Abstract:
The present invention increases the amount of hydrogen produced or released from reactions between a metal hydride fuel and liquid reactant. The present invention also decreases the volume of a hydrogen generating cartridge by reducing the pH of the liquid reactant.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are multiple embodiments of a hydrogen generator (10) that measures, transports or stores a single dose of a viscous fuel component from first fuel chamber (12) in storage area (38) when the internal hydrogen pressure (44, 44') of the hydrogen generator is high, and transports this single dose to a metal hydride fuel component in second fuel chamber (14) when the internal pressure is low, so that the viscous liquid and metal hydride fuel components react together to generate more hydrogen and to restart the cycle. The viscous fuel component can be water or alcohol, such as methanol, in liquid or gel form, and the metal hydride fuel component can be sodium borohydride or other metal hydride that chemically reacts with the viscous fuel to produce hydrogen. The metal hydride fuel component can be in solid or viscous form, e.g., aqueous form.
Abstract:
A fuel supply (1) including a cover (2) having an opening (8) for access to the fuel. The cover (2) includes a shutter (12) or similar element for closing off the opening (8) to increase the operational resistance to the insertion and/or removal of the fuel supply (1). In one embodiment, the cover (1) includes a support (6) with a rotatable cap (4), where the rotation of the cap causes the shutter (12) to open. In another embodiment, the cover includes a base and a slidable cap, where the slidable cap is the shutter. The shutter (12) may be manually actuated, mechanically actuated or electrically actuated. The cover (2) may be biased to the open position or to the closed position.
Abstract:
The present application is directed to a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) used within a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is separated from the reaction solution by passing through a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) having a hydrophobic lattice like member (36) disposed within a hydrogen output composite (32) further enhancing the ability of the hydrogen output composite's ability to separate out hydrogen gas and prolonging its useful life.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns a hydrogen gas-generating apparatus (10) comprising (1) a reservoir (100) comprising an aqueous component (110), (2) a fuel compartment (200) comprising a solid metal borohydride fuel component (210), and (3) a reaction chamber (300) comprising an aerogel catalyst (310). A first fluid path introduces the aqueous component into the fuel compartment where the solid metal borohydride fuel component is dissolved into a liquid metal borohydride fuel component (210'). A second fluid path introduces the liquid metal borohydride fuel component into the reaction chamber to produce a hydrogen gas by means of a hydride- water oxidation reaction that is accelerated by the aerogel catalyst. The temperature and/or pressure of the reaction chamber are predetermined to maintain the water in the borate byproduct to be substantially in the liquid phase to minimize the precipitation of the borate byproduct.
Abstract:
A refillable fuel supply assembly for a fuel cell is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a refillable fuel supply adapted to supply fuel to a fuel cell, a refilling fuel cartridge containing fuel to be transferred to the refillable fuel supply, and a lock-and-release device connecting the refilling fuel cartridge to the refillable fuel supply to transport fuel from the refilling fuel cartridge to the refillable fuel supply. The lock-and-release device also retains the refilling fuel cartridge to the refillable fuel supply until the refilling fuel cartridge is substantially free of fuel.
Abstract:
A fuel supply (1) including a cover (2) having an opening (8) for access to the fuel. The cover (2) includes a shutter (12) or similar element for closing off the opening (8) to increase the operational resistance to the insertion and/or removal of the fuel supply (1). In one embodiment, the cover (1) includes a support (6) with a rotatable cap (4), where the rotation of the cap causes the shutter (12) to open. In another embodiment, the cover includes a base and a slidable cap, where the slidable cap is the shutter. The shutter (12) may be manually actuated, mechanically actuated or electrically actuated. The cover (2) may be biased to the open position or to the closed position.
Abstract:
A fuel cell (9) includes a removable and replaceable fuel supply (12) having fuel disposed therein. A system for monitoring various parameters of the fuel such as temperature, pressure, and the levels of dissolved oxygen is provided. A plurality of sensors (30) is disposed on the fuel supply side that is capable of communicating with a controller (18) and memory (13) on the fuel cell side. In another embodiment, at least one sensor for measuring a system parameter of the fuel communicates with an RFID tag (50) either remotely or via a hardwired link. The sensor and/or the RFID tag may be coated with a substance impervious to the caustic fuel. An RFID reader station collects the data. The controller may be included to use the data in real time to alter system parameters, such as fuel pumping rates or a bleed off, or to trigger a signal, such as to notify a user of an empty fuel supply. In another embodiment, an optical sensor (61, 102) may be used.
Abstract:
A gas-generating apparatus (10) includes a reaction chamber (18) containing a solid fuel component (24) and a liquid fuel component (22) that is introduced into the reaction chamber by a fluid path, such as a tube, nozzle, or valve. The flow of the liquid fuel to the solid fuel is self-regulated. Other embodiments of the gas-generating apparatus are also disclosed.