| APFCT has completed the development of two generations of prototype Fuel Cell / Ni-MH Bettary Hybrid Wheelchair is developed by APFCT for its strategic partner Kurimoto Ltd. of Japan(http://www.kurimoto.co.jp), Currently two generations of fuel cell / NiMH battery hybrid wheelchair prototypes have been completed.
APFCT specializes in the design and engineering of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks and systems, ranged from 100 W to 12 kW.
The hybrid fuel cell wheelchair provides the platform for testing and verification of APFCT's fuel cell stack/system technologies. In addition to fuel cell wheelchair, APFCT has successfully applied its stack and system technologies to other application products, such as electric fuel cell scooter and mobile fuel cell power generator.
The 1st generation prototype wheelchair was completed in Oct. 2003 and is the world's first high performance electric wheelchair powered by a hybrid fuel cell system. Its speed is 6 kph and 10 hours of continuous operations using 3 metal hydride hydrogn storage canisters. It was exhibited at the 2003 Fuel Cell Seminar Conference at Miami Beach, FL,USA; the 15th World Hydrogen Energy Conference in July 2004 at Yokohama, Japan; and at Japan Osaka Castle in Auguest 2004.
The 2nd generation wheelchair was successfully completed in June 2004. Compared to the 1st generation, its maximum power was increased to 1,000 watts and driving range was increased to 12 hours continuous operations. The improved electronic control also enhanced system efficiency and reliability. It was exhibited at the 2004 Fuel Cell Seminar Conference in San Antonio, TX,USA and at the 1st International Fuel Cell Expo in January 2005 in Tokyo. |
