Hybrid power supply apparatus for battery replacement applications
First Claim
1. A hybrid power supply apparatus interchangeable with a conventional battery removably positionable within a battery receptacle tray of an electric vehicle, the battery having a power output connectable to the drive system of the vehicle, said hybrid power apparatus comprising:
- (a) a fuel cell;
(b) an energy storage device chargeable by said fuel cell;
(c) a housing enclosing said fuel cell and said energy storage device, wherein said housing is sized to fit within said battery receptacle tray; and
(d) a power output electrically connectable to said storage device and extending externally of said housing for electrically coupling said apparatus to said drive system of said vehicle when said housing is positioned within said battery receptacle tray.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This application relates to a hybrid power supply apparatus comprising a fuel cell and an energy storage device for use in off-road electric vehicles, such as lift trucks. The apparatus is a substitute for conventional lead acid batteries and is sized to fit within a conventional lift truck battery receptacle tray. The fuel cell and fuel processor systems are designed to meet the average load requirements of the vehicle, while the batteries and power control hardware are capable of responding to very high instantaneous load demands. The invention has a similar electrical interface as conventional battery systems and does not require vehicle modification. The apparatus is air-cooled to ensure that the hybrid power components operate within a preferred temperature range and to maintain the external surfaces of the apparatus and exhaust gases within safe temperature limits. Apart from vehicular applications, low power hybrid fuel cell products as exemplified by the present invention may also find application in uninterruptable power supply systems, recreational power, off-grid power generation and other analogous applications.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A hybrid power supply apparatus interchangeable with a conventional battery removably positionable within a battery receptacle tray of an electric vehicle, the battery having a power output connectable to the drive system of the vehicle, said hybrid power apparatus comprising:
-
(a) a fuel cell;
(b) an energy storage device chargeable by said fuel cell;
(c) a housing enclosing said fuel cell and said energy storage device, wherein said housing is sized to fit within said battery receptacle tray; and
(d) a power output electrically connectable to said storage device and extending externally of said housing for electrically coupling said apparatus to said drive system of said vehicle when said housing is positioned within said battery receptacle tray. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. A stand-alone hybrid power supply apparatus comprising:
-
(a) a fuel cell;
(b) an energy storage device chargeable by said fuel cell;
(c) a housing enclosing said fuel cell and said energy storage device within a self-contained space; and
(d) a power output on an external surface of said housing for electrically connecting said apparatus to a load, wherein said output is the sole interface between said apparatus and said load. - View Dependent Claims (27)
-
-
28. A hybrid power apparatus for use in a battery-operated vehicle provided with an electrical receptacle and a battery receptacle tray, the hybrid power apparatus comprising;
-
(a) a hybrid fuel cell subsystem including a fuel reformer, fuel cell, DC power converter, microcontroller and energy storage device;
(b) a housing containing said hybrid fuel cell subsystem and having dimensions less than said battery receptacle tray such that said housing is movable within said tray;
(c) an external DC interface attached to said housing and electrically connected to said hybrid fuel cell subsystem and including a plug interface suitable to mate to said vehicle electrical receptacle; and
(d) gas inlet and outlet interfaces mounted on at least one uncovered surface of said housing when said housing is placed within said tray, wherein said interfaces are connected to said hybrid fuel cell subsystem and include circulation fans and valves connected to and controlled by said microcontroller of said hybrid fuel cell subsystem.
-
Specification