U.S. patent application number 12/416106 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-01 for fuel cell cabinet heat management and thermal control system.
Invention is credited to Thomas F. CRAFT, JR., Anil K. TREHAN.
Application Number | 20090246566 12/416106 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41117728 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090246566 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CRAFT, JR.; Thomas F. ; et
al. |
October 1, 2009 |
FUEL CELL CABINET HEAT MANAGEMENT AND THERMAL CONTROL SYSTEM
Abstract
A fuel cell cabinet is provided. The fuel cell cabinet includes
a housing, a fuel cell contained in an interior of the housing, and
a heat management system that manages and controls an internal air
temperature of the housing to be one of at a predetermined
temperature and within a predetermined temperature range.
Inventors: |
CRAFT, JR.; Thomas F.;
(Murphy, TX) ; TREHAN; Anil K.; (Plano,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CommScope by Muncy, Geissler, Olds & Lowe, PLLC
P.O. Box 1364
Fairfax
VA
22038
US
|
Family ID: |
41117728 |
Appl. No.: |
12/416106 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61041575 |
Apr 1, 2008 |
|
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61047016 |
Apr 22, 2008 |
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61047031 |
Apr 22, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
429/413 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 8/04037 20130101;
H01M 8/04701 20130101; H01M 8/2475 20130101; Y02E 60/50 20130101;
H01M 8/04007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
429/13 ;
429/24 |
International
Class: |
H01M 8/04 20060101
H01M008/04 |
Claims
1. A fuel cell cabinet comprising: a housing; a fuel cell contained
in an interior of the housing; and a heat management system that
manages and controls an internal air temperature of the housing to
be one of at a predetermined temperature and within a predetermined
temperature range.
2. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the
predetermined temperature is equal to or greater than 5.degree. C.
and equal to or less than 65.degree. C.
3. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the heat
management system includes at least one of an insulation system, a
sealing system, a heater system, and a control loop system.
4. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the heat
management system includes a heater system, and wherein the heater
system includes one or more heaters.
5. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 4, wherein the one or
more heaters include a resistance heater.
6. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 4, further comprising:
a liquid to liquid heat exchanger, wherein at least one of the one
or more heaters is on the liquid to liquid heat exchanger.
7. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 4, wherein at least one
of the one or more heaters is one of on and adjacent to the fuel
cell.
8. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 4, wherein at least one
of the one or more heaters is one of on and adjacent to a base of
the housing.
9. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the heat
management system includes an insulation system, and wherein the
insulation system includes an insulating material on an inside
surface of one or more of a door of the housing, a wall of the
housing, a base of the housing, and a top of the housing.
10. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 9, wherein the
insulation system includes an insulating material on an inside
surface of each door of the housing, each wall of the housing, a
base of the housing, and a top of the housing.
11. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the heat
management system includes a sealing system, and wherein the
sealing system includes sealing means for sealing an opening in one
of a door, a wall, a base, and a top of the housing.
12. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 11, wherein the
sealing means seals substantially all openings each door of the
housing, each wall of the housing, a base of the housing, and a top
of the housing.
13. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the heat
management system includes a sealing system, and wherein the
sealing system includes sealing means for sealing a perimeter of a
door of the housing to a surface of the housing surrounding a door
opening of the housing.
14. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 4, wherein the heat
management system includes a control system, and wherein the
control system selectively turns on and off the one or more of the
heaters to maintain the internal air temperature of the
housing.
15. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 1, further comprising:
a fan assembly on the housing, wherein the fan assembly includes
one or more fans, wherein the heat management system includes a
control system, and wherein the control system selectively turns on
and off the one or more fans to maintain the internal air
temperature of the housing.
16. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 14, further
comprising: a fan assembly on the housing, wherein the fan assembly
includes one or more fans, and wherein the control system
selectively turns on and off the one or more of the heaters and
fans to maintain the internal air temperature of the housing.
17. The fuel cell cabinet according to claim 4, wherein the heat
management system includes a control system, and wherein the
control system selectively controls an operating condition of one
or more heaters and fans of the fuel cell cabinet.
18. A fuel cell cabinet heat management and thermal control system,
comprising: a housing; a fuel cell contained in an interior of the
housing; and a heat management system that manages and controls an
internal air temperature of the housing.
19. A fuel cell cabinet comprising: a housing; a fuel cell
contained in an interior of the housing; and means for managing and
controlling an internal air temperature of the fuel cell
cabinet.
