Abstract: In one or more embodiments of the novel aircraft fuel cell system without the use of a buffer battery, the fuel cell and compressor would be sized sufficiently larger for the intended application, allowing the compressor to change speeds much faster. This in turn would allow power outputs to change much quicker. If power outputs can change as quickly as the application dictates, then a buffer battery is not necessary. In one or more embodiments, because the system is mostly electronically controlled, software can be written to protect the fuel cell from instantaneous power spikes. If a large power output is suddenly requested of the fuel cell, the software can smooth out the demand curve to provide an easier load profile to follow.

Abstract: A refueling system for hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft is disclosed. The system includes a compressor to receive a source of low temperature, high pressure hydrogen gas and compress the low temperature, high pressure hydrogen gas into a higher temperature, higher pressure hydrogen gas. A compression chamber within the compressor to receive the higher temperature, higher pressure hydrogen gas from the compressor. A valve coupled with the compression chamber to reduce the pressure of the higher temperature, higher pressure hydrogen gas to a higher temperature, lower pressure hydrogen gas. A storage container on an aircraft to receive the higher temperature, lower pressure hydrogen gas via the pressure relief valve. A heat exchanger in thermal cooperation with the compression chamber, the heat exchanger configured to absorb heat from the compression chamber and convert the heat into storable energy.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuel cell-powered electric engine system configured to power the aircraft and produce water vapor exhaust, and an exhaust system configured to receive the water vapor exhaust, condense the water vapor into ice or water, and expel the ice or water from the aircraft such that water vapor cloud formation is inhibited. A method of powering an aircraft includes operating a fuel cell-powered electric engine system to power the aircraft, condensing water vapor exhaust of the fuel cell-powered electric engine system into ice or water, and expelling the ice or water from the aircraft such that water vapor cloud formation is inhibited.

Abstract: A system and method for predictive fuel cell management system for an integrated hydrogen-electric engine is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells and a computer having a memory and one or more processors. The one or more processors configured to predict, during a first phase of energy demand on the integrated hydrogen-electric engine, an impending occurrence of a second phase of energy demand on the integrated hydrogen-electric engine, wherein the second phase of energy demand includes a predetermined energy demand; and generate a predetermined amount of energy from the plurality of fuel cells based on the predicted second phase of energy demand prior to starting the second phase of energy demand to improve energy efficiency and performance of the integrated hydrogen-electric engine.

Abstract: Method and system for managing hydrogen fuel in hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft is disclosed. The method identifies unused hydrogen fuel in a fuel tank of the aircraft. Determines an amount of the unused hydrogen fuel in the fuel tank of the aircraft. Transfers the amount of the unused hydrogen fuel from the fuel tank of the aircraft into a hydrogen fuel cell of the aircraft and converts the amount of the unused hydrogen fuel into electricity via the hydrogen fuel cell of the aircraft.

Abstract: An integrated hydrogen-electric engine including an air compressor system, a hydrogen fuel source, a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, an elongated shaft, and a motor assembly. The heat exchanger is disposed in fluid communication with the hydrogen fuel source and the fuel cell stack. The elongated shaft supports the air compressor system, the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger. The motor assembly is disposed in electrical communication with the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A hybrid hydrogen-electric and hydrogen turbine engine and system is disclosed. The hydrogen-electric system has an air inlet, a hydrogen fuel source, a fuel cell stack, and a motor assembly disposed in electrical communication with the fuel cell stack. The hydrogen turbine system has an air intake in fluid communication with the air inlet of the hydrogen-electric system, a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the air intake and the hydrogen fuel source of the hydrogen-electric system, the combustion chamber configured to mix air received from the air intake with hydrogen received from the hydrogen fuel source, and a turbine driven by energy received from the combustion chamber. The hydrogen-electric system and the hydrogen turbine system cooperate with one another to generate the output power of the hybrid hydrogen engine system.

Abstract: An aircraft power plant comprising novel air management features for high-power fuel cell applications, the features combine supercharging and turbocharging elements with air and hydrogen gas pathways, utilize novel airflow concepts and provide for much stronger integration of various fuel cell drive components.

Abstract: Recognizing the fact of extremely low utilization of peak power (especially in the aviation use case), we propose a novel approach to significantly reduce the size and weight of the system by downsizing the main air compressor to match the air flow required to produce the desired continuous power (e.g., 55% of the peak power rating for the aviation applications, etc.), and provide the supplemental oxygen flow from an on-board high-pressure oxygen tank.

Abstract: A power generating system comprised of a hydrogen fuel cell and rechargeable battery connected together in series to be used as a load following system without the use of a DC-DC converter. The hydrogen fuel cell's cathode air compressor is driven off of the output of this power generation system. This is made possible by the following innovations: A novel way to wire the systems in series with the use of switches and bypass diodes, a method to limit the system output voltage so that we do not exceed the maximum voltage of downstream components, and an isolated DC-DC converter to charge the rechargeable battery with the hydrogen fuel cell.

