U.S. patent application number 14/996792 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-02 for fuel cell system.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Commissariat a L'energie Atomique et Aux Energies Alternatives. The applicant listed for this patent is Andrew J. Curello, Kurt Rath, Alain Rosenzweig. Invention is credited to Andrew J. Curello, Kurt Rath, Alain Rosenzweig.
Application Number | 20160156047 14/996792 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46245073 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160156047 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rosenzweig; Alain ; et
al. |
June 2, 2016 |
Fuel Cell System
Abstract
A fuel cell system (10) with a toggle switch (32) between an ON
or OFF position is provided. In the OFF position, gas is purged
from the fuel cell. The fuel cell (12) may surround the fuel source
(14) with the cathode side of the fuel cell facing the fuel source.
Additionally, both the fuel cell (12) and the fuel source (14) may
have similar form factor to maximize the available space.
Preferably the form factor is substantially an oval shape. The fuel
cell system may also have a pressure regulator (26).
Inventors: |
Rosenzweig; Alain; (Sain
Maur des Fesses, FR) ; Rath; Kurt; (Herblay, FR)
; Curello; Andrew J.; (Hamden, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rosenzweig; Alain
Rath; Kurt
Curello; Andrew J. |
Sain Maur des Fesses
Herblay
Hamden |
CT |
FR
FR
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
The Commissariat a L'energie
Atomique et Aux Energies Alternatives
Gif-Sur-Yvette
FR
Intelligent Energy Limited
Loughborough
GB
|
Family ID: |
46245073 |
Appl. No.: |
14/996792 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13991058 |
Jul 15, 2013 |
9276271 |
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PCT/US2011/064659 |
Dec 13, 2011 |
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14996792 |
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61422934 |
Dec 14, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
320/101 ;
429/429; 429/446 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 16/006 20130101;
Y02E 60/50 20130101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M 8/04201 20130101;
H01M 2008/1095 20130101; H01M 8/04753 20130101; H01M 8/04507
20130101; H01M 2250/30 20130101; H01M 8/04089 20130101; H01M
8/04208 20130101; H01M 8/04082 20130101; H01M 8/04231 20130101;
H02J 7/007 20130101; H01M 8/04223 20130101; Y02B 90/10 20130101;
H01M 8/004 20130101; H01M 8/04104 20130101; H01M 8/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01M 8/04089 20060101
H01M008/04089; H02J 7/00 20060101 H02J007/00; H01M 16/00 20060101
H01M016/00; H01M 8/24 20060101 H01M008/24; H01M 8/04223 20060101
H01M008/04223 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A fuel cell system for powering an electronic device comprising,
a replaceable fuel supply having a first hydrogen valve; a
plurality of fuel cells fluidly connected to the replaceable fuel
supply and configured to removably receive the replaceable fuel
supply, wherein the plurality of fuel cells are in fluid
communication with a second hydrogen valve, the second hydrogen
valve is configured to mate with the first hydrogen valve, wherein
the cathode side of the fuel cell faces the fuel supply; and a
pressure regulator disposed between the second hydrogen valve and
the plurality of fuel cells to control the pressure from the fuel
supply.
3. A fuel cell system for powering an electronic device comprising,
a replaceable fuel supply having a first hydrogen valve; a
plurality of fuel cells disposed loosely around the replaceable
fuel supply and configured to removably receive the replaceable
fuel supply, wherein the fuel supply and the fuel cell have similar
shape, wherein the plurality of fuel cells are in fluid
communication with a second hydrogen valve, the second hydrogen
valve is configured to mate with the first hydrogen valve, wherein
the anode side of the fuel cell faces the fuel supply; and a
pressure regulator disposed between the second hydrogen valve and
the plurality of fuel cells to control the pressure from the fuel
supply.
4. The fuel cell system of claim 2 further comprising an integrated
circuit chip.
5. The fuel cell system of claim 4, wherein the integrated circuit
chip comprises information about the fuel cell system or software
to operate the fuel cell system.
6. The fuel cell system of claim 2, wherein the fuel cell system
generates electricity to charge a stand alone battery or a battery
stored within an electronic device.
7. The fuel cell system of claim 3, wherein the fuel cell comprises
two fuel cells wherein the cathode sides of the two fuel cells are
facing each other.
8. The fuel cell system of claim 7, wherein a fan provides an
oxidant to the cathode sides of the two fuel cells.
9. The fuel cell system of claim 8, wherein the fan has variable
speed.
