A self-regulating gas generator that, in response to gas demand, supplies and automatically adjusts the amount of gas (e.g., hydrogen or oxygen) catalytically generated in a chemical supply chamber from an appropriate chemical supply, such as a chemical solution, gas dissolved in liquid, or mixture.
A self-regulating gas generator that, in response to gas demand, supplies and automatically adjusts the amount of gas (e.g., hydrogen or oxygen) catalytically generated in a chemical supply chamber from an appropriate chemical supply, such as a chemical solution, gas dissolved in liquid, or mixture. The gas generator may employ a piston, rotating rod, or other element(s) to expose the chemical supply to the catalyst in controlled amounts. The gas generator may be used to provide gas for various gas consuming devices, such as a fuel cell, torch, or oxygen respiratory devices.
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1. A self-regulating gas generator, comprising: a chemical supply chamber containing a chemical supply;at least one element structurally impermeable to passage of the chemical supply that interacts with the chemical supply;a catalyst coupled to the at least one element causing the chemical supply to
1. A self-regulating gas generator, comprising: a chemical supply chamber containing a chemical supply;at least one element structurally impermeable to passage of the chemical supply that interacts with the chemical supply;a catalyst coupled to the at least one element causing the chemical supply to decompose in its presence into products, including a generated gas, in the chemical supply chamber;a gas storage chamber that allows the generated gas to be stored until use;a gas permeable structure through which the generated gas passes on a path from the chemical supply chamber to the gas storage chamber; anda feedback system utilizing force generated in part as a function of relative pressures in the chambers to position the catalyst in the chemical supply to self-regulate rate of generation of the generated gas. 2. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the at least one element translates relative to the chemical supply chamber. 3. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the at least one element rotates relative to the chemical supply chamber. 4. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the at least one element remains in a fixed position relative a body that includes the chemical supply chamber. 5. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein motion of the at least one element alters the amount of catalyst exposed to the chemical supply. 6. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the at least one element is a ceramic or is made of thermally-conductive material. 7. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the at least one element is a piston. 8. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the at least one element is hollow. 9. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the at least one element includes multiple channels therein adapted to allow the generated gas to flow therethrough. 10. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the at least one element is solid. 11. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein: the at least one element is a solid piston that moves relative to the chemical supply chamber to a position that creates an equilibrium of forces acting upon the solid piston; andat least a portion of the chemical supply chamber is bounded by the gas permeable structure. 12. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein: the at least one element is a solid piston that moves relative to the chemical supply chamber to a position that creates an equilibrium of forces acting upon the solid piston, the forces including force due to a spring operatively coupled to the solid piston; andat least a portion of the chemical supply chamber is bounded by the gas permeable structure. 13. The gas generator of claim 1 further including an adjustable spring operatively coupled to the at least one element allowing the relationship between pressure in the gas storage chamber and the position of the at least one element to be adjusted. 14. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the at least one element is coated with a gas-permeable catalyst layer and the gas permeable structure. 15. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the at least one element is coated with the gas permeable structure. 16. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the at least one element is covered with the gas permeable structure. 17. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the at least one element is integrated with the gas permeable structure. 18. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the at least one element includes a non-catalytic portion. 19. The gas generator of claim 18 wherein the at least one element is a piston and the non-catalytic portion is at an end of the piston. 20. The gas generator of claim 18 wherein the at least one element is adapted to position the non-catalytic portion with respect to the chemical supply to discontinue decomposition of the chemical supply. 21. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the gas permeable structure separates generated gas from the chemical supply. 22. The gas generator of claim 21 wherein the gas permeable structure includes metal. 23. The gas generator of claim 21 wherein the gas permeable structure includes palladium (Pd). 24. The gas generator of claim 21 wherein the gas permeable structure includes palladium alloy. 25. The gas generator of claim 21 wherein the gas permeable structure includes a polymer. 26. The gas generator of claim 21 wherein the gas permeable structure includes ceramic. 27. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the catalyst includes at least one of the following catalysts: a metal, metal boride, or polymer. 28. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is attached to the gas permeable structure. 29. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is coated upon the gas permeable structure. 30. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is attached to or coated on a non-permeable portion of said at least one element. 