US4684581A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrogen diffusion fuel cell
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-07-10
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Granted: 1987-08-04
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Expires: 2006-07-10
Abstract
Abstract An elongate fuel cell with anode and cathode chambers. A fuel supply delivers a hot fuel gas mixture of steam and methanol or methane to the anode chamber. A catalytic reformer in the anode chamber reforms the fuel gas to hydrogen and carbon dioxide. A hydrogen-permeable anode in the anode chamber is premeated by and diffuses the hydrogen to hydrogen ions and free electrons. A catalytic cathode in the cathode chamber receives hydrogen ions from the anode and is supplied with oxygen from the air. A di-electric, hydrogen-ion-permeable separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode to stop movement of electrons and permit movement of hydrogen ions therebetween. An external electric circuit is connected with and extends between the anode and cathode and conducts the free electrons from the anode to the cathode. The hydrogen ions, oxygen and electrons in the cathode react to produce the by-products, heat and water.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph C. Struthers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:07
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; H01M8/10; H01M8/12; H01M8/1231; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A fuel cell comprising; an elongate case; a thin, flat separator part of non-porous, di-electric, hydrogen-permeable material between the ends of and extending transverse the case and defining anode and cathode chambers therein; a thin, flat anode part of non-porous, electric conductive, hydrogen-permeable metalic material in the anode chamber in flat contacting engagement with and co-extensive with said separator part; a flat, porous, catalytic cathode part in the cathode chamber in contacting engagement with the separator part; hydrogen supply means supplying hydrogen to said anode part within the anode chamber; oxidant gas supply means supplying oxidant gas to the cathode part within the cathode chamber; and, an external electric circuit connected with and between the anode and cathode parts; said anode part absorbs and is permeated by hydrogen supplied to it and diffuses the hydrogen to hydrogen ions and free electrons; the free electrons in the anode part are conducted from the anode part into the electric circuit to perform useful work; the hydrogen ions in the anode part move from the anode part through the separator part and into the cathode part; free electrons are conducted by the electric circuit into the cathode part; the hydrogen ions, oxidant gas and free electrons in the cathode part react and generate waste, heat and water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A fuel cell comprising; an elongate case; a thin, flat separator part of non-porous, di-electric, hydrogen-permeable material between the ends of and extending transverse the case and defining anode and cathode chambers therein; a thin, flat anode part of non-porous, electric conductive, hydrogen-permeable metalic material in the anode chamber in flat contacting engagement with and co-extensive with said separator part; a flat, porous, catalytic cathode part in the cathode chamber in contacting engagement with the separator part; hydrogen supply means supplying hydrogen to said anode part within the anode chamber; oxidant gas supply means supplying oxidant gas to the cathode part within the cathode chamber; and, an external electric circuit connected with and between the anode and cathode parts; said anode part absorbs and is permeated by hydrogen supplied to it and diffuses the hydrogen to hydrogen ions and free electrons; the free electrons in the anode part are conducted from the anode part into the electric circuit to perform useful work; the hydrogen ions in the anode part move from the anode part through the separator part and into the cathode part; free electrons are conducted by the electric circuit into the cathode part; the hydrogen ions, oxidant gas and free electrons in the cathode part react and generate waste, heat and water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the anode part is heated to increase its permeability and the rate of hydrogen diffusion therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the anode and separator parts are heated to increase their permeability and the rate of hydrogen diffusion and rate of movement of hydrogen ions therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein hydrogen is supplied to the anode part at greater pressure than the pressure within the cathode part and creates a pressure differential across the anode and separator parts that induces movement of hydrogen ions from the anode part through the separator part and into the cathode part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein hydrogen is supplied to the anode part at greater pressure than the pressure within the cathode part and creates a pressure differential across the anode and separator parts that induces movement of hydrogen ions from the anode part through the separator part and into the cathode part, the anode part is heated to increase its permeability and the rate of hydrogen diffusion therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein hydrogen is supplied to the anode part at greater pressure than the pressure within the cathode part and creates a pressure differential across the anode and separator parts that induces movement of hydrogen ions from the anode part through the separator part and into the cathode part, the anode part and separator part are heated to increase their permeability and the rate of hydrogen diffusion and rate of movement of hydrogen ions therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the hydrogen supply means includes a water supply, a methane supply, a heater heating water and methane into a super-heated feed gas mixture, a conductor conducting the feed gas to the anode chamber, a porous, catalytic reformer part in the anode chamber receiving and in which the feed gas is reformed to hydrogen that permeates the anode part and carbon dioxide which is conducted to waste.