Fuel cell cartridge filters and pressure relief

• US 7,291,191 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2005
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UltraCell Corporation (Bren-Tronics, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: UltraCell Corporation (Bren-Tronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kaye, Ian W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Duane
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, MINH CHAU THI
• Application Number:
  US11/229,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20060070891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 553/851, 553/854, 429/33, 429/41, 205/338, 205/343, 205/637, 136/224, 204/252, 204/283, 204/284, 204/292, 204/295
• US Class Current: 55/385.4
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0128 spherical or elliptical
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0157 Polygonal
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0166 divided in several chambers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/018 with bladders
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/019 with pistons
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0195 with bellows
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/058 portable (<30 l)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0636 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0646 Aluminium
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/066 Plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0663 in form of fibers or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0697 comprising nanoparticles
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0341 Filters
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/037 Quick connecting means, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/054 by bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/055 by magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/057 by chips
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/058 by Radio Frequency Identification
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/033 Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/035 : Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0153 : Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/033 : Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0128 : with pumps or compressors
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 : using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/036 : using alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/028 : Avoiding unauthorised transfer
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/036 : Avoiding leaks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/056 : Improving fluid characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0763 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 3/00 : Vessels not under pressure
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 : of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 : Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/30 : Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04014 : Heat exchange using gaseous fluids; Heat exchange by combustion of reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04022 : Heating by combustion
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04186 : of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 : Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04208 : Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04626 : of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04686 : of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04776 : at auxiliary devices, e.g. reformer, compressor, burner
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04917 : of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0618 : Reforming processes, e.g. autothermal, partial oxidation or steam reforming
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 : Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 : Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells

Abstract

Described herein is a portable storage device that stores a hydrogen fuel source. The storage device includes a bladder that contains the hydrogen fuel source and conforms to the volume of the hydrogen fuel source. A housing provides mechanical protection for the bladder. The storage device also includes a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector. The device may be a portable electronics device such as a laptop computer. Refillable hydrogen fuel source storage devices and systems are also described. Hot swappable fuel storage systems described herein allow a portable hydrogen fuel source storage device to be removed from a fuel processor or electronics device it provides the hydrogen fuel source to, without shutting down the receiving device or without compromising hydrogen fuel source provision.

Claims

1. A hydrogen fuel source cartridge for storing a hydrogen fuel source, the cartridge comprising:

a bladder that contains the hydrogen fuel source;

a housing having an internal cavity that includes the bladder;

a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector;

a vent in the housing that allows air to enter and exit the internal cavity; and

a hydrophobic and gas permeable filter configured to intercept air entering or exiting the housing through the vent.

2. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the hydrophobic and gas permeable filter is configured to prevent the hydrogen fuel source from exiting the housing though the vent.

3. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the hydrophobic and gas permeable filter is configured to prevent a foreign fluid or particle from entering the housing though the vent.

4. The cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a mechanical shield that spans the vent and prevents a foreign object from reaching the filter.

5. The cartridge of claim 4 wherein the mechanical shield is arranged outside the filter and disposed flush with or recessed from an outer surface of a wall in the housing.

6. The cartridge of claim 4 wherein the mechanical shield includes a flame suppressing material.

7. The cartridge of claim 6 wherein the mechanical shield includes a porous metal mesh.

8. The cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a flame suppressant disposed in the vent.

9. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the hydrophobic and gas permeable filter spans a cross section of the air vent.

10. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the vent includes more than one hole in the housing.

11. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the bladder conforms to the volume of the hydrogen fuel source in the bladder.

12. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein a decrease in volume of the hydrogen fuel source in the bladder draws air into the internal cavity and through the vent and filter.

13. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen fuel source includes methanol.

14. A hydrogen fuel source storage device for storing a hydrogen fuel source, the storage device comprising:

a bladder that contains the hydrogen fuel source;

a housing having an internal cavity that includes the bladder;

a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector;

a vent in the housing that allows air to enter and exit the internal cavity; and

a hydrophobic and gas permeable filter configured to intercept air entering or exiting the housing through the vent; and

a mechanical shield that spans the vent and prevents a foreign object from reaching the filter.

15. The storage device of claim 14 wherein the hydrophobic and gas permeable filter is configured to prevent the hydrogen fuel source from exiting the housing though the vent.

16. The storage device of claim 14 wherein the mechanical shield is arranged outside the filter and disposed flush with or recessed from an outer surface of a wall in the housing.

17. The storage device of claim 14 wherein the mechanical shield includes a flame suppressing material.

18. The storage device of claim 14 wherein the bladder conforms to the volume of the hydrogen fuel source in the bladder.

19. The storage device of claim 14 wherein a decrease in volume of the hydrogen fuel source in the bladder draws air into the internal cavity and through the vent, filter and mechanical shield.

20. A hydrogen fuel source storage device for storing a hydrogen fuel source, the storage device comprising:

a bladder that contains the hydrogen fuel source;

a housing having an internal cavity that includes the bladder;

a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector; and

a pressure relief configured to limit pressure of the hydrogen fuel source in the storage device.

21. The storage device of claim 20 wherein the pressure relief is configured to limit pressure in the bladder.

22. The storage device of claim 21 wherein the pressure relief includes a relief valve that releases the hydrogen fuel source from the bladder when pressure within the hydrogen fuel source reaches a threshold pressure.

23. The storage device of claim 22 wherein the threshold pressure is less than or equal to the boiling point of the hydrogen fuel source.

24. The storage device of claim 22 wherein the relief valve is included in the connector.

25. The storage device of claim 20 further comprising a vent that allows air to enter and exit the internal cavity.

26. The storage device of claim 20 wherein the pressure relief is included in the housing.

27. The storage device of claim 26 wherein the pressure relief is configured to release the hydrogen fuel source from the internal cavity.

28. The storage device of claim 27 further comprising a hydrophobic and gas permeable filter that is configured to intercept the hydrogen fuel source as it exits the internal cavity.

29. The storage device of claim 28 wherein the pressure relief is configured to release the hydrogen fuel source from the storage device when the hydrogen fuel source in the storage device reaches a threshold pressure.

30. The storage device of claim 20 wherein the pressure relief includes a spring.

31. A hydrogen fuel source hydrogen fuel source storage device for storing a hydrogen fuel source, the storage device comprising:

a bladder that contains the hydrogen fuel source;

a housing that provides mechanical protection for the bladder;

a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector; and

a pressure relief valve configured to limit pressure in the bladder by releasing hydrogen fuel source from the bladder when pressure within the bladder reaches a threshold pressure.

32. The storage device of claim 31 wherein the pressure relief includes a relief valve that releases the hydrogen fuel source from the bladder when pressure within the bladder reaches a threshold pressure.

33. The storage device of claim 32 wherein the threshold pressure is less than or equal to the boiling point of the hydrogen fuel source.

34. The storage device of claim 33 wherein the relief valve is included in the connector.