Miniature ceramic fuel cell
AssigneeLockheed Idaho Technologies Company
InventorsPaul A. Lessing, Anthony C. Zuppero
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A miniature power source assembly capable of providing portable electricity is provided. A preferred embodiment of the power source assembly employing a fuel tank, fuel pump and control, air pump, heat management system, power chamber, power conditioning and power storage. The power chamber utilizes a ceramic fuel cell to produce the electricity. Incoming hydro carbon fuel is automatically reformed within the power chamber. Electrochemical combustion of hydrogen then produces electricity.
Claims52
A self-contained power source assembly for use in providing electricity, the power source assembly comprising:
- a plurality of fuel cells connected in series, each fuel cell having an anode, a cathode, and electrolyte for producing electricity by oxidation of supplied fuel;
- fuel source means for supplying fuel to the fuel cells;
- first routing means for directing the flow of fuel about the anode of the fuel cells;
- second routing means for directing the flow of air about the cathode of the fuel cells;
- air pump means for moving air about the fuel cells adequate to produce a desired power output;
- catalyst means for reforming the fuel into the chemical components needed for oxidation;
- and
- electric starter means for adding heat to the system thereby to initiate oxidation.
A power source assembly for use in providing electricity, the power source assembly comprising:
- a plurality of fuel cells connected in series, each fuel cell having an anode, a cathode, and electrolyte for producing electricity by oxidation of supplied fuel;
- fuel source means for supplying fuel to the fuel cells;
- first routing means for directing the flow of fuel about the anode of the fuel cells;
- second routing means for directing the flow of air about the cathode of the fuel cells;
- air pump means for moving air about the fuel cells;
- catalyst means for reforming the fuel into the chemical components needed for oxidation;
- electric starter means for adding heat to the system thereby to initiate oxidation;
- a superinsulator for insulating the high operating heat of the fuel cells from surrounding components;
- and
- a recuperator means for recuperating and sending heat back into the fuel cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.