US4795683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High power density evaporatively cooled ion exchange membrane fuel cell
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1987-07-23
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Granted: 1989-01-03
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Expires: 2007-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A method of evaporatively cooling an ion exchange membrane electrolyte fuel cell is disclosed. Liquid water mist 3 is introduced into the anode 6. A desiccant material 8 directs the liquid water mist 3 to the ion exchange membrane 12. Evaporation of a portion of both the product water and the supplied liquid water cools the cell and eliminates the need for a separate cooling chamber, resulting in a cell with high packing density, high current density capability and a large power to weight ratio.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. McElroy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04007; H01M8/04291; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0065; H01M2300/0082; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; H01M8/04119; H01M8/04156; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A fuel cell comprising an anode containing a catalyst, an ion exchange membrane electrolyte, a cathode and wet proofing means wherein the improvement comprises: (a) aspirator means to form a liquid water mist from supplied liquid water; (b) means for controlling the amount of liquid water supplied to the anode; and (c) a desiccant material within the anode to transport the liquid water mist to the ion exchange membrane and to prevent local area flooding; wherein fuel cell cooling is effectuated by the evaporation of sufficient liquid water from the cathode through the wet proofing means so as to eliminate the need for a separate cooling compartment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A fuel cell comprising an anode containing a catalyst, an ion exchange membrane electrolyte, a cathode and wet proofing means wherein the improvement comprises: (a) aspirator means to form a liquid water mist from supplied liquid water; (b) means for controlling the amount of liquid water supplied to the anode; and (c) a desiccant material within the anode to transport the liquid water mist to the ion exchange membrane and to prevent local area flooding; wherein fuel cell cooling is effectuated by the evaporation of sufficient liquid water from the cathode through the wet proofing means so as to eliminate the need for a separate cooling compartment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A fuel cell as claimed in claim 1 in which the amount of desiccant material within the anode is about 5% to about 50% of the catalyst.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fuel cell as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: means for recirculating hydrogen gas into the anode to help control the amount of liquid water supplied to the anode.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of cooling a fuel cell comprising an anode containing a catalyst, an ion exchange membrane electrolyte, a cathode, and wet proofing means wherein the improvement comprises: (a) forming a liquid water mist from supplied liquid water; (b) controlling the amount of liquid water mist introduced into the anode to prevent flooding of the anode; (c) adding a desiccant material to the anode to prevent local area flooding and to transport the liquid water mist through the anode to the ion exchange membrane; and (d) evaporating water formed in the cathode and passed through the wet proofing means so as to cool the fuel cell.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of cooling a fuel cell comprising an anode containing a catalyst, an ion exchange membrane electrolyte, a cathode, and wet proofing means wherein the improvement comprises: (a) forming a liquid water mist from supplied liquid water; (b) controlling the amount of liquid water mist introduced into the anode to prevent flooding of the anode; (c) adding a desiccant material to the anode to prevent local area flooding and to transport the liquid water mist through the anode to the ion exchange membrane; and (d) evaporating water formed in the cathode and passed through the wet proofing means so as to cool the fuel cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of cooling a fuel cell as claimed in claim 4 in which the amount of liquid water mist introduced into the anode is about two times the amount of product water formed to about seven times the amount of product water formed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of cooling a fuel cell as claimed in claim 4 in which the amount of desiccant material added is about 5% to about 50% of the catalyst.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of cooling a fuel cell as claimed in claim 4 further comprising: recirculating hydrogen fuel into the anode to help control the amount of liquid water supplied to the anode.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of increasing current directly capabilities in a fuel cell having an anode, an ion exchange membrane electrolyte, a cathode and wetproofing means comprising: (a) supplying liquid water mist to the anode; (b) controlling the amount of liquid water mist to prevent flooding of the anode; (c) transporting the liquid water to the ion exchange membrane to essentially eliminate the ion exchange membrane water gradient thereby lessening internal resistance of the cell and increasing current density and power density capabilities.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of increasing current directly capabilities in a fuel cell having an anode, an ion exchange membrane electrolyte, a cathode and wetproofing means comprising: (a) supplying liquid water mist to the anode; (b) controlling the amount of liquid water mist to prevent flooding of the anode; (c) transporting the liquid water to the ion exchange membrane to essentially eliminate the ion exchange membrane water gradient thereby lessening internal resistance of the cell and increasing current density and power density capabilities.
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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) | 1992-01-03 | 1992-07-04 | 1993-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-03 | 1996-07-04 | 1997-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-03 | 2000-07-04 | 2001-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |