On-board vehicle inert gas generation system
US10300431B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2016 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/50
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An onboard inert gas system has an electrochemical and a membrane gas separator. The electrochemical separator includes an electrochemical cell including a cathode and anode separated by an electrolyte separator. An electrical power source provides power to the electrical circuit at a voltage that electrolyzes water at the anode and forms water at the cathode, or reduces oxygen at the cathode and forms oxygen at the anode. Oxygen is consumed at the cathode, providing nitrogen-enriched air. Nitrogen-enriched air from the cathode is connected by a flow path to the membrane gas separator, which comprises a membrane having a greater permeability to oxygen or water than to nitrogen. Nitrogen-enriched air from the membrane gas separator that is further enriched in nitrogen, reduced in water content, or both, is connected by a flow path to a fuel tank, a fire suppression system, or both a fuel tank and a fire suppression system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.