20. A method of managing and controlling an internal air
temperature of a fuel cell cabinet, the method comprising:
selectively controlling an operating condition of a heater and a
fan of the fuel cell cabinet based on at least one predetermined
factor to maintain the internal temperature of the fuel cell
cabinet one of at a predetermined temperature and within a
predetermined temperature range.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the predetermined factor is one
of an outside temperature of the fuel cell cabinet, an inside
temperature of the fuel cell cabinet, and a solar exposure
condition of the fuel cell cabinet.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the predetermined temperature
is equal to or greater than 5.degree. C. and equal to or less than
65.degree. C.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of Provisional
Application No. 61/041,575 entitled "Liquid Cooling System for Fuel
Cell Cabinets, Air Feed System for Fuel Cell Cabinets, Heat
Management and Thermal Control of Cabinets for Fuel Cells, and
EcoPower Cabinet" filed Apr. 1, 2008, Provisional Application No.
61/047,016 entitled "Cabinet Air Feed and Exhaust System for
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Declassification" filed Apr. 1, 2008, and
Provisional Application No. 61/047,031 entitled "Fuel Cell Cabinet
Waste Water Management System" filed Apr. 1, 2008, the entire
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS FOR PATENT
[0002] The present application for patent is related to the
following co-pending U.S. patent applications:
[0003] "FUEL CELL CABINET LIQUID COOLING SYSTEM" (U.S. application
Ser. No.______) having Attorney Docket No. 4799/0290PUS2, filed
concurrently herewith, assigned to the assignee hereof, and the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference;
[0004] "AIR FEED SYSTEM FOR FUEL CELL CABINETS" (U.S. application
Ser. No.______) having Attorney Docket No. 4799/0290PUS3, filed
concurrently herewith, assigned to the assignee hereof, and
expressly incorporated by reference herein;
[0005] "FUEL CELL CABINET AIR FEED AND EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR HYDROGEN
DECLASSIFICATION" (U.S. application Ser. No.______) having Attorney
Docket No. 4799/0293PUS2, filed concurrently herewith, assigned to
the assignee hereof, and the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference; and
[0006] "FUEL CELL CABINET WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM" (U.S.
application Ser. No.______) having Attorney Docket No.
4799/0294PUS2, filed concurrently herewith, assigned to the
assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated by reference
herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to cabinets for housing
electronic equipment. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a cabinet for housing electronic equipment and a
connection panel for cross-connecting the electronic equipment with
various provider and/or subscriber lines, wherein the cabinet
includes a fuel cell power backup system, and more particularly, to
a fuel cell cabinet having a heat management and thermal control
system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Outdoor cabinets that house electronic equipment and
connection panels are generally known in the art. The connection
panel (sometimes referred to as a feeder-distribution interface),
within the cabinet, is used to connect subscriber lines to provider
lines directly, or in parallel or serial, with terminals of certain
electronic equipment also within the cabinet, such as surge
protectors, switches, servers, etc.
[0009] In some conventional cabinets, the electronic equipment
includes a fuel cell power backup system. The electronic equipment
may be sensitive to temperature and humidity and the air and the
electronic equipment in the interior of the cabinet may be
environmentally controlled by employing a heat exchanger,
dehumidifier, and/or air conditioner. Many conventional systems are
air cooled and therefore reduce power density. Conventional air
cooled systems may require increased maintenance. Furthermore, many
conventional systems are limited with respect to the outdoor
exposure temperatures in which they can operate. That is, many
conventional systems cannot operate in, or are not suitable for use
in, extreme cold or hot climates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] These problems and others are addressed by the present
invention, a first aspect of which comprises a fuel cell cabinet
comprising a housing, a fuel cell contained in an interior of the
housing, and a heat management system that manages and controls an
internal air temperature of the housing to be one of at a
predetermined temperature and within a predetermined temperature
range.
[0011] Another aspect is directed to a fuel cell cabinet heat
management and thermal control system, comprising a housing, a fuel
cell contained in an interior of the housing, and a heat management
system that manages and controls an internal air temperature of the
housing.
[0012] Another aspect is directed to a fuel cell cabinet comprising
a housing, a fuel cell contained in an interior of the housing, and
means for managing and controlling an internal air temperature of
the fuel cell cabinet.
[0013] Another aspect is directed to a method of managing and
controlling an internal air temperature of a fuel cell cabinet, the
method comprising selectively controlling an operating condition of
a heater and a fan of the fuel cell cabinet based on at least one
predetermined factor to maintain the internal temperature of the
fuel cell cabinet one of at a predetermined temperature and within
a predetermined temperature range.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] These and other aspects and features of embodiments of the
present invention will be better understood after a reading of the
following detailed description, together with the attached
drawings, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a cabinet, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic of a cabinet, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cabinet, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the cabinet of FIG.
