Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack, separator and a scavenging reservoir. The fuel cell stack is configured to generate water and reusable fuel. The separator is downstream of and in fluid communication with the fuel cell stack. The separator is configured to separate the water from the reusable fuel. The scavenging reservoir is downstream of and in fluid communication with the separator. The scavenging reservoir is configured to receive the water from the separator. The scavenging reservoir includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a middle portion positioned between the inlet and outlet portions. The middle portion includes a reservoir and a passageway extending there between. The passageway is configured to allow a fluid stream to flow there through when the reservoir is occupied by a frozen fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a controller configured to, in response to receiving a request to open a rear enclosure of a vehicle and data indicating that there is an object behind the vehicle, transmit one or more signals to open a door of a garage and inhibit opening the enclosure. The controller is also configured to, in response to the data indicating an absence of objects behind the vehicle, open the enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a primary fuel stream to a fuel cell stack is provided. The apparatus includes an ejector that is configured to receive the primary fuel stream from a fuel supply. The apparatus is further configured to receive the recirculated fuel stream from the fuel cell stack to provide a combined fluid stream for delivery to the fuel cell stack. The ejector includes an elastic conduit for varying a flow of the combined fluid stream based on a power level of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack, separator and a scavenging reservoir. The fuel cell stack is configured to generate water and reusable fuel. The separator is downstream of and in fluid communication with the fuel cell stack. The separator is configured to separate the water from the reusable fuel. The scavenging reservoir is downstream of and in fluid communication with the separator. The scavenging reservoir is configured to receive the water from the separator. The scavenging reservoir includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a middle portion positioned between the inlet and outlet portions. The middle portion includes a reservoir and a passageway extending there between. The passageway is configured to allow a fluid stream to flow there through when the reservoir is occupied by a frozen fluid.

Abstract: A modular fuel cell power system includes a coolant source, a reactant source and a plurality of fuel cell modules. Each of the fuel cell modules includes a fuel cell stack and a fluid distribution plant in fluid communication with the reactant source, coolant source and fuel cell stack. The fluid distribution plant controls the flow of reactant between the reactant source and fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stacks are configured to be selectively electrically connected.

Abstract: A fuel cell purge apparatus for a fuel cell system has a separator defining a chamber for receiving a recirculated fuel stream including a fluid and impurities. The apparatus has a drain conduit with an outer passage connected to the chamber. The outer passage forms a fluid trap to collect the fluid. The drain conduit also has an inner passage nested within the outer passage through the fluid trap for delivering the impurities to a purge valve. The inner passage has a free end extending into the chamber of the separator.

Abstract: A modular fuel cell power system includes a coolant source, a reactant source and a plurality of fuel cell modules. Each of the fuel cell modules includes a fuel cell stack and a fluid distribution plant in fluid communication with the reactant source, coolant source and fuel cell stack. The fluid distribution plant controls the flow of reactant between the reactant source and fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stacks are configured to be selectively electrically connected.

Abstract: A system for delivering an input fuel stream to a fuel cell stack to generate electrical current and to discharge an unused fuel stream is provided. A supply produces a supply fuel stream. An ejector combines a purged fuel stream and the supply fuel stream and controls the flow of the input fuel stream to the fuel cell stack. A purging arrangement receives the unused fuel stream which includes impurities and purges the impurities from the unused fuel stream to generate the purged fuel stream. A bypass valve is capable of delivering the purged fuel stream to the ejector. A blower is capable of delivering the purged fuel stream to the ejector. A controller controls one of the bypass valve and the blower for delivering the purged fuel stream to the ejector based on the amount of electrical current generated by the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell purge apparatus for a fuel cell system has a separator defining a chamber for receiving a recirculated fuel stream including a fluid and impurities. The apparatus has a drain conduit with an outer passage connected to the chamber. The outer passage forms a fluid trap to collect the fluid. The drain conduit also has an inner passage nested within the outer passage through the fluid trap for delivering the impurities to a purge valve. The inner passage has a free end extending into the chamber of the separator.

Abstract: A combined water and anode knock-out purge line for a fuel cell including an inlet portion having an inlet portion lower surface, an outlet portion having an outlet portion lower surface, a middle portion having a lower surface and extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. Each lower surface of the inlet portion and outlet portion is raised relative to the lower surface of the middle portion in a generally longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a primary fuel stream to a fuel cell stack is provided. The apparatus includes an ejector that is configured to receive the primary fuel stream from a fuel supply. The apparatus is further configured to receive the recirculated fuel stream from the fuel cell stack to provide a combined fluid stream for delivery to the fuel cell stack. The ejector includes an elastic conduit for varying a flow of the combined fluid stream based on a power level of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A system for delivering a supply fluid stream to a fuel cell stack that discharges an unused fluid stream is provided. A fuel supply is adapted to provide a pressurized supply fluid stream. An expander is in fluid communication with the fuel supply and is configured to receive the pressurized supply fluid stream to reduce the pressure of the pressurized supply fluid stream and to generate mechanical energy in response to reducing the pressure of the pressurized supply fluid stream. An electric machine is operably coupled to the expander and for selectively converting the mechanical energy generated by the expander into electrical energy. A compressor/blower is capable of being driven by at least one of the mechanical energy and the electrical energy to control the flow of the unused fluid stream to the fuel cell stack for recirculating the unused fluid stream back to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering an input fluid stream through a fuel cell stack and discharge an unused fluid stream is provided. An inlet of the fuel cell stack is adapted to receive the fluid stream. An ejector is configured to combine the supply fluid stream and the unused fluid stream to generate the input fluid stream and control the flow of the input fluid stream to the fuel cell stack. A blower is configured to control the flow of the unused fluid stream to the ejector. A bypass valve is configured to control the flow of the unused fluid stream to the blower and to the ejector.

Abstract: A modular fuel cell power system includes a coolant source, a reactant source and a plurality of fuel cell modules. Each of the fuel cell modules includes a fuel cell stack and a fluid distribution plant in fluid communication with the reactant source, coolant source and fuel cell stack. The fluid distribution plant controls the flow of reactant between the reactant source and fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stacks are configured to be selectively electrically connected.

Abstract: A system for delivering an input fuel stream to a fuel cell stack to generate electrical current and to discharge an unused fuel stream is provided. A supply produces a supply fuel stream. An ejector combines a purged fuel stream and the supply fuel stream and controls the flow of the input fuel stream to the fuel cell stack. A purging arrangement receives the unused fuel stream which includes impurities and purges the impurities from the unused fuel stream to generate the purged fuel stream. A bypass valve is capable of delivering the purged fuel stream to the ejector. A blower is capable of delivering the purged fuel stream to the ejector. A controller controls one of the bypass valve and the blower for delivering the purged fuel stream to the ejector based on the amount of electrical current generated by the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A system for delivering a supply fluid stream to a fuel cell stack that discharges an unused fluid stream is provided. A fuel supply is adapted to provide a pressurized supply fluid stream. An expander is in fluid communication with the fuel supply and is configured to receive the pressurized supply fluid stream to reduce the pressure of the pressurized supply fluid stream and to generate mechanical energy in response to reducing the pressure of the pressurized supply fluid stream. An electric machine is operably coupled to the expander and for selectively converting the mechanical energy generated by the expander into electrical energy. A compressor/blower is capable of being driven by at least one of the mechanical energy and the electrical energy to control the flow of the unused fluid stream to the fuel cell stack for recirculating the unused fluid stream back to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering an input fluid stream through a fuel cell stack and discharge an unused fluid stream is provided. An inlet of the fuel cell stack is adapted to receive the fluid stream. An ejector is configured to combine the supply fluid stream and the unused fluid stream to generate the input fluid stream and control the flow of the input fluid stream to the fuel cell stack. A blower is configured to control the flow of the unused fluid stream to the ejector. A bypass valve is configured to control the flow of the unused fluid stream to the blower and to the ejector.

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for supplying air to a fuel cell 12 for use within a vehicle 14. The system 10 includes a conventional storage tank 16 which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an expander unit 18, a compressor unit 20, pressure regulators 22, 24, a valve 26, a controller 30, and vehicle sensors 32, and a secondary compressor 34. The system 10 selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through expander unit 18 which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas and rotatably drives compressor 20. By utilizing the potential energy within the hydrogen gas to drive compressor 20, system 10 conserves energy and improves the overall fuel economy of the vehicle 14.

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for recovering the potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply within a fuel cell powered vehicle 14. The system 10 includes a conventional storage tank 16 which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an expander 18, a compressor 20, a motor/generator 76 which selectively generates electrical power and torque, pressure regulators 22, 24, a valve 26, an electrical charge storage device or battery 28, a controller 30, vehicle sensors 32 and electrical switches or switching module 34. The system 10 selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through expander 18 which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas, rotatably drives compressor 20 and generates electricity. Controller 30 causes the generated electricity to be selectively communicated to electrical accessories 72, and/or to battery 28 by use of switching module 34, based upon vehicle attribute data received from sensors 32.

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for recovering the potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply within a fuel cell powered vehicle 14. The system 10 includes a conventional storage tank 16 which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an energy conversion unit or assembly 18, a compressor unit or assembly 20, pressure regulators 22, 24, a valve 26, an electrical charge storage device or battery 28, a controller 30, vehicle sensors 32 and electrical switches or switching module 34. The system 10 selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through energy conversion unit 18 which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas and generates electricity. Controller 30 causes the generated electricity to be selectively communicated to compressor 20, electrical accessories 72, and/or to battery 28 by use of switching module 34, based upon vehicle attribute data received from sensors 32.