Patent · US Expired

Regenerative braking system for a batteriless fuel cell vehicle

US6488345B1 · kind B1 · utility

69Cited by
17References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 16, 2001
Grant dateDec 3, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 16, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T90/40
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A regenerative braking system and method for a batteriless fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell stack, a plurality of ancillary loads, and a regenerative braking device that is coupled to at least one wheel of the vehicle. The regenerative braking device powers ancillary loads when the vehicle is coasting or braking. The fuel cell powers the loads when the vehicle is accelerating or at constant velocity. The regenerative braking device dissipates power in an air supply compressor when the vehicle is traveling downhill to provide brake assistance. The compressor can be run at high airflow and high pressure to create an artificially high load. A bypass valve is modulated to adjust the artificially high load of the compressor. A back pressure valve protects the fuel cell stack from the high airflow and pressure. A controller controls a brake torque of the regenerative braking device as a function of vehicle speed and modulates the bypass valve.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.