Abstract
Safety of hybrid-electric and fuel cell vehicles is a critical aspect of these new technologies, since any accident exposing occupants of such vehicles to unconventional hazards may result in significant setbacks to successful market penetration. Fuel cell and hybrid-electric drive systems are complex, and it is essential to perform a thorough analysis to determine critical failure conditions. There are several safety concerns for routine operation of such systems, particularly for hydrogen-fueled vehicles. A modified Failure Modes and Effect Analysis (FMEA) has been developed, along with a Criticality Analysis (CrA), to identify potentially hazardous conditions for crash and non-crash situations. A mathematical model of fuel cell operation has been developed and used here in conjunction with the FMEA. Component failures during the event modes are simulated using vehicle models developed with Matlab Simulink tools. Six simulation models were created using the software. In addition, a preliminary finite element model of a fuel cell vehicle, using a Ford Taurus (91′) model year sedan, has been developed and implemented. This finite element model is used as a demonstration of the crash simulation of the vehicle.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adcock, P. L. (1992). Prospects for the application of fuel cells in electric vehicles. J. Power Sources, 37, 202–207.
Argonne National Lab, PSAT (Powertrain System Analysis Toolkit). http://www.transportation.anl.gov/software/PSAT/index.html.
Arsie, I., Pianese, C., Sorrentino, M. and Di Domenico, A., (2005). Transient analysis of PEM fuel cell for hybrid vehicle application. Proc. 3rd Int. Conf. Fuel Cell Science, Engineering, and Technology.
Belaire, R. C. and R. E. Lawrie (1997). Energy converters for the PNGV vehicle. Future Transportation Technology Conf., San Diego CA.
Candusso, D., Rulliere, E. and Toutain, E. (2001). A fuel cell hybrid power source for a small electric vehicle. Proc. Universities Power Engineering Conf.
DOE, HEV Publications, (2009). http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/hybrid_electric_publications.html.
Geyer, H. K. and R. Ahluwalia (1998). Gctool for fuel cell systems design and analysis. Argonne National Laboratory.
Karner, D. B. (1995). Current events in vehicle battery safety. Proc. 10th Annual Battery Conf., 167–169.
Kinoshita, K. (1993). Analysis of power and energy for fuel cell systems. J. Power Sources, 47, 159–175.
Motevalli, V. (1999). An Approach to Hazard Assessment for Hybrid Electric/PNGV Vehicle, Phase-1 Report, Submitted to Office of Advanced Automotive Technologies, Office of Transportation Technologies, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, DOE.
Motevalli, V. and K. V. Bulusu (2000). Overview of hybrid electric vehicle safety and the potential of hydrogen ignition by static electricity. 2000 Future Car Cong., Arlington, Virginia.
National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), Models and Tools. http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/vsa/related_links.html
Oei, D. (1997). Direct Hydrogen-Fueled Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cell System for Transportation Applications. Contract No. DE-AC02-94CE50389, Report to U.S. Department of Energy.
Patil, P. G. (1992). Fundamentals of Fuel Cells. Technical Report. U. S. Department of Energy.
Teoh, P. C. and K. Case (2004). Failure modes and effects analysis through knowledge modeling. J. Materials Processing Technology 153–154,1–3, 253–260.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Motevalli, V., Mohd, M.S. New approach for performing failure analysis of fuel cell-powered vehicles. Int.J Automot. Technol. 10, 743–752 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12239-009-0087-0
Received:
Revised:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12239-009-0087-0