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US 6,720,102 B2Granted
Rotating fuel cell
OwnerThomas C. Edwardsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rotating fuel cell has a mounting with bearing means defining a rotary axis. A shaft with a longitudinally-extending bore is supported for rotation on the bearings. At least one PEM fuel cell assembly is mounted on the shaft and insulated therefrom, and also has a gas passageway in register with a radially-extending port in the shaft. Connections are provided for admitting hydrogen gas to the hollow bore. Air (oxygen) is supplied to the exterior of the PEM fuel cell assembly. The shaft and the PEM fuel cell assembly is rotated about the axis.
Claims21
A rotating fuel cell comprising:
- (i) mounting means having bearing means defining a longitudinally extending rotary axis;
- (ii) a shaft having first and second ends rotatably supported on said bearing means, said shaft having an outer surface and a hollow bore extending a preselected length from said first end thereof, said shaft further having a radially-extending port connecting said hollow bore to said outer surface;
- (iii) a radially-extending PEM fuel cell assembly positioned on said shaft to rotate therewith, said PEM fuel cell assembly having a gas passage in register with said port of said shaft;
- (iv) means for providing hydrogen gas to said hollow bore of said shaft;
- (v) means connected to said second end of said shaft and being adapted to rotate said shaft and PEM fuel cell assembly about said axis;
- and
- (vi) electrical output means connected to said PEM fuel cell assembly.
4 more elements
A rotating fuel cell comprising:
- (i) mounting means having bearing means defining a longitudinally extending rotary axis;
- (ii) a shaft having first and second ends supported on said bearing means for rotation about said axis, said shaft having an outer surface, a hollow bore extending a preselected length from said first end, and at least one radially-extending port connecting said bore with said outer surface;
- (iii) at least one radially-extending PEM fuel cell assembly positioned on said shaft to rotate therewith and having a gas passage in register with said port;
- (iv) means for providing hydrogen gas to said hollow bore of said shaft;
- (v) electrical output means connected to said PEM fuel cell assembly;
- and
- (vi) means for rotating said shaft relative to said mounting means.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.