Portable Device Power with Fuel Cell Technology

Hydrogen storage system for fuel cell vehicles that uses a flow rate adjusting valve to minimize pressure differences between hydrogen tanks. The system has multiple hydrogen tanks, a manifold, and a flow rate adjusting valve. The valve adjusts the flow rates from each tank based on their pressure difference, reducing pressure imbalances and improving safety compared to fixed flow rates.

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System for detecting hydrogen leaks in fuel cell vehicles without using costly hydrogen sensors inside the fuel cell stack. The system uses the purging air line that flushes the fuel cell housing to detect hydrogen leaks. The purging air outlet is directed towards an external hydrogen sensor located outside the fuel cell housing. The purging air flow carries any leaked hydrogen from the fuel cell housing to the sensor.

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Fuel cell exhaust system for fuel cell electric vehicles that allows accurate hydrogen content measurements while minimizing pressure loss and improving mixing. The exhaust system uses separate upper ducts with hydrogen sensors to divert a portion of the exhaust for analysis. This avoids moisture interference. The upper ducts are positioned above lower ducts in the tailpipes of two fuel cell stacks.

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Determining whether a vehicle's fuel cell hydrogen tanks are properly supplying fuel. It involves individually controlling tank valves to open, sensing hydrogen pressure in the supply line, and determining if the tanks opened properly based on pressure changes. If tanks fail to open, vehicle operation is adjusted to conserve fuel.

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Automated switching between multiple hydrogen fuel tanks on a mobile power generator to provide continuous power and avoid interruptions. A pressure-based latching switch monitors the fuel tank pressures, and automatically switches from an empty tank to a full tank to maintain a constant fuel supply to the generator's fuel cell system.

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Preventing accidental closing of fuel cell hydrogen injectors when starting power-hungry vehicle auxiliaries. A fuel cell vehicle has a hydrogen injector that opens when a current threshold is reached. The injector controller increases the current target when it detects start signals from high-power auxiliaries like AC. This prevents power dips from closing the injector prematurely. However, if a voltage converter supplies the injector, the target is not increased if converter output exceeds the main power supply.

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An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that uses a fuel cell power generator and satellite communication system for extended range and endurance. The UAV has a hydrogen-fuelled fuel cell that generates power to fly the aircraft. The fuel cell and hydrogen generator are cooled by airflow from the propeller. This allows the fuel cell to be lightweight without heavy heatsinks. The short-range cable between the radio transmitter and antenna avoids power amplification heat.

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Hydrogen detection apparatus for fuel cell vehicles that optimizes energy savings versus reliability tradeoff by intermittently operating the hydrogen sensor with an off time that varies based on the operating environment. A microcomputer sets the off time and drives the sensor control circuit. The hydrogen sensor has exposed interfaces for contacting hydrogen gas. This allows environment-specific tuning of the detection frequency to save energy while still ensuring safety.

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Diagnosing fuel cell stack failures in fuel cell electric vehicles to prevent damage due to abnormal hydrogen supply. The method involves using two hydrogen pressure sensors to detect if pressure is smooth. If the difference between sensor readings is large, it indicates hydrogen supply issues. The system shuts down if supply problems are detected, preventing stack damage.

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Hydrogen filling system for fuel cell electric vehicles that prevents freezing of the fueling receptacle during fast hydrogen filling and overheating of the hydrogen tank. The system uses a buffer line connected between the fuel supply line and the fueling receptacle. Heat from compressed hydrogen flowing through the buffer line is used to warm the receptacle during filling, preventing freezing. A temperature sensor monitors the buffer line hydrogen temperature to detect tank overheating and avoids filling further.

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A thermal management system for a fuel cell vehicle that improves fuel efficiency by continuously supplying heat to a solid-state hydrogen storage container without an additional power supply. The system uses waste heat from the fuel cell stack to heat the hydrogen storage container and maintain it at the temperature needed for hydrogen release. This avoids adding extra components like heaters or combustors. The system has three containers and a circulating heat transfer medium to transfer heat from the fuel cell stack to the hydrogen storage container.

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Generating hydrogen on demand for PEM fuel cell power systems using a rotary bed reactor to hydrolyze solid chemical hydride fuels. The reactor contains fuel pellets like lithium aluminum hydride that react with water to produce hydrogen gas. The fuel pellets are rotated during water feed to enhance mixing and reaction kinetics. The hydrogen generated is supplied to the fuel cell stack to produce electricity. The water required for hydrolysis can come from the fuel cell cathode exhaust, so no external water supply is needed.

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Hydrogen generation system that produces hydrogen gas on-demand for fuel cells by heating a liquid reactant and channeling it to a reaction chamber containing a solid hydride. The reaction chamber pressure is measured to start and stop the reaction. The produced hydrogen is filtered, stored in a buffer tank, and supplied to a fuel cell when needed. Heating the liquid reactant allows faster reaction start time and independent reaction rate from hydrogen demand.

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A rechargeable energy storage device that can accumulate electrical energy and also directly recharge using hydrogen gas. The device uses an electrochemical cell with electrodes, a membrane, and a porous layer. During charging, hydrogen is oxidized at the anode and oxygen reduced at the cathode, storing electrical energy. It can recharge by connecting to the electricity grid, but also by filling with hydrogen gas. This direct hydrogen injection allows faster recharging than electrolysis. The device combines characteristics of batteries and fuel cells to provide versatile and efficient energy storage.

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A post-extrusion process for making nanocomposite membranes with improved properties for fuel cell applications. The process involves blending a hydrophobic polymer like polypropylene with nanofillers like halloysite nanotubes or maleic anhydride grafted silica. The blend is extruded into a thin film which is then annealed, cold stretched, hot stretched, and heat set to form the nanocomposite membrane.

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