Shaped fuel source and fuel cell

• US 9,478,816 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2016
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Eickhoff, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARKS, JACOB B
• Application Number:
  US15/002,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20160226087A1
• Time in Patent Office: 278 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 11/005 for hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04216 characterised by the choice for a specific material, e.g. carbon, hydride, absorbent
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/065 by dissolution of metals or alloys; by dehydriding metallic substances
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2475 Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

An example fuel cell assembly may include a shaped fuel source that is formed into a desired shape. The shaped fuel source may have an outer surface, and a fuel cell may be mounted directly on the outer surface of the shaped fuel source. In some instances, the fuel cell assembly may also include one or more of a cathode cap, an anode cap, a refill port, and an outer shell disposed around an exterior of the fuel cell assembly, but these are not required.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a fuel cell assembly, the method comprising:

providing a fuel source, the fuel source including a plurality of fuel source particles having a corrosion-resistance coating;

forming the fuel source into a desired shape that has an outer surface; and

coupling a flexible fuel cell anode electrode to the outer surface of the fuel source without an intervening container between the outer surface of the fuel source and the fuel cell, wherein the flexible fuel cell anode electrode conforms to the shape of the fuel source.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein fuel source is particulate in nature and includes a plurality of fuel source particles having a coating disposed thereon.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein fuel source includes a metal hydride.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the corrosion-resistance coating includes copper.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the flexible fuel cell to the outer surface of the fuel source includes disposing the flexible fuel cell directly onto the outer surface of the fuel source.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible fuel cell assembly is free of a thermal interface between the fuel source and the flexible fuel cell.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the fuel source into a desired shape includes casting.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the fuel source into a desired shape includes molding.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the fuel source into a desired shape includes forming the fuel source into a substantially cylindrical shape.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible fuel cell is secured to the outer surface of the shaped fuel source so that there is mechanical pressure forcing the flexible fuel cell into engagement with the outer surface of the shaped fuel source.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible fuel cell is secured to the outer surface of the shaped fuel source using an adhesive.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling a flexible fuel cell cathode electrode to an outer shell.