Rechargeable fuel cell with double cathode

• US 20070141450A1
• 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, Cai, Jun, Yang, Hai, Wang, Shengxian, Liu, Jinghua, Huang, Qunjian, Fu, Qijia
• Application Number:
  US11/313,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20070141450A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/72
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/281 Large cells or batteries with stacks of plate-like electrodes
• 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 16/003 of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/90 Selection of catalytic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/96 Carbon-based electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0273 with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04141 by water containing exhaust gases
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04149 by diffusion, e.g. making use of membranes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04156 with product water removal
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/083 Alkaline fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/186 by electrolytic decomposition of the electrolytic solution or the formed water product
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2475 Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell assembly may be provided that includes a first cathodic electrode and a second cathodic electrode; an anodic electrode positioned between the first cathodic electrode and the second cathodic electrode; a first membrane positioned between the first cathodic electrode and the anodic electrode; a second membrane positioned between the second cathodic electrode and the anodic electrode; and a seal ring for sealing the fuel cell assembly, the seal ring comprising a water-refilling mechanism.

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell comprising:

a first cathodic electrode and a second cathodic electrode;

an anodic electrode positioned between the first cathodic electrode and the second cathodic electrode;

a first membrane positioned between the first cathodic electrode and the anodic electrode;

a second membrane positioned between the second cathodic electrode and the anodic electrode; and

a water-refilling mechanism in fluid communication with one or both of the first membrane or the second membrane.

2. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, further comprising electrolyte disposed between the anodic electrode and the first cathodic electrode and disposed between the anodic electrode and the second cathodic electrode.

3. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the water-filling mechanism defines a channel operable to provide fluid to at least one of the cathodic electrodes.

4. The electrochemical cell of claim 3, wherein the channel is configured to allow fluid to flow into the electrochemical cell, and to reduce or prevent fluid from flowing out of the electrochemical cell.

5. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the water-filling mechanism comprises a seal ring that defines one or more channels for receiving water.

6. The electrochemical cell of claim 5, wherein the seal ring defines one or more channels for air or oxygen egress.

7. The electrochemical cell of claim 6, wherein one or more of the membranes are positioned in the channels for air or oxygen egress to prevent or reduce water vapor loss.

8. A method, comprising:

coupling a first cathode to rechargeable fuel cell comprising an anode, a second cathode, electrolyte and a membrane, such that the anode is disposed between the first and second cathodes; and

coupling one or more mechanisms for water filling and water retention to the fuel cell such that a channel is defined from a peripheral edge to one or more of the cathodes.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing fluid through the channel to the one or more cathodes.

10. A fuel cell seal ring comprising a mechanism for water filling.

11. The fuel cell seal ring of claim 10 wherein the mechanism for water filling comprises a channel defined by the seal ring.

12. The fuel cell ring of claim 10, wherein the seal ring further comprises a mechanism for water retention.

13. The fuel cell ring of claim 10, wherein the mechanism for water retention comprises a cap operable to block the flow of water into and out of the mechanism.

14. The fuel cell seal ring of claim 10, wherein the seal ring defines one or more channels for air or oxygen egress.

15. The fuel cell ring of claim 10, wherein the fuel cell seal ring further comprises one or more membranes capable of preventing or reducing water loss from the fuel cell interior.

16. A fuel cell comprising the fuel cell seal ring of claim 10.

17. A rechargeable fuel cell stack, comprising two or more of the fuel cells of claim 16.

18. A rechargeable fuel cell comprising:

a first cathodic electrode;

a second cathodic electrode spaced from the first cathodic electrode;

a third electrode;

an anodic electrode positioned between the second cathodic electrode and the third electrode;

a membrane positioned between the second cathodic electrode and the anodic electrode;

another membrane positioned between the third cathodic electrode and the anodic electrode; and

a water-refilling mechanism in fluid communication with at least one of the electrodes.

19. The rechargeable fuel cell of claim 18, further comprising a second anode positioned between the first cathodic electrode and the third electrode.

20. The rechargeable fuel cell of claim 18, wherein the water-refilling mechanism is capable of flowing water or electrolyte into the fuel cell interior.

21. The rechargeable fuel cell of claim 20, wherein the water-refilling mechanism comprises means for retaining water and water vapor from gases that would otherwise egress out from the rechargeable fuel cell.

22. The rechargeable fuel cell of claim 18, further comprising one or more membranes positioned within the water-filling mechanism.

23. A device powered by the rechargeable fuel cell of claim 18.