Source: https://brevets-patents.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/patent/2865880/summary.html
Timestamp: 2020-03-28 21:37:14
Document Index: 704958927

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 101', 'art\n102', 'art\n103', 'art 104', 'art 105', 'art 106', 'art\n101', 'art 101', 'art 102', 'art 102', 'art 102', 'art 103', 'art 103', 'art 103', 'art 103', 'art 104', 'art\n104', 'art 104', 'art 104', 'art 103', 'art 104', 'art 103', 'art 105', 'art 105', 'art 105', 'art 106', 'art 106', 'art 106', 'art 103', 'art 106', 'art 103', 'art 106', 'art 106', 'art 106', 'art 103', 'art 103', 'art 103', 'art 103', 'art\n107', 'art 108', 'art 107', 'art 107', 'art 107', 'art 108', 'art 108', 'art 108', 'art 107', 'art 108', 'art 106', 'art 106', 'art 103', 'art 103', 'art\n106', 'art 104', 'art 103', 'art 102', 'art 104', 'art 105']

Patent 2865880 Summary - Canadian Patents Database
Canadian Patents Database / Patent 2865880 Summary
(11) CA 2865880
SYSTEME DE PILES A COMBUSTIBLE
H01M 8/04111 (2016.01)
H01M 8/24 (2016.01)
ASAI, YOSHITOMO (Japan)
TAKEDA, HIROSHI (Japan)
PCT/JP2013/055347
WO2013/129552
2012-043873 Japan 2012-02-29
2012-045739 Japan 2012-03-01
2013-011415 Japan 2013-01-24
Provided is a fuel cell system configured to: calculate a target stack
supply flow rate based on a request from a fuel cell stack; calculate a
compressor supply flow rate requested by stack based on a stack supply flow
rate and the target stack supply flow rate; set a larger one of the compressor
supply flow rate requested by stack and a lower limit flow rate, which is
determined depending on an operation state of the fuel cell system, as a
target compressor supply flow rate; control a compressor depending on the
target compressor supply flow rate; control a bypass valve based on the
stack supply flow rate and the target stack supply flow rate; fuc the bypass
valve when the stack supply flow rate is in a predetermined bypass valve
fixing range having the target stack supply flow rate as a reference, and the
stack supply flow rate becomes less than the target stack supply flow rate;
and release the fucation of the bypass valve when the target compressor
supply flow rate becomes more than the lower limit flow rate after the bypass
valve is fixed.
L'invention concerne un système de piles à combustible dans lequel : un débit visé d'alimentation de bloc est calculé sur la base d'un besoin du bloc de piles à combustible, un débit d'alimentation de compresseur demandé par un bloc est calculé sur la base d'un débit d'alimentation de bloc et du débit visé d'alimentation de bloc, et le plus grand parmi le débit d'alimentation de compresseur demandé par le bloc et un débit limite inférieur déterminé en fonction de l'état de fonctionnement du système de piles à combustible est spécifié en tant que débit visé d'alimentation de compresseur ; un compresseur est commandé en fonction du débit visé d'alimentation de compresseur ; une vanne de dérivation est commandée sur la base du débit d'alimentation de bloc et du débit visé d'alimentation de bloc ; et si le débit d'alimentation de bloc tombe à l'intérieur d'une plage prescrite d'immobilisation de la vanne de dérivation, qui est basée sur le débit visé d'alimentation de bloc, et si le débit d'alimentation de bloc devient inférieur au débit visé d'alimentation de bloc, la vanne de dérivation est immobilisée et, une fois que la vanne de dérivation a été immobilisée, si le débit visé d'alimentation de compresseur devient supérieur au débit limite inférieur, l'immobilisation de la vanne de dérivation est annulée.
a cathode gas supply passage configured to supply a fuel cell stack
with a cathode gas;
a cathode gas discharge passage configured to discharge the
cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack;
a compressor provided in the cathode gas supply passage;
a bypass passage configured to discharge a part of the cathode gas
discharged from the compressor to the cathode gas discharge passage
while controlling the part of the cathode gas to bypass the fuel cell stack;
a bypass valve that is provided in the bypass passage and that is
configured to adjust a flow rate of the cathode gas flowing through the
bypass passage in a stepwise manner;
a stack supply flow rate detection unit configured to detect a stack
supply flow rate supplied to the fuel cell stack;
a target stack supply flow rate calculation unit configured to
calculate a target stack supply flow rate to be supplied to the fuel cell
based on an operation state of the fuel cell stack;
a compressor-supply-flow-amount-requested-by-stack calculation
unit configured to calculate a compressor supply flow rate requested by
stack based on the operation state thereof for controlling the stack supply
flow rate to reach the target stack supply flow rate based on the stack
supply flow rate and the target stack supply flow rate;
a target compressor supply flow rate setting unit configured to set a
larger one of the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack based on
the operation state thereof and a lower limit flow rate, which is determined
depending on a request from the fuel cell system, as a target compressor
supply flow rate, which is a target value of the compressor supply flow
a compressor control unit configured to control the compressor
depending on the target compressor supply flow rate;
a bypass valve control unit configured to control the bypass valve
based on the stack supply flow rate and the target stack supply flow rate;
a fixing unit configured to fix an opening degree of the bypass valve
when the stack supply flow rate is in a predetermined bypass valve fixing
range having the target stack supply flow rate as a reference, and the
a fixation releasing unit configured to release the fixation of the
bypass valve when the target compressor supply flow rate becomes more
than the lower limit flow rate after the fixing unit fixes the bypass valve.
fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein when the fixation
of the opening degree of the bypass valve is released by the fixation
releasing unit, the bypass valve is closed by a unit opening degree.
3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein when the fixation
of the opening degree of the bypass valve is released by the f'Dcation
releasing unit, the bypass valve is fully closed.
in a case where the target compressor supply flow rate is restricted to the
lower limit flow rate, only when the stack supply flow rate is less than the
target stack supply flow rate, the
compressor-supply-flow-amount-requested-by-stack calculation unit
carries out feedback control of calculating a time integration of a difference
between the stack supply flow rate and the target stack supply flow rate,
thereby calculating the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack
based on the operation state thereof.
5. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further
comprising an anode gas discharge passage configured to discharge an
anode gas discharged from the fuel cell stack to the cathode gas discharge
wherein the lower limit flow rate comprises a target value of a
compressor supply flow rate required for reducing a hydrogen density in
the cathode gas discharge passage to a predetermined value or less.
the predetermined bypass valve fixing range comprises a range of from a
restricted range lower limit flow rate, which is acquired by subtracting a
predetermined value .beta. from the target stack supply flow rate, to a
restricted range upper limit flow rate, which is acquired by adding a
predetermined value a to the target stack supply flow rate.
CA 02865880 2014-08-28
[0002] In JP 2009-123550 A, there is disclosed a related-art fuel cell system
for controlling a flow rate (actual stack supply flow rate) of a cathode gas
supplied to a fuel cell stack to reach a target stack supply flow rate set
depending on an electric power request by discharging an unnecessary part
of a cathode gas for electric power generation in the fuel cell stack out of
cathode gas discharged from a cathode compressor to a cathode gas
discharge passage via a bypass passage.
