Patent Grant
8783304
Fuel cell technology shows great promise as an alternative energy source for numerous applications. Fuel cells have been investigated for use in mobile applications, such as portable computers, mobile communications, and GPS tracking devices. Several types of fuel cells have been developed, including polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells, alkaline fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, and solid oxide fuel cells. For a comparison of several fuel cell technologies, see Los Alamos National Laboratory monograph LA-UR-99-3231 entitled Fuel Cells: Green Power by Sharon Thomas and Marcia Zalbowitz.
An important challenge faced in the development of fuel cell technology is providing a constant supply of liquid fuel to the fuel cell system to ensure its continuous and uninterrupted operation. In attempting to improve liquid fuel delivery, previous liquid fuel cell systems have incorporated fuel delivery systems which include fuel bladders, valves, connectors, and vents designed to manage the flow of liquid fuel and equalize the pressure inside the system with the surrounding environment. However, such components increase the complexity of fuel delivery systems, increasing production costs and making the systems more prone to failure. In addition, increasing system complexity decreases design flexibility, making these systems less adaptable to rugged, mobile applications, such as for use in aggressive military environments, where device simplicity and reliability are essential. Furthermore, systems which incorporate multiple valves and venting mechanisms are more cumbersome, often requiring manual operation and additional user resources.
Fuel delivery system designs also must take into account safety concerns, such as the desire to avoid unnecessary exposure to the liquid fuel, and environmental concerns, such as ensuring that potentially hazardous fuels are not unintentionally discharged into the surrounding environment. Consequently, the requirement that fuel be delivered safely and with an acceptably low risk of spillage complicates fuel delivery designs and may lead to inefficiencies. In summary, the need to provide a constant fuel supply while adhering to acceptable safety standards has resulted in increasingly complex fuel delivery systems which are both expensive to produce and cumbersome to operate.
In a first aspect, the present invention is a fuel reservoir for dispensing liquid fuel with a dispensing appliance 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 and configured to engage a locking mechanism of a dispensing appliance.
In a second aspect, the present invention is a fuel reservoir for dispensing liquid fuel with a dispensing appliance 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 and configured to engage a locking mechanism of a dispensing appliance. The container has one opening. The locking surface is disposed on a side wall of the container. The liquid fuel comprises methanol.
In a third aspect, the present invention is a fuel dispensing system comprising a dispensing appliance for dispensing a liquid fuel from a fuel reservoir and a power-producing system fluidly connected to the dispensing appliance. The dispensing appliance comprises an engagement mechanism having at least two needles, a protecting plate having a raised position and a depressed position, and a locking mechanism. 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. The protecting plate is in the depressed position and the needles are configured to engage a 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.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention is a fuel dispensing system comprising a dispensing appliance for dispensing a liquid fuel from a fuel reservoir and a power-producing system fluidly connected to the dispensing appliance. The dispensing appliance comprises an engagement mechanism having at least two needles, a protecting plate having a raised position and a depressed position, and a locking mechanism. 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. The protecting plate is in the depressed position and the needles are configured to engage a 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. The power-producing system comprises a fuel cell. The liquid fuel comprises methanol.
In a fifth aspect, the present invention is a fuel dispensing system comprising a fuel reservoir and a dispensing appliance. The fuel reservoir comprises a container having an opening, a liquid fuel in the container, and a needle-pierceable septum disposed across the opening of the container. The dispensing appliance comprises an engagement mechanism having at least two needles, a protecting plate having a raised position and a depressed position, and a locking mechanism. 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. 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. The protecting plate is depressed, and the needles are engaging the fuel reservoir.
In a sixth aspect, the present invention is a method of dispensing fuel to a power-producing system comprising piercing a needle-pierceable septum of a fuel reservoir with a first needle and a second needle, flowing air through the first needle and into the fuel reservoir, and flowing a liquid fuel out of the fuel reservoir, through the second needle, and into a power-producing system.
In a seventh aspect, the present invention is a method of dispensing fuel to a power-producing system comprising piercing a needle-pierceable septum of a fuel reservoir with a first needle and a second needle, flowing air through the first needle and into the fuel reservoir, and flowing a liquid fuel out of the fuel reservoir, through the second needle, and into a power-producing system. The power-producing system comprises a fuel cell. The liquid fuel comprises methanol.
