The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 21, 1997
Filed:
Aug. 05, 1994
Nobuo Fujita, Toyota, JP;
Hiroyuki Mitsui, Nagoya, JP;
Hiroshi Aoki, Nagoya, JP;
Hidehito Kubo, Kariya, JP;
Keiji Toh, Kariya, JP;
Masayoshi Miura, Kariya, JP;
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota, JP;
Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho, Aichi-ken, JP;
Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho, Kariya, JP;
Abstract
The present invention provides a combined system for activating a fuel cell with hydrogen absorbed and stored in a hydrogen-storage alloy to drive an electric vehicle and for conditioning the air with the hydrogen absorbed and stored in the hydrogen-storage alloy. The combined system of the invention sucks hydrogen out of the hydrogen-storage alloy by a compressor. The combined system of the invention cools the air with a cooling power generated in discharge of hydrogen from the hydrogen-storage alloy and heats the air with a heat generated in absorption of hydrogen into the hydrogen-storage alloy. The combined system preferably includes a heat storage tank disposed in a conduit of a heating medium for storing an excess of a cooling power caused by a variation in an amount of hydrogen required for the fuel cell. Alternatively, the combined system has a secondary battery which is charged with an excess power of the fuel cell and discharges to make up for a deficient power of the fuel cell.