Abstract: A multi-waste processing system includes a processing chamber. The processing chamber includes one or more heaters and a piston, and the processing chamber is configured to evaporate liquid waste and compact solid waste input. A condenser is operably connected to the processing chamber. The condenser is configured to condense water from the evaporated liquid waste output from the processing chamber. A gas and water separator is operably connected to the condenser. The gas and water separator is configured to separate water from the evaporated liquid waste output from the processing chamber. A recirculation pathway connects the gas and water separator to the processing chamber to recirculate gas from the gas and water separator to the processing chamber. The piston is actuated to keep the one or more heaters in close proximity to the solid waste and the liquid waste in the processing chamber.

Abstract: A system has a fuel cell. The fuel cell has a source of hydrogen and a source of oxygen containing gas. The hydrogen is connected for passage across the anode. The source of oxygen containing gas is connected to pass across a cathode. The fuel cell produces electricity. A catalytic oxidizer oxidizes hydrogen within the system. A cooling water circuit passes across cooling water passages in the fuel cell and cools the cathode. Cooling water downstream of the cooling water passages passes across the catalytic oxidizer to heat the catalytic oxidizer. An enclosed vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system has a fuel cell. The fuel cell has a source of hydrogen and a source of oxygen containing gas. The hydrogen is connected for passage across the anode. The source of oxygen containing gas is connected to pass across a cathode. The fuel cell produces electricity. A catalytic oxidizer oxidizes hydrogen within the system. A cooling water circuit passes across cooling water passages in the fuel cell and cools the cathode. Cooling water downstream of the cooling water passages passes across the catalytic oxidizer to heat the catalytic oxidizer. An enclosed vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack has a first end plate, a second end plate, and an internal current collecting plate. A first load is connected to the first end plate and the second end plate. A second load is connected to the first end plate and the internal current collecting plate.

Abstract: A waste collection unit includes a motor supported by a housing. A fan is coupled to the motor by a first member configured to provide a rotational input speed. A liquid-gas separator is coupled to a second member configured to provide a rotational output speed. A speed reduction device is coupled to the first and second members. The speed reduction device is configured to provide a rotational output speed that is less than the rotational input speed. In another embodiment, the fan is arranged in the housing and is directly coupled to the motor by the first member. The fan includes first and second sides respectively including first and second pumping elements. A first waste collection line fluidly connects a urinal to the first side. A second waste collection line fluidly connects a fecal storage container to the second side.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a first plate and a second plate connected to the first plate to define a duct between the first plate and the second plate. At least one elastic cooling fin is disposed inside the duct between the first plate and the second plate. The at least one elastic fin exerts a load on the first plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant includes a cell stack assembly having an anode and a cathode. A component is arranged in fluid connection with at least one of the anode and cathode. The component has a first shut-down cooling rate. A heat exchanger is arranged in fluid communication with and between the component and one of the anode and cathode. The heat exchanger has a second shut-down cooling rate greater than the first shut-down cooling rate. Water vapor within the fuel cell power plant outside of the cell stack assembly will condense and freeze in the heat exchanger rather than the component, avoiding malfunction of the component upon start-up in below freezing environments.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a first plate and a second plate connected to the first plate to define a duct between the first plate and the second plate. At least one elastic cooling fin is disposed inside the duct between the first plate and the second plate. The at least one elastic fin exerts a load on the first plate.

Abstract: A multi-stage centrifugal fan is provided and includes first and second stages of a rotor having substantially axially aligned rotor vanes formed to impart energy to a fluid moving in an outward radial direction when the first and second stages of the rotor rotate about a centerline and a stator having stator vanes radially interposed between and substantially axially aligned with the first and second stage rotor vanes.

Abstract: A waste collection unit includes a motor supported by a housing. A fan is coupled to the motor by a first member configured to provide a rotational input speed. A liquid-gas separator is coupled to a second member configured to provide a rotational output speed. A speed reduction device is coupled to the first and second members. The speed reduction device is configured to provide a rotational output speed that is less than the rotational input speed. In another embodiment, the fan is arranged in the housing and is directly coupled to the motor by the first member. The fan includes first and second sides respectively including first and second pumping elements. A first waste collection line fluidly connects a urinal to the first side. A second waste collection line fluidly connects a fecal storage container to the second side.

Abstract: A multi-stage centrifugal fan is provided and includes first and second stages of a rotor having substantially axially aligned rotor vanes formed to impart energy to a fluid moving in an outward radial direction when the first and second stages of the rotor rotate about a centerline and a stator having stator vanes radially interposed between and substantially axially aligned with the first and second stage rotor vanes.

Abstract: A component has an outer wall defining an interior chamber to be cooled. Electronic equipment is mounted within the outer wall in the chamber. A thermoelectric cooler has a cool node positioned to be within the chamber, and a hot node positioned outwardly of the outer wall. A fuel cell provides electricity to the thermoelectric cooler. The fuel cell is mounted outwardly of the outer wall.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant includes a cell stack assembly having an anode and a cathode. A component is arranged in fluid connection with at least one of the anode and cathode. The component has a first shut-down cooling rate. A heat exchanger is arranged in fluid communication with and between the component and one of the anode and cathode. The heat exchanger has a second shut-down cooling rate greater than the first shut-down cooling rate. Water vapor within the fuel cell power plant outside of the cell stack assembly will condense and freeze in the heat exchanger rather than the component, avoiding malfunction of the component upon start-up in below freezing environments.

Abstract: A component has an outer wall defining an interior chamber to be cooled. Electronic equipment is mounted within the outer wall in the chamber. A thermoelectric cooler has a cool node positioned to be within the chamber, and a hot node positioned outwardly of the outer wall. A fuel cell provides electricity to the thermoelectric cooler. The fuel cell is mounted outwardly of the outer wall.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack (7) with output lines (8, 9) has a bank of supercapacitors (10) or batteries (10a) connected across the output lines, either directly or through a DC/DC converter (22). The fuel cell stack receives fuel either from a reformer (13) or a source (13a) of hydrogen. Power is supplied through a power conditioning system (15) to a load (16), all under the control of a controller (19). The supercapacitors or batteries receive additional charge from excess power when there is a sudden decrease in the load, and provide charge to the output power lines (8, 9) when there is a sudden increase in load demand. In one embodiment, the voltage of the supercapacitors or batteries always follow the voltage of the fuel cell stack, thereby providing or receiving commensurate charge. With the DC/DC converter, the supercapacitors or batteries may be operated at voltages which are a multiple or a fraction of fuel cell stack voltage, and may have voltages boosted or bucked to aid in response to transients.