Hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell

US5094927A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Friedrich G. K. Baucke · Schlotheim, DE
• Stefan Dorner · Solingen, DE
• Volker Heinzel · Linkenheim-Hochstetten, DE
• Gernot Roth · Oppenheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 6, 1990
• Grant date: Mar 10, 1992
• Expiry date: Sep 6, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E60/50
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell includes an electrolyte which is solid at room temperature, has opposing faces, conducts protons, and is comprised of at least one of (a) at least one oxide of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Group IVB, VB, VIB, and VIII elements of the Periodic Table, (b) silicon dioxide, and (c) at least one fluoride of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Group IIA and IIIB elements of the Periodic Table. Also included are a hydrogen electrode which is applied to one face of the opposing faces of the electrolyte, is hydrogen permeable, and is negatively charged in use; and an oxygen electrode which is applied to another face of the opposing faces of the electrolyte, is hydrogen permeable, and is positively charged in use. A hydrogen-containing gas chamber is provided so as to be in communication with the hydrogen electrode; and an oxygen-containing gas chamber is provided so as to be in communication with the oxygen electrode.