TREA

Fuel cells

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Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20070148514
  • Publication Number
    20070148514
  • Date Filed
    December 22, 2005
    18 years ago
  • Date Published
    June 28, 2007
    16 years ago
Information
Abstract
Fuel cell systems, as well as related components and methods, are disclosed.
Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a fuel cell system.



FIG. 2A is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fuel source.



FIG. 2B is a side view of a component of the fuel source of FIG. 2A.



FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the component of FIG. 2B, taken along line 2C-2C.



FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fuel source.



FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fuel source.



FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fuel source.



FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fuel source.



FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fuel source.



FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fuel source.



FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fuel source.



FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fuel source.


Claims
  • 1. A cartridge, comprising: a first housing comprising: a first layer comprising a first polymer; anda second layer comprising a first metal,wherein the first housing contains an alcohol fuel or a hydrocarbon fuel.
  • 2. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a second housing.
  • 3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the first housing is disposed within the second housing.
  • 4. The cartridge of claim 3, wherein the second housing includes a membrane vent.
  • 5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first housing contains an alcohol fuel.
  • 6. The cartridge of claim 5, wherein the alcohol fuel comprises methanol.
  • 7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first housing has a thickness of at most 0.005 inch.
  • 8. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first metal comprises aluminum.
  • 9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer are coextensive.
  • 10. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first polymer has a methanol permeability coefficient of at most about 1.6×10−4 μg-cm/cm2-s.
  • 11. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first polymer has an oxygen permeability coefficient of at most about 5×10−5 cm3 (STP)-cm/cm2-s-Pa.
  • 12. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and combinations thereof.
  • 13. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first housing further comprises a third layer.
  • 14. The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the third layer comprises a second polymer.
  • 15. The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the third layer comprises a second metal.
  • 16. A cartridge, comprising: a first housing comprising a metallized polymer, a halogenated polymer, or a combination thereof,wherein the first housing contains an alcohol fuel or a hydrocarbon fuel.
  • 17. The cartridge of claim 16, wherein the polymer has a methanol permeability coefficient of at most about 1.6×10−4 μg-cm/cm2-S.
  • 18. The cartridge of claim 16, wherein the polymer has an oxygen permeability coefficient of at most about 5×10−15 cm3(STP)-cm/cm2-s-Pa.
  • 19. The cartridge of claim 16, wherein the first housing comprises a metallized polymer.
  • 20. The cartridge of claim 16, wherein the first housing comprises a halogenated polymer.
  • 21. A cartridge, comprising: a first housing comprising a first polymer layer and a second polymer layer that contacts the first polymer layer,wherein the first housing contains an alcohol fuel or a hydrocarbon fuel.
  • 22. The cartridge of claim 21, wherein the first polymer layer has a methanol permeability coefficient of at most about 1.6×10−4 μg-cm/cm2-S.
  • 23. The cartridge of claim 21, wherein the first polymer layer has an oxygen permeability coefficient of at most about 5×10−5 cm3(STP)-cm/cm2-s-Pa.
  • 24. The cartridge of claim 21, wherein the first polymer layer comprises polyvinylidene dichloride, ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer, polyvinylidene difluoride, or a combination thereof.
  • 25. The cartridge of claim 24, wherein the second polymer layer comprises polyethylene, polypropylene, or a combination thereof.
  • 26. The cartridge of claim 21, further comprising a third polymer layer.
  • 27. A cartridge, comprising: a first housing comprising a polymer and a glass, a ceramic, carbon, or a combination thereof,wherein the first housing contains an alcohol fuel or a hydrocarbon fuel.
  • 28. The cartridge of claim 27, wherein the polymer has a methanol permeability coefficient of at most about 1.6×10−4 μg-cm/cm2-S.
  • 29. The cartridge of claim 27, wherein the polymer has an oxygen permeability coefficient of at most about 5×10−15 cm3(STP)-cm/cm2-s-Pa.
  • 30. The cartridge of claim 27, wherein the first housing comprises a glass.
  • 31. The cartridge of claim 27, wherein the first housing comprises a ceramic.
  • 32. The cartridge of claim 27, wherein the first housing comprises carbon.