FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel cell vehicle, and in particular, to a vehicle, assembly layout for a metal hydride canister employed fuel cell vehicle.
BACKGROUND
Traditionally, a fuel cell powered vehicle is driven by electric energy drawn from a fuel cell. The fuel cell generates electric power due to a chemical reaction between a fuel gas, and an oxidant gas. A motor is adapted to be driven by the electric power from the fuel cell. The fuel gas is stored in onboard fuel tanks. The reaction between the fuel gas, and an oxidant gas to generate electric power produces a by-product which is expelled through an exhaust pipe. In a solid polymer membrane type of fuel cell, the polymer type fuel cell is provided with suction ports for the fuel gas, and an oxidant on the upper side of the fuel cell and the reaction product water produced flows to the lower side of the fuel cell due to gravity.
The fuel cell together with the fuel gas storage canisters occupies a large space in the vehicle and a significant portion of the vehicle weight. The fuel cells are placed towards the center of the vehicle body considering weight balance of the vehicle. The fuel cells can also be placed at the lowest part of the vehicle body and the center in the front-end direction of the vehicle body.
Mainly, hydrogen at high pressure is used as fuel gas. A major obstacle to the development of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles is the lack of safe, lightweight and energy efficient means of onboard hydrogen storage. The onboard hydrogen requires monitoring to detect a leak from the storage vessel and hydrogen passages.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
US20080236914 A1 titled “Saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle” discloses “a saddle-ride vehicle that includes a fuel cell structured in a rectangular, parallelepiped shape disposed of below a vehicle seat. The fuel cell is inclined, and the inclination is towards a vehicle rear. Footrest parts are positioned between

a steering handle and the seat. The fuel cell is placed on the side of the footrest parts, such that the center of gravity of the fuel cell falls on the front side of the vehicle body relative to the seating part center in the front-rear direction of the center of gravity of the driver during the ride.” (Sic Publication No.: US20080236914 A1).
US20090020347 A1 titled “Saddle seat type fuel-cell electric vehicle” discloses “a saddle seat type fuel-cell electric vehicle that has a body frame having a pair of right and left main frames attached at their front ends to a head pipe and expanding downward therefrom. Also, consists of a pair of right and left under frames connected at their front ends to the head pipe and extending downward from there along the right and left main frames on the lower side thereof. A pair of hydrogen cylinders expands substantially vertically along the body frame between the head pipe front side and the front side of the footrest front end so as to interject the body frame in the lateral direction of the vehicle. A fuel supply unit is presented in a space encircled by the main frames and the under frames with the hydrogen cylinders being surrounded by a guard pipe connected to the main frames.” (Sic Publication No.: US20090020347A1).
WO2005041338 A1 titled “Saddle riding-type vehicle” discloses “a two-wheeled vehicle with a vehicle body frame that includes a head pipe, a front frame extending from the head pipe obliquely downward toward the rear, a rear frame connected to the rear end section of the front frame and rising obliquely upward toward the rear, and a seat rail fixed to the upper end section of the rear frame. The driver seat is attached on a bent pipe of the seat rail, covering the bent pipe and a portion near a frame installation section of seat support pipes of the seat rail.” (Sic Publication No.: WO2005041338 A1).
The vehicle includes a fuel cell system in which the fuel cell stack is placed below the seat. Behind the seat are arranged side by side, a fuel tank and water solution tank of the fuel cell system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, a fuel cell power box is provided to place metal hydride canisters, motor controller, fuel cell controller and fuel cell converter to facilitate easy assembly to the vehicle as well as for easy access to the parts mentioned above.
A fuel cell vehicle assembly layout of a two-wheeled vehicle consists of a lithium-ion battery pack, a fuel cell stack, an electric hub motor, metal hydride canisters, a fuel cell buck or boost converter, a motor controller, a fuel cell power box and a fuel cell controller. The fuel cell power box includes the metal hydride canisters, the motor controller, the fuel cell controller, and the fuel cell buck or boost converter. An electric hub motor hub is mounted to the rear wheel of the vehicle.
In this invention, four different types of fuel cell layout are proposed based on the mounting position and placement of the fuel cell stack. The placements being on the front side of the vehicle and the floorboard, in horizontal and vertical position in both the cases.
Low-pressure metal hydride canisters are used instead of high-pressure hydrogen cylinders. Four metal hydride canisters are used to increase the fuel cell vehicle range.
In one embodiment, the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell power box employing one or more metal hydride canisters for providing enhanced fuel cell vehicle range, the fuel cell power box is mounted under a seat of the vehicle. An electric hub motor hub mounted to a wheel of the vehicle. A fuel cell stack mounted on a front portion of the vehicle, the fuel cell stack is disposed of in a first orientation adjacently to a front portion of a frame with a substantial gap in a longitudinal direction between the fuel cell power box, and the fuel cell stack.
Thus, the vehicle is safe as the hydride canisters are securely placed in a rear portion of the vehicle below the seat assembly inside the fuel cell power box.

Further, the vehicle provides improved weight balance as the fuel cell power box, and the fuel cell stack is distributively provided.
In one implementation, the fuel cell power box includes four metal hydride canisters connected with an interconnector tube to get a required flow rate of fuel for at least 1 kW fuel cell stack and the flow rate being controlled by a pressure regulator. The four metal hydride canisters are disposed of in vertical layers, with two metal hydride canisters disposed of in a first layer, and other two metal hydride canisters in a second layer.
The fuel cell stack disposed of in horizontal or vertical orientation referred to as a first orientation. The fuel stack is disposed of adjacently rearward to the front portion of the frame and at the floorboard.
In another implementation, the fuel cell stack is disposed of in a first orientation. In the first orientation including a horizontal or vertical orientation, wherein the fuel cell stack is disposed of adjacently forward to the front portion of the frame and ahead of the floorboard. The four metal hydride canisters are disposed of rearward to the floorboard and are forwardly inclined.
The fuel cell stacks operation is controlled by a fuel cell controller working with a fuel cell buck or boost converter. The fuel cell controller which is mounted on one partition of the fuel cell power box and positioned rearward to the one or more metal hydride canisters is compactly and securely disposed of within the fuel cell power box.
The vehicle includes a motor controller mounted behind the fuel cell power box. The fuel cell stack has the fuel exhaust pipe not shown in the layout which is electronically controlled by the proportional valve to avoid fuel starvation. The motor controller is compactly and securely packaged within the fuel cell power box.
The fuel cell stack includes an oxidant exhaust manifold open to the environment and capable of being closed manually whenever the fuel cell stack is not in operation.

Further, a pressure regulator carries metal hydride canister pressure into the fuel cell stack, and the metal hydride canister pressure is electronically measured by a pressure transducer.
This invention is a two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle comprising, a fuel cell power box employing one or more metal hydride canisters for providing enhanced fuel cell vehicle range. The fuel cell power box is mounted under a seat of the vehicle. An electric hub motor hub mounted to a wheel of said vehicle. A fuel cell stack mounted on a front portion of said vehicle said fuel cell stack is disposed of in a first orientation adjacently to a front portion of a frame with a substantial gap in a longitudinal direction between the fuel cell power box and the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell power box includes four metal hydride canisters connected with an interconnector tube to get required flow rate of fuel for at least 1kW fuel cell stack and the flow rate being controlled by a pressure regulator, said four metal hydride canisters are disposed of in vertical layers with two metal hydride canisters disposed of in a first layer and other two metal hydride canisters in a second layer. The fuel cell stack disposed of in said first orientation including horizontal or vertical orientation, wherein said fuel stack is disposed of adjacently rearward to the front portion of said frame and at floorboard. Said fuel cell stack disposed of in a first orientation, said first orientation including a horizontal or vertical orientation, wherein said fuel cell stack is disposed of adjacently forward to the front portion of said frame and ahead of the floorboard.
The four metal hydride canisters are disposed of rearward to the floorboard and are forwardly inclined. The fuel cell stack operations are controlled by a fuel cell controller working with a fuel cell buck or boost convertor, said fuel cell controller which is mounted on one partition of the fuel cell power box and positioned rearward to the one or more metal hydride canisters, said vehicle includes a motor controller mounted behind said fuel cell power box.
Further, the fuel cell stack has the fuel exhaust pipe (not shown in the layout) which is electronically controlled by the proportional valve to avoid fuel starvation. The fuel cell stack includes an oxidant exhaust manifold open to the

environment and capable of being closed manually whenever the fuel cell stack is not in operation. A pressure regulator carries metal hydride canister pressure into the fuel cell stack, and the metal hydride canister pressure is electronically measured by a pressure transducer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle with fuel
cell stack mounted horizontally on the floorboard.
Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle with
hidden fuel cell power box, and the fuel cell stack mounted horizontally on the
floorboard.
Figure 3 shows the sectional isometric view of the proposed two-wheeled fuel
cell vehicle assembly layout with fuel cell stack mounted horizontally on the
floorboard.
Figure 4 shows the left-side view of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle assembly
layout where the fuel cell stack in the floorboard horizontally.
Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle with fuel
cell stack mounted vertically on the floorboard.
Figure 6 shows an isometric view of two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle with hidden
fuel cell power box, and the fuel cell stack mounted vertically on the floorboard.
Figure 7 shows the sectional isometric view of the proposed two-wheeled fuel
cell vehicle assembly layout with fuel cell stack mounted vertically on the
floorboard.
Figure 8 shows the left-side view of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle assembly
layout where the fuel cell stack in the floorboard vertically.
Figure 9 shows an isometric view with fuel cell stack mounted horizontally on
the front side of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle.
Figure 10 shows an isometric view with hidden fuel cell power box, and the fuel
cell stack mounted horizontally on the front side of the two-wheeled fuel cell
vehicle.

Figure 11 shows the sectional isometric view with fuel cell stack mounted horizontally on the front side of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle. Figure 12 shows the left-side view with fuel cell stack mounted on the front side of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle horizontally.
Figure 13 shows an isometric view with fuel cell stack mounted vertically on the front side of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle.
Figure 14 shows an isometric view with hidden fuel cell power box, and the fuel cell stack mounted vertically on the front side of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle.
Figure 15 shows the sectional isometric view with fuel cell stack mounted vertically on the front side of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle. Figure 16 shows the left-side view with fuel cell stack in the front side of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle vertically.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Fuel cell stack in a floorboard mounted horizontally
Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle 1 with a fuel cell power box 8, and the fuel cell stack 3 which is mounted horizontally on the floorboard 10.
Figure 2 shows a lithium-ion battery pack 2, a fuel cell stack 3 with fuel cell balance of plants (pressure regulator, blower, heater, solenoid valve and proportional valve) and an electric hub motor 4 in the vehicle. The lithium-ion battery pack 2 is mounted on the front side of the vehicle 1. The fuel cell stack 3 is mounted horizontally on the floorboard 10 with an oxidant exhaust manifold 3a facing downwards. An electric hub motor 4 is mounted to the rear wheel of the vehicle 1. The fuel cell power box 8 (not shown in this view) is mounted below the seat 11. At the rear side of the vehicle, four metal hydride canisters (out of which only two metal hydride canisters 5R2 and 5L2 are shown and other two metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1 are hidden) are mounted on the hidden fuel cell power box 8.

