SHAPED FUEL SOURCE AND FUEL CELL

• US 20100151355A1
• Filed: 02/12/2010
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Eickhoff, Steven J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,276,285 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/503
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 11/005 for hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• 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: H01M 8/2475 Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

An example fuel cell assembly may include a shaped fuel source that is formed into a desired shape. The shaped fuel source may have an outer surface, and a fuel cell may be mounted directly on the outer surface of the shaped fuel source. In some instances, the fuel cell assembly may also include one or more of a cathode cap, an anode cap, a refill port, and an outer shell disposed around an exterior of the fuel cell assembly, but these are not required.

Claims

1. A fuel cell assembly, comprising:

a shaped fuel source formed into a desired shape, the shaped fuel source having an outer surface; and

a fuel cell mounted directly on the outer surface of the shaped fuel source.

2. The fuel cell assembly of claim 1, wherein the shaped fuel source including a plurality of fuel source particles having a coating disposed thereon.

3. The fuel cell assembly of claim 2, wherein shaped fuel source includes a metal hydride.

4. The fuel cell assembly of claim 2, wherein the coating includes a corrosion-resistance coating.

5. The fuel cell assembly of claim 4, wherein the coating includes copper.

6. The fuel cell assembly of claim 2, wherein the coating preserves the structural integrity of the shaped fuel source.

7. The fuel cell assembly of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell assembly is free of a thermal interface structure between the shaped fuel source and the fuel cell.

8. The fuel cell assembly of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell assembly is free of a container between the shaped fuel source and the fuel cell.

9. The fuel cell assembly of claim 1, further comprising a refill port.

10. The fuel cell assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more of a cathode cap, an anode cap, and an outer shell.

11. A method for manufacturing a fuel cell assembly, the method comprising:

providing a fuel source, the fuel source including a plurality of fuel source particles having a corrosion-resistance coating;

forming the fuel source into a desired shape that has an outer surface; and

coupling a fuel cell to the outer surface of the fuel source without an intervening container between the outer surface of the fuel source and the fuel cell.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein fuel source includes a metal hydride.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the corrosion-resistance coating includes copper.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling a fuel cell to the outer surface of the fuel source includes disposing the fuel cell directly onto the outer surface of the fuel source.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the fuel cell assembly is free of a thermal interface between the fuel source and the fuel cell.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein forming the fuel source into a desired shape includes casting.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein forming the fuel source into a desired shape includes molding.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein forming the fuel source into a desired shape includes forming the fuel source into a substantially cylindrical shape.

19. A fuel cell assembly, comprising:

a particulate fuel source including a plurality of metal hydride particles;

wherein the metal hydride particles includes a copper coating;

a fuel cell disposed directly on the fuel source;

a cathode cap;

an anode cap;

a refill port; and

an outer shell disposed around an exterior of the fuel cell assembly.

20. The fuel cell assembly of claim 19, wherein the fuel cell assembly is free of a thermal interface structure between the fuel source and the fuel cell.