Societe Bic

Intelligent Energy Inc.

Commissariat &#xc0; L'&#xc9;nergie Atomique Et Aux &#xc9;nergies Alternatives

Commissariat a L'energie Atomique

Commisariat À L'énergie Atomique

Alain Rosenzweig

Andrew J Curello

Kurt Rath

Constance R Stepan

Paul H Adams

Paul Spahr

Anthony Sgroi, Jr

Floyd B Fairbanks

Frederic Gaillard

Michael R Curello

Xavier Bich

Jean-Yves Laurent

Frédéric Gaillard

Nathalie Giacometti

Colin Philip Brooks

Andy Hills

Anthony Sgroi

Jean Yves Laurent

Bruno Vallon

David M Weisberg

André Dehaudt

Constance R Stephan

Constance Stephan

Michael Curello

The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus (). Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The generation of hydrogen is regulated automatically by the selective exposure of a catalyst () to the fuel mixture depending on the pressure inside the reaction chamber () of the gas-generating apparatus. Catalyst sealing mechanisms () are provided at least partially within the reaction chamber to regulate the hydrogen pressure and to minimize the fluctuations in pressure of the hydrogen received by the fuel cell.

Hydrogen-generating fuel cell cartridges

The present application is directed to gas generators comprising a fuel mixture and a catalyst. The catalyst is contained in a self-regulated reactor or buoy, and selectively opens and closes to produce a gas in accordance with the demand for gas. This fuel mixture is generally a solution formed by dissolving a solid fuel component in a liquid fuel component. The mixing preferably occurs before the first use, and more preferably occurs immediately prior to the first use. The inventive gas generators preferably further comprises a starting mechanism that isolates the solid fuel from the liquid fuel or vice versa before the first use. In one embodiment, the starting mechanism further comprises a catalyst shield mechanism that isolates the catalyst in the reactor or buoy from the liquid and/or the solid fuel prior to the first use.

Gas generator with starter mechanism and catalyst shield

A gas-generating apparatus includes a cartridge including a reservoir having a first reactant and a reaction chamber, and a receiver that can include a flow control device. The receiver is adapted to receive the cartridge and to transport the first reactant to the reaction chamber after connection with the cartridge. The flow control device is adapted to stop the transport of reactant when the pressure in the reaction chamber reaches a predetermined pressure.

Hydrogen generating fuel cell cartridges

A fuel cell system () with a toggle switch () between an ON or OFF position is provided. In the OFF position, gas is purged from the fuel cell. The fuel cell () may surround the fuel source () with the cathode side of the fuel cell facing the fuel source. Additionally, both the fuel cell () and the fuel source () 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 ().

Fuel cell system having a toggle switch

Disclosed herein are multiple embodiments of a hydrogen generator () that measures, transports or stores a single dose of a viscous fuel component from first fuel chamber () in storage area () when the internal hydrogen pressure (') of the hydrogen generator is high, and transports this single dose to a metal hydride fuel component in second fuel chamber () when the internal pressure is low, so that the viscous liquid and metal hydride fuel components react together to generate more hydrogen and to restart the cycle. The viscous fuel component can be water or alcohol, such as methanol, in liquid or gel form, and the metal hydride fuel component can be sodium borohydride or other metal hydride that chemically reacts with the viscous fuel to produce hydrogen. The metal hydride fuel component can be in solid or viscous form, e.g., aqueous form.

Hydrogen gas generators

The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The first fuel component is introduced into the second fuel component through a conduit which punctures a septum separating the reaction chamber and the first fuel component reservoir, and the fuel conduit introduces the first fuel component to different portions of the second fuel component to produce hydrogen.

A gas-generating apparatus includes a reaction chamber having a first reactant, a reservoir having an optional second reactant, and a self-regulated flow control device. The self-regulated flow control device stops the flow of reactant from the reservoir to the reaction chamber when the pressure of the reaction chamber reaches a predetermined level. Methods of operating the gas-generated apparatus and the self-regulated flow control device, including the cycling of a shut-off valve of the gas-generated apparatus and the cycling of the self-regulated flow control device are also described.

The present invention involves modifying certain characteristics of solid and aqueous chemical metal hydride fuels to increase the efficiency of hydrogen generation and/or to reduce the problems associated with such conventional hydride fuel sources. The present invention also relates to an apparatus () usable with the release of hydrogen from hydride-water fuel cells in which both the borohydride () and the water () components are in flowable or liquid form.

Optimizing hydrogen generating efficiency in fuel cell cartridges

Fuel cartridges for fuel cells are disclosed. One fuel cartridge has an outer casing, an inner liner containing fuel, and a valve component adapted to transport fuel from the fuel supply to a fuel cell. The outer casing and the inner liner are made by blow molding and as the fuel is transported from the fuel supply, the inner liner pulls away from the outer casing. Another fuel cartridge includes an outer casing, an inner liner containing fuel, and a valve component adapted to transport fuel from the fuel supply to a fuel cell. The inner liner is integral to the outer casing at a region proximate to the location of the valve component. The inner liner and/or the outer casing can be fluorinated, coated with a barrier material or wrapped with a barrier film to reduce vapor permeation.

Fuel supplies for fuel cells

Disclosed herein is a fuel cell assembly that arranges a plurality of individual fuel cells into an array. The fuel cells are set into openings formed in a frame. The openings are arranged into the array, such as in columns and rows. A rear cover is sealingly attached to the frame, thereby defining a chamber between the frame and a base of the rear cover, where the chamber serves as a manifold. Optional supports extend from the base to the fuel cells. The void forms a fluid manifold for dispersing fuel for the fuel cells from a fuel reservoir to the fuel cells. Alternatively, the rear cover separates the interstitial space between the rear cover and the frame into compartments, which are fluidly interconnected by channels. The array may also include a functional element electrically connected to the fuel cells configured to transfer power an electronic device.

Fuel cell assembly

Fuel cartridge

A liquid droplet ejecting device suitable for ejecting a droplet from a substrate onto a support at a distance greater than usual. A liquid droplet ejecting head that includes a plurality of actuating chambers is linked to a single common ejection nozzle through which a droplet is to be ejected from the head.

Growing community of inventors

Saint Maur des Fosses, France

Alain Rosenzweig