(00031 The related-art fuel cell system controls an opening degree of a
bypass valve provided on the bypass passage based on the actual stack
supply flow rate and the target stack supply flow rate so that the actual
stack supply flow rate reaches the target stack supply flow rate.
[0004] In the fuel cell system for carrying out this control, particularly
an opening degree resolution of the bypass valve is rough, the actual stack
supply flow rate cannot be controlled to reach the target stack supply flow
rate, and the opening/closing of the bypass valve repeats in the vicinity of
the target stack supply flow rate in some cases. In such case, when the
bypass valve is a stepping motor, it is concerned that noise is generated. In
view of this, it is conceivable to fix the bypass valve when the actual stack
supply flow rate reaches in the vicinity of the target stack supply flow rate
order to prevent the bypass valve from opening/closing in this way.
[0005] However, if the bypass valve is fixed when the actual stack supply
flow rate is more than the target stack supply flow rate, the cathode gas
whose flow rate is more than that required for the power generation is
supplied to the fuel cell stack, and it is concerned that electrolyte
membranes are dried.
[0006] On the other hand, if the bypass valve is fixed when the actual stack
supply flow rate is less than the target stack supply flow rate, the cathode
gas whose flow rate is required for the power generation is not supplied to
the fuel cell stack, and it is concerned that the voltage drops.
[0007] Further, if the bypass valve is fixed when the actual stack supply flow
rate reaches in the vicinity of the target stack supply flow rate (falls
bypass valve fixing range), for example, even when the target stack supply
flow rate increases and a state where the bypass valve can be closed is
brought about, the actual stack supply flow rate may be controlled to stay in
the vicinity of the target stack supply flow rate and the bypass valve may
remain fixed, and a surplus cathode gas may be supplied by the cathode
compressor. Then, a power consumption of the cathode compressor
increases, and it is concerned that a fuel efficiency degrades.
[0008] This invention has been made in view of those problems, and has an
object to provide a fuel cell system capable of restraining the
above-mentioned inconvenience.
[0009] An aspect of this invention is applied to a fuel cell system using a
bypass method for a cathode gas by means of a compressor, and controls the
compressor and controls a bypass valve in the following way.
[0010] First, in compressor control, based on a detected actual stack supply
flow rate and a target stack supply flow rate calculated based on a request
from a fuel cell stack, a compressor supply flow rate requested by stack for
controlling the actual stack supply flow rate to reach the target stack supply
flow rate is calculated. Then, a larger one of the compressor supply flow
rate requested by stack and a lower limit flow rate, which is determined
depending on an operation state of the fuel cell system, is set as a target
compressor supply flow rate, and the compressor is controlled so as to reach
the set target compressor supply flow rate.
[0011] On the other hand, in bypass valve control, the bypass valve is
controlled based on the detected actual stack supply flow rate and the target
stack supply flow rate calculated based on the request from the fuel cell
stack so as to control the actual stack supply flow rate to reach the target
stack supply flow rate.
[0012] In the aspect of this invention including the compressor control and
the bypass valve control, the bypass valve is fixed when the actual stack
supply flow rate falls within a predetermined bypass valve fixing range
having the target stack supply flow rate as a reference, and the actual stack
supply flow rate becomes less than the target stack supply flow rate. Then,
after the bypass valve is fixed in this way, when the target compressor
CA 02865880 2016-02-23
supply flow rate becomes more than the lower limit flow rate, the fixation of
the bypass valve is released.
fuel cell system, comprising:
a cathode gas discharge passage configured to discharge the cathode
gas supplied to the fuel cell stack;
discharged from the compressor to the cathode gas discharge passage while
controlling the part of the cathode gas to bypass the fuel cell stack;
a target stack supply flow rate calculation unit configured to calculate
a target stack supply flow rate to be supplied to the fuel cell stack based on
an operation state of the fuel cell stack;
flow rate to reach the target stack supply flow rate based on the stack supply
flow rate and the target stack supply flow rate;
supply flow rate, which is a target value of the compressor supply flow rate;
range having the target stack supply flow rate as a reference, and the stack
supply flow rate becomes less than the target stack supply flow rate; and
[0013] A detailed description is given below of an embodiment of this
invention and advantages of this invention referring to the accompanying
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system according to an
FIG. 2 is a graph showing a relationship between a compressor
supply flow rate requested for dilution and a stack supply flow rate
requested for power generation achievement depending on a load on a fuel
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating control blocks of a cathode system
according to this embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating details of control carried out by a
controller in a bypass valve fixation release signal output part.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating details of control carried out by the
controller in a bypass valve fixing signal output part.
FIGS. 6 are time charts illustrating an operation of control for the
cathode system according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating control blocks of a cathode system
according to a comparative example.
FIGS. 8 are time charts illustrating an operation of control for the
cathode system according to the comparative example.
FIGS. 9 are time charts illustrating an operation performed when the
bypass valve is inhibited from being driven in a state where an actual stack
supply flow rate decreases below a target stack supply flow rate if the bypass
valve is opened in the control for the cathode system according to the
[0015] A fuel cell generates electric power by sandwiching an electrolyte
[0016] Anode electrode: 2H2-4H++4e-= = = (1)
Cathode electrode: 4H++4e-+02-42H20===(2)
[0017] As a result of the electrode reactions represented as (1) and (2), the
[0018] When the fuel cell is used as a power source for an automobile,
required electric power is large, and the fuel cells are thus used as a fuel
gas is constructed to extract the electric power for driving a vehicle.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system 100 according to
an embodiment of this invention.
[0020] The fuel cell system 100 includes a fuel cell stack 1, a cathode gas
supply/discharge apparatus 2, an anode gas supply/discharge apparatus 3,
and a controller 4.
[0021] The fuel cell stack 1 is constructed by stacking some hundreds of the
fuel cells, and receives supplies of the anode gas and the cathode gas to
generate the electric power required to drive the vehicle.
[0022] The cathode gas supply/discharge apparatus 2 supplies the fuel cell
stack 1 with the cathode gas, and discharges a cathode off-gas discharged
from the fuel cell stack 1 to the outside air. The cathode gas
supply/discharge apparatus 2 includes a cathode gas supply passage 20, a
filter 21, a cathode compressor 22, a cathode gas discharge passage 23, a
cathode pressure regulating valve 24, a bypass passage 25, a bypass valve
26, a first flow rate sensor 41, a second flow rate sensor 42, a pressure
sensor 43, and a temperature sensor 44.
[0023] The cathode gas supply passage 20 is a passage through which the
cathode gas to be supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 flows. The cathode gas
supply passage 20 is connected, at one end, to the filter 21, and is
at the other end, to a cathode gas inlet port of the fuel cell stack 1.
[0024] The filter 21 removes foreign substances in the cathode gas to be
taken into the cathode gas supply passage 20.
[0025] The cathode compressor 22 is provided in the cathode gas supply
passage 20. The cathode compressor 22 takes the air (outside air) as the
cathode gas via the filer 21 into the cathode gas supply passage 20, and
supplies the fuel cell stack 1 with the air.
[0026] The cathode gas discharge passage 23 is a passage through which
the cathode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 1 flows. The cathode
gas discharge passage 23 is connected, at one end, to a cathode gas outlet
port of the fuel cell stack 1, and forms an opening end at the other end.
