IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0238241
(2008-09-25)
|
등록번호 |
US-8790842
(2014-07-29)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Schrooten, Jeremy
- Sobejko, Paul
- McLean, Gerard F
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
3 인용 특허 :
50 |
초록
▼
Fuel cell systems and methods having reduced volumetric requirements are described. The systems include, among other things, an enclosed region formed by the bonding of a fuel cell layer with a fluid manifold. The enclosed region transforms into a fluid plenum when, for example, a fluid exiting a ma
Fuel cell systems and methods having reduced volumetric requirements are described. The systems include, among other things, an enclosed region formed by the bonding of a fuel cell layer with a fluid manifold. The enclosed region transforms into a fluid plenum when, for example, a fluid exiting a manifold outlet pressurizes the enclosed region causing one or more portions of the fuel cell layer and/or the fluid manifold to deform away from each other.
대표청구항
▼
1. A fuel cell layer, comprising: a flexible fuel cell layer that includes two or more fuel cells and current collection components, wherein the two or more fuel cells and the current collection components are both substantially integrated within a two-dimensional layer; andwherein a fluid manifold
1. A fuel cell layer, comprising: a flexible fuel cell layer that includes two or more fuel cells and current collection components, wherein the two or more fuel cells and the current collection components are both substantially integrated within a two-dimensional layer; andwherein a fluid manifold is coupled to the flexible fuel cell layer with a peripheral seal to form an enclosed region between the fluid manifold and the flexible fuel cell layer, wherein the enclosed region is defined by the fluid manifold and the two or more fuel cells of the flexible fuel cell layer,wherein the fluid manifold is also coupled to the flexible fuel cell layer with one or more internal supports, wherein the internal supports are bonded to both the flexible fuel cell layer and the fluid manifold and wherein the one or more internal supports are configured to restrict outward expansion of the flexible fuel cell layer,wherein the flexible fuel cell layer is configured such that it is operable when self-supported,wherein the two or more fuel cells define at least a portion of the enclosed region,wherein the fluid manifold is configured to maintain a fuel at a uniform pressure throughout the enclosed region,wherein the fluid manifold further includes a manifold conduit layer and a first sealing layer and wherein the manifold conduit layer and the first sealing layer define a channel through which fuel can travel, andwherein the fluid manifold further includes a second sealing layer and wherein the first sealing layer is coupled to a first side of the manifold conduit layer and the second sealing layers is coupled to a second side of the manifold conduit layer and wherein the first side of the manifold conduit layer is opposite the second side of the manifold conduit layer. 2. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the flexible fuel cell layer is in further fluid communication with a fluidic control component, a fluid pressure regulator device, a fluid reservoir, a portion of an electronic device or a combination thereof. 3. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the one or more internal supports collapse or expand in response to movement in the flexible fuel cell layer. 4. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the one or more internal supports include at least one of an adhesive member, a weld member, a solder member, a braze member, and a mechanical fastener. 5. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the fluid manifold further includes one or more fluid pressure regulator devices. 6. The fuel cell layer of claim 5, wherein the one or more fluid pressure regulator devices includes an array of co-planar fluid pressure regulator devices, each fluidic pressure regulator device acting independently from the others. 7. The fuel cell layer of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the internal supports are electrically conductive. 8. The fuel cell layer of claim 7, wherein the internal supports are in contact with one or more electrically conductive portions of the fluid manifold. 9. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the one or more internal supports include one or more spacers, collapsible columns, or a combination thereof and wherein the one or more internal supports are configured to divide the enclosed space into a series of plenums when the enclosed region is inflated with pressurizing fluid. 10. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, further comprising an external support structure disposed to limit the outward deformation of the flexible fuel cell layer or the fluid manifold away from each other. 11. The fuel cell layer of claim 10, wherein the external support structure includes a portion of an outer housing of a portable electronic device. 12. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the flexible fuel cell layer includes a fuel cell array. 13. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the flexible fuel cell layer can be positioned in a non-planar configuration for operation. 14. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the flexible fuel cell layer can be positioned in a planar configuration for operation. 15. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the flexible fuel cell layer is coupled to the fluid manifold with an adhesive layer disposed between the fuel cell layer and the fluid manifold. 16. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the fluid manifold includes a fluid pressure regulator assembly and a manifold conduit layer. 17. The fuel cell layer of claim 16, wherein the fluid pressure regulator assembly is configured to control pressure of the fuel. 18. The fuel cell layer of claim 16, wherein the manifold conduit layer includes one or more channels configured to direct flow of the fuel from the fluid pressure regulator assembly to a region adjacent to the flexible fuel cell layer. 19. The fuel cell layer of claim 16, wherein the manifold conduit layer is disposed between the flexible fuel cell layer and the fluid pressure regulator assembly. 20. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the fluid manifold is flexible. 21. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the fluid manifold has multiple outlets, each outlet configured to direct a fluid out of the fluid manifold and into the enclosed region. 22. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the flexible fuel cell layer and fluid manifold are configured to deform away from one another when the fuel cells are producing electricity. 23. The fuel cell layer of claim 22, wherein the flexible fuel cell layer and fluid manifold are configured to deform away from one another by 0.5 mm. 24. The fuel cell layer of claim 22, wherein the flexible fuel cell layer and fluid manifold are configured to deform away sufficient to allow detection of the deformation by the naked eye. 25. The fuel cell layer of claim 22, wherein the flexible fuel cell layer and fluid manifold are configured to deform away from one another by millimeters. 26. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein some portions of the flexible fuel cell layer are configured to deform while the fuel cells are producing electricity and some portions of the flexible fuel cell layer are configured to remain stationary while the fuel cells are producing electricity. 27. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the internal supports divide the enclosed region into a series of fluid plenums. 28. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the fluid manifold defines multiple inlets, each inlet configured to direct fuel into the fluid manifold. 29. The fuel cell layer of claim 28, wherein the fluid manifold defines multiple outlets, each outlet configured to direct fuel out of the fluid manifold and into the enclosed region. 30. The fuel cell layer of claim 1, wherein the fluid manifold further includes a fluid pressure regulator assembly configured to reduce the pressure of the fuel. 31. The fuel cell layer of claim 30, wherein the fluid pressure regulator assembly defines an array of co-planar fluid regulator devices.
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