Fuel cell power module frame assembly
AssigneeHydrogenics Corporation
InventorsAnthony Sabapathy, Vicente Nunes, Andrew Hill, Igor Kvachnine
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A frame assembly for a fuel cell power module, particularly but not exclusively for use in lift trucks, has at least one frame element. The frame element is provided with an internal cavity that is filled with a fill material to provide a desired mass of the frame assembly. The frame assembly is configured to receive a fuel cell stack and other balance of plant components of a fuel cell power module and may also be configured to receive a fuel storage vessel. The frame assembly can be configured so that it can replace a battery pack of a lift truck and still provide adequate counterweight.
Claims25
A frame assembly for use with a fuel cell power module, the frame assembly comprising:
- at least one element including an internal cavity;
- a fill material located in the cavity to provide a desired mass;
- and
- a plurality of portions providing at least one mounting surface for receiving the fuel cell stack and balance of plant components of a fuel cell power module.
A frame assembly for use in a fuel cell power module, the frame assembly comprising a plurality of elements configured to receive a fuel cell stack, a fuel cell storage vessel and balance of plant components for a fuel cell power module, wherein at least one element of the frame assembly includes a cavity and a fill material in the cavity to provide a desired mass of the frame assembly.
A frame assembly for a fuel cell power module, wherein the frame assembly is configured to receive a fuel cell stack, a fuel storage vessel and balance of plant components of the fuel cell power module, wherein at least one element of the frame assembly includes a cavity, with the cavity filled with a material of a higher density then the material of said element to increase the mass thereof, and wherein the frame assembly is configured to correspond to the dimensions of a battery pack for a lift truck.
A frame assembly for a fuel cell power module, the frame assembly comprising a bottom element and a top element, wherein the top and bottom elements together are configured to substantially enclose a fuel storage vessel, wherein the top and bottom elements are configured to receive a fuel cell stack and balance of plant components of a fuel cell power module, and wherein at least one of the top and bottom elements includes an internal cavity and the internal cavity is filled with a fill material to provide a desired mass of the frame assembly.
A fuel cell power module comprising a frame assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising:
- a fuel cell stack mounted on the frame assembly;
- a fuel storage device mounted on the frame assembly;
- and
- balance of plant components mounted on the frame assembly.
A method of forming a frame component for use in a frame assembly for a fuel cell power module, the method for comprising the steps of:
- configuring the frame element to receive at least one of a fuel storage vessel, at least one component of balance of plant components of a fuel cell power module and a fuel cell stack;
- providing the frame element with at least one planar outer face;
- providing the frame element with an internal cavity opening onto the outer face;
- and
- filling the internal cavity of the frame element with a fill material having a desired density.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.