Preventing the formation of black ice as a result of exhaust water from motor vehicles

US10957923B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Guenter Hans Grosch · Zülpich, DE
• Thomas Werner STEINKOPF · Cologne, DE
• Stephan Strahl · Bodenwöhr, DE
• Rainer Lach · Würselen, DE
• Rolf Loeffler · Glückstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 27, 2019
• Grant date: Mar 23, 2021
• Expiry date: Jun 17, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T90/40
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle system and method inhibit formation of black ice on road surfaces at low temperatures as a result of exhaust water by treating the exhaust water prior to discharge with a deicing or antifreeze substance to lower the freezing point of the water. A metering device may meter a deicing or antifreeze substance, such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride, urea, or the like to be dissolved in the exhaust water that is produced during the production of energy. The vehicle may include a bypass valve that selectively bypasses the water treatment system when ambient conditions are not conducive to ice formation. The bypass valve is operated to direct exhaust flow to a condenser and water treatment system when ambient conditions are favorable to ice formation, with the deicing or antifreeze substance metered based on current or predicted ambient or road surface conditions.