Electrochemical cell and assembly for same

• US 6,544,679 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2000
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Millennium Cell Inc.
• Original Assignee: Millennium Cell Inc.
• Inventors: Amendola, Steven, Petillo, Stephen C., Petillo, Phillip J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLS, MONIQUE M
• Application Number:
  US09/552,017
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 429/12, 429/13, 429/14, 429/17, 429/30, 429/38, 429/95, 429/96, 429/98, 429/151, 429/159, 429/34
• US Class Current: 429/505
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/36 Accumulators not provided for in groups H01M10/05-H01M10/34
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

The present invention provides for an electrochemical system, which includes electrochemical cells and a manifold system for receiving and interconnecting the cells in a manner which facilitates the removal and replacement of cells.

Claims

1. A removable electrochemical cell assembly for operation with a manifold, comprising:

a cell housing having an interface surface, a first chamber, a second chamber, and at least one mechanical connector;

a central membrane separating the first chamber and the second chamber;

at least one first inlet conduit and at least one first outlet conduit in fluid communication with the first chamber, the first inlet conduit and first outlet conduit extending from the first chamber through the interface surface and each having a fluid connector for removable engagement with the manifold;

at least one first electrical conductor in the first chamber;

at least one first electrical terminal extending from the first chamber through the interface surface, the first electrical terminal being electrically coupled to the first electrical conductor and having an electrical connector for removable engagement with the manifold;

at least one second electrical conductor in the second chamber; and

at least one second electrical terminal extending from the second chamber through the interface surface, the second electrical terminal being electrically coupled to the second electrical conductor and having an electrical connector for removable engagement with the manifold;

wherein the interface provides the connectors of the first inlet and outlet conduits, and the connectors of the first and second electrical terminals in a removably engagable arrangement with the manifold.

2. A removable electrochemical cell assembly according to claim 1 further comprising

at least one second inlet conduit and at least one second outlet conduit in fluid communication with the second chamber, the second inlet conduit and second outlet conduit extending from the second chamber through the interface surface.

3. A removable electrochemical cell assembly according to claim 1 further comprising:

a first inlet check valve in line with the first inlet conduit, and

a first outlet fluid check valve in line with the first outlet conduit.

4. A removable electrochemical cell assembly according to claim 2 further comprising:

a first inlet check valve in line with the first inlet conduit,

a first outlet fluid check valve in line with the first outlet conduit,

a second inlet check valve in line with the second inlet conduit, and

a second outlet fluid check valve in line with the second outlet conduit.

5. A removable electrochemical cell assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a first conductive filler material being electrically coupled to the first electrical conductor.

6. A removable electrochemical cell assembly according to claim 2, further comprising:

a first conductive filler material being electrically coupled to the first electrical conductor; and

a second conductive filler material being electrically coupled to the second electrical conductor.

7. A removable electrochemical cell assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first drain conduit in fluid communication with the first chamber and extending from the first chamber through the interface surface, the first drain conduit having a drain conduit check valve; and

a first chamber purge valve extending from the first chamber.

8. A removable electrochemical cell assembly according to claim 2, further comprising:

a first drain conduit in fluid communication with the first chamber and extending from the first chamber through the interface surface, the first drain conduit having a first drain conduit check valve;

a second drain conduit in fluid communication with the second chamber and extending from the second chamber through the interface surface, the second drain conduit having a second drain conduit check valve;

a first chamber purge valve extending from the first chamber; and

a second chamber purge valve extending from the second chamber.

9. A removable electrochemical cell assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one additional fluid chamber;

at least one additional membrane, the additional membrane separating the additional fluid chamber from at least one other chamber;

at least one additional inlet conduit and at least one additional outlet conduit; and

at least one additional electrical conductor.

10. A removable hydrogen cell assembly for operation with a manifold comprising:

a hydrogen fuel cell having a hydrogen cell interface surface;

a hydrogen gas inlet conduct in fluid communication with the hydrogen fuel cell;

a fluid blocking filter in line with the hydrogen gas inlet conduct;

an air inlet conduit in fluid communication with the hydrogen fuel cell;

an air inlet valve in line with the air inlet conduit;

a hydrogen cell fluid conduit having a fluid inlet aperture extending through the hydrogen cell interface surface, a fluid outlet aperture extending through the hydrogen cell interface surface, and a hydrogen collection chamber, the hydrogen collection chamber being in fluid communication with the hydrogen gas inlet conduit, the fluid inlet and fluid outlet apertures each having a fluid connector for removable engagement with the manifold;

a by-product outlet conduit in fluid communication with the hydrogen fuel cell, the by-product outlet conduit having a by-product outlet aperture, the by-product outlet aperture being in fluid communication with the hydrogen cell fluid conduit and having a fluid connector for removable engagement with the manifold; and

a first hydrogen cell electrical terminal being electrically coupled to the hydrogen cell, the first hydrogen cell electrical terminal extending through the hydrogen cell interface surface and having an electrical connector for removable engagement with the manifold,

wherein the hydrogen cell interface surface provides the connectors of the fluid inlet and fluid outlet apertures, the connector of the hydrogen cell fluid conduit, and the connector of the first hydrogen cell electrical terminal in a removably engagable arrangement with the manifold.

