Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems and fuel cell systems with a liquid leak detection system
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H01M-008/04
G01M-003/04
G08B-021/00
출원번호
UP-0750833
(2007-05-18)
등록번호
US-7629067
(2009-12-16)
발명자
/ 주소
Beliveau, Clint A.
Elliot, Scott C.
Popham, Vernon Wade
출원인 / 주소
Idatech, LLC
대리인 / 주소
Dascenzo Intellectual Property Law, P.C.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
2인용 특허 :
125
초록▼
Liquid leak detection systems, and fuel cell systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems containing the same. The liquid leak detection systems are adapted to detect liquid leaks from the fuel cell and/or fuel processing systems and to respond thereto, such as by interrupting the delivery
Liquid leak detection systems, and fuel cell systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems containing the same. The liquid leak detection systems are adapted to detect liquid leaks from the fuel cell and/or fuel processing systems and to respond thereto, such as by interrupting the delivery of liquid reactants, by generating an alert, by transitioning the fuel processing system to a different operating state, and/or by shutting down the fuel processing and/or fuel cell system. The liquid leak detection systems may include a controller and at least one liquid detector, and in some embodiments may include a cover. In some embodiments, the liquid detector includes a signal emitter and a signal detector. In some embodiments, the liquid detector includes at least a pair of spaced-apart conductive members that nominally define an open circuit. In some embodiments, the cover is adapted to repel water and/or includes conductive particulate.
대표청구항▼
The invention claimed is: 1. A fuel processing system with a liquid leak detection system, the fuel processing system comprising: a hydrogen-producing assembly with a hydrogen-producing region adapted to receive at least a feed stream containing at least a carbon-containing feedstock and to produce
The invention claimed is: 1. A fuel processing system with a liquid leak detection system, the fuel processing system comprising: a hydrogen-producing assembly with a hydrogen-producing region adapted to receive at least a feed stream containing at least a carbon-containing feedstock and to produce a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas as a majority component therefrom; a feedstock delivery system adapted to deliver the feed stream containing at least a carbon-containing feedstock to the hydrogen-producing region of the hydrogen-producing assembly, wherein the feedstock delivery system is in communication with a liquid supply containing the carbon-containing feedstock; and a liquid leak detection system adapted to detect liquid that leaks from the fuel processing system; wherein the liquid leak detection system comprises: a controller; at least one liquid detector in communication with the controller; wherein the at least one liquid detector includes at least a pair of spaced-apart conductive members, and further wherein the controller is adapted to monitor the at least one liquid detector to electrically detect a property or condition that is indicative of liquid establishing a conductive path between the conductive members; and a cover extending at least above the pair of conductive members and positioned so that liquid leaking from the fuel processing system contacts the cover prior to contacting the pair of conductive members, wherein the cover includes conductive particulate that is configured to be drawn from the cover by liquid passing through the cover to the liquid detector to increase the conductivity of the liquid passing through the cover. 2. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein, upon detection of a liquid leak, the liquid leak detection system is adapted to at least one of interrupt the operation of the fuel processing system and cause the feedstock delivery system to stop delivering the feed stream to the hydrogen-producing region. 3. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the liquid leak detection system is adapted to detect liquids having predetermined properties and to not detect liquids having other properties. 4. The libel processing system of claim 1, wherein the liquid leak detection system is adapted to be actuated upon receipt of a predetermined volume of the carbon-containing feedstock from the fuel processing system but not to be actuated by receipt of an equal volume of water. 5. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the liquid leak detection system is adapted to be actuated upon detection of a predetermined volume of the carbon-containing feedstock but not to be actuated upon detection of an equal volume of water. 6. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid detector is adapted to detect a property or condition that is indicative of liquid being present in a region of the fuel processing system where liquid should not be present during proper operation of the fuel processing system. 7. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid detector includes a signal emitter that is adapted to emit a signal, a signal detector that is adapted to detect the signal emitted by the signal emitter, and further wherein the controller is adapted to monitor any detected signal from the signal emitter for a change in the detected signal that is indicative of a liquid leak. 8. The fuel processing system of claim 7, wherein the controller is adapted to monitor any detected signal for an increase in the detected signal that is indicative of a liquid leak. 9. The fuel processing system of claim 7, wherein the signal emitter and the signal detector are formed as electrical traces on a circuit board. 10. The fuel processing system of claim 7, wherein the controller is adapted to compare the detected signal to a threshold value to determine if the detected signal is indicative of a liquid leak. 11. The fuel processing system of claim 10, wherein the controller is in communication with a temperature sensor and is adapted to adjust the threshold value responsive to a detected temperature by the temperature sensor. 12. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the pair of spaced-apart conductive members define a nominally open circuit, and further wherein the controller is adapted to monitor the pair of conductive members to detect a closed circuit established by liquid establishing a conductive path between the conductive members. 13. The fuel processing system of claim 12, wherein the pair of conductive members are separated by a non-conductive material through which liquid may pass. 14. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the cover is adapted to repel water. 15. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the cover is adapted to be more permeable to the carbon-containing feedstock than to water. 16. The fuel processing system of claim 15, wherein the carbon-containing feedstock includes an alcohol, and further wherein the cover is more permeable to the alcohol than to water. 17. The fuel processing system of claim 15, wherein the carbon-containing feedstock includes a hydrocarbon, and further wherein the cover is more permeable to the hydrocarbon than to water. 18. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the cover is shaped to define at least one liquid-pooling region, and further wherein at least one liquid detector is positioned beneath the at least one liquid-pooling region. 19. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the conductive members extends within the cover. 20. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the pair of conductive members extends beneath the cover. 21. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the conductive members are formed as electrical traces on a circuit board. 22. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a liquid-permeable non-conductive barrier through which the conductive particulate may be drawn by the liquid passing through the cover to the liquid detector. 23. A direct methanol fuel cell system, comprising: at least one direct methanol fuel cell adapted to produce an electric output from water and liquid methanol; a feedstock delivery system adapted to deliver a feed stream containing at least liquid methanol to the at least one direct methanol fuel cell; and a liquid leak detection system adapted to detect at least liquid methanol that leaks from the fuel cell system; wherein the liquid leak detection system is adapted to be actuated upon receipt of a predetermined volume of methanol but not to be actuated by receipt of an equal volume of water; wherein the liquid leak detection system comprises: a controller; at least one liquid detector in communication with the controller and including at least a pair of spaced-apart conductive members, wherein the controller is adapted to monitor the at least one liquid detector to electrically detect a property or condition that is indicative of liquid establishing a conductive path between the conductive members; and a cover extending above the at least one liquid detector, wherein the cover is adapted to be more permeable to methanol than to water, wherein the cover includes conductive particulate that is configured to be drawn from the cover by liquid passing through the cover to the liquid detector to increase the conductivity of the liquid passing through the cover. 24. The direct methanol fuel cell system of claim 23, wherein the liquid leak detection system is adapted to be actuated upon detection of a predetermined volume of methanol but not to be actuated upon detection of an equal volume of water. 25. The direct methanol fuel cell system of claim 23, wherein, upon detection of a liquid leak, the liquid leak detection system is adapted to at least one of interrupt the operation of the fuel cell system, cause the feedstock delivery system to stop delivering the feed stream to the at least one direct methanol fuel cell, and generate an alert signal. 