EP4735295A2 - Energy recovery system for a fuel cell vehicle and related control method - Google Patents

Energy recovery system for a fuel cell vehicle and related control method

Info

Publication number
EP4735295A2
EP4735295A2 EP24762016.4A EP24762016A EP4735295A2 EP 4735295 A2 EP4735295 A2 EP 4735295A2 EP 24762016 A EP24762016 A EP 24762016A EP 4735295 A2 EP4735295 A2 EP 4735295A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
electric machine
conduit
energy
cell module
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP24762016.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Romain GELLY
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Iveco France SAS
Original Assignee
Iveco France SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Iveco France SAS filed Critical Iveco France SAS
Publication of EP4735295A2 publication Critical patent/EP4735295A2/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/75—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using propulsion power supplied by both fuel cells and batteries
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/70—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by fuel cells
    • B60L50/72—Constructional details of fuel cells specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/12—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries responding to state of charge [SoC]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/12—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries responding to state of charge [SoC]
    • B60L58/13—Maintaining the SoC within a determined range
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/12—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries responding to state of charge [SoC]
    • B60L58/15—Preventing overcharging
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/40—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L7/00—Electrodynamic brake systems for vehicles in general
    • B60L7/10—Dynamic electric regenerative braking
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M16/00—Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators
    • H01M16/003—Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
    • H01M16/006—Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/12—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries responding to state of charge [SoC]
    • B60L58/14—Preventing excessive discharging
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2220/00—Batteries for particular applications
    • H01M2220/20—Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
    • H01M2250/20—Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/40—Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

Vehicle comprising a propulsion system (1) provided with at least one electric machine (2), energy accumulator means (3) and a fuel cell module (4), the at least one electric machine (2), the energy accumulator means (3) and the fuel cell module (4) being electrically connected together, the vehicle further comprising a main tank (6) for storing hydrogen at a first pressure value, the main tank (6) being fluidly connected to the fuel cell module (4) via a first conduit (A), the vehicle further comprising an energy recover system (8) configured to be electrically connected to the electric machine (2) and produce hydrogen for the fuel cell module (4) when the electric machine (2) acts as generator.

