Fuels for hydrogen generating cartridges
View Patent ↗The present invention increases the amount of hydrogen produced or released from reactions between a metal hydride fuel and liquid reactant. The present invention also decreases the volume of a hydrogen generating cartridge by reducing the pH of the liquid reactant.
1. A gas generating apparatus comprising
a housing,
a metal hydride,
a liquid reactant comprising water,
a plurality of fuel capsules, wherein each fuel capsule comprises a pre-determined amount of the metal hydride and a pre-determined amount of the liquid reactant separated by a membrane, and
a moving element capable of rupturing the membranes so that the metal hydride and the liquid reactant can react to produce hydrogen gas.
2. The gas generating apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an automatic shut-off mechanism, said shut-off mechanism is responsive to an internal pressure of the gas generating apparatus, such that when the internal pressure reaches beyond a predetermined threshold pressure the shut-off mechanism stops the moving element from moving.
3. The gas generating apparatus of claim 2 wherein the shut-off mechanism is supported by a support spring, such that the support spring acts on the shut-off mechanism to balance the internal pressure.
4. The gas generating apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the support spring provides the predetermined threshold pressure.
5. The gas generating apparatus of claim 4 , wherein when the internal pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold pressure, the shut-off mechanism moves in a first direction to stop the moving element.
6. The gas generating apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the internal pressure is below the predetermined threshold pressure, the shut-off mechanism moves in a second direction to allow the moving element to move.
7. The gas generating apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the moving element comprises a coil spring.
8. The gas generating apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the coil spring comprises a hook to rupture the membrane.
9. The gas generating apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the coil spring is pre-loaded, such that as the coil spring moves the hook ruptures the membrane.
10. The gas generating apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fuel capsules are stationary relative to the housing.