Fuel cell
OwnerRobert G. Hockadayinventor
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Abstract
A fuel cell is constructed of three porous membranes filled with electrolyte. Outer membranes are plated externally with a metal film. The metal films are coated with a release agent. A catalyst film is coated on the release agent and on annular edges of the metal films adjacent each pore of the membranes. Dissolving the release agent recovers the catalyst and leaves only a small catalyst ring on the exposed edges of the metal electrodes adjacent the pores. Metal grids may be added to aid in conduction of electricity. Electrolyte within the porous membrane sandwich is exposed to fuel gas adjacent one electrode and to oxidizer gas adjacent the other electrode in the areas of the catalyst rings, resulting in a compact fuel cell and a highly efficient use of catalyst.
Claims11
Fuel cell apparatus comprising porous membrane means, electrolyte disposed within pores created by charged particle bombardment and enlarged by chemical etching of the porous membrane means, a metal film electrode coating means mounted on faces of the porous membrane means and small catalyst ring means on edges of the metal electrode coating adjacent said pores for promoting transformation of chemical and electrical energy.
Fuel cell apparatus comprising a membrane having pores created by charged particle bombardment and enlarged by chemical etching therein for holding an electrolyte, a first metal film electrode coating connected to the membrane means near pores therein, and a second metal film electrode coating connected to the membrane means near pores therein, the first and second electrodes being mutually spaced, and catalyst means respectively connected to the first and second metal film electrode coatings on exposed edges of the metal electrode coatings adjacent pores in the membrane for contacting electrolyte within the pores and contacting the electrodes, wherein said pores in said membrane means extend through the electrodes and wherein the catalyst means is connected to only edges of said pores in said metal electrode coatings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.