Andrew P Thompson

US Patent:

20030003341, Jan 2, 2003

Filed:

Jun 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/897782

Inventors:

Mark Kinkelaar - Glenmoore PA, US
Andrew Thompson - West Chester PA, US

International Classification:

H01M008/02
H01M008/10

US Classification:

429/034000, 429/030000, 429/041000

Abstract:

Water recovery in direct liquid fuel cells, particularly direct methanol fuel cells, is accomplished by incorporating a reservoir structure composed of a wicking material, which may be a composite material, adjacent to the cathode. The wicking material has a free rise wick height of at least one half its longest dimension. The wicking materials may be selected from foams, bundled fibers and nonwoven fibers. In one embodiment, holes or perforations are formed through the thickness of the sheet, and a conductive layer is adjacent to, adhered to or coated on at least one surface of the wicking material. To recycle water, a second reservoir structure of wicking material is incorporated adjacent to the anode, and a liquid flow path is provided between the first and second reservoir structures. The absorbed water flows through the liquid flow path, is mixed with fuel and introduced to the second reservoir structure adjacent to the anode.

US Patent:

20030008193, Jan 9, 2003

Filed:

Jun 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/894939

Inventors:

Mark Kinkelaar - Glenmoore PA, US
Andrew Thompson - West Chester PA, US

Assignee:

Foamex L.P.

International Classification:

H01M008/04

US Classification:

429/039000

Abstract:

A fuel delivery system for a liquid fuel cell particularly useful for portable electronic devices includes (a) a container defining a volume for holding a liquid fuel; (b) a reservoir structure positioned within the volume and into which at least a portion of the liquid fuel wicks and from which said liquid fuel subsequently may be metered, such as by pumping. The reservoir structure is formed from a material with a free rise wick height greater than at least one half of the longest dimension of the reservoir structure. Among materials with such wicking capability are foams, bundled fibers and nonwoven fibers, including particularly felted and unfelted reticulated polyurethane foams. The container may have a generally flat and thin profile, formed as a pouch or envelope with substantially planar top and bottom faces of flexible film material, such that the container holding the reservoir structure and filled with liquid fuel can be bent or shaped.

US Patent:

20040001989, Jan 1, 2004

Filed:

Dec 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/329776

Inventors:

Mark Kinkelaar - Glenmoore PA, US
Andrew Thompson - West Chester PA, US
Kenneth Overk - Deptford NJ, US
Richard Good - Glenmoore PA, US

International Classification:

H01M008/02
B67D003/00
B65D088/00

US Classification:

429/034000, 220/567200, 222/187000

Abstract:

A fuel reservoir for a liquid fuel cell particularly useful for portable electronic devices or for a reformer, includes (a) a container defining a volume for holding a liquid fuel; (b) a wicking structure positioned within the volume and into which at least one portion of the liquid fuel wicks and from which said liquid fuel subsequently may be metered, such as by pumping; (c) a retainer to hold the wicking structure in a desired orientation within the container; and (d) an outlet for the liquid fuel that is in communication with the wicking structure. A method of dispensing liquid fuel and a method of assembling a fuel cartridge are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20040001993, Jan 1, 2004

Filed:

Dec 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/329775

Inventors:

Mark Kinkelaar - Glenmoore PA, US
Andrew Thompson - West Chester PA, US

International Classification:

H01M004/86

US Classification:

429/040000

Abstract:

A gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell is formed from a porous material, which porous material comprises a solid matrix and interconnected pores or interstices therethrough that has at least one external surface and internal surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the at least one external surface is coated with one or more layers of at least one electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material preferably has a resistivity less than 20 ohm-cm. Exemplary electrically conductive materials used for coating are metals, such as nickel, gold, platinum, cobalt, chromium, copper, indium, aluminum, titanium, zirconium, metal alloys of such materials, salts of such materials, and mixtures thereof, and amorphous carbon or graphite. A single or a series of multiple discrete conductive coating layers may be applied to the foam strands using coating methods such as electroplating, electroless plating, plasma vapor deposition, sputtering, arc forming, dipping and painting.