[0027] The cathode pressure regulating valve 24 is provided in the cathode
gas discharge passage 23. The cathode pressure regulating valve 24 is
controlled to open/close by the controller 4, and adjusts a pressure of the
cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 to a desired pressure.
[0028] The bypass passage 25 is a passage for directly discharging a part of
the cathode gas discharged from the cathode compressor 22 to the cathode
gas discharge passage 23 without routing through the fuel cell stack 1
depending on necessity. The bypass passage 25 is connected, at one end,
to the cathode gas supply passage 20 downstream of the cathode
compressor 22, and, at the other end, to the cathode gas discharge passage
23 downstream of the cathode pressure regulating valve 24.
[0029] The bypass valve 26 is a switching valve having an opening degree
changing stepwise by a unit opening degree at a time, and is provided in the
bypass passage 25. The bypass valve 26 is controlled to open/close by the
controller 4, and adjusts a flow rate (hereinafter referred to as "bypass flow
rate") of the cathode gas flowing through the bypass passage 25.
first flow rate sensor 41 is provided in the cathode gas
supply passage 20 upstream of the cathode compressor 22. The first flow
rate sensor 41 detects a flow rate (hereinafter referred to as "compressor
supply flow rate") of the cathode gas supplied to (taken into) the cathode
compressor 22.
[0031] The second flow rate sensor 42 is provided in the cathode supply flow
passage 20 downstream of a connection portion to the bypass passage 26,
namely, in the cathode supply passage 20 in a neighborhood of the cathode
gas inlet port of the fuel cell stack 1. The second flow rate sensor 42
a flow rate (hereinafter referred to as "stack supply flow rate") of the
gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1.
[0032] The pressure sensor 43 is provided in the cathode supply flow
passage 20 downstream of the connection portion to the bypass passage 26,
namely, in the cathode supply passage 20 in the neighborhood of the
cathode gas inlet port of the fuel cell stack 1. The pressure sensor 43
detects an inlet pressure (hereinafter referred to as "stack inlet pressure")
the fuel cell stack 1.
[0033] The temperature sensor 44 is provided in the cathode gas supply
passage 20 in a neighborhood of a discharge side of the cathode compressor
22. The temperature sensor 44 detects the temperature (referred to as
"intake air temperature") of the cathode gas discharged from the cathode
[0034] The anode gas supply/discharge apparatus 3 supplies the fuel cell
stack 1 with the anode gas, and discharges an anode off-gas discharged from
the fuel cell stack 1 to the cathode gas discharge passage 23. The anode
gas supply/discharge apparatus 3 includes a high-pressure tank 31, an
anode gas supply passage 32, an anode pressure regulating valve 33, an
anode gas discharge passage 34, and a purge valve 35.
[0035] The high pressure tank 31 stores the anode gas to be supplied to the
fuel cell stack 1 while the anode gas is maintained in a high pressure state.
[0036] The anode gas supply passage 32 is a passage for supplying the fuel
cell stack 1 with the anode gas discharged from the high pressure tank 31.
The anode gas supply passage 32 is connected, at one end, to the high
pressure tank 31, and is connected, at the other end, to an anode gas inlet
port of the fuel cell stack 1.
[0037] The anode pressure regulating valve 33 is provided in the anode gas
supply passage 32. The anode pressure regulating valve 33 is controlled to
open/close by the controller 4, and adjusts a pressure of the anode gas
supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 to a desired pressure.
[0038] The anode gas discharge passage 34 is a passage through which the
anode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 1 flows. The anode gas
discharge passage 34 is connected, at one end, to an anode gas outlet port
of the fuel cell stack 1, and is connected, at the other end, to the cathode
gas discharge passage 23.
[0039] The anode off-gas discharged to the cathode gas discharge passage
23 via the anode gas discharge passage 34 is mixed with the cathode off-gas
and the cathode gas, which has flown through the bypass passage 25, in
the cathode gas discharge passage 23, and is discharged to the outside of
the fuel cell system 100. The anode off-gas contains a surplus anode gas
(hydrogen) which has not been used for the electrode reaction, and the
anode gas is thus mixed with the cathode off-gas and the cathode gas and
the mixed gas is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell system 100 in this
way, thereby reducing the hydrogen density of the discharged gas to a
predetermined density or less.
[0040] The purge valve 35 is provided in the anode off-gas discharge passage
34. The purge valve 35 is controlled to open/close by the controller 4, and
controls the flow rate of the anode off-gas discharged from the anode gas
discharge passage 34 to the cathode gas discharge passage 23.
[0041] The controller 4 is constructed by a microcomputer including a
memory (RAM), and an input/output interface (I/O interface). The
controller 4 inputs signals from various types of sensors including the first
flow rate sensor 41, the second flow rate sensor 42, the pressure sensor 43,
and the temperature sensor 44 as well as a sensor 45 for detecting the
depression amount (hereinafter referred to as "accelerator operation
amount") of an accelerator pedal, an atmospheric pressure sensor 46 for
detecting the atmospheric pressure, and the like.
[0042] The controller 4 applies feedback control to the cathode compressor
22 and the bypass valve 26 based on those input signals so that the
following two requests are simultaneously satisfied. Those two requests
include a request (hereinafter referred to as "dilution request") to reduce
hydrogen density of the discharged gas discharged to the outside of the fuel
cell system 100 to the predetermined density or less and a request
(hereinafter referred to as "power generation request") to generate electric
power (hereinafter referred to as "requested generated power") requested by
respective electric components, such as drive motors, of the fuel cell system
100 in the fuel cell stack 1.
[0043] FIG. 2 is a graph showing a relationship between a compressor
supply flow rate (hereinafter referred to as "compressor supply flow rate
requested for dilution") required to reduce the hydrogen density of the
discharged gas discharged to the outside of the fuel cell system 100 to the
predetermined density or less, and a stack supply flow rate (hereinafter
referred to as "stack supply flow rate requested for power generation
achievement") required to generate the requested generated power
depending on a load (namely, the requested generated power) on the fuel
[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the stack supply flow rate requested for power
generation achievement is more than the dilution request compressor
supply flow rate in a medium/high load area.
[0045] Thus, when the feedback control is applied to the cathode
compressor 22 while a target value (hereinafter referred to as "compressor
supply flow rate requested by stack") of the compressor supply flow rate for
controlling the stack supply flow rate to reach the stack supply flow rate
requested for power generation achievement is simply considered as a
target compressor supply flow rate in the medium load area, the flow rate of
the cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 reaches the stack supply
flow rate requested for power generation achievement, and the requested
generated power can thus be generated by the fuel cell stack 1. Then, the
cathode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 1 can be used to dilute
the anode off-gas flowing from the anode gas discharge passage 34 to the
cathode gas discharge passage 23 so that the hydrogen density of the
discharge gas is equal to or less than the predetermined density.
[0046] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the compressor supply flow
rate requested for dilution is more than the stack supply flow rate
requested for power generation achievement in a low load area.
