Apparatus and method for preventing moisture condensation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018331377-A1
Application number	US-201816044102-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 24, 2018
Priority date	Nov 20, 2014
Publication date	Nov 15, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

An apparatus for preventing moisture condensation includes a fuel cell stack and an enclosure in which the fuel cell stack is disposed. A heater and a temperature sensor are provided in the enclosure. A controller is configured to control the heater to be turned on when an insulation resistance between the fuel cell stack and the enclosure is less than a preset resistance value. The controller controls the heater not to be turned on when a surface temperature of the enclosure measured by the temperature sensor exceeds a preset temperature.

First claim

1 - 15 . (canceled)

16 . A method for preventing moisture condensation, comprising steps of:
measuring an insulation resistance between a fuel cell stack and an enclosure; determining whether the insulation resistance is less than a preset resistance value; determining whether a surface temperature of the enclosure measured by a temperature sensor exceeds a preset temperature; controlling a heater to be turned on for a predetermined period of time when the surface temperature of the enclosure does not exceed the preset temperature; and controlling a warning device to be turned on when the surface temperature of the enclosure exceeds the present temperature.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising steps of:
sensing a starting-on signal of a vehicle; determining whether an average voltage per cell of the fuel cell stack is greater than a first voltage when the starting-on signal is sensed; controlling the heater to be turned on for the predetermined period of time when the average voltage per cell of the fuel cell stack is greater than the first voltage; determining the average voltage per cell of the fuel cell stack is equal to or less than a second voltage after the heater is turned on; and controlling the heater to be turned off when the average voltage per cell of the fuel cell stack is equal to or less than the second voltage.

18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising steps of:
sensing a vehicle stop signal or a shut-down signal; controlling the heater to be turned on when the stop signal or shut-down signal is sensed; determining whether an average voltage per cell of the fuel cell stack is equal to or less than a second voltage after the heater is turned on; and controlling the heater to be turned off when the average voltage per cell of the fuel cell stack is equal to or less than the second voltage.

19 . A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium comprising computer executable instructions of which cause a controller to perform the method according to claim 16 .

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Motors Corp

Inventors

• Yu Jung Han
• Suh Jung Do
• Kim Ju Han
• Kim Duck Whan
• Im Se Joon
• Noh Young Woo

Classifications

• H01M8/04223 Primary

  during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells · CPC title

• H01M8/04552

  of the individual fuel cell · CPC title

• H01M2250/20

  Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane · CPC title

• H01M8/04268 Primary

  Heating of fuel cells during the start-up of the fuel cells · CPC title

• H01M8/0432

  Temperature; Ambient temperature · CPC title