# US 8,783,304 B2 · Liquid containers and apparatus for use with power producing devices

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- Number: US 8,783,304 B2
- Document ID: US8783304B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/298,084
- Filed: 2011-11-16
- Published: 2013-01-17
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2010-12-03
- Assignees: INI Power Systems, Inc.
- Applicants: Larry J. Markoski; Timothy C. Simmons
- Inventors: Larry J. Markoski; Timothy C. Simmons
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783304B2

## CPC

- H01M 8/04186: of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants
- H01M 8/04201: {Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes}
- H01M 8/04208: {Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs}
- H01M 8/22: Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising carbon or oxygen or hydrogen and other elements; Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising only elements other than carbon, oxygen or hydrogen
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A fuel reservoir for dispensing liquid fuel with a dispensing appliance includes a container having an opening, a liquid fuel in the container, a needle-pierceable septum disposed across the opening of the container, and a locking surface disposed on an exterior surface of the container and configured to engage a locking mechanism of a dispensing appliance.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fuel dispensing system, comprising:
a fuel reservoir, comprising:
a container, having an opening;
a liquid fuel, in the container;
a needle-pierceable septum, disposed across the opening of the container; and
a locking surface, disposed on an exterior surface of the container;
a dispensing appliance, comprising:
an engagement mechanism, having at least two needles;
a protecting plate, having a raised position and a depressed position, wherein the needles are concealed when the protecting plate is in a raised position and the needles are exposed when the protecting plate is in a depressed position; and
a locking mechanism;
wherein the protecting plate is depressed,
the needles are engaging the fuel reservoir,
the locking surface is configured to engage the locking mechanism, and
the protecting plate is in the depressed position and the needles are engaging the fuel reservoir when the locking mechanism is in the locked position, and the protecting plate is in the raised position when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fuel dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a power-producing system in fluid connection with the dispensing appliance.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The fuel dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the container has one opening.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The fuel dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the locking surface is disposed on a side wall of the container.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The fuel dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the needle-pierceable septum comprises silicone.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The fuel dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the septum has an exposed length of 1 mm to 20 mm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The fuel dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the power-producing system comprises a fuel cell.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The fuel dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the liquid fuel comprises an alcohol.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The fuel dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the liquid fuel comprises methanol.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The fuel dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the liquid fuel comprises a hydrocarbon fuel.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The fuel dispensing system of claim 10, wherein the hydrocarbon fuel comprises gasoline.

### Claim 12 (depends on 2)

The fuel dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the needles comprise:
a first needle, having a valve; and
a second needle;
wherein the valve blocks liquid fuel from flowing out of the fuel reservoir through the first needle when the first needle is engaging the fuel reservoir,
the valve allows air to pass into the fuel reservoir when the first needle is engaging the fuel reservoir, and
the second needle is fluidly connected to the fuel reservoir when the second needle is engaging the fuel reservoir.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The fuel dispensing system of claim 12, wherein the first needle is configured to equalize the air pressure inside of the fuel reservoir and the air pressure outside of the fuel reservoir when the first needle is engaging the fuel reservoir.

### Claim 14 (depends on 2)

The fuel dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the septum has an exposed length of less than 50 mm.