Systems and methods for diagnostic testing and operation of electrochemical devices using pressure perturbation techniques are provided. In some embodiments, the systems and methods can be used to conduct pressure frequency response analysis (pFRA), such as electrochemical pressure impedance spectroscopy (EPIS) or other techniques, on fuel cell assemblies. In addition to a primary reactant control valve used to control the supply of a reactant to the fuel cell, a secondary adjustable valve is located upstream of the fuel cell under test and downstream of the primary reactant control valve. The secondary adjustable valve can be adjusted so that pressure oscillations applied near the outlet of the fuel cell are also observed at the fuel cell inlet. This can make it possible to obtain reliable pFRA signals at the fuel cell inlet as well as at the outlet. The secondary adjustable valve can also be adjusted to control the linearity of the voltage response.
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus that can be used for efficient end-of-line (EOL) testing of electrochemical stacks once they are assembled, and prior to break-in or operation of the stack. Rapid test methods and test methods that can be performed in parallel to detect different types of defects are described. Embodiments of the methods and apparatus can be used for testing PEM fuel cell stacks and electrolyzers.
G01R 31/396 - Acquisition ou traitement de données pour le test ou la surveillance d’éléments particuliers ou de groupes particuliers d’éléments dans une batterie
G01R 31/378 - Dispositions pour le test, la mesure ou la surveillance de l’état électrique d’accumulateurs ou de batteries, p. ex. de la capacité ou de l’état de charge spécialement adaptées à un type de batterie ou d’accumulateur
H01M 8/04089 - Dispositions pour la commande des paramètres des réactifs, p. ex. de la pression ou de la concentration des réactifs gazeux
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus that can be used for efficient end-of-line (EOL) testing of electrochemical stacks once they are assembled, and prior to break-in or operation of the stack. Rapid test methods and test methods that can be performed in parallel to detect different types of defects are described. Embodiments of the methods and apparatus can be used for testing PEM fuel cell stacks and electrolyzers.
C25B 15/023 - Mesure, analyse ou test pendant la production électrolytique
G01M 3/20 - Examen de l'étanchéité des structures ou ouvrages vis-à-vis d'un fluide par utilisation d'un fluide ou en faisant le vide par détection de la présence du fluide à l'emplacement de la fuite en utilisant des révélateurs particuliers, p. ex. teinture, produits fluorescents, produits radioactifs
G01R 31/00 - Dispositions pour tester les propriétés électriquesDispositions pour la localisation des pannes électriquesDispositions pour tests électriques caractérisées par ce qui est testé, non prévues ailleurs
G01R 31/378 - Dispositions pour le test, la mesure ou la surveillance de l’état électrique d’accumulateurs ou de batteries, p. ex. de la capacité ou de l’état de charge spécialement adaptées à un type de batterie ou d’accumulateur
Methods and apparatus for detecting electrical short circuits in fuel cell stacks are provided. The methods involve supplying a reactant and an inert gas to a fuel cell stack and measuring the open circuit voltage of fuel cell assemblies in the fuel cell stack. The sensitivity of the methods can be adjusted to detect an electrical short circuit having a resistance at or below a particular threshold short-circuit resistance value, by using a suitable reactant concentration in the method. The methods can include determining a set-point reactant concentration that can be used to detect an electrical short circuit having a resistance at or below a particular threshold short-circuit resistance value.
G01N 27/26 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant des variables électrochimiquesRecherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en utilisant l'électrolyse ou l'électrophorèse
H01M 8/04298 - Procédés de commande des éléments à combustible ou des systèmes d’éléments à combustible
5.
Systems and methods for acquisition, parameterization, and validation of fuel cell polarization data
Methods, systems, and techniques are provided for acquiring fuel cell polarization data, obtaining fuel cell polarization parameters from the fuel cell polarization data, and validating the reliability of the obtained data and parameters. In some aspects methods for acquiring and parameterizing proton exchange membrane fuel cell polarization data include measuring at least one current-voltage point for an operating fuel cell, and determining at least one polarization parameter of the fuel cell by evaluating a closed form solution using the at least one current-voltage point.
H01M 8/04992 - Procédés de commande des éléments à combustible ou des systèmes d’éléments à combustible caractérisés par la mise en œuvre d’algorithmes mathématiques ou de calcul, p. ex. les boucles de commande de rétroaction, la logique floue, les réseaux neuronaux ou l’intelligence artificielle
09 - Appareils et instruments scientifiques et électriques
16 - Papier, carton et produits en ces matières
42 - Services scientifiques, technologiques et industriels, recherche et conception
Produits et services
Computer software and hardware; computer software and hardware, sold as a unit or separately for automated fuel cell, electrolyser and battery testing and cycling allowing users to control and monitor multiple channels simultaneously and facilitating control from a central station of cooling modules, environmental chambers, loads and power supplies, data acquisition and diagnostic tools. Instructional documentation and user manuals sold as a unit with computer software and hardware. Automation services; design, development, calibration, consultation, technical support in the form of troubleshooting and repair, and upgrade services, all relating to computer software for automated fuel cell, electrolyser and battery testing and cycling.
7.
Channel, system and method for monitoring voltages
Described herein are a channel, system and method for monitoring voltages. Typically, the system includes multiple channels, each for sampling one of the voltages. The channels are physically and electrically coupled to a back end board on which is mounted a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that instructs the channels to simultaneously sample the voltages. Optionally, the channel is powered using an power supply that is isolated from the back end board, and transmits information over an electrically isolated connection to the back end board. The channel also includes voltage signal processing circuitry for processing the voltage signal on board the channel, and has stored on it channel identification information composed of at least one of an operating mode of the channel and a serial number of the channel, which can assist with voltage signal processing.
G01R 19/00 - Dispositions pour procéder aux mesures de courant ou de tension ou pour en indiquer l'existence ou le signe
G01K 7/13 - Circuits de compensation de jonction froide
G01K 1/02 - Moyens d’indication ou d’enregistrement spécialement adaptés aux thermomètres
G01K 7/02 - Mesure de la température basée sur l'utilisation d'éléments électriques ou magnétiques directement sensibles à la chaleur utilisant des éléments thermo-électriques, p. ex. des thermocouples
G01R 31/36 - Dispositions pour le test, la mesure ou la surveillance de l’état électrique d’accumulateurs ou de batteries, p. ex. de la capacité ou de l’état de charge
8.
CHANNEL, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING VOLTAGES
Described herein are a channel, system and method for monitoring voltages. Typically, the system includes multiple channels, each for sampling one of the voltages. The channels are physically and electrically coupled to a back end board on which is mounted a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that instructs the channels to simultaneously sample the voltages. Optionally, the channel is powered using an power supply that is isolated from the back end board, and transmits information over an electrically isolated connection to the back end board. The channel also includes voltage signal processing circuitry for processing the voltage signal on board the channel, and has stored on it channel identification information composed of at least one of an operating mode of the channel and a serial number of the channel, which can assist with voltage signal processing.
G01R 19/00 - Dispositions pour procéder aux mesures de courant ou de tension ou pour en indiquer l'existence ou le signe
G01K 7/13 - Circuits de compensation de jonction froide
G01R 15/14 - Adaptations fournissant une isolation en tension ou en courant, p. ex. adaptations pour les réseaux à haute tension ou à courant fort
G01R 19/25 - Dispositions pour procéder aux mesures de courant ou de tension ou pour en indiquer l'existence ou le signe utilisant une méthode de mesure numérique
G01R 1/28 - Disposition prévue dans des appareils de mesure pour des valeurs de référence, p. ex. tension étalon, forme d'ondes étalon
