Fluid pump and connector assembly

• US 20070037034A1
• Filed: 08/11/2005
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited (Lb-shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ardica Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Glassman, Jonathan, Fisher, Tobin
• Granted Patent: US 8,187,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/421
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0233 connected to or incorporated in clothing or garments A61F2007/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/03 thermophore, i.e. self-heating, e.g. using a chemical reaction
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/04 Pumps having electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous 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 8/04216 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: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A fluid pump and connector assembly is particularly suited for use in connecting a fuel cartridge to a fuel cell system. The assembly has a first sub-assembly comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a flexible diaphragm in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet, and a first connector. The assembly also has a second sub-assembly comprising a second connector adapted to connect to the first connector, an actuator and a reciprocating member coupled to the actuator and contacting the diaphragm when the first and second sub-assemblies are connected, wherein a reciprocating motion of the actuator and member causes the diaphragm to reciprocate and pump fluid from the inlet to the outlet without exposing the fluid to the second sub-assembly.

Claims

1. A fuel cell apparatus comprising:

(a) a fuel cartridge comprising a liquid reactant dispenser, a reaction chamber, and, a connector sub-assembly comprising an inlet fluidly coupled to the liquid reactant dispenser, an outlet fluidly coupled to the reaction chamber, and a flexible diaphragm in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet; and

(b) a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell and a connector sub-assembly connectable to the fuel cartridge connector sub-assembly and comprising an actuator and a reciprocating member coupled to the actuator and contacting the diaphragm when the fuel cartridge and fuel cell system are connected, wherein a reciprocating motion of the actuator and member causes the diaphragm to reciprocate and pump a liquid reactant from the liquid reactant dispenser to the reaction chamber without exposing the reactant to the fuel cell system.

2. A fuel cell apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reactant chamber contains a solid reactant that produces hydrogen gas when mixed with the liquid reactant.

3. A fuel cell apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fuel cartridge collector sub-assembly further comprises a hydrogen discharge port fluidly coupled to the reaction chamber and the fuel cell system collector sub-assembly further comprises an intake port fluidly coupled to the fuel cell and that aligns with the discharge port when the fuel cartridge and fuel cell system are connected.

4. A fuel cell apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the liquid reactant is citric acid solution and the solid reactant is sodium borohydride.

5. A fuel cell apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the actuator is a shape memory alloy and is electrically coupled to an electrical source capable of heating the shape memory alloy to above a shrinkage temperature.

6. A fuel pump as claimed in claim 5 wherein the actuator is a nitinol wire coupled to the reciprocating member and attached at both ends to crimping connectors to form a bow-shaped configuration.

7. A fuel pump as claimed in claim 6 wherein the wire is mounted so that when in a stiff phase, the reciprocating member is in a retracted position, and when in a responsive phase, the reciprocating member is in an extended position.

8. A fluid pump comprising:

(a) a first sub-assembly comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a flexible diaphragm in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet; and

(b) a second sub-assembly connectable to the first sub-assembly and comprising an actuator and a reciprocating member coupled to the actuator and contacting the diaphragm when the first and second sub-assemblies are connected, wherein a reciprocating motion of the actuator and member causes the diaphragm to reciprocate and pump fluid from the inlet to the outlet without exposing the fluid to the second sub-assembly.

9. A fuel pump as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first and second sub-assemblies further comprise connectors to removably connect the first and second sub-assemblies together.

10. A fuel pump as claimed in claim 9 wherein the connectors are magnetic.

11. A fuel pump as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first sub-assembly is mounted to a fuel cartridge and the fluid is a liquid reactant that generates hydrogen when mixed with a solid reactant.

12. A fuel pump as claimed in claim 11 wherein the liquid reactant is citric acid solution and the solid reactant is sodium borohydride.

13. A fuel pump as claimed in claim 12 wherein the second sub-assembly is mounted to a fuel cell system and has an intake port for receiving hydrogen gas produced by the fuel cartridge and delivering the hydrogen gas to a fuel cell in the fuel cell system.

14. A fuel pump as claimed in claim 8 wherein the actuator is a shape memory alloy and is electrically coupled to an electrical source capable of heating the shape memory alloy to above a shrinkage temperature.

15. A fuel pump as claimed in claim 14 wherein the actuator is a nitinol wire coupled to the reciprocating member and attached at both ends to crimping connectors to form a bow-shaped configuration.

16. A fuel pump as claimed in claim 15 wherein the wire is mounted so that when in a relaxed phase, the reciprocating member is in a retracted position, and when in a contracted phase, the reciprocating member is in an extended position.

17. A fluid pump and connector assembly comprising:

(a) a first sub-assembly comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a flexible diaphragm in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet, and a first connector; and

(b) a second sub-assembly comprising a second connector adapted to connect to the first connector, an actuator and a reciprocating member coupled to the actuator and contacting the diaphragm when the first and second sub-assemblies are connected, wherein a reciprocating motion of the actuator and member causes the diaphragm to reciprocate and pump fluid from the inlet to the outlet without exposing the fluid to the second sub-assembly.