Hydrogen generating apparatus

• US 7,097,813 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2002
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited (Lb-shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Ord, Jason S., Roman, Justin, Shibata, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kalafut, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US10/177,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20030235724A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 429/13, 429/17, 429/25, 429/19, 429/20, 429/34, 422/129, 423/657, 481/97, 481/97.R
• US Class Current: 422/129
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/065 from a hydride
• 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 8/065 by dissolution of metals or alloys; by dehydriding metallic substances
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1007 with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised H01M8/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A hydrogen generating apparatus includes a chemical reaction chamber, a chemical solution reservoir, and an unpowered pressure producing member for moving a chemical solution from the chemical solution reservoir to the chemical reaction chamber.

Claims

1. A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising:

a chemical reaction chamber;

a chemical solution reservoir; and

a biasing member for providing pressure to move a chemical solution from said chemical solution reservoir to said chemical reaction chamber where hydrogen is produced from said chemical solution;

wherein said chemical solution reservoir is contained by said chemical reaction chamber such that a reaction conducted in said reaction chamber applies additional pressure to said chemical solution reservoir and chemical solution.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said chemical solution reservoir comprises a flexible bag.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said biasing member comprises a spring configured to apply pressure to said flexible bag of said chemical solution reservoir.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a plate disposed between said spring and said flexible bag.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, where said flexible bag of said chemical solution reservoir comprises a spring-bag as said biasing member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said spring-bag comprises an elastomer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said chemical reaction chamber comprises a flexible bag.

8. A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising:

a chemical reaction chamber;

a chemical solution reservoir; and

a spring for providing pressure to move a chemical solution from said chemical solution reservoir to said chemical reaction chamber where hydrogen is produced from said chemical solution;

wherein said chemical solution reservoir comprises a flexible bag.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said chemical reaction chamber comprises a flexible bag.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said spring is configured to apply pressure to said flexible bag.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a plate disposed between said spring and said flexible bag.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, where said flexible bag and spring comprise a spring-bag, said spring applying pressure to opposite sides of said flexible bag to move said chemical solution.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said spring-bag comprises an elastomer.

14. A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising:

a chemical reaction chamber;

a chemical solution reservoir;

a spring for providing pressure to move a chemical solution from said chemical solution reservoir to said chemical reaction chamber where hydrogen is produced from said chemical solution; and

a control valve disposed in a fluid communication path between said chemical solution reservoir and said reaction chamber.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said control valve is a micro-valve operable at variable frequencies, pulse widths, or aperture sizes by a controller.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said controller monitors a stack voltage of a fuel cell and adjusts one or more of said frequency, pulse width, or aperture size of said micro-valve in response to changes in said stack voltage.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said controller increases said frequency, pulse width, or aperture size of said micro-valve in response to a monitored stack voltage above a predetermined threshold.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said controller decreases said frequency, pulse width, or aperture size of said micro-valve in response to a monitored stack voltage below a predetermined threshold.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said controller monitors one or more of user settings, configuration settings, hydrogen gas pressure, fuel cell current, and fuel cell power;

and adjusts one or more of said frequency, pulse width, or aperture size of said micro-valve in response to monitored changes.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a battery to power said controller.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a check valve disposed in said communication path between said control valve and said chemical reaction chamber.

22. A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising:

a chemical reaction chamber;

a chemical solution reservoir; and

a spring for providing pressure to move a chemical solution from said chemical solution reservoir to said chemical reaction chamber where hydrogen is produced from said chemical solution;

wherein said chemical reaction chamber and said chemical solution reservoir comprise respective portions of a cylinder separated by a piston.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said spring is configured for operating said piston to provide pressure to move said chemical solution from said chemical solution reservoir to said chemical reaction chamber.

24. A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising:

a chemical reaction chamber;

a chemical solution reservoir; and

a biasing member for providing pressure to move a chemical solution from said chemical solution reservoir to said chemical reaction chamber where hydrogen is produced from said chemical solution;

wherein said chemical solution reservoir is contained by said chemical reaction chamber such that, as a reaction is conducted in said reaction chamber, a volume of said reservoir decreases while a volume of said reaction chamber increases.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said increase in volume of said reaction chamber is used to house waste products from said reaction.