Abstract: The reaction of alkali, alkali-earth metal hydride with water is utilized for the generation of hydrogen in a novel generator configuration. This overcomes the problems encountered in earlier hydride based generator configurations inasmuch as it overcomes the problem associated with the expansion of the hydride upon its conversion to hydroxide or oxide when reacting with water. This is accomplished by using a hydride cartridge of unique configuration. The combination of the corrugated cartridge structure and the wicking material dispersed throughout the cartridge facilitate the complete utilization of the hydride and water in a demand responsive mode. This is important in applications where intermediate hydrogen storage is impractical, as is the case in the use of these generators--e.g., for electric power generation in fuel cells in general and for Underwater Vehicles specifically because space restraints.

Abstract: A battery capable of extended operation at high temperature includes a cell of laminated construction utilizing a solid oxidant cathode, an electrolyte element, a catalyst and a gas impermeable separator sheet providing an anode for the cell, with each element in electrical connection with the next. The solid oxidant is a mixture including powdered manganese dioxide, carbon and caustic material, the electrolyte element is a mixture including powdered magnesium oxide, and a binder, pressed into a solid pellet and soaked with caustic material. The cell further has a porous carbon paper substrate in electrical contact with the gas impermeable separator sheet and the catalyst is platinum dispersed on and adhered to the substrate. A source of hydrogen gas is provided, and when the battery is exposed to the hydrogen gas, a voltage is generated.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a replaceable cartridge hydrogen generator of the type which relies at least partially on the process of anodic corrosion to produce hydrogen. A drum contains a plurality of the cartridges.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrolytic cell in which cathodic hydrogen formation is suppressed by contacting the catalytic cathode with air or other oxygen-containing gas. The cells are of two types: (1) those in which a membrane is present as a distinct body to seperate the anode from the catalytic cathode; and (2) those in which the catalytic cathode and membrane are in combination as a single body; both of which types contain an ion permeable membrane to divide the said cell into an anolyte zone containing aqueous anolyte and a catholyte zone containing aqueous catholyte and a catalyst. The method of this invention provides for passing current through said anolyte and said catholyte while contacting said catalyst with an oxygen-containing gas to eliminate the formation of hydrogen gas. When alkali metal halide solutions are employed, halogen gas is evolved at the anode and alkali metal hydroxide is produced at the cathode.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a replaceable cartridge hydrogen generator of the type which relies at least partially on the process of anodic corrosion to produce hydrogen. The cartridge has an outer container wall which holds a consumable anodic material and an electrolyte therein. The container wall can be made the cathode of the cell. An electrical circuit is provided with a switch means between the anode and cathode to regulate current flow and hydrogen is generated when there is current flow in the circuit, the generator's operation being instantaneously controlled by the switch means. The container and anodic material can be cylindrically-shaped and placed in an upright position when in use to have the electrolyte cover the anodic material.

Abstract: An electrolyte distribution and supply system for use with a fuel cell having means for drawing electrolyte therein is formed by a set of containers of electrolyte joined to respective fuel cells in a stack of such cells. The electrolyte is separately stored so as to provide for electrical isolation between electrolytes of the individual cells of the stack. Individual storage compartments are coupled by capillary tubes to the respective fuel cells. Hydrostatic pressure is maintained individually for each of the fuel cells by separately elevating each compartment of the storing means to a specific height above the corresponding fuel cell which is to be fed from that compartment of the storing means. The individual compartments are filled with electrolyte by allowing the compartments to overflow thereby maintaining the requisite depth of electrolyte in each of the storage compartments.

Abstract: A control system for a hydrogen generator having a consumable anode, a cathode and an aqueous electrolyte therebetween. The system includes a circuit means which enables electrical current to pass between the anode and cathode in addition to the electrolyte. A control means in the circuit means can be regulated to selectively enable current to pass through the circuit means to produce hydrogen.In a further embodiment of the system, a hydrogen consuming device is made part of the system. An output of the consuming device is monitored and when it reaches a predetermined level, the control means, in response thereto, automatically enables the hydrogen generator to produce hydrogen and feed it to the consuming device. The control means disables the hydrogen generator when its hydrogen requirements are met.

Abstract: A cartridge for a gas generator of the type in which a liquid such as water is reacted with a solid fuel such as a base metal hydride comprises a canister which contains at least one compressible filler means which cooperates with the canister interior to define a fuel charge compartment. The canister has a plurality of fluid flow passages formed in it to place the fuel charge compartment in fluid flow communication with the exterior of the canister. Preferably, a pair of compressible filler means such as blocks of a synthetic polymeric foamed material are placed within the canister to define the fuel charge compartment between them. The fluid flow passages communicate with the fuel compartment so that upon immersion of the cartridge into a liquid the liquid flows through the passages to contact the fuel and react with it to form a gas.

Abstract: Fuel cell assemblies and methods for manufacturing same are disclosed, the fuel cell assemblies comprising a stacked configuration of fuel cell laminates, each including a catalytic fuel electrode, a catalytic oxygen electrode, and an electrolyte therebetween the electrolyte comprising an ion exchange membrane, bipolar plates separating each laminate so that the opposite surfaces of each bipolar plate contacts the fuel and oxygen electrodes, respectively, fuel gas flow channel in the bipolar plate for supplying fuel to the fuel electrodes, and oxygen gas flow channels in the bipolar plates for supplying oxygen-containing gas to the oxygen electrodes, the fuel and oxygen gas flow channels being substantially perpendicular to each other.