A Labview-FPGA Based Process Control and Power Conditioning Prototype Application of a Fuel Cell Powered Range Extender for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Creative Commons License

Erdör Türk B., Sarul M. H.

3rd International Hydrogen Technologies Congress IHTEC, Antalya, Türkiye, 15 - 18 Mart 2018, ss.249-252

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Antalya
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.249-252
  • Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Abstract

This paper will focus on an embedded Labview-FPGA based data acquisition and control system, which was designed to provide a self-regulated process of the hydrogen generation and power conditioning systems of a fuel cell powered small unmanned aerial vehicle. The hydrogen generation system utilizing sodium borohydride solution is able to produce 4 L/min of hydrogen with the aim of extending the range of the UAV. The critical parameters for on-site hydrogen production like temperature, pressure, mass flow, chemical sensor's output signals and voltage were monitored in real time via the NI sbRIO-9626 control card and Labview FPGA toolkit software. On the power conditioning side, according to the real time output values of the sensors; the required analog and digital signals were evaluated to actuate valves and drive the brushless DC motor and the MOSFETs to manage the power properly. In this study, the combined hardware-software implementation of the experimental and prototype control set-ups will be introduced and performance test results will be given as well.

Keywords: Fuel cell, embedded process control, power conditioning, range extender, UAV, sodium borohydride