Abstract: A multi-stage fuel cell centrifugal compressor system comprising a motor, including a shaft, and a compressor connected to the motor. The compressor includes a first stage inlet; first housing fluidly connected to the first stage inlet; and first impeller driven by the shaft for imparting fluid flow through a first stage of the system. The compressor further includes a first stage outlet fluidly connected to the first housing; a second stage inlet; a second housing fluidly connected to the second stage inlet; a second impeller for imparting fluid flow through a second stage; a second stage outlet fluidly connected to the second housing; and a pipe extending between the first stage outlet and the second stage inlet. The pipe fluidly connects the first stage outlet to the second stage inlet, thereby directing at least a portion of fluid from the first stage to the second stage of the system.

Abstract: A particulate trap regeneration system has an exhaust pipe that is connected between an engine and a particulate trap and an air pump that is connected to the exhaust pipe near the engine. The exhaust pipe has a double-walled configuration where the exhaust travels within the pipe and air from the air pump travels within the space between the walls, capturing heat from the exhaust. This configuration also keeps the outside of the exhaust pipe cool, improving safety and durability. Because the air entering the trap is near the exhaust temperature, the burner requires less energy to raise the temperature of the particulates sufficiently to promote burning.

Abstract: A pressure booster system including a pressure booster; an engine in fluid communication with the pressure booster; and a compressed fluid storage tank in fluid communication with the pressure booster. The engine provides fluid to the pressure booster and the fluid can be used to compress fluid supplied to the storage tank. A pressure booster system for use with an engine and a method for charging compressed fluid in a storage tank of a system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell compressor system that comprises a motor, including a motor shaft driven by the motor; a drive housing at least partially surrounding the motor shaft; a first gear set driven by the motor shaft; a carrier torque tube driven by the first gear set; and an impeller. The impeller includes an impeller shaft driven by the second gear set, so that the impeller shaft is configured to rotate at a speed greater than motor speed. Embodiments of the invention may also be used with a multi-stage compressor that allows, for example, first and second impellers to rotate at different speeds. Embodiments of the invention may also include removal of a gear set driving the carrier torque tube or the impeller shaft, so that the impeller shaft speed is divided between one or more bearings supporting the carrier torque tube and one or more bearings supporting the impeller shaft.

Abstract: An electronically controlled magnetorheological fluid based fan drive assembly 60 used to increase the rotational speed of a coupled radiator cooling fan. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber 99 between a drive ring 74 and an output member 86 increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid can be increased to create additional torque to drive the output member 86 and coupled radiator fan at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The magnetic field is induced by directing a flow of electrical current through an electronic coil 62 coupled within the fan drive assembly 60, and an electronic control unit coupled to the electronic coil 62 controls the amount of electrical current flowing through the coil 62.

Abstract: An electronically controlled magnetorheological fluid based fan drive assembly 60 used to increase the rotational speed of a coupled radiator cooling fan. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber 99 between a drive ring 74 and an output member 86 increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid can be increased to create additional torque to drive the output member 86 and coupled radiator fan at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The magnetic field is induced by directing a flow of electrical current through an electronic coil 62 coupled within the fan drive assembly 60, and an electronic control unit coupled to the electronic coil 62 controls the amount of electrical current flowing through the coil 62.