Fuel cell cartridge with leak detection

• US 20060071009A1
• Filed: 09/16/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: UltraCell Corporation (Bren-Tronics, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: UltraCell Corporation (Bren-Tronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kaye, Ian W.
• Application Number:
  US11/229,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20060071009A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/723
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0128 spherical or elliptical
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0157 Polygonal
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0166 divided in several chambers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/018 with bladders
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/019 with pistons
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0195 with bellows
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/058 portable (<30 l)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0636 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0646 Aluminium
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/066 Plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0663 in form of fibers or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0697 comprising nanoparticles
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0341 Filters
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/037 Quick connecting means, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/054 by bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/055 by magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/057 by chips
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/058 by Radio Frequency Identification
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/033 Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/035 : Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0153 : Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/033 : Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0128 : with pumps or compressors
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 : using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/036 : using alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/028 : Avoiding unauthorised transfer
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/036 : Avoiding leaks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/056 : Improving fluid characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0763 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 3/00 : Vessels not under pressure
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 : of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 : Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/30 : Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04014 : Heat exchange using gaseous fluids; Heat exchange by combustion of reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04022 : Heating by combustion
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04186 : of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 : Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04208 : Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04626 : of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04686 : of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04776 : at auxiliary devices, e.g. reformer, compressor, burner
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04917 : of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0618 : Reforming processes, e.g. autothermal, partial oxidation or steam reforming
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 : Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 : Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells

Abstract

Described herein is a portable storage device that stores a hydrogen fuel source. The storage device includes a bladder that contains the hydrogen fuel source and conforms to the volume of the hydrogen fuel source. A housing provides mechanical protection for the bladder. The storage device also includes a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector. The device may be a portable electronics device such as a laptop computer. Refillable hydrogen fuel source storage devices and systems are also described. Hot swappable fuel storage systems described herein allow a portable hydrogen fuel source storage device to be removed from a fuel processor or electronics device it provides the hydrogen fuel source to, without shutting down the receiving device or without compromising hydrogen fuel source provision.

Claims

1. A portable methanol cartridge for storing methanol, the cartridge comprising:

a bladder that contains the methanol and one of an odorant, a bitterant and a colorant;

a housing that provides mechanical protection for the bladder; and

a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the methanol between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector.

2. The portable cartridge of claim 1 wherein the one of the odorant, bitterant and the colorant are mixed into the methanol while the methanol is in the bladder.

3. The portable cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a filter configured to intercept the methanol and to remove the one of an odorant, a bitterant and a colorant from the methanol when the methanol leaves the storage device through an intended outlet.

4. The portable cartridge of claim 3 wherein the filter is included in the connector.

5. The portable cartridge of claim 4 wherein the filter spans a tube, in the connector, that opens to the fuel source bladder.

6. The portable cartridge of claim 1 wherein the one of the odorant, bitterant and colorant is present in the methanol when the methanol does not leave the storage device via the connector.

7. The portable cartridge of claim 1 wherein the methanol includes a mixture of methanol and water.

8. A portable methanol cartridge for storing methanol, the storage device comprising:

a bladder that contains the methanol and a colorant in the methanol;

a housing that provides mechanical protection for the bladder; and

a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector.

9. The portable cartridge of claim 8 wherein the methanol includes a mixture of methanol and water.

10. The portable cartridge of claim 8 wherein the colorant includes a food dye.

11. The portable cartridge of claim 8 wherein the housing includes a transparent wall that permits visible detection of the methanol and colorant in the bladder.

12. The portable cartridge of claim 8 further comprising a filter configured to intercept the methanol and the colorant as the methanol leaves the storage device through an intended outlet.

13. The portable cartridge of claim 12 wherein the filter is included in the connector.

14. A portable methanol cartridge for storing methanol, the storage device comprising:

a bladder that contains the methanol and a bitterant in the methanol;

a housing that provides mechanical protection for the bladder; and

a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector.

15. The portable cartridge of claim 14 further comprising a filter configured to intercept the methanol and the bitterant as the methanol leaves the storage device through an intended outlet.

16. The portable cartridge of claim 15 wherein the filter is included in the connector.

17. The portable cartridge of claim 14 wherein the methanol in the bladder is a tasteless liquid without the bitterant.

18. A portable methanol cartridge for storing methanol, the storage device comprising:

a bladder that contains the methanol and an odorant in the methanol;

a housing that provides mechanical protection for the bladder; and

a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector.

19. The portable cartridge of claim 18 wherein the methanol in the bladder is an odorless liquid without the odorant.

20. The portable cartridge of claim 18 further comprising a filter configured to intercept the methanol and the odorant as the methanol leaves the storage device through an intended outlet.

21. The portable cartridge of claim 20 wherein the filter is included in the connector.