HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLE WITH WIRELESS DIAGNOSTICS

• US 20060289213A1
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Element 1 Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Element 1 Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Cervantes, Adan R.
• Application Number:
  US11/424,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20060289213A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/10 responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0053 relating to fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/30 for monitoring or controlling fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04365 of other components of a fuel cell or fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04388 of anode reactants at the inlet or inside the fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04559 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04589 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04686 of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04753 of fuel cell reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/065 by dissolution of metals or alloys; by dehydriding metallic substances
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 : Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A system for wireless data collection from a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, comprising: A vehicle that includes a fuel cell and an on-board computer; Transmitter for transmitting data from the on-board computer; and Wireless mechanism for receiving the data.

Claims

1. A system for wireless data collection from a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle comprising:

(i) a vehicle that includes a fuel cell and an on-board computer;

(ii) transmitter for transmitting data from the on-board computer; and

(iii) wireless mechanism for receiving the data.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising;

a mechanism for monitoring vehicle performance data.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein a mechanism for monitoring vehicle performance data monitors hydrogen gas flow rate.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein a mechanism for monitoring vehicle performance data monitors power, voltage, current, temperature, RPM, and speed.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising;

a mechanism for display to the driver of monitored data.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising;

a mechanism for receiving data sent wirelessly via a telephone cell tower.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising;

a mechanism for receiving data sent wirelessly via a Wi-Fi wireless hot spot.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising;

a maintenance data center.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising;

a mechanism for receiving, storing, and displaying vehicle performance data.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising;

a secure web site for receiving, storing, and displaying transmitted data.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising;

a global positioning system (GPS).

12. Vehicle comprising a fuel cell, an on-board computer capable of monitoring variables affected by the performance of the fuel cell and a transmitter for transmitting the data.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the on-board computer monitors hydrogen gas flow rate.

14. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the on-board computer monitors power, voltage, current, temperature, RPM, and speed.

15. The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising;

a mechanism for display to the driver of monitored variables.

16. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the transmitter for transmitting data utilizes telephone cell towers.

17. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the transmitter for transmitting data utilizes Wi-Fi wireless hot spots.

18. The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising;

a global positioning system (GPS).

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the on-board computer is capable of receiving and transmitting data from the GPS including:

time, date, and location.

20. A system for detecting hydrogen leaks in a vehicle powered by hydrogen, comprising:

(i) at least one sensor for detecting hydrogen; and

(ii) a transmitter for transmitting data from the sensor.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising;

at least one sensor on each hydrogen source (tank).

22. The system of claim 20, further comprising;

a mechanism for alerting the driver if a leak is detected.

23. The system of claim 20, further comprising;

a mechanism for alerting the maintenance center if a leak is detected.

24. The system of claim 20, further comprising;

a mechanism for indicating to the driver the location of and distance to the nearest maintenance center.

25. A method for alerting the driver of a vehicle powered by hydrogen of any hydrogen leaks, consisting of:

(i) monitoring at least one sensor for detecting hydrogen on each hydrogen source on-board the vehicle; and

(ii) creating an alert if a leak is detected.

26. A method for alerting the maintenance center for vehicles powered by hydrogen of any hydrogen leaks, consisting of:

(i) monitoring at least one sensor for detecting hydrogen on each hydrogen source on-board the vehicle;

(ii) creating an alert if a leak is detected; and

(iii) transmitting the alert to the maintenance center.

27. A method for detecting and containing a hydrogen leak in a vehicle powered by hydrogen, consisting of:

(i) monitoring at least one sensor for detecting hydrogen on each hydrogen source; and

(ii) automatically activating a safety shut off valve if a leak is detected.

28. A system for collecting, storing, and displaying data transmitted from a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle comprising:

(i) a mechanism for transmitting data from at least one hydrogen fuel cell vehicle;

(ii) a mechanism for collecting the data transmitted from at least one hydrogen fuel cell vehicle;

(iii) a mechanism for storing the data collected from at least one hydrogen fuel cell vehicle; and

(iv) a mechanism for displaying the data collected from at least one hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

29. A method for collecting, storing, and displaying data from a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle including:

(i) utilizing an on-board computer to monitor and collect performance data;

(ii) utilizing a wireless transmission mechanism for transmitting the collected performance data;

(iii) storing transmitted data on computer readable media; and

(iv) displaying collected performance data in graphic and/or numeric forms.