Fuel cartridge for fuel cells
First Claim
1. A fuel cartridge containing fuel suitable for use with a fuel cell comprising a first free space portion and a filler insert, wherein the filler insert comprises an absorbent material capable of wicking fuel contained within the cartridge by capillary action, and wherein the filler insert is substantially in contact with the fuel at any orientation of the cartridge and at any fuel level.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A versatile fuel cartridge for storing methanol and water, methanol/water mixture or methanol/water mixtures of varying concentrations is disclosed. The present invention utilizes a filler insert preferably occupying a small portion of the volume of the fuel cartridge, so that the fuel cartridge may hold more fuel to ensure a long life of the fuel cartridge. The filler insert is capable of wicking and transporting the fuel to the MEA. Additionally, the filler insert remains in physical contact with the fuel in any orientation of the fuel cartridge and at any fuel level in the fuel cartridge. The fuel cartridge may have more than one chamber, and preferably each chamber contains a different concentration of fuel. Optionally, the fuel cartridge may also include a pump to initiate fuel flow from the fuel reservoir. The pump may also regulate the flow of fuel and importantly to shut off the flow of fuel, when necessary.
-
Citations
113 Claims
- 1. A fuel cartridge containing fuel suitable for use with a fuel cell comprising a first free space portion and a filler insert, wherein the filler insert comprises an absorbent material capable of wicking fuel contained within the cartridge by capillary action, and wherein the filler insert is substantially in contact with the fuel at any orientation of the cartridge and at any fuel level.
- 50. A fuel cartridge containing fuel suitable for use with a fuel cell comprising a filler insert and the fuel cartridge is operatively connectable to a microelectromechanical pump to control the flow of fuel out of the cartridge, wherein the filler insert comprises an absorbent material capable of wicking fuel contained within the cartridge by capillary action, and wherein the filler insert is substantially in contact with the fuel at any orientation of the cartridge and at any fuel level.
- 77. A fuel cartridge containing fuel suitable for use with a fuel cell comprising a plurality of chambers, wherein each chamber has a predetermined concentration of fuel and wherein each chamber comprises a filler insert made from an absorbent material capable of wicking fuel contained within the chamber by capillary action, and wherein the filler insert is substantially in contact with the fuel at any orientation of the chamber and at any fuel level.
Specification