[0047] Thus, when, in order to reduce the hydrogen density of the
discharged gas to the predetermined density or less in the low load area,
the feedback control is applied to the cathode compressor 22 while the
compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution is considered as the
target compressor supply flow rate, thereby supplying the cathode gas in
more than the flow rate required for generating the requested generated
power in the fuel cell stack 1 by the cathode compressor 22, a surplus
cathode gas not required for the power generation is supplied to the fuel cell
stack 1. As a result, the electrolyte membrane of each of the fuel cells
constructing the fuel cell stack 1 is dried, resulting in a possible decrease
the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell stack 1.
[0048] Therefore, when the compressor supply flow rate requested for
dilution is more than the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack,
the feedback control needs to be applied to the cathode compressor 22 while
the compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution is considered as the
target compressor supply flow rate, and, simultaneously, the bypass valve 26
needs to be opened to flow the surplus cathode gas unnecessary for the
power generation through the bypass passage 25. In other words, the
bypass valve 26 needs to be opened so that the bypass flow rate reaches a
target bypass flow rate acquired by subtracting a stack supply flow rate
requested for power generation (a target value of the stack supply flow rate
when the stack supply flow rate is controlled to reach the stack supply flow
rate requested for power generation achievement) from the compressor
supply flow rate requested for dilution.
[0049] By the way, in this embodiment, the opening degree of the bypass
valve 26 can be increased only stepwise by the unit opening degree at a time.
Therefore, the bypass flow rate may not be controlled to match the target
bypass flow rate. Then, the bypass valve 26 is repeatedly opened/closed in
order that the bypass flow rate matches the target bypass flow rate, resulting
in an upward/downward fluctuation of the bypass flow rate around the
target bypass flow rate. As a result, the compressor supply flow rate varies
upward/downward, resulting in a rotational fluctuation in the cathode
compressor, and such a problem that noise may be generated from the
cathode compressor was experienced.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 7, a description is first given of control for a
system according to a comparative example in order to promote
understanding of this invention before a description is given of control for
the cathode system according to this embodiment. Then, referring to FIGS.
8, a description is given of a cause for the problem generated in the control
for the cathode system according to the comparative example.
[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating control blocks of the cathode system
according to the comparative example.
[0052] The control blocks of the cathode system according to the
comparative example includes a stack supply flow rate requested for power
generation calculation part 101, a target stack supply flow rate setting part
102, a compressor-supply-flow-amount-requested-by-stack calculation part
103, a target compressor supply flow rate setting part 104, a cathode
compressor control part 105, and a bypass valve control part 106.
[0053] The actual generated power of the fuel cell stack 1 and the requested
generated power set depending on the load on the fuel cell stack 1 are input
to the stack supply flow rate requested for power generation calculation part
101. The stack supply flow rate requested for power generation calculation
part 101 sets a stack supply flow rate required to control the actual
generated power to reach the requested generated power as the stack
supply flow rate requested for power generation achievement, and
calculates a target value to be used when the stack supply flow rate is
changed toward the set stack supply flow rate requested for power
generation achievement as the stack supply flow rate requested for power
[0054] The stack supply flow rate requested for power generation and a
stack supply flow rate requested for wetting are input to the target stack
supply flow rate setting part 102. On this occasion, the stack supply flow
rate requested for wetting is a stack supply flow rate required for
the wettability (moisture content) of the electrolyte membranes to achieve
an optimal wettability (requested wettability) depending on the load on the
fuel cell stack 1. The target stack supply flow rate setting part 102 sets a
larger one of the stack supply flow rate requested for power generation and
the stack supply flow rate requested for wetting as the target stack supply
flow rate. In this way, the target stack supply flow rate setting part 102
sets the optimal stack supply flow rate depending on the load on the fuel
cell stack 1 as the target stack supply flow rate.
[0055] The stack supply flow rate (hereinafter referred to as "actual
stack supply flow rate") detected by the second flow rate sensor 42 and
the target stack supply flow rate are input to the compressor-supply-
flow-amount-requested-by-stack calculation part 103. The compressor-
supply-flow-amount-requested-by-stack calculation part 103 calculates
a target value of the compressor supply flow rate to change the actual
stack supply flow rate toward the target stack supply flow rate as the
compressor supply flow rate requested by stack based on a difference
between the target stack flow rate and the actual stack flow rate.
Specifically, the compressor- supply-flow-amount-requested-by- stack
calculation part 103 carries out PI control depending on a component
proportional to the difference between the target stack flow rate and the
actual stack flow rate and a component acquired by integrating the
difference between the target stack flow rate and the actual stack flow rate
with respect to time, thereby calculating the compressor supply flow rate
requested by stack.
[0056] When the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack as a
manipulated value is saturated to a lower limit value, in order to prevent a
vibration (so-called windup phenomenon) caused by excessive integral
operation, the compressor-supply-flow-amount-requested-by- stack
calculation part 103 carries out PI control of carrying out only integration
operation which increases the compressor supply flow rate requested by
stack above the lower limit value, and stopping integration operation which
decreases the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack below the
lower limit value.
[0057] The compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution determined
depending on the load on the fuel cell stack 1 and the compressor supply
flow rate requested by stack are input to the target compressor supply flow
rate setting part 104. The target compressor supply flow rate setting part
104 sets a larger one of the compressor supply flow rate requested for
dilution and the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack as the
target compressor supply flow rate.
[0058] In this way, the target compressor supply flow rate setting part 104
sets a larger one of the compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution
and the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack as the target
compressor supply flow rate. Thus, the state where the compressor supply
flow rate requested for dilution is set as the target compressor supply flow
rate is equivalent to the state where the compressor supply flow rate
requested by stack as a manipulated value is saturated to the lower limit
value (on this occasion, compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution)
for the compressor-supply-flow-amount-requested-by-stack calculation part
[0059] Therefore, if the compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution
is set as the target compressor supply flow rate in the target compressor
supply flow rate setting part 104, the integration operation of decreasing
the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack below the compressor
supply flow rate requested for dilution is stopped in the compressor-supply-
flow-amount-requested-by-stack calculation part 103.
[0060] In other words, if the compressor supply flow rate requested for
dilution is set as the target compressor supply flow rate in the target
compressor supply flow rate setting part 104, only when the actual stack
supply flow rate is less than the target stack supply flow rate (only when
the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack needs to be increased),
the time integration of the difference between the target stack supply flow
rate and the actual stack supply flow rate is carried out in the compressor-
supply-flow-amount-requested-by-stack calculation part 103. Then, when
the actual stack supply flow rate is more than the target stack supply flow
rate (when the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack needs to be
reduced), the time integration of the difference between the target stack
supply flow rate and the actual stack supply flow rate is stopped.
[0061] The compressor supply flow rate (hereinafter referred to as "actual
compressor supply flow rate") detected by the first flow rate sensor 41 and
the target compressor supply flow rate are input to the cathode compressor
control part 105. The cathode compressor control part 105 outputs a
control signal directed to the cathode compressor 22 based on the
difference between the target compressor supply flow rate and the actual
compressor supply flow rate so that the actual compressor supply flow rate
reaches the target compressor supply flow rate. Specifically, the cathode
compressor control part 105 carries out PI control depending on a
component proportional to the difference between the target compressor
supply flow rate and the actual compressor supply flow rate and a
component acquired by integrating the difference between the target
compressor supply flow rate and the actual compressor supply flow rate
with respect to time, thereby outputting the control signal directed to the
cathode compressor 22.
