Method and apparatus for starting a fuel cell engine in a vehicle equipped with an ultracapacitor
US7862943B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 4, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/40
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hybrid fuel cell system that employs a fuel cell stack and an ultracapacitor. A diode is provided on a high voltage electrical bus between the fuel cell stack and the ultracapacitor so that high voltage from the ultracapacitor does not affect the operation of the fuel cell stack. During system start-up, a by-pass switch is closed to by-pass the ultracapacitor so that power from the ultracapacitor can be used to start various system loads, such as a cathode side air compressor that provides air to the fuel cell stack. A 12 volt-to-high voltage converter is employed to provide a low power, high voltage supply from a low voltage battery to the system loads at start-up when the by-pass switch is opened, but before a fuel cell stack switch is closed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.