31. The gas generator of claim 1 further including at least one pressure relief valve reducing pressure of the gas storage chamber or chemical supply chamber if pressure in the respective chamber exceeds a predetermined threshold. 32. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the feedback system utilizes a force generated by a pressure differential between the gas storage chamber and the chemical supply chamber. 33. The gas generator of claim 1 further including a reference pressure chamber, and wherein the feedback system utilizes a force generated by a pressure differential between the gas storage chamber and the reference pressure chamber. 34. The gas generator of claim 1 further including a reference pressure chamber, and wherein the feedback system utilizes a force generated by a pressure differential between the chemical supply chamber and the reference pressure chamber. 35. The gas generator of claim 1 further including a spring coupled to the at least one element, wherein the feedback system utilizes a differential between a pressure, in at least one of the chambers acting upon the at least one element and a force of the spring acting upon the at least one element. 36. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the chemical supply includes NaBH4 stored as a dry powder that is caused to mix with a predetermined liquid (i) by breaking a membrane containing the dry NaBH4 powder, (ii) by shaking or squeezing the gas generator, or (iii) by puncturing the membrane. 37. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the generated gas is hydrogen gas. 38. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the generated gas is oxygen. 39. The gas generator of claim 1 adapted for use with a fuel cell. 40. The gas generator of claim 1 adapted for use with a gas combustion device. 41. The gas generator of claim 1 adapted for use with a respiratory device. 42. A method of generating gas, comprising: decomposing a chemical supply into products, including a generated gas, in a chemical supply chamber in the presence of a catalyst coupled to at least one element structurally impermeable to passage of the chemical supply;allowing the generated gas substantially free of the chemical supply to pass from the chemical supply chamber to a gas storage chamber via a gas permeable structure for storage until use;storing at least a portion of the generated gas in the gas storage chamber until use; andutilizing force generated in part as a function of relative pressures in the chambers to position the catalyst in the chemical supply to self-regulate rate of generation of the generated gas. 43. The method of claim 42 wherein utilizing a force includes translating the catalyst relative to the chemical supply. 44. The method of claim 42 wherein utilizing a force includes rotating the catalyst relative to the chemical supply. 45. The method of claim 42 wherein utilizing a force includes moving the chemical supply relative to the catalyst. 46. The method of claim 42 wherein utilizing the force includes altering the amount of catalyst exposed to the chemical supply. 47. The method of claim 42 wherein the catalyst is coupled to a ceramic or is made of thermally-conductive material. 48. The method of claim 42 wherein the at least one element is at least one hollow element and wherein allowing the generated gas to pass from the chemical supply chamber to a gas storage chamber via a gas permeable structure includes allowing the generated gas to pass through a channel in the at least one hollow element. 49. The method of claim 42 wherein allowing the generated gas to pass via a gas permeable structure includes allowing the generated gas to flow through the chemical supply and through the gas permeable structure positioned apart from the catalyst. 50. The method of claim 42 wherein: utilizing a force includes moving the catalyst relative to the chemical supply to a position that creates an equilibrium of forces acting upon the at least one element to which the catalyst is coupled; andallowing the generated gas to pass from the chemical supply chamber to the gas storage chamber via the gas permeable structure includes flowing the generated gas to a boundary of the chemical supply. 51. The method of claim 42 wherein: utilizing a force includes moving the catalyst relative to the chemical supply to a position that creates an equilibrium of forces acting upon the at least one element to which the catalyst is coupled, the forces including force due to a spring operatively coupled to the at least one element; andallowing the generated gas to pass from the chemical supply chamber to the gas storage chamber via the gas permeable structure includes flowing the generated gas to a boundary of the chemical supply. 52. The method of claim 42 wherein utilizing a force to position the catalyst includes enabling adjustment of the relationship between pressure in the gas storage chamber and the position of the catalyst. 53. The method of claim 42 wherein the catalyst is coated on the gas permeable structure. 54. The method of claim 42 wherein decomposing the chemical supply includes discontinuing decomposing the chemical supply if the generated gas is not in use. 55. The method of claim 42 further including separating hydrogen gas from the chemical supply. 56. The method of claim 42 wherein the gas permeable structure includes palladium or a polymer structure. 57. The method of claim 42 wherein the catalyst includes at least one of the following catalysts: metal, metal boride or polymer. 58. The method of claim 42 wherein the catalyst is attached or coated upon the gas permeable structure. 59. The method of claim 42 further including reducing pressure of the gas storage chamber or chemical supply chamber if pressure in the respective chamber exceeds a predetermined threshold. 60. The method of claim 42 wherein utilizing a force includes positioning the catalyst in the chemical supply as a function of a pressure differential between the gas storage chamber and the chemical supply chamber. 61. The method of claim 42 further including a reference pressure chamber and wherein utilizing a force includes positioning the catalyst in the chemical supply as a function of a pressure differential between the gas storage chamber and the reference pressure chamber. 62. The method of claim 42 further including a reference pressure chamber and wherein utilizing a force includes positioning the catalyst in the chemical supply as a function of a pressure differential between the chemical supply chamber and the reference pressure chamber. 63. The method of claim 42 further including applying a non-pressure force to the at least one element to which the catalyst is coupled and wherein utilizing a force includes positioning the at least one element with the catalyst as a function of a differential between a pressure in at least one of the chambers acting upon the element and the non-pressure force acting upon the element. 64. The method of claim 42 wherein the chemical supply is stored as a dry powder and further including mixing the chemical supply with a predetermined liquid prior to decomposing the chemical supply into products. 65. The method of claim 42 wherein the generated gas is hydrogen gas. 66. The method of claim 42 wherein the generated gas is oxygen. 67. The method of claim 42 used with a fuel cell. 68. The method of claim 42 used with a gas combustion device. 69. The method of claim 42 used with a respiratory device. 70. An apparatus for generating a gas comprising: means for decomposing a chemical supply into products, including a generated gas, in a chemical supply chamber in the presence of a catalyst;means for passing the generated gas substantially free of the chemical supply from the chemical supply chamber to a gas storage chamber via a gas permeable structure for storage until use; andmeans for utilizing force generated in part by pressure in at least one of the chambers to position the catalyst in the chemical supply to regulate rate of generation of the generated gas. 71. The apparatus of claim 70 wherein the means for decomposing the chemical supply into products includes means for discontinuing the decomposing of the chemical supply into products. 72. The gas generator of claim 1 further including at least one wipe adapted to dislodge the products from the at least one element. 73. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the element is configured to dislodge the chemical supply or products from the catalyst or configured to have the chemical supply or products dislodged from the catalyst. 74. The gas generator of claim 73 further including a wipe in operable arrangement with the catalyst to dislodge the products from the catalyst. 75. The gas generator of claim 1 further including a capacity indicator activating if the gas storage chamber reaches a predetermined gas pressure. 76. The gas generator of claim 1 further including a capacity indicator indicating gas pressure. 77. The gas generator of claim 1 further including a capacity indicator indicating a position of the at least one element. 78. The gas generator of claim 1 further including a capacity indicator indicating an amount of unspent chemical supply. 79. The gas generator of claim 1 further including a human-readable capacity indicator. 80. The gas generator of claim 1 further including a filter through which the generated gas passes before output for use by an external device. 81. The gas generator of claim 1 further including a humidifier through which the generated gas passes before output for use by an external device. 82. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the chemical supply is a liquid. 83. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the chemical supply is a gas dissolved in a liquid. 84. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the chemical supply is a solid dissolved in a liquid. 85. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the chemical supply is a combination of a liquid and a gas dissolved in the liquid. 86. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the chemical supply comprises any chemical hydride. 87. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the chemical supply is an aqueous NaBH4 solution. 88. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the chemical supply comprises an aqueous NaBH4 solution, optionally including a co-solvent or an additive. 89. The gas generator of claim 88 wherein the aqueous NaBH4 solution includes at least one alkali metal salt. 90. A gas generator according to claim 1 wherein the chemical supply is aqueous NaBH4 solution that decomposes in the presence of the catalyst to produce hydrogen gas, wherein the catalyst includes at least one of the following catalysts: Ruthenium, Rhodium, Palladium, Iridium, Platinum, Rhenium, and Nickel. 91. A self-regulating gas generator, comprising: a chemical supply chamber configured to contain a chemical supply;a gas storage chamber configured to store a gas until use;a gas permeable, liquid impermeable structure configured to enable a gas to pass on a path from the chemical supply chamber to the gas storage chamber; andan element that does not provide a path for the chemical supply to pass from the chemical supply chamber and that is arranged to expose a catalyst to the chemical supply, to decompose the chemical supply in its chamber into products including a gas, as a function of relative pressures in at least one of the chambers to automatically self-regulate rate of generation of the gas. 92. The gas generator of claim 91 wherein motion of the element alters the amount of catalyst exposed to the chemical supply. 93. The gas generator of claim 91 further including an adjustable spring operatively coupled to the element allowing the relationship between pressure in the gas storage chamber and the position of the element to be adjusted. 94. The gas generator of claim 91 wherein the element includes a non-catalytic portion. 95. The gas generator of claim 94 wherein the element is a piston and the non-catalytic portion is at an end of the piston. 96. The gas generator of claim 91 wherein the element is configured to dislodge the chemical supply or products from the catalyst or configured to have the chemical supply or products dislodged from the catalyst. 97. The gas generator of claim 96 further including a wipe in operable arrangement with the catalyst to dislodge the products from the catalyst. 