초록 ▼

A fuel ampoule for fuel cells delivers fuel by diffusion through the ampoule walls. The fuel ampoule is stored in a fuel impermeable container. These ampoules used with small low power fuel cells need a steady controlled uniform delivery of vaporous fuel such as alcohols. This fueling system avoids

A fuel ampoule for fuel cells delivers fuel by diffusion through the ampoule walls. The fuel ampoule is stored in a fuel impermeable container. These ampoules used with small low power fuel cells need a steady controlled uniform delivery of vaporous fuel such as alcohols. This fueling system avoids the leakage problems of liquid fuel, and may be easily packaged for small compact fuel cell systems.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fueling system apparatus for fuel cells comprising a fuel tank having walls permeable to fuel, and a fuel container having walls impermeable to fuel for receiving and storing the fuel tank, further comprising a fuel diffusion manifold comprising a fuel cell, the fuel tank provided proximal the

1. A fueling system apparatus for fuel cells comprising a fuel tank having walls permeable to fuel, and a fuel container having walls impermeable to fuel for receiving and storing the fuel tank, further comprising a fuel diffusion manifold comprising a fuel cell, the fuel tank provided proximal the fuel cell, and a cover on the fuel cell restricting or excluding air exchange with the fuel cell. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel tank is removably provided in the fuel container. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an elongated small diameter channel in the cover for diffusing exhaust products, providing pressure relief and providing oxygen to the fuel cell. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fuel. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fuel is a hydrogen bearing fuel including hydrogen. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the walls of the fuel tank comprises a material having selective permeability to different molecular species. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel tank is a fuel ampoule, wherein the fuel tank is selectively permeable to fuel and exhaust products of the fuel cell, and wherein the fuel diffuses to the fuel cell and the exhaust products diffuse through the fuel ampoule to the atmosphere. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fuel ampoule comprises additives for absorbing the products of the fuel cell. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the additives in the fuel ampoule absorb water and/or carbon dioxide. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the additives in the fuel ampoule cause an appearance change indicating a quantity of fuel in the fuel ampoule. 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the additives in the fuel ampoule enhance performance of the fuel cell. 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the additives are selected from a group consisting of water, hydrogen producing compound, acids, and combinations thereof. 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein an appearance of the fuel ampoule changes as fuel is consumed. 14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the selective permeability of the ampoule is a temperature dependent permeability for feeding the fuel cell at an optimum rate at different temperatures. 15. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising electrical adjustments for adjusting fuel diffusion from the fuel ampoule. 16. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising mechanical adjustments for adjusting fuel diffusion from the fuel ampoule. 17. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the additives are formic acids. 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the walls of the fuel tank comprise layers of or composite materials. 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the walls of the fuel container comprises composite materials. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the walls of the fuel container comprises layers of composite materials. 21. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fuel diffusion plenum having fuel therein in the fuel diffusion manifold. 22. A fueling system for fuel cells comprising a fuel tank having walls permeable to fuel, and a fuel container having walls impermeable to fuel for receiving and storing the fuel tank, further comprising a fuel, wherein the fuel is methanol. 23. A fueling system for fuel cells comprising a fuel tank having walls permeable to fuel, and a fuel container having walls impermeable to fuel for receiving and storing the fuel tank, wherein the walls of the fuel tank comprises a material having selective permeability to different molecular species, wherein the material has a higher selective permeability for fuel over water. 24. A fueling system for fuel cells comprising a fuel tank having walls permeable to fuel, and a fuel container having walls impermeable to fuel for receiving and storing the fuel tank, wherein the walls of the fuel tank comprises silicone rubber for allowing higher permeability of methanol over water.