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the hydrogen supply means includes a water supply, a methanol supply, a heater heating water and methanol into a super-heated feed gas mixture, a conductor conducting the feed gas to the anode chamber, a porous, catalytic reformer part in the anode chamber receiving and in which the feed gas is reformed to hydrogen that permeates the anode part and carbon dioxide which is conducted to waste.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the hydrogen supply means includes a water supply, a methane supply, a heater heating water and methane into a super-heated feed gas mixture, a conductor conducting the feed gas to the anode chamber, a porous, catalytic reformer part in the anode chamber receiving and in which the feed gas is reformed to hydrogen that permeates the anode part and carbon dioxide which is conducted to waste, the anode part is heated to increase its permeability and the rate of hydrogen diffusion therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the hydrogen supply means includes a water supply, a methanol supply, a heater heating water and methanol into a super-heated feed gas mixture, a conductor conducting the feed gas to the anode chamber, a porous, catalytic reformer part in the anode chamber receiving and in which the feed gas is reformed to hydrogen that permeates the anode part and carbon dioxide which is conducted to waste, the anode part and separator part are heated to increase their permeability and the rate of hydrogen diffusion and rate of movement of hydrogen ions therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the hydrogen supply means includes a water supply, a methane supply, a heater heating water and methane into a super-heated feed gas mixture, a conductor conducting the feed gas to the anode chamber, a porous, catalytic reformer part in the anode chamber receiving and in which the feed gas is reformed to hydrogen that permeates the anode part and carbon dioxide which is conducted to waste, hydrogen is supplied to the anode part at greater pressure than the pressure within the cathode part and creates a pressure differential across the anode and separator parts that induces movement of hydrogen ions from the anode part through the separator part and into the cathode part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
122 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the hydrogen supply means includes a water supply, a methanol supply, a heater heating water and methanol into a super-heated feed gas mixture, a conductor conducting the feed gas to the anode chamber, a porous, catalytic reformer part in the anode chamber receiving and in which the feed gas is reformed to hydrogen that permeates the anode part and carbon dioxide which is conducted to waste, hydrogen is supplied to the anode part at greater pressure than the pressure within the cathode part and creates a pressure differential across the anode and separator parts that induces movement of hydrogen ions from the anode part through the separator part and into the cathode part.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
138 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the hydrogen supply means includes a water supply, a methane supply, a heater heating water and methane into a super-heated fuel gas mixture, a conductor conducting the feed gas to the anode chamber, a porous, catalytic reformer part in the anode chamber receiving and in which the feed gas is reformed to hydrogen that permeates the anode part and carbon dioxide which is conducted to waste, the anode part is heated to increase its permeability and the rate of hydrogen diffusion therein, hydrogen is supplied to the anode part at greater pressure than the pressure within the cathode part and creates a pressure differential across the anode and separator parts that induces movement of hydrogen ions from the anode part through the separator part and into the cathode part.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
148 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the hydrogen supply means includes a water supply, a methanol supply, a heater heating water and methanol into a super-heated feed gas mixture, a conductor conducting the feed gas to the anode chamber, a porous, catalytic reformer part in the anode chamber receiving and in which the feed gas is reformed to hydrogen that permeates the anode part and carbon dioxide which is conducted to waste, the anode part and separator part are heated to increase their permeability and the rate of hydrogen diffusion and rate of movement of hydrogen ions therein, hydrogen is supplied to the anode part at greater pressure than the pressure within the cathode part and creates a pressure differential across the anode and separator parts that induces movement of hydrogen ions from the anode part through the separator part and into the cathode part.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the oxidant gas is oxygen and is supplied to the cathode part from air moved into and through the cathode chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the anode part is made of elements selected from Series 4, 5, and 6 of Group VIII of the Periodic Table.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the anode part is made of elements selected from Series 4, 5, and 6 of Group VIII alloyed with elements selected from Series 4, 5 and 6 of Group B.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the seperator part is a hydrogen ion perm-selective solid-state electrolyte made of an ionic compound in accordance with the formula [x(2H 3 O + .OO -- )].[yA m O n .ZB 2 O 3 ] as described.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the seperator part is a hydrogen ion perm-selective solid-state electrolyte made of an ionic compound in accordance with the formula (2H 3 O + .OO -- ).(BeO.10Al 2 O 3 ).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The fuel cell set forth in claim 1 wherein the seperator part is made of elements selected from Series 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Groups IV A, V A, and VI A of the Periodic Table of Elements.
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) | 1990-08-03 | 1991-02-02 | 1991-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-03 | 1995-02-02 | 1995-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-03 | 1999-02-02 | 1999-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |