Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting the remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen stored in a hydrogen storage device. In this system, the remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen is calculated accurately without being affected by the previous state in a tank. The internal pressure of the tank is detected. A fixed heat quantity is applied into the liquid hydrogen. The pressure in the tank after the application of heat quantity is detected. The volume of phase-transited hydrogen gas is calculated based on the heat quantity applied into the tank. The change amount of pressure in the tank before and after the application of heat quantity is calculated based on the pressure and the pressure. The remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen in the tank is calculated based on the volume of hydrogen gas and the change amount of pressure.

Abstract: An MH tank module 2 has a hollow outer shell portion 12 formed of metal. The outer shell portion 12 has a plurality of MH powder retaining chambers 22 defined by a plurality of fins 20. A plurality of MH tank modules 2 are bound together by a first tank holder 10 and a second tank holder 11. The tank holders 10, 11 are each configured by fastening and fixing first, second, third, and fourth holder components 28-31, which are separate from one another. The first to fourth holder components 28-31 each have a heat medium passage 28f-31f. The first to fourth holder components 28-31 each have recessed portions 33 each corresponding to the shape of a side portion of each MH tank module 2. The MH tank modules 2 are held individually by the corresponding recessed portions 33.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage tank includes a tank main body, partition sections, and a hydrogen flow pipe. The hydrogen flow pipe prevents MH powder from passing through and permits hydrogen to pass through. The tank main body includes a hollow body portion having openings on opposite ends. Dome portions are joined to opening ends of the body portion. Partition sections are provided in the body portion so that first retaining chambers, which retain the MH powder, are defined in the body portion. Extended portions, which serve as second partition members, are provided in the dome portions to divide the space in the dome portions into second retaining chambers, which retain the MH powder.

Abstract: A plurality of MH tank modules (13) each include a cylindrical porous member (14). The porous member (14) is formed as a hydrogen flow path (15) through which hydrogen can flow and has straight grooves formed on the outer circumferential surface. A plurality of fins (17) are attached to the porous member (14). A first edge and a second edge of each fin (17) are fitted in different grooves. The fins (17) define a plurality of accommodation chambers (19) for accommodating MH powder P. The MH tank modules (13) are accommodated in the housing while being arranged adjacent to each other to form a predetermined shape. Heat medium pipes (22a, 22b) are arranged in the housing (12) so as to contact the fins (17) and correspond to the accommodation chambers (19). Heat medium flows through the heat medium pipes (22a, 2b). Therefore, it is possible to provide a hydrogen gas storing device that easily increases the number of places to be installed in and facilitates the installment.

Abstract: An MH tank module 2 has a hollow outer shell portion 12 formed of metal. The outer shell portion 12 has a plurality of MH powder retaining chambers 22 defined by a plurality of fins 20. A plurality of MH tank modules 2 are bound together by a first tank holder 10 and a second tank holder 11. The tank holders 10, 11 are each configured by fastening and fixing first, second, third, and fourth holder components 28-31, which are separate from one another. The first to fourth holder components 28-31 each have a heat medium passage 28f-31f. The first to fourth holder components 28-31 each have recessed portions 33 each corresponding to the shape of a side portion of each MH tank module 2. The MH tank modules 2 are held individually by the corresponding recessed portions 33.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage device capable of storing hydrogen for a long period of time is provided. The hydrogen storage device of the invention is provided with a thermally insulated container having an inner space, a liquid hydrogen inflow opening, and a hydrogen gas outflow opening, and a hydrogen adsorbing member filled in the inner space.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage tank includes a tank main body, partition sections, and a hydrogen flow pipe. The hydrogen flow pipe prevents MH powder from passing through and permits hydrogen to pass through. The tank main body includes a hollow body portion having openings on opposite ends. Dome portions are joined to opening ends of the body portion. Partition sections are provided in the body portion so that first retaining chambers, which retain the MH powder, are defined in the body portion. Extended portions, which serve as second partition members, are provided in the dome portions to divide the space in the dome portions into second retaining chambers, which retain the MH powder.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a hydrogen path for supplying odorant-added hydrogen to the fuel cell, an estimating unit to estimate the depositing of the odorant in the fuel cell, and control unit to heat the fuel cell up to a temperature at which at least part of the odorant deposited in the fuel cell evaporates when-the depositing of the odorant is estimated.

Abstract: When hydrogen is taken out, para-hydrogen having a low energy is converted into ortho-hydrogen having a high energy, and a cooling effect of endothermy of the para-ortho conversion is utilized for maintaining the temperature within a hydrogen storage device low. For accomplishing such a system, there is provided a hydrogen storage device for storing a liquid hydrogen, wherein a porous magnetic body serving as a para-ortho conversion catalyst is arranged in a hydrogen circulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting the remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen stored in a hydrogen storage device. In this system, the remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen is calculated accurately without being affected by the previous state in a tank. The internal pressure of the tank is detected. A fixed heat quantity is applied into the liquid hydrogen. The pressure in the tank after the application of heat quantity is detected. The volume of phase-transited hydrogen gas is calculated based on the heat quantity applied into the tank. The change amount of pressure in the tank before and after the application of heat quantity is calculated based on the pressure and the pressure. The remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen in the tank is calculated based on the volume of hydrogen gas and the change amount of pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogen supply apparatus which can mix an odorant with hydrogen gas even at a low temperature and can detect the leakage of the hydrogen gas. The apparatus comprises a gas storage portion which stores hydrogen gas therein, an odorant-addition portion which adds an odorant to the hydrogen gas fed from the gas storage portion, and a temperature control portion which controls the temperature of at least one of the hydrogen gas stored in the gas storage portion, the hydrogen gas fed from the gas storage portion and the odorant.

