CN104577167A - Fuel cell recharger - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable fuel cell charger having a water source and an electrolyzer coupled to the water source and adapted to be coupled to a power source. A fuel cell cartridge coupler is coupled to the electrolyzer and adapted to be coupled to the fuel cell cartridge to provide pressurized hydrogen from the electrolyzer to the fuel cell cartridge.

Description

fuel cell recharger

This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the original application date of July 12, 2006, application number 200680033268.9 (PCT/US2006/026878), and invention title "Fuel Cell Recharger".

Background technique

Fuel cells are rapidly becoming high energy density portable fuel sources that can replace many batteries in use today. One form of fuel cell contains a fuel that provides hydrogen to a membrane that operates to generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen to form water. Fuels such as metal hydrides or other substances that store hydrogen and release it at selected pressures may be used. They can be recharged by exposing them to pressurized hydrogen. Pressurized hydrogen is typically produced in commercial settings and stored in pressurized containers. For similar reasons that lead consumers to currently be able to recharge common rechargeable batteries, there is a need for consumers to be able to recharge fuel cells in their homes. Further, it is desirable to recharge fuel cells quickly.

Contents of the invention

A portable fuel cell charger has a water source and an electrolyzer coupled to the water source and adapted to be coupled to a power source. The electrolyzer converts water into oxygen and hydrogen. A fuel cell cartridge coupler is coupled to receive hydrogen and is adapted to be coupled to the fuel cell cartridge to provide pressurized hydrogen to the fuel cell cartridge.

Specifically, the present invention proposes a portable fuel cell charger comprising: a water source; an electrolyzer coupled to the water source, which obtains hydrogen from the water and adapted to be coupled to a power source; a fuel cell container coupler, coupled to the electrolyzer and adapted to be coupled to a fuel cell container to provide pressurized hydrogen to the fuel cell container; and control electronics coupled to sensors and controllers to control the flow of hydrogen supplied to the coupled fuel cell for the fuel cell and a heat exchanger positioned adjacent to the fuel container when the fuel container is coupled to the fuel cell container coupler, wherein the heat exchanger receives pressurized hydrogen from the fuel Heat is removed in a vessel; wherein the electrolyzer includes a proton exchange membrane.

The present invention also proposes a fuel cell fuel container charger comprising: a thermoelectric cooler or condenser; a water reservoir coupled to the thermoelectric cooler or condenser; means for obtaining hydrogen from water comprising a proton with electrodes an exchange membrane to which a voltage can be applied to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen; a fuel cell container coupler adapted to be coupled to a fuel container to provide pressurized hydrogen to the fuel container from a means for obtaining hydrogen; and electronics , which is adapted to receive electrical power and receive sensor input and provide control signals to control charging of the fuel container with hydrogen.

The present invention also presents a method of charging a hydrogen fuel container for a fuel cell using a self-contained consumer charger, the method comprising: providing a water source by condensing water from the surrounding environment; electrolyzing the water from the water source to produce pressurized hydrogen; and Providing pressurized hydrogen to the fuel cell fuel container to charge the fuel container, wherein the electrolyzing water includes applying a voltage across a pair of electrodes across a proton exchange membrane to generate the pressurized hydrogen.

Description of drawings

1 is a block diagram of a portable hydrogen fuel container charger according to an exemplary embodiment;

2 is a block diagram illustrating further details of a portable hydrogen fuel container charger according to an exemplary embodiment;

3 is a block diagram illustrating details of a further alternative portable hydrogen fuel container charger according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a fuel cell having a rechargeable fuel cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed ways

In the following specification, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrations specific embodiments in which they may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the following description is not to be read in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable hydrogen fuel container charger, shown generally at 100 . In one embodiment, the charger 100 is contained in a container 105, which may be of a convenient and portable size, and also provides a connection to a desired power source. Reservoir 110 provides a water source for hydrogen production. In one embodiment, the water may be tap water, filtered water, distilled water, or deionized water. Deionized or distilled water may be used to minimize contamination of other components of charger 100 .

In one embodiment, water purifier 112 may be coupled to reservoir 110 . The water purifier may be an ion exchange resin based water purifier or another type of water purifier. In further embodiments, the use of a water purifier is not required. Electrolysis cell 115 is coupled to receive water, such as from water reservoir 110 or water purifier 112 . When coupled to a suitable power source, electrolyzer 115 separates water into hydrogen and oxygen. In one embodiment, a PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane), such as that used for fuel cells, is used as the electrolyzer 115 . When a voltage is applied across the PEM with electrodes and a catalyst is applied to its surface, water is separated into hydrogen and oxygen, which are produced at the cathode and anode, respectively. Gas is generated on different sides of the membrane. Hydrogen is provided to filter 125 through channel 120 . Filter 125 removes impurities from the hydrogen stream and provides to channel 130 . Oxygen can be vented to the surrounding environment, such as through channel 135 .

Channel 130 provides hydrogen to holder 140 into which a fuel container for a fuel cell may be inserted to receive pressurized hydrogen. In various embodiments, fuel container 145 may include a medium capable of holding hydrogen, such as various metal hydrides or carbon nanotubes or other carbon nanostructures, or even a pressurized hydrogen tank if desired. The holder 140 may have suitable coupling mechanisms to sealingly couple to the fuel container to avoid leakage of hydrogen during filling.

Exemplary metal hydrides that can be back-reacted or recharged with hydrogen include LaNi ₅ H ₅ , FeTiH ₂ , Mg ₂ NiH ₄ , and TiV ₂ H ₄ . Exemplary reversible chemical hydrides include, but are not limited to, NaAlH ₄ , LiAlH ₄ , Mg(AlH ₄ ) ₂ , Ti(AlH ₄ ) ₄ , Fe(BH ₄ ) ₄ , NaBH ₄ , and Ca(BH ₄ ) ₂ .

In a further embodiment, an electrolyzer may be used which provides hydrogen and oxygen to a selectively permeable membrane. Such electrolyzers may typically include discrete electrodes placed in water from which oxygen and hydrogen are bubbled when an electric current is applied. The selectively permeable membrane allows the passage of hydrogen while expelling oxygen to the ambient environment or other destination, as desired.

In one embodiment, heat exchanger 150 is positioned adjacent the fuel container to extract heat when coupled to holder 140 . Providing hydrogen under pressure to the fuel container 145 results in an exothermic reaction, and in order to increase the rate at which the container is charged, heat should be extracted. In one embodiment, heat exchanger 150 includes fins for air cooling, or may be liquid cooled, such as by using water from reservoir 110 . Charging can occur very quickly, eg less than a minute for some sizes of fuel cells, eg able to replace "AA" batteries or similar sized batteries.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating further details of the portable hydrogen fuel container charger 200 . In one embodiment, the charger 200 is contained within a container 205, which may be of a convenient and portable size, and also provides a connection to a desired power source. The container may have a connector 207 to connect to a power source, such as a standard wall socket coupled to the power grid. In a further embodiment, 207 may be coupled to a battery, such as a 12 volt car battery.

Control electronics 210 are coupled to various sensors and controllers to control the charging of the fuel container. In one embodiment, fan 215 is coupled to thermoelectric cooler/condenser 220 to provide it with ambient air. Cooler/condenser 220 may include a wicking material or other structure on which water may condense and transfer. The ambient air has sufficient humidity to allow the cooler/condenser to condense enough water to fill the reservoir 223 to the desired level. In one embodiment, the water may be tap water, filtered water, or deionized water. Deionized water is obtained from cooler/condenser 220 and may be used to minimize contamination of other components of charger 200 .

In one embodiment, water purifier 224 may be coupled to reservoir 223 . The water purifier may be an ion exchange resin based water purifier or another type of water purifier. In further embodiments, the use of a water purifier is not required. Electrolysis cell 225 is coupled to receive water, such as from water reservoir 223 or water purifier 224 . When coupled to a suitable power source, electrolysis cell 225 separates water into hydrogen and oxygen. In one embodiment, a PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane), such as that used for fuel cells, is used as the electrolyzer 225 . When a voltage is applied across the PEM with electrodes and a catalyst is applied to its surface, water is separated into hydrogen and oxygen, which are produced at the cathode and anode, respectively. Gas is generated on different sides of the membrane. Hydrogen is provided to filter 235 through channel 230 . Filter 235 removes impurities from the hydrogen flow and is provided to channel 240 . Oxygen can be vented to the surrounding environment, such as through channel 135 . As above, other electrolytic cells with or without separation membranes can be used.

