Abstract: A safety system used in motor vehicles for raising the outboard side of a passenger seat upon side impact of the vehicle by another object. The system comprises a sensor for detecting impact of the side of the vehicle by another object. The sensor activates a trigger mechanism that in turn activates a device for raising the outboard side of the seat. The outboard side of the seat, in addition to moving upwardly may also move inwardly in an arc toward the longitudinal center portion of the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydrogen fuel system for use in conjunction with and as an alternative to a hydrocarbon fuel system in a motor vehicle or other apparatus having a combustion unit and a mixing device for mixing hydrogen gas with air for introduction into the combustion unit. The hydrogen fuel system includes a hydrogen storage tank for holding hydrogen under pressure, a conduit for conveying hydrogen gas from the tank to the mixing unit, and a solenoid disposed in the conduit and responsive to a first signal for allowing the flow of hydrogen gas to the mixing unit, and responsive to a second signal for preventing flow of hydrogen gas to the mixing unit. Also included is a hydrocarbon fuel tank, a conduit for conveying fuel from the fuel tank to the combustion unit, and a fuel pump responsive to the first signal for preventing flow of fuel from the fuel tank to the combustion unit, and responsive to the second signal for pumping fuel to the combustion unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing increased thermal conductivity and heat capacity to a pressure vessel containing a hydride-forming metal material which is capable of absorbing and storing relatively large amounts of hydrogen gas. An elongate pressure vessel, having an opening therein for charging and discharging hydrogen therefrom and valve means in combination with the opening for controlling flow of hydrogen gas to and from the container, is provided with a plurality of elongate, aluminum magnesium, or copper tubes as a tube bundle, with the longitudinal axis of the tubes being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. The tubes are packed in the vessel so that tubes are in firm contact with adjacent tubes, and the outer tubes of the bundle are in firm contact with the longitudinal inside surfaces of the vessel as well as with adjacent tubes in the bundle. Particulate, hydride-forming, metal material substantially fills the otherwise void spaces within the tube-containing vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for transferring heat to or from metal hydrides contained in storage containers as hydrogen gas is being charged to or withdrawn from the storage containers, wherein the hydrogen gas being charged to or withdrawn from the storage containers functions as a convective energy carrier. A plurality of the containers are connected together in flow communication in series, so that when a pressure differential is established across the series of containers, hydrogen gas associated with the metal hydride will flow from one container to the next container in the direction of the lower pressure. A pressure differential is created across the series of containers by charging hydrogen to either the first or last container in the series, or by withdrawing hydrogen from either the first or last container in a series of containers that has been previously charged with hydrogen.

Abstract: A fuel supply system is provided for engines which are adapted to operate on gaseous hydrogen fuel and which utilize a fuel tank containing a metal hydride for the storage of hydrogen. The system provides for high pressure operation when the hydride in the fuel tank is fully charged with hydrogen, as well as for operation at low pressures to allow maximum utilization of the hydrogen stored in the hydride. A supply conduit, which can supply the hydrogen needed during normal operation of the engine with minimal pressure drop, connects the storage tank to the fuel intake of the engine. A bypass conduit is provided having one end thereof connected to the supply conduit and its other end reconnected to the supply conduit downstream of the first connection. Valve means are adapted to direct the flow of hydrogen either directly through the supply conduit or to divert the flow of hydrogen from the supply conduit through the bypass conduit and back to the supply conduit downstream from the valve means.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine designed to operate with hydrogen fuel, comprises means for mixing water in the form of droplets, spray, or mist with gaseous hydrogen. The water-containing hydrogen gas is then introduced along with air in proportion for practical internal combustion and efficient power output to the cylinders or combustion chambers of the engine for combustion. In one embodiment of the invention, water vapor is condensed from the exhaust gases from the engine, and the condensed water is used as the source of water to be mixed with hydrogen fuel so as to provide a continuing, self-supporting system. The resulting exhaust emissions from the engine are very low in oxides of nitrogen, and, in addition, engine backfiring is eliminated while the efficiency and power output of the engine is improved.