System and method for extracting propulsion energy from motor vehicle exhaust

• US 20060108160A1
• Filed: 11/22/2004
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energyield LLC
• Original Assignee: John L. Rogitz
• Inventors: Hotto, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,520,350 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/32 characterised by the fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/003 of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/407 Combination of fuel cells with mechanical energy generators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0612 from carbon-containing material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0618 Reforming processes, e.g. autothermal, partial oxidation or steam reforming
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/905 Combustion engine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/908 Fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/944 Characterized by control of fuel cell

Abstract

Vehicle engine exhaust is sent to a reformer, which produces hydrogen from fuel remaining in the exhaust. The hydrogen is stored in a hydrogen tank, and is used by a fuel cell to produce electricity to recharge the vehicle battery and/or to supply propulsion current to an electric propulsion system to propel the vehicle in lieu of using the engine.

Claims

1. A vehicle having an internal combustion engine including at least one exhaust pipe, a drive train couplable to the engine, an electric propulsion system couplable to the drive train, and at least one battery, comprising:

at least one reformer connected to the exhaust pipe for producing hydrogen from exhaust gases from the engine;

at least one hydrogen tank for storing the hydrogen; and

at least one fuel cell connected to the hydrogen tank for using the hydrogen to produce electricity to recharge the battery and/or to supply propulsion current to the electric propulsion system.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the electricity from the fuel cell is propulsion current supplied to the electric propulsion system to activate the drive train to propel the vehicle.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the electricity from the fuel cell is recharging current supplied to the battery to recharge the battery.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, comprising at least one controller selectively causing the electric propulsion system or the engine to activate the drive train.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, comprising at least one valve interposed in a fluid path between the hydrogen tank and fuel cell, wherein the controller controls the valve to open and close the fluid path based at least in part on an amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, comprising at least one switch interposed in an electrical path between the fuel cell and electric propulsion system, the controller controlling the switch.

7. The vehicle of claim 5, comprising at least one switch interposed in an electrical path between the battery and electric propulsion system, the controller controlling the switch.

8. The vehicle of claim 5, comprising at least one switch interposed in an electrical path between the battery and fuel cell, the controller controlling the switch.

9. A method for activating a vehicle drive train to propel a vehicle, comprising:

providing an internal combustion engine couplable to the drive train;

providing an electric propulsion system couplable to the drive train; and

generating electricity using exhaust gas of the engine to undertake at least one of;

recharge a battery connectable to the electric propulsion system, and provide propulsion current to the electric propulsion system.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the act of generating includes:

sending exhaust gas to a reformer; and

providing hydrogen from the reformer to a fuel cell for generation of electricity therefrom.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising storing hydrogen from the reformer until such time as it is determined to produce electricity using the fuel cell, and then sending hydrogen to the fuel cell.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the act of generating produces propulsion current for the electric propulsion system.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the act of generating produces recharging current for the battery.

14. A vehicle propulsion system, comprising:

internal combustion means for producing torque to actuate a drive train;

electric drive means for producing torque to actuate the drive train; and

means for producing electricity using hydrogen gleaned from an exhaust of the internal combustion means.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for producing electricity generates propulsion current that is sent directly to the electric drive means.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for producing electricity generates recharging current that is used to recharge at least one battery.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for producing electricity includes at least one reformer receiving exhaust gas from the internal combustion means and generating hydrogen.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for producing electricity includes at least one fuel cell receiving hydrogen and producing electricity.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for producing electricity includes at least one hydrogen tank interposed between the reformer and the fuel cell.