[0062] The actual stack supply flow rate and the target stack supply flow
rate are input to the bypass valve control part 106. The bypass valve
control part 106 outputs a drive signal for the bypass valve 26 based on the
difference between the target stack flow rate and the actual stack flow rate.
Specifically, the bypass valve control part 106 carries out PI control
depending on a component proportional to the difference between the target
stack flow rate and the actual stack flow rate and a component acquired by
integrating the difference between the target stack flow rate and the actual
stack flow rate with respect to time, thereby calculating a bypass valve
operation amount, and outputs a drive signal for the bypass valve 26 when
the bypass valve operation amount exceeds a predetermined amount.
[0063] On this occasion, in this embodiment, as described above, the
opening degree of the bypass valve 26 can be increased only stepwise by the
unit opening degree at a time. Therefore, in the control for the cathode
system according to the comparative example, when the compressor supply
rate, the bypass flow rate may not be controlled to match the target bypass
flow rate, and the actual stack supply flow rate may not be controlled to
match the target stack supply flow rate. Referring to FIGS. 8, a description
is now given of the problem generated in this case.
[0064] FIGS. 8 are diagrams illustrating the problem generated when the
bypass flow rate cannot be controlled to match the target bypass flow rate,
and are time charts illustrating an operation of the control for the cathode
system according to the comparative example.
[0065] At a time ti, for example, when the accelerator operation amount
decreases, the requested generated power decreases, and the stack supply
flow rate requested for power generation achievement decreases, the target
stack supply flow rate (stack supply flow rate requested for power
generation) decreases toward the stack supply flow rate requested for power
generation achievement (FIG. 8(A)). As a result, the actual stack supply
flow rate exceeds the target stack supply flow rate, and the compressor
supply flow rate requested by stack calculated by the
compressor- supply-flow-amount- requested-by- stack calculation part 103
thus also decreases (FIG. 8(B)). On this occasion, a description is given
while it is assumed that that the stack supply flow rate requested for power
generation is more than the stack supply flow rate requested for wetting.
[0066] The compressor supply flow rate requested by stack is more than
the compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution from the time ti to a
time t2, and the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack is thus set
as the target compressor supply flow rate (FIG. 8(B)). As a result, the
responsive cathode compressor is controlled so as to control the actual
compressor supply flow rate to reach the compressor supply flow rate
requested by stack, and the actual stack supply flow rate thus decreases
approximately following the target stack supply flow rate (FIG. 8(A)).
[0067] At the time t2, when the compressor supply flow rate requested by
stack decreases below the compressor supply flow rate requested for
dilution, the compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution is set as the
target compressor supply flow rate, and the cathode compressor is
controlled so that the actual compressor supply flow rate reaches the
compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution (FIG. 8(B)). As a result,
the actual stack supply flow rate does not decrease following the target
stack supply flow rate, and becomes constant (FIG. 8(A)). Then, the target
stack supply flow rate is decreased even after the time t2, and the actual
stack supply flow rate thus gradually increases above the target stack
supply flow rate, and the difference between the target stack supply flow
rate and the actual stack supply flow rate gradually increases (FIG. 8(A)).
[0068] As the difference between the target stack supply flow rate and the
actual stack supply flow rate gradually increases in this way, the bypass
valve operation amount calculated by the PI control of the bypass valve
control part 106 gradually increases. In the following description, when a
distinction is particularly necessary, a bypass valve operation amount
calculated when the actual stack supply flow rate is more than the target
stack supply flow rate is referred to as "open side bypass valve operation
amount", and a bypass valve operation amount calculated when the actual
stack supply flow rate is less than the target stack supply flow rate is
referred to as "close side bypass valve operation amount".
[0069] At a time t3, when the open side bypass valve operation amount
exceeds a predetermined amount, the drive signal for the bypass valve 26 is
output, and the bypass valve 26 is opened by the unit opening degree (FIG.
8(C)). As a result, the surplus cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1
flows into the bypass passage 25, the actual stack supply flow rate decreases
to the target stack supply flow rate (FIG. 8(A)), and the bypass flow rate
increases to a target bypass flow rate (=(compressor supply flow rate
requested for dilution)-(target stack supply flow rate)) (FIG. 8(D)).
[0070] However, the target stack supply flow rate decreases even after the
time t3, and the actual stack supply flow rate thus again gradually increases
above the target stack supply flow rate (FIG. 8(A)), and the bypass valve 26
further opened by the unit opening degree at a time t4 (FIG. 8(C). As a
result, the actual stack supply flow rate again decreases to the target stack
supply flow rate (FIG. 8(A)), and the bypass flow-amount increases to the
target bypass flow rate (FIG. 8(D)).
[0071] When the stack supply flow rate requested for power generation
decreases to the stack supply flow rate requested for power generation
achievement at a time t5, and the target stack supply flow rate becomes
constant, the difference between the target stack supply flow rate and the
actual stack supply flow rate subsequently becomes constant (FIG. 8(A)).
The compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution is set as the target
compressor supply flow rate, and the actual stack supply flow rate is more
than the target stack supply flow rate at the time t5, and the PI control of
compressor-supply-flow-amount-requested-by- stack calculation part 103
thus stops the calculation of the time integration of the deviation.
the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack becomes constant as a
result of the state where the difference between the target stack supply flow
rate and the actual stack supply flow rate becomes constant at the time t5
(FIG. 8(B)).
[0072] On the other hand, the PI control of the bypass valve control part 106
carries out the calculation of the time integration of the deviation, and the
open side bypass valve operation amount calculated by the PI control of the
bypass valve control part 106 thus increases even after the time t5.
[0073] When the open side bypass valve operation amount exceeds the
predetermined amount at a time t6, the drive signal for the bypass valve 26
is output, and the bypass valve 26 is further opened by the unit opening
degree (FIG. 8(C)). However, but the actual stack supply flow rate now
cannot be controlled to reach the target stack supply flow rate, and the
actual stack supply flow rate decreases below the target stack supply flow
rate (FIG. 8(A)). In other words, the bypass flow rate cannot be controlled to
reach the target bypass flow rate, and the bypass flow rate exceeds the target
bypass flow rate (FIG. 8(D)). As a result, the PI control of the bypass valve
control part 106 now gradually increases the close side bypass valve
operation amount.
[0074] Moreover, when the bypass valve 26 is opened by the unit opening
degree at the time t6, and the actual stack supply flow rate decreases below
the target stack supply flow rate, the PI control of the compressor-supply-
flow-amount-requested-by-stack calculation part 103 resumes the
calculation of the time integration of the deviation. As a result, the
compressor supply flow rate requested by stack increases (FIG. 8(B)).
[0075] When the close side bypass valve operation amount exceeds the
predetermined amount at a time t7, the drive signal for the bypass valve 26
is output, and the bypass valve 26 is now closed by the unit opening degree
(FIG. 8(C)), and the actual stack supply flow rate becomes more than the
target stack supply flow rate again (FIG. 8(A)).
