Cryogenic power conversion for fuel cell systems especially for vehicles

• US 6,798,083 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2001
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Otward M. Mueller
• Original Assignee: Otward M. Mueller
• Inventors: Mueller, Otward M.
• Primary Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/805,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20030190506A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 307/149, 307/10.1, 307/125, 323/360, 310/52-64
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/425 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/30 for monitoring or controlling fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/33 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/04105 Bonding areas formed on an encapsulation of the semiconductor or solid-state body, e.g. bonding areas on chip-scale packages
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/24137 the bodies being arranged next to each other, e.g. on a common substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/32225 the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/73267 Layer and HDI connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/92244 the second connecting process involving a build-up interconnect
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/24 of an individual high density interconnect connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/13055 Insulated gate bipolar transistor [IGBT]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/13091 Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor [MOSFET]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/14 Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/15153 the die mounting substrate comprising a recess for hosting the device
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04029 Heat exchange using liquids
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A cryogenic power conditioning system for fuel cells is proposed which is cooled by liquid hydrogen or liquid natural gas (methane) used to power these fuel cells, or by liquid nitrogen supplied by high-temperature superconducting cables. The main applications are in large vehicles such as transit buses. The result is a combined motor and motor-drive system exhibiting higher efficiency, lower weight, smaller size and lower cost.

Claims

1. A system for powering an electric motor, comprising:

an electronic drive unit having a power input and a power output for connection to an electric motor, said drive unit including circuits having semiconductor components with performance characteristics that are enhanced at temperatures below ambient, said power output of said drive unit being compatible with performance requirements of said electric motor;

an electrical power generator system electrically connected to and supplying power to said electronic drive circuit power input, said electrical power generator system including an oxygen/hydrogen fuel cell;

a refrigeration unit thermally connected to said drive unit to cool said circuits with semiconductor components below ambient temperature and to enhance performance;

an electric motor having controllable output and performance requirements, cooling said motor enhancing its operating performance, said drive unit power output having an electrical connection to said electric motor to power said motor, said refrigeration unit being thermally connected to said electric motor to cool said motor and enhance motor performance.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said refrigeration unit includes a tank containing one of hydrogen and liquid natural gas to provide hydrogen fuel to said fuel cell and to serve as a system coolant.

3. A system as in claim 2, wherein said tank is contained within an enclosure containing liquid nitrogen.

4. A system as in claim 2, wherein said motor includes at least one of coils and windings of superconducting material, said motor being cryo-cooled via thermal connection between said tank and said motor, said tank content being at cryogenic temperature to maintain said coils and windings in a superconducting state.

5. A system as in claim 2, wherein said tank contains liquid natural gas, said liquid natural gas being delivered to said fuel cell by way of tubes and a reformer generating hydrogen from said liquid natural gas.

6. A system as in claim 2, wherein said tank contains hydrogen, said electronic drive unit being positioned in a temperature environment maintained by said hydrogen between 20K and 200K.

7. A system as in claim 2, wherein said electronic drive unit is sealed in a container, said container being immersed in said tank, said tank containing liquid natural gas.

8. A system as in claim 2, wherein said tank is thermally connected to said electronic drive unit by cold fingers, said drive unit being cooled by heat conduction along said fingers.

9. A system for powering an electric motor, comprising:

an electronic drive unit having a power input and a power output for connection to an electric motor, said drive unit including circuits having semiconductor components with performance characteristics that are enhanced at temperatures below ambient, said power output of said drive unit being compatible with performance requirements of said electric motor;

an electrical power generator system electrically connected to and supplying power to said input of said electronic drive circuit, said electrical power generator system including an oxygen/hydrogen fuel cell;

a refrigeration unit thermally connected to said drive unit to cool said circuits with semiconductor components below ambient temperature and to enhance performance, said refrigeration unit being thermally connectable to said electric motor to cool said motor.

10. A system as in claim 9, wherein said refrigeration unit includes a tank containing one of hydrogen and liquid natural gas to provide hydrogen fuel to said fuel cell and to serve as a system coolant.

11. A system as in claim 10, wherein said tank is contained within an enclosure containing liquid nitrogen.

12. A system as in claim 10, wherein said tank contains liquid natural gas, said liquid natural gas being delivered to said fuel cell by way of tubes and a reformer generating hydrogen from said liquid natural gas.

13. A system as in claim 10, wherein said tank contains hydrogen, said electronic drive unit being positioned in a temperature environment maintained by said hydrogen between 20K and 200K.

14. A system as in claim 10, wherein said electronic drive unit is sealed in a container, said container being immersed in said tank, said tank containing liquid natural gas.

15. A system for powering an electric power consuming unit, comprising:

an electronic drive unit having a power input and a power output for connection to an electric power consuming unit, said drive unit including circuits having semiconductor components with performance characteristics that are enhanced at temperatures below ambient, said power output of said drive unit being compatible with performance requirements of said electric power consuming unit;

an electrical power generator system electrically connected to and supplying power to said electronic drive circuit power input, said electrical power generator system including a fuel cell;

a refrigeration unit thermally connected to said drive unit to cool said circuits with semiconductor components below ambient temperature and to enhance performance, said refrigeration unit being thermally connectable to said electric power consuming unit to cool said power consuming unit.

16. A system as in claim 15, wherein said refrigeration unit includes a tank containing one of hydrogen and liquid natural gas to provide hydrogen fuel to said fuel cell and to serve as a system coolant.

17. A system as in claim 16, wherein said tank contains hydrogen, said electronic drive unit being positioned in a temperature environment maintained by said hydrogen between 20K and 200K.

18. A system as in claim 15, wherein said tank contains liquid natural gas, said liquid natural gas being delivered to said fuel cell by way of tubes and a reformer generating hydrogen from said liquid natural gas.