10. The fuel cell system of claim 2 further comprising a humidity
sensor.
11. The fuel cell system of claim 2, further comprising an
electrical ON/OFF switch operationally connected to the plurality
of fuel cells to initiate a predetermined start-up and shut down
sequences of the fuel cell system.
12. The fuel cell system of claim 3, further comprising an
electrical ON/OFF switch operationally connected to the plurality
of fuel cells to initiate a predetermined start-up and shut down
sequences of the fuel cell system.
13. The fuel cell of claim 2, wherein the shape is substantially
oval.
14. The fuel cell of claim 3, wherein the shape is substantially
oval.
15. The fuel cell system of claim 5, wherein the electronic device
accesses the information stored in the integrated chip to control
at least one operation of the fuel cell system.
16. The fuel cell system of claim 5, wherein the integrated chip
stores information that comprises at least one of fuel cell type,
fuel type, fuel gage, temperature gage, fuel concentration gage,
fuel purity level, start-up sequences, shut down sequences that is
necessary to operate the fuel cell system.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to a fuel cell system and
in particular a system comprising a fuel cell and is adapted to
receive a hydrogen storage device or a hydrogen generating device.
The hydrogen is regulated and transported to the fuel cell where it
is converted to electrical energy, which can be used to power any
electronic device or to charge a battery or device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Fuel cells are devices that directly convert chemical energy
of reactants, i.e., fuel and oxidant, into direct current (DC)
electricity. For an increasing number of applications, fuel cells
are more efficient than conventional power generation, such as
combustion of fossil fuels, as well as portable power storage, such
as lithium-ion batteries. In particular, one use of fuel cells is
as a fuel supply for a charging device to replenish the electrical
charge of consumer electrical devices such as cell phones, personal
digital assistants, personal gaming devices, global positioning
devices, rechargeable batteries, etc.
[0003] Known fuel cells include alkali fuel cells, polymer
electrolyte fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten
carbonate fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells and enzyme fuel cells.
Fuel cells generally run on hydrogen (H.sub.2) fuel, and they can
also consume non pure hydrogen fuel. Non pure hydrogen fuel cells
include direct oxidation fuel cells, such as direct methanol fuel
cells (DMFC), which use methanol, or solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC),
which use hydrocarbon at high temperature. Hydrogen fuel can be
stored in compressed form or within compounds such as alcohols or
hydrocarbons or other hydrogen containing materials that can be
reformed or converted into hydrogen fuel and byproducts. Hydrogen
can also be stored in chemical hydrides, such as sodium borohydride
(NaBH.sub.4), that react with water or an alcohol to produce
hydrogen and byproducts. Hydrogen can also be adsorbed or absorbed
in metal hydrides, such as lanthanum pentanickel (LaNi.sub.5) at a
first pressure and temperature and released to fuel a fuel cell at
a second pressure and temperature.
[0004] Most hydrogen fuel cells have a proton exchange membrane or
polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), which allows the hydrogen's
protons to pass through but forces the electrons to pass through an
external circuit, which advantageously can be a cell phone, a
personal digital assistant (PDA), a computer, a power tool or any
device that uses electron flow or electrical current. The fuel cell
reaction can be represented as follows:
Half-reaction at the anode of the fuel cell:
H.sub.2.fwdarw.2H.sup.++2e.sup.-
Half-reaction at the cathode of the fuel cell:
2(2H.sup.++2e.sup.-)+O.sub.2.fwdarw.2H.sub.2O
[0005] Generally, the PEM is made from a polymer, such as Nafion
available from DuPont, which is a perfluorinated sulfonic acid
polymer having a thickness in the range of about 0.05 mm to about
0.50 mm, or other suitable membranes. The anode is typically made
from a Teflonized carbon paper support with a thin layer of
catalyst, such as platinum-ruthenium, deposited thereon. The
cathode is typically a gas diffusion electrode in which platinum
particles are bonded to one side of the membrane.
