A hybrid DC-DC converter for fuel cells powered laptop computers Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • In this paper a hybrid dc-dc converter for a fuel cell powered laptop computer is proposed. In the proposed system the ac-dc adapter, the fuel cell and its components are assumed to be packaged into one external unit. The purpose of the hybrid dc-dc converter is to suitably control the energy flow from fuel cell, battery and supercapacitor to enable all day computing. A design example is presented to appropriately size the fuel cell stack, Li-Ion battery and supercapacitor modules required for a typical electrical load on a laptop computer. Analysis, design and control aspects of the hybrid dc-dc converter are presented to meet performance requirements. Simulation results verify the performance of the system under various input and output power conditions. Experimental results obtained with the prototype system employing a 30 W fuel cell show that the hybrid converter is capable of successfully interfacing the internal dc-link with the multi-input power source. The source switching between the fuel cell and battery is seamless from the dc-link standpoint as the voltage remains stable regardless of the employed source.

name of conference

  • 2006 37th IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference

published proceedings

  • 2008 IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference

author list (cited authors)

  • Harfman-Todorovic, M., Palma, L., & Enjeti, P.

citation count

  • 17

complete list of authors

  • Harfman-Todorovic, M||Palma, L||Enjeti, P

publication date

  • June 2006