Abstract: A hybrid power module is provided. The power module is associated with a truck having a lift gate. The power module includes a super capacitor comprising a bank of capacitors, with the super capacitor being in electrical communication with an alternator of the truck. The power module also includes a battery, a switch, a DC/DC boost converter, and electrical wiring. The electrical wiring connects the capacitor bank and first battery to the switch, and further connects the switch to a motor for the lift gate. The super capacitor and the first battery are positioned in parallel, with the super capacitor and the first battery residing proximate the lift gate. The super capacitor contains enough energy to power the electric motor for the lift gate through at least two operating cycles without the battery, protecting the lift gate if the battery goes weak.

Abstract: A starting module for a vehicle is provided. The starting module is configured to reside on-board the vehicle, and is used to start an engine associated with the vehicle in the event the battery on the vehicle is too weak to crank the engine. The engine starting module first comprises a housing. The housing resides proximate the vehicle battery and holds a plurality of super capacitors. The super capacitors reside within the housing, are configured in series, and are electrically in parallel with the vehicle battery. The super capacitors store charge received from the electrical system of the vehicle. The starting module also includes control logic. The control logic controls the discharge of stored energy from the super capacitors. The engine starting module also comprises an isolation switch, configured to move between open and close positions in response to signals from the control logic in order to restore charge to the battery as needed.

Abstract: A hybrid power module is provided. The power module is associated with a truck having a lift gate. The power module includes a super capacitor comprising a bank of capacitors, with the super capacitor being in electrical communication with an alternator of the truck. The power module also includes a battery, a switch, a DC/DC boost converter, and electrical wiring. The electrical wiring connects the capacitor bank and first battery to the switch, and further connects the switch to a motor for the lift gate. The super capacitor and the first battery are positioned in parallel, with the super capacitor and the first battery residing proximate the lift gate. The super capacitor contains enough energy to power the electric motor for the lift gate through at least two operating cycles without the battery, protecting the lift gate if the battery goes weak.

Abstract: A portable hybrid power module is provided. The power module represents a combined capacitor and battery residing together in a single housing. The battery is preferably a 12 volt DC gel cell battery while the capacitor is an ultra-capacitor residing in parallel with the battery. The ultra-capacitor may be a series of 6 to 12 super capacitors residing in series, with each super capacitor providing 2.5 volts DC charge. The hybrid power module is configured to provide a charge to start an external portable device. The device may be an all-terrain vehicle, a personal water craft, a generator set, or a vehicle. The power module includes a first device terminal and a second device terminal for establishing electrical communication with a battery of the external portable device.

Abstract: A power generation system for a mobile device. The power generation system includes a combustion engine. The combustion engine serves as a power generator for the mobile device, with the combustion engine being located on a trailer. The power generation system also includes a power module. The power module comprises both an ultra-capacitor and a lithium-based battery; Preferably, the ultra-capacitor comprises a series, or bank, of super capacitors. Likewise, the battery comprises a series of lithium batteries. Preferably, the super capacitors are in electrical communication with an alternator of a truck. The power module provides power to start the combustion engine used to drive the mobile device. The mobile device may be a refrigeration system, or may be heaters, blowers, lights or other electrical items that may be carried on the trailer.

Abstract: A starting module for a vehicle is provided. The starting module is configured to reside on-board the vehicle, and is used to start an engine associated with the vehicle in the event the battery on the vehicle is too weak to crank the engine. The engine starting module first comprises a housing. The housing resides proximate the vehicle battery and holds a plurality of super capacitors. The super capacitors reside within the housing, in series, and are electrically in parallel with the vehicle battery. The super capacitors store charge received from the electrical system of the vehicle. The starting module also includes control logic. The control logic controls the release of energy from the super capacitors. The engine starting module also comprises an isolation switch, which is configured to move between open and close positions in response to signals from the control logic.

Abstract: A power generation system for a mobile device. The power generation system includes a combustion engine. The combustion engine serves as a power generator for the mobile device, with the combustion engine being located on a trailer. The power generation system also includes a power module. The power module comprises both an ultra-capacitor and a lithium-based battery; Preferably, the ultra-capacitor comprises a series, or bank, of super capacitors. Likewise, the battery comprises a series of lithium batteries. Preferably, the super capacitors are in electrical communication with an alternator of a truck. The power module provides power to start the combustion engine used to drive the mobile device. The mobile device may be a refrigeration system, or may be heaters, blowers, lights or other electrical items that may be carried on the trailer.

Abstract: An endplate assembly is connected to a fuel cell stack. An endplate assembly has an external surface and an internal surface. The internal surface faces toward the fuel cell stack and the external surface is opposite the internal surface and faces away from the fuel cell stack. The endplate assembly includes at least one internal fluid flow passage located between the internal surface and the external surface. The at least one internal fluid flow passage is configured to direct fluid in a direction transverse to the direction faced by the internal surface and the direction faced by the external surface. Also, an interior portion may be located between the internal surface and the external surface. A port may provide fluid communication between an external component connected to the external surface and the interior portion. In addition, a component that processes, senses or measures a fluid may be integrated with said endplate assembly.

Abstract: A single pump fuel cell system is provided that has multiple valves that have selective positioning to control fluidic flow throughout a fuel cell system. One of the valves provides for high and low concentration fuel dosing. Another valve or series of valves controls an unreacted fuel recirculation loop leading from the fuel cell. Another valve or series of valves control condensate collection by the fuel cell system, and allows the purging of the anode recirculation loop. Each of the valves is selectable between various positions to place the fuel cell system in a desired operating mode. A heat exchanger may also be employed to dissipate heat as desired out of the fuel cell system. A concentration sensor can also be employed to aid in achieving a desired fuel concentration within the fuel cell system.