18563013. HIGH EFFICIENCY FUEL CELL AIR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM simplified abstract (Eaton Intelligent Power Limited)

HIGH EFFICIENCY FUEL CELL AIR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Organization Name

Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

Inventor(s)

Doug Hughes

Milos Toulec of Ricany (CZ)

Brandon Biller

Vishal Khandelwal of Kalyan (IN)

Matthew Frank

Fabiano Contarin of Torino (IT)

Ondrej Bolehovsky of Praha (CZ)

Mihai Dorobantu

Evan Reich

HIGH EFFICIENCY FUEL CELL AIR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18563013 titled 'HIGH EFFICIENCY FUEL CELL AIR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Simplified Explanation: The patent application describes a fuel cell air management system that includes a compressor, electric machine, expander, recuperator, intercooler, fuel cell stack, water separator, and pump for water metering.

• The system comprises a compressor that receives ambient air and supplies compressed air, connected to an electric machine via a mechanical power transmission.
• An expander is connected to the mechanical power transmission to generate power.
• A recuperator is connected to the compressor outlet to recover waste heat and improve efficiency.
• An intercooler is coupled to the recuperator outlet to cool the compressed air before entering the fuel cell stack.
• The fuel cell stack is connected to the intercooler outlet, with the exhaust from the recuperator connected to the expander.
• A water separator is connected to the expander outlet, coupled to a pump for metering water to various locations in the system.

Key Features and Innovation:

• Integration of a compressor, expander, recuperator, and fuel cell stack in a single system.
• Efficient use of waste heat and cooling of compressed air for improved performance.
• Water management system for optimal operation of the fuel cell stack.

Potential Applications: The technology can be applied in fuel cell vehicles, stationary power generation systems, and portable power sources.

Problems Solved: The system addresses the challenges of managing air flow, waste heat recovery, and water management in fuel cell applications.

Benefits:

• Improved efficiency and performance of fuel cell systems.
• Enhanced reliability and longevity of components.
• Reduced environmental impact through efficient energy utilization.

Commercial Applications: The technology can be utilized in automotive, residential, and industrial sectors for clean and efficient power generation.

Prior Art: Prior research in fuel cell systems, waste heat recovery, and water management technologies can provide insights into similar innovations.

Frequently Updated Research: Stay updated on advancements in fuel cell technology, waste heat recovery systems, and water management solutions for fuel cells.

Questions about Fuel Cell Air Management Systems: 1. How does the integration of a compressor, expander, and recuperator improve the efficiency of a fuel cell system? 2. What are the key challenges in managing water in fuel cell applications, and how does this system address them?

Original Abstract Submitted

A fuel cell air management system includes a compressor receiving ambient air at a compressor inlet and supplying compressed air at a compressor outlet. A mechanical power transmission is connected to an electric machine. The mechanical power transmission is operatively connected to the compressor. An expander is operatively connected to the mechanical power transmission. A recuperator is connected to the compressor outlet. The recuperator includes a recuperator inlet and a recuperator outlet. An intercooler is coupled to the recuperator outlet. A fuel cell stack is connected to an intercooler outlet. The fuel cell stack includes a fuel cell outlet connected to the recuperator and the recuperator includes an exhaust connected to the expander. A water separator is connected to an outlet of the expander. The water separator is coupled to a pump metering a specified dose of water to a specified location selected from the compressor inlet, the compressor outlet, the recuperator outlet or combinations thereof.