IP Library Granted Patent US 7,241,523
Granted Patent B1
US 7,241,523 · App. 10/328,709 · Granted Jul 10, 2007

Forced air fuel cell power system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,241,523
App. No.
10/328,709
Granted
Jul 10, 2007
Kind
B1
Abstract

A portable electricity generation device comprises a plurality of fuel cells, each fuel cell having an anode end with a catalyst facilitating the separation of hydrogen atoms into electrons and protons, a cathode end facilitating the combination of the electrons and protons into water molecules in the presence of oxygen, and a current bearing portion providing a current path for the electrons to traverse. The electricity generation device also includes a fuel storage container for storing a supply of hydrogen and delivering the supply of hydrogen to an anode end of the plurality of fuel cells so as to initiate a flow of the electrons through the current bearing portion. In addition, the portable electricity generation device includes an air moving device configured to direct atmospheric air toward a cathode end of the plurality of fuel cells, wherein the air moving device is positioned to convectively cool the plurality of fuel cells as it supplies atmospheric air to the cathode end.

Claims (32)

1. A portable electricity generation device, comprising:

a plurality of fuel cells, each fuel cell having an anode end with a catalyst facilitating the separation of hydrogen atoms into electrons and protons, and a cathode end facilitating the combination of the electrons and protons into water molecules in the presence of oxygen;

a fuel storage container to store a supply of hydrogen and provide the hydrogen to the anode end of each of the plurality of fuel cells;

a pressure regulator, disposed between the fuel storage container and the plurality of fuel cells, to reduce the pressure of the hydrogen provided to the plurality of fuel cells relative to the pressure of the hydrogen stored in the fuel storage container; and

a hydrogen reservoir, coupled to the plurality of fuel cells and disposed between the pressure regulator and the plurality of fuel cells, to supply hydrogen to the plurality of fuel cells in the absence of hydrogen from the fuel storage container.

2. The portable electricity generation device of claim 1 , further including an air moving device to direct atmospheric air toward the cathode end of each of the plurality of fuel cells, wherein the air moving device is positioned to convectively cool the plurality of fuel cells during operation.

3. The portable electricity generation device of claim 2 , wherein the air moving device further includes a preheater to heat the atmospheric air prior to directing the atmospheric air toward the cathode end of each of the plurality of fuel cells.

4. The portable electricity generation device of claim 2 further including a heating duct to direct the atmospheric air from the cathode end to each of the plurality of fuel cells.

5. The portable electricity generation device of claim 2 further including a feedback sensor to analyze the fuel cell, and an electronic control circuit in electrical communication with the air moving device, wherein the electronic control circuit is configured to vary the rate at which the air moving device moves air according to data from the feedback sensor.

6. The portable electricity generation device of claim 2 further including a seal plate placed proximate to the plurality of fuel cells, wherein the seal plate alters the flow characteristics of the atmospheric air as it is directed toward the plurality of fuel cells.

7. The portable electricity generation device of claim 6 wherein the seal plate further includes a thermally conductive medium to facilitate the transfer of heat away from the plurality of fuel cells.

8. The portable electricity generation device of claim 6 wherein the seal plate further includes a non-planar surface placed proximate to the flow of atmospheric air from the air moving device.

9. The portable electricity generation device of claim 1 wherein the fuel storage container further includes a secondary metal hydride to retain hydrogen.

10. The portable electricity generation device of claim 1 wherein the fuel storage container further includes an outer surface and a porous, thermally conductive material proximate to said outer surface.

11. The portable electricity generation device of claim 1 further including:

a control block including:

a housing having a cavity therein;

interface connection to couple the fuel storage container to the plurality of fuel cells via the pressure regulator; and

wherein the cavity within the housing provides the hydrogen reservoir.

12. The portable electricity generation device of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen reservoir is a collapsible bladder.

13. The portable electricity generation device of claim 1 further including a housing having a cavity therein, wherein the hydrogen reservoir includes the cavity, and wherein the plurality of fuel cells are disposed within the housing.

14. The portable electricity generation device of claim 1 wherein, during operation of the plurality of fuel cells, the hydrogen reservoir provides continuous and uninterrupted supply of fuel to the plurality of fuel cells in the absence of hydrogen from the fuel storage container.

15. The portable electricity generation device of claim 1 further including a housing having a cavity therein, wherein the hydrogen reservoir includes the cavity, and wherein the plurality of fuel cells and the pressure regulator are disposed within the housing the flow of hydrogen from the hydrogen reservoir.

16. The portable electricity generation device of claim 1 further including:

an air moving device to direct atmospheric air toward the cathode end of each of the plurality of fuel cells; and

a condensation collection plate positioned within the flow of atmospheric air from the air moving device, wherein the condensation collection plate accumulates moisture from the atmospheric air.

17. The portable electricity generation device of claim 16 wherein the condensation collection plate includes a plurality of holes therethrough, the plurality of holes each being sized to regulate the backpressure of the atmospheric air proximate to the plurality of fuel cells.

18. The portable electricity generation device of claim 17 further including a filter placed proximate to the plurality of holes and to remove impurities from the atmospheric air.

19. The portable electricity generation device of claim 1 further including:

an air moving device to direct atmospheric air toward the cathode end of each of the plurality of fuel cells; and

a cover, surrounding the plurality of fuel cells, to direct an amount of atmospheric air from the air moving device toward the fuel storage container.

20. The portable electricity generation device of claim 1 further including an air moving device to direct atmospheric air toward the cathode end of each of the plurality of fuel cells, wherein the air moving device includes a filter to remove impurities from the atmospheric air.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE DELETION OF PATENT NO. 7,536,063 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 033900 FRAME: 0017. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Oct 10, 2014
From: JADOO POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
To: FUEL CELL POWER, INC.
Reel/Frame 033987/0682 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NO. 7,563,063 JULY 21, 2009 TO READ 7,536,063 MAY 19, 2009, ON ATTACHMENT A, PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 029446 FRAME 0949. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Oct 7, 2014
From: JADOO POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
To: FUEL CELL POWER, INC.
Reel/Frame 033900/0017 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2014
From: FUEL CELL POWER, INC.
To: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 033060/0364 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 11, 2012
From: JADOO POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
To: FUEL CELL POWER, INC.
Reel/Frame 029446/0949 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 21, 2008
From: JADOO POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
To: COMMUNITY BUSINESS BANK
Reel/Frame 020976/0117 →