Open AccessSwitching regulator using a high step‐up voltage converter for fuel‐cell modules
Author(s) -
LeyvaRamos Jesus,
LopezCruz Juan Manuel,
OrtizLopez Maria Guadalupe,
DiazSaldierna Luis Humberto
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
iet power electronics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.637
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1755-4543
pISSN - 1755-4535
DOI - 10.1049/iet-pel.2012.0433
Subject(s) - stack (abstract data type) , low dropout regulator , voltage regulator , voltage , regulator , dropout voltage , robustness (evolution) , control theory (sociology) , voltage regulation , engineering , voltage controller , fuel cells , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , electronic engineering , computer science , electrical engineering , chemistry , voltage droop , control (management) , biochemistry , artificial intelligence , chemical engineering , gene , programming language
A typical fuel‐cell stack produces a low DC voltage with wide variations; therefore a DC–DC switching converter is required to step up and regulate the output voltage. In this work, a model based on electrical variables is developed for a fuel‐cell stack. This model is later combined with the model of a high step‐up voltage converter to obtain a combined model that incorporates the behaviour of fuel‐cell stack. The resulting model is then used to design an average‐current mode controller for a switching regulator. To test the proposed regulator, a power module with polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells is used as an input source. This module delivers an output voltage between 26 and 42 V depending on the current being drawn. Experimental results exhibit the robustness of the switching regulator to step changes in the output load and the output voltage of the fuel‐cell stack.