Method and apparatus for operating and controlling a power system

Abstract

A fuel cell power system has a plurality of fuel cell power modules, a plurality of local controllers, and a master controller. Each fuel cell power module includes a fuel cell for generating electrical power, and each local controller controls one respective fuel cell power module. The master controller controls the local controllers.

1 . A fuel cell power system comprising: 
 a plurality of fuel cell power modules, each fuel cell power module including a fuel cell for generating electrical power;    a plurality of local controllers, each local controller controlling one respective fuel cell power module; and    a master controller for controlling the local controllers.    
     
     
         2 . The fuel cell power system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fuel cell power modules are electrically connected in parallel.  
     
     
         3 . The fuel cell power system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the fuel cell power modules are substantially identical.  
     
     
         4 . The fuel cell power system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the master controller comprises a plurality of data communications ports connected to data communication links linking the master controller with respective data communication ports on the local controllers.  
     
     
         5 . The fuel cell power system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the master controller comprises an additional data communications port for receiving a power requirement signal from an overall system controller.  
     
     
         6 . The fuel cell power system as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the master controller and local controllers are linked using a CANbus controller area network.  
     
     
         7 . A method of controlling a fuel cell power system having a plurality of fuel cell power modules, the method comprising the steps of: 
 locally controlling each fuel cell power module using a respective local controller; and    globally controlling the local controllers using a master controller.    
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising the step of selectively bypassing at least one of the fuel cell power modules.  
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the step of bypassing at least one of the fuel cell power modules comprises the step of receiving a fault signal at the master controller necessitating shut-down of a faulty fuel cell power module.  
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving system performance data at the master controller from sensors located at each of the fuel cell power modules;    processing the system performance data at the master controller to provide feedback control of the local controllers;    relaying selected system performance data to an overall system controller.    
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the step of relaying selected system performance data to an overall system controller comprises the step of presenting the system performance data to a user.  
     
     
         12 . A fuel cell power system comprising: 
 a plurality of fuel cell power modules, each fuel cell power module including a fuel cell for generating electrical power and further including associated peripheral devices for supplying reactants to the fuel cell and for collecting current and reaction byproducts from the fuel cell;    a plurality of local controllers, each local controller controlling one respective fuel cell power module based on a feedback control loop from sensors disposed in the associated peripheral devices; and    a master controller for controlling the local controllers based on a master feedback control loop receiving feedback from each local controller from which the master controller generates control commands for each local controller.