[0006] Generally, the hydrogen fuel source is located apart from
the fuel cell, which typically comprises stacks of individual
cells. This arrangement does not optimize the use of limited space,
particularly for portable consumer electronic equipment. The patent
literature includes disclosure of the fuel source being enclosed by
the fuel cell. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,511, US 2009/0258266 and
U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,462. However, these references do not maximize
the spacing between the fuel source and the fuel cell. Hence, there
remains a need for a compact fuel cell system that optimizes the
use of available space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to a fuel cell system (10)
with a toggle switch (32) between an ON or OFF position. In the OFF
position, gas is purged from the fuel cell. The fuel cell (12) may
surround the fuel source (14) with the cathode side of the fuel
cell facing the fuel source. Additionally, both the fuel cell (12)
and the fuel source (14) may have similar form factor to maximize
the available space. Preferably the form factor is substantially an
oval shape. The fuel cell system may also have a pressure regulator
(26).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the
specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in
which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in
the various views:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an inventive fuel cell
system;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary hydrogen
generating or storage device that can be used with the fuel cell
system of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an expanded cross-sectional view of the fuel cell
charging device of FIG. 1 showing the top portion thereof;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a toggle switch used with
the current invention; and
[0013] FIG. 5A is a front view of another embodiment of the present
invention; FIG. 5B is an anode side of a fuel cell of the fuel cell
system of FIG. 5A; and FIG. 5C is a bottom view of FIG. 5A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a fuel cell system 10, which could be a
battery charger. As shown, fuel cell system 10 having a fuel cell
12 adapted to receive a hydrogen fuel source 14, which is
illustrated in FIG. 2. Hydrogen fuel source 14 may store compressed
hydrogen in any form or in a hydrogen absorbent hydride discussed
above and may generate hydrogen in situ by reforming a fuel such as
methanol, other alcohols, hydrocarbon(s), or from a chemical
reaction between a metal hydride, such as, sodium borohydride,
aluminum hydride or magnesium hydride, etc., and water or alcohol.
Exemplary hydrogen sources 14 are described in U.S. design patent
application No. 29/359,037 filed on Apr. 5, 2010, U.S.
non-provisional patent application Nos. 12/829,801 and 12/829,827
filed no Jul. 2, 2010 and published international patent
application nos. WO 2010/051557 and WO 2010/075410. All of these
patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
[0015] In accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention, fuel cell 12 is preferably sized and dimensioned to wrap
loosely around hydrogen fuel source 14, and matches the outer shape
of hydrogen fuel source 14. Hydrogen fuel source 14 is inserted
into system 10 from the bottom when lid 16 is opened as shown in
FIG. 1, until hydrogen valve 18 of hydrogen fuel source 14 mates
with corresponding hydrogen valve 20 of fuel cell system 10.
Suitable hydrogen valves 18 and 20 are discussed in published
international patent application nos. WO 2010/051557 and WO
2010/075410 discussed above, and in published international patent
publications WO 2009/026441 and WO 2009/026439. All of these patent
applications are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties. However, any known hydrogen valves can be used in the
present invention.
[0016] It is noted that lid 16 does not form a seal with bottom 22
of fuel cell system 10, so that necessary oxidant, e.g., oxygen
from atmospheric air, may enter system 10 to react on the cathode
side, which is the inside surface, of fuel cell 12. Alternatively,
oxidant may be stored and transported to the cathode side of fuel
cell 12. Optionally, spring 24 is provided and is compressed when
hydrogen fuel source 14 is inserted to store energy, and compressed
spring 24 assists in the release and withdrawal of hydrogen fuel
source 14 from system 10.
[0017] After hydrogen fuel is transported through valves 18 and 20,
the pressure of the fuel is regulated by pressure regulator 26.
Regulator 26 takes hydrogen fuel at various inlet pressures at
inlet 28, which is substantially the outlet of hydrogen valve 20,
and modifies the pressure so that hydrogen fuel preferably exits
regulator 26 at regulator outlet 30 at a substantially steady
pressure. An advantage of using regulator 26 is that fuel cell 12
receives hydrogen fuel at a substantially steady pressure, which
maximizes the performance of fuel cell 12, as well as its
longevity. Exemplary regulators are described in US published
patent application US 2006/174952, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety, and in published international patent
publications WO2009/026441 and WO2009/026439.
[0018] Proximate to and downstream from regulator outlet 30 within
fuel system 10, a toggle switch 32, best shown in FIG. 4, is
rotatably mounted to pin 34. Toggle switch 32 comprises at least
three apertures. Aperture 36 is sized and dimensioned to fit around
pin 34 to support rotational movement of toggle switch 32. Fuel
aperture 38 is provided to allow hydrogen fuel from outlet 30 to
enter the anode side, or the outside surface, of fuel cell 12.