Abstract: A power output apparatus capable of generating power from at least an electric motor to a drive shaft includes a pattern storing unit that stores a plurality of output characteristic patterns in which power is generated to the drive shaft, a pattern selecting unit that selects one of the output characteristic patterns stored, and a drive controller that controls driving of the electric motor so that power that is within a range of the selected output characteristic pattern is generated to the drive shaft. The power output apparatus may also be controlled to operate the motor in a dash mode that allow motor output to exceed rated values for short periods of time to increase drivability.

Abstract: An output state detecting apparatus is arranged to detect a reaction torque of a motor and detect an output state of an internal-combustion engine from the reaction torque. The apparatus comprises an internal-combustion engine, a generator driven by the internal-combustion engine to generate electric power, torque detecting means for detecting a reaction torque of this generator, and output state detecting means for detecting an output state of the internal-combustion engine. The output state detecting means detects the output state of the internal-combustion engine, based on the reaction torque of the motor detected by the torque detecting means.

Abstract: A start control apparatus for an internal combustion engine which guarantees excellent startability regardless of the nature of the fuel used. In addition, a fuel nature determining apparatus designed to prevent mistakes in the determining of the nature of the fuel. When conditions for beginning the starting of an internal combustion engine have been established, normal start control is performed in order to start the internal combustion engine. After the starting of the internal combustion engine has begun using the normal start control, if the starting is completed within a predetermined length of time, a determination is made that the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine is of a light nature. If, however, the starting is not completed within a predetermined length of time, a determination is made that the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine is of a heavy nature.

Abstract: A control apparatus is used to control a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a stepwise variable transmission capable of automatic speed shifting, a clutch disposed between the internal combustion engine and the stepwise variable transmission for discontinuing and establishing power transfer to and from the stepwise variable transmission, an electric motor, etc. The control apparatus calculates a timing of the stepwise variable transmission starting an automatic shifting operation, and gradually decreases the torque assist based on the motor torque Tm of the electric motor prior to the start of the shifting operation, so as to reduce the stepped change in the drive torque that occurs when the engine torque Te is eliminated upon disengagement of the clutch during the shifting operation. This operation of the control apparatus also gentles or reduces the gradient of torque change. The shock at the time of shifting is thus reduced.

Abstract: An exhaust gas emission control apparatus is provided in an exhaust passage of a hybrid mechanism driven by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The apparatus has an adsorbent that adsorbs unburned fuel contained in exhaust gas when the temperature of the adsorbent is lower than a predetermined temperature, and that releases adsorbed unburned fuel therefrom when the temperature is at least the predetermined temperature. When the temperature of the adsorbent is lower than the predetermined temperature, the apparatus controls the hybrid mechanism to delay an increase in the temperature of the adsorbent.

Abstract: A control apparatus is used to control a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a stepwise variable transmission capable of automatic speed shifting, a clutch disposed between the internal combustion engine and the stepwise variable transmission for discontinuing and establishing power transfer to and from the stepwise variable transmission, an electric motor, etc. The control apparatus calculates a timing of the stepwise variable transmission starting an automatic shifting operation, and gradually decreases the torque assist based on the motor torque Tm of the electric motor prior to the start of the shifting operation, so as to reduce the stepped change in the drive torque that occurs when the engine torque Te is eliminated upon disengagement of the clutch during the shifting operation. This operation of the control apparatus also gentles or reduces the gradient of torque change. The shock at the time of shifting is thus reduced.

Abstract: A power output apparatus capable of generating power from at least an electric motor to a drive shaft includes a pattern storing unit that stores a plurality of output characteristic patterns in which power is generated to the drive shaft, a pattern selecting unit that selects one of the output characteristic patterns stored, and a drive controller that controls driving of the electric motor so that power that is within a range of the selected output characteristic pattern is generated to the drive shaft. The power output apparatus may also be controlled to operate the motor in a dash mode that allow motor output to exceed rated values for short periods of time to increase drivability.

Abstract: A catalyst deterioration detecting apparatus for a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as power sources includes an air-fuel ratio sensor downstream of a catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine. An amount of oxygen stored in the catalyst is estimated and, based on the estimated amount of oxygen and an output produced by the air-fuel ratio sensor after the engine is restarted after having been temporarily stopped, it is determined whether the catalyst has excessively deteriorated.

Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus for a diesel engine has a fuel injection pump for feeding fuel under pressure and fuel injection nozzles provided in the engine to inject fuel fed from the injection pump. A pressure sensor for detecting fuel pressure is provided in a midway in a fuel line connecting the injection pump to the injection nozzles. An electronic control unit (ECU) computes the frequency of the fuel pressure based on a detected value from the pressure sensor immediately after fuel is injected from the injection nozzles. The ECU then computes a fuel bulk modulus based on the result of the computation of the frequency of the fuel pressure. Based on the computed bulk modulus, the ECU computes a fuel injection start and end time. Further, the ECU adjusts an instruction value for fuel injection control based on the result of the computation of injection start and end, and controls the injection pump based on the adjusted instruction value.