Demonstration of a Compact Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power System for UAS Propulsion
We have assembled and demonstrated a prototype power system that uses an innovative hydrogen generator to fuel an ultra-compact PEM fuel cell that is suitable for use in small unmanned aerial system (UAS) propulsion systems. The hydrogen generator uses thermal decomposition of ammonia borane (AB) to produce hydrogen from a very compact and lightweight package. An array of AB fuel pellets inside a low pressure container is activated sequentially to produce hydrogen on demand as it is consumed by the fuel cell. The fuel cell plant utilized in the power system prototype has been flown as part of several small UAS development programs and has logged hundreds of hours of flight time. The plant was designed specifically to be readily integrated with a range of hydrogen fueling subsystems and contains the balance of plant necessary to facilitate stand-alone operation. Based on results of these tests, we produced a conceptual design for a flight system. We project overall gravimetric and volumetric power densities of 350 W hr/L and 600 W hr/kg.
- Record URL:
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/19463855
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Supplemental Notes:
- Abstract reprinted with permission of SAE International.
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Authors:
- Izenson, Michael
- Bieszczad, Jerry
- Magari, Patrick
- Sisco, James
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Conference:
- SAE 2014 Aerospace Systems and Technology Conference
- Location: Cincinnati Ohio, United States
- Date: 2014-9-23 to 2014-9-25
- Publication Date: 2014-9-16
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Web
- Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
- Pagination: pp 135-141
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Serial:
- SAE International Journal of Aerospace
- Volume: 7
- Issue Number: 1
- Publisher: SAE International
- ISSN: 1946-3855
- EISSN: 1946-3901
- Serial URL: https://www.sae.org/publications/collections/content/e-journal-01/
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Drones; Fuel cells
- Uncontrolled Terms: Conceptual design; Hydrogen fuel cells
- Subject Areas: Aviation; Vehicles and Equipment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01621269
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: SAE International
- Report/Paper Numbers: 2014-01-2223
- Files: TRIS, SAE
- Created Date: Jan 5 2017 4:23PM