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US 2006/0219448 A1Published application
Electric vehicle having multiple-use APU system
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMalcolm Grieve, John MacBain, Jean Botti
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AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMalcolm Grieve, John MacBain, Jean Botti
Estimating the term…
During periods of vehicle inactivity, a vehicle-based APU electric generating system may be coupled into a regional electric grid to send electricity into the grid. A currently-preferred APU is a solid oxide fuel cell system. When a large number of vehicles are thus equipped and connected, substantial electric buffering can be effected to the grid load. A vehicle-based APU can also function as a back-up generator to a docking facility in the event of power failure of the grid. Gaseous hydrocarbon is readily supplied by pipe in many locations as a commercial and residential heating fuel source, and a hydrocarbon reformer on the vehicle can be attached to the fuel source, enabling an APU to operate as a stationary power source indefinitely. An optional storage tank on the vehicle may be refueled with gaseous fuel, for example, while the battery is being electrically recharged by the grid.
An automotive vehicle comprising:
A vehicle comprising a fuel cell wherein said fuel cell is adapted to be connected to a regional electric power supply grid when said vehicle is parked.
A vehicle comprising an auxiliary power source wherein said auxiliary power source is adapted to be connected to a regional electric power supply grid when said vehicle is parked.
A vehicle comprising an auxiliary power source wherein said auxiliary power source is adapted to be connected to a stationary structure when said vehicle is parked.
A method for entering electric power into a regional electric power grid, comprising the steps of:
A method for entering electric power into a regional electric power grid, comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.