4.
[0020] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the cabinet of FIG.
4.
[0021] FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of a fuel cell
assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a front plan view of a fuel cell cabinet,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a partial, perspective view of a cabinet,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a heater assembly,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The present invention now is described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
aspects are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many
different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
aspects set forth herein; rather, these aspects are provided so
that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully
convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0026] Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the
figures, the thickness of certain lines, layers, components,
elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity.
[0027] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the
invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical
and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and
should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense
unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or
constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or
clarity.
[0028] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are
intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the
terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As
used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases
such as "between X and Y" and "between about X and Y" should be
interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as
"between about X and Y" mean "between about X and about Y." As used
herein, phrases such as "from about X to Y" mean "from about X to
about Y."
[0029] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "on", "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" with,
"contacting", etc., another element, it can be directly on,
attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other
element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast,
when an element is referred to as being, for example, "directly
on", "directly attached" to, "directly connected" to, "directly
coupled" with or "directly contacting" another element, there are
no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by
those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature
that is disposed "adjacent" another feature may have portions that
overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
[0030] Spatially relative terms, such as "under", "below", "lower",
"over", "upper", "lateral", "left", "right" and the like, may be
used herein for ease of description to describe one element or
feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as
illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the
spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different
orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the
orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in
the figures is inverted, elements described as "under" or "beneath"
other elements or features would then be oriented "over" the other
elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated
90 degrees or at other orientations) and the descriptors of
relative spatial relationships used herein interpreted
accordingly.
[0031] Exemplary aspects of the invention are directed to a cabinet
for housing electronic equipment, wherein the cabinet includes a
fuel cell power backup system, and more particularly, to a fuel
cell cabinet having heat management and thermal control system.
[0032] Conventional cabinets and the electronic equipment in the
interior of the cabinets commonly are air cooled. The aspects
recognize that stabilizing and maintaining a substantially constant
temperature of the interior environment of the fuel cell cabinet
may increase the power density of the fuel cell system. The aspects
also may reduce the time needed for the fuel cell to reach full
power. The aspects can provide a fast response system, and
therefore, requires less bridging power (i.e., batteries). The
aspects can improve the efficiency of the fuel cell cabinet.
[0033] The disclosed aspects can provide a low cost heat management
and thermal control system for a fuel cell cabinet, which can
maintain the interior temperature of the cabinet to be within a
predetermined temperature range. In this way, these aspects can
make an outside plant (OSP) fuel cell cabinet operate under similar
or the same conditions as a central office (CO). The system can be
optimized such that central office (CO) equipment can be deployed
in an outside plant (OSP) fuel cell cabinet. The aspects can
provide a system that is not limited by outdoor exposure
temperatures and can operate in extreme cold or hot climates. The
aspects also can utilize a standard telecom cabinet, thereby
increasing a comfort level of a user of the cabinet.
[0034] A fuel cell cabinet having a heat management and thermal
control system according to exemplary aspects of the invention will
now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-10.
[0035] A fuel cell cabinet 100 according to an aspect is
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The fuel cell cabinet may house
electronic equipment and a connection panel for cross-connecting
the electronic equipment with various provider and/or subscriber
lines. The fuel cell cabinet 100 includes a fuel cell power backup
system.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell cabinet 100 can be mounted
on the surface of, for example, a concrete pad 102. The surface
upon which the fuel cell cabinet 100 can be mounted is not limited
to a concrete pad 102 and can include any suitable surface, device,
or structure, such as a pad or mounting surface formed from
fiberglass, plastic, metal, etc. Aspects of the fuel cell cabinet
can be mounted in the interior of buildings, structures, etc., or
at the exterior of building, structures, etc. For example, an
aspect of a fuel cell cabinet 100 can be mounted on a rack or
shelter or other structure (not shown).
