Fideris Brand Test and Automation Equipment | Fideris patent 6,697,245 electronic load for testing fuel cells

Fideris^TM Patent No. 6,697,245

6,697,245
Andrews
February 24, 2004

Electronic load for the testing of electrochemical energy conversion devices

The present invention relates generally to the field of testing equipment, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for applying a variable load to electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices, such as fuel cells and batteries. Electronic Load for the Testing of Electrochemical Energy Conversion Devices.
In a load for testing an energy production device, such as a fuel cell, a technique is provided for sensing one or more operational parameters for each of a plurality field effect transistors. Analog and digital feedback are provided to adjust the control signal to the FETs to ensure that each remains within its individual safe operating area. The technique preferably takes all of the various operational parameters into account to determine if any individual FET is approaching the SOA boundary, and prevent that single FET from leaving the SOA while continuing to manage the operation of the entire load.

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FiderisTM Patent No. 6,697,245

Fideris^TM Patent No. 6,697,245