Abstract: A fuel cell that uses alcohol as a fuel and including an electrolyte, and an anode and a cathode that are disposed across the electrolyte. The anode of the fuel cell contains a first particle that catalyzes the degradation of alcohol, and a second particle that catalyzes the degradation of aldehyde.
Abstract: Provided is a fuel cartridge detachably connected with a fuel cell main body, wherein the fuel cartridge is equipped with a fuel-storing vessel for storing a liquid fuel, a fuel discharge part and a follower which seals the liquid fuel and moves as the liquid fuel is consumed at the rear end of the liquid fuel; a follower auxiliary member which has no fluidity and is insoluble in the liquid fuel is inserted into the follower; and at least one protruding part is formed at an upper end part of the follower auxiliary member.
Abstract: A battery arrangement that minimize battery-to-battery and battery-to-device contact resistance by rupturing or removing an insulating contaminant layer on portions of battery terminals that contact each other or that contact contacts in a battery compartment. Generally, standard dry cell and miniature batteries are arranged such that the surface area of the terminals that contact other terminals or device contacts is reduced. A given compression force applied to the serially-aligned batteries in the battery compartment results in a contact pressure sufficient to rupture the insulating contaminant layer at the terminal region that contacts the adjacent terminal or device contact. A relative lateral motion can be imparted between adjacent batteries and/or a battery and device contact to facilitate the removal of the insulating contaminant layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 29, 2003
Date of Patent:
April 1, 2008
Assignee:
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell system, the fuel cell tail gas contains significant residual amounts of combustibles which are burned in a combustor with spent cathode air to reduce system emissions and to reclaim chemical energy in the form of heat, the hot exhaust being used to pre-heat air entering the fuel cell system. The tail gas combustibles content can vary widely as can the combustion temperature. When the temperature becomes unacceptably low, a control valve in the spent cathode air return is adjusted to divert a portion of the air around the combustor, thus enriching the fuel/air mixture and causing the combustion temperature to increase. When the temperature becomes unacceptably high, a control valve in the combustor fresh air supply is adjusted to provide more air, thus causing the mixture to become leaner and the combustion temperature to decrease.
Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell having excellent resistance to deterioration, excellent self-extinguishability or incombustibility, and excellent discharge properties at low temperatures, a deterioration inhibitor for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell which can improve resistance to deterioration, and an additive for a non-aqueous electrolyte which can improve self-extinguishability or incombustibility. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and, in a first aspect, a non-aqueous electrolyte containing at least 2% by volume and less than 20% by volume of a phosphazene derivative, and a supporting salt, and, in a second aspect, a non-aqueous electrolyte containing at least 20% by volume of the phosphazene derivative, and the supporting salt.
Abstract: A humidity control system for a fuel cell stack includes a gas supply and a humidifier including an outlet and an inlet connected to the gas supply. A fuel cell stack includes an inlet that is connected to the outlet of the humidifier. A bypass line and a valve bypass gas around the humidifier to control the humidity of gas entering the fuel cell stack. The valve is located in the bypass line, between the gas supply and the humidifier, or between the humidifier and the fuel cell stack. The valve is a gas restriction valve, a throttle valve, or a directional valve. A humidity sensor generates a humidity signal based on humidity of gas entering the fuel cell stack. A controller connected to the humidity sensor and the valve controls the valve based on the humidity signal. The inlet of the fuel cell stack is one of a cathode flow line and an anode flow line of the fuel cell stack.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 3, 2001
Date of Patent:
April 26, 2005
Assignee:
General Motors Corporation
Inventors:
William S. Wheat, Bruce J. Clingerman, Matt K. Hortop