Mti Microfuel Cells Inc.

Plug Power Inc.

William P Acker

Shimshon Gottesfeld

Michael S Adler

George C McNamee

Gerhard B Beckmann

William W Dailey

Charles Michael Carlstrom, Jr

Robert S Hirsch

Wenhua Huang

Jeffrey S Chen

A conformable fuel cell is provided which includes a basic structure that provides flexibility while providing a high compression along the active surface of the fuel cell's membrane electrode assembly, which can be achieved by an injection-molded frame. A suitable fuel is delivered to the anode aspect of the fuel cell. Effective water management could also be provided by appropriate diffusion layers. The fuel cell can be contour-molded to a desired shape, or can be constructed of an array of flexibly connected individual fuel cells that overall have a curvilinear shape, or can be constructed as a pliable fuel cell that can be incorporated into an application device or an article of clothing.

Conformable fuel cell

A method and apparatus for managing heat generated by a device that is powered at least in part by a direct oxidation fuel cell. Additional heat tends to improve the reaction in the direct oxidation fuel cell, and so unwanted heat produced by a powered device can be harnessed to increase the temperature of the reaction in the direct oxidation fuel cell. By doing so, the performance of the fuel cell can be enhanced and the temperature of the heat-generating portion of the device maintained.

Integrated heat management of electronics and fuel cell power system

The present invention provides a protonically conductive membrane for use in a direct methanol fuel cell wherein a portion of said protonically conductive membrane conducts protons from the anode face of the membrane to the cathode face of the protonically conductive membrane, and a portion of which evolves gas from the anode side of the membrane to the cathode side of the protonically conductive membrane where it is vented to the environment. The present invention also includes a membrane electrode assembly, fuel cell and fuel cell system which are comprised of the protonically conductive membrane and which evolve gas from the anode side of the protonically conductive membrane to the cathode side of the protonically conductive membrane, where it is vented to the ambient environment.

Fuel cell membrane and fuel cell system with integrated gas separation

Apparatus and methods for regulating methanol concentration in a direct methanol fuel cell system without the need for a methanol concentration sensor. One or more operating characteristics of the fuel cell, such as the potential across the load, open circuit potential, potential at the anode proximate to the end of the fuel flow path or short circuit current of the fuel cell, are used to actively control the methanol concentration.

Apparatus and methods for sensor-less optimization of methanol concentration in a direct methanol fuel cell system

A fuel cell which provides improved performance during a cold start. Several embodiments are provided to enable the controlled introduction of fuel into the cathode of the fuel cell such that oxidation occurs, heat is released and the temperature of the fuel cell is raised. Such fuel may be introduced into the cathode directly or may be introduced into the anode and allowed to crossover an electrolytic membrane. Alternatively, the fuel may be directed through a special conduit which allows oxidation of some of the fuel as it flows through.

Cold start and temperature control method and apparatus for fuel cell system

For a direct oxidation fuel cell system in which the source fuel is diluted with a diluting fluid prior to entering the fuel cell generally, and for a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell System (DMFC) in which the methanol source fuel is diluted with water, the dielectric constant of the fuel mix comprising the source fuel and the diluting fluid is measured to determine the relative proportions of source fuel and diluting fluid within this fuel mix. This measurement may then be used in a feedback loop to control the subsequent mixing of the source fuel with the diluting fluid, and in particular, to adjust the mix in the event the fuel mix is too rich or too dilute as compared to a desired mixing proportion. Additionally, a second dielectric constant measurement is used to determine the source fuel level of a fuel tank providing source fuel to the fuel cell. Finally, an optional telecommunications link is used to automatically order a source fuel refill when the source fuel runs low.

Fuel cell control and measurement apparatus and method, using dielectric constant measurements

A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) system in which, in response to changes in the output power level of the cell, the concentration of methanol supplied to the anode is actively regulated. As a result, cross-over of methanol through the cell's membrane electrolyte is minimized, and operating efficiency is maintained over a wide dynamic range of output power levels.

