US3765946A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fuel cell system
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1971-08-18
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1991-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A fuel cell system comprising an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte in combination with a reformer system comprising a reformer and reformer gas separator is described. The reformer gas separator comprises a first membrane selectively permeable to a consumable reactant gas (hydrogen) and a second membrane spaced from said first membrane selectively permeable to impurities or detrimental gases (CO2). A sweep gas is maintained at the downstream side of the second membrane reducing the partial pressure of the detrimental gas and effectively increasing the partial pressure of the reactant gas providing a more efficient system.
Inventors
- 👤 L Werner
- 👤 J Trocciola
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:33
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
19 words
The fuel cell system of claim 1 wherein said anode and downstream side of said first membrane are contiguous.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
The fuel cell system of claim 1 wherein the first membrane is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, polytrifluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacrylonitryl, polytrifluorochloro ethylene, and co-polymers thereof; and said second membrane is a member of the group consisting of silicone rubber, polybutadiene, neoprene, butyl rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, and polyesteramide-diisocyanate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The fuel cell system of claim 3 which includes a plurality of fuel cells with the gas separator being constructed and arranged in operative association with said plurality of fuel cells for feeding the anodes of said plurality of cells with reactant gas from the downstream side of said first membrane.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
146 words
The method of generating electricity in a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte constructed and arranged in operative association with a gas separator comprising a gas passage between first and second membranes, said first membrane being selectively permeable to a consumable fuel cell reactant gas and substantially non-permeable to a gas non-consumable in said fuel cell and the second membrane being substantially impermeable to the consumable fuel cell reactant gas and selectively permeable to gas impurities contained in said reactant gas, comprising feeding a reactant gas comprising a mixture of consumable and non-consumable gases into said gas passage, and simultaneously sweeping the downstream side of said second membrane with a sweep gas and removing reactant gas from the downstream side of said first membrane and feeding said purified reactant gas to the anode of said fuel cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the anode of said fuel cell is contiguous with downstream side of said first membrane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell and said gas separator is spaced adjacent from said plurality of fuel cells and the reactant gas Removed from the downstream side of said first membrane is fed to the anode of the plurality of cells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the first membrane is selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, polytrifluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytrifluorochloro ethylene, polyacrylonitryl and copolymers thereof; and the second membrane is selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, polybutadiene, neoprene, butyl rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, and polyesteramide diisocyanate.
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) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |