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:
Sep. 30, 2003
Filed:
May. 03, 2001
System and method for recovering potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply for use in a vehicle
Keith Andrew Oglesby, Livonia, MI (US);
Kurt David Osborne, Dearborn, MI (US);
Woong-chul Yang, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A system is provided for recovering the potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply within a fuel cell powered vehicle . The system includes a conventional storage tank which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an expander , a compressor , a motor/generator which selectively generates electrical power and torque, pressure regulators , a valve , an electrical charge storage device or battery , a controller , vehicle sensors and electrical switches or switching module . The system selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through expander which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas, rotatably drives compressor and generates electricity. Controller causes the generated electricity to be selectively communicated to electrical accessories , and/or to battery by use of switching module , based upon vehicle attribute data received from sensors . Based upon the attribute data, controller may also signal valve to bypass expander , and cause electrical power to be supplied to motor/generator from battery to drive compressor