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US 2023/0402629 A1Published application
Metal Hydride Fuel Sources For Vehicle Operation and Pressure-Based Control Systems and Methods
AssigneeBattelle Savannah River Alliance, LLC
InventorsHenry Thomas SESSIONS, Andrew J. BLANTON, Patrick A. WARD, Scott C. MCWHORTER
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Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods that utilize a solid hydrogen storage material, e.g., a metal hydride as a fuel source for operating a vehicle. Disclosed systems utilize the pressure of a hydrogen storage tank as a controlling factor for release of hydrogen from a solid hydrogen storage material. Disclosed systems are particularly beneficial for use with unmanned aerial vehicles.
Claims20
A hydrogen fuel cell system comprising:
- a fuel vessel configured to regain a solid hydrogen storage material;
- a hydrogen storage tank in fluid communication with the fuel vessel;
- a pressure sensor configured to monitor a hydrogen pressure within the hydrogen storage tank;
- a heater configured to heat the solid hydrogen storage material
- a heater controller in communication with the pressure sensor and the heater such that the hydrogen pressure within the hydrogen storage tank is a controlling factor for the operation of the heater;
- and
- a hydrogen fuel cell in fluid communication with the hydrogen storage tank.
4 more elements
A method for powering an electric motor comprising:
- retaining a solid hydrogen storage material within a fuel vessel;
- transmitting information regarding a pressure within a hydrogen storage tank to a heater controller;
- based upon the pressure, the heater controller powering a heater in thermal communication with the solid hydrogen storage material, wherein upon the powering of the heater, hydrogen is released from the solid hydrogen storage material and flows to the hydrogen storage tank;
- controlling a flow of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tank to a hydrogen fuel cell;
- and
- powering the electric motor by use of a current flow generated in the fuel cell in response to the hydrogen flow.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.