Method for generating electrical power from fuel cell powered cars parked in a conventional parking lot
First Claim
1. Apparatus for generating electrical power from multiple vehicles powered by fuel cells while the vehicles are parked, comprising:
- a) a plurality of spaced-apart electrical receptacles each for receiving an electric cable for connection to a parked vehicle for electrically connecting the fuel cell in each of the parked vehicles to said plurality of electrical receptacles;
a plurality of spaced-apart fuel connectors each for supplying fuel to a parked vehicle for operating the fuel cell in each of the parked vehicles;
b) an electric power collection grid electrically connected to said plurality of electrical receptacles for collecting and transferring D.C. electrical power from the fuel cells in the parked vehicles to said electric power collection grid;
c) at least one non-storing, electric power collection station electrically connected to said electric power collection grid for joining and transferring at a common point the D.C. electric power in said electric power collection grid;
d) at least one inverter electrically connected to said at least one electric power collection station for converting the D.C. electric power to A.C. electric power; and
e) means for supplying the A.C. electric power to a load and a utility grid for supplying electric power to other loads.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating electrical power from multiple vehicles powered by fuel cells while the vehicles are parked in a parking lot. A plurality of spaced-apart electrical receptacles are provided for receiving an electric cable for connection to a parked vehicle for electrically connecting the fuel cell in each of the parked vehicles to the plurality of electrical receptacles. An electric power grid is electrically connected to the plurality of electrical receptacles for transferring D.C. electrical power from the fuel cells in the parked vehicles to the electric power grid. At least one electric power collection station is electrically connected to the electric power grid for collecting at a common point the D.C. electric power in the electric power grid. In addition, at least one inverter is electrically connected to the electric power collection station for converting the D.C. electric power to A.C. electric power. Apparatus is provided for supplying the A.C. electric power to a load or a utility grid.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. Apparatus for generating electrical power from multiple vehicles powered by fuel cells while the vehicles are parked, comprising:
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a) a plurality of spaced-apart electrical receptacles each for receiving an electric cable for connection to a parked vehicle for electrically connecting the fuel cell in each of the parked vehicles to said plurality of electrical receptacles;
a plurality of spaced-apart fuel connectors each for supplying fuel to a parked vehicle for operating the fuel cell in each of the parked vehicles;b) an electric power collection grid electrically connected to said plurality of electrical receptacles for collecting and transferring D.C. electrical power from the fuel cells in the parked vehicles to said electric power collection grid; c) at least one non-storing, electric power collection station electrically connected to said electric power collection grid for joining and transferring at a common point the D.C. electric power in said electric power collection grid; d) at least one inverter electrically connected to said at least one electric power collection station for converting the D.C. electric power to A.C. electric power; and e) means for supplying the A.C. electric power to a load and a utility grid for supplying electric power to other loads. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for generating electrical power from at least one fuel cell powered vehicle that is parked, comprising:
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a) providing a fuel cell powered vehicle with switch means for switching between a locomotion mode and an electrical generation mode; b) connecting said vehicle to electrical receptacle means for connecting the parked vehicle to an electric system; c) engaging the vehicles operating system; d) switching the vehicle and its fuel cell to the electrical generation mode to produce D.C. electrical power and to transfer said D.C. electrical power from the fuel cell to said electric system; and e) converting the D.C. electrical power from the fuel cell to A.C. power by conversion equipment. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19)
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16. A method for generating electrical power from at least one internal combustion engine powered vehicle that is parked, comprising;
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a) providing an internal combustion engine powered vehicle with switch means for switching between a locomotion mode and an electrical generation mode; b) connecting said vehicle to electrical receptacle means for connecting the parked vehicle to an electric system; c) engaging the vehicles operating system; d) switching the vehicle to the electrical generation mode to produce D.C. electrical power and to transfer said D.C. electrical power from the vehicle to said electric system; and e) converting the D.C. electrical power from the vehicle to A.C. power by conversion equipment.
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20. A method for generating electrical power from at least one turbine engine powered vehicle that is parked, comprising:
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a) providing a turbine engine powered vehicle with switch means for switching between a locomotion mode and an electrical generation mode; b) connecting said vehicle to electrical receptacle means for connecting the parked vehicle to an electric system; c) engaging the vehicles operating system; d) switching the vehicle to the electrical generation mode to produce D.C. electrical power and to transfer said D.C. electrical power from the vehicle to said electric system; and e) converting the D.C. electrical power from the vehicle to A.C. power by conversion equipment.
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21. A method for generating electrical power from at least one hybrid powered vehicle that is parked, comprising:
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a) providing a hybrid powered vehicle with switch means for switching between a locomotion mode and an electrical generation mode; b) connecting said vehicle to electrical receptacle means for connecting the parked vehicle to an electric system; c) engaging the vehicles operating system; d) switching the vehicle to the electrical generation mode to produce D.C. electrical power and to transfer said D.C. electrical power from the vehicle to said electric system; and e) converting the D.C. electrical power from the vehicle to A.C. power by conversion equipment.
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Specification