Description

"ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR A FUEL CELL VEHICLE AND RELATED
CONTROL METHOD"
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102023000013386 filed on June 28 , 2023 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .
Technical Field
The present invention concerns an energy recovery system for a fuel cell vehicle .
The present invention finds its preferred, although not exclusive , application in public transport vehicles such as buses . Reference will be made to this application by way of example below .
Background of the Invention
Vehicles tends more and more to avoid the use of internal combustion engines in order to reduce emissions of pollutive elements . In particular, an alternative to the internal combustion engine is a fuel cell propulsion system .
As known, fuel cell vehicles comprise a fuel cell configured to use hydrogen gas and provide , via chemical reactions , electrical energy that can feed an electric traction system such as an electric machine for the transmission of the vehicle or a plurality of electric machines , one or more for each wheel of the vehicle .
Therefore , in synthesis , fuel cell vehicles are electric vehicles wherein the electric energy is generated by the fuel cell and can be stored in energy accumulator means such as batteries .
In order to brake fuel cell vehicles , so-called regenerative brake is performed . Such operative mode foresees the operation of the electric machine in generator mode , thereby applying a braking torque to the transmission of the vehicle or directly to the wheels .
The electric machine therefore generates electrical energy from mechanical power derived from the transmission/wheels thereby braking the vehicle and charging the energy accumulator means .
However, energy accumulator means cannot absorb a continuous amount of energy and therefore , one a speci fic state of charge is reached, then the surplus of electrical energy should be dispersed via energy dispersion means such as retarders or resistors .
Moreover, when the energy accumulator means are almost filled up, i . e . when state of charge is comprised between 80% and 100% the braking capacity is drastically reduced till zero .
Therefore , the only way of safely braking is the use of mechanical brakes that however suf fers of wear and need to be periodically checked .
It is clear from the above that the regenerative braking suf fers of drawbacks that may lead the safety of the drive of the vehicle and furthermore is a waste of energy that cannot be tolerated .
Therefore , the need is felt to improve the braking performance of a fuel cell vehicle while at the same time avoiding waste of energy during braking .
An aim of the present invention is to satis fy the above mentioned needs in a cost-ef fective and optimi zed manner .
Summary of the Invention
The aforementioned aim is reached by a fuel cell vehicle comprising an energy recovery system and a related control method as claimed in the appended set of claims .
Brief Description of Drawings
For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described in the following, by way of a non-limiting example , with reference to the attached drawings wherein :
• Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a fuel cell vehicle propulsion system according to the invention; and
• Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a portion of the fuel cell vehicle of figure 1 . Detailed Description of the Invention
In figure 1 it is schematically disclosed a propulsion system 1 of a fuel cell vehicle (not shown in its entirety) comprising at least one electric machine 2 and energy accumulator means 3 such as battery means electrically connected to the at least one electric machine 2 .
The propulsion system 2 further comprises a fuel cell module 4 that is electrically connected to both the electric machine 2 and accumulator means 3 .
In detail , the electric machine 2 , accumulator means 3 and fuel cell module 4 are electrically connected via electric energy management means 5 .
Preferably, such electric energy management means 5 comprises an inverter 5 ' and a high voltage distribution box 5 ' ’ ; in detail , the inverter 5 ' is electrically interposed between the high voltage distribution box 5 ' ' and the electric machine 2 while the high voltage distribution box 5 ' ' is voted to electrically connect together the accumulator means 3 and the fuel cell module 4 .
The electric machine 2 can operate as electric motor when supplied of electric energy from the accumulator means 3 and/or the fuel cell module 4 in order to provide a mechanical torque to a transmission/wheels of the vehicle or as generator when absorbing a mechanical torque from the transmission/wheels of the vehicle and produce electrical energy to be stored in accumulator means 3 or used by other devices of the vehicle .
The propulsion system 1 further comprises a main tank 6 configured to store hydrogen configured to feed the fuel cell module 4 . Therefore , the propulsion system 1 comprises a first conduit A fluidly connecting the main tank 6 and the fuel cell module 4 .
Preferably, propulsion system 1 may comprise valve means 7 fluidly interposed on fist conduit A and configured to regulate the pressure value of the hydrogen entering fuel cell module 4 .
The fuel cell module 4 is , as known, configured to produce electrical energy, via chemical reactions of the hydrogen provided, that can be stored in accumulator means
3 or by the at least one electric machine 2 starting from the hydrogen fed by the main tank .
According to the invention, the propulsion system 1 comprises an energy recovery system 8 configured to be electrically connected to the at least one electric machine 2 and produce hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel cell module
4 when the electric machine 2 operates as generator .
Preferably, the propulsion system 1 is connected to the at least one electric machine 2 via electric energy management means 5 .
In detail , the energy recovery system 8 comprises an electrolyzer 9 , a water tank 11 and an auxiliary tank 12 . The electrolyzer 9 is fluidly connected to water tank 11 via second conduit B and electrically connected via electric energy management means 5 to the at least one electric machine 2 , in particular via high voltage distribution box 5 ' ' .
The electrolyzer 9 is fluidly connected to auxiliary tank 12 via a third conduit C and is configured to generate hydrogen on the base of water supplied by water tank 11 and the energy provided from energy management means 5 .
The auxiliary tank 12 is fluidly connected to the fuel cell module 4 to feed, at least partially, this latter and in particular via a fourth conduit D fluidly connecting the auxiliary tank 12 to the first conduit A, preferably upstream to valve means 7 .
Advantageously, energy recovery system 8 comprises filtering means 13 fluidly interposed on fourth conduit 8 to filter the hydrogen directed towards the first conduit A.