Purge aperture 40 is provided to allow excess hydrogen to exit or
to be purged from manifold 48 of fuel cell 12, so that excess water
vapor or water droplet byproducts and/or other gaseous impurities
are removed from fuel cell 12 to prevent or minimize the formation
of inactive spots on the catalyst substrate on fuel cell 12. Toggle
switch 32 further comprises ram surface 42 and finger-actuatable
portion 44. Toggle switch 32 can be rotated between an ON position,
as shown in FIG. 4, where fuel aperture 38 aligns with regulator
outlet 30 and fuel cell inlet 39 to let hydrogen fuel through the
toggle switch, and an OFF position. In this position, ram surface
42 pushes a biased arm of electrical ON-OFF switch 43 to the ON
position. This signifies to fuel cell system 10 that fuel is being
transported to fuel cell 12 and that electricity is being produced.
A sealing member 46, such as an O-ring, is provided between fuel
aperture 38 and regulator outlet 30 to ensure that hydrogen fuel
does not escape. As shown in FIG. 3, aperture 38 is angularly
positioned; however, aperture 38 can be linear or curvilinear and
be orientated in any direction.
[0019] Toggle switch 32 can be rotated to the OFF position, for
example, in the direction of arrow A to misalign aperture 38 from
regulator outlet 30 to disrupt the flow of hydrogen fuel. Also in
the OFF position, ram surface 42 no longer aligns with the biased
arm of ON-OFF switch 43 and the switch is turned to the OFF
position, and regulator outlet 30 now is directly opposite from a
solid portion of toggle switch 32 causing the flow of hydrogen fuel
to stop. In the OFF position, another electrical contact may be
provided to signal a preferred shut-down sequence to begin, and in
the ON position another electrical contact may initiate a preferred
start-up sequence, other software or firmware. Such preferred
sequences include "hot-swap" procedures, and exemplary "hot-swap"
procedures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,655,331, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Preferably, the
arm on switch 43 is biased to the OFF position. Fuel cell inlet 39
is now aligned with purge aperture 40 and un-reacted hydrogen can
be vented from the anode side of fuel cell 12. In one embodiment,
vent aperture 40 is aligned with vent 47 to vent unused hydrogen
fuel.
[0020] Toggle switch 32 can be an electrical or electronic switch,
and the present invention is not limited to any particular toggle
switch.
[0021] Referring again to FIG. 1, after passing through fuel cell
inlet 39 hydrogen fuel enters hydrogen manifold 48, which surrounds
the outside surface or the anode of fuel cell 12. Alternatively,
the cathode side of the fuel cell may be on the outer surface of
the fuel cell and manifold 48 supplies hydrogen to the anode on the
inside surface of the fuel cell. Hydrogen and oxygen react at fuel
cell 12 to produce electricity as explained above. Hydrogen
manifold may also have valve 50, which can be a purge valve to
purge un-reacted hydrogen when system 10 is shut down. This allows
the hydrogen to be removed from the anode side during non-operation
so that the un-reacted hydrogen and/or any potentially toxic
gas(es) that may form would not adversely affect the catalyst
substrate or activities thereon. Valve 50 can also be a check valve
that opens when the pressure within hydrogen manifold 48 exceeds a
certain threshold. Valve 50 may also purge water vapor/droplet
byproduct produced by the fuel cell reaction.
[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
fuel cell system 10 may also have integrated circuit chip 52, which
may include memory storing capacity. IC chip 52 may contain
preloaded software to control the operation of fuel cell system 10,
including but not limited to, preferred start-up and shut-down
sequences, software and firmware discussed above. IC chip 52 may
also contain software updates for the electronic devices powered by
fuel cell system 10. Additionally or alternatively IC 52 chip
stores information, such as fuel cell type, fuel type, fuel gage,
temperature gage, fuel concentration gage, fuel purity level, etc.,
that is necessary to the operation of fuel cell system 10. An
electronic device powered by fuel cell system 10 may have its own
processor access the information stored on IC chip 52 and may use
the software stored on IC chip 52. Suitable memory devices and
processors for fuel cell applications are described in U.S. Pat.
No. 7,655,331, previously incorporated by reference.
[0023] As stated, fuel cell system 10 can directly power any device
that needs electricity. Fuel cell system may have a power
regulation chip to control the electrical output level. Such power
regulation chip and fuel cell system are described in published
U.S. patent application no. US 2009/0311561, which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
[0024] Also, fuel cell system 10 can be a charging device that
recharges stand-alone rechargeable batteries or rechargeable
batteries that are stored within electronic devices. Fuel cell
system 10 may also charge an internal battery of capacitors to
buffer the output voltage and current or maintain an internal clock
or provide standby power when system 10 is not in operation. For
example, system 10 comprises a USB slot 54 (internal electronic
connections are omitted for clarity) suitable for connecting fuel
cell system 10 to a rechargeable battery.
