Solid Fuel Devices for Fuel Cells
a fuel cell and solid fuel technology, applied in the field of fuel cells, can solve the problems of cumbersome storage of this fuel, significant complexity and size of the unit using fuel cells for power generation, and high cost of reforming a fuel
Inactive Publication Date: 2007-06-07
INT BUSINESS MASCH CORP
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Benefits of technology
Enables efficient, controlled release of hydrogen to the fuel cell, reducing fuel wastage and maintaining a sealed environment, thereby enhancing the performance and longevity of portable electronic devices powered by fuel cells.
Problems solved by technology
Hydrogen is a high energy, low pollution fuel, however, the storage of this fuel is cumbersome, both from an energy density and safety point of view.
Reforming of a fuel is expensive, and adds significantly to the complexity and size of a unit using fuel cells for power generation.
In early development of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC), using gaseous methanol required a high heat, which brought about the degradation of the fuel cell membranes.
However, the liquid phase presents drawbacks also, not the least of which is cross over of the membrane by the methanol and contamination of the cathode.
As with vapor phase fuel cells, liquid phase fuel cells also have handling problems.
Specific problems include some orientations of the fuel cells or portable devices allow liquid fuel to flow out of openings for releasing waste gases, and liquid fuel cells have the problem of the high concentration of liquid methanol permeating through to be oxidized at the cathode which reduces fuel cell efficiency.
Method used
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[0017] Fuel cells are useful devices for supplying electronic devices with a steady source of electrical power. However, the fuel cells require a steady supply of fuel, and for portable electronic devices, a fuel that is in a self-contained cartridge is desirable. The cartridge should also be attachable to the fuel cell in such a manner that a seal is provided such that the fuel cell anode compartment is sealed gas and liquid tight while open to the full in the cartridge.
[0018] In operation, the fuel cell generates electricity as long as fuel is supplied to the fuel cell. The fuel cell does not turn off when the power is no longer needed, but continues to run when fuel is fed to the fuel cell. However, for many portable electronic devices, intermittent electrical power is needed. Therefore, a means of controlling the flow of fuel to the fuel cell is needed, and a method of controlling the intermittent power required to be generated by a fuel cell is needed. A battery provides the a...
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A fuel cartridge for a fuel cell, and a fuel cell design is presented wherein the system allows the intermittent use of the fuel in the cartridge. The fuel cell and cartridge provide improved design characteristics that improve the portability of fuel cells for use in portable electronic devices.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a Division of copending application Ser. No. 10 / 648,562 filed Aug. 26, 2003, and claims priority from application Ser. No. 60 / 451,314, filed Feb. 28, 2003, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to fuel cells. Specifically, this invention relates to containers for holding solid fuels for fuel cells and devices for loading the containers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Fuel cells have developed as a method of generating electricity from chemicals. Some early development focused on using hydrogen as a clean fuel source for producing power. Work has been done on the storage and generation of hydrogen for use in fuel cells and is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,051, U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,229, U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,349, U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,231, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,478. Hydrogen is a high energy, low pollution fuel, however, the s...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): B65D6/00B65D25/04
CPCH01M8/04208H01M8/065H01M8/1011H01M2250/30Y02E60/50Y02B90/18Y02B90/10
InventorTOWLER, GAVIN P.OROSKAR, ANIL R.VANDEN BUSSCHE, KURT M.
OwnerINT BUSINESS MASCH CORP