26. The direct methanol fuel processing system of claim 23, wherein the controller is adapted to compare a detected signal from the at least one liquid detector to a threshold value to determine if the detected signal is indicative of a liquid leak, and further wherein the controller is in communication with a temperature sensor and is adapted to adjust the threshold value responsive to a detected temperature by the temperature sensor. 27. The direct methanol fuel processing system of claim 23, wherein the conductive members are formed as electrical traces on a circuit board. 28. The direct methanol fuel cell system of claim 23, wherein the cover includes a liquid-permeable non-conductive barrier through which the conductive particulate may be drawn by the liquid passing through the cover to the liquid detector. 29. A fuel processing system with a liquid leak detection system, the fuel processing system comprising: a hydrogen-producing assembly with a hydrogen-producing region adapted to receive at least a feed stream containing at least a carbon-containing feedstock and to produce a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas as a majority component therefrom; a feedstock delivery system adapted to deliver the feed stream containing at least a carbon-containing feedstock to the hydrogen-producing region of the hydrogen-producing assembly, wherein the feedstock delivery system is in communication with a liquid supply containing the carbon-containing feedstock; and a liquid leak detection system adapted to detect liquid that leaks from the fuel processing system; wherein the liquid leak detection system is adapted to be actuated upon receipt of a predetermined volume of the carbon-containing feedstock from the fuel processing system but not to be actuated by receipt of an equal volume of water; wherein the liquid leak detection system comprises: a controller; at least one liquid detector in communication with the controller; wherein the at least one liquid detector includes at least a pair of spaced-apart conductive members formed as electrical traces on a circuit board, wherein the controller is adapted to monitor the at least one liquid detector to electrically detect a property or condition that is indicative of liquid establishing a conductive path between the conductive members; wherein the pair of conductive members includes a signal emitter that is adapted to emit a signal, a signal detector that is adapted to detect the signal emitted by the signal emitter, and further wherein the controller is adapted to monitor any detected signal from the signal emitter for a change in the detected signal that is indicative of a liquid leak; and a cover extending at least above the pair of conductive members and positioned so that liquid leaking from the fuel processing system contacts the cover prior to contacting the pair of conductive members; wherein the cover is adapted to be more permeable to the carbon-containing feedstock than to water; and further wherein the cover includes conductive particulate that is configured to be drawn from the cover by liquid passing through the cover to the liquid detector to increase the conductivity of the liquid passing through the cover. 30. The fuel processing system of claim 29, wherein the cover includes a liquid-permeable non-conductive barrier through which the conductive particulate may be drawn by the liquid passing through the cover to the liquid detector. 31. The fuel processing system of claim 29, wherein, upon detection of a liquid leak, the liquid leak detection system is adapted to at least one of interrupt the operation of the fuel processing system and cause the feedstock delivery system to stop delivering the feed stream to the hydrogen-producing region. 32. The fuel processing system of claim 29, wherein the cover is shaped to define at least one liquid-pooling region, and further wherein at least one liquid detector is positioned beneath the at least one liquid-pooling region.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (125)
Yoon Heeyoung (McMurray PA), Alcohol dissociation process for automobiles.
Sanger Robert J. ; Towler Gavin P. ; Doshi Kishore J. ; Vanden Bussche Kurt M. ; Senetar John J., Apparatus for providing a pure hydrogen stream for use with fuel cells.
Minet Ronald G. (592 Garfield Ave. South Pasadena CA 91030) Tsotsis Theodore T. (16312 Angler La. Huntington Beach CA 92647), Catalytic ceramic membrane steam/hydrocarbon reformer.
Faitani Joseph J. (Hartford CT) Austin George W. (Glastonbury CT) Chase Terry J. (Somers CT) Suljak George T. (Vernon CT) Misage Robert J. (Manchester,all of CT), Catalytic reactor with improved burner.
Lahlouh John (San Jose CA) Stewart Ray F. (Redwood City CA) Wasley Robert S. (San Carlos CA) Hauptly Paul D. (Fremont CA) Welsh Laurence M. (Palo Alto CA), Devices for detecting and obtaining information about an event.
Ishimaru Kimio (Nara JPX) Nakashiba Akio (Katano JPX) Koga Masahiro (Kawasaki JPX) Ohnishi Hisao (Osaka JPX) Kawahara Hideaki (Yao JPX), Energy supply system for optimizing energy cost, energy consumption and emission of pollutants.
Bonk Stanley P. ; Scheffler Glenn W. ; Foley Peter F. ; Corrigan Thomas J. ; Sederquist Richard A. ; Kocum Francis A., Hydrocarbon fuel gas reformer assembly for a fuel cell power plant.
