US 12,261,332 B2
Fuel cell system for generating electric power and method of controlling same
Jai Hyun Ahn, Whasung-Si (KR)
Assigned to Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul (KR); and Kia Corporation, Seoul (KR)
Filed by Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul (KR); and Kia Corporation, Seoul (KR)
Filed on Jul. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/875,132.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2021-0161946 (KR), filed on Nov. 23, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0163330 A1, May 25, 2023
Int. Cl. H01M 8/04223 (2016.01); H01M 8/04228 (2016.01)
CPC H01M 8/04231 (2013.01) [H01M 8/04228 (2016.02); H01M 8/04253 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fuel cell system for generating electric power, the system comprising:
a plurality of fuel cell modules, each including a fuel cell stack, an air compressor, and an auxiliary battery; and
a system controller configured to select at least one fuel cell module among the fuel cell modules as a power supply module and, when the at least one fuel cell module is shut down and when the air compressor needs to be operated, configured to operate the air compressor of the at least one fuel cell module when the at least one fuel cell module is shut down, through the power supply module,
wherein when the at least one fuel cell module is shut down and when additional draining is necessary, the system controller is configured to select the at least one fuel cell module as the power supply module, and
wherein among all the fuel cell modules, the system controller is configured to select, as the power supply module, a fuel cell module having a highest value provided by an outside-air temperature detector.