11. A removable hydrogen cell assembly according to claim 10, further comprising:

a by-product outlet check valve in line with the by-product outlet conduit; and

a second hydrogen cell electrical terminal being electrically coupled to the hydrogen cell, the second hydrogen cell electrical terminal extending through the hydrogen cell interface surface.

12. An electrochemical cell manifold for operation with a removable cell assembly comprising:

a manifold having a contact surface;

at least one source fluid conduit supported by the manifold;

at least one source fluid connector extending through the contact surface and in fluid communication with the at least one source fluid conduit, and being provided for removable engagement with the removable cell assembly;

at least one return fluid conduit supported by the manifold;

at least one return fluid connector extending through the contact surface in fluid communication with the at least one return fluid conduit, and being provided for removable engagement with the removable cell assembly;

at least one first electrical conduit supported by the manifold;

at least one first electrical receptor electrically coupled to the at least one first electrical conduit; and

at least one first electrical terminal electrically coupled to the at least one first electrical conduit, and having an electrical connector for removable engagement with the removable cell assembly;

wherein the contact surface provides the source and return fluid connectors, and the at least one first electrical connector in a removably engagable arrangement with the removable cell assembly.

13. An electrochemical cell manifold according to claim 12, further comprising:

at least one second electrical conduit supported by the manifold;

at least one second electrical receptor electrically coupled to the at least one second electrical conduit;

at least one second electrical terminal electrically coupled to the at least one second electrical conduit; and

at least one mechanical connector for holding the removable cell to the manifold.

14. An electrochemical cell manifold according to claim 12, further comprising at least one fluid drain conduit supported by the manifold, and

at least one fluid drain connector extending through the contact surface and in fluid communication with the at least one fluid drain conduit.

15. An electrochemical cell manifold according to claim 12, further comprising:

a source fluid valve in line with the at least one source fluid connector, and

a return fluid valve in line with the at least one return fluid connector.

16. An electrochemical cell manifold according to claim 12, further comprising:

a remote contact surface;

a source fluid extension in fluid communication with the at least one source fluid connector for providing a source fluid aperture at the remote contact surface;

a return fluid extension in fluid communication with the at least one return fluid connector for providing a return fluid aperture at the remote contact surface; and

a first electrical extension being electrically coupled to the at least one first electrical connector for providing a first remote electrical connection at the remote contact surface.

17. An electrochemical cell manifold according to claim 16, further comprising:

a second electrical extension being electrically coupled to the at least one second electrical connector for providing a second remote electrical connection at the remote contact surface; and

a remote mechanical connector.

18. An electrochemical cell system comprising:

a manifold;

a removable cell assembly including;

a cell housing having an interface surface, a first chamber, a second chamber, and at least one mechanical connector;

a central membrane separating the first chamber and the second chamber;

at least one first inlet conduit and at least one first outlet conduit in fluid communication with the first chamber, the first inlet conduit and first outlet conduit extending from the first chamber through the interface surface, and each having a fluid connector for removable engagement with the manifold;

at least one second inlet conduit and at least one second outlet conduit in fluid communication with the second chamber, the second inlet conduit and second outlet conduit extending from the second chamber through the interface surface, and each having a fluid connector for removable engagement with the manifold;

at least one first electrical conductor in the first chamber;

at least one first electrical terminal extending from the first chamber through the interface surface, the first electrical terminal being electrically coupled to the first electrical conductor, and having an electrical connector for removable engagement with the manifold;

at least one second electrical conductor in the second chamber;

at least one second electrical terminal extending from the second chamber through the interface surface, the second electrical terminal being electrically coupled to the second electrical conductor, and having an electrical connector for removable engagement with the manifold;

the manifold comprising a contact surface;

at least one first source fluid conduit supported by the manifold;

at least one first source fluid connector extending through the contact surface, the at least one first source fluid connector in fluid communication with the at least one first inlet conduit and the at least one first source fluid conduit, and being provided for removable engagement with the removable cell assembly;

at least one first return fluid conduit supported by the manifold, the at least one first return fluid conduit in fluid communication with the at least one first outlet conduit, and being provided for removable engagement with the removable cell assembly;

at least one second source fluid conduit supported by the manifold,

at least one second source fluid connector, the at least one second source fluid connector extending through the contact surface, the at least one second source fluid connector in fluid communication with the at least one second source fluid conduit, and being provided for removable engagement with the removable cell assembly;

at least one second return fluid conduit supported by the manifold;

at least one second return fluid connector extending through the contact surface, the at least one second return fluid connector in fluid communication with the at least one second outlet conduit and the at least one second return fluid conduit, and being provided for removable engagement with the removable cell assembly;

at least one first electrical conduit supported by the manifold, the at least one first electrical conduit being electrically coupled to the first electrical conductor;

at least one first electrical terminal being electrically coupled to the at least one first electrical conduit, and being provided for removable engagement with the removable cell assembly;

at least one second electrical conduit supported by the manifold, the at least one second electrical conduit being electrically coupled to the second electrical conductor;

at least one second electrical terminal being electrically coupled to the at least one second electrical conduit, and being provided for removable engagement with the removable cell assembly; and

at least one mechanical connector mechanically engagable with the removable cell assembly and the manifold, and being provided for removable engagement of the removable cell assembly with the manifold.