[0037] For telecom applications, the outside temperature, or
ambient temperature, commonly can vary between -40.degree. C. and
46.degree. C. The outside environment may or may not add solar
loading to the cabinet. In some cases, the solar loading due to the
outside environment can equate to additional heat added to the
cabinet ranging, for example, between 0 watts (no solar load) and
2000 watts (full solar load). The internal heat load to the cabinet
can vary, for example, between 400 and 1600 watts. For telecom
applications, it is desirable to maintain the internal air
temperature of the fuel cell cabinet within a predetermined
operating range. For example, in an aspect, the internal air
temperature of the fuel cell cabinet can be maintained between
5.degree. C. and 65.degree. C.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, an aspect of the fuel cell cabinet 100
can include a housing 302 containing one or more fuel cells 2000 in
an interior of the housing 302. The housing 302 can include one or
more racks, shelves, support structures or surfaces, etc. (not
shown) for mounting components, such as the fuel cells 2000, within
the housing 302. The fuel cell cabinet 100 can include a heat
management system 306 that can maintain the internal air
temperature of the fuel cell cabinet within a predetermined
operating range. For example, in an aspect, the heat management
system 306 can maintain the internal air temperature of the fuel
cell cabinet between 5.degree. C. and 65.degree. C. An aspect of
the heat management system 306 can include a controller 302 that
selectively controls one or more features of the heat management
system to maintain the desired internal air temperature. Other
aspects of the heat management system 306 can include an insulation
system, a sealing system, a heater system, and a control loop that
selectively controls the operating conditions of one or more of
heaters and fans of the fuel cell cabinet 100, will be described in
greater detail below.
[0039] An exemplary fuel cell cabinet having a heat management and
thermal control system will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 4-10.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows a fuel cell cabinet 600 having exemplary
aspects of a heat management and thermal control system. The fuel
cell cabinet 600 includes four sides, a top, and a bottom. The fuel
cell cabinet 600 can include one or more doors 602, 604 on a first
side of the cabinet 600. The cabinet 600 can include one or more
doors 616 on a second side of the cabinet 600. The fuel cell
cabinet 600 also can include one or more doors on the third and/or
fourth side of the cabinet 600, which are not shown in FIG. 6. The
doors 602, 604 can include air inlet and door perforations 610,
612, and 614. The fuel cell cabinet 600 can include air exits 606
and 608 on one or more sides, such as the second side. The fuel
cell cabinet 600 can include a top 650 and a bottom (not
shown).
[0041] FIG. 5 shows an aspect of the fuel cell cabinet 600 of FIG.
4 with the doors 602, 604 in an open position. The cabinet 600 can
include one or more fan and liquid-to-air heat exchanger assemblies
(Fan/L-A Hex assemblies) 618, 620 (e.g., radiator fans and
radiators) that cooperate with the air exhaust and door
perforations 606, 608 of the doors 602, 604. The cabinet 600 also
can include one or more air filters 622, 624 that cooperate with
the air inlets and door perforations 610, 612 of the doors 602,
604.
[0042] FIG. 6 shows an aspect of the fuel cell cabinet 600 of FIG.
4 with the door 616 in an open position. The cabinet 600 can
include a battery compartment 628 for mounting or securing backup
batteries. The door 616 may include a fan system 630 including one
or more fans (e.g., bay fan 1, bay fan 2, and bay fan 3) for
venting or exhausting air or gases from the battery compartment
628.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the cabinet 600 can include one or more
fuel cells 2000 disposed and mounted in the interior of the cabinet
600. The cabinet may include a rack or shelving system for mounting
or securing the fuel cells 2000 inside the cabinet 600.
[0044] An exemplary aspect of a fuel cell 2000, which can be
mounted or secured in the exemplary cabinet 600, is illustrated in
FIGS. 7A and 7B. The fuel cell 2000 can include a sealed fuel cell
enclosure 2002. The fuel cell 2000 can be, for example, an 8 kW
fuel cell. In an aspect, two 8 kW fuel cells 2000 can be used to
provide 16 kW.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 8, an aspect of the fuel cell cabinet heat
management and thermal control system can include an insulation
system that reduces or prevents transfer of heat into the interior
of the fuel cell cabinet 600 as a result of solar loading, for
example, in warm environmental conditions (e.g., high ambient
temperatures). The insulation system also can reduce or prevent the
transfer of heat from the interior of the fuel cell cabinet 600,
for example, in cold environmental conditions (e.g., cold ambient
temperatures). That is, the insulation system minimizes or prevents
heat gain from solar loading and minimizes or prevents heat loss
from the cabinet to the environment.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 8, an aspect of the insulation system can
include insulation on one or more of the interior surfaces of the
fuel cell cabinet 600. For example, insulation can be included on
one or more of the sides, top, rear door, and base of the cabinet.
The insulation can be an insulating panel, layer, fabric, or film,
spray insulation, or other suitable material having insulating
properties.
