Gas generator with starter mechanism and catalyst shield
The present application is directed to gas generators comprising a fuel mixture and a catalyst. The catalyst is contained in a self-regulated reactor or buoy, and selectively opens and closes to produce a gas in accordance with the demand for gas. This fuel mixture is generally a solution formed by dissolving a solid fuel component in a liquid fuel component. The mixing preferably occurs before the first use, and more preferably occurs immediately prior to the first use. The inventive gas generators preferably further comprises a starting mechanism that isolates the solid fuel from the liquid fuel or vice versa before the first use. In one embodiment, the starting mechanism further comprises a catalyst shield mechanism that isolates the catalyst in the reactor or buoy from the liquid and/or the solid fuel prior to the first use.
1. A gas-generating apparatus comprising:
a first compartment containing a first fuel and a second compartment containing a second fuel, wherein the first and second fuel are mixed to form a fuel mixture, said fuel mixture reacts to produce a gas in the presence of a catalyst; and
wherein the first compartment comprises a cover connected to an actuator located on the outside of the gas-generating apparatus, wherein the actuator is selectively actuatable to mix the first and second fuels,
wherein a hollow shaft connects the actuator to a reactor within the gas-generator and is in fluid communication with a reference pressure and with an expandable member of the reactor, expandable member within the reactor, wherein the reactor houses the catalyst; wherein the cover is connected to the actuator by the shaft; and wherein when the actuator is actuated the cover moves away from the first compartment to open the first compartment.
2. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reactor opens or closes depending on a pressure difference between the reference pressure and an internal pressure of the gas-generating apparatus.
3. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the reactor comprises a cup and a cap connected by the expandable member.
4. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is movable by a user.
5. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hydrophobic gas separator.
6. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the hydrophobic gas separator is under compression to separate the gas.
7. A gas-generating apparatus comprising:
a first compartment containing a first fuel and a second compartment containing a second fuel, wherein the first and second fuel are mixed to form a fuel mixture, said fuel mixture reacts to produce a gas in the presence of a catalyst; and
wherein the first compartment comprises a cover connected to an actuator located on the outside of the gas-generating apparatus, wherein the actuator is selectively actuatable to mix the first and second fuels,
wherein the cover is connected to the actuator by a flexible connector; and wherein when the actuator is actuated the cover moves away from the first compartment to open the first compartment.
8. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the cover is connected to the actuator by a chord or a string.
9. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the flexible connector is under tension.
10. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the flexible member is released to actuate.
11. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the flexible member is severed.
12. A gas-generating apparatus comprising:
a first compartment containing a first fuel and a second compartment containing a second fuel, wherein the first and second fuel are mixed to form a fuel mixture, said fuel mixture reacts to produce a gas in the presence of a catalyst; and
wherein the first compartment comprises a cover connected to an actuator located on the outside of the gas-generating apparatus, wherein the actuator is selectively actuatable to mix the first and second fuels
wherein the second compartment comprises a reactor which contains the catalyst, wherein a hollow tube fluidly connects an expandable member of the reactor with a reference pressure source; and wherein when the actuator is actuated the cover moves away from the first compartment to open the first compartment.
13. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the reactor opens or closes depending on a pressure difference between a pressure within the expandable member and an internal pressure of the gas-generating apparatus.
14. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the hollow tube is connected to at least one surface channel defined on an outer surface of the gas-generating apparatus.
15. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the cover is frangible.
16. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the cover is peelable.
17. A gas-generating apparatus comprising:
a first compartment containing a first fuel and a second compartment containing a second fuel, wherein the first and second fuel are mixed to form a fuel mixture, said fuel mixture reacts to produce a gas in the presence of a catalyst; and
wherein the first compartment comprises a cover connected to an actuator located on the outside of the gas-generating apparatus, wherein the actuator is selectively actuatable to mix the first and second fuels
wherein a catalyst shield covers the catalyst, wherein the catalyst shield is movable away from the catalyst when the actuator is actuated; and wherein when the actuator is actuated the cover moves away from the first compartment to open the first compartment.
18. The gas-generating apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the catalyst shield is connected to the cover.
19. A gas-generating apparatus comprising:
a first compartment containing a first fuel and a second compartment containing a second fuel, wherein the first and second fuel are mixed to form a fuel mixture, said fuel mixture reacts to produce a gas in the presence of a catalyst; and
wherein the first compartment comprises a cover connected to an actuator located on the outside of the gas-generating apparatus, wherein the actuator is selectively actuatable to mix the first and second fuels,
wherein the first fuel compartment is at least under a partial vacuum before the actuator is actuated; and wherein when the actuator is actuated the cover moves away from the first compartment to open the first compartment.