US4826741A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ion exchange fuel cell assembly with improved water and thermal management
Assignee: Ergenics Power Systems Inc
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Filing: 1987-06-02
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Granted: 1989-05-02
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Expires: 2007-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A fuel cell for generating electricity by using an ion exchange membrane as electrolyte. Such fuel cells are generally arranged as a stack. Each fuel cell has a fuel electrode to which gaseous hydrogen is fed, an oxygen electrode to which oxygen is fed, an ion exchange membrane sandwiched therebetween, a fuel distribution member for supplying fuel to the fuel electrode, and an oxygen distribution member for supplying oxygen to the oxygen electrode. These fuel cells are characterized by a liquid-permeable electricity-conductive member in the form of a layer for storage and transport of water produced in the fuel cell. The fluid-permeable member is separated from the electrodes and the fuel cell is contained between outer impermeable sheets. The fuel cell assembly is part of a system that also removes heat from the assembly during its operation. The heat removal is accomplished alternately by evaporative cooling, direct air cooling, cooling with recirculating liquid or cooling by direct heat conduction to a heat sink. The system further is provided with a hydride container and a hydride bed in which gaseous hydrogen is generated. The gaseous hydrogen is used as fuel in the fuel cells. The hydrogen is liberated from the hydride bed predominantly by the heat generated in the fuel cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Otto J. Aldhart
- 👤 Matthew J. Rosso, Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/065; H01M8/10; H01M8/1007; H01M8/24; H01M8/241; H01M8/242; H01M8/04007; H01M8/04029; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; H01M8/04119; H01M8/04156; H01M8/1016; H01M8/1018; H01M8/102; H01M8/1023; H01M8/1039; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
An ion exchange membrane cell comprising: a first electrode and a second electrode both in contact with an ion exchange electrolyte member positioned therebetween, a first reactant distribution member in flow communication with said first electrode for supplying a first reactant thereto, a second reactant distribution member in flow communication with said second electrode for supplying a second reactant thereto, said first and second distribution members being electrically-conductive and contained between gas impermeable electrically-conductive members, and a fluid-permeable electrically-conductive member between said impermeable members and positioned outward of said electrodes and spaced therefrom for storage and transport of liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
An ion exchange membrane cell comprising: a first electrode and a second electrode both in contact with an ion exchange electrolyte member positioned therebetween, a first reactant distribution member in flow communication with said first electrode for supplying a first reactant thereto, a second reactant distribution member in flow communication with said second electrode for supplying a second reactant thereto, said first and second distribution members being electrically-conductive and contained between gas impermeable electrically-conductive members, and a fluid-permeable electrically-conductive member between said impermeable members and positioned outward of said electrodes and spaced therefrom for storage and transport of liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
An ion exchange fuel cell comprising: a fuel electrode and a reactant electrode, an ion exchange electrolyte member between and in contact with said fuel electrode and said reactant electrode, a fuel distribution member in flow communication with said fuel electrode for supplying fuel thereto, a reactant distribution member in flow communication with said reactant electrode for supplying a reactant thereto, said fuel distribution member and said reactant distribution member being electrically-conductive and contained between gas impermeable electrically-conductive members, and a fluid-permeable electrically-conductive member between said impermeable members and positioned outward of said electrodes and spaced therefrom for storage and transport of liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
103 words
An ion exchange fuel cell comprising: a fuel electrode and a reactant electrode, an ion exchange electrolyte member between and in contact with said fuel electrode and said reactant electrode, a fuel distribution member in flow communication with said fuel electrode for supplying fuel thereto, a reactant distribution member in flow communication with said reactant electrode for supplying a reactant thereto, said fuel distribution member and said reactant distribution member being electrically-conductive and contained between gas impermeable electrically-conductive members, and a fluid-permeable electrically-conductive member between said impermeable members and positioned outward of said electrodes and spaced therefrom for storage and transport of liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
126 words
An ion exchange fuel cell comprising: a planar fuel electrode and a planar oxygen electrode, a planar ion exchange electrolyte member sandwiched between and in contact with said fuel electrode and said oxygen electrode, a permeable planar electrically-conductive fuel distribution member in contact with and over a surface of said fuel electrode for supplying hydrogen gas fuel thereto, a permeable planar electrically-conductive oxygen distribution member in contact with and over a surface of said oxygen electrode for supplying an oxygen containing gas thereto, said fuel distribution member and said oxygen distribution member contained between a pair of gas impermeable electrically-conductive separator plates, a fluid-permeable electrically-conductive planar member between said separator plates and positioned outward of said electrodes and spaced therefrom for storage and transport of water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
An ion exchange fuel cell comprising: a planar fuel electrode and a planar oxygen electrode, a planar ion exchange electrolyte member sandwiched between and in contact with said fuel electrode and said oxygen electrode, a permeable planar electrically-conductive fuel distribution member in contact with and over a surface of said fuel electrode for supplying hydrogen gas fuel thereto, a permeable planar electrically-conductive oxygen distribution member in contact with and over a surface of said oxygen electrode for supplying an oxygen containing gas thereto, said fuel distribution member and said oxygen distribution member contained between a pair of gas impermeable electrically-conductive separator plates, a fluid-permeable electrically-conductive planar member between said separator plates and positioned outward of said electrodes and spaced therefrom for storage and transport of water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein fluid-permeable member is in contact with said oxygen distribution plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein said fluid-permeable member comprises a fiber pad having a metal screen embedded therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fuel cell according to claim 5 wherein said fiber is a mineral fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fuel cell according to claim 5 wherein said fiber is an organic fiber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein said fluid-permeable member is made of carbon and is rendered hydrophylic by impregnation with a material such as colloidal silica therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein said fluid-permeable member is made of metal felt and rendered hydrophylic by impregnation with a material such as colloidal silica.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein said distribution members are metal screens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein said distribution members are metallized plastic screens, or porous plastics.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein said distribution members are perforated and corrugated metal sheets.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein said distribution members are made of metal felt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein said distribution members are made of carbon foam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fuel cell according to claim 14 wherein said carbon foam is reticulated vitreous carbon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein said distribution members are porous graphite.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein said distribution members are porous or grooved ceramics rendered conductive by coating with metal films or wrapping with metal screens.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein the thickness of each said distribution member is in a range from 0.2 mm to 5 mm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein said distribution members are rendered hydrophobic by impregnation of tetrafluorethylene.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein each of said gas separator plates is made of metal e.g. tantalum, niobium, stainless steel, copper, etc.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
