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US 2003/0198846 A1Published application
Integrated fuel cell power system
AssigneeAltergy Systems
InventorJerrold E. Franklin
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AssigneeAltergy Systems
InventorJerrold E. Franklin
Estimating the term…
The present invention is a fuel cell power system, with a fuel cell stack, a multi-function mounting plate, at least two fuel supply units, a distribution manifold, a gas pressure regulator, and a cover. The distribution manifold and gas pressure regulator may be integrated into the mounting plate. The mounting plate also serves as an end plate for the fuel cell stack. The system allows for continuous, uninterrupted use, since at least one fuel supply unit is removable, and the system can operate from another supply unit while the removable unit is being replaced.
) An integrated fuel cell power system, comprising:
) The fuel cell power system according to claim 1, additionally comprising a second fuel supply unit.
) The fuel cell power system according to claim 2, wherein said both fuel supply unit and said second fuel supply unit are removable from said system.
) The fuel cell power system according to claim 2, wherein said fuel supply unit is permanent within said system, and said second fuel supply unit is removable from said system.
) The fuel cell power system according to claim 4, wherein said fuel supply unit is refilled from said second fuel supply unit.
) The fuel cell power system according to claim 1, wherein said fuel supply unit connects to said fuel distribution manifold through a valve, and wherein said valve automatically shuts when said fuel supply unit is removed from said distribution manifold.
) The fuel cell power system according to claim 6, wherein said means to removably connect fuel supply unit to said fuel distribution manifold is a second valve, and wherein said second valve automatically seals when said fuel supply unit is removed from said second valve.
) The fuel cell power system according to claim 1, wherein said fuel cell stack uses oxygen from ambient air as an oxidizer.
) The fuel cell power system according to claim 8, wherein natural convection is used to circulate said ambient air.
) The fuel cell power system according to claim 8, wherein forced convection is used to circulate said ambient air.
) The fuel cell power system according to claim 1, additionally comprising a second fuel distribution manifold integrated with said plate.
) The fuel cell power system according to claim 11, additionally comprising a second gas pressure regulator connected to said second fuel distribution manifold.
) The fuel cell power system according to claim 1, additionally comprising a cover fully enclosing said stack of fuel cells and said mounting plate, and partially enclosing said fuel supply unit.
) The fuel cell power system according to claim 13, wherein said cover has openings for passage of convective air currents.
) The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein said gas pressure regulator is integrated with said plate.
) A fuel cell mounting plate, comprising
) A fuel cell power system, comprising:
) The fuel cell power system of claim 1, wherein said fuel cell stack uses hydrogen as a fuel.
) The fuel cell power system of claim 1, wherein said fuel cell stack uses methanol as a fuel.
) The fuel cell power system of claim 1, wherein said fuel cell stack uses reformate as a fuel.
) The fuel cell power system of claim 1, wherein said fuel supply unit is a pressurized gas bottle.
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Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration: of gaseous reactants
Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration: reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes: cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
Arrangements for tightening a stack, for accommodation of a stack in a tank or for assembling different tanks: enclosures, casings or containers…
Term end not estimated
The present invention relates to fuel cell power systems.
Fuel cell power systems include a number of components, including the fuel cell stack, the fuel supply, a pressure regulator to control the flow of the fuel supply, and various tubes and fittings which serve as manifolds for distribution of fuel through the system. Fuel cells typically use hydrogen gas as a fuel but other fuels such as methyl alcohol (methanol) or reformed hydrocarbons (reformate) may be used.
Fuel cell power systems are typically manufactured by acquiring the various components as stand-alone products, and then assembling them into a fuel cell system. In other words, typical fuel cell systems are not created as integrated systems, but rather are pieced together from stand-alone components.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel cell system according to the present invention, without a cover.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fuel cell system according to the present invention, with a cover.
FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a fuel supply unit with a bayonet mount.
The present invention is an integrated fuel cell power system 10, comprised of a fuel cell stack 20, an integrated, multi-function mounting plate 30, fuel supply unit(s) 40, 42, a distribution manifold 50, a gas pressure regulator 60, and a cover 70.
As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell stack 20 is comprised of an array of individual fuel cells 22, and an end plate 24. The mounting plate 30 functions as a fuel cell end plate. The integrated system of the present invention can work with virtually any polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack, including but not limited to stacks comprised of integrated fuel cells, or more conventional stacks comprised of fuel cells assembled from separate stand-alone components. The present invention can work with systems that use ambient or pressurized air as an oxidizer, either in natural convection mode or forced air mode.
As shown in FIGS. 1 & 4, the mounting plate 30 serves two functions. First, the plate serves as an end plate for the fuel cell stack.