Michael D Stratton

US Patent:

61959995, Mar 6, 2001

Filed:

Jan 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/478672

Inventors:

Gerd Arnold - Nauheim, DE
Jonas Bereisa - Bloomfield Hills MI
Michael A. Stratton - Rochester NY
James V. McManis - Batavia NY
William S. Wheat - Rochester NY
Lee Curtis Whitehead - Middleport NY
Daniel B. O'Connell - Rochester NY
Steve McIlwaine - Penfield NY

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F01K 2506

US Classification:

60649

Abstract:

An electrochemical engine for a vehicle comprises a storage tank containing hydrogen-retention material which reversibly takes-up and stores hydrogen at a hydrogen-storage temperature and releases it upon heating to a release temperature. A fuel cell stack using the released hydrogen produces electricity and heat by-product. A primary coolant flow circuit extends from a radiator, through the fuel cell stack and the storage tank, and back to the radiator, and has a coolant-distribution valve intermediate the fuel cell stack and the storage tank. A bypass coolant flow line extends from the coolant-distribution valve to the radiator. During operation, the heat by-product of the fuel cell stack is transferred via the primary coolant flow circuit to the storage tank for heating the hydrogen-retention material to release hydrogen for fueling the fuel cell stack. The electrochemical engine further comprises a heat generator within a superheater coolant flow loop having a bypass valve intermediate the storage tank and the radiator operable to keep coolant within the superheater coolant flow loop and a secondary pump to circulate the coolant. Coolant in the superheater coolant flow loop is heated by the heat generator and circulated through the storage tank to further release hydrogen gas from the hydrogen-retention material.