Electrochemical engine
US6195999A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/45
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrochemical engine for a vehicle comprises a storage tank containing hydrogen-retention material which reversibly takes-up and stores hydrogen at a hydrogen-storage temperature and releases it upon heating to a release temperature. A fuel cell stack using the released hydrogen produces electricity and heat by-product. A primary coolant flow circuit extends from a radiator, through the fuel cell stack and the storage tank, and back to the radiator, and has a coolant-distribution valve intermediate the fuel cell stack and the storage tank. A bypass coolant flow line extends from the coolant-distribution valve to the radiator. During operation, the heat by-product of the fuel cell stack is transferred via the primary coolant flow circuit to the storage tank for heating the hydrogen-retention material to release hydrogen for fueling the fuel cell stack. The electrochemical engine further comprises a heat generator within a superheater coolant flow loop having a bypass valve intermediate the storage tank and the radiator operable to keep coolant within the superheater coolant flow loop and a secondary pump to circulate the coolant. Coolant in the superheater coolant flow loop is …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.