98. The gas generator of claim 91 further including a capacity indicator activating if the gas storage chamber reaches a predetermined gas pressure. 99. The gas generator of claim 91 further including a capacity indicator indicating gas pressure. 100. The gas generator of claim 91 further including a capacity indicator indicating a position of the element. 101. The gas generator of claim 91 further including a capacity indicator indicating an amount of unspent chemical supply. 102. The gas generator of claim 91 further including a human-readable capacity indicator. 103. The gas generator of claim 91 further including at least one pressure relief valve reducing pressure of the gas storage chamber or chemical supply chamber if pressure in the respective chamber exceeds a predetermined threshold. 104. The gas generator of claim 91 further including a filter through which the generated gas passes before output for use by an external device. 105. The gas generator of claim 91 further including a humidifier through which the generated gas passes before output for use by an external device. 106. The gas generator of claim 91 further including a reference pressure chamber, and wherein the element is also arranged to expose the catalyst to the chemical supply as a function of a force generated by a pressure differential between the gas storage chamber and the reference pressure chamber. 107. The gas generator of claim 91 further including a reference pressure chamber, and wherein the element is also arranged to expose the catalyst to the chemical supply as a function of a force generated by a pressure differential between the chemical supply chamber and the reference pressure chamber. 108. The gas generator of claim 91 further including a spring coupled to the element, wherein the element is also arranged to expose the catalyst to the chemical supply as a function of a differential between a pressure, in at least one of the chambers acting upon the element, and a force of the spring acting upon the element. 109. The gas generator of claim 91 wherein the chemical supply is a liquid. 110. The gas generator of claim 91 wherein the chemical supply is a gas dissolved in a liquid. 111. The gas generator of claim 91 wherein the chemical supply is a solid dissolved in a liquid. 112. The gas generator of claim 91 wherein the chemical supply comprises any chemical hydride. 113. The gas generator of claim 91 wherein the chemical supply is an aqueous NaBH4 solution. 114. The gas generator of claim 91 wherein the chemical supply comprises an aqueous NaBH4 solution, optionally including a co-solvent or an additive. 115. The gas generator of claim 114 wherein the aqueous NaBH4 solution includes at least one alkali metal salt. 116. A gas generator according to claim 91 wherein the chemical supply is aqueous NaBH4 solution that decomposes in the presence of the catalyst to produce hydrogen gas, wherein the catalyst includes at least one of the following catalysts: Ruthenium, Rhodium, Palladium, Iridium, Platinum, Rhenium, and Nickel. 117. The gas generator of claim 91 wherein the chemical supply includes NaBH4 stored as a dry powder that is caused to mix with a predetermined liquid (i) by breaking a membrane containing the dry NaBH4 powder, (ii) by shaking or squeezing the gas generator, or (iii) by puncturing the membrane. 118. The gas generator of claim 91 wherein the generated gas is hydrogen gas. 119. The gas generator of claim 91 wherein the generated gas is oxygen. 120. The gas generator of claim 91 adapted for use with a fuel cell. 121. The gas generator of claim 91 adapted for use with a gas combustion device. 122. The gas generator of claim 91 adapted for use with a respiratory device. 123. The method of claim 42 further including dislodging products from the catalyst. 124. The method of claim 42 further comprising dislodging the chemical supply or products from the catalyst or having the chemical supply or products dislodged from the catalyst. 125. The method of claim 124 further including arranging a wipe to be in operable arrangement with the catalyst to dislodge the products from the catalyst. 126. The method of claim 42 further including activating a capacity indicator if the gas storage chamber reaches a predetermined gas pressure. 127. The method of claim 42 further including indicating gas pressure. 128. The method of claim 42 further including indicating a position of the catalyst in the chemical supply chamber. 129. The method of claim 42 further including indicating an amount of unspent chemical supply. 130. The method of claim 42 further including displaying a metric associated with the rate of generation of the generated gas. 131. The method of claim 42 further including filtering the generated gas before output for use by an external device. 132. The method of claim 42 further including humidifying the generated gas before output for use by an external device. 133. The method of claim 42 wherein decomposing the chemical supply includes decomposing a liquid into products. 134. The method of claim 42 wherein decomposing the chemical supply includes decomposing a gas dissolved in a liquid into products. 135. The method of claim 42 wherein decomposing the chemical supply includes decomposing a solid dissolved in a liquid into products. 136. The method of claim 42 wherein decomposing the chemical supply includes decomposing a combination of a liquid and a gas dissolved in a liquid into products. 137. The method of claim 42 wherein decomposing the chemical supply includes decomposing any chemical hydride. 138. The method of claim 42 wherein decomposing the chemical supply includes decomposing an aqueous NaBH4 solution. 139. The method of claim 42 wherein decomposing the chemical supply includes decomposing a solution of NaBH4 and at least one alkali metal salt. 140. The method of claim 139 wherein the aqueous NaBH4 solution includes an effective amount of a co-solvent or other additive. 141. The method of claim 42 wherein decomposing the chemical supply includes decomposing an aqueous NaBH4 solution to produce hydrogen gas using at least one of the following catalysts: Ruthenium, Rhodium, Palladium, Iridium, Platinum, Rhenium, and Nickel.
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