Lightweight direct methanol fuel cell and supporting systems

a fuel cell and direct methanol technology, applied in the field of fuel cells, can solve the problems of high cost of liquefying hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures, large insulated containers for storing liquefied hydrogen, and relatively high cost of compressing and storing hydrogen gas
US20070015035A1Inactive Publication Date: 2007-01-18CREARE INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
CREARE INC
Publication Date
2007-01-18
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A lightweight direct methanol fuel cell unit (20) comprising a fuel cell stack (24) enclosed within a housing (22). In one embodiment the fuel cell stack includes a plurality of polymer electrolyte membrane electrode assemblies (52) stacked alternatingly with a plurality of bipolar plates (48). Each bipolar plate includes a cathode flow field (78) defined by a porous cathode flow field structure (56) and an anode flow field (62) defined by an upper plate (58) and a lower plate (60) separated from one another by a plurality of spacers (64). The anode flow fields are manifolded with one another via manifold embossments (118, 120) that are hermetically sealed with one another with a gasket (126). The fuel cell stack and housing are shaped so as to form four manifold regions (36) in the spaces between the fuel cell stack and housing. The fuel cell stack is compressed within the housing by compression members (94) located between the fuel cell stack and housing so as to place the sidewall (30) of the housing into tension. Supporting systems for the fuel cell unit include a fuel handling system (502), an oxidant handling system (600), and a liquid inventory control system (700).
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Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 276,314, filed Mar. 16, 2001, entitled “Compact, Lightweight Direct Methanol Fuel Cell.”STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

[0002] This invention was made with Government support under contract MDA972-01-C-0070 awarded by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency. The Government has certain rights in the invention.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is generally related to the field of fuel cells. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a lightweight fuel cell stack and supporting systems therefor. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A fuel cell electrochemically converts a fuel and an oxidant into direct current electricity that may be used to power any of a variety of electrical devices, such as electromechanical equipment, e.g., motors and actuators, digital and analog circuits, e.g., microprocessors and radio transmitters, and...

Claims

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