The fuel cell power box 8 employing one or more metal hydride canisters the 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2 for providing enhanced fuel cell vehicle range is mounted under a seat 11 of the vehicle 1.
Figure 3 shows the sectional isometric view of the proposed two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle assembly layout. The fuel cell power box 8 includes four metal hydride canisters; two metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1 as the first layer and the other two metal hydride canisters 5R2 and 5L2 as the second layer. The fuel cell power box 8 also contains the fuel cell controller, fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 and the motor controller 7. An electric hub motor 4 is mounted to the rear wheel of the vehicle 1.
The fuel cell power box 8 is mounted below the seat 11. The fuel cell stack 3 mounted on a front portion of said vehicle 1 is disposed of in a first orientation adjacently to a front portion F of a frame 9. A substantial gap in a longitudinal direction between the fuel cell power box 8 and the fuel cell stack 3 is provided. The four metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2 are mounted on two layers in the fuel cell power box 8 and a lithium-ion battery pack 2 is mounted on the front side of the vehicle. The fuel cell stack 3 is mounted horizontally on the floorboard 10. The fuel cell stack 3 is equipped with a pressure regulator, a blower, a solenoid valve, a proportional valve and two heaters. The motor controller 7 is mounted behind the first layer metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1 in the fuel cell power box 8. The fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 are also mounted in a partition of the fuel cell power box 8. An oxidant exhaust manifold 3a is open to the environment.
The four metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2 are disposed of in vertical layers with two metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1 disposed of in a first layer and other two metal hydride canisters 5R2 and 5L2 in a second layer.
The lithium-ion battery pack 2 is connected to the motor controller 7, the fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6. The fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 is also connected to the motor controller 7. The fuel cell stack 3 operations are controlled by the fuel cell controller 6. The fuel cell stack 3

generates current by hydrogen combustion and gives an output voltage. The fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 controls the output voltage from the fuel cell stack 3. The by-product formed during the combustion of hydrogen is expelled through the oxidant exhaust manifold 3a. The fuel exhaust pipe from the fuel cell stack 3 is controlled by the proportional valve to avoid fuel starvation. An oxidant exhaust manifold 3a is open to the environment and which has to be closed manually whenever the fuel cell stack 3 is not in operation.
Figure 4 is the left-side view of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle assembly layout that shows a lithium-ion battery pack 2, a fuel cell stack 3, an oxidant exhaust manifold 3a from the fuel cell stack 3, an electric hub motor 4, metal hydride canisters 5L1 and 5L2, a fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6, a motor controller 7 and a fuel cell power box 8.
When the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle 1 is viewed from the left side, the lithium-ion battery pack 2 is mounted on the front side of the vehicle 1. An electric hub motor 4 is mounted to the rear wheel of the vehicle 1. The 1kW fuel cell stack 3 is mounted horizontally on the floorboard 10. The fuel cell power box 8 is mounted under the seat 11 of the vehicle 1. The fuel cell power box 8 contains two metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1 as the first layer and other two metal hydride canisters 5R2 and 5L2 as the second layer (5R1 and 5R2 are hidden in this view). The fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 and the motor controller 7 are mounted in a partitioned compartment of the fuel cell power box 8.
The metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and5L2 are connected through an inter-connector tube. The required flow rate for the 1kW fuel cell stack 3 is delivered through the inter-connector tube. A pressure regulator controls the pressure of the flow from the metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2 to the fuel cell stack 3. The metal hydride canisters pressure is electronically measured by a pressure transducer. The fuel cell stack 3 has a solenoid valve and a proportional valve. The valves are electronically controlled by the fuel cell

controller 6. An oxidant exhaust manifold 3a is provided to emit water and heat formed as a by-product during combustion of hydrogen from the fuel cell stack 3.
Therefore, the fuel cell stack 3 is disposed of in a first orientation adjacently to a front portion F of a frame 9 with a substantial gap in a longitudinal direction between the fuel cell power box 8 and the fuel cell stack 3 whereby the distributively disposed of fuel cell vehicle provides safety as the hydride canister are disposed of rearward, and the weight distribution is improved.
The fuel cell stack 3 is disposed of in a first orientation in a horizontal or vertical orientation, wherein the fuel cell stack 3 is disposed of adjacently rearward to the front portion F of said frame 9 and ahead of the floorboard 10.
Fuel cell stack in a floorboard mounted vertically
Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle 1 with fuel cell power box 8 and the fuel cell stack 3 which is mounted on a vertically inclined position in the floorboard 10.
Figure 6 indicates a lithium-ion battery pack 2, a fuel cell stack 3 with fuel cell stack balance of plants (pressure regulator, blower, heater, solenoid valve and proportional valve) and an electric hub motor 4 in the vehicle 1. The lithium-ion battery pack 2 is mounted on the front side of the vehicle 1. The fuel cell stack 3 is mounted on a vertically inclined position (towards the front portion F of the frame 9) in the floorboard 10 with an oxidant exhaust manifold 3a which is facing downwards. The mounting of an electric hub motor 4, the fuel cell power box 8, the four metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5R2, 5L1, and 5L2 does not alter.
Figure 7 shows the sectional isometric view of the proposed two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle assembly layout. The fuel cell power box 8 contains four metal hydride canisters; metal hydride canisters 5R1and 5L1 as the first layer and metal hydride canisters 5R2 and 5L2 as the second layer. The fuel cell power box 8 also contains the fuel cell controller, fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 and the motor controller 7. An electric hub motor 4 is mounted to the rear wheel of the vehicle 1.

