US4376097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrogen generator for motor vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-02-27
•
Granted: 1983-03-08
•
Expires: 2001-02-27
Abstract
Abstract Oxalic acid, dispersed in glycerol is heated to form formic acid which is then heated at a higher temperature to form hydrogen. By-product carbon dioxide is absorbed. The hydrogen is used directly with a fuel cell to produce electricity or as fuel for an internal combustion engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Melvin Emelock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; B; B60; B60K; B60K8/00; C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/22; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S123/00; Y10S123/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising a first chamber means containing a dispersion of oxalic acid in a liquid medium, first heating means associated with said first chamber means for heating said dispersion to a temperature whereby the oxalic acid decomposes to form formic acid gas and carbon dioxide, conducting means to transport said formic acid gas from said first chamber means to a second chamber means, and a second heating means, associated with said second chamber means for heating said formic acid so as to form hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising a first chamber means containing a dispersion of oxalic acid in a liquid medium, first heating means associated with said first chamber means for heating said dispersion to a temperature whereby the oxalic acid decomposes to form formic acid gas and carbon dioxide, conducting means to transport said formic acid gas from said first chamber means to a second chamber means, and a second heating means, associated with said second chamber means for heating said formic acid so as to form hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the medium is glycerol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first heating means causes said first chamber means to be maintained at a temperature of about 120° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second heating means causes said second chamber means to be maintained at a temperature of about 160° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes a fuel cell to which the hydrogen gas is conducted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes an internal combustion engine to which the hydrogen gas is conducted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes means for absorbing the carbon dioxide formed during the reactions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes means for recirculating the dispersion through said first chamber means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes vacuum means for conducting the hydrogen gas out of said apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes storage battery means, and fuel cells to which the hydrogen is conducted, the number of fuel cells being such as to supply the appropriate required voltage for the storage battery means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first chamber means includes an inert gas-permeable wall through which the formic acid gas can escape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising a first chamber means containing oxalic acid, first heating means associated with said first chamber means for heating said oxalic acid to a temperature whereby the oxalic acid decomposes to form formic acid gas and carbon dioxide, conducting means to transport said formic acid gas from said first chamber means to a second chamber means, and a second heating means associated with said second chamber means for heating said formic acid so as to form hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising a first chamber means containing oxalic acid, first heating means associated with said first chamber means for heating said oxalic acid to a temperature whereby the oxalic acid decomposes to form formic acid gas and carbon dioxide, conducting means to transport said formic acid gas from said first chamber means to a second chamber means, and a second heating means associated with said second chamber means for heating said formic acid so as to form hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US583104A
Cited
US1790635A
Cited
US1363488A
Cited
US1970634A
Cited
US3107304A
Cited
US3313598A
Cited
US3517766A
Cited
US3719749A
Cited
US4018190A
Cited
US4119862A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-03-07 | 1986-09-06 | 1987-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-07 | 1990-09-06 | 1991-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-07 | 1994-09-06 | 1995-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |