IP Library Granted Patent US 8,722,265
Granted Patent B2
US 8,722,265 · App. 12/743,896 · Granted May 13, 2014

Fuel cell system

Inventors: Kenji Umayahara (Nishikamo-gun, JP); Michio Yoshida (Nishikamo-gun, JP)
Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,722,265
App. No.
12/743,896
Granted
May 13, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fuel cell system is provided which can extend the time during which a high-potential avoidance control is performed as much as possible, thereby reducing deterioration of a fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell that generates electric power upon a supply of a reaction gas; a power storage device that is charged with at least a part of power generated by the fuel cell; and a controller that controls an output voltage of the fuel cell with, as an upper limit, a high-potential avoidance voltage lower than an open end voltage thereof. The controller variably sets the high-potential avoidance voltage in accordance with the amount of charge SOC of the power storage device.

Claims (18)

1. A fuel cell system comprising:

a fuel cell that generates electric power upon a supply of a reaction gas;

a power storage device that is charged with at least a part of power generated by the fuel cell;

a control device including a high potential avoidance voltage setting device, the control device programmed to control an output voltage of the fuel cell with, as an upper limit, a high-potential avoidance voltage lower than an open end voltage thereof and variably set the high-potential avoidance voltage in accordance with a current state of charge of the power storage device based on a first threshold value and a second threshold value of the state of charge, wherein the second threshold value is higher than the first threshold value,

wherein the high-potential avoidance voltage, which corresponds to the state of charge lower than the first threshold value, is lower than the high-potential avoidance voltage which corresponds to the state of charge between the first and the second threshold value, and

wherein the high-potential avoidance voltage, which corresponds to the state of charge higher than the second threshold value, is higher than the high-potential avoidance voltage which corresponds to the state of charge between the first and the second threshold value.

2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1 , wherein the control device is programmed to set the high-potential avoidance voltage lower as an amount of charge of the power storage device is smaller.

3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1 , wherein the control device is programmed to set the high-potential avoidance voltage lower as a charge capacity of the power storage device is higher.

4. A fuel cell system comprising:

a fuel cell that generates electric power upon a supply of a reaction gas;

a power storage device that is charged with at least a part of power generated by the fuel cell;

a control device including a high potential avoidance voltage setting device, the control device programmed to control an output voltage of the fuel cell with, as an upper limit, a high-potential avoidance voltage lower than an open end voltage thereof and variably set the high-potential avoidance voltage in accordance with a state of charge of the power storage device,

wherein the control device, in accordance with an amount of power consumed by auxiliary devices, or in accordance with regenerative power generated by a motor, or both, is programmed to change the high-potential avoidance voltage, that was variably set in accordance with a state of charge of the power storage device.

5. A fuel cell system comprising:

a fuel cell that generates electric power upon a supply of a reaction gas;

a power storage device that is charged with at least a part of power generated by the fuel cell;

a control device including a high potential avoidance voltage setting device, the control device programmed to control an output voltage of the fuel cell with, as an upper limit, a high-potential avoidance voltage lower than an open end voltage thereof and variably set the high-potential avoidance voltage in accordance with a state of charge of the power storage device,

wherein the control device is programmed to change the high potential avoidance voltage that was variable set in accordance with the state of charge of the power storage device to the highest voltage from among target values for the high-potential avoidance voltages respectively obtained from power which the power storage device can be charged with, power regenerated by a motor, and power consumed by auxiliary devices.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2010
From: UMAYAHARA, KENJI; YOSHIDA, MICHIO
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 024415/0665 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2007-301875 · Nov 21, 2007 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100248053A1 · Sep 30, 2010