Societe Bic

Intelligent Energy Inc.

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

Paul Spahr

Anthony Sgroi, Jr

Paul H Adams

Andrew J Curello

Alain Rosenzweig

Michael R Curello

Constance R Stepan

Kurt Rath

Floyd B Fairbanks

Anthony Sgroi

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

The disclosure teaches controlling the fluid flow and pressure, including adjustable pressure regulators, pressure regulators with an inlet restrictor, semi-automatic valve and pressure regulator with a by-pass valve which use one or more of movable shuttle, shuttle housing, a high pressure diaphragm, a low pressure diaphragm and a fluidic conduit connecting the inlet to the outlet. One or more of these implementations adjust to modify the outlet pressure of the regulator. The inlet restrictor allows incoming fluid to enter the pressure regulators when the pressure of the incoming fluid is higher than a threshold level. The semi-automatic valve is opened manually but closes automatically when fluid flowing through the valve is insufficient to keep the valve open. The semi-automatic valve can also be a semi-automatic electrical switch. The by-pass valve directs the flow to bypass the pressure regulator, when the flow is slow or has low pressure.

Fluidic components suitable for fuel cell systems including pressure regulators and valves

The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus and various pressure regulators or pressure-regulating valves. Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The transportation of a first fuel component to a second fuel component to generate of hydrogen occurs automatically depending on the pressure of a reaction chamber within the gas-generating apparatus. The pressure regulators and flow orifices are provided to regulate the hydrogen pressure and to minimize the fluctuation in pressure of the hydrogen received by the fuel cell. Connecting valves to connect the gas-generating apparatus to the fuel cell are also provided.

The present invention is directed to devices for controlling the fluid flow and pressure, including adjustable pressure regulators, pressure regulators with an inlet restrictor, semi-automatic valve and pressure regulator with a by-pass valve. The adjustable pressure regulators have a movable shuttle, shuttle housing, a high pressure diaphragm, a low pressure diaphragm and a fluidic conduit connecting the inlet to the outlet. One or more of these components are adjusted to modify the outlet pressure of the regulator. The inlet restrictor allows incoming fluid to enter the pressure regulators when the pressure of the incoming fluid is higher than a threshold level. The positioning the inlet restrictor can be used to prevent a partial vacuum from forming inside a pressure regulator. The semi-automatic valve is opened manually but closes automatically when fluid flowing through the valve is insufficient to keep the valve open. The semi-automatic valve can also be a semi-automatic electrical switch. The by-pass valve directs the flow to bypass the pressure regulator, when the flow is slow or has low pressure.

A compact, reliable, and easily manufacture relief valve capable of resolving pressure issues within a fuel cell system and its components or devices. The relief valve comprises a valve body having a first cap, a valve housing and a center post; and an elastomeric member or sealing member contained within the valve body and being secured to the valve body at one end and forming a seal with the valve body at the other end. The seal opens in response to a threshold pressure being exceeded. In one embodiment, the elastomeric member is secured to the interior of the first cap and/or valve housing and forms a seal with the outer diameter of the center post. The elastomeric member may be supported by a reinforcing member.

Relief valves for fuel cell systems

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

Disclosed herein is a fuel supply comprising a compressed gas chamber and liquid fuel chamber. A pressure regulator connects the compressed gas chamber to the liquid fuel chamber. The pressure regulator is capable of taking a high pressure input from the compressed gas chamber and providing a substantially constant lower output pressure to the liquid fuel chamber. The pressure of the compressed gas chamber can decrease over time, but the pressure that urges liquid fuel out of the liquid fuel chamber remains substantially at the same level.

Fuel supply system with compressed gas and liquid fuel chambers for fuel cells

A non-interchangeable two-component connecting valve capable of connecting a fuel supply to a fuel cell or other device is disclosed. One component of the connecting valve comprises at least one center post and one internal elastomeric seal, which opens when moved or compressed by a correctly sized and dimensioned mating tube from the other component. In one embodiment, only one valve component has one or more internal seals. In alternate embodiments, both valve components have one or more internal seals, which can open simultaneously or sequentially.

Non-interchangeable connecting valves for fuel cartridges

A fuel supply () including a cover () having an opening () for access to the fuel. The cover () includes a shutter () or similar element for closing off the opening () to increase the operational resistance to the insertion and/or removal of the fuel supply (). In one embodiment, the cover () includes a support () with a rotatable cap (), where the rotation of the cap causes the shutter () to open. In another embodiment, the cover includes a base and a slidable cap, where the slidable cap is the shutter. The shutter () may be manually actuated, mechanically actuated or electrically actuated. The cover () may be biased to the open position or to the closed position.

Fuel supply systems having operational resistance

In accordance with different embodiments of the present invention, duckbill check valve, having an orifice, and conical check valve, having an orifice, are responsive to the differential pressure of fluid F as it flows between inletand outlet. In an innovative aspect of the invention, orificeand orificeeach have a variable effective diameter. In one embodiment, the duckbill check valveand conical check valvehave a conical end that is aligned with the direction of fluid flow. In another embodiment, the duckbill check valvecan have a conical end that faces the direction of fluid flow. A pin may traverse orificeor

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New Haven, CT, United States of America

Paul Spahr