Abstract: A battery system having two battery packs may be configured in a high-voltage mode with the two battery packs connected in series to a converter/inverter controller. If a fault is detected with one of the batteries, selected switches are opened or closed to isolate the affected battery, whereby the battery system is configured to use the other battery to operate in a low voltage mode. A vehicle having a battery system capable of operating in either the high-voltage mode or the low-voltage mode is still capable of completing a route in the low-voltage mode. If a battery is isolated due to a transient condition, the battery system may be reconfigured to operate in the high voltage mode once the transient condition has passed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing one or more fully integrated compact power modules in a vehicle are disclosed. The fully integrated compact power module is mounted to a vehicle and includes: a housing, a battery system disposed in the housing, and a generator disposed in the housing. The battery system selectively supplies electrical power to the generator, at least one component or system of the vehicle, at least one component or system independent of the vehicle, or a combination thereof. The generator selectively burns one or more fuels to generate electrical power and selectively supplies the generated electrical power to the battery system, at least one component or system of the vehicle, at least one component or system independent of the vehicle, or a combination thereof. The generator also selectively supplies heating or cooling to at least one building, enclosure, or other structure.

Abstract: A multi-fuel system and a method for supplying one or more fuels to an engine in a vehicle having a multi-fuel system are disclosed. Embodiments may determine a quantity of fuel added to one or more tanks, determine energy content and a mass property for each fuel stored in the tanks and supply one or more fuels from the tanks to achieve an operating parameter of the vehicle. Embodiments may analyze a route and determine, for a segment on the route, whether to supply a first fuel with a first set of characteristics or supply a second fuel with a second set of characteristics. The selection of a single fuel or a mixture of two or more fuels for a segment may be based on cost and/or characteristics related to emissions or power.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing a configurable powertrain in a vehicle are disclosed. The powertrain is capable of operating in a plurality of powertrain configurations and includes one or more reversible generators, a battery system, a motor/generator (M/G), and one or more drive axles. The generators generate and supply electrical power to the battery system, the M/G, an external power source, or a combination thereof. The battery system selectively supplies electrical power to the generators, the M/G, the external power source, or a combination thereof. The one or more generators also selectively supply cooling to the battery system, a cab of the vehicle, a trailer or external enclosure or structure of the vehicle, or a combination thereof. The powertrain configurations of the vehicle include operating the components of the powertrain in various combinations based on demands of the vehicle and/or external power sources or structures.

Abstract: A self-humidifying polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell assembly has an ion-exchange membrane interposed between hydrogen and oxygen diffusion layers to form a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA is in turn interposed between a pair of current collector plates having flow field channels for flowing the reactants adjacent the respective diffusion layers to produce corresponding anodic and cathodic electrochemical reactions. Various embodiments of the assembly incorporate one or more of the following features: interdigitated flow field channels, countercurrent reactant flows, opposing channel alignment, and uncatalyzed membrane hydration enhancement zones.

Abstract: The CO concentration in the H.sub.2 feed stream to a PEM fuel cell stack is monitored by measuring current and/or voltage behavior patterns from a PEM-probe communicating with the reformate feed stream. Pattern recognition software may be used to compare the current and voltage patterns from the PEM-probe to current and voltage telltale outputs determined from a reference cell similar to the PEM-probe and operated under controlled conditions over a wide range of CO concentrations in the H.sub.2 fuel stream. The PEM-probe is intermittently purged of any CO build-up on the anode catalyst (e.g., by (1) flushing the anode with air, (2) short circuiting the PEM-probe, or (3) reverse biasing the PEM-probe) to keep the PEM-probe at peak performance levels.

Abstract: The CO concentration in the H.sub.2 feed stream to a PEM fuel cell stack is monitored by measuring current and/or voltage behavior patterns from a PEM-probe communicating with the reformate feed stream. Pattern recognition software may be used to compare the current and voltage patterns from the PEM-probe to current and voltage telltale outputs determined from a reference cell similar to the PEM-probe and operated under controlled conditions over a wide range of CO concentrations in the H.sub.2 fuel stream. A CO sensor includes the PEM-probe, an electrical discharge circuit for discharging the PEM-probe to monitor the CO concentration, and an electrical purging circuit to intermittently raise the anode potential of the PEM-probe's anode to at least about 0.8 V (RHE) to electrochemically oxidize any CO adsorbed on the probe's anode catalyst.

Abstract: A liquid-cooled, bipolar plate separating adjacent cells of a PEM fuel cell comprising corrosion-resistant metal sheets brazed together so as to provide a passage between the sheets through which a dielectric coolant flows. The brazement comprises a metal which is substantially insoluble in the coolant.