The four metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2 are mounted on the fuel cell power box 8 in two layers and a lithium-ion battery pack 2 is mounted on the front side of the vehicle 1, whereas the fuel cell power box 8 is mounted under the seat 11. The fuel cell stack 3 is mounted on a vertically inclined position (towards the front portion F of the frame 9) in the floorboard 10. The fuel cell stack 3 is equipped with a pressure regulator, a blower, a solenoid valve, a proportional valve and two heaters. The motor controller 7 is mounted behind first layer metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1 in the fuel cell power box 8. The fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 are also mounted in a partition of the fuel cell power box 8. An oxidant exhaust manifold 3a is open to the environment (below the floorboard 10).
The lithium-ion battery pack 2 is connected to the motor controller 7 and the fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6. The fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 is connected to the motor controller 7. The fuel cell stack 3 operations are controlled by the fuel cell controller 6. The fuel cell stack 3 generates current by hydrogen combustion and gives an output voltage. The fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 controls the output voltage from the fuel cell stack 3. The by-product formed during combustion of hydrogen is expelled through an exhaust manifold. The fuel exhaust pipe from the fuel cell stack 3 is controlled by the proportional valve to avoid fuel starvation. An oxidant exhaust manifold 3a is open to the environment (below the floorboard 10) and has to be closed manually whenever the fuel cell stack 3 is not in operation.
Figure 8 shows the left-side view of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle 1 assembly layout. A lithium-ion battery pack 2, a fuel cell stack 3, an oxidant exhaust 3a from the fuel cell stack 3, an electric hub motor 4, metal hydride canisters 5L1 and 5L2, a fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6, a motor controller 7 and a fuel cell power box 8 of the two-wheeled vehicle 1 are indicated.
When the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle 1 is viewed from the left side, the lithium-ion battery pack 2 is mounted on the front side of the vehicle 1. An electric hub

motor 4 is mounted to the rear wheel of the vehicle. The fuel cell power box 8 is mounted under the seat 11 of the vehicle 1. The fuel cell power box 8 contains four metal hydride canisters; two metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1 as the first layer and other two metal hydride canisters 5R2 and 5L2 as the second layer (5R1 and 5R2 are hidden in this view). The fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 and the motor controller 7 are mounted in a partitioned compartment of the fuel cell power box 8.
The metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2 are connected through an inter-connector tube. The required flow rate for the 1kW fuel cell stack 3 is delivered through the inter-connector tube. A pressure regulator controls the pressure of the flow from the metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2 to the fuel cell stack 3. The metal hydride canisters pressure is electronically measured by a pressure transducer. The fuel cell stack 3 has a solenoid valve and a proportional valve. The valves are electronically controlled by the fuel cell controller 6. An oxidant exhaust manifold 3a is provided to emit water and heat formed as a by-product during combustion of hydrogen from the fuel cell stack 3.
Thus, the fuel cell stack 3 is disposed of in first orientation including horizontal or vertical orientation, wherein the fuel cell stack 3 is disposed of adjacently rearward to the front portion of the frame 9 and at the floorboard 10.
Fuel cell stack mounted horizontally on the front side
Figure 9 shows an isometric view of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle 1 with fuel cell power box 8 and the fuel cell stack 3 which is mounted horizontally on the front side of the vehicle.
Figure 10 indicates the fuel cell stack 3 with fuel cell stack balance of plants (pressure regulator, blower, heater, solenoid valve and proportional valve) and an electric hub motor 4 in the vehicle 1. The fuel cell stack 3 is mounted horizontally on the front side of the vehicle 1 with an oxidant exhaust manifold 3a facing downwards. An electric hub motor 4 is mounted to the rear wheel of the vehicle 1. The fuel cell power box 8 (not shown in this view) is mounted below the seat 11.

At the rear side of the vehicle, four metal hydride canisters (out of which only two metal hydride canisters 5R2 and 5L2 are shown and other two metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1 are hidden in this view) are mounted on the hidden fuel cell power box 8. The lithium-ion battery pack 2 (not shown in this view) is mounted below the canister layers in the hidden fuel cell power box 8.
Figure 11 shows the sectional isometric view of the proposed two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle 1 assembly layout. The fuel cell power box 8 which is mounted below the seat 11 contains four metal hydride canisters; metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1as the first layer, metal hydride canisters 5R2 and 5L2 as the second layer and a lithium-ion battery pack 2 (not shown in this view) as the third layer. The fuel cell power box 8 also contains the fuel cell controller, fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 and the motor controller 7. An electric hub motor 4 is mounted to the rear wheel of the vehicle 1.
The four metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2 are mounted under the seat 11 in two layers and a lithium-ion battery pack 2 is mounted below the metal hydride canister layers (not shown in this view) in the fuel cell power box 8. The fuel cell stack 3 is mounted horizontally on the front side of the vehicle 1.The fuel cell stack 3 is equipped with a pressure regulator, a blower, a solenoid valve, a proportional valve and two heaters. The motor controller 7 is mounted behind first layer metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1 in the fuel cell power box 8. The fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 are also mounted in a partition of the fuel cell power box 8. An oxidant exhaust manifold 3a is open to the environment.
The lithium-ion battery pack 2(not shown in this view) is connected to the motor controller 7, the fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6. The fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 is also connected to the motor controller 7. The fuel cell stack 3 operations are controlled by the fuel cell controller 6. The fuel cell stack 3 generates current by hydrogen combustion and gives an output voltage. The fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 controls the output voltage from the fuel cell stack 3. The by-product formed during combustion of hydrogen is

expelled through an oxidant exhaust manifold 3a. The fuel exhaust pipe from the fuel cell stack 3 is controlled by the proportional valve to avoid fuel starvation. An oxidant exhaust manifold 3a is open to the environment, and it has to be closed manually whenever the fuel cell stack 3 is not in operation.
The fuel cell stack 3 is disposed of in a first orientation adjacently to a front portion F of a frame 9 with a substantial gap in a longitudinal direction between the fuel cell power box 8 and the fuel cell stack 3. The fuel cell stack 3 is disposed of in a first orientation in a horizontal or vertical orientation, wherein the fuel cell stack 3 is disposed of adjacently forward to the front portion of said frame and ahead of the floorboard 10.
Figure 12 shows the left-side view of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle 1 assembly layout. The lithium-ion battery pack 2, a fuel cell stack 3, an oxidant exhaust manifold 3a from the fuel cell stack, an electric hub motor 4, the metal hydride canisters 5L1 and 5L2, a fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6, a motor controller 7 and a fuel cell power box 8 of the two-wheeled vehicle 1 are indicated.
When the two-wheeled vehicle 1 is viewed from the left side, the fuel cell power box 8 is mounted under the seat 11 of the vehicle 1. The fuel cell power box 8 contains two metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1 as the first layer and other two metal hydride canisters 5R2 and 5L2 as the second layer (5R1 and 5R2 are not shown in this view). The lithium-ion battery pack 2 is mounted below the metal hydride canister layers in the fuel cell power box 8. The fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 and the motor controller 7 are also mounted in a partitioned compartment of the fuel cell power box 8. An electric hub motor 4 is mounted to the rear wheel of the vehicle 1. The 1kW fuel cell stack 3 is mounted horizontally on the front side of the vehicle 1.
The metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2 are connected through an inter-connector tube. The required flow rate for the 1kW fuel cell stack 3 is delivered through the inter-connector tube. A pressure regulator controls the pressure of the flow from the metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2 to

the fuel cell stack 3. The metal hydride canisters pressure is electronically measured by a pressure transducer. The fuel cell stack 3 has a solenoid valve and a proportional valve. The valves are electronically controlled by the fuel cell controller 6. An oxidant exhaust manifold 3a is provided to emit water and heat formed as a by-product during combustion of hydrogen from the fuel cell stack 3.
Fuel cell stack mounted vertically on the front side
Figure 13 shows an isometric view of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle 1 with fuel cell power box 8 and fuel cell stack 3 is mounted vertically on the front side of the vehicle
Figure 14 indicates the fuel cell stack 3 with fuel cell stack balance of plants (pressure regulator, blower, heater, solenoid valve and proportional valve) and an electric hub motor 4 in the vehicle 1. The fuel cell stack 3 is mounted vertically on the front side of the vehicle 1 with an oxidant exhaust manifold 3a facing downwards. An electric hub motor 4 is mounted on the rear wheel of the vehicle
I. The fuel cell power box 8 (not shown in this view) is mounted below the seat
II. At the rear side of the vehicle, four metal hydride canisters (out of which only
two metal hydride canisters 5R2 and 5L2 are shown and other two metal hydride
canisters 5R1 and 5L1 are hidden) are mounted on the hidden fuel cell power box
8. The lithium-ion battery pack 2 (not shown in this view) is mounted below the
canister layers in the hidden fuel cell power box 8.
Figure 15 shows the sectional isometric view of the proposed two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle 1assembly layout. The fuel cell power box 8 which is mounted below the seat 11 contains four metal hydride canisters; metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1as the first layer, metal hydride canisters 5R2 and 5L2 as the second layer and a lithium-ion battery pack 2 (not shown in this view) as the third layer. The fuel cell power box 8 also contains the fuel cell controller, fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 and the motor controller 7. An electric hub motor 4 is mounted to the rear wheel of the vehicle 1.

The four metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2 are mounted below the seat 11 in two layers and a lithium-ion battery pack 2 is mounted below the metal hydride canister layers. The fuel cell stack 3 is mounted vertically on the front side of the vehicle 1.The fuel cell stack 3 is equipped with a pressure regulator, a blower, a solenoid valve, a proportional valve and two heaters. The motor controller 7 is mounted behind first layer metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1 in the fuel cell power box 8. The fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 are also mounted in a partition of the fuel cell power box 8. An oxidant exhaust manifold 3a is open to the environment.
The lithium-ion battery pack 2(not shown in this view) is connected to the motor controller 7, the fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6. The fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 is also connected to the motor controller 7. The fuel cell stack 3 operations are controlled by the fuel cell controller 6. The fuel cell stack 3 generates current by hydrogen combustion and gives an output voltage. The fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 controls the output voltage from the fuel cell stack 3. The by-product formed during combustion of hydrogen is expelled through an oxidant exhaust manifold 3a. The fuel exhaust pipe from the fuel cell stack 3 is controlled by the proportional valve to avoid fuel starvation. An oxidant exhaust manifold 3a is open to the environment and it has to be closed manually whenever the fuel cell stack 3 is not in operation.
The fuel cell stack 3 is disposed of in a first orientation adjacently to a front portion F of a frame 9 with a substantial gap in a longitudinal direction between the fuel cell power box 8 and the fuel cell stack 3. The fuel cell stack 3 is disposed of in a first orientation in a horizontal or vertical orientation, wherein the fuel cell stack 3 is disposed of adjacently forward to the front portion of said frame 9 and ahead of the floorboard 10.
Figure 16 shows the left-side view of the two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle 1 assembly layout. The lithium-ion battery pack 2, a fuel cell stack 3, an oxidant exhaust manifold 3a from the fuel cell stack 3, an electric hub motor 4, a metal hydride canisters 5L1and 5L2, a fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost

converter 6, a motor controller 7 and a fuel cell power box 8 of the two-wheeled vehicle 1 are indicated.
When the two-wheeled vehicle 1 is viewed from the left side, the fuel cell power box 8 is mounted below the seat 11 of the vehicle 1. The fuel cell power box 8 contains four metal hydride canisters; two metal hydride canisters 5R1 and 5L1 as the first layer and other two metal hydride canisters 5R2 and 5L2 as the second layer (5R1 and 5R2 are hidden in this view). The lithium-ion battery pack 2 is mounted below the metal hydride canister layers. The fuel cell controller and fuel cell buck or boost converter 6 and the motor controller 7 are mounted in a partitioned compartment of the fuel cell power box 8. An electric hub motor 4 is mounted to the rear wheel of the vehicle 1. The 1kW fuel cell stack 3 is mounted vertically on the front side of the vehicle 1.
The metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2 are connected through an inter-connector tube. The required flow rate for the 1kW fuel cell stack 3 is delivered through the inter-connector tube. A pressure regulator controls the pressure of the flow from the metal hydride canisters 5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2 to the fuel cell stack 3. The metal hydride canisters pressure is electronically measured by a pressure transducer. The fuel cell stack 3 has a solenoid valve and a proportional valve. The valves are electronically controlled by the fuel cell controller 6. An oxidant exhaust manifold 3a is provided to emit water and heat formed as a by-product during combustion of hydrogen from the fuel cell stack 3.

1. A two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle (1) comprising:
a fuel cell power box (8) employing one or more metal hydride canisters (5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2) for providing enhanced fuel cell vehicle range, said fuel cell power box (8) is mounted under a seat (11) of the vehicle (1); and
an electric hub motor (4) hub mounted to a wheel of said vehicle (1),
wherein,
a fuel cell stack (3) mounted on a front portion of said vehicle (1), said fuel cell stack (3) is disposed of in a first orientation adjacently to a front portion (F) of a frame (9) with a substantial gap in a longitudinal direction between the fuel cell power box (8) and the fuel cell stack (3).
2. The two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle (1) of Claim 1, wherein the fuel cell power box (8) includes four metal hydride canisters (5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2) connected with an interconnector tube to get required flow rate of fuel for at least 1kW fuel cell stack (3) and the flow rate being controlled by a pressure regulator, said four metal hydride canisters (5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2) are disposed of in vertical layers with two metal hydride canisters (5R1 and 5L1) disposed of in a first layer and other two metal hydride canisters (5R2 and 5L2) in a second layer.
3. The two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle (1) of Claim 1, wherein said fuel cell stack (3) disposed of in said first orientation including horizontal or vertical orientation, wherein said fuel stack (3) is disposed of adjacently rearward to the front portion of said frame (9) and at floorboard (10).
4. The two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle (1) of Claim 1, wherein said fuel cell stack (3) disposed of in a first orientation, said first orientation including a horizontal or vertical orientation, wherein said fuel cell stack (3) is disposed of adjacently forward to the front portion (F) of said frame (9) and ahead of the floorboard (10).

5. The two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle (1) of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the four metal hydride canisters (5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2) are disposed of rearward to the floorboard (10) and are forwardly inclined.
6. The two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle (1) of Claim 1, wherein the fuel cell stack (3) operations are controlled by a fuel cell controller (6) working with a fuel cell buck or boost convertor, said fuel cell controller (6) which is mounted on one partition of the fuel cell power box (8) and positioned rearward to the one or more metal hydride canisters (5R1, 5L1, 5R2 and 5L2).
7. The two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle (1) of Claim 1, wherein said vehicle (1) includes a motor controller (7) mounted behind said fuel cell power box (8).
8. The two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle (1) of Claim 1, wherein the fuel cell stack (3) has the fuel exhaust pipe (not shown in the layout) which is electronically controlled by the proportional valve to avoid fuel starvation.
9. The two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle (1) of Claim 1, wherein the fuel cell stack (3) includes an oxidant exhaust manifold (3a) open to the environment and capable of being closed manually whenever the fuel cell stack (3) is not in operation.
10. The two-wheeled fuel cell vehicle (1) of Claim 1, wherein a pressure regulator carries metal hydride canister pressure into the fuel cell stack (3), and the metal hydride canister pressure is electronically measured by a pressure transducer.