US 12,482,841 B2
Range estimator and life-based power demand strategy for fuel cell powertrain systems and methods
Prateek Vaish, West Sacramento, CA (US); Patrick Kaufman, Vacaville, CA (US); Jifei Yan, West Sacramento, CA (US); Roger William Gomes, Elk Grove, CA (US); Venkat Sri Sai Guturi, Redmond, WA (US); Yash Agarwal, San Jose, CA (US); and Vishavjit Singh, Sacramento, CA (US)
Assigned to CUMMINS INC., Columbus, IN (US)
Filed by CUMMINS INC., Columbus, IN (US)
Filed on Nov. 13, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/946,207.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/607,445, filed on Dec. 7, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0192212 A1, Jun. 12, 2025
Int. Cl. H01M 8/04858 (2016.01); G01R 31/387 (2019.01); G01R 31/392 (2019.01); H01M 8/04537 (2016.01); H01M 16/00 (2006.01)
CPC H01M 8/04932 (2013.01) [G01R 31/387 (2019.01); G01R 31/392 (2019.01); H01M 8/04626 (2013.01); H01M 8/04947 (2013.01); H01M 16/006 (2013.01); H01M 2220/20 (2013.01); H01M 2250/20 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a fuel cell, comprising:
determining, via a controller including a processor, a total age of the fuel cell, the total age defined by a total time period that the fuel cell has been operating over a lifespan of the fuel cell;
determining, via the controller, a state-of-charge of a battery associated with the fuel cell;
in response to the state-of-charge of the battery being greater than a predetermined charge threshold, operating the fuel cell at a maximum efficiency point, wherein the maximum efficiency point is predetermined via the controller and is based on predetermined efficiency data of the fuel cell, wherein the maximum efficiency point corresponds to a maximum efficiency power output of the fuel cell; and
in response to the state-of-charge of the battery being less than or equal to the predetermined charge threshold, operating the fuel cell such that the battery operates in a charge-sustaining mode,
wherein the maximum efficiency point is based on the determined total age of the fuel cell, and wherein the maximum efficiency power output of the fuel cell at the maximum efficiency point increases as the total age of the fuel cell increases so as to maximize a range of the fuel cell,
wherein the total age of the fuel cell includes a first predetermined age threshold, wherein the fuel cell is operated at a first maximum efficiency point in response to the total age of the fuel cell being below the first predetermined age threshold, and wherein the fuel cell is operated at a second maximum efficiency point different than the first maximum efficiency point in response to the total age of the fuel cell being at or above the first predetermined age threshold.