Method and apparatus for maintenance of fuel cell cathode air quality with breathable hydrophobic membrane air filter

A fuel cell apparatus, comprising:

• a substantially waterproof enclosure;
• a fuel cell disposed within said substantially waterproof enclosure;
• a filter element that can be subjected to either a first state or second state, said filter element allows air to enter said substantially waterproof enclosure when subjected to said first state, said filter element contacting liquid with at least a first predetermined pressure when subjected to said second state and excluding the liquid and the air from entering said substantially waterproof enclosure;
• and
• a controller in communication with said air pump, each of said air pump, and said controller disposed within said substantially waterproof enclosure, wherein air is drawn into said enclosure through said filter element in said first state and said controller stops operation of said air pump in said second state.

A method for maintaining fuel cell cathode air quality, comprising:

• disposing a fuel cell within a waterproof enclosure;
• admitting an air stream from an exterior of said waterproof enclosure and to an interior of said waterproof enclosure through a filter, wherein said filter excludes salts and aqueous metal ions from said interior of said waterproof enclosure;
• providing said air stream to said fuel cell, wherein a voltage is produced by said fuel cell;
• contacting said filter with a liquid, wherein a surface area of said filter is substantially in contact with said liquid;
• and
• after said step of contacting, ceasing to provide said air stream to said fuel cell, wherein a voltage is not produced by said fuel cell.

A fuel cell apparatus, comprising:

• a substantially waterproof enclosure;
• a fuel cell disposed within said substantially waterproof enclosure;
• an air pump;
• a controller in communication with said air pump and each of said controller and said air pump is contained within said substantially waterproof enclosure;
• and
• a filter element for allowing air to enter said substantially waterproof enclosure and substantially preventing liquids and solids from entering said substantially waterproof enclosure, wherein said controller controls said air pump in response to detecting a change in a condition within said substantially waterproof enclosure.

A fuel cell apparatus, comprising:

• a substantially waterproof enclosure,
• said enclosure including an interior volume, wherein liquid water in an atmosphere surrounding said enclosure is excluded from said interior volume at least up to a predetermined water pressure;
• a fuel cell disposed within said interior volume;
• and
• said enclosure including an exterior surface, at least a portion of which includes a filter assembly that operates to admit atmospheric air to said interior volume and to exclude said liquid water from said interior volume, at least up to said predetermined water pressure.