FUEL LEAKAGE PREVENTING STRUCTURE AND BIOFUEL CELL

• US 20130130130A1
• Filed: 04/25/2011
• Published: 05/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Yamaguchi, Daisuke, Samukawa, Tsunetoshi, Fujita, Shuji, Mita, Hiroki, Nakagawa, Takaaki, Tokita, Yuichi
• Granted Patent: US 8,911,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/401
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04082 Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/16 Biochemical fuel cells, i.e. cells in which microorganisms function as catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2455 with liquid, solid or electrolyte-charged reactants
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

The valve control unit of a fuel leakage preventing structure of the present invention includes first and second electrodes. The first electrode is attached to a first member that is movable. When a pressing force is applied to the first member to move, the first and second electrodes are brought into contact with each other, to cause conduction. The first and second electrodes are connected to a control device, and the control device opens a control valve when the first and second electrodes are put into a conducting state. As the control valve is opened and closed by a pressing force in this manner, a fuel solution can be easily supplied.

Claims

1. A fuel leakage preventing structure for a biofuel cell, comprising:

a control valve; and

a valve control unit configured to electrically control opening and closing of the control valve,

wherein the control valve is attached to at least one of a fuel supply inlet through which fuel is introduced into a battery cell unit of the biofuel cell, and a fuel supply path connected to the fuel inlet, and

the valve control unit opens and closes the control valve, depending on conduction caused by a pressing force.

2. The fuel leakage preventing structure for a biofuel cell according to claim 1, wherein

the valve control unit includes first and second electrodes,

the first electrode is attached to a first member that is moved by a pressing force, and

when the pressing force is applied to the first member, the first member is moved, and the first and second electrodes are brought into contact with each other, to cause the conduction.

3. The fuel leakage preventing structure according to claim 2, wherein

the second electrode is attached to a second member, and

a pushing member is provided between the first and second members, to apply a pushing force to separate the first member from the second member.

4. The fuel leakage preventing structure according to claim 3, wherein

the valve control unit includes a fuel supply unit serving as a path of a fuel solution,

one end of the fuel supply unit serves as an attachment opening for a container containing the fuel solution,

the first member is located below the attachment opening, and the second member is located on a side of the first member,

of surfaces of the first member, a surface facing the attachment opening is tilted, and

the tilted surface is closer to the attachment opening at a portion closer to the second member, and is farther from the attachment opening at a portion farther from the second member.

5. The fuel leakage preventing structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein

the valve control unit includes a primary storage unit to store a fuel solution,

the first member is inserted into the primary storage unit,

the second electrode is positioned at a location inside the primary storage unit, the location facing the first electrode, and

the first member is movable in a direction in which the first and second electrodes move closer to each other, and in a direction in which the first and second electrodes move away from each other.

6. The fuel leakage preventing structure according to claim 5, wherein a fuel introducing portion serving as a path of the fuel solution is formed in the first member.

7. A biofuel cell comprising:

a battery cell unit including an electrode with an enzyme existing on a surface thereof; and

a fuel leakage preventing structure configured to supply a fuel solution to the battery cell unit,

wherein the fuel leakage preventing structure includes;

a control valve; and

a valve control unit configured to electrically control opening and closing of the control valve,

the control valve is attached to at least one of a fuel supply inlet through which fuel is introduced into the battery cell unit, and a fuel supply path connected to the fuel supply inlet, and

the valve control unit opens and closes the control valve, depending on conduction caused by a pressing force.