US 2019/0036136 A1Published application

Alcohol detecting fuel cell

AssigneeAlcotek, Inc.

InventorsKarl R. Wolf, JR., Joe Fodor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A new method of manufacturing a fuel cell, particularly for use in a breath alcohol detector, and the fuel cell created by the method. The fuel cell is constructed in two pieces, a mounting chip comprising a porous uncompressed substrate and an active element designed to fit within the mounting chip. Constructed in this way, electrolyte can flow from the mounting chip into the active element via 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. 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.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of forming a fuel cell, the method comprising:

providing at least one active element, each comprising:
at least two electrodes;
and
a porous compressed substrate;
wherein a first of said at least two electrodes is arranged on a first side of said porous compressed substrate;
and
wherein a second of said at least two electrodes is arranged on a second side of said porous compressed portion;
machining a mounting chip comprising a porous uncompressed substrate with at least one counterbore hole, each said at least one counterbore hole being formed with a depth equal or greater than the height of a corresponding active element of said at least one active elements, said at least one counterbore hole being formed with a size and shape to allow fluid communication of electrolyte from said mounting chip to said active element when said corresponding active element is disposed within a corresponding counterbore hole of said at least one counterbore hole;
and
placing in each said at least one counterbore hole within said mounting chip said corresponding active element of said at least one active elements.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/149,791Filed 2 Oct 2018
Priority: 26 Jul 2013
Published: 31 Jan 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

H01M 8/04276
Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids: arrangements for managing the electrolyte stream, e.g. heat…
G01N 27/4045
Cells with anode, cathode and cell electrolyte on the same side of a permeable membrane which separates them from the sample fluid , e.g.…: for…
G01N 33/4972
Of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath: determining alcohol content
H01M 4/92
Selection of catalytic material: metals of platinum group

Family

Application61/858,955Us provisional application · filed 26 Jul 2013
Application14/444,448Continuation · filed 28 Jul 2014
Application15/254,854Continuation in part · filed 1 Sep 2016
Application16/149,791Continuation in part
Application15/254,854Continuation
US 10,090,542 B2Related patent
US 10,468,697 B2Related patent
US 2015/0027884 A1Published application
US 2016/0372769 A1Published application
US 9,453,834 B2Related patent
US 2019/0036136 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.