Addition of fuel cell system into motor vehicle
First Claim
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1. A hybrid vehicle that is traction powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor powered by a fuel cell system, the hybrid vehicle'"'"'s drive system comprising:
- a) the electric motor being combined with a driveshaft that is also driven by the internal combustion engine via a transmission; and
b) a computer controller establishing values of power delivered to the electric motor from the fuel cell system to rotate the driveshaft independently or in combination with internal combustion engine, depending on vehicle traction drive demands.
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Abstract
A hybrid fuel cell motor vehicle includes a fuel cell system for powering an electric motor that has its rotor or armature constructed as part of the driveshaft such that the driveshaft can be turned via the electric motor or by the force of an internal combustion engine for the purpose of driving at least one wheel of the vehicle without the need for an interconnecting gearbox or a traction battery.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A hybrid vehicle that is traction powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor powered by a fuel cell system, the hybrid vehicle'"'"'s drive system comprising:
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a) the electric motor being combined with a driveshaft that is also driven by the internal combustion engine via a transmission; and
b) a computer controller establishing values of power delivered to the electric motor from the fuel cell system to rotate the driveshaft independently or in combination with internal combustion engine, depending on vehicle traction drive demands. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor powered by a fuel cell system each arranged as a traction power source, the vehicle comprising:
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a) a driveshaft rotated by the internal combustion engine, wherein the driveshaft includes a rotor of the electric motor; and
b) a stator of the motor surrounds the rotor and is fixed to the vehicle; and
c) a fuel cell system provides peak power to the motor without the need of an electricity storage device; and
d) the fuel cell system can rotate the driveshaft independently of the internal combustion engine or in combination with the internal combustion engine. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating a traction drive of a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a transmission, a driveshaft and a driven wheel, the method comprising:
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a) arranging a rotor of an electric motor in the driveshaft so that a stator of the motor surrounds the driveshaft; and
b) powering the electric motor with a fuel cell system unaided by an electricity storage device; and
c) using a computer controller to control the electric motor and the internal combustion engine so that the electric motor can rotate the driveshaft alone or with the internal combustion engine, depending on vehicle traction drive demands. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of retrofitting a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, transmission, driveshaft, driven wheel, and fuel supply, the method comprising:
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a) adding a fuel cell system powered by the fuel supply; and
b) replacing the driveshaft with a retrofit driveshaft that includes an electric motor; and
c) powering the electric motor solely with the fuel cell system to rotate the retrofit driveshaft; and
d) using a computer controller to control the electric motor so that the electric motor can rotate the driveshaft alone or with the internal combustion engine, depending on vehicle traction drive demands. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification