characteristics can be restored in a relatively short time.
A fuel cell having a power generation body comprising an oxygen electrode, a fuel electrode, and an electrolyte sandwiched between the oxygen electrode and the fuel electrode, wherein the output voltage of the fuel cell is at a first threshold value. and a bypass circuit that electrically connects the oxygen electrode and the fuel electrode to flow a current when it is less than or equal to a value).
The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the first threshold value is in a range of 0.01 V or more and 0.8 V or less per generator.
The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the first threshold value is set lower than normal electromotive force.
The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the first threshold is set at 1% to 95% of normal electromotive force.
The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the connection of the bypass circuit, the bypass circuit is electrically disconnected when the output voltage becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold value.
The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a primary battery, a secondary battery, a capacitor, and another fuel cell for supplying electric power to a power consuming device while the bypass circuit is electrically connected. .
A fuel cell having a power generation body comprising an oxygen electrode, a fuel electrode, and an electrolyte sandwiched between the oxygen electrode and the fuel electrode,
And a variable resistor which electrically connects the oxygen electrode and the fuel electrode to reduce the resistance when the output voltage of the fuel cell becomes less than or equal to the first threshold value.
8. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the resistance of the variable resistor is made larger when the output voltage becomes higher than or equal to a second threshold value.
The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a primary battery, a secondary battery, a capacitor, and another fuel cell for supplying electric power to a power consuming device while the resistance of the variable resistor decreases.
And a step of measuring an electromotive force of the fuel cell, and a step of increasing the load applied to the fuel cell when the electromotive force is equal to or less than a first threshold value.
The control method of a fuel cell according to claim 10, further comprising a step of returning a load applied to the fuel cell to a normal state when the electromotive force becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold value.
And a step of measuring an electromotive force of the fuel cell, and a step of reducing or shutting off air or oxygen supplied to the fuel cell when the electromotive force becomes equal to or less than a first threshold value.
13. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 12, further comprising a step of returning a load applied to the fuel cell to a normal state when the electromotive force becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold value.
A fuel cell which sandwiches an electrolyte with a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode to supply fuel to the fuel side electrode and at the same time supply air or oxygen to the oxygen electrode to generate electromotive force;
And a load control unit connected to the fuel cell and configured to vary a load applied to the fuel cell according to a state of an output or internal resistance of the fuel cell.
The fuel cell device according to claim 14, wherein the fuel cell is a self-humidifying fuel cell.
The fuel cell device according to claim 14, wherein the fuel cell is a fuel cell of an atmospheric open type.
The fuel cell device according to claim 14, wherein the load control unit is connected between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode and changes a load resistance value between the positive electrode.
The fuel cell device according to claim 14, wherein the load control unit applies an overcurrent to the fuel cell.
The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the load control unit has a switch connected between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode.
The method according to claim 14, wherein based on the output characteristic or internal resistance characteristic information of the fuel cell,
And the load control unit is operable to change the load resistance value when the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic is out of the allowable range.
The load resistance value of the load control unit is controlled to be low when the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic is out of an allowable range, and when the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic is lower than the threshold value, A fuel cell device, wherein the fuel cell device returns to a resistance value.
The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the moisture of the electrolyte of the fuel cell is increased by the operation of the load control unit.
15. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the load control unit has power replacement means for supplying electric power instead to the power consuming device in a period of applying an overcurrent to the fuel cell.
A procedure for monitoring the output characteristics or internal resistance characteristics of the fuel cell;
And a step of controlling the amount of current flowing through the fuel cell or the amount of ions moving in accordance with the change of the characteristic when the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell is changed.
The procedure for monitoring the output characteristics of the fuel cell,
And a step of controlling to increase the amount of current flowing through the fuel cell or the amount of moving ions when the output characteristic of the fuel cell is lowered than usual.
The procedure for monitoring the internal resistance characteristics of the fuel cell,
And a step of controlling to increase the amount of current flowing through the fuel cell or the amount of moving ions when the internal resistance value of the fuel cell increases, as compared with the usual time.
25. The method for controlling a fuel cell according to claim 24, wherein the control of the current flowing through the fuel cell is made to increase in comparison with the normal time, and then the current is returned to the constant current.
The method of controlling a fuel cell according to claim 24, wherein the monitoring of the output or internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell is in a different monitoring state during startup and during operation.
25. The method for controlling a fuel cell according to claim 24, wherein when the current flowing through the fuel cell is controlled to increase as compared with the normal time, the moisture of the electrolyte of the fuel cell increases.
Output characteristic or internal resistance characteristic monitoring means for monitoring the output characteristic or internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell;
It has a fuel cell current control means for controlling the amount of current flowing through the fuel cell or the amount of ions moving,
The fuel cell current control means controls the amount of current flowing through the fuel cell or the amount of moving ions according to a change in the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic monitored by the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic monitoring means. Battery unit.