[0076] Moreover, when the bypass valve 26 is closed by the unit opening
degree at the time t7, the actual stack supply flow rate again becomes more
than the target stack supply flow rate again, and the compressor-supply-
flow-amount-requested-by-stack calculation part 103 thus stops the
calculation of the time integration of the deviation, and the compressor
supply flow rate requested by stack becomes constant (FIG. 8(B)). Then,
when the bypass valve 26 is opened by the unit opening degree at a time t8,
and the actual stack supply flow rate becomes less than the target stack
supply flow rate, the calculation of the time integration of the deviation is
again carried out, and the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack
increases (FIG. 8(B)).
[0077] As described above, the opening/closing of the bypass valve 26
repeats after the time t6, and the compressor supply flow rate requested by
stack gradually increases.
[0078] Then, when the bypass valve 26 is opened by the unit opening
degree at a time t9, the actual stack supply flow rate decreases below the
target stack supply flow rate (FIG. 8(A)), and the compressor supply flow
rate requested by stack thus increases (FIG. 8(B)). As a result, the
compressor supply flow rate requested by stack increases above the
compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution (FIG. 8(B)), and the
compressor supply flow rate requested by stack is set as the target
compressor supply flow rate, and the actual compressor supply flow rate
[0079] When the bypass valve 26 is closed by the unit opening degree at a
time tl 0, the actual stack supply flow rate increases accordingly. As a
result, the actual stack supply flow rate increases above the target stack
supply flow rate (FIG. 8(A)), and the compressor supply flow rate requested
by stack now decreases (FIG. 8(B)).
[0080] Then, when the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack
decreases to the compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution at a
time ti 1 (FIG. 8(B)), the cathode compressor is controlled so that the actual
compressor supply flow rate reaches the compressor supply flow rate
requested for dilution, and the actual compressor supply flow rate becomes
constant (FIG. 8(B)). The actual stack supply flow rate is more than the
target stack supply flow rate from the time ti 1 to a time t12 (FIG. 8(A)),
the calculation of the time integration of the deviation by the compressor-
supply-flow-amount-requested-by-stack calculation part 103 thus stops.
Thus, the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack also remains
constant at the compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution (FIG.
8(B)).
[0081] When the bypass valve 26 is then opened by the unit opening degree
at the time t12 (FIG. 8(C), the compressor supply flow rate requested by
stack again increases above the compressor supply flow rate requested for
dilution (FIG. 8(B)), and the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack
is set as the target compressor supply flow rate, and the actual compressor
supply flow rate increases (FIG. 8(B)).
[0082] As described above, as a result of the repetition of the
closing/opening of the bypass valve 26, the actual compressor supply flow
rate finally fluctuates upward/downward as in the state after the time t9,
the fluctuation occurs in the rotation of the cathode compressor 22, and the
noise is generated from the cathode compressor 22.
[0083] On this occasion, as a method of preventing the bypass valve 26
from repeating the closing/opening, for example, a method of inhibiting the
drive of the bypass valve 26, thereby fixing the bypass valve 26 when the
difference between the actual stack supply flow rate and the target stack
supply flow rate is equal to or less than a predetermined value, namely, in a
state where the actual stack supply flow rate becomes less than the target
stack supply flow rate if the bypass valve 26 is opened, is conceivable.
[0084] However, the method can prevent the bypass valve 26 from
repeating the opening/ closing, but the actual stack supply flow rate may
not be controlled to reach the target stack supply flow rate. Referring to
FIGS. 9, a description is now given of the problem.
[0085] FIGS. 9 are time charts illustrating an operation performed when the
drive of the bypass valve 26 is inhibited in the state where the actual stack
supply flow rate decreases below the target stack supply flow rate if the
bypass valve 26 is opened in the control for the cathode system according to
[0086] As illustrated in FIGS. 9, after the time t4, the difference between
actual stack supply flow rate and the target stack supply flow rate is equal
or less than the predetermined amount, namely, the actual stack supply flow
rate becomes less than the target stack supply flow rate if the bypass valve
26 is opened. Thus, when the drive of the bypass valve 26 is inhibited after
the time t4, after the time t5, the deviation between the target stack supply
flow rate and the actual stack supply flow rate becomes constant in the state
where the compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution is set as the
target stack supply flow rate, and in the state where the actual stack supply
flow rate is more than the target stack supply flow rate.
[0087] Then, the calculation of the time integration of the deviation between
the target stack supply flow rate and the actual stack supply flow rate is
stopped in the PI control of
compressor-supply-flow-amount-requested-by-stack calculation part 103,
and thus, the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack becomes
constant after the time t5 (FIG. 9(B)). Thus, the compressor supply flow rate
requested for dilution remains set at the target stack supply flow rate, and
hence the actual stack supply flow rate cannot be controlled to match the
target stack supply flow rate.
[0088] As described above, if the bypass valve 26 is fixed when the actual
stack supply flow rate is more than the target stack supply flow rate, the
actual stack supply flow rate cannot be controlled to match the target stack
supply flow rate, and the actual stack supply flow rate thus remains more
than the target stack supply flow rate. Thus, the electrolyte membrane of
each of the fuel cells is brought into an excessively dried state, resulting
decrease in the power generation efficiency.
[0089] In view of this, in this embodiment, the timing of fixing the bypass
valve 26 is further finely set so that the actual stack supply flow rate can
match the target stack supply flow rate while the bypass valve 26 is
inhibited from repeating the opening/closing. Then, the timing of releasing
the fixation of the bypass valve 26 is appropriately set. A description is now
given of the control for the cathode system according to this embodiment.
[0090] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating control blocks of the cathode system
according to this embodiment. It should be noted that control blocks of the
cathode system according to this embodiment having similar functions as
those of the control blocks of the cathode system according to the
comparative example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a
redundant description thereof is properly omitted.
[0091] The control blocks of the cathode system according to this
embodiment further include a bypass valve fixing release signal output part
107 and a bypass valve fixing signal output part 108.
[0092] The target stack supply flow rate and the compressor supply flow rate
requested for dilution are input to the bypass valve fixing release signal
output part 107. The bypass valve fixing release signal output part 107
outputs a bypass valve fixing release signal for releasing the fixation of the
bypass valve 26 based on those input signals. Referring to a flowchart of
FIG. 4, a description is later given of details of control carried out by the
bypass valve fixing release signal output part 107.
[0093] The actual stack supply flow rate, the target stack supply flow rate,
and the bypass valve fixing release signal are input to the bypass valve
signal output part 108. The bypass valve fixing signal output part 108
outputs a bypass valve fixing signal for inhibiting the drive of the bypass
valve 26, thereby fixing the bypass valve 26 at a current position, and a
bypass valve closing operation signal for fully closing the bypass valve 26 in
a compulsory manner based on those input signals. Referring to a
flowchart of FIG. 5, a description is later given of details of control
out by the bypass valve fixing signal output part 108.
[0094] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the control carried
by the bypass valve fixing release signal output part 107.
[0095] In Step Si, the controller 4 determines whether the target stack
supply flow rate is equal to or more than the compressor supply flow rate
requested for dilution or not. When the target stack supply flow rate is
equal to or more than the compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution,
the controller 4 carries out processing of Step S2. On the other hand, when
the target stack supply flow rate is less than the compressor supply flow rate
requested for dilution, the controller 4 carries out processing of Step S3.
