Electrochemical propulsion system

Details Electrochemical propulsion system Electrochemical propulsion system

1998-12-16

2001-05-01

Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)

Motor vehicles

Power

Electric

Reexamination Certificate

active

06223843

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an electrochemical propulsion system in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As fuel cell power plants are being designed into useable motor vehicles in place of internal combustion engines, packaging of the hardware becomes an issue. It is important not to impede on the requirements for maximized passenger compartment and storage space as these are important customer considerations. Fuel cells that are arranged at or about the vehicle center of gravity may restrict passenger compartment volume.
Another potential arrangement for packaging a fuel cell is to arrange the components below the vehicle floor. One disadvantage may be that the overall vehicle height is raised to accommodate ground clearances and maintain passenger compartment volume. In addition, hardware that is not closely coupled requires longer connections therebetween which increases the potential for system pressure drops and thermal losses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an arrangement of an electrochemical propulsion system, which supplants a known internal combustion engine and transmission in a motor vehicle. The electrochemical engine is packaged in the space conventionally occupied by an internal combustion engine. The arrangement accommodates fuel cell system hardware within the front vehicle compartment to retain full function of the vehicle by not infringing upon the passenger compartment nor upon storage volume.
The components may be arranged in the order of gas flow to provide further system efficiencies including thermal, packaging, and pumping. By arranging the hardware in close proximity, shorter interconnect lengths are required which minimizes system pressure drop. Further, shorter interconnect lengths limit the amount of hydrogen carried on-board.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3911284 (1975-10-01), Skala
patent: 5193635 (1993-03-01), Mizuno et al.
patent: 5248566 (1993-09-01), Kumar et al.
patent: 5641031 (1997-06-01), Riemer et al.
patent: 5662184 (1997-09-01), Riemer et al.
patent: 5678647 (1997-10-01), Wolfe et al.
patent: 5858568 (1999-01-01), Hsu et al.
patent: 109127 (1989-09-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Electrochemical propulsion system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Electrochemical propulsion system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrochemical propulsion system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2557772