Abstract: An aircraft power plant comprising a monolithic powertrain block with a composition of individual modules grouped by functionality, further comprising electric motors, high power motor controllers, logical control electronics (drivetrain computer), cooling system, hydraulics system, low voltage power system, and high voltage power source, wherein the engine mounting frame of the airplane is the main structure for mounting all individual modules.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the ground roll assist system is based on the electric in-wheel motors integrated with the main landing gear of an aircraft and linked to the aircraft control system. It is well known that modern electric motors possess superior torque density characteristics, potentially exceeding best in class internal combustion engines by more than an order of magnitude. Furthermore, electric motors performance is generally thermally limited, which makes it possible to achieve even higher performance for a short period of time.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the embodiments described herein, there are provided systems and methods for integration of electric vehicle charging stations with photovoltaic, wind, hydro, thermal and other alternative energy generation equipment. In various embodiments, the aforesaid integration is used to perform balancing of the electrical power generated by the aforesaid photovoltaic, wind, hydro, thermal and other alternative energy generation equipment and the electrical power consumed by the aforesaid EVSE equipment. In one exemplary embodiment, the aforesaid balancing may be performed on a house (building) level. In another exemplary embodiment, the balancing may be performed on a neighborhood level.

Abstract: An integrated hydrogen-electric engine including an air compressor system, a hydrogen fuel source, a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, an elongated shaft, and a motor assembly. The heat exchanger is disposed in fluid communication with the hydrogen fuel source and the fuel cell stack. The elongated shaft supports the air compressor system, the fuel cell stack and the heat exchanger. The motor assembly is disposed in electrical communication with the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A remote visual indicator of a state of charging of an electric and/or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (EV and PHEV). In one or more embodiments, the aforesaid visual indicator incorporates a multi-color light source, such as a multi-color LED and uses the color of the emitted light to indicate the state of the EV/PHEV charging. In one or more embodiment, the aforesaid visual indicator incorporates one or more buttons or other user-activated controls configured to alter the charging of the EV/PHEV by the charging stations. In one or more embodiments, a sound generation element may be additionally provided for creating audible indicators of charging state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling automatic management of arbitrary power loads and power generation based on user-specified set of rules. The aforesaid rules may be applied based on the grid conditions, parameters of specific grid equipment, as well as any other (external) factors. In various embodiments, the aforesaid user-specified rules may be automatically executed by one or more servers in response to sensed grid conditions and arbitrary external factors. In various embodiments, the aforesaid rules may cause execution of local site functions, such as powering down specific load that may help stabilize the wider power grid. In one or more embodiments, the rules may be executed on a central server or on EVSE nodes in a decentralized manner using, for example, blockchain technology well-known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling automatic management of arbitrary power loads and power generation based on user-specified set of rules. The aforesaid rules may be applied based on the grid conditions, parameters of specific grid equipment, as well as any other (external) factors. In various embodiments, the aforesaid user-specified rules may be automatically executed by one or more servers in response to sensed grid conditions and arbitrary external factors. In various embodiments, the aforesaid rules may cause execution of local site functions, such as powering down specific load that may help stabilize the wider power grid. In one or more embodiments, the rules may be executed on a central server or on EVSE nodes in a decentralized manner using, for example, blockchain technology well-known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the embodiments described herein, there are provided systems and methods for integration of electric vehicle charging stations with photovoltaic, wind, hydro, thermal and other alternative energy generation equipment. In various embodiments, the aforesaid integration is used to perform balancing of the electrical power generated by the aforesaid photovoltaic, wind, hydro, thermal and other alternative energy generation equipment and the electrical power consumed by the aforesaid EVSE equipment. In one exemplary embodiment, the aforesaid balancing may be performed on a house (building) level. In another exemplary embodiment, the balancing may be performed on a neighborhood level.

Abstract: An aircraft power plant comprising multiple electric drivetrains combined through a single output shaft, wherein each drivetrain is completely separate from the other, containing individual power sources, motor controllers, and motors, wherein the motors could be selected to provide efficient direct drive to the propulsor at the target propulsor RPM, to facilitate combining multiple motors on the same shaft without requiring mechanical gearboxes. During normal operation, each drivetrain will be operating below their maximum output levels, extending the durability of the motor controllers and motors.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments of the novel aircraft fuel cell system without the use of a buffer battery, the fuel cell and compressor would be sized sufficiently larger for the intended application, allowing the compressor to change speeds much faster. This in turn would allow power outputs to change much quicker. If power outputs can change as quickly as the application dictates, then a buffer battery is not necessary. In one or more embodiments, because the system is mostly electronically controlled, software can be written to protect the fuel cell from instantaneous power pikes. If a large power output is suddenly requested of the fuel cell, the software can smooth out the demand curve to provide an easier load profile to follow.