Hydrogen generation apparatus for an underwater vehicle
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsPaul M. Dunn, Gerald K. Pitcher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hydrogen generation apparatus for an underwater vehicle is presented, the apparatus including a hydrolysis reaction compartment, a mass of solid lithium hydride disposed in the compartment, inlet and outlet structure for passing sea water through the compartment to generate steam, lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, a condenser for condensing out the steam and retaining the condensate and lithium hydroxide, and a tank for collecting the hydrogen gas, the tank having outlet structure for discharging the hydrogen gas to a vehicle propulsion system.
Claims22
A hydrogen generation apparatus for an underwater vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- a hydrolysis reaction compartment;
- a mass of solid lithium hydride disposed in said compartment;
- inlet and outlet means for passing sea water through said compartment to generate steam, lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas;
- a condenser for condensing said steam and retaining the steam condensate and said lithium hydroxide, and
- a tank for collecting said hydrogen gas, said tank having outlet means for discharging said hydrogen gas to a vehicle propulsion means.
A hydrogen generation apparatus for an underwater vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- a hydrolysis reaction compartment having an inlet means for admission of sea water thereinto, said reaction compartment further having an outlet for discharge of hydrolysis products;
- a chamber between said inlet and said outlet for accumulation of said hydrolysis products temporarily;
- a mass of solid lithium hydride disposed in said compartment between said inlet and said chamber;
- means for activating said inlet to admit seawater to said compartment to contact said lithium hydride and activate hydrolysis;
- a condenser in communication with said outlet and adapted to condense steam in a reservoir of water, retain lithium hydroxide in said reservoir of water, and to permit passage therethrough of hydrogen gas, and
- a buoyancy buffer tank in communication with said condenser, and adapted to receive said hydrogen gas from said condenser, said buffer tank having outlet means for discharging said hydrogen gas to a vehicle propulsion means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.