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A hybrid electric vehicle powered by a combination fuel cell and a gas turbine driven generator. The fuel cell is sized relative to the gas turbine and the vehicle such that up to about 50 percent of the vehicle's maximum sustainable power is supplied by the fuel cell electrical power output. This r

A hybrid electric vehicle powered by a combination fuel cell and a gas turbine driven generator. The fuel cell is sized relative to the gas turbine and the vehicle such that up to about 50 percent of the vehicle's maximum sustainable power is supplied by the fuel cell electrical power output. This relative power source size achieves improved fuel consumption compared to vehicles powered by combustion engines without the cost penalty associated with a fuel cell large enough to power the vehicle. At low power requirements, the fuel cell efficiently provides all or most of the vehicle's power requirements. As the power requirements increase, additional fuel is burned in the gas turbine.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [9.]9. A power source for a hybrid electric vehicle for generating electric power in an amount up to a maximum sustainable power level from a supply of a hydrocarbon fuel and air, the power source comprising:an a compressor generating a supply of compressed air;a fuel cell rec

[ What is claimed is:] [9.]9. A power source for a hybrid electric vehicle for generating electric power in an amount up to a maximum sustainable power level from a supply of a hydrocarbon fuel and air, the power source comprising:an a compressor generating a supply of compressed air;a fuel cell receiving a first quantity of the fuel and a first portion of the supply of compressed air, the fuel cell generating a first electrical power output and a supply of fuel cell exhaust gas, the first electrical power output reaching a maximum fuel cell power output no greater than 50% of the maximum sustainable power level;a combustor receiving at least one of the group consisting of the supply of fuel cell exhaust gas and a mixture of a second quantity of the fuel and a second portion of the supply of compressed air, the combustor generating heated combustion products;a turbine receiving the heated combustion products, the turbine generating a rotary output;an electric generator driven by the rotary output of the turbine, the electric generator generating a second electrical power output which, in combination with the first electrical power output, provides electrical energy to drive the at least one electric motor; anda power controller responsive to a demand signal representative of an instantaneous power requirement, wherein the power controller regulates the first supply of fuel, the second supply of fuel, the first portion of the supply of compressed air, and the second portion of the supply of compressed air such that the combined first and second electrical power outputs exceed the instantaneous power requirement, and wherein the power controller shuts off the second supply of fuel when the instantaneous power requirement falls below the maximum fuel cell power output.