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:
Jan. 19, 2010
Filed:
Sep. 17, 2004
Haoran HU, Novi, MI (US);
Thomas Stover, Milford, MI (US);
Timothy J. Morscheck, Portage, MI (US);
Kathryn A. Miles, Freemont, IN (US);
Patrick M. Watts, Gastonia, NC (US);
Diane C. Wiersma, Caledonia, MI (US);
Haoran Hu, Novi, MI (US);
Thomas Stover, Milford, MI (US);
Timothy J. Morscheck, Portage, MI (US);
Kathryn A. Miles, Freemont, IN (US);
Patrick M. Watts, Gastonia, NC (US);
Diane C. Wiersma, Caledonia, MI (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
One aspect of the invention relates to a clean power generation system in which an internal combustion engine is operated to produce shaft power and an exhaust stream. The exhaust stream is processed by a fuel cell. Fluctuations in power demand are met, at least in part, by increasing or decreasing power output from the fuel cell and/or power uptake or output from a power storage device. The engine can operate at a relatively constant rate, providing a steady exhaust stream, which facilitates pollution control and fuel cell operation. According to another aspect of the invention, the exhaust of an engine is treated with a fuel cell having an electrolyte that conducts protons. In addition to removing pollutants from the exhaust while generating useful power, the fuel cell can provide a supply of low acidity water. The water can be used in the fuel reformer.