Combination liquid dispenser and electrochemical cell

• US 6,875,539 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2002
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Heiner Ophardt
• Original Assignee: Heiner Ophardt
• Inventors: Ophardt, Heiner
• Primary Examiner(s): YUAN, DAH WEI D
• Application Number:
  US10/051,750
• Publication Number:
  US 20030136666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 429/12, 429/13, 429/127
• US Class Current: 429/127
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04186 of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04208 Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/083 Alkaline fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/086 Phosphoric acid fuel cells [PAFC]
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1009 with one of the reactants being liquid, solid or liquid-charged H01M8/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1013 Other direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

In combination, a fluid dispenser and an electrochemical cell to produce electric energy by chemical conversion of the fluid to be dispensed. The electrical energy produced is preferably used to operate a device associated with the dispensing of the fluid as, for example, in operation of an electric pump-to-pump fluid from the reservoir. The fluid preferably is dispensed for use after dispensing in some other purpose than as a source for electrochemical energy to dispense fluid from the reservoir. For example, preferred fluid containing alcohol compounds are for use in cleaning and disinfecting.

Claims

1. In combination, a fluid dispenser and an electrochemical cell, the fluid dispenser comprising:

a reservoir containing a fluid to be dispensed and a dispensing mechanism requiring an electric current to dispense fluid from the reservoir,

the reservoir being a collapsible reservoir which collapses as fuel is dispensed,

the electrochemical cell comprising an electrolyte and two electrodes namely an anode and a cathode, separated from each other with the electrolyte between the to electrodes,

fuel for the cell comprising fluid from the reservoir in communication with a first of the electrodes,

the two electrodes electrically coupled across the dispensing mechanism to provide current flow through the dispensing mechanism by chemical conversion of the fluid at the first of the electrodes.

2. A combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrochemical cell is a fuel cell.

3. A combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

atmospheric air containing oxygen is in communication with a second of the electrodes,

with chemical conversation of the fluid at the first electrode to provide current flow oxygen is consumed at the second electrode where water is produced.

4. A combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid comprises an alcohol compound which comprises the fuel for the cell.

5. A combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid to be dispensed is for use after dispensing for a purpose other than as fuel for the cell.

6. A combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the fluid is a cleaning fluid.

7. A combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the fluid is a disinfectant solution for a hygienic or medical use.

8. A combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the alcohol compound is selected from methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol and benzyl alcohol.

9. The compound of claim 5 wherein the alcohol compound is selected from methyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol.

10. A combination as claimed in claim 9 wherein the alcohol compound is present in at least 20% by volume of the fluid.

11. A combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises a pump for dispensing fluid from the reservoir, the pump baying an inlet in communication with the reservoir and an outlet out of which fluid from the reservoir drawn into the pump inlet is dispensed.

12. A combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein the first electrode is in communication with the fluid upstream from the pump.

13. A combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein the first electrode is in communication with the fluid after the fluid has passed through the pump.

14. A combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first electrode is in communication with the fuel within the reservoir.

15. A combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein the reservoir has an outlet and a passageway for a passage of fluid from the outlet of the reservoir to the inlet of the pump,

the passageway being in communication with the first electrode such that at least some fuel in the passageway contacts the first electrode.

16. A combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrochemical cell is an electrolytic battery.

27. A combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein electrolyte is a protonic exchange membrane having a solid polymer in which protons are mobile.

28. A combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fuel cell is an alkaline electrolyte fuel cell.

29. A combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cell is an acid electrolyte fuel cell.

17. In combination, a fluid dispenser and an electrochemical cell, the fluid dispenser comprising:

a reservoir containing a fluid to be dispensed and a dispensing mechanism requiring an electric current to dispense fluid from the reservoir,

the reservoir being a collapsible reservoir which collapses as fuel is dispensed,

the electrochemical cell comprising an electrolyte and two electrodes namely an anode and a cathode, separated from each other with the electrolyte between the to electrodes,

fuel for the cell comprising fluid from the reservoir in communication with a first of the electrodes,

the two electrodes electrically coupled across the dispensing mechanism to provide current flow through the dispensing mechanism by chemical conversion of the fluid at the first of the electrodes,

the two electrodes and the electrolyte are all disposed within the reservoir.

18. A combination as claimed in claim 17 wherein the reservoir is a collapsible reservoir which reservoir collapses as fuel is dispensed.

19. A combination as claimed in claim 17 wherein a gas is produced at the second electrode within the reservoir.

20. A combination as claimed in claim 19 wherein the reservoir has a liquid outlet at a lower portion of the reservoir and gas as produced at the second electrode, wherein the gas rises through the fluid in the reservoir to an uppermost portion of the reservoir.

21. A combination as claimed in claim 20 wherein the reservoir is collapsible and expandable to accommodate increases and decreases in the volume within the reservoir occasioned by dispensing of the fluid and generation of gas at the second electrode.

22. A combination as claimed in claim 17 wherein the fluid is the electrolyte.

24. A combination as claimed in claim 17 wherein the reservoir comprises a collapsible bag with spaced sidewalls,

the cathode is carried on a first sidewall,

the anode is carried on a second sidewall spaced from the first sidewall,

the fluid in the bag between the cathode and the anode in communication with both the cathode and anode.

25. A combination as claimed in claim 24 including a spacer member in the bag between the anode and the cathode to keep the anode and the cathode spaced from each other on collapsing of the bag,

the spacer member permitting the fluid to pass therethrough.

26. A combination as claimed in claim 24 wherein the sidewalls are formed from a thin flexible sheet material and one of the anode and the cathode are printed on inside surfaces of the sidewalls within the reservoir.

23. In combination a fluid dispenser and an electrochemical cell, the fluid dispenser comprising:

a reservoir containing a fluid to be dispensed and a dispensing mechanism requiring an electric current to dispense fluid from the reservoir,

the reservoir being a collapsible reservoir which collapses as fuel is dispensed,

the electrochemical cell comprising an electrolyte and two electrodes namely an anode and a cathode, separated from each other with the electrolyte between the to electrodes,

fuel for the cell comprising fluid from the reservoir in communication with a first of the electrodes,

the two electrodes electrically coupled across the dispensing mechanism to provide current flow through the dispensing mechanism by chemical conversion of the fluid at the first of the electrodes

the reservoir having walls formed from flexible sheet material,

at least one of the electrodes comprising a thin layer applied to a wall of the reservoir.