Cylindrical structure fuel cell

• US 20070141440A1
• Filed: 12/21/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Wei, Chang, Yang, Hai, Wang, Shengxian, Liu, Jinghua, Huang, Qunjian, Fu, Qijia, Cai, Jun
• Application Number:
  US11/314,226
• Publication Number:
  US 20070141440A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/403
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/06 with one metallic and one gaseous electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/08 composed of a half-cell of a fuel-cell type and a half-cell of the secondary-cell type
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0014 Alkaline electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/383 Hydrogen absorbing alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5005 Auxiliary electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/225 Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising particulate active material in the form of a suspension, a dispersion, a fluidised bed or a paste
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A galvanic cell structure is provided. The galvanic cell structure includes an outer cylinder featuring air inlets, a cathode, an anode, a membrane separating the cathode from the anode, and an inner cylinder featuring fluid inlets that may provide a volume for storing and/or transferring fluid for use in the galvanic cell.

Claims

1. A galvanic cell structure, comprising:

an outer cylinder, wherein the outer cylinder has one or more air inlets that extend from outside the outer cylinder through an outer cylinder wall and into an interior of the outer cylinder;

a cathode;

an anode capable of being in electrical communication with the cathode;

a membrane separating the cathode from the anode; and

an inner cylinder, wherein the inner cylinder has one or more fluid inlets that extend from outside the inner cylinder through an inner cylinder wall and into an interior of the inner cylinder, and the inner cylinder has an inner surface that defines a volume capable of one or more of storing fluid or transferring fluid through the one or more fluid inlets.

2. The galvanic cell structure of claim 1, wherein the galvanic cell is a rechargeable fuel cell.

3. The rechargeable fuel cell structure of claim 2, wherein the rechargeable fuel cell is an alkaline fuel cell.

4. The galvanic cell structure of claim 1, wherein the galvanic cell is a metal/air battery.

5. The galvanic cell structure of claim 1, wherein the cathode is an air electrode and comprises a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer.

6. The galvanic cell structure of claim 5, wherein the catalyst layer comprises a catalyst, active carbon, and a binder.

7. The galvanic cell structure of claim 6, wherein the catalyst is selected from the group comprising metal catalyst, metal oxide catalyst, and Perovskite catalyst.

8. The galvanic cell structure of claim 5, wherein the gas diffusion layer comprises active carbon and a binder.

9. The galvanic cell structure of claim 1, wherein the anode comprises an active material, a binder, and at least one conductive additive.

10. The galvanic cell structure of claim 9, wherein the active material is a metal hydride.

11. The galvanic cell structure of claim 10, wherein the metal hydride comprises one or more of LaNi₅, AlH₃, SiH₄, LiH, BeH₂, GaH₃, or SbH₃.

12. The galvanic cell structure of claim 9, wherein the binder comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), or a mixture thereof.

13. The galvanic cell structure of claim 9, wherein the conductive additive comprises carbonyl nickel powder.

14. The galvanic cell structure of claim 1, wherein the fluid is an electrolyte.

15. The galvanic cell structure of claim 14, wherein the electrolyte is an alkaline electrolyte.

16. The galvanic cell structure of claim 1, wherein the fluid is water.

17. The galvanic cell structure of claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises a separator that is capable of electrical insulation, ion-exchange conductivity, and is stable in alkaline environments.

18. The galvanic cell structure of claim 17, wherein the separator is porous or non-woven.

19. The galvanic cell structure of claim 17, wherein the separator comprises a polyolefin.

20. The galvanic cell structure of claim 17, wherein the separator comprises nylon or asbestos.

21. The galvanic cell structure of claim 1, wherein the outer cylinder comprises a material stable in alkaline environments.

22. The galvanic cell structure of claim 21, wherein the outer cylinder comprises stainless steel.

23. The galvanic cell structure of claim 21, wherein the outer cylinder comprises a thermoplastic.

24. The galvanic cell structure of claim 1, wherein the inner cylinder comprises a material stable in alkaline environments.

25. The galvanic cell structure of claim 24, wherein the inner cylinder comprises stainless steel.

26. The galvanic cell structure of claim 24, wherein the inner cylinder comprises a thermoplastic.

27. The galvanic cell structure of claim 1, wherein one or both of the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder are polygonal.

28. An electronic system, comprising:

means for housing components of a fuel cell or battery and for providing oxidant to an electrode;

a plurality of electrodes disposed within the housing means, wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises at least one of a cathode and an anode;

means for separating the cathode from the anode; and

means for defining a volume within the housing means and for communicating fluid between the volume and at least one of the plurality of electrodes.

29. The electronic system as defined in claim 28, wherein the means for defining a volume within the housing means and for communicating fluid between the volume and at least one of the plurality of electrodes is further capable of receiving and storing the fluid.

30. A galvanic cell structure comprising:

an outer cylinder, wherein the outer cylinder has one or more air inlets that extend from outside the outer cylinder through an outer cylinder wall and into an interior of the outer cylinder;

a plurality of electrodes comprising at least a cathode, an anode, and a third electrode;

a first membrane separating the cathode from the anode;

an inner cylinder, wherein the inner cylinder has one or more fluid inlets that extend from outside the inner cylinder through an inner cylinder wall and into an interior of the inner cylinder, and the inner cylinder has an inner surface that defines a volume capable of one or more of storing fluid or transferring fluid through the one or more fluid inlets; and

a second membrane, wherein the second membrane separates the anode from the inner cylinder.

31. The galvanic cell structure of claim 30, wherein the inner cylinder is capable of functioning as the third electrode.