The fuel cell according to claim 3 wherein each of said gas separator plates has a thickness in a range from 0.05 mm to 2 mm and is provided with metallic coatings to improve corrosion resistance and/or reduce contact resistance.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The fuel cell according to claim 21 wherein said metallic coatings are gold.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The fuel cell according to claim 21 wherein said metallic coatings are nickel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fuel cell according to claim 20 wherein the gas separator element may be an electrically conductive gas impermeable non-metallic material such as Grafoil.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
134 words
A fuel cell comprising: a catalytic fuel electrode to which a fuel is fed; a catalytic oxygen electrode to which an oxygen containing gas is fed; an ion exchange membrane as an electrolyte member between and in contact with said fuel electrode and said oxygen electrode; an electrically-conductive reactant distribution member in contact with said fuel electrode providing means for supplying fuel to said fuel electrode; an electrically-conductive reactant distribution member in contact with said oxygen electrode providing means for supplying oxygen containing gas to said oxygen electrode; a water-permeable electrically-conductive member in contact with at least one of said reactant distribution members and isolated from said electrodes and providing means for storing and transporting liquid water to and from said fuel cell; and gas impervious conductive outer face members for separating reactant gases.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
134 words
A fuel cell comprising: a catalytic fuel electrode to which a fuel is fed; a catalytic oxygen electrode to which an oxygen containing gas is fed; an ion exchange membrane as an electrolyte member between and in contact with said fuel electrode and said oxygen electrode; an electrically-conductive reactant distribution member in contact with said fuel electrode providing means for supplying fuel to said fuel electrode; an electrically-conductive reactant distribution member in contact with said oxygen electrode providing means for supplying oxygen containing gas to said oxygen electrode; a water-permeable electrically-conductive member in contact with at least one of said reactant distribution members and isolated from said electrodes and providing means for storing and transporting liquid water to and from said fuel cell; and gas impervious conductive outer face members for separating reactant gases.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ion exchange membrane fuel cell system according to claim 3 with heat removing means for removing heat from said fuel cell.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 26 wherein said heat removing means comprises water evaporation means within the system, a major portion of the water being supplied from a water source external to the system.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 27 in which the flow rate of the reactant gas stream exceeds two times stoichiometric.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system according to claim 27 which further includes a condensing surface spaced from said fuel cell and upon which the reactant gas stream bearing saturated water vapor impinges upon exiting said fuel cell giving up heat and condensing moisture for subsequent recirculation to said fuel cells.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 26 wherein said heat-removing means includes cooling elements between at least some of adjacent pairs of said fuel cells for passage of cooling air through said cooling elements.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 26 wherein said system is bipolar an heat-removing means includes cooling elements between at least some of adjacent pairs of said fuel cells for passage of cooling liquid through said cooling elements.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell according to claim 3, a hydride container and a reversible metal hydride bed within said container for generating gaseous hydrogen which is the fuel for said fuel cell.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
46 words
The fuel cell system of claim 32, said system further comprising means for passing hot liquid produced in said fuel cell to said hydride container and utilizing the heat of the hot liquid to liberate gaseous hydrogen in said hydride bed to fuel said fuel cell.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
49 words
The fuel cell system of claim 32, said system further comprising means for passing cooling air or moist reactant air from the fuel cell to said hydride container and utilizing the heat content of the air to liberate gaseous hydrogen in said hydride bed to fill said fuel cell.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
64 words
A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell, a hydride container, a metal hydride bed within said container for generating gaseous hydrogen which is the fuel for said fuel cell, and means for passing fuel cell waste heat to the hydride bed by direct thermal conduction using the separator plates to conduct the heat to the cell edge for transfer to the hydride bed.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
64 words
A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell, a hydride container, a metal hydride bed within said container for generating gaseous hydrogen which is the fuel for said fuel cell, and means for passing fuel cell waste heat to the hydride bed by direct thermal conduction using the separator plates to conduct the heat to the cell edge for transfer to the hydride bed.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ion exchange membrane fuel cell system and water recovery system for use in zero gravity conditions, said water recovery system consisting of fluid permeable distribution plates, wicking pad, fluid absorbent blotter and inflated bladder.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ion exchange membrane fuel cell system and water recovery system for use in zero gravity conditions, said water recovery system consisting of fluid permeable distribution plates, wicking pad, fluid absorbent blotter and inflated bladder.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ion exchange membrane fuel cell system and water storage and recovery system, said water storage and recovery system consisting of enlarged fluid permeable distribution plates manifolded and connected to an evacuation line.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ion exchange membrane fuel cell system and water storage and recovery system, said water storage and recovery system consisting of enlarged fluid permeable distribution plates manifolded and connected to an evacuation line.
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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) | 1992-05-01 | 1992-10-31 | 1993-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-01 | 1996-10-31 | 1997-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-01 | 2000-10-31 | 2001-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |