US3664873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-regulating encapsulated fuel cell system
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1969-04-21
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1989-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A hydrogen and oxygen fuel cell powerplant is disclosed wherein the fuel cell is encapsulated within a sealed pressure tank for undersea applications. The system is self-regulating to compensate for variations in the venting and leaking of reactant gases. Hydrogen gas in the capsule is reacted or burned, and the resulting water vapor is condensed and collected in a tank at the bottom of the capsule. A simple method of controlling the reactant purge flow has been devised to include essentially a pressure regulator in the oxygen purge line and an orifice in the hydrogen purge line.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard F Buswell
- 👤 Peter G Nicholas
- 👤 William J Olsson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:43
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; H01M8/02; H01M8/0202; H01M8/0267; H01M8/04223; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein the circulating atmosphere intially is oxygen enriched air.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 2, wherein the catalytic reactor bed contains granular supported platinum catalyst pellets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 3, wherein the means for regulating the oxygen vent flow is a downstream pressure regulator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 3, wherein the means includes a catalytic igniter for consuming vent hydrogen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
118 words
An encapsulated fuel cell power plant system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for regulating the oxygen vent flow from the module comprises an oxygen vent line from said module to the interior of said outer casing sized to maintain a low pressure drop between said fuel cell module and the interior of said outer casing including pressure regulating means to control the vent oxygen to maintain a predetermined pressure in said module, and wherein said restriction in said hydrogen vent comprises an orifice sized so that the pressure drop between said fuel cell module and the interior of said outer casing is about 5 to 10 times the pressure drop in the oxygen vent line.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |