Title: A novel modelling technique for analysis of current ripples in a fuel cell powertrain system

Authors: Wenzhong Gao, Jiaxin Ning

Addresses: Center for Energy Systems Research, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Tennessee Tech University, TN 38505, USA. ' Center for Energy Systems Research, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Tennessee Tech University, TN 38505, USA

Abstract: The fuel cell is a potential alternative energy source for an electric vehicle powertrain. The wide range of frequency spectrum generated by different types of power electronic converter in the fuel cell power conditioning unit causes ripples in the current drawn from fuel cells, and thus affects fuel cell performance in a vehicular environment. A new modelling technique based on harmonic balancing is presented to analyse the ripple contents in the output current of fuel cells. According to KCL, KVL and the switching functions of power electronic devices, the dynamic equations of a complete fuel cell power system are derived and further decomposed into three groups: DC equations, AC equations and ripple equations. The numerical simulation results show the relationship between the duty ratio of the converter and ripple and between the magnitude and phase angle of modulation signal of the inverter and ripple, which can provide insight for the design of a fuel cell powertrain system.

Keywords: fuel cells; powertrain; harmonic balancing; modelling; current ripples; simulation; electric vehicles; power electronics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEHV.2008.019902

International Journal of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, 2008 Vol.1 No.3, pp.295 - 307

Published online: 14 Aug 2008 *

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