Flexible, multi-cartridge, reconfigurable/selectable air contaminant control system and method for fuel cells
First Claim
1. A fuel cell cathode air filter assembly or air contaminant control system comprising:
- an intake port that collects ambient air and directs it into the filter assembly;
a filter housing comprising a plurality of retainers and a removable panel that permits access to the filter housing;
a filter assembly comprising a plurality of individually configurable and separately removable filter cartridges arranged within the filter housing, wherein each filter cartridge fits within one of the retainers of the filter housing, and wherein each filter cartridge is surrounded by a compressible material; and
an outlet port assembly that connects to the oxidant intake port of the fuel cell or other device that requires clean ambient air.
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Abstract
A unique, multi-cartridge, easily re-configurable ambient air filter assembly (air contaminant control system) that removes particulate and gaseous chemical/biological contaminants from the incoming cathode air stream on a fuel cell or similar devices is described. The filter assembly is composed of individual filter cartridges (sub-assemblies) of various filtration media that are targeted at removing specific airborne contaminants. Combining specific sets of cartridges enables the filter assembly to be readily/rapidly configured (and re-configured) for specific applications—such as urban, rural, industrial, or military battlefield environments. Selection of correct media ensures complete removal of potential contaminants, enables rapid re-configuration to different environments, quick replacement of spent cartridges without disposal of non-spent media (reducing waste and cost). The invention concept is highly configurable to various sizes and shape fuel cells or other applications requiring clean ambient air by simply scaling the filter assembly size and air flow rates.
48 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fuel cell cathode air filter assembly or air contaminant control system comprising:
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an intake port that collects ambient air and directs it into the filter assembly; a filter housing comprising a plurality of retainers and a removable panel that permits access to the filter housing; a filter assembly comprising a plurality of individually configurable and separately removable filter cartridges arranged within the filter housing, wherein each filter cartridge fits within one of the retainers of the filter housing, and wherein each filter cartridge is surrounded by a compressible material; and an outlet port assembly that connects to the oxidant intake port of the fuel cell or other device that requires clean ambient air. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An air contaminant control system comprising:
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intake port means for collecting ambient air and directing it into a filter assembly, wherein the filter assembly comprises a plurality of individually configurable and separately removable cartridges attached directly; filter housing means, comprising a plurality of retainers wherein each of the plurality of cartridges fits within one of the plurality of retainers, wherein each of the retainers is in contact with at least one other of the plurality of retainers, wherein each cartridge is surrounded by a compressible material; and outlet port means for connecting the filter assembly to an oxidant intake port of a fuel cell or other device that requires clean ambient air.
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17. A method for constructing a fuel cell cathode air filter assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
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attaching a filter assembly to an air intake port, the filter assembly comprising a plurality of individually configurable and separately removable filter cartridges arranged within a filter housing comprising a plurality of retainers and a removable panel that permits access to the filter housing, wherein each cartridge fits within one of the retainers of the filter housing and wherein each filter cartridge is surrounded by a compressible material attaching the filter assembly to an oxidant intake port of a fuel cell or other device that requires clean ambient air; and replacing at least one of the plurality of individually configurable and separately removable filter cartridges when a service life indicator associated with the at least one of the plurality of filter cartridges indicates that the cartridge requires replacement. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification