Fuel cell having electrolyte inventory control volume
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorMaynard K. Wright
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fuel cell having an electrolyte control volume includes a pair of porous opposed electrodes. A maxtrix is positioned between the pair of electrodes for containing an electrolyte. A first layer of backing paper is positioned adjacent to one of the electrodes. A portion of the paper is substantially previous to the acceptance of the electrolyte so as to absorb electrolyte when there is an excess in the matrix and to desorb electrolyte when there is a shortage in the matrix. A second layer of backing paper is positioned adjacent to the first layer of paper and is substantially impervious to the acceptance of electrolyte.
Claims10
A fuel cell having an electrolyte control volume, comprising:
- a pair of porous opposed electrodes;
- matrix means positioned between said pair of electrodes for containing an electrolyte;
- first means for backing positioned adjacent to one of said electrodes, a portion of said means for backing being substantially pervious to the acceptance of electrolyte so as to absorb electrolyte when there is-an excess in said matrix means and to desorb electrolyte when there is a shortage in said matrix means;
- and
- second means for backing positioned adjacent to said first means for backing and being substantially impervious to the acceptance of electrolyte.
A stack of fuel cells each having an electrolyte control volume, said stack comprising,
- a plurality of individual fuel cells, each including,
- a pair of porous opposed electrodes;
- matrix means positioned between said pair of electrodes for containing an electrolyte;
- a first layer of backing paper positioned adjacent to one of said electrodes, a portion of said paper being substantially pervious to the acceptance of electrolyte so as to absorb electrolyte when there is an excess in the matrix and to desorb electrolyte when there is a shortage in the matrix;
- and
- a second layer of backing paper positioned adjacent to said first layer of paper and being substantially impervious to the acceptance of electrolyte.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.