Alkaline membrane fuel cells and apparatus and methods for supplying water thereto
First Claim
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1. An alkaline membrane fuel cell, the fuel cell comprising:
- an anode electrode;
a polymer membrane electrolyte configured to conduct hydroxyl (OH—
) ions, the membrane being in physical contact with the anode electrode on a first side of the membrane; and
a cathode electrode in physical contact with a second opposite side of the membrane;
wherein the fuel cell is configured and disposed with a substantially dead ended anode chamber and is configured to transfer water from the anode electrode through the membrane to the cathode electrode at a rate substantially equivalent to water generation at the anode electrode; and
wherein water transport across the membrane is facilitated by a highly hydrophilic membrane or mesh shaped and placed as a frame around the active area on both the anode and cathode sides.
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Abstract
A device to produce electricity by a chemical reaction without the addition of liquid electrolyte comprises an anode electrode, a polymer membrane electrolyte fabricated to conduct hydroxyl (OH—) ions, the membrane being in physical contact with the anode electrode on a first side of the membrane, and a cathode electrode in physical contact with a second side of the membrane. The anode electrode and cathode electrode contain catalysts, and the catalysts are constructed substantially entirely from non-precious metal catalysts. Water may be transferred to the cathode side of the membrane from an external source of water.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An alkaline membrane fuel cell, the fuel cell comprising:
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an anode electrode; a polymer membrane electrolyte configured to conduct hydroxyl (OH—
) ions, the membrane being in physical contact with the anode electrode on a first side of the membrane; anda cathode electrode in physical contact with a second opposite side of the membrane; wherein the fuel cell is configured and disposed with a substantially dead ended anode chamber and is configured to transfer water from the anode electrode through the membrane to the cathode electrode at a rate substantially equivalent to water generation at the anode electrode; and wherein water transport across the membrane is facilitated by a highly hydrophilic membrane or mesh shaped and placed as a frame around the active area on both the anode and cathode sides. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An alkaline membrane fuel cell, the fuel cell comprising:
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an anode electrode; a polymer membrane electrolyte configured to conduct hydroxyl (OH—
) ions, the membrane being in physical contact with the anode electrode on a first side of the membrane; anda cathode electrode in physical contact with a second opposite side of the membrane; wherein the fuel cell is configured and disposed with a substantially dead ended anode chamber and is configured to transfer water from the anode electrode through the membrane to the cathode electrode at a rate substantially equivalent to water generation at the anode electrode; and wherein direct supply of liquid water to the cathode side of the membrane is provided by means of a water channel about 1 millimeter wide surrounding an active area of the fuel cell. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification