Fuel leakage preventing structure and biofuel cell

• US 8,911,909 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2011
• Issued: 12/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Yamaguchi, Daisuke, Samukawa, Tsunetoshi, Fujita, Shuji, Mita, Hiroki, Nakagawa, Takaaki, Tokita, Yuichi
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRIS, GARY D
• Application Number:
  US13/699,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20130130130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 429/401
• US Class Current: 429/401
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04082 Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/16 Biochemical fuel cells, i.e. cells in which microorganisms function as catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2455 with liquid, solid or electrolyte-charged reactants
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

The valve control unit of a fuel leakage preventing structure of the present invention includes first and second electrodes. The first electrode is attached to a first member that is movable. When a pressing force is applied to the first member to move, the first and second electrodes are brought into contact with each other, to cause conduction. The first and second electrodes are connected to a control device, and the control device opens a control valve when the first and second electrodes are put into a conducting state. As the control valve is opened and closed by a pressing force in this manner, a fuel solution can be easily supplied.

Claims

1. A fuel leakage preventing structure for a biofuel cell, comprising:

a control valve attached to a fuel supply unit through which a fuel solution is introduced into a battery cell unit of the biofuel cell; and

a valve control unit configured to electrically control opening and/or closing of the control valve, wherein the valve control unit comprises;

a first electrode formed on a first member, and

a second electrode facing the first electrode formed on a second member,

wherein the valve control unit opens and/or closes the control valve, depending on conduction between the first electrode and the second electrode caused by a pressing force applied on the first member.

2. The fuel leakage preventing structure according to claim 1, wherein when the pressing force is applied to the first member, the first member is moved towards the second member, and the first electrode and the second electrode are brought into contact with each other, to cause the conduction between the first electrode and the second electrode.

3. The fuel leakage preventing structure according to claim 1, wherein a pushing member is provided between the first and second members, to apply a pushing force to separate the first member from the second member.

4. The fuel leakage preventing structure according to claim 1, wherein

one end of the fuel supply unit serves as an attachment opening for a container containing the fuel solution, wherein

the first member is located below the attachment opening, and the second member is located on a side of the first member, wherein

a surface of the first member facing the attachment opening is tilted, and wherein the tilted surface is closer to the attachment opening at a first portion closer to the second member, and is farther from the attachment opening at a second portion farther from the second member.

5. The fuel leakage preventing structure according to claim 1, wherein the valve control unit further comprises a primary storage unit to store the fuel solution, wherein

the first member is inserted into the primary storage unit, and the second electrode is positioned at a location inside the primary storage unit facing the first electrode, and wherein

the first member is movable in a direction in which the first and second electrodes move closer to each other, and in a direction in which the first and second electrodes move away from each other.

6. The fuel leakage preventing structure according to claim 5, wherein a fuel introducing portion serving as a path of the fuel solution is formed in the first member.

8. The fuel leakage preventing structure according to claim 1, wherein when a container containing the fuel solution is inserted into an attachment opening of the fuel supply unit, end of an opening portion of the container reaches a tilted surface of the first member, and wherein the pressing force is applied on the tilted surface of the first member by the container.

9. The fuel leakage preventing structure according to claim 1, wherein the control vale unit further comprises a sensor that transmits a signal indicating a volume of liquid in a storage unit that stores the fuel solution.

10. The fuel leakage preventing structure according to claim 9, wherein the valve control unit opens and/or closes the control valve based on the signal received from the sensor.

7. A biofuel cell comprising:

a battery cell unit including an electrode with an enzyme existing on a surface thereof; and

a fuel leakage preventing structure configured to supply a fuel solution to the battery cell unit, wherein the fuel leakage preventing structure includes;

a control valve; and

a valve control unit configured to electrically control opening and/or closing of the control valve, wherein the valve control unit comprises;

a first electrode formed on a first member, and

a second electrode facing the first electrode formed on a second member,

wherein the control valve is attached to at least one of a fuel supply inlet through which the fuel solution is introduced into the battery cell unit, and a fuel supply path connected to the fuel supply inlet, and the valve control unit opens and/or closes the control valve, depending on conduction between the first electrode and the second electrode caused by a pressing force applied on the first member.