IP Library Granted Patent US 12712189
Granted Patent B2
US 12712189 · App. 18/086,764 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Connected fuel cell vehicle predictive freeze wake scheduling

Inventor: James Joseph Reynolds (Saline, MI)
Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
H01M8/04253H01M8/04303H01M8/04365H01M2250/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12712189
App. No.
18/086,764
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems for operating fuel-cell systems are disclosed. The amount of time the fuel-cell system is to be shut down can be calculated using external weather-related information. The amount of time the fuel-cell system is to be shut down can also be calculated using default settings. The fuel-cell system may be used to power an electric vehicle.

Claims (18)

1 . A vehicle comprising:

a fuel cell system; and

one or more processors programmed to, while the vehicle is parked, perform a wake operation for the fuel cell system at a time defined by a schedule such that the time is based on obtained weather forecast data for a location of the vehicle responsive to a confidence associated with the weather forecast data exceeding a threshold and is based on a default setting responsive to the confidence not exceeding the threshold.

2 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further programmed to, after receiving a signal to shut down the fuel cell system, generate the schedule.

3 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further programmed to, after performing the wake operation, update the schedule.

4 . The vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the one or more processors are further programmed to obtain additional weather forecast data after performing the wake operation.

5 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further programmed to inhibit performing the wake operation responsive to presence of a predefined condition.

6 . The vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the predefined condition is ambient temperature exceeding a predefined value.

7 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further programmed to receive off-board commands to perform the wake operation.

8 . A fuel cell system for a vehicle comprising:

a fuel cell stack; and

one or more processors programmed to, while the vehicle is parked,

perform a wake operation for the fuel cell stack responsive to receiving an off-board command to perform the wake operation, and

perform the wake operation at a time defined by a schedule such that the time is based on a default setting responsive to off-board communication being unavailable.

9 . The fuel cell system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further programmed to, after receiving a signal to shut down the fuel cell system, generate the schedule.

10 . The fuel cell system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further programmed to, after performing the wake operation, update the schedule.

11 . The fuel cell system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further programmed to inhibit performing the wake operation responsive to presence of a predefined condition.

12 . The fuel cell system of claim 11 , wherein the predefined condition is ambient temperature exceeding a predefined value.