Mti Microfuel Cells Inc.

The Gillette Company

The Procter Gamble Company

Michael S DeFilippis

Juan J Becerra

Shimshon Gottesfeld

Xiaoming Ren

Gerhard B Beckmann

Jay K Neutzler

Eric J Brown

Keith Garrette Brown

Graciela I Varela

Luke E Yetto

Todd P Van Duser

A simplified direct oxidation fuel cell system is provided. The fuel cell is constructed in such a manner that fuel is added to the cell anode as it is consumed and water is evaporated off at cell cathode so that there is no need for recirculation of unreacted fuel at the cell anode or water at the cell cathode. In addition, carbon dioxide generated from the anodic reaction is passively vented out of the system by using a CO2 gas permeable membrane material integrated as part of the anode chamber construction. It is thus possible that, the CO2 separation from the anode fluid occurs without the recirculation of the anode fluid outside the anode chamber. The passive system in which fuel is added as it is consumed and CO2 separated, both without pumping, ultimately will increase net power provided to the load due to low parasitic losses.

Method of controlling delivery of fuel to a direct oxidation fuel cell

A fuel container and delivery apparatus is provided which also allows for removal of effluents from the fuel cell. The fuel container and delivery assembly includes an inner flexible bladder containing fuel for a liquid feed fuel cell. The fuel container and delivery assembly is fitted with a pressure-applying element that exerts a continuous pressure upon the fuel-containing flexible bladder in such a manner that the fuel is expressed through a conduit in the container to the direct oxidation fuel cell. The fuel is supplied to the fuel cell in a continuous manner, or on demand. The fuel container may be a replaceable cartridge. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the assembly includes a second bladder that is provided to receive effluent from the fuel cell which may be comprised of carbon dioxide and unreacted fuel and water from the anode side, or of water from the cathode side, or a combination of both.

Fuel container and delivery apparatus for a liquid feed fuel cell system

A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a fuel supply system, and a fuel cell control system. The fuel cell converts fuel into electrical energy. The fuel supply system is connected to the fuel cell and the fuel cell control system is coupled to the fuel cell and the fuel supply system. The fuel cell control system manages fuel supplied from the fuel supply system to the fuel cell based on information about at least one of the fuel and the fuel supply system to control the conversion of the fuel into electrical energy

Management system for a fuel cell and method thereof

A fuel container and delivery apparatus is provided which also allows for removal of effluents from the fuel cell. The fuel container and delivery apparatus includes a first flexible bladder containing fuel for a liquid feed fuel cell. The fuel container and delivery assembly is fitted with a pressure-applying element that exerts a continuous pressure upon the fuel-containing flexible bladder in such a manner that the fuel is expressed through a conduit in the container to the direct oxidation fuel cell. In addition, the assembly includes a second bladder that is provided to receive effluent from the fuel cell such as carbon dioxide and unreacted fuel and water from the anode side, and water from the cathode side, or a combination of both.

A single pump fuel cell system is provided that has multiple valves that have selective positioning to control fluidic flow throughout a fuel cell system. One of the valves provides for high and low concentration fuel dosing. Another valve or series of valves controls an unreacted fuel recirculation loop leading from the fuel cell. Another valve or series of valves control condensate collection by the fuel cell system, and allows the purging of the anode recirculation loop. Each of the valves is selectable between various positions to place the fuel cell system in a desired operating mode. A heat exchanger may also be employed to dissipate heat as desired out of the fuel cell system. A concentration sensor can also be employed to aid in achieving a desired fuel concentration within the fuel cell system.

Single pump fuel cell system

A refueling arrangement for a direct oxidation fuel cell. A refueling cartridge includes a coupling which is geometrically keyed to a fueling port associated with the fuel cell. By properly engaging the coupling with the fueling port, a fuel flow path is opened which allows fuel to pass from the cartridge to the fuel cell. Disengaging the coupling from the fueling port closes the fuel flow path. Refueling is accomplished in rapid, trouble-free and safe manner.

Apparatus for refueling a direct oxidation fuel cell

The present invention is directed to a novel anode plate forming an anode chamber of a fuel cell. The anode plate includes an anode fuel flow field, a substantially gas permeable membrane, and a channel coupled to an outlet positioned immediately adjacent the membrane. The channel directs gaseous effluents produced in the anode chamber out of the fuel cell via the outlet. This novel anode plate may be used in a single fuel cell, electrically and mechanically coupled to a cathode plate in a multi-fuel cell arrangement, or combined with a cathode plate producing a bi-polar plate for a fuel cell stack. Alternatively, the features of the anode plate and cathode plate may be integrated into a single component, thus improving performance and limiting the size of a stack and system implementing the stack.

Bipolar plate having integrated gas-permeable membrane

A simplified direct oxidation fuel cell system is provided. The fuel cell is constructed in such a manner that fuel is added to the cell anode as it is consumed and water is evaporated off at cell cathode so that there is no need for recirculation of unreacted fuel at the cell anode or water at the cell cathode. In addition, carbon dioxide generated from the anodic reaction is passively vented out of the system by using a CO2 gas permeable membrane material integrated as part of the anode chamber construction. Other embodiments of the invention include a fuel container and delivery assembly.

Simplified direct oxidation fuel cell system

A method and apparatus for water management in a direct oxidation fuel cell system includes a direct oxidation fuel cell, including: a housing surrounding an anode, a cathode, a protonically conductive electronically non-conductive membrane electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode, a current collector, and a gas-permeable liquid-impermeable membrane disposed on a side of the cathode opposite the electrolyte. Excess water accumulation is removed from an area between the membrane electrolyte and the gas-permeable liquid-impermeable membrane by a pressure differential generated, preferably by a pump. The pressure differential draws air to the surface of, into, or through the cathode diffusion layer. The pump can be driven by the electricity generated by the fuel cell.

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Delmar, NY, United States of America

Michael S DeFilippis