[0047] FIG. 8 shows an aspect including an insulating material 802
on the inside surface of the door 602, an insulating material 804
on the inside surface of the door 616, and an insulating panel 806
on an inside surface of the top 650 of the fuel cell 600. One or
more insulating panels (not shown) also can be provided on the rear
and side surfaces of the fuel cell cabinet 600, which are not
visible in FIG. 8. The base of the fuel cell cabinet 600 also can
include insulation.
[0048] In an aspect, the fuel cell cabinet 600 can include
insulation on substantially all of the inside surfaces of the
housing.
[0049] In an aspect, the insulation on one or more of the sides,
top, and rear door of the cabinet can have an R value of 8, and the
insulation on the base can have an R value of 4. In another aspect,
all of the insulation can have substantially the same R value. In
other aspect, one or more of the inside surfaces of the housing can
have a different R value than one or more of the other inside
surfaces. The insulation is not limited to R values of 4 or 8 and
other R values are contemplated.
[0050] It is noted that, in other aspects, the insulation can be
provided on one or more of the exterior surfaces of the fuel cell
cabinet 600.
[0051] In an aspect, the fuel cell cabinet 600 can include a
sealing system that reduces or prevents air exchange between the
external environment (e.g., at cable entrances, door openings,
etc.) and the internal cabinet environment.
[0052] In an aspect, substantially all or all of the openings in
the housing of the fuel cell cabinet 600 can be sealed. For
example, the cable entrance openings into the fuel cell cabinet 600
can be sealed using conventional sealing means, such as rubber
seals, gaskets, foam, caulking, adhesives, etc. Other means for
sealing such openings can be provided, and the aspects are not
limited to the examples set forth above.
[0053] In an aspect, the door openings can be sealed, for example,
by providing a seal (e.g., 808) around a perimeter of the inside
surface of each of the cabinet doors that seals the inside surface
of each door against the perimeter of each door opening of the
housing of the fuel cell cabinet 600. Each of the cabinet doors can
include a seal. In other aspects, a seal can be provided on the
housing of the fuel cell cabinet 600 around the perimeter of each
door opening.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 8, in an aspect, the openings (e.g., 810)
in the splice wall between the fan assembly and the fuel cell
compartment also can be sealed and/or insulated.
[0055] In another aspect, the fuel cell cabinet heat management and
thermal control system 300, as shown in FIG. 3, can include a
heater system. The heater system can include one or more heaters in
the interior of the fuel cell cabinet 600.
[0056] With reference to FIG. 9, the fuel cell cabinet 600 may
include one or more cooling loops for controlling the temperature
of the fuel cells 2000, such as a single cooling loop or a dual
cooling loop, as shown in FIG. 9. The dual cooling loop can include
a fan assembly 902 (e.g., radiator assembly), a pump assembly 904,
and a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger assembly 906.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 10, an aspect of the liquid-to-liquid heat
exchanger assembly 906 can include one or more heaters 1204 mounted
to one or more liquid-to-liquid heat exchangers 1208, 1210. The
heaters 1204 can be resistive heating elements or the like. The
heaters 1204 can be, for example, pad style heaters with resistive
elements.
[0058] In this aspect, the heaters 1204 can be 90 watt heaters that
are incorporated into or mounted on the liquid heat exchangers
1208, 1210 to maintain the water temperature of the
liquid-to-liquid heat exchangers, for example, above 5.degree. C.
The one or more heaters 1204 also can add heat to the interior
environment of the cabinet 600. In an aspect, the controller 302 of
FIG. 3 can turn these heaters 12040N when the internal cabinet
temperature reaches 0.degree. C. and OFF when the internal cabinet
temperature reaches 13.degree. C.
[0059] In an aspect, the system can include two (2) heaters
arranged in series and four (4) heaters arranged in parallel. In
operation, the controller 302 can turn the four (4) parallel
heaters ON when the outside temperature reaches 0.degree. C. The
controller 302 can turn the two (2) series heaters ON when the
outside temperature reaches -15.degree. C. The two (2) heaters in
series can be a single two stage system that has differing
thermostats to close/open the resistance loop based on the
temperature. The staging of the heaters limits parasitic power draw
from the AC grid to reduce power usage costs to the user of the
system.
[0060] With reference again to FIG. 8, another aspect of the heater
system can include one or more heaters 812 on the base of one or
more of the fuel cells 2000. The heaters 812 can be, for example,
200 watt heaters coupled to the base of one or more of the fuel
cells 2000, or disposed under the base of one or more of the fuel
cells 2000. These heaters 812 can add heat to the cabinet 600 such
that air from the outside does not freeze the fuel cells 2000.
