Electrochemical cell system, hydrogen dispensing apparatus, and method for dispensing hydrogen

• US 7,168,465 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2003
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc. (NEL ASA)
• Original Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc. (NEL ASA)
• Inventors: Mitlitsky, Fred, Obahi, Hassan, Shiepe, Jason K., Myers, Blake, Boyle, John F., Dalton, Luke T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas; Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US10/248,480
• Publication Number:
  US 20030148153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,469 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1, 141/2, 141/18, 141/67, 141/94, 141/95, 141/192, 141/198, 141/100, 141/231
• US Class Current: 141/231
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 15/08 Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0656 by electrochemical means H01M8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

Disclosed herein are mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus, and methods for dispensing hydrogen gas. In one embodiment, the mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus comprises a first outlet and a second outlet. The first outlet comprises a first valve, a first hydrogen gas output port, a first nozzle, a first display panel in operable communication with the first hydrogen gas output port, and a first hose forming fluid communication between the first hydrogen output port and the first nozzle. The apparatus further comprises: an electrochemical cell disposed in fluid communication with the first outlet, and a mobile platform, wherein the first outlet and the electrochemical cell are mechanically connected to the mobile platform.

Claims

1. A mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a first outlet comprising a first valve, a first hydrogen gas output port, a first nozzle, a first display panel in operable communication with the first hydrogen gas output port, and a first hose forming fluid communication between the first hydrogen output port and the first nozzle;

an electrochemical cell disposed in fluid communication with the first outlet;

a mobile platform, wherein the first outlet and the electrochemical cell are mechanically connected to the mobile platform.

2. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second outlet comprising a second valve, a second hydrogen gas output port, a second nozzle, a second display panel disposed in operable communication with the second hydrogen gas output port, and a second hose forming fluid communication between the second hydrogen gas output port and the second nozzle, wherein the second outlet is mechanically connected to the mobile platform.

3. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first outlet further comprises a first breakaway coupling connecting the first hose to the first hydrogen gas output port, and wherein the second outlet further comprises a second breakaway coupling connecting the second hose to the second hydrogen gas output port.

4. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are configured to dispense hydrogen gas simultaneously.

5. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are configured to dispense hydrogen gas at different fill pressures.

6. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first valve and the second valve are actuatable valves.

7. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an electrical ground in mechanical contact with at least one of the first outlet, the electrolysis cell, the mobile platform, and connections therebetween.

8. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first outlet is further disposed in fluid communication with a hydrogen gas vent.

9. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first outlet further comprises a third hydrogen gas output port, and a third nozzle with a third hose forming fluid communication between the third hydrogen gas output port and the third nozzle.

10. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first outlet further comprises a first breakaway coupling connecting the first hose to the first hydrogen gas output port, and a third breakaway coupling connecting the third hose to the third hydrogen gas output port.

11. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first hydrogen gas output port and the third hydrogen gas output port are configured to dispense hydrogen gas at different fill pressures.

12. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first hydrogen gas output port fill pressure is about 2,700 psi to about 4,500 psi, and wherein the third hydrogen gas output port fill pressure is about 3,700 psi to about 6,750 psi.

13. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first outlet further comprises a pressure selector in operable communication with the first hydrogen gas output port and configured to adjust a hydrogen gas fill pressure to a selected pressure input into a pressure selector by an operator.

14. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first outlet is configured to dispense hydrogen gas to a vehicle.

15. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first outlet is vertically actuatable.

16. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first outlet comprises a movable panel capable of at least one of sliding and flipping.

17. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mobile platform is a truck.

18. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first outlet is configured to dispense hydrogen gas to a fuel cell system.

19. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are configured to dispense hydrogen gas at different fill pressures.

22. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transactional apparatus configured to enable payment for the hydrogen gas.

20. A mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a first outlet comprising a first valve, a first hydrogen gas output port, a first nozzle, a first display panel in operable communication with the first hydrogen gas output port, and a first hose forming fluid communication between the first hydrogen output port and the first nozzle;

a second outlet comprising a second valve, a second hydrogen gas output port, a second nozzle, a second display panel in operable communication with the second hydrogen gas output port, and a second hose forming fluid communication between the second hydrogen gas output port and the second nozzle,

an electrolysis cell disposed in fluid communication with the first outlet and the second outlet;

a mobile platform, wherein the first outlet, second outlet, and the electrochemical cell are mechanically connected to the mobile platform.

21. The mobile hydrogen gas dispensing apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a transactional apparatus configured to enable payment for the hydrogen gas.