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.

Date of Patent:
Sep. 14, 2004

Filed:

Jan. 11, 2002
Applicant:
Inventors:

Makarand P. Gore, Corvallis, OR (US);

L. Chris Mann, Corvallis, OR (US);

Assignee:
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 9/00 ; H01M 2/38 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 9/00 ; H01M 2/38 ;
Abstract

A means for determining the concentration of a hydrogen-rich fuel in a fuel solution within the anode reservoir of a fuel cell. The fuel concentration is determined using a float responsive to fuel solution density. As fuel is consumed, the fuel concentration decreases. As the fuel concentration decreases, the density of the fuel solution increases, causing the float to rise. A window may be included in the anode reservoir or in an attached float chamber to facilitate inspection of the position of the float. A fuel scale may be included to facilitate fuel concentration determination based on the position of the float within the fuel solution. Additionally, a valve responsive to float position may act to control fuel delivery.


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