Abstract: Heat exchangers, hydrogen gas compressors, hydrogen gas storage devices, hydrogen gas purifiers and metal hydride air conditioners utilizing a flow of a hydrogen gas stream which is absorbed and desorbed by a metal hydride causes disproportionation and “poisoning” of the metal hydrides by introduction of impurities such as water vapor, oxygen and carbon monoxide. Use of a noble metal in powder form, when introduced in the metal hydride particles has been found to act as a catalyst and to delay absorption of the impurities in the metal hydride, and further permits the more efficient and longer use of such devices by inhibiting the undesirable disproportionation and poisoning. In another embodiment, a vent is provided in the initial stage of a hydrogen compressor to vent out the impurities before these result in decreasing efficiency of the devices due to disproportionation, poisoning and increased vapor pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of isolating an enclosed metal hydride container from an apparatus which uses hydrogen gas during periods of dormant or inactive storage of the device, including a constricted opening having a dual one way check valve arrangement to selectively open or close the hydrogen gas communication between the hydrogen storage container and the apparatus using the hydrogen. The dual check valve arrangement provides for constricting hydrogen gas flow between the chambers unless the device is in the process of charging or discharging, either of which process causes a differential pressure to develop across the dual check valve arrangement which is greater than a predetermined threshold pressure, e.g., 1-2 p.s.i. The hydrogen storage material within the hydrogen storage container comprises mixture of metal hydride particles with interspersed water adsorbing particles, such as silica gel desiccant.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of storing hydrogen gas within an enclosed metal hydride container that is isolated from an apparatus which uses hydrogen gas, including a constricted opening having a valve to selectively open or close the hydrogen gas communication between the hydrogen storage container and the apparatus using the hydrogen. The hydrogen storage material within the hydrogen storage container comprises mixture of metal hydride particles with interspersed water adsorbing particles, such as silica gel dessicant. Optionally included within the hydrogen gas communication between the storage and use may be a filter for filtering out oxygen and water vapor molecules from the hydrogen stream passing into the metal hydride particles, and may comprise a coating on each of the hydrogen absorbing metal hydride particles disposed within the hydrogen storage chamber.

Abstract: Metal hydrides for absorbing hydrogen which are capable of undergoing repeated charge/discharge cycles of absorbing and desorbing hydrogen at high temperatures and cycles through a high temperature followed by a low temperature. These alloys are intended for use in devices such as heat pumps, heat exchangers, energy storage devices, thermal actuators, temperature sensors and electrochemical cells. The alloys generally comprise the chemical formulaA.sub.1-x B.sub.xwhereA is selected from the group of elements consisting of Ti, Hf, Y,B is selected from the group of elements consisting of Nb, Ni, Co, and Fe,and x is in a range from 0.05 to approximately 0.80, and specific alloys comprise hafnium-nickel (HfNi), hafnium cobalt (HfCo), hafnium-iron (Hf.sub.2 Fe), yttrium-nickel (YNi) and titanium-niobium Ti.sub.1-x Nb.sub.x, where x is in a range of from 0.05<.times.<0.60.

Abstract: A system and method is provided whereby exhaust gases from a cold started internal combustion engine are rapidly brought to catalytic combustion conditions. Specifically, a closed system of a low pressure metal hydride heat exchanger and a high pressure metal hydride heat exchanger is provided which, upon engine ignition, effectuates hydrogen flow from the high pressure alloy exchanger to the low pressure alloy exchanger with rapid heating of the low pressure alloy due to hydrogen occlusion, and with the further provision that the heated low pressure hydride alloy exchanger is in heat exchange relationship with the cold started engine exhaust gases or the vehicle catalytic converter and provides heat necessary for initiation of catalytic combustion of pollutants in the said exhaust gases.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of storing hydrogen gas within an enclosed metal hydride container that is isolated from an apparatus which uses hydrogen gas, including a constricted opening having a valve to selectively open or close the hydrogen gas communication between the hydrogen storage container and the apparatus using the hydrogen. Also included within the hydrogen gas communication between the storage and use is a filter for filtering out oxygen and water vapor molecules from the hydrogen stream passing from the apparatus using the hydrogen to the hydrogen storage metal hydride. The filter means comprises a thin metal disc or a hydrogen gas permeable elastomeric thin film coating, such as a polyethylene resin or silicone oil, either in the hydrogen stream path or as a coating on each of the hydrogen absorbing metal hydride particles which are disposed within the hydrogen storage chamber.

Abstract: An actuator for performing a function at a predetermined temperature includes an actuator assembly with a resiliently expandable element and a device for liberating hydrogen gas into a sealed system formed in part by the element. When the hydrogen gas pressure in the system becomes sufficiently high, the element expands to perform the function. The resiliently expandable element is a piston or a bellows and the device for liberating hydrogen gas is a hydride sensor assembly.

