Ford Taps Eaton to Provide Air Delivery Compressors for Fuel Cell Demo Program

Energy Resource, Nov 17, 2006

Eaton Corporation has been selected by Ford Motor Company to provide advanced air delivery compressors to the automaker's FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership fuel cell demonstration program.

The FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership includes the U.S. Department of Energy and USCAR, whose members are DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford and General Motors Corporation; and five energy suppliers, BP America, Chevron Corporation, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil Corporation and Shell Hydrogen (U.S.). In addition, a large number of businesses, suppliers, national laboratories and universities participate in the research which is centered on "the hydrogen economy."

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"Using fuel cells in automobiles presents a unique air delivery challenge," said Glenn Gouldey, vice president, Technology and Planning, Eaton's Automotive Group. "The combination of efficiency, pressure ratio, size, flow rate and cost requires a delicate balance that we've achieved through our relationships with multiple fuel cell stack manufacturers."

Eaton has been developing engine air management components and systems for passenger vehicles and stationary engine manufacturers for decades. Its expertise includes Roots-type superchargers and by working with the fuel cell stack manufacturers, the company said its advanced engineering group has successfully applied the supercharger compressor technology to the unique fuel cell environment.

Eaton now offers additional types of compressors and compressor technologies for various fuel cell stack sizes and applications.

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