Patent classifications
B60L3/0053
Faulty power source ejection in a safe zone
Methods, systems, and devices of an electrical vehicle are provided that recognize a catastrophic power system fault with one or more drive power sources of the vehicle and in response driving to an identified safe ejection location, ejecting the faulty drive power sources, and driving to a safe parked location or outside a predetermined safe range. Upon reaching the safe ejection location, the driver or vehicle can evaluate the location using imaging sensors to determine whether the location is free of objects, animals, or people. If not, the vehicle may autonomously drive or be driven to another safe ejection location. After detecting and prior to ejecting the faulty drive power sources, the vehicle may send warning messages, including information about the power system fault, to at least one device or third party. After ejection, the vehicle may be driven to a safe parked location or outside a predetermined safe range.
Method for operating a fuel cell system of a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle
A method for operating a fuel cell system of a motor vehicle includes the steps of: i) detecting whether a washing process of the motor vehicle in a wash facility for cleaning the exterior of the motor vehicle is taking place or is imminent and ii) reducing the supply of an oxidizing agent to a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system when it has been detected that a washing process is taking place or is imminent.
Circulation system for a fuel cell vehicle
The invention relates to a circulation system (1) for a fuel cell vehicle, with a first flow circuit (10) which conveys a first fluid and can be operated in heat pump operation; a second flow circuit (30) which can be operated in a heat exchange connection to the first flow circuit (10) and which conveys a second fluid, in particular for the purpose of cooling a traction battery (39); and a third flow circuit (50) which can be operated in a heat exchange connection to the second flow circuit (30) and which conveys a third fluid, in particular for the purpose of cooling a fuel cell arrangement (55), wherein the circulation system (1) also has a fourth flow circuit (70) which conveys a fourth fluid, and at least one conveying device (71) for the fourth fluid, least one heat exchanger (85) and/or convector (81) to which the fourth fluid can be conveyed for the purpose of heating at least one interior of a fuel cell vehicle, and one heat exchanger (7) to which the fourth fluid can be conveyed for a heat exchange with the first fluid are arranged in the fourth flow circuit (70), wherein this heat exchanger (7) to which the first fluid can also be conveyed is arranged in the high-pressure region of the first flow circuit (10). Such a circulation system (1) improves the flexibility and efficiency of the temperature control of vehicle interiors and of components of a fuel cell vehicle.
Control method for fuel cell system to prevent freezing in air exhaust system
A control method for a fuel cell system is provided to prevent freezing in an air exhaust system of the fuel cell system. The method prevents freezing in the exhaust system by specifying a vehicle condition in which possibility of freezing is high and operating the fuel cell system based on different vehicle-specific standards. The performs air supercharging control based on an ambient temperature and a temperature of cooling water, air supercharging control by applying weights based on inclinations of a vehicle, and a forced heating logic using a COD heater.
Fuel Cell Vehicle
A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell and a junction box. The fuel cell includes at least one cell stack including a plurality of unit cells in a stacked configuration, heaters disposed at end portions of the at least one cell stack, current collectors disposed at the end portions of the at least one cell stack, a terminal block electrically connecting the current collectors and the heaters to the junction box, a positive bus bar and a negative bus bar electrically connecting the current collectors to the terminal block, and a positive wire and a negative wire electrically connecting the heaters to the terminal block. The junction box includes a first switching unit disposed between the positive wire and the positive bus bar, and a second switching unit disposed between the negative wire and the negative bus bar.
Insulation monitor
The presented invention relates to a method for monitoring an insulation state of a first high-voltage network and an insulation state of at least one further high-voltage network of a vehicle, wherein a single insulation monitor is connected to the first high-voltage network and to the at least one further high-voltage network, and wherein, by means of the insulation monitor, a first insulation measurement, initially, is carried out, in a periodically repeated sequence, on the first high-voltage network, and, then, a further insulation measurement is carried out in each case on the at least one further high-voltage network.
Fuel cell vehicle and method for controlling the same
A fuel cell vehicle according to the present disclosure includes: a fuel cell; a multiphase converter configured to control an output current of the fuel cell; a current sensor provided in each phase of the multiphase converter; an electric load configured to receive power supplied from the fuel cell; and a control unit. The control unit performs, when it detects an excess or a deficiency of electric energy of the electric load, replacement of phases driven by the multiphase converter while the output current of the fuel cell is kept constant, and determines, when the excess or the deficiency of the electric energy of the electric load is eliminated after the replacement of the phases, that an offset failure has occurred in the current sensor provided in the phase that has been driven before the replacement.
GAS FILLING METHOD
A hydrogen filling system of the present invention is provided with: a pressure accumulator; a pipe connecting the pressure accumulator and a hydrogen tank on a vehicle; a flow volume control valve, a pressure sensor, and a flow volume sensor with which the pipe is fitted; and a station ECU which operates the control valve under a predetermined filling condition. A gas filling method for filling hydrogen gas into the tank from the accumulator is provided with: a step of, after filling of the hydrogen gas has been started, calculating, using a detected value from the pressure sensor when the flow volume of hydrogen gas in the pipe has decreased, the value of a pressure loss coefficient correlated with a pressure loss caused in the pipe; and a step of changing the filling condition to a condition determined on the basis of the value of the pressure loss coefficient.
POWER SUPPLY DEVICE HAVING A FUEL CELL ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR LOWERING VOLTAGE IN A FUEL CELL ARRANGEMENT
A power supply device for the electric power supply of at least one consumer is provided having a primary power grid, in which there is present a fuel cell arrangement comprising electric contacts, which includes a discharge circuit switched in parallel and connected to the electric contacts, comprising a switch element activatable by means of a controller across a switch line as well as a resistance element, and having a DC-DC converter which is present in the primary power grid, by which the primary power grid is connected to a secondary power grid, characterized in that the discharge circuit comprises a safety device or a safety function, which holds the switch element in an opened state and thereby makes the discharge circuit inactive for as long as an actuating possibility exists via the switch line, and which places the switch element in a closed state and thereby makes the discharge circuit active for lowering the voltage of the fuel cell arrangement once the actuating possibility via the switch line is denied. Furthermore, a method for lowering the voltage of a fuel cell arrangement of a power supply device is also provided.
PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING LOW-LEVEL FUEL INJECTOR LEAKAGE IN A FUEL CELL SYSTEM
A process for detecting a low-level leak in a fuel cell system is provided. The process includes, within a computerized fuel cell controller, operating programming to monitor operation of the fuel cell system, determine an expected reduction in pressure within an anode gas loop of the fuel cell system based upon the monitored operation, determine a calibrated threshold pressure change based upon the expected reduction in pressure and a margin selected to indicate excess hydrogen gas within the anode gas loop indicating a fuel injector leak, when a fuel injector of the fuel cell system is commanded to a closed state, monitor a pressure within the anode gas loop through a time period, compare the monitored pressure within the anode gas loop through the time period to the calibrated threshold pressure change, and when the comparing indicates the excess hydrogen gas is present, taking remedial action.