Vehicle with a fuel cell system and method for operating the same
First Claim
1. A vehicle comprising:
- a combustion engine coupled to deliver mechanical power to propel the vehicle;
auxiliary vehicular electric loads;
an alternator powered by the combustion engine, for generating electricity;
an electric storage device for storing alternator generated electricity;
at least one auxiliary electric power supply for supplying electrical energy to said electric loads, the auxiliary electric power supply including a fuel cell system with an anode fuel input and a cathode fuel input; and
an electrolyzer which uses electricity from the alternator to generate hydrogen and oxygen;
wherein a hydrogen production side of the electrolyzer is in fluid communication with the anode fuel input.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle comprising a combustion engine capable of delivering mechanical power for driving at least one wheel drive shaft with driving wheels, auxiliary vehicular electric loads, an alternator powered by the combustion engine for generating electricity, an electric storage device for storing alternator generated electricity, and at least one auxiliary electric power supply for supplying electrical energy to said electric loads. The auxiliary electric power supply includes a fuel cell system with an anode fuel input and a cathode fuel input, and an electrolyzer which is capable of generating hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen production side of said electrolyzer is in fluid connection with the at least one anode fuel supply.
47 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A vehicle comprising:
-
a combustion engine coupled to deliver mechanical power to propel the vehicle;
auxiliary vehicular electric loads;
an alternator powered by the combustion engine, for generating electricity;
an electric storage device for storing alternator generated electricity;
at least one auxiliary electric power supply for supplying electrical energy to said electric loads, the auxiliary electric power supply including a fuel cell system with an anode fuel input and a cathode fuel input; and
an electrolyzer which uses electricity from the alternator to generate hydrogen and oxygen;
wherein a hydrogen production side of the electrolyzer is in fluid communication with the anode fuel input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method for operating a vehicle having:
-
a combustion engine coupled to deliver mechanical power to propel the vehicle;
auxiliary vehicular electric loads;
an alternator powered by the combustion engine, for generating electricity;
an electric storage device for storing alternator generated electricity;
at least one auxiliary electric power supply for supplying electrical energy to said electric loads, the auxiliary electric power supply including a fuel cell system with an anode fuel input and a cathode fuel input; and
an electrolyzer which uses electricity from the alternator to generate hydrogen and oxygen;
whereina hydrogen production side of the electrolyzer is in fluid communication with the anode fuel;
hydrogen is produced by the electrolyzer while the vehicle'"'"'s engine is operative; and
said hydrogen is used to power a fuel cell system while the engine is inoperative. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for supplying electrical power to operate electrical load components of a vehicle having a combustion engine, an electric generator driven by said engine and a fuel cell system, said method comprising:
-
operating said engine to propel the vehicle;
using electricity from said generator when said engine is operating, to generate hydrogen and oxygen by hydrolysis of water;
storing said hydrogen and oxygen;
supplying said stored hydrogen and oxygen to said fuel cell system to generate electric power for said electrical load components during periods when said engine is not operating.
-
-
14. A vehicle power supply comprising:
-
a combustion engine for propelling said vehicle;
an electric generator driven by said engine;
a fuel cell system;
means for generating hydrogen and oxygen using electricity generated while said engine is operating;
a tank for storing generated hydrogen and oxygen; and
means for supplying stored hydrogen and oxygen to said fuel cell system when said engine is not operated, to supply electric power to electrical load components of said vehicle.
-
Specification