Fuel cell optimum operating point tracking system in a power source device using a fuel cell, and power source device equipped with this fuel cell optimum operating point tracking system

摘要

PPROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply using a fuel cell which enables to track an optimum operation of the fuel cell in as short a time as possible and as exactly as possible. PSOLUTION: A fuel cell optimum operating-point tracking system includes a fuel cell maximum power search function which monitors the power state of the fuel cell 1 by varying the output of the fuel cell 1, and improves the response by starting the operation from an input voltage at a maximum power point; and a fuel cell optimum operating-point tracking operation function which, while always maintaining the power supply operation in a stable state, tracks an optimum operating-point by imparting a minute voltage variation in the vicinity of the present operation voltage. The fuel cell optimum operating-point tracking operation function includes a maximum power search timer setting means 20 which, when the fuel cell is started with the fuel cell maximum power search function, establishes a waiting time so as to be proportional to a fuel cell output voltage command value variation to an operating-point, where the power state has been measured by varying the output voltage up to the maximum voltage of the maximum power point tracking control, and tracks the optimum operating-point by monitoring the maximum power after the waiting time. PCOPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT