A fuel cell and battery for a hybrid vehicle

摘要

This invention provides a new method and system to control strategies of a combined fuel cell and battery pack power system to produce an efficient and cost-effective powertrain with acceptable drivability and low emissions. The method and system provide strategies for vehicle start-up, power load changes, and steady state driving conditions. The strategies reduce vehicle maintenance cost by increasing the battery service life and fuel efficiency. Further, the strategies reduce vehicle cost by reducing fuel cell engine size required by a hybrid electric vehicle while responding rapidly to load changes. The strategies also provide increased fuel efficiency by recovery, storage, and re-use of the vehicle kinetic energy normally dissipated as heat during braking.