Fuel cell power pack

• US 20070087241A1
• Filed: 05/19/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Hydrogen Corporation (Plug Power Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Hydrogen Corporation (Plug Power Inc.)
• Inventors: Timmerman, Mark, Mulvenna, Alan
• Application Number:
  US11/436,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20070087241A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/410
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04067 Heat exchange or temperature measuring elements, thermal insulation, e.g. heat pipes, heat pumps, fins
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04074 Heat exchange unit structures specially adapted for fuel cell
• 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 8/2475 Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell power pack comprises a base module, a ballast module, a fuel supply module, a generator module and an enclosure consisting in part of panels, that is shaped to fit within the battery bay of an electric vehicle. The base and ballast modules are configured to provide ballast for the electric vehicle, to hold the fuel supply module, and to form part of the power pack enclosure. The fuel supply module comprises a fuel storage cylinder and a length-minimized fuel supply assembly to provide a maximized fuel supply to the generator module. The generator module comprises a fuel cell stack and balance of plant components operable to generate electricity. An explosion dissipation structure is provided on at least one enclosure panel.

Claims

1. A fuel cell power pack comprising:

(a) a gaseous hydrogen fuel cylinder;

(b) an enclosure comprising a volume for receiving the cylinder and an air duct spanning from an air inlet at one end of the enclosure to an air outlet at an opposed end of the enclosure; and

(c) an electrical generator mounted in the duct and comprising a fuel cell stack and balance of plant components arranged so that a continuous air flow path is defined in the generator that extends from the air inlet to the air outlet, and wherein at least some of the balance of plant components are located in the air flow path such that a sufficient air flow can be provided from the air flow path to supply reactant air to the fuel cell stack, and remove heat generated by the fuel cell stack and select balance of plant components.

2. A fuel cell power pack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the balance of plant components in the air flow path includes a fan effective to generate an air flow in the air flow path.

3. A fuel cell power pack as claimed in claim 2 wherein the balance of plant components in the air flow path include a compressor fluidly coupled to the fuel cell stack and operable to compress and deliver reactant air from the air flow path to the fuel cell stack.

4. A fuel cell power pack as claimed in claim 2 wherein the balance of plant components in the air flow path include a radiator thermally coupled to the fuel cell stack and operable to radiate heat from the fuel cell stack into the air flow path.

5. A fuel cell power pack as claimed in claim 2 wherein the balance of plant components further include electrical components located in the air flow path such that heat generated by the electrical components are removed by the air flow.

6. A fuel cell power pack as claimed in claim 5 wherein the electrical components include at least one component selected from the group consisting of a power supply, hydrogen circulation pump, coolant circulation pump, double-layer capacitor bank, controller, contactor, fuse box, pressure reducer, and gas shut-off valve.

7. A fuel cell power pack as claimed in claim 2 wherein the balance of plant components in the air flow path include a dissipater fluidly coupled to the fuel cell stack and located in the air flow path such that fluid in the dissipater is dissipated into the air flow.

8. A fuel cell power pack as claimed in claim 2 wherein the balance of plant components in the air flow path include a hydrogen sensor and a controller communicative with the hydrogen sensor and programmed to stop operation of the generator when the sensor detects a hydrogen concentration above a selected threshold.

9. A fuel cell power pack as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an air filter located in the air inlet.

10. A fuel cell power pack as claimed in claim 2 wherein the generator further comprises a double-layer capacitor bank having at least a portion in the air flow path such that heat generated by the double-layer capacitor is removed by the air flow.

11. A fuel cell power pack as claimed in claim 1 configured to fit within a battery bay of an electric vehicle.

12. A fuel cell power pack as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a ballast module having a mass selected such that the total mass of the power pack is substantially the same as the mass of a battery designed for use in the vehicle and to be stored in the battery bay.

13. A fuel cell power pack as claimed in claim 11 wherein the ballast module forms part of a support structure for receiving the fuel cylinder inside the enclosure, and the support structure along with a portion of the enclosure defines the air duct.

14. An electrical generator comprising

a fuel cell stack;

and

balance of plant components arranged so that a continuous air flow path is defined in the generator that extends from an air inlet end to an air outlet end of the generator, and wherein at least some of the balance of plant components are located in the air flow path such that a sufficient air flow can be provided from the air flow path to supply reactant air to the fuel cell stack, and remove heat generated by the fuel cells stack and select balance of plant components.

15. A generator as claimed in claim 14 wherein the balance of plant components in the air flow path includes a fan effective to generate an air flow in the air flow path.

16. A generator as claimed in claim 15 wherein the balance of plant components in the air flow path include a compressor fluidly coupled to the fuel cell stack and operable to compress and deliver reactant air from the air flow path to the fuel cell stack.

17. A generator as claimed in claim 15 wherein the balance of plant components in the air flow path include a radiator thermally coupled to the fuel cell stack and operable to radiate heat from the fuel cell stack into the air flow path.

18. A generator as claimed in claim 15 wherein the balance of plant components further include electrical components located in the air flow path such that heat generated by the electrical components are removed by the air flow.

19. A generator as claimed in claim 15 wherein the electrical components include at least one component selected from the group consisting of a power supply, hydrogen circulation pump, coolant circulation pump, double-layer capacitor bank, controller, contactor, fuse box, pressure reducer, and gas shut-off valve.

20. A generator as claimed in claim 15 wherein the balance of plant components in the air flow path include a dissipater fluidly coupled to the fuel cell stack and located in the air flow path such that fluid in the dissipater is dissipated into the air flow.

21. A generator as claimed in claim 15 wherein the balance of plant components in the air flow path include a hydrogen sensor and a controller communicative with the hydrogen sensor and programmed to stop operation of the generator when the sensor detects a hydrogen concentration above a selected threshold.

22. A generator as claimed in claim 15 wherein the generator further comprises a double-layer capacitor bank having at least a portion in the air flow path such that heat generated by the double-layer capacitor is removed by the air flow.