Electrochemical conversion system

• US 20020160237A1
• Filed: 06/10/2002
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JTEC Energy, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Johnson Researach and Development Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Lonnie G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,899,967 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/9
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 14/00 Electrochemical current or voltage generators not provided for in groups H01M6/00 - H01M12/00; Manufacture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/383 Hydrogen absorbing alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04216 characterised by the choice for a specific material, e.g. carbon, hydride, absorbent
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/065 by dissolution of metals or alloys; by dehydriding metallic substances
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0656 by electrochemical means H01M8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/182 Regeneration by thermal means
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/186 by electrolytic decomposition of the electrolytic solution or the formed water product
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

An electrochemical conversion system (110) is disclosed having a housing (111) defining an opening (112) and an internal chamber (113). An electrochemical cell (116) is mounted within the opening (112) which is electrically coupled to a circuit (117). A mass of metal hydride material (118) is positioned within the chamber (113). The circuit (117) includes a load (127) and a battery (128) electrically coupled in series. The system may also be adapted to generate DC power with the addition of a rectifier (131).

Claims

1. An electrochemical conversion system comprising:

a housing defining a chamber and an opening therein allowing fluid communication between said chamber and ambience,

a mass of hydrogen absorbent material positioned within said chamber;

an electrochemical cell mounted to said housing opening which allows the passage of hydrogen protons from said chamber to ambience and from ambience to said chamber;

an electric circuit coupled to said electrochemical cell, said electric circuit having a load and a battery coupled in series with said load, and

a supply of hydrogen;

whereby changes in ambient temperature or pressure causes variations in the voltage of the electrochemical cell, whereby a difference in the state of charge between the electrochemical cell and the battery causes an electric current through the load.

2. The electrochemical conversion system of claim 1 wherein circuit includes a rectifier.

3. The electrochemical conversion system of claim 2 wherein said circuit includes a supplementary output battery.

4. An electrochemical conversion system comprising:

a mass of hydrogen absorbent material;

a housing containing said mass of hydrogen absorbent material;

an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with ambience and in fluid communication with said mass of hydrogen absorbent material so as to allow the flow of hydrogen protons from said mass of hydrogen absorbent material through said electrochemical cell;

an electric circuit coupled to said electrochemical cell, said electric circuit having a load and a battery coupled in series with said load, and

a supply of hydrogen;

whereby changes in ambient temperature or pressure causes variations in the voltage of the electrochemical cell, whereby a difference in the state of charge between the electrochemical cell and the battery causes an electric current through the load.

5. The electrochemical conversion system of claim 4 wherein circuit includes a rectifier.

6. The electrochemical conversion system of claim 5 wherein said circuit includes a supplementary output battery.

7. An electrochemical conversion system comprising:

a mass of hydrogen absorbent material;

a housing containing said mass of hydrogen absorbent material;

an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with ambience and in fluid communication with said mass of hydrogen absorbent material so as to allow the flow of hydrogen protons from said mass of hydrogen absorbent material through said electrochemical cell;

an electric circuit coupled to said electrochemical cell, said electric circuit having a battery and coupleable to a load in series with said battery, and

a supply of hydrogen;

whereby changes in ambient temperature or pressure causes variations in the voltage of the electrochemical cell, whereby a difference in the state of charge between the electrochemical cell and the battery causes an electric current through the load.

8. The electrochemical conversion system of claim 7 wherein circuit includes a rectifier.

9. The electrochemical conversion system of claim 8 wherein said circuit includes a supplementary output battery.