The term “needle-pierceable septum” means an elastomeric or polymeric layer, such as a septum, which is disposed across an opening of a container and is capable of maintaining a liquid tight seal with the contents of the container when a needle is inserted through and pierces the needle-pierceable septum. Preferably, a needle-pierceable septum is capable of maintaining a liquid tight seal with the contents of a container upon removal of the needle from the needle-pierceable septum.
The term “exposed length” means a dimension, such as a length, width, or diameter, along which the needle-pierceable septum is capable of being pierced by a needle.
The term “power producing system” means a device which consumes fuel to produce energy. For example, a power producing system may convert chemical potential energy into electrical energy, or a power producing system may convert chemical potential energy into mechanical energy. One example of a power producing system is an electrochemical cell, which converts chemical potential energy into electrical energy. A power producing system may include a fuel pump which is capable of pumping liquid fuel out of a fuel reservoir.
The term “unreactive” means not reacting. Materials which are unreactive do not oxidize, corrode, or significantly chemically alter each other. For example, a liquid which is unreactive with a container composed of a particular material can be contained within that container for at least one year without significantly corroding or oxidizing the container, and without the container significantly altering the useful chemical properties of the liquid.
The present invention makes use of the discovery of liquid fuel reservoir which is capable of simply and efficiently providing a constant supply of liquid fuel to a power producing system. The system employs a needle and septum design which enables the liquid fuel reservoir to be quickly and easily attached to and detached from a dispensing mechanism while maintaining a liquid tight seal and preventing leakage of the liquid fuel contents. The fuel reservoir preferably includes only one opening, making the system suitable for a wide range of applications, from use in low-power consumer electronic devices, to use in more demanding applications. By simplifying the design of the fuel reservoir, its production costs, operational requirements, and likelihood of failure may be reduced.
The opening 112 is in fluid communication with the interior volume of the container 110. The collar 113 forms a perimeter around the opening 112 of the container 110 and extends between the opening 112 and the transition region 115. The transition region 115 extends between the collar 113 and the container sidewalls 114. The container sidewalls 114 form a perimeter around the interior volume of the container 110. The liquid fuel 116 is disposed within the container 110. The locking surface 118 is disposed on a container sidewall 114. The needle-pierceable septum 120 is disposed across the opening 112 of the container 110. The optional safety cap 130 may be disposed on the needle-pierceable septum 120 such that the needle-pierceable septum 120 is disposed between the optional safety cap 130 and the interior volume of the container 110.
In operation, the fuel reservoir 100 is filled with liquid fuel 116 by flowing liquid fuel 116 through the opening 112 of the container 110. The needle-pierceable septum 120 is disposed across the opening 112 of the container 110. The optional safety cap 130 may be placed upon the needle-pierceable septum 120 and opening 112 of the container 110. In another aspect, the optional safety cap 130 may be a one-way lockable safety cap which is locked to the opening 112 of the container 110 upon attachment. Preferably, the fuel reservoir 100 does not include a bladder for containing the liquid fuel 116.
The liquid fuel 116 preferably includes an alcohol-based fuel, such as methanol or ethanol. Other fuels include organic hydrocarbons, such as butane, gasoline, or kerosene, and organic acids, such as formic acid. Most preferably, the liquid fuel 116 includes methanol fuel. For example, the liquid fuel may be a mixture which includes methanol and water.
The inner edge 212 is circumferentially disposed on the upper end of the collar guide 210. The spring 230 is disposed within the collar guide 210. The protecting plate 220 is disposed between the inner edge 212 and the upper end of the spring 230. The first needle 240 and second needle 245 are disposed within the collar guide 210 and extend axially along the spring 230. The first needle 240 is in fluid communication with the air inlet 250. The second needle 245 is in fluid communication with the fuel outlet 255.
The first and second needles 240, 245 extend through the needle apertures 225 of the protecting plate 220 when the protecting plate 220 is depressed away from the inner edge 212 and towards the first and second needles 240, 245.
