18122176. FUEL CELL CHARGE AIR SYSTEM AND METHOD simplified abstract (Caterpillar Inc.)
Contents
FUEL CELL CHARGE AIR SYSTEM AND METHOD
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Richard William Kruiswyk of Dunlap IL (US)
Christopher Dean Lusardi of Peoria IL (US)
FUEL CELL CHARGE AIR SYSTEM AND METHOD - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18122176 titled 'FUEL CELL CHARGE AIR SYSTEM AND METHOD
The abstract describes a fuel cell electric power system with a charge air system that includes an intake air compressor, an exhaust turbine, and a flow control valve assembly.
- The flow control valve assembly consists of at least one rotatable flow control valve in a valve housing to connect an exhaust inlet to a turbine feed outlet via a variable flow area, adjusting the torque applied to the exhaust turbine by controlling the flow of exhaust.
Key Features and Innovation:
- Integration of a flow control valve assembly to adjust torque applied to the exhaust turbine in a fuel cell electric power system.
- Use of a variable flow area to control the flow of exhaust and optimize the performance of the system.
Potential Applications:
- Automotive industry for electric vehicles.
- Power generation for stationary applications.
- Aerospace industry for aircraft propulsion systems.
Problems Solved:
- Efficient control of torque applied to the exhaust turbine.
- Optimization of the fuel cell electric power system performance.
Benefits:
- Improved efficiency in power generation.
- Enhanced control over the system's operation.
- Reduced emissions and environmental impact.
Commercial Applications:
- Electric vehicle manufacturing companies.
- Power plant operators.
- Aerospace technology companies.
Questions about the technology: 1. How does the flow control valve assembly impact the overall efficiency of the fuel cell electric power system? 2. What are the potential cost savings associated with implementing this technology in various applications?
Frequently Updated Research: Ongoing research focuses on further optimizing the flow control valve assembly to enhance the performance of fuel cell electric power systems.
Original Abstract Submitted
A fuel cell electric power system includes a fuel cell stack, and a charge air system including an intake air compressor, an exhaust turbine, and a flow control valve assembly. The flow control valve assembly includes at least one flow control valve rotatable in a valve housing to fluidly connect an exhaust inlet, selectively, to a turbine feed outlet via a variable flow area to adjust a torque applied to the exhaust turbine by a flow of exhaust.