[0096] In Step S2, the controller 4 sets the bypass valve fixing release
[0097] In Step S3, the controller 4 sets the bypass valve fixing release
[0098] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the control carried
provided by the bypass valve fixing signal output part 108.
[0099] In Step S11, the controller 4 determines whether the bypass valve
fixing release signal is set to ON or not. When the bypass valve fixing
release signal is set to ON, the controller 4 carries out processing of Step
S12. On the other hand, when the bypass valve fixing release signal is set
to OFF, the controller 4 carries out processing of Step S14.
[0100] In Step S12, the controller 4 sets the bypass valve closing operation
signal to ON regardless of the opening degree of the bypass valve 26. This
is because the bypass valve 26 needs to be fully closed when the bypass
valve fixing release signal is set to ON, and when the bypass valve closing
operation signal is set to ON, a predetermined value for compulsorily
closing the bypass valve 26 is input to the deviation used for the PI control
of the bypass valve control part 106. After the bypass valve 26 is fully
closed, the integral operation of operating the bypass valve 26 toward the
close direction is stopped in order to prevent the windup phenomenon in
the PI control of the bypass valve control part 106.
[0101] As described above, the bypass valve closing operation signal is set
to ON in accordance with the setting of the bypass valve fixing release
signal to ON, and when the bypass valve fixing release signal is set to ON,
the bypass valve 26 can thus be always operated toward the close direction,
thereby maintaining the bypass valve 26 in the fully closed state.
[0102] In Step S13, the controller 4 sets the bypass valve fixing signal to
[0103] In Step S14, the controller 4 sets the bypass valve closing operation
signal to OFF.
[0104] In Step S15, the controller 4 determines whether the actual stack
supply flow rate is in a bypass valve fixing range or not. The bypass valve
fixing range is a range having a flow rate (hereinafter referred to as "fixing
range upper limit flow rate") acquired by adding a predetermined value a to
the target stack supply flow rate as an upper limit and a flow rate
(hereinafter referred to as "fixing range lower limit flow rate") acquired by
subtracting a predetermined value j3 from the target stack supply flow rate
as a lower limit. It should be noted that the predetermined value a is a
minute value set by considering a detection error of the second flow rate
sensor 42 for detecting the actual stack supply flow rate, a control error of
feedback control, and the like, and the target stack supply flow rate and the
fixing range upper limit flow rate thus have values approximately equal to
each other. The predetermined value j3 is a value more than the
predetermined value a, and is set to a value approximately equal to a
bypass flow rate corresponding to the unit opening degree of the bypass
valve 26. When the actual stack supply flow rate is in the bypass valve
fixing range, the controller 4 carries out processing of Step S16. On the
other hand, when the actual stack supply flow rate is not in the bypass
valve fixing range, the controller 4 carries out processing of Step S13.
[0105] In Step S16, the controller 4 sets the bypass valve fixing release
signal to ON.
[0106] FIGS. 6 are time charts illustrating the operation of the control for
the cathode system according to the embodiment. In the following, a
description is given while also referring to the step numbers in the
flowchart of FIG. 5 in order to clarify a correspondence to the flowchart.
[0107] The same operation as that of the control for the cathode system
according to the comparative example is carried out from the time a to the
time t6.
[0108] When the bypass valve 26 is opened by the unit opening degree at
the time t6, the actual stack supply flow rate falls in the bypass valve
range. The target stack supply flow rate is less than the compressor supply
flow rate requested for dilution at the time t6, and the bypass valve fixing
release signal is thus OFF. Therefore, the state where the state where the
actual stack supply flow rate falls in the bypass valve fixing range at the
time t6 is brought about, and the bypass valve fixing signal is thus set to
[0109] On this occasion, the compressor supply flow rate requested for
dilution is set as the target compressor supply flow rate and the actual
stack supply flow rate is more than the target stack supply flow rate from
the time t2 to the time t6, and the PI control of the compressor-supply-flow-
amount-requested-by-stack calculation part 103 thus stops the calculation
of the time integration of the deviation. Therefore, the compressor supply
flow rate requested by stack becomes constant as a result of the state
where the difference between the target stack supply flow rate and the
actual stack supply flow rate becomes constant at the time t5 (FIG. 6(B)).
[0110] Then, when the bypass valve 26 is opened by the unit opening
degree at the time t6, and the actual stack supply flow rate decreases
below the target stack supply flow rate, the PI control of the compressor-
supply- flow- amount- requested- by- stack calculation part 103 thus
resumes the calculation of the time integration of the deviation. As a
result, the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack gradually
increases after the time t6 (FIG. 6(B)).
[0111] Then, when the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack
increases above the compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution at a
time t21, the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack is set as the
[0112] Even after the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack is set
as the target compressor supply flow rate at the time t21, the actual stack
supply flow rate is less than the target stack supply flow rate (FIG. 6(A)),
and the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack thus increases, and
the target compressor supply flow rate accordingly increases. As a result,
the actual stack supply flow rate increases as the target compressor supply
flow rate increases (FIG. 6(A)).
[0113] As a result, the actual stack supply flow rate can be increased to the
target stack supply flow rate at a time t22. Then, until the requested
generated power for the fuel cell stack changes at a time t23 (FIG. 6(A)),
while the opening degree of the bypass valve 26 is fixed (FIGS. 6(D) and (E)),
the actual stack supply flow rate is maintained to the target stack supply
flow rate (FIG. 6(A)).
[0114] At the time t23, for example, when the accelerator operation amount
increases, the requested generated power increases as a result, and the
stack supply flow rate requested for power generation achievement
accordingly increases, the target stack supply flow rate increases toward
the stack supply flow rate requested for power generation achievement (FIG.
6(A)). As a result, the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack also
increases (FIG. 6(B)).
[0115] The compressor supply flow rate requested by stack is more than the
compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution at the time t23, and the
compressor supply flow rate requested by stack is thus set as the target
compressor supply flow rate.
As a result, the responsive cathode
compressor is controlled so as to control the actual compressor supply flow
rate to reach the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack, and the
actual stack supply flow rate increases approximately following the target
stack supply flow rate. As a result, the actual stack supply flow rate
remains in the bypass valve fixing range (FIG. 6(A)).
[0116] Then, even after the target stack supply flow rate (stack supply flow
rate requested for power generation) is more than the compressor supply
flow rate requested for dilution at a time t24, and the state where the bypass
valve 26 can be fully closed is thus brought about, the bypass valve 26
cannot be closed. If the bypass valve 26 remains opened even after the
state where the bypass valve 26 can be closed is brought about in this way,
the compressor supply flow rate wastefully increases by a corresponding
amount, resulting in degradation in fuel efficiency.
[0117] In view of this, in this embodiment, when the target stack supply flow
rate becomes more than the compressor supply flow rate requested for
dilution, the bypass valve fixing release signal and the bypass valve closing
operation signal are set to ON, thereby enabling the bypass valve 26 to be
closed even when the actual stack supply flow rate is in the bypass valve
fixing range.