Channel 240 provides hydrogen to a holder 245 into which a fuel container 250 for a fuel cell may be inserted to receive pressurized hydrogen. In various embodiments, fuel container 250 may include a medium capable of holding hydrogen, such as various metal hydrides or carbon nanotubes or other carbon nanostructures, or even a pressurized hydrogen tank if desired. Holder 250 may have suitable coupling mechanisms to sealably couple to the fuel container to avoid leakage of hydrogen during filling.

In one embodiment, a heat exchanger 255 is positioned adjacent the fuel container 245 to extract heat when coupled to the holder 250 . Providing hydrogen under pressure to the fuel container 245 results in an exothermic reaction, and in order to increase the rate at which the container is charged, heat should be extracted. In one embodiment, heat exchanger 255 includes fins 260 for air cooling, or may be liquid cooled, such as by using water from reservoir 223 . Charging can occur very quickly, eg less than a minute for some sizes of fuel cells, eg able to replace "AA" batteries or similar sized batteries.

Control electronics 210 is shown coupled to various elements of charger 200 . Connectors represent connections to sensors and to controllers. For example, the controller is coupled to a water level sensor in the reservoir 223 to sense the water level. When the water level reaches a predetermined point, no further water is needed, and the fan and thermoelectric cooler/condenser can be turned off by the control electronics 210 .

Control electronics 210 may also be coupled to a relative humidity sensor to optimize air flow for condensed water. A temperature sensor may be coupled adjacent to the holder 250 and the fuel container 245 to sense heat and pressure, and to regulate the cooling of the fuel container and/or the pressure of the supplied hydrogen. It is also possible to sense that the fuel container is fully charged and stop the supply of further hydrogen. The control electronics 210 may be coupled to status lights, such as a red light to indicate that charging is in progress and a green light to indicate that charging is complete. In a further embodiment an audible alarm may be provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating details of a further alternative portable hydrogen fuel container charger, indicated generally at 300 . In one embodiment, the charger 300 is contained within a container 305, which may be of a convenient and portable size, and also provides a connection to a desired power source. The controller 310 controls the operation of the charger 300 by providing drivers and switches, as well as sensors as described with respect to the previous embodiments to obtain process information. Reservoir 315 provides a source of water for hydrogen generation. In one embodiment, the water may be tap water, bottled water, filtered water, or deionized water and other water sources. Deionized water may be used to minimize contamination of other components of charger 300 .

In one embodiment, water purifier 318 may be coupled to reservoir 315 . Water purifier 318 may be a water ion exchange resin based purifier or other type of water purifier. In further embodiments, the use of a water purifier is not required. Electrolysis cell 320 is coupled to receive water, such as from water reservoir 315 or water purifier 318 . When coupled to a suitable power source, electrolyzer 320 separates water into hydrogen and oxygen. In one embodiment, a PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane), such as that used for fuel cells, is used as the electrolyzer 320 . When a voltage is applied across the PEM with electrodes and a catalyst is applied to its surface, water is separated into hydrogen and oxygen, which are produced at the cathode and anode, respectively. Gas is generated on different sides of the membrane. Hydrogen is provided to filter 330 through channel 328 . Filter 330 removes impurities from the hydrogen flow and is provided to channel 335 . Oxygen can be vented to the surrounding environment, such as through channel 135 . As above, other electrolytic cells with or without separation membranes can be used.

Passage 335 provides hydrogen to a pump/valve 350 that can be controlled to provide and regulate pressurized hydrogen from passage 335 to a holder 355 into which a fuel container for a fuel cell can be inserted to receive pressurized hydrogen. pressurized hydrogen. In various embodiments, the fuel container may include a medium capable of holding hydrogen, such as various metal hydrides or carbon nanotubes or other carbon nanostructures, or even a pressurized hydrogen tank if desired. The holder 355 may have suitable coupling mechanisms to sealably couple to the fuel container to avoid leakage of hydrogen during filling.

