초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for maintaining fuel cell cathode air quality are provided. In particular, the method and the apparatus of the present invention provide air filtration that excludes liquids and solids from a fuel cell enclosure. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fuel c

A method and apparatus for maintaining fuel cell cathode air quality are provided. In particular, the method and the apparatus of the present invention provide air filtration that excludes liquids and solids from a fuel cell enclosure. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell enclosure can withstand being submerged in water, without allowing contaminants to enter the fuel cell enclosure. The depth at which the fuel cell could be submerged is dependant upon the pore size of the filter membrane. The present invention provides a filter having a gas permeable, hydrophobic, microporous polymer film to exclude material detrimental to the operation of the fuel cell. The invention allows a fuel cell apparatus to be provided that is capable of being submerged in water and exposed to environmental contaminants without damage to the fuel cell.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fuel cell apparatus, comprising:a substantially waterproof enclosure;a fuel cell disposed within said substantially waterproof enclosure; anda filter element that can be subjected to either a first state or a second state, said filter element allows air to enter said substantially waterproof en

1. A fuel cell apparatus, comprising:a substantially waterproof enclosure;a fuel cell disposed within said substantially waterproof enclosure; anda filter element that can be subjected to either a first state or a second state, said filter element allows air to enter said substantially waterproof enclosure when subjected to said first state, said filter element contacting liquid with at least a first predetermined pressure when subjected to said second state and excluding the liquid and the air from entering said substantially waterproof enclosure, wherein said exclusion of air from entering said substantially waterproof enclosure results in said fuel cell ceasing operation. 2. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 1, wherein said filter element comprises a membrane. 3. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 2, wherein said membrane is hydrophobic. 4. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 2, wherein said membrane comprises an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. 5. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 4, wherein said expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is laminated to a woven polymer backing. 6. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 4, wherein said expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is homogenous and unlaminated. 7. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 2, wherein said membrane has a pore size of from about 0.2 micron to about 3 microns. 8. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. 9. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 1, wherein said liquids and solids excluded by said filter element comprise salts and aqueous metal ions. 10. A fuel cell apparatus, comprising:a substantially waterproof enclosure;a fuel cell disposed within said substantially waterproof enclosure;a filter element that can be subjected to either a first state or second state, said filter element allows air to enter said substantially waterproof enclosure when subjected to said first state, said filter element contacting liquid with at least a first predetermined pressure when subjected to said second state and excluding the liquid and the air from entering said substantially waterproof enclosure; anda controller in communication with said air pump, each of said air pump, and said controller disposed within said substantially waterproof enclosure, wherein air is drawn into said enclosure through said filter element in said first state and said controller stops operation of said air pump in said second state. 11. A method for maintaining fuel cell cathode air quality, comprising:disposing a fuel cell within a waterproof enclosure;admitting an air stream from an exterior of said waterproof enclosure and to an interior of said waterproof enclosure through a filter, wherein said filter excludes salts and aqueous metal ions from said interior of said waterproof enclosure;providing said air stream to said fuel cell, wherein a voltage is produced by said fuel cell;contacting said filter with a liquid, wherein a surface area of said filter is substantially in contact with said liquid; andafter said step of contacting, ceasing to provide said air stream to said fuel cell, wherein a voltage is not produced by said fuel cell. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said filter comprises a hydrophobic gas permeable membrane, and wherein a pore size of said membrane is selected so that a water intrusion pressure of said filter is greater than or equal to 6 psig. 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing oxygen included in said air stream to a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:removing said filter from contact with said liquid; andafter said step of removing, providing said air stream to said fuel cell, wherein a voltage is produced by said fuel cell. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein said admitting an air stream comprises drawing air from an exterior of said waterproof enclosure. 16. A fuel cell apparatus, comprising:a substantially waterproof enclosure;a fuel c ell disposed within said substantially waterproof enclosure;an air pump;a controller in communication with said air pump and each of said controller and said air pump is contained within said substantially waterproof enclosure; anda filter element for allowing air to enter said substantially waterproof enclosure and substantially preventing liquids and solids from entering said substantially waterproof enclosure, wherein said controller controls said air pump in response to detecting a change in a condition within said substantially waterproof enclosure. 17. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:a pressure sensor contained within said substantially waterproof enclosure, wherein said change in a condition comprises a change in pressure within said substantially waterproof enclosure. 18. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 17, wherein said filter element contacts liquid and said contact is detected by said pressure sensor as said change in pressure within said substantially waterproof enclosure. 19. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 17, wherein:said pressure change is a decrease in pressure. 20. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 17, wherein:said change in pressure is to a first predetermined pressure or less from a pressure greater than said first predetermined pressure and said air pump is deactivated using said controller at said first predetermined pressure or less and said controller activates said air pump at a pressure greater than said first predetermined pressure. 21. A fuel cell apparatus, comprising:a substantially waterproof enclosure,said enclosure including an interior volume, wherein liquid water in an atmosphere surrounding said enclosure is excluded from said interior volume at least up to a predetermined water pressure;a fuel cell disposed within said interior volume; andsaid enclosure including an exterior surface, at least a portion of which includes a filter assembly that operates to admit atmospheric air to said interior volume and to exclude said liquid water from said interior volume, at least up to said predetermined water pressure. 22. The enclosure of claim 21, wherein said filter assembly includes a hydrophobic membrane. 23. The enclosure of claim 22, wherein said hydrophobic membrane is substantially planar. 24. The enclosure of claim 21, wherein said exterior surface includes a first planar surface and wherein said filter assembly is located within a perimeter of said first planar surface. 25. The enclosure of claim 22, wherein said filter assembly further includes:a first backing member on a first side of said hydrophobic membrane; anda second backing member on a second side of said hydrophobic membrane.