Patent · US Active

Systems and methods for processing fuel for fuel cells

US7879501B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
2References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 11, 2006
Grant dateFeb 1, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 2, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E60/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Presented herein is a fuel cell assembly, including a reformer housing, a reformer region within the reformer housing for producing hydrogen, a vacuum housing for containing the reformer housing, a low-pressure insulating region between the reformer housing and the vacuum housing for providing thermal insulation, radiation shields disposed about the reformer region for providing radiation insulation, and at least one proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell in fluid communication with the reformer region. The vacuum housing may define a volume of less than about 30 cubic centimeters. The fuel cell assembly may produce less than about 100 watts of power. Also disclosed are related methods for reforming fuel.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.