Vane heat transfer structure
AssigneeEnergy Conversion Devices, Inc.
InventorsNed T. Stetson, Michael Marchio, Arthur Holland, Daniel Alper, David Gorman, Jun Yang
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Abstract
A hydrogen storage unit which uses hydrogen storage alloys to store hydrogen, and more particularly a heat transfer management/compartmentalization system for use in such system. The hydrogen storage alloy may be divided into compartments, separated by discs, further divided into sub-compartments by a flapper wheel. The discs and flapper wheel provide for optimal heat transfer throughout the system. The compartmentalization of the vessel may prevent compaction of the hydrogen storage alloys, which could lead to excessive strain on the vessel causing damage, deformation, or rupture of the vessel.
Claims23
Apparatus for storing hydrogen storage material under pressure, said apparatus comprising:
- a pressure containment vessel defining an interior volume and having a longitudinal axis;
- a hydrogen storage alloy occupying at least a portion of the interior volume of said vessel;
- at least one primary partition adapted to divide said vessel into a plurality of compartments;
- and
- at least one secondary partition adapted to divide at least one of said plurality of compartments into a plurality of sub-compartments into which said hydrogen storage alloy is disposed;
- said secondary partition comprising a plurality of vanes axially connected to one another wherein said plurality of vanes spiral outward to form a pinwheel orientation about said longitudinal axis of said vessel;
- said secondary partition being formed of a thermally conductive material whereby heat is transferred between said hydrogen storage alloy and said vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.