Hydrogen generating apparatus

1. A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising:

a chemical reaction chamber;

a chemical solution reservoir formed of an elastomer that applies a first pressure on a chemical solution contained therein that moves said chemical solution from said chemical solution reservoir to said chemical reaction chamber;

an unpowered pressure-producing member configured to provide a second pressure at said chemical solution reservoir that moves said chemical solution from said chemical solution reservoir to said chemical reaction chamber; and

a catalyst bed disposed in said chemical reaction chamber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said chemical solution reservoir is contained within said chemical reaction chamber such that occurrence of a hydrogen generating reaction in said reaction chamber produces a third pressure that moves said chemical solution from said chemical solution reservoir to said chemical reaction chamber.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a gas collection shell disposed about said reaction chamber.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said gas collection shell further comprises a fluid communication path connected to a fuel cell.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a pressure relief valve disposed in said fluid communication path.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 . further comprising a hydrophobic membrane disposed between said gas collection shell and said catalyst bed.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said hydrophobic membrane comprises Celgard® or Gore-Tex®.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said chemical solution reservoir is contained within said chemical reaction chamber.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising a fluid communication path between said chemical solution reservoir and said chemical reaction chamber.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein a usable volume of said chemical reaction chamber increases as said chemical solution moves from said chemical solution reservoir to said chemical reaction chamber.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said fluid communication path is at least partially external to said chemical reaction chamber.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a control valve disposed in said fluid communication path.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said control valve is operated by an electronic controller.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said control valve is mechanically operated.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a pressure relief valve disposed in said fluid communication path.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said control valve is a micro-valve operable at variable frequencies, pulse widths, or aperture sizes by said electronic controller.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein said electronic controller monitors a stack voltage of a fuel cell end adjusts one or more of said frequency, pulse width, or aperture size of said micro-valve in response to changes in said stack voltage.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein said electronic controller monitors one or more of user settings, configuration settings, gas pressure, fuel cell current, and fuel cell power; and adjusts one or more of said frequency, pulse width, or aperture size of said micro-valve in response to monitored changes.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein said electronic controller increases said frequency, pulse width, or aperture size of said micro-valve in response to a monitored stack voltage below a predetermined threshold.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 . wherein said electronic controller decreases said frequency, pulse width, or aperture size of said micro-valve in response to a monitored stack voltage above a predetermined threshold.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said unpowered pressure-producing member comprises a spring.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said chemical solution is contained by said chemical solution reservoir and comprises a hydrogen-bearing fuel.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein said chemical solution comprises an aqueous metal hydride.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein said aqueous metal hydride comprises sodium borohydride.

25. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein said chemical solution comprises an amine borane.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a catalyst coating on said pressure-producing member.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein said catalyst coating or said catalyst bed comprise ruthenium for promoting production of hydrogen gas.

28. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plate disposed between said pressure-producing member and said chemical solution reservoir.

29. A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising:

a chemical reaction chamber;

a chemical solution reservoir formed of an elastomer that applies a first pressure on a chemical solution contained therein that moves said chemical solution from said chemical solution reservoir to said chemical reaction chamber;

an unpowered pressure-producing member for providing a second pressure at said chemical solution reservoir configured for moving said chemical solution from said chemical solution reservoir to said chemical reaction chamber;

wherein said chemical solution reservoir is contained at least partially within said chemical reaction chamber such that a reaction occurring in said chemical reaction chamber provides a third pressure at said chemical solution reservoir for moving said chemical solution from said chemical solution reservoir to said chemical reaction chamber.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 , further comprising a distributed catalyst bed in said chemical reaction chamber.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 , further comprising a gas collection shell disposed about said chemical reaction chamber.

32. A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising:

means for containing a chemical reaction;

means for containing a chemical solution;

means for catalyzing said chemical solution;

means for storing mechanical potential energy; and

means for converting said mechanical potential energy into pressure for moving said chemical solution from said means for containing a chemical solution to said means for containing a chemical reaction;

wherein said means for storing mechanical potential energy include both an elastomeric material from which said means for containing a chemical solution are constructed and a physical biasing member.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 , Wherein said means for containing a chemical solution is disposed within said means for containing a chemical reaction.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said chemical solution is an aqueous metal hydride.

35. The apparatus of claim 32 , further comprising separation means for separating hydrogen gas produced in said means for containing a chemical reaction from said chemical solution.

36. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said pressure-producing member comprises a biasing member producing a biasing force on said chemical solution to move said chemical solution from said reservoir to said reaction chamber.

37. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a reaction occurring in said reaction chamber provides additional pressure that moves said chemical solution to said chemical reaction chamber.

38. The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein a reaction occurring in said means for containing a chemical reaction provides additional pressure that moves said chemical solution to said means for containing a chemical reaction.

39. The apparatus of claim 29 , further comprising a hydrophobic membrane about said chemical reaction chamber.

40. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said chemical reaction chamber is initially filled with water.