# US 10,090,542 B2 · Method of compressing fuel cell electrodes, resultant fuel cell, and a housing for the fuel cell which utilizes electrolyte reservoirs

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- Number: US 10,090,542 B2
- Document ID: US10090542B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/254,854
- Filed: 2016-09-01
- Published: 2016-12-22
- Granted: 2018-10-02
- Earliest claimed: 2013-07-26
- Assignees: Alcotek, Inc.
- Applicants: Alcotek, Inc.
- Inventors: Karl R. Wolf, Jr.; Joe Fodor
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10090542B2

## CPC

- H01M 8/04276: Arrangements for managing the electrolyte stream, e.g. heat exchange
- G01N 27/4045: {for gases other than oxygen}
- G01N 33/4972: {Determining alcohol content (for vehicle safety devices B60K28/06)}
- H01M 4/92: Metals of platinum group (H01M4/94 {, H01M4/9058} take precedence)
- H01M 8/0239: Organic resins; Organic polymers
- H01M 8/0247: characterised by the form (characterised by a channel configuration H01M8/0258)
- H01M 16/003: {of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers}
- H01M 2250/30: Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
- Y02B 90/10: Applications of fuel cells in buildings
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- Y10T 29/49108: Electric battery cell making
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

An electrode element and fuel cell and a new method of manufacturing a fuel cell, particularly for use in a breath alcohol detector. This new element includes a reservoir for extra electrolyte that can allow near perfect capillary action to keep the electrode substrate full of electrolyte for long periods of time, increasing its useful life, especially under harsh conditions. Further, the capillary action need not work through a layer of electrode and can be integrally formed with the electrode element to eliminate or reduce loss due to connective surfaces. Wire connections and arrangements are generally of no concern in this design as the reservoirs for electrolyte connect directly to the substrate and electrolyte does not need to pass through an electrode.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fuel cell comprising:
at least two electrodes; and
a porous substrate, said substrate comprising a compressed portion and an uncompressed portion which portions are integrally formed and in fluid communication with each other allowing fluid to flow from said uncompressed portion into said compressed portion;
wherein a first of said at least two electrodes is arranged on a first side of said compressed portion of said porous substrate; and
wherein a second of said at least two electrodes is arranged on an opposing second side of said compressed portion of said porous substrate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell of claim 1 further comprising an encapsulating housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The fuel cell of claim 2 wherein said housing includes at least one liquid reservoir containing liquid electrolyte in fluid communication with said uncompressed portion of said porous substrate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The fuel cell of claim 3 wherein said at least one liquid reservoir comprises at least three liquid reservoirs, said at least three liquid reservoirs being positioned so that liquid in at least one of said at least three reservoirs contacts said uncompressed portion of said porous substrate regardless of orientation of said fuel cell.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell of claim 1 wherein said electrodes comprise platinum.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell of claim 1 wherein said fuel cell is used in a breath alcohol sensor.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell of claim 1 wherein said porous substrate comprises porous polypropylene.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell of claim 1 wherein said porous substrate comprises porous polyvinylchloride (PVC).

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell of claim 1 wherein pores in said porous substrate include a liquid electrolyte.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell of claim 1 wherein said at least two electrodes are smaller than said substrate.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell of claim 1 wherein said electrodes are circular.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The fuel cell of claim 11 wherein said substrate is polygonal.