Patent ID: 6213234
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,H01M,Y02E,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
A hybrid electric vehicle having at least one electric motor drivingly connected to at least one driven wheel, the hybrid electric vehicle comprising:a source of hydrocarbon fuel;a fuel cell for converting hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen contained in air into a first electrical power output up to a maximum fuel cell power output, the fuel cell having a fuel inlet receiving a first supply of fuel from the fuel source, a compressed air inlet receiving a first supply of compressed air, and an outlet for fuel cell exhaust gas;a gas turbine engine having a compressor turbine and a drive turbine mounted on a rotary shaft, a housing defining a compressor chamber and a drive turbine chamber, at least one combustor receiving a second supply of fuel from the fuel source and a second supply of compressed air supplied directly to the combustor by the compressor turbine, and an inlet for fuel cell exhaust gases in communication with the drive turbine chamber, the drive turbine being powered by at least one of the group consisting of the fuel cell exhaust gases alone and the fuel cell exhaust gases in combination with combustion products resulting from the burning of the second supply of fuel with the second supply of compressed air in the combustor;an electric generator coupled to and driven by the gas turbine engine rotary shaft, the electric generator generating a second electrical power output which, in combination with the first power output, provides electrical energy to drive the at least one electric motor; anda power controller responsive to a control signal from a vehicle occupant to vary the output of the at least one electric motor, the power controller regulating the first and second supplies of fuel and the first and second supplies of compressed air such the fuel cell and the fuel cell exhaust gases power the vehicle when the vehicle's power needs are generally below the maximum fuel cell power output and to provide the second supply of fuel and the second supply of compressed air to the combustor of the gas turbine when the vehicle's power needs exceed the maximum fuel cell power output up to a maximum sustainable power level,wherein the fuel cell is sized relative to the vehicle and the gas turbine engine so that the fuel cell is operative to generate no greater than 50% of the maximum sustainable power level.