[0025] In another aspect of the present invention, to maximize
available space fuel cell system 10 has a shape that is similar to
the shape of fuel cartridge 14. In other words, both fuel cell
system 10 and fuel cartridge 14 have similar form factor, at least
on the side, e.g., not including the top and bottom surfaces, of
the devices. Preferably, both devices have an oval shape as shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2. Oval shapes are advantageous because they provide
wider surface areas for a given volume, for example, as compared to
cylindrical or circular shapes. Fuel cell 12 would generate more
electricity with more surface areas. Furthermore, oval shapes are
more ergonomic, for example, as compared to diamond cross sections
which provide higher surface areas similar to ovals. Fuel cell 12
may have the cathode on the inside surface or on the outside
surface. Preferably, the space between fuel cell 12 and fuel supply
14 is also minimized.
[0026] Another embodiment of fuel cell system 10 is illustrated in
FIGS. 5A-5C. In this embodiment, fuel cell 12 of fuel cell system
10 comprises at least one pair of fuel cells 12a and 12b wherein
fuel cells 12a and 12b are arranged so that cathode side 60 or the
oxidant side of fuel cells 12a and 12b are facing each other, as
shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C. A space is provided between the two
cathode sides 60, so that fan 64 can provide forced and controlled
atmospheric air to bring oxidant (oxygen) to cathode sides 60.
Preferably, a humidity sensor is provided in said space to monitor
and control the performance of fuel cells 12a and 12b. Fan 64
preferably has variable speed depending on the production rate of
electricity or on the consumption rate of hydrogen. The controller,
which can be located in IC chip 52, can control the speed of fan
64. Fan 64 is preferably powered by fuel cells 12a and 12b.
Alternatively, fan 64 is powered by a battery or other electrical
storage devices at least until fuel cells 12a and 12b are
operational, or fan 64 can be powered by a battery or the like on a
full time basis.
[0027] Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, in this
embodiment hydrogen fuel source 14 is connected to fuel cell system
10 via hydrogen valves, pressure regulator and toggle switch,
collectively illustrated as element 66 with an ON-OFF switch 43
operationally connected thereto. Manifold 48 in this embodiment has
two branches to bring hydrogen fuel to anode 68 of each of fuel
cells 12a and 12b, as best shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Manifold 48
preferably has multiple branches 70 to distribute hydrogen fuel
more evenly. Suitable hydrogen distribution methodology is also
described in U.S. patent application no. US 2009/0311561, discussed
above.
[0028] Purge/vent valve 50 connected to both fuel cells 12a and
12b, similar to that discussed in the first embodiment, is provided
in this embodiment as shown. Electrical component(s) can be
provided, for example, as element 72 in FIG. 5C. Fuel cell system
10, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, can be enclosed in a housing similar
to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.
[0029] An advantage of the designs of the present invention is when
hydrogen fuel source 14 produces hydrogen fuel via a chemical
reaction between a metal hydride, such as sodium borohydride, and
water, which is exothermic, the produced heat can be used to
control the temperature and/or humidity of fuel cell 12 during
operation. Since the cathode or oxidant side of fuel cell 12 is
internal to fuel cell system 10, atmospheric air can be warmed to a
more preferred temperature range for fuel cell 12 and atmospheric
air's relative humidity can also be controlled with the produced
heat.
[0030] Another advantage of the present designs is that the cathode
side of fuel cell 12 is protected from possible physical damages
caused by exposure to the outside environment or by direct contacts
from the users, since it is internal to fuel cell system 10. This
increases the longevity and performance of fuel cell 12. Fuel cells
are air breathing and their performances can be significantly
affected by the quality of atmospheric air. Also, when hydrogen
fuel source 14 does not generate heat or too much heat relative to
fuel cell system 10, hydrogen fuel source 14 may act as a heat
sink. Additionally, hydrogen fuel source 14 may provide additional
structural integrity to fuel cell system 10, e.g., during possible
impacts during use.
[0031] It is intended that the present specification and examples
be considered as exemplary only with a true scope and spirit of the
invention being indicated by the following claims and equivalents
thereof. Other embodiments of the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the
present specification and practice of the present invention
disclosed herein. Additionally, components or features of one
embodiment can be utilized in other embodiments.
* * * * *