Claims
- 1. A fuel-cell-powered four-wheel automobile having a chassis which is of a rectangular shape as viewed in plan with four wheels positioned at respective four corners thereof, a riding seat disposed substantially centrally on the chassis, a flat floor mounted on said chassis in front of the riding seat, and an electric motor for moving the four-wheel automobile, wherein a tank is disposed beneath said floor for storing methanol and water, a reforming unit is disposed beneath said floor for generating hydrogen from methanol and water supplied from the tank, a fuel cell is disposed beneath said floor for generating electricity from an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen generated by the reforming unit and oxygen in air, and a secondary battery is disposed beneath said floor for storing electricity generated by the fuel cell.
- 2. The fuel-cell-powered four-wheel automobile according to claim 1, wherein said fuel cell and said electric motor are disposed respectively on the left and right sides or the right and left sides of a central line which divides the chassis into left and right portions.
- 3. A fuel-cell-powered four-wheel vehicle, comprising:
a substantially rectangular chassis; four wheels positioned at respective four corners of said chassis; a riding seat disposed substantially centrally on said chassis; a substantially flat floor mounted on said chassis in front of said riding seat; an electric motor for moving the four-wheel vehicle; a tank disposed beneath said floor for storing methanol and water; a reforming unit disposed beneath said floor for generating hydrogen from methanol and water supplied from said tank; a fuel cell disposed beneath said floor for generating electricity from an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen generated by said reforming unit and oxygen in air; and a secondary battery disposed beneath said floor for storing electricity generated by said fuel cell.
- 4. The fuel-cell-powered four-wheel vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said fuel cell and said electric motor are disposed on opposite sides of a central line which divides said chassis into left and right sides.
- 5. The fuel-cell-powered four-wheel vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising a case which houses said tank, said reforming unit, and said fuel cell therein.
- 6. The fuel-cell-powered four-wheel vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said case further houses said secondary battery therein.
- 7. The fuel-cell-powered four-wheel vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said case has an opening therein, and said floor comprises a cover which closes said opening.
- 8. The fuel-cell-powered four-wheel vehicle according to claim 7, wherein said floor has stiffener ribs therein.
- 9. The fuel-cell-powered four-wheel vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising an air cleaner located remotely from said case.
- 10. The fuel-cell-powered four-wheel vehicle according to claim 9, further comprising an air pipe interconnected between said air cleaner and said case.
- 11. The fuel-cell-powered four-wheel vehicle according to claim 10, wherein said air pipe includes an air pump therein.
- 12. A vehicle, comprising:
a chassis having a floor; a plurality of wheels supporting said chassis; a case located below said floor; a tank disposed in said case for storing methanol and water; a reforming unit disposed in said case for generating hydrogen from methanol and water supplied from said tank; a fuel cell disposed in said case for generating electricity from an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen generated by said reforming unit and oxygen in air; and a secondary battery disposed in said case for storing electricity generated by said fuel cell.
- 13. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said case has an opening therein, and said floor comprises a cover which closes said opening.
- 14. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein said floor has stiffener ribs therein.
- 15. The vehicle according to claim 12, further comprising an air cleaner located remotely from said case.
- 16. The vehicle according to claim 15, further comprising an air pipe interconnected between said air cleaner and said case.
- 17. The vehicle according to claim 17, wherein said air pipe includes an air pump therein.
- 18. The vehicle according to claim 12, further comprising:
a riding seat disposed substantially centrally on said chassis and rearwardly of said floor; and an electric motor located rearwardly of said seat for driving the vehicle.
- 19. The vehicle according to claim 18, further comprising:
an air cleaner located remotely from said case; an air pipe interconnected between said air cleaner and said case; and an air pump located in said air pipe.
- 20. The vehicle according to claim 19, wherein said fuel cell and said electric motor are disposed on opposite sides of a central line which divides said chassis into left and right sides.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2000-352980 |
Nov 2000 |
JP |
|
Parent Case Info
[0001] This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) on Patent Application No. 2000-352980 filed in Japan on Nov. 20, 2000, which is herein incorporated by reference.