FUEL CELL CARTRIDGE

• US 20090197150A1
• Filed: 05/24/2007
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation), TOYO Seikan Kaisha Limited
• Inventors: Hosokai, Taku, Kai, Shojiro, Kawamura, Koichi, Tanaka, Kenjiro, Sakaguchi, Toshiki, Imoda, Daisuke
• Application Number:
  US12/303,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20090197150A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/470
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/06 with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages with slidable spouts B65D47/26
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0104 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/032 with substantially vertical main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/058 portable (<30 l)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0617 with one layer
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/066 Plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2209/2127 by blowing
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0135 Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/011 Improving strength
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/012 Reducing weight
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0763 Fuel cells
• 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 8/1011 Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell cartridge for containing fuel for fuel cells, comprising a polyester resin, wherein after the fuel is contained and preserved at 60° C. for one week, a change of density at the bottom portion and the mouth portion is 0.01 g/cm³ or less. Even when methanol of a high concentration is contained, the fuel cell cartridge maintains excellent appearance effectively preventing the occurrence of whitening in the container and, particularly, at the mouth portion and the bottom portion thereof, and effectively suppressing a decrease in the shock resistance.

Claims

1. A fuel cell cartridge for containing fuel for fuel cells, comprising a polyester resin and having a mouth portion, a body portion and a bottom portion, wherein after the fuel is contained and preserved at 60°

C. for one week, a change of density at the bottom portion and the mouth portion is 0.01 g/cm³ or less.

2. The fuel cell cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge has a density of not less than 1.345 g/cm³ at every portion thereof.

3. The fuel cell cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the mouth portion is heat-crystallized, and the bottom portion inclusive of the central portion thereof is drawn or at least the central portion of the bottom is heat-crystallized.

4. The fuel cell cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the fuel is methanol of a concentration of 90% or more.

5. The fuel cell cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell cartridge is formed by biaxially draw-blow-forming a preform of polyester into 1.5 to 3.5 times in the longitudinal direction and into 1.5 to 5.0 times in the circumferential direction with the preform size as a reference.

6. The fuel cell cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the biaxially draw-blow-forming is a two-step blow-forming.

7. The fuel cell cartridge according to claim 1, further having a connection portion equipped with a valve body for connection to a fuel-containing portion in a fuel cell body.

8. A fuel cell cartridge obtained by containing methanol of a concentration of 90% or more in the fuel cell cartridge of claim 1.