Fuel cell system with active methanol concentration control

A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) system is provided with a pump for pumping methanol into the cell. The pump is driven by carbon dioxide produced by the electro-chemical reaction at the anode of the fuel cell. Because the amount of CO generated is proportional to the power generated by the cell, and thus the amount of fuel demanded by the cell, the pump is self-regulating. The system may be integrated using microelectro-mechanical system fabrication techniques.

Passively pumped liquid feed fuel cell system

A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) system is provided with a pump for pumping methanol into the cell. The pump is driven by carbon dioxide produced by the electrochemical reaction at the anode of the fuel cell. Because the amount of CO generated is proportional to the power generated by the cell, and thus the amount of fuel demanded by the cell, the pump is self-regulating. The system may be integrated using microelectromechanical system fabrication techniques.

Apparatus and methods for regulating methanol concentration in a direct methanol fuel cell system are provided. The apparatus and methods do not require a methanol concentration sensor. One or more operating characteristics of the fuel cell, such as the potential across the load, open circuit potential or potential at the anode proximate to the end of the fuel flow path, are used to actively control the methanol concentration.

A method and apparatus for oxygen management in a direct oxidation fuel cell system is provided. The oxygen management apparatus forces oxygen (typically from ambient air) into the cathode chamber of the fuel cell to facilitate the flow of oxygen across the cathode face of the fuel cell. It does so by utilizing the carbon dioxide already produced in the chemical reaction on the anode chamber of the cell. In a first embodiment of the invention, a turbine assembly is placed in fluid communication with the anode chamber of the fuel cell. The turbine assembly is driven when the carbon dioxide produced at the anode chamber flows over the blades of a first turbine (which is referred to herein as &ldquo;the vent turbine&rdquo;). The vent turbine is attached to a drive shaft that is used to cause a second turbine (or fan) to draw oxygen (generally from ambient air) into the cathode chamber of the fuel cell. This drawn-in air forces oxygen over the cathode of the fuel cell. The second turbine is referred to herein as &ldquo;the inlet turbine.&rdquo; Other embodiments of the invention allow for adjustments to be made depending upon the conditions in which the invention is used.

Method and apparatus for CO2 - driven air management for a fuel cell system

A fuel cell system is specially adapted to provide enhanced air purification for stationary and mobile applications. An air purification subsystem may be installed along a cathode flow path to enhance air purification by utilization of fuel cell operating conditions. Synergistic automotive, residential, commercial and agricultural applications are thus provided. Air purification subsystems may include, for example, a multi-purpose platinum-based catalyst configuration adapted to convert carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and ozone into diatomic oxygen.

Fuel cell air purification subsystem

A fuel container and delivery assembly for use with a direct oxidation fuel cell system is provided. The container and delivery assembly allows clean fuel which, in a preferred embodiment, is in the form of either pure methanol or an aqueous methanol/water mixture to be delivered to the cell. Additives are mixed with the fuel containing substance prior to release of the fuel outside of the cell. The fuel substance is housed in an inner tank, which is disposed within an outer container. A plenum area defined by the space between the outer container and the flexible bladder is filled with the additives so that, upon rupture of the entire assembly, the fuel substance is mixed with the additives. In one embodiment of the invention, the inner tank is a flexible bladder. A rupture means is provided on a needle, which draws the fuel out in pure form, tears the flexible bladder so that any remaining fuel is mixed with the additives when it is desired to dispose of or re-fill the container.

Multiple-walled fuel container and delivery system

A diagnostic method and method of controlling the preferential oxidation of CO in a reformed fuel gas stream includes periodically modulating the amount of air supplied to a preferential oxidation reactor at a specific operating characteristic of the fuel cell, such as power output or fuel flow rate, to determine the amount of air necessary to reduce the level of CO to an acceptable level.

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Rexford, NY, United States of America

William P Acker