US 12,315,971 B2
Multi-fuel cell system and control method thereof
Jun Young Kim, Gumi-si (KR); Jun Young Park, Suwon-si (KR); Kyu Il Lee, Yongin-si (KR); and Min Su Kang, Paju-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 Oct. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/049,339.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2022-0033527 (KR), filed on Mar. 17, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0299317 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. H01M 8/04223 (2016.01); H01M 8/04082 (2016.01); H01M 8/04119 (2016.01); H01M 8/04225 (2016.01); H01M 8/04302 (2016.01); H01M 8/04746 (2016.01); H01M 8/04858 (2016.01)
CPC H01M 8/04253 (2013.01) [H01M 8/04126 (2013.01); H01M 8/04201 (2013.01); H01M 8/04225 (2016.02); H01M 8/04268 (2013.01); H01M 8/04302 (2016.02); H01M 8/04753 (2013.01); H01M 8/04932 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-fuel cell system, comprising:
a plurality of fuel cell units electrically connected to each other and each including a fuel cell, an air compressor, and a humidifier; and
a controller that causes a first fuel cell unit, one of the plurality of fuel cell units, to generate power in a defrost mode when the plurality of fuel cell units is cold-started, drives an air compressor of a second fuel cell unit, another fuel cell unit, by providing power generated by the first fuel cell unit to the second fuel cell unit, and causes the first fuel cell unit to generate power in a heating mode and the second fuel cell unit to generate power in the defrost mode when a defrosting of the first fuel cell unit is completed.
 
7. A control method of a multi-fuel cell system, comprising the steps of:
causing a first fuel cell unit, one of a plurality of electrically connected fuel cell units, to generate power in a defrost mode by a controller when the plurality of electrically connected fuel cell units is cold-started;
driving an air compressor of a second fuel cell unit, another fuel cell unit, by providing power generated by the first fuel cell unit to the second fuel cell unit, by the controller; and
causing the first fuel cell unit to generate power in a heating mode and the second fuel cell unit to generate power in the defrost mode by the controller when a defrosting of the first fuel cell unit is completed.