Iniotakis Nicolas (Jlich DEX) von der Decken Claus-Benedict (Aachen DEX) Fedders Heinrich (Jlich DEX) Frhling Werner (Dren DEX) Sernetz Friedrich (Alzenau-Klberau DEX), Hydrogen permeation membrane.
Matsubayashi Takaaki,JPX ; Oda Katsuya,JPX ; Miyake Yasuo,JPX, Hydrogen production apparatus and method operable without supply of steam and suitable for fuel cell systems.
David J. Edlund ; Charles R. Hill ; William A. Pledger ; R. Todd Studebaker, Hydrogen purification devices, components and fuel processing systems containing the same.
Edlund, David J.; Pledger, William A.; Studebaker, R. Todd, Hydrogen purification membranes, components and fuel processing systems containing the same.
Edlund, David J.; Pledger, William A.; Studebaker, R. Todd, Hydrogen purification membranes, components and fuel processing systems containing the same.
Edlund, David J.; Pledger, William A.; Studebaker, R. Todd, Hydrogen purification membranes, components and fuel processing systems containing the same.
Edlund, David J.; Pledger, William A.; Studebaker, R. Todd, Hydrogen purification membranes, components and fuel processing systems containing the same.
Edlund, David J.; Pledger, William A.; Studebaker, R. Todd, Hydrogen purification membranes, components and fuel processing systems containing the same.
Hufton Jeffrey Raymond ; Sircar Shivaji ; Baade William Frederick ; Abrardo Joseph Michael ; Anand Madhu, Integrated steam methane reforming process for producing carbon monoxide.
Fletcher Nicholas J.,CAX ; Boehm Gustav A.,DEX ; Pow Eric G.,CAX, Method and apparatus for commencing operation of a fuel cell electric power generation system below the freezing temper.
Salemi, Michael R.; Bennett, Jonathon R.; Nashburn, Richard; Kirwan, John; Quader, Ather A.; Haller, James M., Method for starting a fast light-off catalytic fuel reformer.
Tanguy Bernard (Pessec FRX) Soubeyroux Jean-Louis (Voreppe FRX) Pezat Michel (La Brede FRX) Portier Josik (Pessac FRX) Hagenmuller Paul (Talence FRX), Method of storing hydrogen in intimate mixtures of hydrides of magnesium and other metals or alloys.
Lednor Peter W. (Amsterdam NLX) Senden Mathijs M. G. (The Hague NLX) Van Der Zwet Gerardus P. (Amsterdam NLX), Process for the preparation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide containing mixtures.
Juda Walter (Lexington MA) Allen Robert J. (Saugus MA) Lindstrom Robert (Gloucester MA), Process for the recovery of hydrogen-reduced metals, ions and the like at porous hydrophobic catalytic barriers.
Chludzinski Paul J. (38 Berkshire St. Swampscott MA 01907) Dantowitz Philip (39 Nancy Ave. Peabody MA 01960) McElroy James F. (12 Old Cart Rd. Hamilton MA 01936), Rapid starting methanol reactor system.
Gulden Peter (Erlangen DE1) Kozdon Friedrich (Spardorf DE1) Szabo de Bucs Eugen (Erlangen DE1) Kusebauch Walter (Erlangen DE1) Forster Helmut (Neunkirchen DE1) Schnicke Mathias (Uttenreuth DE1) Chris, Starting device for a reformed gas generator.
Stickler David B. (Belmont Carlisle MA) Von Rosenberg ; Jr. Charles W. (Belmont Andover MA) Gannon Richard E. (Andover MA), Subsonic-velocity entrained-bed gasification of coal.
Rostrop-Nielsen Jens,DKX ; Christensen Peter Seier,DKX ; Hansen Viggo Lucassen,DKX, Synthesis gas production by steam reforming using catalyzed hardware.
Byrne Vincent M. ; Davila Marco A. ; Fontana Edward C. ; Stein Steven C., System and method for automatically providing fuel to a fuel cell in response to a power failure in a primary power system.
Von Rosenberg ; Jr. Charles W. (Belmont MA) Stickler David B. (Carlisle MA) Gannon Richard E. (Andover MA), Very-high-velocity entrained-bed gasification of coal.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.