IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0630762
(2009-12-03)
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등록번호 |
US-8438907
(2013-05-14)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Beliveau, Clint A.
- Elliot, Scott C.
- Popham, Vernon Wade
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
Dascenzo Intellectual Property Law, P.C.
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
129 |
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
▼
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 configured to receive at least a feed stream containing at least an alcohol that is a liquid alcohol at 25° C. and 1 atm, and to prod
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 configured to receive at least a feed stream containing at least an alcohol that is a liquid alcohol at 25° C. and 1 atm, and to produce a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas as a majority component therefrom;a feedstock delivery system configured to deliver the feed stream containing at least the alcohol to the hydrogen-producing region of the hydrogen-producing assembly, wherein the feedstock delivery system is in communication with a liquid supply containing the alcohol; anda liquid leak detection system configured 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, wherein the controller is configured 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 further wherein, upon detection of a liquid leak, the liquid leak detection system automatically at least one of interrupts the operation of the fuel processing system and controls the feedstock delivery system to stop delivering the feed stream to the hydrogen-producing region; anda 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 liquid leak detection system is configured to be actuated by receipt of a predetermined volume of the alcohol but not to be actuated by receipt of an equal volume of water. 2. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the feed stream includes the alcohol and water. 3. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the alcohol includes methanol. 4. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid detector is configured 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. 5. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid detector includes a signal emitter that is configured to emit a signal, a signal detector that is configured to detect the signal emitted by the signal emitter, and further wherein the controller is configured to monitor any detected signal from the signal emitter for a change in the detected signal that is indicative of a liquid leak. 6. The fuel processing system of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to monitor any detected signal for an increase in the detected signal that is indicative of a liquid leak. 7. The fuel processing system of claim 5, wherein the signal emitter and the signal detector are formed as electrical traces on a circuit board. 8. 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 configured to monitor the pair of conductive members to detect a closed circuit established by liquid establishing a conductive path between the conductive members. 9. The fuel processing system of claim 8, wherein the pair of conductive members are separated by a non-conductive material through which liquid may pass. 10. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to repel water. 11. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to be more permeable to the alcohol than to water. 12. 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. 13. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a plurality of regions, including at least a region with a first thickness and a region with a second thickness adjoining the region with a first thickness, wherein a leak detection sensitivity of the liquid detector varies with the cover thickness, the liquid leak detector includes at least a first region with a first leak detection sensitivity that corresponds to the region with a first thickness and a second region with a second leak detection sensitivity that corresponds to the region with a second thickness, and further wherein the first leak detection sensitivity is greater than the second leak detection sensitivity. 14. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a plurality of regions, including at least a region wherein the cover extends at least above the pair of conductive members and a region wherein the cover does not extend above the pair of conductive members, wherein the liquid leak detector includes at least a first region with a first leak detection sensitivity that corresponds to the region wherein the cover extends above the pair of conductive members and a second region with a second leak detection sensitivity that corresponds to the region wherein the cover does not extend above the pair of conductive members, and further wherein the first leak detection sensitivity is different from the second leak detection sensitivity. 15. The fuel processing system of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a plurality of regions, including at least a region with a first liquid permeability and a region with a second liquid permeability adjoining the region with a first liquid permeability, wherein a leak detection sensitivity of the liquid detector varies with a liquid permeability of the cover, the liquid leak detector includes at least a first region with a first leak detection sensitivity that corresponds to the region with a first liquid permeability and a second region with a second leak detection sensitivity that corresponds to the region with a second liquid permeability, and further wherein the first leak detection sensitivity is greater than the second leak detection sensitivity.
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