Beneficially, the propulsion system 1 comprises fluid j unction means 14 configured to allow the fluid connection between the first and fourth conduits A, D .
Indeed, the main tank 6 contains hydrogen at a pressure that is greater than the pressure of hydrogen within the auxiliary tank 12 ; therefore , fluid j unction means 14 allows the hydrogen produced by electrolyzer 9 to be directed to feed the fuel cell module 4 .
Figure 2 speci fically disclose an exemplarily embodiment of such fluid j unction means 14 .
Fluid j unction means 14 comprises a main body than can be integrated into first and fourth channels A, D ( as shown) or separated and fluidly connected to this latter by, e . g . fluid connectors .
The first channel A in the main body 14 of fluid j unction means 14 comprises a pair of extremity portions A' , A' ’ that have preferably the same diameter and an intermediate portion A' ’ ’ that has a diameter that is lower than the one of extremity portions A' , A' ’ thereby defining a venturi device .
In particular, the intermediate portion A' ’ ’ has a variable diameter that comprises a plurality of sections . In a first section, it decreases till a minimum value starting from the value of the diameter first extremity portion A' , in second section increases from the minimum value till reaching the value of the diameter of the second extremity portion A' ’ and in a third section is constant at the minim value . The third section is clearly comprised within the first and second sections along the fluid flow .
In particular, the decreasing and increasing of diameter in the intermediate portion A' ’ ’ follows a linear variation and preferably such variation is equal in the first and second sections of the intermediate portion A' ' ' .
The fourth conduit D is fluidly connected to the first conduit A in the third section of the intermediate portion A' ’ ’ , i . e . in the venturi device, thereby providing a sucking ef fect towards the first conduit A.
The vehicle further comprises an electronic control unit (not shown) that is electrically connected to electric machine 2 , to fuel cell module 4 , to energy management means 5 and/or to said energy accumulator means 3 and configured to control their operation .
In particular, the electronic control unit comprise elaboration means configured to acquire data related to the state of charge of the accumulator means 3 and to receive a braking request , e . g . by the driver or by an automatic driving module , and control consequently the operation of the electric machine 2 and of the energy recovery system 8 .
The operation of the embodiment of the invention as described above is the following .
In a first (motion) operation of the propulsion system the fuel cell module 4 is fed of hydrogen via main tank 6 and produces electrical energy, as known, that is used by the electric machine 2 or stored in the accumulator means 9 according to the need of torque of the vehicle .
In a second (braking) operation of the propulsion system, the electric machine 2 produces electrical energy that is stored in the accumulator means 3 thereby braking the vehicle . I f the accumulator means 3 reach a state of charge ( SOC ) greater than a preset threshold, then the energy recovery system is controlled to use the electric energy produced by the electric machine 2 to generate hydrogen via electrolyzer 9 that is fed of water by water tank 11 and produced hydrogen that is stored into auxiliary tank 12 .
The hydrogen stored in auxiliary tank 12 ( figure 2 ) flows towards first conduit A via fourth conduit D . In particular, a first flow F' of hydrogen coming from the main tank 6 flows into fluid j unction means 14 and passes via first extremity, intermediate and second extremity portions A' , A' ’ ’ , A' ’ . During such motion, a venturi ef fect is generated thereby sucking an additional flow F' ’ ’ from the fourth conduit D . The additional flow F' ’ ’ is then j oint to the first flow F' thereby flowing out into a second flow F' ’ towards the fuel cell module .
In view of the above , the present invention further concerns a method for controlling an energy recovery system in a propulsion system as described above and comprising the following steps : i ) receiving a request of braking the vehicle ; ii ) detecting the state of charge of the energy accumulator means 3 ; iii ) i f the state of charge detected at step ii ) is below a preset threshold, then control the electric machine 2 to act as generator and brake the vehicle generating electrical energy to be stored into the accumulator means 3 ; iv) i f the state of charge detected at step ii ) is above a preset threshold, then control the electric machine 2 to act as generator and brake the vehicle generating electrical energy to be used by the energy recovery system 8 to produce hydrogen .
Preferably the aforementioned state of charge threshold value is 80% ; more preferably, such value may be settable by the user of the vehicle via input means electrically connected to the electric control unit .
The aforementioned steps are advantageously memori zed in the elaboration means of the electronic control unit and executed continuously or at a preset time interval . In particular, the control method is executed till the braking request is required and aborted when the braking request is stopped .
In view of the foregoing, the advantages of the fuel cell vehicle comprising an energy recovery system and related control method according to the invention are apparent .
The proposed energy recovery system allows to provide an ef fective braking by regenerative braking even i f the state of charge of accumulator means is high since the produced electrical energy is used to produce hydrogen via electrolyzer .
In this way it is possible to avoid reduction of braking performance of the vehicle, the mechanical brakes are less consumed and the energy is not wasted since it is used to produce additional hydrogen that can be used to fed the fuel cell .
In particular, the fluid junction means 14 are particularly effective to sum the hydrogen at two different pressure values via the proposed venturi device integrated into the body of the fluid junction means 14.
Therefore, the overall efficiency of the vehicle is increased and the braking performance of this latter are maintained even at high state of charge of the accumulator means .
It is clear that modifications can be made to the described fuel cell vehicle comprising an energy recovery system and related control method which do not extend beyond the scope of protection defined by the claims.
For example, the proposed layout of propulsion system may be different and comprise more elements with respect to the described ones or substituted by equivalents.
Moreover, the electrolyzer may be of any typology. Clearly the filtering means may be absent.
Furthermore, the fluid junction means 14 may be realized in different manner, e.g. by a different hydraulic circuit. In the described embodiment the intermediate section generating the venturi device may have a diameter that varies in a different manner.

