Detachable fuel cell power unit for vehicle applications

A fuel cell power unit for a vehicle, the fuel cell power unit comprising a unitary housing containing:

• a fuel reservoir for storing fuel;
• at least one electrochemical fuel cell stack for delivering electrical power from the fluid fuel;
• a refueling port in an outer surface of the housing;
• an airflow path extending between a first inlet port on an outer surface of the housing and a first outlet port on an outer surface of the housing, via cathode elements in the at least one fuel cell stack;
• a second inlet port on an outer surface of the housing, the second inlet port also being coupled to the airflow path;
• an electrical control circuit for interfacing with a power controller on the vehicle to which the power unit is to be attached, the control circuit determining allowable operating conditions of the vehicle while the power unit is coupled thereto, via the power controller;
• and,
• the determined operating conditions include one or more of maximum speed, maximum acceleration, and maximum electrical load according to prevailing conditions.

A fuel cell power unit comprising a unitary housing containing:

• a fuel reservoir for storing fuel;
• at least one electrochemical fuel cell stack for delivering electrical power from the fluid fuel;
• a refueling port in an outer surface of the housing;
• an airflow path extending between a first inlet port on an outer surface of the housing and a first outlet port on an outer surface of the housing, via cathode elements in the at least one fuel cell stack;
• and,
• a latching point on a lower surface of the housing.

A fuel cell power unit comprising a unitary housing containing:

• a fuel reservoir for storing fuel;
• at least one electrochemical fuel cell stack for delivering electrical power from the fluid fuel;
• a refueling port in an outer surface of the housing;
• an airflow path extending between a first inlet port on an outer surface of the housing and a first outlet port on an outer surface of the housing, via cathode elements in the at least one fuel cell stack;
• and,
• a set of recessed contacts in a lower surface of the housing.

A fuel cell power unit comprising a unitary housing containing:

• a fuel reservoir for storing fuel;
• at least one electrochemical fuel cell stack for delivering electrical power from the fluid fuel;
• a refueling port in an outer surface of the housing;
• an airflow path extending between a first inlet port on an outer surface of the housing and a first outlet port on an outer surface of the housing, via cathode elements in the at least one fuel cell stack;
• and,
• at least one auxiliary power outlet.

A fuel cell power unit for a vehicle, the fuel cell power unit comprising a unitary housing containing:

• a fuel reservoir for storing fuel;
• at least one electrochemical fuel cell stack for delivering electrical power from the fluid fuel;
• a refueling port in an outer surface of the housing;
• an airflow path extending between a first inlet port on an outer surface of the housing and a first outlet port on an outer surface of the housing, via cathode elements in the at least one fuel cell stack;
• and,
• an electrically powered vehicle comprising a recess for removably receiving said fuel cell power unit.

A fuel cell power unit for a vehicle, the fuel cell power unit comprising a unitary housing containing:

• a fuel reservoir for storing fuel;
• at least one electrochemical fuel cell stack for delivering electrical power from the fluid fuel;
• a refueling port in an outer surface of the housing;
• an airflow path extending between a first inlet port on an outer surface of the housing and a first outlet port on an outer surface of the housing, via cathode elements in the at least one fuel cell stack;
• and
• a second inlet port on an outer surface of the housing, the second inlet port also being coupled to the airflow path;
• an electrical control circuit for interfacing with a power controller on the vehicle to which the power unit is to be attached, the control circuit determining allowable operating conditions of the vehicle while the power unit is coupled thereto, via the power controller;
• an electrically powered vehicle comprising a recess for removably receiving said fuel cell power unit;
• and,
• said vehicle including a power controller for interfacing with an electrical control circuit in the fuel cell power unit, the power controller operative to determine operating conditions of the vehicle based on allowable limits determined by the electrical control circuit of the fuel cell power unit.