Apparatus and method using hydrogen pressure in fuel cell electric vehicle
US8153309B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 12, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/40
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hydrogen fuel cell system (100) for charging a battery (116) of an electric vehicle, includes at least one tank (102) for storing hydrogen under pressure. A combined heat exchanger and air engine (104) expands the pressurized hydrogen and converts the expanding hydrogen into mechanical energy. A plurality of fuel cells (106) receive the expanded hydrogen for supplying heat to the heat exchanger and air engine (104) and supplying a first current for charging the battery (116). A generator (108) generates a multi-phase voltage in response to the mechanical energy. A electrical power converter (110) responsive to the multi-phase voltage provides a second current for charging the battery (116).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.