These heaters 812 can be turned on when the internal cabinet
temperature reaches 0.degree. C. and off when the internal cabinet
temp reaches 13.degree. C.
[0061] With reference again to FIG. 8, another aspect of the heater
system can include one or more heaters 814 on the base of the fuel
cell cabinet. The heaters 814 are not limited to the location shown
in FIG. 8, and can be disposed in other locations, such as on the
walls of the battery compartment 628 of the fuel cell cabinet 600
or on the pad supporting the fuel cell cabinet 600.
[0062] The heaters 814 can be, for example, 200/400 watt heaters.
In this exemplary aspect, the 200 watt portion of the heaters 814
can be turned on when the battery compartment 628 reaches 0.degree.
C. and the additional 200 watts portion of the heaters 814 can be
turned on when the battery compartment reaches -15.degree. C. The
heater 814 can be, for example, a single or unitary heater pad
having 2 stages.
[0063] The operation of a heater system having heaters 1204, 812,
and 814 according to an exemplary aspect will now be described.
[0064] In this exemplary aspect, the heater system includes one or
more 90 watt heaters 1204 that are incorporated into or mounted on
the liquid heat exchanger assembly 906 to maintain the water
temperature above 5.degree. C. The one or more heaters 1204 also
add heat to the interior environment of the cabinet 600. The
controller 302 turns these heaters ON when the internal cabinet
temperature reaches 0.degree. C. and OFF when the internal cabinet
temperature reaches 13.degree. C.
[0065] Next, the heater system includes 200 watt heaters 812 added
to the base of the fuel cell 2000. These heaters 812 add heat to
the cabinet 600 and inhibit or prevent any air from the outside
from freezing the fuel cells 2000. These heaters 812 turn on when
the internal cabinet temperature reaches 0.degree. C. and off when
the internal cabinet temp reaches 13.degree. C.
[0066] Further, the heater system can include 200/400 watt heaters
814 added to the base of the cabinet 600. The 200 watt portion of
the heaters 814 turns on when the battery compartment 628 reaches
0.degree. C. and the additional 200 watt portion of the heaters 814
turn on when the battery compartment 628 reaches -15.degree. C.
[0067] In an aspect, the fuel cell cabinet heat management and
thermal control system 300, as shown in FIG. 3, can include a
system control loop that selectively turns one or more of the
heaters (e.g., 1204, 812, 814) and the fan assemblies 9020N and OFF
at set points (e.g., predetermined temperatures, predetermined
times, etc.) to maintain internal air temperatures of the fuel cell
cabinet 600 between 5.degree. C. and 60.degree. C. The system
control loop can be included in the controller 302 of the heat
management and thermal control system 300, or in a separate control
system.
[0068] An aspect of the system control loop can selectively control
fan operation according to Table 1.1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1.1 FAN OPERATION CONTROL 1 bay fan 1 (630) is
turned ON at 5.degree. C. 2 bay fans 2 and 3 (630) are turned ON at
47.degree. C. 3 heat exchanger (Hex) fans 1 (902) are turned ON at
5.degree. C. 4 heat exchanger (Hex) fans 2 and 3 (902) are turned
ON at 47.degree. C.
[0069] An aspect of the system control loop can selectively control
operation of the heater system and the fans of the fuel cell
cabinet 600 according to Table 2.1.
TABLE-US-00002 HEATER SYSTEM AND FAN OPERATION CONTROL -40, no
solar and cabinet is idle: internal temp is 10.degree. C. (all fans
off except bay fan, all heaters are on) -40, w/ solar and cabinet
is idle: internal temp is 18.degree. C. (all fans off except bay
fan, all heaters are on) -40, w/ solar and cabinet is full internal
temp is 30.degree. C. (all fans off power: except bay fan, all
heaters are on) 46.degree. C., no solar and cabinet is idle:
internal temp is 50.degree. C. (all fans off except bay fan, all
heaters are on) 46.degree. C., full solar and cabinet is internal
temp is 50.degree. C. (all fans off idle: except bay fan, all
heaters are on) 46.degree. C., full solar and cabinet is full
internal temp is 60.degree. C. (all fans off power: except bay fan,
all heaters are on)
[0070] The present invention has been described herein in terms of
several preferred aspects. However, modifications and additions to
these aspects will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It is intended
that all such modifications and additions comprise a part of the
present invention to the extent that they fall within the scope of
the several claims appended hereto. Furthermore, although elements
of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the
plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is
explicitly stated.
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