Claims

1.- Vehicle comprising a propulsion system (1) provided with at least one electric machine (2) , energy accumulator means (3) and a fuel cell module (4) , the at least one electric machine (2) , the energy accumulator means (3) and the fuel cell module (4) being electrically connected together, said vehicle further comprising a main tank (6) for storing hydrogen at a first pressure value, said main tank (6) being fluidly connected to said fuel cell module (4) via a first conduit (A) , the vehicle further comprising an energy recover system (8) configured to be electrically connected to said electric machine (2) and produce hydrogen for said fuel cell module (4) when the electric machine (2) acts as generator, wherein said energy recovery system (8) comprises an electrolyzer (9) , a water tank (11) and an auxiliary tank (12) , said electrolyzer (9) being electrically connected to said at least one electric machine (2) and fluidly connected via a second conduit (B) to said water tank (11) and a third conduit (C) to said auxiliary tank (12) , said auxiliary tank (12) being fluidly connected via a fourth conduit (D) to said first conduit (A) , said electrolyzer (9) being configured to receive electrical energy and generate hydrogen to be stored in said auxiliary tank (12) at a second pressure value via the water contained in said water tank
2.- Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said fourth conduit (D) is fluidly connected to said first conduit (A) via fluid junction means (14) .
3.- Vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said fluid junction means (14) are integrated or realized separately with respect to said first and fourth conduits (A, D) .
4.- Vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said first pressure value is greater than said second pressure value, said fluid junction means (14) allowing the passage of hydrogen from said auxiliary tank (12) towards said first conduit (A) .
5.- Vehicle according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein said fluid junction means (14) defines a venturi portion within said first conduit (A) , said fourth conduit (D) being fluidly connected in said venturi portion thereby providing a sucking effect towards said first conduit (A) .
6.- Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising filtering means (13) fluidly interposed on said fourth conduit (D) upstream to the junction to said first conduit (A) .
7 Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising valve means (7) fluidly interposed on said first conduit (A) upstream to said fuel cell module (4) and configured to regulate the pressure of hydrogen
8.- Vehicle according to claim any of the preceding claims, further comprising electric energy management means (5) electrically connecting said electric machine (2) to said fuel cell module (4) , to said energy accumulator means (3) and to said energy recovery system (8) .
9.- Vehicle according to claim 8, wherein said electric energy management means (5) comprises inverter means (5' ) and a high voltage distributor box (5, f ) in series one with respect to the other between the electric machine (2) and fuel cell module (4) , energy accumulator means (3) and energy recovery system (8) .
10.- Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an electronic control unit electrically connected to said electric machine (2) , to said fuel cell module and/or to said energy accumulator means (3) and configured to control their operation, said electronic control unit comprise elaboration means configured to acquire data related to the state of charge of said accumulator means (3) and to receive a braking request and control consequently the operation of said electric machine (2) and of said energy recovery system (8) .
11.- Method for controlling a propulsion system of a vehicle according to any of the preceding claims and comprising the following steps: i) receiving a request of braking the vehicle; ii) detecting the state of charge of the energy accumulator means (3) ; ill) if the state of charge detected at step ii) is below a preset threshold, then control the electric machine
(2) to act as generator and brake the vehicle generating electrical energy to be stored into the accumulator means
(3) ; iv) if the state of charge detected at step ii) is above a preset threshold, then control the electric machine (2) to act as generator and brake the vehicle generating electrical energy to be used by the energy recovery system (8) to produce hydrogen.
12.- Method according to claim 11, wherein said state of charge threshold value is 80%
13.- Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said steps are memorized in the elaboration means of said electronic control unit and executed continuously or at a preset time interval till the braking request is required.
ABSTRACT
Vehicle comprising a propulsion system (1) provided with at least one electric machine (2) , energy accumulator means (3) and a fuel cell module (4) , the at least one electric machine (2) , the energy accumulator means (3) and the fuel cell module (4) being electrically connected together, the vehicle further comprising a main tank (6) for storing hydrogen at a first pressure value, the main tank (6) being fluidly connected to the fuel cell module (4) via a first conduit (A) , the vehicle further comprising an energy recover system (8) configured to be electrically connected to the electric machine (2) and produce hydrogen for the fuel cell module (4) when the electric machine (2) acts as generator . Fig. 1
EP24762016.4A 2023-06-28 2024-06-28 Energy recovery system for a fuel cell vehicle and related control method Pending EP4735295A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102023000013386A IT202300013386A1 (en) 2023-06-28 2023-06-28 ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR A FUEL CELL VEHICLE AND RELATED CONTROL METHOD
PCT/IB2024/000357 WO2025003761A2 (en) 2023-06-28 2024-06-28 Energy recovery system for a fuel cell vehicle and related control method

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4735295A2 true EP4735295A2 (en) 2026-05-06

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP24762016.4A Pending EP4735295A2 (en) 2023-06-28 2024-06-28 Energy recovery system for a fuel cell vehicle and related control method

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4735295A2 (en)
IT (1) IT202300013386A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2025003761A2 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT202300013386A1 (en) 2023-06-28 2024-12-28 Iveco France Sas ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR A FUEL CELL VEHICLE AND RELATED CONTROL METHOD

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070138006A1 (en) * 2005-12-21 2007-06-21 Oakes Thomas W System and Method for Generating Hydrogen Gas
CA2787764C (en) * 2010-01-21 2018-08-14 ePower Engine Systems, L.L.C. Hydrocarbon fueled-electric series hybrid propulsion systems
US20150073632A1 (en) * 2013-03-12 2015-03-12 Nicholas Hill Tri-hybrid automotive power plant
IT202300013386A1 (en) 2023-06-28 2024-12-28 Iveco France Sas ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR A FUEL CELL VEHICLE AND RELATED CONTROL METHOD

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