IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,196,914
Granted Patent B2
US 9,196,914 · App. 13/826,049 · Granted Nov 24, 2015

Moving body

Inventors: Naohiro Yoshida (Nisshin, JP); Toshiyuki Kondo (Tiryu, JP); Masahiko Hibino (Toyota, JP); Osamu Yumita (Nagoya, JP); Yoshihiro Funayama (Toyota, JP)
Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
H01M8/04291B60K1/00B60K1/04B60K13/04B60L11/18B60L11/1881H01M8/04156B60K2001/005H01M2250/20Y02E60/50Y02T90/32
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,196,914
App. No.
13/826,049
Granted
Nov 24, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A moving body, such as a vehicle, having one or more fuel cells mounted thereon. The fuel cells, which power the moving body, generate electricity and release water as a by-product. Accordingly, the moving body includes a water discharge module that releases water produced by the fuel cells to the atmosphere using a water outlet. The water outlet may be located in a front section of the moving body. The moving body may further include a water tank that temporarily stores water before releasing the water to the atmosphere.

Claims (24)

1. A moving body with fuel cells that are mounted thereon as a power source and generate electric power with production of water as a by-product, said moving body comprising:

a water discharge module that releases water produced by the fuel cells from a water outlet to the atmosphere;

an air flow effect control module that reduces the effect of air flow caused by motion of said moving body on the water that is released from the water outlet;

the water outlet is arranged so as to be directed slightly obliquely backward with a vertically downward component;

the air flow effect control module is arranged in front of the water outlet so as to be directed slightly obliquely backward with a vertically downward component and comprises a ventilation vent that blows an exhaust gas from the fuel cells and the air flow caused by the motion of the moving body which collectively form a gas flow; and

the air flow effect control module generates the gas flow in front of the water outlet in substantially the same direction in which the water is released from the water outlet by blast from the ventilation vent, and the gas flow interferes with and restricts the effects of the air flow caused by the motion of the moving body on the water released from the water outlet.

2. A moving body with fuel cells that are mounted thereon as a power source and generate electric power with production of water as a by-product, said moving body comprising:

a water discharge module that releases water produced by the fuel cells from a water outlet to the atmosphere;

an air flow effect control module that reduces the effect of air flow caused by motion of said moving body on the water that is released from the water outlet;

the water outlet is arranged so as to be directed slightly obliquely backward with a vertically downward component;

the air flow effect control module is arranged behind the water outlet so as to direct slightly obliquely backward with a vertically downward component and comprises a ventilation vent that blows an exhaust gas from the fuel cells and the air flow caused by the motion of the moving body which collectively form a gas flow; and

the air flow effect control module generates the gas flow behind the water outlet in substantially the same direction in which the water is released from the water outlet by blast from the ventilation vent, and the gas flow interferes with and restricts the effects of the air flow caused by the motion of the moving body on the water released from the water outlet.

3. A moving body with fuel cells that are mounted thereon as a power source and generate electric power with production of water as a by-product, said moving body comprising:

a water discharge module that releases water produced by the fuel cells from a water outlet to the atmosphere;

an air flow effect control module that reduces the effect of air flow caused by motion of said moving body on the water that is released from the water outlet;

the air flow effect control module is arranged so as to be directed slightly obliquely backward with a vertically downward component and comprises a ventilation vent that blows an exhaust gas from the fuel cells and the air flow caused by the motion of the moving body which collectively form a gas flow;

the water outlet is arranged at an approximate center of the ventilation vent and is directed slightly obliquely backward with a vertically downward component; and

the air flow effect control module generates the gas flow around the water outlet in substantially the same direction in which the water is released from the water outlet, and the gas flow interferes with and restricts the effects of the air flow caused by the motion of the moving body on the water released from the water outlet.

4. A moving body with fuel cells that are mounted thereon as a power source and generate electric power with production of water as a by-product, said moving body comprising:

a water discharge module that releases water produced by the fuel cells from a water outlet to the atmosphere;

an air flow effect control module that reduces the effect of air flow caused by motion of said moving body on the water that is released from the water outlet;

the air flow effect module comprises a cooling fan that cools down devices mounted on the moving body and is arranged so as to exhaust gas vertically downward;

the water outlet is arranged at an approximate center of the cooling fan and is directed vertically downward; and

the air flow effect control module generates a gas flow around the water outlet in substantially the same direction in which the water is released from the water outlet, and the gas flow interferes with and restricts the effects of the air flow caused by the motion of the moving body on the water released from the water outlet.

Priority Claims (3)
JP 2003-301311 · Aug 26, 2003 · national
JP 2003-366502 · Oct 27, 2003 · national
JP 2004-154091 · May 25, 2004 · national
Continuity (4)
Division 13656160 · Oct 19, 2012
Division 12683643 · Jan 7, 2010
Division 10569450
Related Publication 20130295474A1 · Nov 7, 2013