Methods and apparatuses for managing fluids in a fuel cell system
US6890674B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 10, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fuel cell system including an anode chamber having a fuel mixture comprising methanol and water, and a diffusion layer, a fuel source in fluid communication with the anode chamber via a conduit, a cathode chamber having a cathode and a diffusion layer, wherein the diffusion layer is in fluid communication with an oxidizer, and a proton conducting, electrical non-conducting membrane electrolyte separating the chambers and positioned substantially adjacent to said diffusion layers. The membrane includes a catalyst exposed to each of the chambers for initiating chemical reactions to produce electricity. The system also includes a first valve for automatically controlling a flow of fuel from the fuel supply cartridge, where the first valve includes a shape memory alloy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.