Combined system of fuel cell and air-conditioning apparatus
US5678410A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/40
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a combined system for activating a fuel cell with hydrogen absorbed and stored in a hydrogen-storage alloy to drive an electric vehicle and for conditioning the air with the hydrogen absorbed and stored in the hydrogen-storage alloy. The combined system of the invention sucks hydrogen out of the hydrogen-storage alloy by a compressor. The combined system of the invention cools the air with a cooling power generated in discharge of hydrogen from the hydrogen-storage alloy and heats the air with a heat generated in absorption of hydrogen into the hydrogen-storage alloy. The combined system preferably includes a heat storage tank disposed in a conduit of a heating medium for storing an excess of a cooling power caused by a variation in an amount of hydrogen required for the fuel cell. Alternatively, the combined system has a secondary battery which is charged with an excess power of the fuel cell and discharges to make up for a deficient power of the fuel cell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.