In operation, the fuel reservoir 100 is positioned above the protecting plate 220 such that the collar 113 of the container 110 aligns with the collar guide 210 of the dispensing appliance 200. The collar 113 is inserted into the collar guide 210 such that the opening 112 of the container 110 and the needle-pierceable septum 120 contact the protecting plate 220. As force is applied to the protecting plate 220, the spring 230 is compressed, and the first and second needles 240, 245 extend through the needle apertures 225, piercing the needle-pierceable septum 120. Thus, the needles 240, 245 and septum 120 design allows for simple engagement and disengagement of the fuel reservoir 100 with the dispensing appliance 200.
Once the first and second needles 240, 245 have engaged the fuel reservoir 100 by piercing the needle-pierceable septum 120, a liquid-tight seal is formed between the first and second needles 240, 245 and the needle-pierceable septum 120. This liquid-tight seal may prevent liquid fuel 116 from exiting the container 110 through a route other than through the first and/or second needles 240, 245. Preferably, the liquid-tight seal is able to withstand the pressure exerted by the column of the liquid fuel 116 contained above the needle-pierceable septum 120. More preferably, the liquid-tight seal is able to withstand the sum of the pressure exerted by the column of the liquid fuel 116 contained above the needle-pierceable septum 120 and the pressure exerted on the sidewalls 114 of the container 110, for example, during compression of or impact to the fuel reservoir 100. By providing a liquid tight seal between the fuel reservoir 100 and the dispensing appliance 200, these components may safely withstand use in highly mobile applications, for example, use in aggressive military environments, without potentially dangerous leakage of the liquid fuel 116.
When dispensing liquid fuel 116, air may flow through the air inlet 250 and into the container 110, and liquid fuel 116 may flow out of the container 110 and through the fuel outlet 255. By allowing air to flow into the container 110 as liquid fuel 116 flows out of the container 110, the air inlet 250 may prevent the pressure inside the container 110 from dropping below the pressure outside of the container 110. A pressure differential between the inside of the container 110 and the outside of the container 110, where the pressure inside the container 110 is lower than the pressure outside of the container 110, may inhibit removal of liquid fuel 116 from the container 110, due to the formation of a low vacuum which acts to hold the liquid fuel 116 inside of the container 110. By allowing air to flow through the air inlet 250 and into the container 110, the pressure inside the container 110 may be equalized with the pressure outside of the container 110, allowing the liquid fuel 116 to be more easily removed from the container 110.
In one aspect, the air inlet 250 includes a one-way valve which, when the first needle 240 has pierced the needle-pierceable septum 120 and is engaging the fuel reservoir 100, allows air to flow into the container 110 and blocks fuel from flowing out of the container 110. Preferably, the one-way valve allows the pressure inside the container 110 to be equalized with the pressure outside of the container 110 without the need to manually open and close the valve. Such a design simplifies use of the fuel reservoir 100 and dispensing appliance 200, conserves user resources, and ensures predictable dispensing and delivery of the liquid fuel 116.
In another aspect, the interior volume of the container 110 may be pressurized by air forced into the container 110 through the air inlet 250. By forcing air into the container 110, and thus pressurizing its contents, the rate at which liquid fuel 116 flows out of the fuel outlet 255 may be controlled. For example, if liquid fuel 116 is to be dispensed through the fuel outlet 255 at a high rate, air may be forced in through the air inlet 250 until an appropriate pressure is achieved in the interior volume of the container 110. If, on the other hand, liquid fuel 116 is to be dispensed through the fuel outlet 255 at a lower rate, air may be forced in through the air inlet 250 until a lower pressure is achieved in the interior volume of the container 110. Pressurizing the interior volume of the container 110 not only allows for control of the rate at which liquid fuel 116 is dispensed, but also increases the predictability of liquid fuel 116 delivery in applications in which the contents of the container 110 may experience sudden movements, accelerations, and/or changes in orientation; if the contents of the container 110 are in motion or experiencing acceleration, irregular and unpredictable dispensing may result unless the interior volume of the container 110 is sufficiently pressurized.