Abstract: A system and method is provided whereby exhaust gases from a cold started internal combustion engine are rapidly brought to catalytic combustion conditions. Specifically, a closed system of a low pressure metal hydride heat exchanger and a high pressure metal hydride heat exchanger is provided which, upon engine ignition, effectuates hydrogen flow from the high pressure alloy exchanger to the low pressure alloy exchanger with rapid heating of the low pressure alloy due to hydrogen occlusion, and with the further provision that the heated low pressure hydride alloy exchanger is in heat exchange relationship with the cold started engine exhaust gases or the vehicle catalytic converter and provides heat necessary for initiation of catalytic combustion of pollutants in the said exhaust gases.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery made of stacked cells which are separated by separator plates comprising a good heat conductive material, e.g. nickel, stainless steel, copper. The separator plates extend beyond the edge of the stacked cells and outside the enclosure of the battery. The separator plates directly conduct heat, which is generated by the electrochemical process, from the battery cells to the ambient environment. Sealing of the enclosure between the separator plates is provided by an O-ring or, alternatively, by a bellows sealed to adjacent separator plates by O-rings. Sealing is possible for hydrogen at low pressure which is presented in batteries utilizing a metal-hydride hydrogen storage capacity.

Abstract: A metal hydride battery includes a metal hydride vessel for storing hydrogen and a battery cell in another enclosure having the capability of fluid communication between the vessel and enclosure through in-line piping. The in-line piping includes a catalytic converter and a molecular sieve dryer for adsorbing water from the hydrogen being piped from the battery cell enclosure to the hydrogen storage metal hydride vessel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing high-zirconium getters that involves hydrogen pulverization of an entire alloy ingot or ingot pieces. The method offers distinct advantages over techniques that use mechanical means of powder production. The method is useful especially in the manufacture of tough porous getters, of high Zr-content Zr-V alloys that have minor additions of elements such as Fe, Ni, Mn and/or Al.

Abstract: A strip getter structure comprising getter powder pressed into and onto an open reticulated network carrier strip. The getter powder particles form an agglomeration with strength derived both from interlocking of said getter particles and from support of the getter agglomeration by the network. The getter strip structure is manufactured by continuous rolling of getter powder into and onto the network carrier strip by means of a gravity powder feed and a cylindrical rolling mill.

Abstract: A system for purifying a gas provided with an apparatus comprising a main container defining a substantially closed chamber, an intake fitting having an intake projecting from the chamber and having inside the chamber a filter element, an outlet fitting having an outlet projecting from the chamber offset from the intake and having inside the chamber a filter element offset from the filter element of the intake fitting, and means defining in the chamber an internally sealed well between the filters. A baffle is provided in the chamber between the filters so that gas passing between the filters is deflected by the baffle. A heater is provided in the well. An outer container surrounds the main container and defines a space therearound. This space is insulated, either by being filled with an insulating material or by being evacuated.

Abstract: A compressed gas engine is adapted for pumping ground water. The engine is powered by a low temperature heat source provided with a hydridable metal and hydrogen arranged operatively in a sealed loop to drive a piston. The piston is coupled magnetically to a pump piston for conjoined motion therewith. The engine is cooled by means of pumped water. A rack and pinion arrangement rides one of the pistons for electric generation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing high-zirconium getters that involves hydrogen pulverization of an entire alloy ingot or ingot pieces. The method offers distinct advantages over techniques that use mechanical means of powder production. The method is useful expecially in the manufacture of tough porous getters, of high Zr-content Zr-V alloys that have minor additions of elements such as Fe, Ni, Mn and/or Al.

Abstract: A thermally reversible heat exchange unit comprising an elongated outer jacket, at least one interior heat transfer surface and heat exchange fluid flowing therebetween in plug fashion.

Abstract: A thermally reversible heat exchange unit and method of use comprising an elongated outer jacket, at least one interior heat transfer surface and heat exchange fluid flowing therebetween in plug fashion.

Abstract: The method for extracting hydrogen from a gas stream containing hydrogen with or without other gases by a sorption-desorption process using as the hydrogen sorber a pellet bed of a porous, metallurgically bonded, heat-ballasted hydridable mixture comprising a major proportion of a heat-ballast material and a minor proportion of a hydridable metallic material.

Abstract: Hydrogen gettering alloys which contain nickel, mischmetal, and zirconium, and may optionally contain one or more of cobalt, copper, iron, aluminum, tin, titanium and silicon, overcome many of the deficiencies of the existing getter technology. These alloys may be readily activated for use and regenerated for reuse. They are conveniently prepared using available furnace technology.

Abstract: A porous, metallurgically bonded, heat-ballasted hydridable mixture in pellet form wherein the solid ingredients comprise about 40 vol. % or less of a hydridable metal or alloy and about 60 vol. % or more of a ballast metal powder from the group consisting of nickel, copper, iron and aluminum.