Fuel cell with proton conducting membrane and with improved water and fuel management
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a cathode and a fuel cell, which are built to prevent escape of liquids, e.g. water and fuel solution, from the cell. Thus, according to a first aspect thereof, the present invention provides a cathode suitable for use in a fuel cell having a proton conducting membrane, the cathode comprising a plurality of layers including a catalyst layer and a hydrophobic porous support layer, wherein at least one of said plurality of layers is a liquid water leak-proof layer, which allows gas to pass through it and prevents passage of liquid water and/or aqueous fuel solution.
76 Citations
108 Claims
-
1-54. -54 (canceled)
- 55. A cathode suitable for use in a fuel cell having a proton conducting membrane, the cathode comprising a plurality of layers including a catalyst layer and a hydrophobic porous support layer, wherein at least one of said plurality of layers is a liquid-water leak-proof layer (LWLPL) capable of allowing passage of gas and preventing passage of liquid water and/or aqueous fuel solution from the cathode catalyst layer to the airside of the cathode and outside the fuel cell, wherein said fuel cell is a direct oxidation fuel cell fed by water soluble fuels, and wherein said LWLPL is free of cracks or holes larger than 5 microns.
- 94. A liquid level detector for detecting the level of a liquid medium in a container, the detector comprising an electrodes'"'"' arrangement with the electrodes located in a spaced-apart relationship each in contact with the inside space of the container, the electrodes'"'"' arrangement being operable by the application of voltage to detect whether there is a required amount of the medium in the container, irrespective of the orientation of the container in space.
- 100. A cellular phone comprising an antenna, an earphone, a fuel cell, a fuel tank and a water tank, wherein the fuel cell is located between said antenna and said earphone so that at least part of the radiation irradiated from the antenna is absorbed by said fuel cell.
-
102. A fuel cell assembly comprising at least two fuel cells each having a fuel tank, said fuel cells being built adjacent to each other with a common wall having an aperture covered with a porous hydrophobic nonconductive film.
-
108. A fuel cell arrangement comprising means for preventing hydraulic pressure built-up on the cathode, said means including at least one water collector connected to a water drainage duct, said at least one water collector being selected from a hydrophilic layer placed on the cathode, a hydrophilic channel pressed into the cathode, and a hydrophilic fiber applied across the cathode.
Specification