Hydrogen fuel cell energy regulators based on Boost DC-DC converters with switched capacitors

A new principle for constructing small-sized capacitor DC-DC regulators that provide energy-efficient conversion and multi-zone energy regulation of hydrogen fuel cells is proposed. It consists in converting the energy of their current into the energy of a constant voltage source with further alternating changes in its low-voltage regulation subranges. It is carried out by discretely changing the number of resonant chains of a step-up capacitor DC-DC converter in combination with a smooth change in the charge level of its first chain using a low-power classic PWM constant voltage regulator. Improving the energy properties of the regulator is achieved by multi-zone regulation and soft switching of transistors in the power circuit of the capacitor DC-DC converter. The energy properties of the proposed regulator have been studied. It is shown that with an increase in the number of resonant chains in the capacitor DC-DC converter, there is a tendency for the controller efficiency to increase. For the various regulator circuits considered in the work, the regulating characteristics were obtained and a comparative assessment of their efficiency was carried out. A comparative analysis of energy and design properties proves the significant advantage of a circuit using a Boost PWM constant voltage regulator.