The simplicity of operation of the fuel reservoir 100 and dispensing appliance 200 allow for flexibility in the design of these components and decrease the likelihood of device failure. Preferably, the fuel reservoir 100 has only one opening 112 through which liquid fuel 116 and air may travel and does not include additional valves, vents, or connectors. By avoiding the use of built-in bladders, valves, vents, and connectors, the cost of the fuel reservoir 100 may be decreased. Additionally, because the fuel reservoir 100 preferably has only one opening 112, and because there is no requirement for including additional valves or ports, there are fewer restrictions on the design of the container 110. For example, the container 110 may be sized to accommodate a variety of liquid fuel 116 volumes without significantly increasing its design complexity. Fuel reservoirs 100 used in small mobile devices, such as mobile phones and laptops, may be sized to hold very small liquid fuel 116 volumes, for example, volumes of from 10 milliliters to 100 milliliters, including 25, 50 and 75 milliliters. Fuel reservoirs 100 used in larger applications may be sized to hold large liquid fuel 116 volumes, for example, volumes of from 100 milliliters to 10 liters or, more preferably, volumes of from 500 milliliters to 2 liters, including 750 milliliters, 1 liter and 1.5 liters. Moreover, the simplicity of design enables the container 110 to be shaped to fit the contours of a variety of applications, which may maximize the volume of liquid fuel 116 held by the container 110.
In preferred embodiments, the fuel reservoir 100 is able to withstand long-term exposure to liquid fuels and has the structural integrity to withstand shock and environmental temperature ranges of from −20° C. to +50° C. Preferably, the fuel reservoir 100 is composed of a liquid fuel-compatible material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or a similar polymeric material. Such materials are lightweight and durable and may be inexpensively produced by known manufacturing techniques. Additionally, although the fuel reservoirs 100, when inexpensively produced from such materials, may be disposable or single-use, the selection of such materials also may enable the fuel reservoirs 100 to be reused and/or recycled.
The first and second needles 240, 245 and the needle-pierceable septum 120 are preferably designed such that the first and second needles 240, 245 pierce the needle-pierceable septum 120 without tearing or removing material from the needle-pierceable septum 120. By not tearing or removing material from the needle-pierceable-septum 120, the puncture holes created in needle-pierceable septum 120 may close once the first and second needles 240, 245 are disengaged from the fuel reservoir 100, allowing the needle-pierceable septum 120 to maintain a liquid tight seal. The retention of a liquid tight seal prevents the liquid fuel 116 from leaking from the fuel reservoir 100 and enables the fuel reservoir 100 to be repeatedly attached to and removed from the dispensing appliance 200 or transferred between multiple dispensing appliances 200.
To enable the needle-pierceable septum 120 to retain a liquid tight seal after removal of the first and second needles 240, 245, the needle-pierceable septum 120 may be composed of an elastomeric material. Preferably, the needle-pierceable septum 120 is composed of a material or materials which are compatible with the liquid fuel 116 contained by the fuel reservoir 100. More preferably, the material is an elastomeric material which is compatible with methanol fuel. In one aspect, the needle-pierceable septum 120 may be composed of silicone. In another aspect, the needle-pierceable septum 120 may be composed of an elastomer layer, such as a silicone layer, and a polymer layer, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene layer. The elastomer layer of the dual-layer design may provide strength and flexibility to the needle-pierceable septum 120, while the polymer layer may prevent the liquid fuel 116 from contacting and degrading the silicone layer.
Material selection for the first and second needles 240, 245 may also be important to ensure that a liquid tight seal is maintained after removal from the needle-pierceable septum 120. The first and second needles 240, 245 may be exposed to corrosive and oxidative materials, such as liquid fuels. If the first and second needles 240, 245 experience physical degradation, such as oxidation, they may be unable to form a liquid tight seal with the needle-pierceable septum 120 upon engagement of the fuel reservoir 100 with the engagement mechanism 200. Furthermore, needles which have experienced physical degradation may be unable to cleanly puncture the needle-pierceable septum 120, preventing the puncture holes from closing and maintaining a liquid tight seal upon disengagement of the fuel reservoir 100 from the engagement mechanism 200. Preferably, the first and second needles 240, 245 are composed of a chemically resistant metal alloy, such as steel or stainless steel. Such metal alloys may resist physical degradation while maintaining a sharp point which is capable of cleanly piercing the needle-pierceable septum 120.
