Density-based fuel indicator system for fuel cells
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsMakarand P. Gore, L. Chris Mann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A means for determining the concentration of a hydrogen-rich fuel in a fuel solution within the anode reservoir of a fuel cell. The fuel concentration is determined using a float responsive to fuel solution density. As fuel is consumed, the fuel concentration decreases. As the fuel concentration decreases, the density of the fuel solution increases, causing the float to rise. A window may be included in the anode reservoir or in an attached float chamber to facilitate inspection of the position of the float. A fuel scale may be included to facilitate fuel concentration determination based on the position of the float within the fuel solution. Additionally, a valve responsive to float position may act to control fuel delivery.
Claims15
A fuel cell comprising:
- an anode where fuel is oxidized;
- a cathode where oxygen is reduced;
- an anode reservoir that contains a fuel solution and the anode;
- and
- a float responsive to fuel solution density immersed in a volume of fuel solution that serves as a fuel-concentration indicator.
A method for determining the concentration of fuel in a fuel solution in a fuel cell having an anode reservoir containing a fuel solution, the method comprising:
- adding a float to the fuel solution within the anode reservoir of the fuel cell where fuel is oxidized, the fuel cell additionally including a cathode where oxygen is reduced;
- and
- determining the concentration of fuel in the fuel solution by comparing the position of the float to numeric values contained on a fuel scale.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.