[0118] At a time t24, when the target stack supply flow rate becomes more
than the compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution (FIG. 6(A)), and
the bypass valve fixing release signal is set to ON, the bypass valve closing
operation signal is set to ON, and the bypass valve fixing signal is set to
(FIGS. 6(C) and (D); YES in S11, S12, and S13). In this way, the close side
bypass valve operation amount calculated by the bypass valve control part
106 is increased as a result of the bypass valve closing operation signal set
[0119] When the close side bypass valve operation amount exceeds the
predetermined amount, and the bypass valve 26 is closed by the unit
opening degree at a time t25, the actual stack supply flow rate becomes more
than the target stack supply flow rate (FIG. 6(A)). As a result, after the
t25, the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack decreases (FIG. 6(B)),
and the actual stack supply flow rate also decreases (FIG. 6(A)).
[0120] Even after the bypass valve 26 is closed at the time t25, the opening
degree of the bypass valve 26 is not fully closed, and the close operation
continues at a time t26 (FIG. 6(E)). In this way, the actual stack supply flow
rate increases above the target stack supply flow rate (FIG. 6(A)). As a
result, the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack decreases (FIG.
6(B)), and the actual stack supply flow rate also decreases (FIG. 6(A)).
Similarly, at a time t27, the bypass valve 26 is closed, and the bypass valve
26 is fully closed (FIG. 6(E)).
[0121] According to this embodiment described above, after the target stack
supply flow rate decreases below the compressor supply flow rate requested
for dilution, and the bypass valve fixing release signal is set to OFF, the
bypass valve 26 is fixed when the bypass valve 26 stepwise opens and the
[0122] In this way, the bypass valve 26 is prevented from repeating
opening/closing, and the actual compressor supply flow rate can thus be
prevented from fluctuating upward/downward around the target compressor
supply flow rate. As a result, the noise can be prevented from being
generated from the cathode compressor 22. Moreover, the bypass valve 26
is fixed after the actual stack supply flow rate decreases below the target
stack supply flow rate, and the electrolyte membranes can thus be prevented
from being excessively dried.
[0123] Moreover, in this embodiment, if the compressor supply flow rate
requested for dilution is set as the target compressor supply flow rate in the
target compressor supply flow rate setting part 104 in order to prevent the
windup phenomena, only when the actual stack supply flow rate is less than
the target stack supply flow rate (only when the compressor supply flow rate
requested by stack needs to be increased), the time integration of the
carried out in the compressor-supply-flow-amount-requested-by-stack
calculation part 103. Then, when the actual stack supply flow rate is more
than the target stack supply flow rate (when the compressor supply flow rate
requested by stack needs to be reduced), the time integration of the
[0124] As a result, if the drive of the bypass valve 26 is inhibited in the
where the actual stack supply flow rate is more than the target stack supply
flow rate, when the difference between the actual stack supply flow rate and
the target stack supply flow rate becomes constant as a result of the
inhibition of the drive of the bypass valve 26, the time integration of the
deviation is stopped, and the actual stack supply flow rate cannot be
controlled to match the target stack supply flow rate.
[0125] In contrast, in this embodiment, the bypass valve 26 is inhibited from
being driven after the actual stack supply flow rate decreases below the
target stack supply flow rate, and even when the difference between the
actual stack supply flow rate and the target stack supply flow rate becomes
constant, the time integration of the difference can be carried out.
Therefore, the compressor supply flow rate requested by stack can be
increased so that the actual stack supply flow rate matches the target stack
supply flow rate. Thus, the electrolyte membrane of each of the fuel cells is
prevented from being excessively dried, and the power generation efficiency
can thus be prevented from decreasing.
[0126] Moreover, in this embodiment, when the target stack supply flow rate
becomes more than the compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution,
the bypass valve fixing release signal and the bypass valve closing operation
signal are set to ON, thereby enabling the bypass valve 26 to be closed even
when the actual stack supply flow rate is in the bypass valve fixing range.
[0127] In this way, after the bypass valve 26 is fixed, and the actual stack
supply flow rate is controlled to match the target stack supply flow rate, the
state where the bypass valve 26 cannot be closed even when the bypass
valve 26 can be fully closed can be prevented from occurring. As a result,
the compressor supply flow rate does not wastefully increase, and the
degradation in fuel efficiency can thus be prevented.
[0128] Though a description has been given of the embodiment of this
invention, the embodiment describes only a part of application examples of
this invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of this
[0129] In the embodiment described above, the bypass valve 26 is closed
by the unit opening degree when the target stack supply flow rate becomes
more than the compressor supply flow rate requested for dilution, but the
bypass valve 26 may be controlled to be fully closed.
[0130] Moreover, in the embodiment described above, the stack supply flow
rate requested for power generation and the stack supply flow rate
requested for wetting are input to the target stack supply flow rate setting
part 102, but a stack supply flow rate for flooding prevention, which is
determined depending on the load on the fuel cell stack 1, may be
additionally input, and the largest value thereof may be used as the target
[0131] Moreover, in the embodiment described above, the compressor
supply flow rate requested for dilution and the compressor supply flow rate
requested by stack are input to the target compressor supply flow rate
setting part 104, but a compressor supply flow rate for surging prevention
for the cathode compressor 22 may be additionally input, and the largest
value thereof may be used as the target compressor supply flow rate.
[0132] Moreover, in the embodiment described above, the feedback control
based on the target compressor supply flow rate and the actual compressor
supply flow rate is carried out in the cathode compressor control part 105,
but feed forward control based on the target compressor supply flow rate
Forecasted Issue Date 2016-09-20
(86) PCT Filing Date 2013-02-28
(85) National Entry 2014-08-28
Examination Requested 2014-08-28
Last Payment 2020-02-05 $200.00
Next Payment if small entity fee 2021-03-01 $100.00
Next Payment if standard fee 2021-03-01 $200.00
Request for Examination $800.00 2014-08-28
Filing $400.00 2014-08-28
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2015-03-02 $100.00 2014-08-28
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2016-02-29 $100.00 2016-01-14
Final Fee $300.00 2016-07-21
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 4 2017-02-28 $100.00 2016-12-13
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 5 2018-02-28 $200.00 2018-02-07
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 6 2019-02-28 $200.00 2019-02-07
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 7 2020-02-28 $200.00 2020-02-05
Cover Page 2016-08-22 1 58
Claims 2014-08-28 3 112
Drawings 2014-08-28 9 182
Description 2014-08-28 37 1,570
Representative Drawing 2014-08-28 1 54
Abstract 2014-08-28 1 27
Drawings 2014-08-29 9 181
Description 2014-08-29 37 1,628
Cover Page 2014-11-24 2 63
Representative Drawing 2016-08-22 1 23
Abstract 2016-08-23 1 27
Claims 2016-02-23 4 121
Description 2016-02-23 39 1,690
Assignment 2014-08-28 9 333
Prosecution-Amendment 2014-08-28 19 828
PCT 2014-08-28 8 300
Prosecution-Amendment 2015-03-30 1 26
Prosecution-Amendment 2015-09-16 3 223
Prosecution-Amendment 2016-02-23 15 460
Correspondence 2016-07-21 1 29