In one embodiment, heat exchanger 360 is positioned adjacent the fuel container to extract heat when coupled to holder 355 . Providing hydrogen under pressure to the fuel container results in an exothermic reaction, and in order to increase the rate at which the container is charged, heat should be extracted. In one embodiment, heat exchanger 360 includes fins for air cooling, or may be liquid cooled, such as by using water from reservoir 315 . Charging can occur very quickly, eg less than a minute for some sizes of fuel cells, eg able to replace "AA" batteries or similar sized batteries.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a fuel cell 410 having a rechargeable fuel cartridge 415 according to an exemplary embodiment. In one embodiment, the fuel cartridge uses a valved connector to couple to the fuel cell 410 to provide hydrogen to the fuel cell. A valve may also be used to couple to the holder 355 to allow hydrogen to be fed into the fuel cartridge 415 when coupled to the charger 300 . The valve prevents hydrogen from leaking from the cartridge when the cartridge is switched between the fuel cell and the charger. In one embodiment, the fuel cell 310 and cartridge 315 combination is formed into approximately the same shape as a desired existing battery form factor, such as a nine-volt, AA, AAA, C, or D battery. Larger and different form factor combinations are also available.

An abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) to allow readers to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Claims (9)

1. A portable fuel cell charger comprising: A water condensation subsystem that opens the system to the surrounding ambient air, the water condensation subsystem comprising: Thermoelectric condensers that condense moisture from the ambient air into condensed water; a fan coupled to the thermoelectric condenser; a humidity sensor coupled to the fan and control electronics, the humidity sensor, the control electronics and the fan being adapted to optimize airflow in the thermoelectric condenser in response to detected ambient relative humidity; a cistern for storing said condensed water; a condensate level sensor coupled to the reservoir, the control electronics, the fan, and the thermoelectric condenser, the condensate level sensor and the control electronics being configured to respond to a sensed The water level in the reservoir controls the amount of condensed water; and a condensate purifier coupled between the reservoir and the electrolytic cell for purifying the condensate; a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer coupled to said reservoir and a power source, said proton exchange membrane electrolyzer adapted to obtain hydrogen from said condensed water; a hydrogen filter coupled to the electrolyzer for removing impurities in the obtained hydrogen; A coupling of a removable fuel container of a fuel cell coupled to a hydrogen filter and adapted to be coupled to the removable fuel container of a fuel cell for providing fuel to the removable fuel container of a fuel cell pressurized hydrogen; a pressure sensor coupled to the coupling of the removable fuel container and to the control electronics, the pressure sensor and the control electronics being adapted to control the pressure supplied to the the hydrogen pressure of the removable fuel container of the coupled fuel cell; and a heat exchanger positioned adjacent to the fuel cell's removable fuel container when the fuel cell's removable fuel container is coupled to the fuel cell's fuel container coupler, wherein the heat exchanger the exchanger includes a plurality of fins to remove heat from the removable fuel container receiving pressurized hydrogen to increase the rate at which the fuel container can be charged; and a temperature sensor coupled to a removable fuel container of the fuel cell and to the control electronics, the temperature sensor and the control electronics being adapted to control the Cooling by said heat exchanger of the removable fuel container of the fuel cell. 2. The portable fuel cell charger of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fins in the heat exchanger are cooled by condensed water provided by the thermoelectric condenser. 3. The portable fuel cell charger of claim 1, wherein the condensate purifier comprises an ion exchange resin based condensate purifier. 4. A fuel cell fuel container charger comprising: A water condensation subsystem that opens the system to ambient air, the water condensation subsystem being a system that is open to ambient air, the water condensation subsystem comprising: Thermoelectric condensers that condense moisture from the ambient air into condensed water; a fan coupled to the thermoelectric condenser; a humidity sensor coupled to the fan and control electronics, the humidity sensor, the control electronics and the fan being adapted to optimize airflow in the thermoelectric condenser in response to detected ambient relative humidity; and a water reservoir coupled to the thermoelectric condenser; a condensate level sensor coupled to the reservoir, the control electronics, the fan, and the thermoelectric condenser, the condensate level sensor and the control electronics being configured to respond to a sensed The water level