Fuel cell-electrolyzer system controlled by a single bi-directional DC-to-DC converter
First Claim
1. A self-contained regenerative power system comprising:
- a fuel cell operative to generate electric energy from hydrogen and oxygen, generating water as a byproduct;
an electrolyzer operative to generate hydrogen and oxygen from water by consumption of electric energy;
a bi-directional DC-to-DC converter for interfacing between both the fuel cell and the electrolyzer on one side of the bi-directional converter and the system to be powered on the other side of the bi-directional converter; and
a switch for selectively placing one of the fuel cell and the electrolyzer in electric communication with the bi-directional DC-to-DC converter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained regenerative power system includes a fuel cell operative to generate electric energy from hydrogen and oxygen, generating water as a byproduct, and an electrolyzer operative to generate hydrogen and oxygen from water by consumption of electric energy. A bi-directional DC-to-DC converter interfaces between the fuel cell and the electrolyzer on one side and the system to be powered on the other. A switch selectively connects either the fuel cell or the electrolyzer with the bi-directional DC-to-DC converter. The products of the fuel cell process can be supplied to the electrolyzer process, and vice versa. Alternately, the self-contained regenerative power system comprises a unitary fuel cell and electrolyzer.
6 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A self-contained regenerative power system comprising:
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a fuel cell operative to generate electric energy from hydrogen and oxygen, generating water as a byproduct;
an electrolyzer operative to generate hydrogen and oxygen from water by consumption of electric energy;
a bi-directional DC-to-DC converter for interfacing between both the fuel cell and the electrolyzer on one side of the bi-directional converter and the system to be powered on the other side of the bi-directional converter; and
a switch for selectively placing one of the fuel cell and the electrolyzer in electric communication with the bi-directional DC-to-DC converter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A self-contained regenerative power system comprising:
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a unitary fuel cell and electrolyzer, selectively operative to generate electric energy from constituent hydrogen and oxygen, generating water as a byproduct, or to generate hydrogen and oxygen from water by consumption of electric energy; and
a bi-directional DC-to-DC converter for interfacing between both the unitary fuel cell and electrolyzer on one side of the bi-directional converter and the system to be powered on the other side of the bi-directional converter. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification