Enhanced mission duration for an underwater vehicle using a PEM fuel cell power source

A one kilowatt (80 ampere-hour) prototype fuel cell based on proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology is being developed to replace the silver-zinc batteries of a prototype deep-ocean observation vehicle. Initial tests indicate that mission duration capabilities will be doubled and mission turn-around times decreased. The fuel cell stack, reactant storage, support systems, and microprocessor controls have been designed to occupy the same volume as the existing battery system and meet existing weight and thermal specifications. Thus, mechanical and electrical modifications to the vehicle are minimal. A system description of the fuel cell power source along with preliminary bench test results are presented. Design considerations for developing a compact fuel cell system are addressed