Flexible fuel cell structures having external support
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H01M-008/02
H01M-008/10
H01M-008/04
H01M-008/24
출원번호
US-0779246
(2013-02-27)
등록번호
US-8920998
(2014-12-30)
발명자
/ 주소
McLean, Gerard F
Schrooten, Jeremy
출원인 / 주소
Société BIC
대리인 / 주소
Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
1인용 특허 :
20
초록▼
Fuel cell components provide fuel cells on a flexible sheet that defines a wall of a flexible plenum. An external support structure limits expansion of the plenum in response to forces exerted by a pressurized reactant. The external support structure may comprise a portion of a housing of a portable
Fuel cell components provide fuel cells on a flexible sheet that defines a wall of a flexible plenum. An external support structure limits expansion of the plenum in response to forces exerted by a pressurized reactant. The external support structure may comprise a portion of a housing of a portable device. Cathodes of the fuel cells may be accessible from an outside of the flexible sheet and exposed to ambient air while anodes of the fuel cell are accessible from an inside of the flexible sheet and exposed to a fuel, such as hydrogen gas.
대표청구항▼
1. A fuel cell apparatus comprising: a plenum enclosed by flexible walls, at least one of the flexible walls including a first flexible two-dimensional fuel cell array, the array including two or more fuel cells, the fuel cells having anodes accessible from a first side of the first flexible array a
1. A fuel cell apparatus comprising: a plenum enclosed by flexible walls, at least one of the flexible walls including a first flexible two-dimensional fuel cell array, the array including two or more fuel cells, the fuel cells having anodes accessible from a first side of the first flexible array and cathodes accessible from a second side of the first array, wherein one but not both of the first side or the second side is accessible from within the plenum and wherein at least one of the flexible walls is configured to expand outward;an inlet for connecting the plenum to a source of a reactant; and,an external support structure disposed to limit outward expansion of the flexible walls. 2. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 1, further including current-carrying structures embedded within the two-dimensional fuel cell array. 3. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the current-carrying structures are disposed between the anodes accessible from the first side of the first flexible array and the cathodes accessible from the second side of the first flexible array. 4. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the current-carrying structures embedded within the two-dimensional fuel cell array carry electrons through the array from the anodes accessible from the first side of the first flexible array to the cathodes accessible from the second side of the first flexible array. 5. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a reactant is inside of the plenum. 6. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 1, further including a protective layer disposed between the flexible walls and the external support structure. 7. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 6, wherein the protective layer is hydrophobic. 8. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 6, wherein the protective layer includes a PTFE membrane. 9. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 6, wherein the protective layer is configured to allow the passage of air to the cathodes. 10. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 6, wherein the protective layer is configured to absorb contaminants, water or a combination thereof. 11. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 6, wherein the protective layer includes a microporous membrane. 12. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external support structure includes a porous region through which air may flow to reach the cathodes. 13. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 12, wherein the porous region is configured to allow water vapor to diffuse away from the cathodes. 14. The fuel cell apparatus of claim 12, wherein the porous region is formed of PTFE. 15. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inlet comprises a fuel inlet, the cathodes of the fuel cells are accessible from an outside of the plenum, and the anodes of the fuel cells are accessible from within the plenum. 16. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plenum is defined between the first flexible array and a flexible sheet sealed to the first flexible array by a seal extending around a periphery of the plenum. 17. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 16 wherein, on a cross section of the plenum, a distance between first and second opposed portions of the seal measured along the first flexible array is shorter than a distance between the first and second seal portions measured along the flexible sheet. 18. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the flexible sheet is a second flexible two-dimensional fuel cell array. 19. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible walls include projections within the plenum that hold the flexible walls apart. 20. A fuel cell apparatus comprising: a plenum enclosed by walls, at least one of the walls including a first two-dimensional fuel cell array, the array including two or more fuel cells, the fuel cells having anodes accessible from a first side of the first array and cathodes accessible from a second side of the first array, wherein one but not both of the first side or the second side is accessible from within the plenum;an inlet for connecting the plenum to a source of a reactant;current-carrying structures embedded within the two-dimensional fuel cell array, wherein at least a portion of the current-carrying structures are disposed between the first and second sides of the first array; and,an external support structure disposed to limit outward expansion of the flexible walls.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (20)
Williams Laurence, Apparatus having an energy generating skin as an outer covering.
Hockaday, Robert G.; Turner, Patrick S.; DeJohn, Marc D.; Navas, Carlos J.; Vaz, Heathcliff L.; Vazul, L. Luke, Portable chemical hydrogen hydride system.
Kelley Ronald J. ; Pratt Steven D. ; Landreth Bobby Dean ; Pennisi Robert W. ; Muthuswamy Sivakumar ; Urbish Glenn F., Portable fuel cell power supply.
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