VEHICLE POWER SYSTEMS AND METHODS EMPLOYING FUEL CELLS

摘要

Power systems and methods described herein can provide power system management and power delivery, among other functionality. The power systems and methods for a vehicle can employ a fuel cell, such as a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), as a power source in conjunction with another power sources, such as one or more vehicle batteries, capacitors, etc. The fuel cell can be conditionally used to provide power to the electrical system, thereby reducing the load on the vehicle batteries.

主权项

1. A vehicle, comprising:
one or more electrical devices each having a power load; a power source comprising one or more power storage devices and a fuel cell configured to supply power to the one or more electrical devices, the one or more power storage devices having an aggregate state of charge (SOC); one or more data sources configured to provide data indicative of two or more of: vehicle history, vehicle location, vehicle operation, electrical device usage, weather data, and aggregate SOC of the one or more power storage devices; and a controller configured to conditionally operate the fuel cell, wherein the controller is configured to start the fuel cell based on the data provided by the one or more data sources and fuel cell operational data in order for the power source to meet the power loads of the one or more electrical devices.