Output characteristic monitoring means for monitoring output characteristics of the fuel cell,
And the fuel cell current control means increases the amount of current flowing through the fuel cell or the amount of ions moving when the output characteristic monitored by the characteristic monitoring means is lower than a threshold value.
Internal resistance characteristic monitoring means for monitoring internal resistance characteristics of the fuel cell,
The fuel cell current control means increases the amount of current flowing through the fuel cell or the amount of moving ions when the internal resistance characteristic monitored by the internal resistance characteristic monitoring means increases above a threshold value. .
Output characteristic or internal resistance characteristic change monitoring means for monitoring a change in output characteristic or internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell;
The fuel cell current control means controls the amount of current flowing through the fuel cell or the amount of moving ions according to a change in the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic monitored by the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic change monitoring means. Fuel cell device.
The fuel cell current control means measures the amount of current flowing through the fuel cell or the amount of ions moving through the fuel cell when a change in the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic monitored by the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic change monitoring means exceeds a threshold value. A fuel cell device, characterized by increasing.
A fuel cell which sandwiches an electrolyte with a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode to supply fuel to the fuel electrode and at the same time supply air or oxygen to the oxygen electrode to generate electromotive force;
And an air supply control unit for varying the supply amount of air supplied to the oxygen electrode of the fuel cell according to the output or internal resistance state of the fuel cell.
36. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the fuel cell is a self-humidifying fuel cell.
36. The air supply control unit as claimed in claim 35, wherein the air supply control unit has a forced blow mechanism unit for forcibly sending air to the fuel cell, and varies the amount of air supplied to the oxygen electrode by driving and stopping the forced blow mechanism unit. A fuel cell device.
36. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the air supply control unit has an opening through which air passes, and varies the supply amount of air by changing an area of the opening.
36. The air supply control unit according to claim 35, wherein the air supply control unit operates to change the supply amount of air when the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic is out of an allowable range based on the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic information of the fuel cell. A fuel cell device.
40. The air supply amount according to claim 39, wherein the supply amount of air by the air supply control unit is controlled to be lower when the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic is out of an allowable range, and then when the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic is lower than the threshold value, A fuel cell device characterized by being returned to the supply amount of regular air.
40. The fuel cell device according to claim 39, wherein the moisture of the electrolyte of the fuel cell increases when the air supply control unit is operated to change the supply amount of air.
36. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the air supply control unit has electric power replacement means for supplying electric power to a power consuming device in a period in which the supply amount of air is kept low.
And a step of controlling the supply amount of air supplied to the fuel cell to be smaller than usual when the output characteristic of the fuel cell is lowered.
And a step of controlling the supply amount of air supplied to the fuel cell to be smaller than usual when the internal resistance characteristic of the fuel cell is increased.
45. The method for controlling a fuel cell according to claim 43 or 44, wherein the amount of air supplied to the fuel cell is controlled to be smaller than usual, and then the amount of air is returned to the amount of normal air supply.
45. A control method for a fuel cell according to claim 43 or 44, wherein the monitoring of the output characteristics or the internal resistance characteristics of the fuel cell is in a different monitoring state during startup and during operation.
45. The method of controlling a fuel cell according to claim 43 or 44, wherein when the supply amount of air supplied to the fuel cell is controlled to be smaller than usual, the moisture of the electrolyte of the fuel cell increases.
It has air supply amount control means for controlling the supply amount of air supplied to the fuel cell to be smaller than usual,
The air supply amount control means controls the supply amount of air supplied to the fuel cell in accordance with a change in the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic monitored by the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic monitoring means. .
And the air supply amount control means reduces the supply amount of air supplied to the fuel cell when the output characteristic monitored by the characteristic monitoring means is lower than a threshold value.
And the air supply amount control means reduces the supply amount of air supplied to the fuel cell when the internal resistance characteristic monitored by the internal resistance characteristic monitoring means increases above a threshold.
The air supply amount control means reduces the supply amount of air supplied to the fuel cell according to a change in the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic monitored by the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic change monitoring means. Device.
The air supply amount control means reduces the supply amount of air supplied to the fuel cell when a change in the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic monitored by the output characteristic or the internal resistance characteristic change monitoring means exceeds a threshold. A fuel cell device characterized by the above-mentioned.
KR1020037014692A 2002-03-20 2003-03-20 Fuel battery device and method for controlling fuel battery KR101004689B1 (en)
JP2002077719 2002-03-20
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KR20040090390A KR20040090390A (en) 2004-10-22
KR101004689B1 true KR101004689B1 (en) 2011-01-04
ID=28046102
KR1020037014692A KR101004689B1 (en) 2002-03-20 2003-03-20 Fuel battery device and method for controlling fuel battery
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KR (1) KR101004689B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1317787C (en)
CA (1) CA2447269C (en)
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