Hydrogen fuel distribution system with integrated thermal management
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorConstantinos Minas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a hydrogen fuel distribution system with integrated thermal management. An example fuel distribution system with integrated thermal management comprises a hydrogen fuel distributor including a first tank and a second tank. The first tank and the second tank are fluidly coupled to a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell. A coolant distributor includes air-cooled coolers thermally coupled to the first fuel cell and the second fuel cells. A compressed air distributor is coupled to a propulsor, the first fuel cell, and the second fuel cell. An electrical distributor is electrically coupled to the first fuel cell, the second fuel cell, and an electric motor. The electric motor drives the propulsor.
Claims20
A fuel distribution system with integrated thermal management, the fuel distribution system comprising:
- a hydrogen fuel distributor including a first tank and a second tank, the first tank and the second tank fluidly coupled to a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell;
- a coolant distributor including air-cooled coolers thermally coupled to the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell;
- a compressed air distributor coupled to a propulsor, the first fuel cell, and the second fuel cell;
- and
- an electrical distributor electrically coupled to the first fuel cell, the second fuel cell, and an electric motor, the electric motor to drive the propulsor.
A fuel distribution system with integrated thermal management comprising:
- a first fuel tank and a second fuel tank, the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank fluidly connected to transfer hydrogen fuel between the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank;
- a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell fluidly connected to the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank, the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell to provide electrical power to a battery;
- an air-cooled cooler coupled to the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell, the air-cooled cooler to eject excess heat from a circulated coolant to an ambient air;
- and
- a propulsor driven by an electric motor, the electric motor powered by the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell.
An apparatus for managing a fuel distribution system with integrated thermal management, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one memory;
- instructions in the apparatus;
- and
- processor circuitry to execute the instructions to:
- monitor and adjust a fuel flow to a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell to meet a first set value, the fuel flow monitored by a flowmeter;
- monitor and adjust a propulsor rotation rate, a motor control unit to increase or decrease electrical flow to a propulsor based on a second set value;
- monitor and adjust a circulated coolant temperature, a circulated coolant to pass through an air-cooled cooler to lower the circulated coolant temperature when the circulated coolant rises above a third set value;
- maintain a battery charge based on a fourth set value by diverting electricity to a battery from the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell;
- and
- divert and adjust a compressed airflow, the compressed airflow diverted at a first junction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.