System and method for recovering energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply for use in a vehicle

This invention relates to a system and a method for recovering potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply in a vehicle and more particularly, to a system and method which uses a turbine and generator to recover potential energy stored within hydrogen gas that is supplied to a fuel cell that is used to power the vehicle, thereby improving the efficiency and the fuel economy of the vehicle. A system is provided for recovering the potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply within a fuel cell powered vehicle . The system includes a conventional storage tank which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an energy conversion unit or assembly , a compressor unit or assembly , pressure regulators , a valve , an electrical charge storage device or battery , a controller , vehicle sensors and electrical switches or switching module . The system selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through energy conversion unit which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas and generates electricity. Controller causes the generated electricity to be selectively communicated to compressor , electrical accessories , and/or to battery by use of switching module based upon vehicle attribute data received from sensors