US 11,757,119 B1
Systems and methods for hydrogen supply valve leak detection
Nader Zaag, Milton (CA); Sonia Sorbera, Woodbridge (CA); and Nathaniel Ian Joos, Mississauga (CA)
Assigned to HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONS, Mississauga (CA)
Filed by HYDROGENICS CORPORATION, Mississauga (CA)
Filed on Jun. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/329,996.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/351,087, filed on Jun. 10, 2022.
Int. Cl. H01M 8/04 (2016.01); H01M 8/04992 (2016.01); G01M 3/18 (2006.01); H01M 8/04111 (2016.01); H01M 8/04223 (2016.01); H01M 8/04746 (2016.01)
CPC H01M 8/04992 (2013.01) [G01M 3/184 (2013.01); H01M 8/04111 (2013.01); H01M 8/04231 (2013.01); H01M 8/04753 (2013.01); H01M 8/04761 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of performing a leak check of a hydrogen supply valve of a fuel cell system, comprising:
measuring an initial voltage of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system in order to determine whether the initial voltage is below a predetermined initial threshold voltage, indicating the fuel cell stack is sufficiently discharged to execute the hydrogen supply valve leak check;
closing the hydrogen supply valve and purge valves of the fuel cell system; and
in response to the initial voltage being below the predetermined initial threshold voltage:
supplying hydrogen to an inlet side of the hydrogen supply valve of the fuel cell stack for a predetermined time period while the hydrogen supply valve remains closed;
opening a cathode exhaust valve of the fuel cell system;
enabling a blower of the fuel cell system in order to supply an oxidant to the fuel cell stack for the predetermined time period;
continuously measuring a test voltage of the fuel cell stack during the predetermined time period while oxygen is being supplied to the fuel cell stack;
determining that the hydrogen supply valve is leaking in response to the test voltage exceeding a predetermined leak voltage for the predetermined time period; and
one of (i) outputting a message indicative that the hydrogen supply valve is leaking in response to the test voltage exceeding the predetermined leak voltage for the predetermined time period or (ii) outputting a message indicative that the hydrogen supply valve is not leaking in response to the test voltage not exceeding the predetermined leak voltage for the predetermined time period.