The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 28, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 06, 1998
Carlos Salinas, Bryan, TX (US);
Stanley F Simpson, College Station, TX (US);
Oliver J Murphy, Bryan, TX (US);
Kryzysztof Franaszczuk, College Station, TX (US);
Homayoun Moaddel, Bryan, TX (US);
Dacong Weng, College Station, TX (US);
Lynntech, Inc., College Station, TX (US);
Abstract
The invention provides devices and techniques for reducing or eliminating fuel crossover from the anode to the cathode in fuel cells using organic fuels. The invention particularly provides proton exchange membranes having passages or channels with or without a catalyst layer active for the electrochemical oxidation of a fuel. The invention reduces fuel crossover by providing void spaces within the membrane where the fuel may be sequestered as it diffuses through the membrane from the anode to the cathode. The sequestered fuel may be removed physically and/or electrochemically. The invention provides for physical removal of the sequestered fuel by means of flowing a gas stream or a liquid stream through the passages thus evacuating the fuel before it diffuses to the cathode. Electrochemical removal of the fuel involves coating the inner walls of the passages with a catalyst, electronically connecting the catalyst with the anode, and electrooxidation of the crossover fuel sequestered in contact with the catalyst which is active for this oxidation process.