in the reservoir controls the amount of condensed water; and an ion exchange resin based purifier coupled between the water reservoir and the electrolytic cell for purifying the condensed water; Apparatus for obtaining hydrogen from water comprising a proton exchange membrane and having electrodes capable of being applied with a voltage to dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen; a hydrogen filter coupled to said apparatus for obtaining hydrogen from water, said hydrogen filter for removing impurities in the obtained hydrogen; A coupling for a removable fuel container of a fuel cell adapted to be coupled to the removable fuel container of the fuel cell for supplying the removable fuel container of the fuel cell with Hydrogen plant for pressurized hydrogen; a pressure sensor coupled to the coupling of the removable fuel container and to the control electronics, the pressure sensor and the control electronics being adapted to control the pressure supplied to the the hydrogen pressure of the removable fuel container of the coupled fuel cell; and a heat exchanger positioned adjacent to the fuel cell's removable fuel container when the fuel cell's removable fuel container is coupled to the fuel cell's fuel container coupler, wherein the heat exchanger an exchanger comprising a plurality of fins to remove heat from a removable fuel container receiving pressurized hydrogen in order to increase the rate at which said fuel container can be charged; a temperature sensor coupled to a removable fuel container of the fuel cell and to the control electronics, the temperature sensor and the control electronics being adapted to control the Cooling by said heat exchanger of the removable fuel container of the fuel cell. 5. The fuel cell fuel container charger of claim 4, wherein the plurality of fins in the heat exchanger are cooled by condensed water provided by the thermoelectric condenser. 6. The fuel cell fuel container charger of claim 4, wherein the condensate purifier comprises an ion exchange resin based condensate purifier. 7. A method of charging a removable hydrogen fuel container of a fuel cell using a self contained consumer charger, the method comprising: Water is condensed from the ambient air using a water condensation subsystem that opens the system to the ambient air, the water condensation subsystem comprising: Thermoelectric condensers that condense moisture from the ambient air into condensed water; a fan coupled to the thermoelectric condenser; a humidity sensor coupled to the fan and control electronics, the humidity sensor, the control electronics and the fan being adapted to optimize airflow in the thermoelectric condenser in response to detected ambient relative humidity; a cistern for storing said condensed water; a condensate level sensor coupled to the reservoir, the control electronics, the fan, and the thermoelectric condenser, the condensate level sensor and the control electronics being configured to respond to a sensed The water level in the reservoir controls the amount of condensed water; and an ion exchange resin based purifier coupled between the water reservoir and the electrolytic cell for purifying the condensed water; Using an electrolyzer to electrolyze water from the water condensation subsystem to produce pressurized hydrogen, wherein electrolyzing water includes applying a voltage across a set of electrodes across a proton exchange membrane to produce pressurized hydrogen and wherein the electrolyzer includes a suitable a fuel cell removable fuel container coupler coupled to a fuel cell removable fuel container; removing impurities from the pressurized hydrogen using a hydrogen filter coupled to the electrolyzer; coupling a removable fuel container of the fuel cell to an electrolytic cell, wherein the removable fuel container of the fuel cell includes a heat exchanger, when the removable fuel container of the fuel cell is coupled to the electrolytic cell , the heat exchanger is positioned adjacent a removable fuel container of the fuel cell; and providing pressurized hydrogen to a removable fuel container of the fuel cell to charge the removable fuel container of the fuel cell at a selected hydrogen pressure using a pressure sensor coupled to the removable fuel container and control electronics and a temperature sensor to determine said selected hydrogen pressure; The heat exchanger is utilized to remove heat from a removable fuel container of a fuel cell receiving pressurized hydrogen in order to increase the rate at which the fuel container can be charged, the heat exchanger including a plurality of fins for removing heat ;as well as Information received by the sensors is used to control the pressure of hydrogen supplied to a removable fuel container of a fuel cell coupled to the electrolyzer and water condensed from ambient air using control electronics coupled to the sensors and controller amount. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of removing heat using a heat exchanger includes cooling a plurality of fins in the heat exchanger using condensed water provided by the thermoelectric condenser. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the condensate purifier comprises an ion exchange resin based condensate purifier.