Centralized hydrogen distribution system for electric vehicle and electric vehicle including same

A centralized hydrogen distribution system for an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle including a plurality of hydrogen storage tanks and a plurality of fuel cells, the centralized hydrogen distribution system being configured to supply hydrogen from each of the hydrogen storage tanks to each of the fuel cells, the centralized hydrogen distribution system comprising:

• a support tower configured to be centrally located among the hydrogen storage tanks, the support tower including a connecting structure configured to connect the support tower to the electric vehicle;
• a manifold secured to the support tower and configured to be in fluid communication with each of the hydrogen storage tanks;
• and
• a plurality of pressure regulators secured to the support tower and in fluid communication with the manifold, each of the pressure regulars is configured to be in fluid communication with a respective one of the fuel cells and configured to reduce a pressure of hydrogen flowing through the pressure regulator.

A centralized hydrogen distribution system for an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle including a plurality of hydrogen storage tanks and a plurality of fuel cells, the centralized hydrogen distribution system being configured to supply hydrogen from each of the hydrogen storage tanks to each of the fuel cells, the centralized hydrogen distribution system comprising:

• a support tower configured to be centrally located among the hydrogen storage tanks;
• a manifold secured to the support tower and configured to be in fluid communication with each of the hydrogen storage tanks, the manifold includes a plurality of shut-off valves, each of the shut-off valve is configured to be in selective fluid communication with a respective one of the fuel cells;
• a plurality of pressure regulators secured to the support tower and in fluid communication with the manifold, each of the pressure regulars is configured to be in fluid communication with a respective one of the fuel cells and configured to reduce a pressure of hydrogen flowing through the pressure regulator, each of the pressure regulators includes a first pressure sensor that is in fluid communication with a respective one of the pressure regulators and configured to output a first pressure signal that is indicative of a pressure inside the respective one of the pressure regulators;
• and
• a controller in electrical communication with each of the pressure regulators and configured to cause the shut-off valves to selectively and independently open and close fluid flow through the shut-off valves based on the first pressure signal received from at least one of the first pressure sensors.