Fuel-cell-powered electric automobile

• US 6,378,637 B1
• Filed: 05/26/2000
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Gouhara, Koji, Igarashi, Norio, Ushio, Takeshi, Ono, Tohru, Kami, Yozo
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, J. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bottorff, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US09/579,611
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/65.3, 180/65.8, 180/68.4, 180/868.5
• US Class Current: 180/65.31
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03 Fuel tanks chassis frame comprising fluid storage compartment B62D21/16 ; Details of the fuel feeding system related to the fuel tank F02M37/0076
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/10 concerning gas-producing plants
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0638 the fuel tank is arranged in the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/30 for monitoring or controlling fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/33 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/249 specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/00 Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0612 from carbon-containing material
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

An electric automobile having a fuel cell system. A fuel tank, a fuel reformer, a fuel cell and an electrical energy storage constituting the fuel cell system are installed under the floor of the vehicle in their order as viewed longitudinally of its body. Thus, the components of the fuel cell system are arranged in accordance with its progression. This arrangement enables the shortening of piping and electrical wiring interconnecting the components.

Claims

1. An electric automobile, comprising:

an automobile body having two longitudinally extending frames with means for defining between them a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion;

a fuel tank installed in one of the front portion and rear portion;

a fuel reformer with a condenser on top thereof, a fuel cell, and an electrical energy storage all installed in the middle portion; and

an electric motor installed in one of the front portion and the rear portion;

wherein locating said fuel cell and said electrical energy storage in the middle portion provides said automobile with longitudinal weight balance and locating said condenser on said fuel reformer results in water entering said fuel reformer easily.

2. An electric automobile, comprising:

an automobile body having two longitudinally extending frames with means for defining between them a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion;

a fuel tank installed in one of the front portion and rear portion;

a fuel reformer, a fuel cell, and an electrical energy storage all installed in the middle portion;

a distributor installed parallel to said electrical energy storage in the middle portion of said automobile body; and

an electric motor installed in one of the front portion and the rear portion;

wherein locating said fuel cell and said electrical energy storage in the middle portion provides said automobile with longitudinal weight balance and locating said distributor in the middle portion close to said electrical energy storage shortens electrical wiring and allows the frames to provide protection.