19. The electrochemical cell system, according to claim 18, further comprising:

a first source fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the first source fluid conduit;

a first source pump in line with the first source fluid reservoir for providing fluid flow from the first source fluid reservoir to the first source fluid conduit;

a first return fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the first return fluid conduit; and

a first return pump in line with first return fluid reservoir for providing fluid flow from the first return fluid conduit to the first return fluid reservoir.

20. The electrochemical cell system according to claim 18, further comprising:

a first source fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the first source fluid conduit;

a first source pump in line with the first source fluid reservoir for providing fluid flow from the first source fluid reservoir to the first source fluid conduit;

a first return fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the first return fluid conduit;

a first return pump in line with the first return fluid reservoir for providing fluid flow from the first return fluid conduit to the first return fluid reservoir;

a second source fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the second source fluid conduit;

a second source pump in line with the second source fluid reservoir for providing fluid flow from the second source fluid reservoir to the second source fluid conduit;

a second return fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the second return fluid conduit; and

a second return pump in line with the second return fluid reservoir for providing fluid flow from the second return fluid conduit to the second return fluid reservoir.

21. An electrochemical cell system according to claim 19, further comprising:

a first cell drain conduit in fluid communication with the first chamber, the first cell drain conduit extending from the first chamber through the interface surface;

a first chamber purge valve extending from the first chamber; and

at least one first manifold drain conduit supported by the manifold, the first manifold drain conduit in fluid communication with first cell drain conduit and the first return fluid reservoir.

22. An electrochemical cell system according to claim 20, further comprising:

a first cell drain conduit in fluid communication with the first chamber, the first cell drain conduit extending from the first chamber through the interface surface;

a second cell drain conduit in fluid communication with the second chamber, the second cell drain conduit extending from the second chamber through the interface surface;

a first chamber purge valve extending from the first chamber;

a second chamber purge valve extending from the second chamber;

at least one first manifold drain conduit supported by the manifold, the first manifold drain conduit in fluid communication with first cell drain conduit and the first return fluid reservoir; and

at least one second manifold drain conduit supported by the manifold, the second manifold drain conduit in fluid communication with second cell drain conduit and the second return fluid reservoir.

23. An electrochemical cell system according to claim 18, further comprising:

a hydrogen fuel cell having a hydrogen cell interface surface;

a hydrogen gas inlet conduit in fluid communication with the hydrogen fuel cell;

a fluid blocking filter in line with the hydrogen gas inlet conduit;

an air inlet conduit in fluid communication with the hydrogen fuel cell;

an air inlet valve in line with the air inlet conduit;

a hydrogen cell fluid conduit having a fluid inlet aperture extending through the hydrogen cell interface surface and in fluid communication with the at least one source fluid connector, a fluid outlet aperture extending through the hydrogen cell interface surface and in fluid communication with the at least one first return fluid connector, and a hydrogen collection chamber, the hydrogen collection chamber being in fluid communication with the hydrogen gas inlet conduit;

a by-product outlet conduit in fluid communication with the hydrogen fuel cell and the source fluid conduit;

a by-product outlet check valve in line with the by-product outlet conduit;

a first hydrogen electrical terminal being electrically coupled to the hydrogen cell and the at least one first electrical conduit;

a second hydrogen electrical terminal being electrically coupled to the hydrogen cell and the at least one second electrical conduit; and

a hydrogen cell mechanical connector mechanically engaged with the contact surface and the hydrogen fuel cell.

24. A removable electrochemical cell assembly for operation with a manifold, comprising:

a cell housing having an interface surface, a first chamber, a second chamber, and at least one mechanical connector;

a central membrane separating the first chamber and the second chamber;

at least one first inlet conduit and at least one first outlet conduit in fluid communication with the first chamber, the first inlet conduit and first outlet conduit extending from the first chamber through the interface surface and each having a fluid connector for removable engagement with the manifold;

at least one first electrical conductor in the first chamber;

at least one first electrical terminal extending from the first chamber through the interface surface, the first electrical terminal being electrically coupled to the first electrical conductor and having an electrical connector for removable engagement with the manifold;

at least one second electrical conductor in the second chamber; and

at least one second electrical terminal extending from the second chamber through the interface surface, the second electrical terminal being electrically coupled to the second electrical conductor and having an electrical connector for removable engagement with the manifold;

wherein the connectors of the first inlet and outlet conduits, and the connectors of the first and second electrical terminals are arranged in a first direction for removable engagement with the manifold whereby the removable electrochemical cell assembly is removably engagable with the manifold in the first direction.

25. The removable electrochemical cell assembly for operation with a manifold according to claim 24 wherein the interface surface is a planar contact surface.