초록 ▼

An electrochemical engine for a vehicle comprises a storage tank containing hydrogen-retention material which reversibly takes-up and stores hydrogen at a hydrogen-storage temperature and releases it upon heating to a release temperature. A fuel cell stack using the released hydrogen produces electr

An electrochemical engine for a vehicle comprises a storage tank containing hydrogen-retention material which reversibly takes-up and stores hydrogen at a hydrogen-storage temperature and releases it upon heating to a release temperature. A fuel cell stack using the released hydrogen produces electricity and heat by-product. A primary coolant flow circuit extends from a radiator, through the fuel cell stack and the storage tank, and back to the radiator, and has a coolant-distribution valve intermediate the fuel cell stack and the storage tank. A bypass coolant flow line extends from the coolant-distribution valve to the radiator. During operation, the heat by-product of the fuel cell stack is transferred via the primary coolant flow circuit to the storage tank for heating the hydrogen-retention material to release hydrogen for fueling the fuel cell stack. The electrochemical engine further comprises a heat generator within a superheater coolant flow loop having a bypass valve intermediate the storage tank and the radiator operable to keep coolant within the superheater coolant flow loop and a secondary pump to circulate the coolant. Coolant in the superheater coolant flow loop is heated by the heat generator and circulated through the storage tank to further release hydrogen gas from the hydrogen-retention material.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a storage tank containing hydrogen-retention material which upon heating to a release temperature releases stored hydrogen, a fuel cell stack using the released hydrogen to produce electricity and heat by-product, a radiator, a primary coolant flow circuit through said radi

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a storage tank containing hydrogen-retention material which upon heating to a release temperature releases stored hydrogen, a fuel cell stack using the released hydrogen to produce electricity and heat by-product, a radiator, a primary coolant flow circuit through said radiator, said fuel cell stack and said storage tank, whereby the heat by-product of said fuel cell stack is transferred via said primary coolant flow circuit to said storage tank for heating said hydrogen-retention material to the release temperature to release hydrogen for fueling said fuel cell stack.