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US4185145A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fuel cell electrolyte reservoir layer and method for making
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1978-09-11
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Granted: 1980-01-22
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Expires: 1998-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A porous graphite reservoir layer for retaining electrolyte within a fuel cell is improved by coating the pore surfaces of the reservoir layer with wettable, particulate amorphous carbon. Preferably the amorphous carbon particles are colloidal and have a mean pore size considerably smaller than the pore size of the body which they coat. This coated reservoir retains its hydrophilic properties for an extended period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard D. Breault
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:23
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/02; H01M8/0271; H01M4/00; H01M4/86; H01M4/96; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
20 words
A reservoir comprising a porous, hydrophilic graphite body having a coating of particulate, wettable, amorphous carbon on its pore surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
A reservoir comprising a porous, hydrophilic graphite body having a coating of particulate, wettable, amorphous carbon on its pore surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said amorphous carbon has an oxygen content of at least 1.0 weight percent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said particulate carbon is colloidal in particle size.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The reservoir according to claim 1 wherein the mean pore size of said particulate carbon is at least two orders of magnitude less than the mean pore size of the uncoated graphite body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The reservoir according to claim 1 wherein the mean pore size of said particulate carbon is less than 0.1 micron.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The reservoir according to claim 3 wherein said coating is so thin the porosity of the coated body is virtually unchanged from that of the uncoated body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said graphite body comprises graphitized carbon fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
An electrolyte reservoir comprising a porous, hydrophilic graphite body having a coating of colloidal size amorphous carbon articles on its pore surfaces, said particles having an oxygen content of at least 1.0 weight percent and a mean pore size of less than 0.1 micron, said coated reservoir having a porosity of at least 50%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
An electrolyte reservoir comprising a porous, hydrophilic graphite body having a coating of colloidal size amorphous carbon articles on its pore surfaces, said particles having an oxygen content of at least 1.0 weight percent and a mean pore size of less than 0.1 micron, said coated reservoir having a porosity of at least 50%.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The reservoir according to claim 8 having a porosity of at least 75%, wherein the mean pore size of said graphite body is between 10 and 100μ.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reservoir according to claim 9 wherein said graphite body comprises graphitized carbon fibers bonded together with a resin which has been converted to graphite.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The reservoir according to claim 9 wherein said graphite body comprises graphitized carbon fibers bonded together with pyrolytic graphite.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
In an improved fuel cell utilizing a phosphoric acid electrolyte and a porous reservoir layer for controlling electrolyte volume within the cell, the reservoir layer comprising graphitized carbon fibers bonded together, the improvement comprising: a coating of particulate, wettable, amorphous carbon on the pore surfaces of said reservoir layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
In an improved fuel cell utilizing a phosphoric acid electrolyte and a porous reservoir layer for controlling electrolyte volume within the cell, the reservoir layer comprising graphitized carbon fibers bonded together, the improvement comprising: a coating of particulate, wettable, amorphous carbon on the pore surfaces of said reservoir layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improved fuel cell according to claim 12 wherein said reservoir layer includes a catalyst layer adjacent and in continuous contact therewith.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improved fuel cell according to claim 12 wherein said amorphous carbon particles are colloidal and have a mean pore size at least two orders of magnitude less than the mean pore size of the uncoated reservoir layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improved fuel cell according to claim 14 wherein said coated reservoir layer has a porosity of at least 75%.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-01-21 | 1983-07-23 | 1984-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-01-21 | 1987-07-23 | 1988-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-01-21 | 1991-07-23 | 1992-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |