Eaton
Eaton Doe Fuel Cell Tech
Eaton Doe Fuel Cell Tech
Eaton Doe Fuel Cell Tech
Eaton Doe Fuel Cell Tech
Eaton Doe Fuel Cell Tech

Eaton, partners to advance hydrogen fuel-cell technology for heavy-duty trucks

Sept. 24, 2021
Power management company teams with Ballard, DOE to develop highly efficient cells that leverage its Twin Vortices superchargers for precision airflow

Eaton’s vehicle group is partnering with Ballard Fuel Cell Systems and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop heavy-duty truck fuel cell technology. The partnership is the result of a grant Eaton’s vehicle group received from the DOE to develop highly efficient hydrogen fuel cells capable of powering heavy-duty machinery.

The new fuel cell technology will leverage Eaton’s Twin Vortices Series (TVS) technology to improve fuel efficiency, Eaton said. This marks another important step its effort to decarbonize the transportation sector. 

“Our TVS supercharger technology provides fuel-cell manufacturers with a precise amount of controlled air to increase power and efficiency,” said Karl Sievertsen, vice president and chief technology officer for Eaton’s vehicle group. “The efficiency of competitive fuel cells is lower because most hydrogen fuel cells use simple fans for air flow, which produces less pressure and is not controllable.”

Eaton will leverage its Corporate Research Labs in Golden, Colo., and Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Southfield, Mich., to produce the technology, using cutting-edge power electronics and advanced 3D-printing. Eaton’s vehicle group will design and test a subscale, proof-of-concept system prototype utilizing its TVS technology that delivers a “significant reduction” in air system power consumption and fuel cell efficiency for heavy-duty truck applications.

Eaton’s TVS technology is ideal for harsh environments, as it can tolerate water, has operating maps with broad efficiency, and provides accurate air flow control in proportion to speed. These properties enable a water applicator to replace the humidifier to achieve higher operating pressure ratios and isentropic efficiencies.   

“The innovation will be demonstrated in a laboratory setting and will become a springboard for U.S. advanced manufacturing capabilities and technology leadership,” Sievertsen added.

Eaton is a global leader in supercharger technology, having produced more than 9 million units over more than 30 years, the company said. All Eaton supercharger components are produced in-house utilizing state-of-the-art manufacturing processes and feature a patented rotor coating for improved efficiency. Eaton’s powder coating fills gaps between rotor lobes, tips, and faces to mitigate air leakage and creates a near-zero clearance between components, resulting in optimal performance.

“We’re honored to be partnering with Ballard and the NREL to build this new, innovative technology that will address global climate change,” Sievertsen said. “Eaton has a long history of working with our industry counterparts and federal research organizations to create sustainable solutions, reduce our footprint and advance our vision of improving the quality of life and the environment.”

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