While liquid fuel 116 is being dispensed from the fuel reservoir 100, the liquid fuel 116 flows along the transition region 115 and into the collar 114. The transition region 115 preferably forms an obtuse angle with at least two of the container sidewalls 114, so that, as the fuel reservoir 100 is emptied, liquid fuel 116 continues to flow along the transition region 115 and into the collar 114, and does not pool in the corners of the container 110. In one aspect, the transition region 115 is designed so that no more than 10% of the liquid fuel 116 capacity of the container 110 remains in the container 110 when the container 110 is angled at ±45 degrees from the vertical orientation shown in
The container 110 and container sidewalls 114 are enclosed within the holder body 510. The locking surface 118 is mechanically coupled to the locking mechanism 520.
In operation, the container 110 is slidably inserted into the holder body 510 of the container holder 500. As the container 110 is inserted, the locking surface 118 engages the locking mechanism 520, mechanically coupling the locking surface 118 and the locking mechanism 520. To remove the container 110 from the container holder 500, the locking surface 118 may be disengaged from the locking mechanism 520. In one aspect, the locking surface 118 may be disengaged from the locking mechanism 520 by (1) pressing down on the locking surface 118 in a direction towards the interior volume of the container 110, and (2) sliding the container 110 out of the container holder 500, while the locking surface remains depressed.
In another aspect, the locking mechanism 520 may be a latch, strap, or button snap, and the locking surface 118 may be the surface over which the latch or strap are secured, or the surface to which the button snap is attached. In yet another aspect, the locking mechanism 520 and locking surface 118 may be hook fasteners and loop fasteners. In yet another aspect, the locking mechanism 520 and locking surface 118 may be magnetically coupled to each other.
The dispensing appliance 200 is disposed within the holder body 510 and is mechanically coupled to an interior surface of the holder body 510.
In operation, the container 110 is slidably inserted into the holder body 510. As the container 110 is inserted into the holder body 510, the collar 113 enters the collar guide 210 and causes the protecting plate 220 to compress the spring 230. As the protecting plate 220 is depressed, the dispensing appliance 200 engages the fuel reservoir 100, for example, by piercing a septum of the fuel reservoir 100 with a needle. In addition, as the protecting plate 220 is depressed, the locking surface 118 of the fuel reservoir 100 engages the locking mechanism 520, mechanically coupling the fuel reservoir 100 in the container holder 500. Once the dispensing appliance 200 has engaged the fuel reservoir 100, liquid fuel 116 may be removed from the container 110 through the fuel outlet 255, and air may travel into the container 110 through the air inlet 250.
To remove the fuel reservoir 100 from the container holder 500, the locking surface 118 of the container 110 is depressed, disengaging the locking surface 118 from the locking mechanism 520. As the fuel reservoir 100 is removed from the container holder 500, the protecting plate 220 is raised and the fuel reservoir 100 is disengaged from the dispensing appliance 200. Preferably, as the fuel reservoir 100 is disengaged from the dispensing appliance 200, the fuel reservoir 100 maintains a liquid tight seal, preventing liquid fuel 116 from leaking out of the container 110 and into the surrounding environment. More preferably, as the fuel reservoir 100 is disengaged from the dispensing appliance 200, the first and second needles 240, 245 are withdrawn from the needle-pierceable septum 120. As the first and second needles 240, 245 are withdrawn, the puncture holes created in needle-pierceable septum 120 close, allowing the needle-pierceable septum 120 to maintain a liquid tight seal with the interior volume of the container 110.
In preferred embodiments, the holder body 510 of the container holder 500 is able to withstand exposure to liquid fuels and has the integrity to withstand shock and environmental temperature ranges of from −20° C. to +50° C. Preferably, the holder body 510 is composed of a lightweight, rigid, and durable material, such as high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, aluminum, or carbon fiber.
Disengagement and removal of the fuel reservoir 100 from the dispensing appliance 200 is facilitated by the spring 230, which may be in a compressed state beneath the protecting plate 220 before removal of the fuel reservoir 100. Consequently, upon disengagement, the decompression force of the spring 230 may move the protecting plate 220 in the direction of the arrows illustrated in
While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/419,743 entitled “LIQUID CONTAINERS AND APPARATUS FOR USE WITH POWER PRODUCING DEVICES” filed Dec. 3, 2010, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20130017467 A1 | Jan 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61419743 | Dec 2010 | US |
