Interface seal for a fuel cartridge

• US 10,211,466 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2014
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited (Lb-shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited (Lb-shell Plc)
• Inventors: Choudhury, Monjur, Payne, Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): Rhee, Jane J
• Application Number:
  US14/910,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20160181629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,658 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/022 characterised by structure or material
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/06 with solid packing compressed between sealing surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/104 characterised by structure
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/12 with metal reinforcement or covering
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/186 characterised by the disposition of the sealing members
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0273 with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04 Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04208 Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A resilient sealing member (27) has a first face (40) and a second face (41) and an aperture (42) extending between the first face and the second face. At least two, preferably three or more, circumferential ridges (43, 44, 45) surround the aperture on the first face. Channels (46, 47) may be disposed between each adjacent pair of circumferential ridges and a flat seal may be provided on the first face, peripheral to the circumferential ridges. The flat seal may occupy a different plane than the plane occupied by apexes of the circumferential ridges. The resilient sealing member may be incorporated into interface seal assembly comprising a rigid frame (26) onto which it is molded. The rigid frame may comprise a printed circuit board (25). The interface seal assembly allows for an easily interchangeable seal on a refillable fuel cartridge (1) for a fuel cell apparatus.

Claims

1. A method of reconditioning a fuel cartridge,

having a body and an interface seal assembly comprising a resilient sealing member moulded onto a rigid frame, the resilient sealing assembly having a first face and a second face and an aperture extending between the first face and the second face, the aperture forming part of a fuel flow path from the cartridge to an external interface defined by the first face, and the second face defining a seal to an internal part of the fuel cartridge,

the method comprising the steps of:

removing the interface seal assembly by detachment of the rigid frame from the cartridge body;

attaching a new interface seal assembly to the cartridge body, thereby renewing the seals defined by the first face and the second face of the resilient sealing member; and

,

replenishing a fuel source within the fuel cartridge.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the rigid frame includes a circuit board component having electrical contacts thereon, wherein the step of removing the interface seal assembly includes simultaneous removal of electrical contacts coupled thereto and the step of attaching a new interface seal assembly includes simultaneously attaching new electrical contacts.