Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Delco Electronics Corporation

David B Ouwerkerk

Nelson A Kelly

Thomas L Gibson

David Alan Brown

Norman Joseph Weigert

Victor W Logan

Clark G Hochgraf

John Wheat

Scott Dewey

Gery J Kissel

Christopher P Lawrence

George D Bellino

Exemplary embodiments include a method or apparatus for improving the electrolysis efficiency of high-pressure electrolysis cells by decreasing the current density at the anode and reducing an overvoltage at the anode while decreasing the amount of hydrogen permeation through the cell membrane from the cathode chamber to the anode chamber as the high-pressure electrolysis cell is operated.

High pressure electrolysis cell for hydrogen production from water

A high pressure proton exchange membrane based water electrolyzer system that may include a series of proton exchange membrane (PEM) cells that may be electrically coupled together and coupled to a proton exchange membrane to form a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that is spiral wound onto a conductive center post, wherein an innermost PEM cell of the MEA may be electrically connected with the conductive center post, or center electrode, and wherein an outermost PEM cell of the MEA may be electrically coupled to pressure vessel cylinder, or outer electrode. Each PEM cell may include an anode portion and a cathode portion separated by a portion of the PEM membrane. In addition, a non-permeable separator layer may also be spiral wound around the conductive center post and separates the wound portions of the PEM core.

High pressure proton exchange membrane based water electrolyzer system

Photovoltaic (PV) systems for charging high voltage batteries used to power the electric traction motor of an electrically-powered vehicle are described. Suitable PV systems, fabricated of interconnected solar cells, modules or arrays, may be designed and adapted to efficiently charge a high voltage battery by matching the characteristics of the PV system to the fully-charged voltage of the battery. Preferably, a charging efficiency of about 90% or greater may be achieved through proper matching of the PV system to the battery. A reconfigurable PV system, based on assemblies of solar modules, is described. The reconfigurable PV system is capable of properly matching itself to a variety of different batteries, each of which may have a different voltage when fully charged. By using several reconfigurable PV systems a variety of batteries with different charged voltages may be charged simultaneously while utilizing substantially the full capacity of the PV system to charge batteries.

Photo-voltaic charging of high voltage traction batteries

A method for optimizing the use of solar electrical power is disclosed. An operating voltage is determined for a process and at least a second process. The process is selectively connected to a portion of a photovoltaic array having a maximum power point voltage matching the operating voltage of the process. The at least a second process is selectively connected to a respective at least a second portion of the photovoltaic array having a maximum power point voltage matching the operating voltage of the at least a second process. The photovoltaic array has an available amount of electrical power that is distributed to the process and the at least a second process.

Method and device for optimizing the use of solar electrical power

A charging system of the present invention is connectable to a power grid having a monitoring device. The monitoring device monitors the power delivered to a plurality of loads and determines a power factor and a power factor correction value associated with the loads. The power factor correction value indicates the difference between the power factor and unity. The charging system includes an electrical device, a charger in communication with the electrical device, a charging controller, a power factor correction circuit, a communication device, and a controller. The communication device of the charger receives a data signal from the monitoring device indicative of the power factor correction value associated with the plurality of loads. The power factor correction circuit is configured to communicate an input current to and from the power grid, which adjusts the power factor of the associated loads to about unity.

Power factor correction system

A fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell stack providing high voltage power. A tap is electrically coupled to the positive end of the stack to provide a positive voltage output terminal of the fuel cell stack, and a tap is electrically coupled to the negative end of the stack to provide a negative output terminal of the fuel cell stack. A low voltage tap is electrically coupled to one or more intermediate bipolar plates of the stack to provide low voltage power. Several intermediate taps can be electrically coupled to the bipolar plates, where a center intermediate tap is designated a reference potential tap. A switching network switches the several voltage potentials to provide an AC signal.

Low voltage power tap on high voltage stack

A system is provided for interrupting current in an electrical cable having an end plug. The system comprises a sensor coupled to the plug and having an output indicative of the temperature of the plug, and a current interrupting device coupled to the sensor for interrupting current in the cable when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature.

Thermal security for hybrid vehicle recharging cable plugs device and method

Battery charging apparatus comprising a power source coupled to a battery pack comprising a series connected plurality of batteries, and a charge controller and battery balancer coupled to the battery pack that monitors, controls the charging of, and balances the plurality of batteries of the battery pack. The power source is used to charge all of the batteries under control of a controller. The controller is coupled to an isolated current source in the battery balancer and to a battery voltage sensor. The controller is coupled to a plurality of sensors that monitor predetermined battery conditions. The isolated current source and battery voltage sensor are coupled to each battery of the battery pack by way of a monitoring bus and a plurality of controlled switches. The controller monitors the individual battery voltages using the battery voltage sensor and controls the isolated current source to individually balance low-voltage batteries based upon voltages sensed by the battery voltage sensor.

Growing community of inventors

Torrance, CA, United States of America

David B Ouwerkerk