We claim:
1. A fuel cell comprising:
at least one bi-cell, said bi-cell comprising:
a first hydrogen electrode having a hydrogen contacting surface and an electrolyte contacting surface;
a second hydrogen electrode having a hydrogen contacting surface and an electrolyte contacting surface, said hydrogen contacting surface of said first hydrogen electrode disposed adjacent to said hydrogen contacting surface of said second hydrogen electrode;
a first air electrode having an air contacting surface and an electrolyte contacting surface, said electrolyte contacting surface of said first air electrode disposed adjacent to said electrolyte contacting surface of said first hydrogen electrode;
a second air electrode having an air contacting surface and an electrolyte contacting surface, said electrolyte contacting surface of said second air electrode disposed adjacent to said electrolyte contacting surface of said second hydrogen electrode; and
elastomeric material bonded around said bi-cell, said elastomeric material providing mechanical support for said bi-cell and having open portions providing access for air to contact each of said air electrodes.
2. The fuel cell of claim 1, said bi-cell further comprising:
a first electrolyte distributor disposed between said electrolyte contacting surface of said first air electrode and said electrolyte contacting surface of said first hydrogen electrode;
a second electrolyte distributor disposed between said electrolyte contacting surface of said second air electrode and said electrolyte contacting surface of said second hydrogen electrode; and
a gas diffuser disposed between said hydrogen contacting surface of said first hydrogen electrode and said hydrogen contacting surface of said second hydrogen electrode.
3. The fuel cell of claim 2,
said first electrolyte distributor having a first side and a second side, each of said sides of said first electrolyte distributor having an electrolyte rib, said electrolyte rib of said first side of said first electrolyte distributor providing sealing for a first air electrode electrolyte inlet, said first air electrode electrolyte contacting surface and a first air electrode electrolyte outlet;
said electrolyte rib of said second side of said first electrolyte distributor providing sealing for a first hydrogen electrode electrolyte inlet, said first hydrogen electrode electrolyte contacting surface and a first hydrogen electrode electrolyte outlet;
said second electrolyte distributor having a first side and a second side, each of said sides of said second electrolyte distributor having an electrolyte rib, said electrolyte rib of said first side of said second electrolyte distributor providing sealing for a second air electrode electrolyte inlet, said second air electrode electrolyte contacting surface and a second air electrode electrolyte outlet; and
said electrolyte rib of said second side of said second electrolyte distributor providing sealing for a second hydrogen electrode electrolyte inlet, said second hydrogen electrode electrolyte contacting surface and a second hydrogen electrode electrolyte outlet.
4. The fuel cell of claim 3,
said gas diffuser having a first side and a second side, each of said first and second gas diffuser sides having a hydrogen rib, said hydrogen rib of said first side of said gas diffuser providing sealing for a first hydrogen electrode hydrogen inlet, said first hydrogen electrode hydrogen contacting surface and a first hydrogen electrode hydrogen outlet; and
said hydrogen rib of said second side of said gas diffuser providing sealing for a second hydrogen electrode hydrogen inlet, said second hydrogen electrode hydrogen contacting surface and a second hydrogen electrode hydrogen outlet.
5. The fuel cell of claim 2, each of said electrolyte distributors having a plurality of pins disposed between each of said electrolyte distributors and each of said electrodes, said pins providing structural support and uniform spacing between each of said electrodes and each of said electrolyte distributors.
6. The fuel cell of claim 5, said gas diffuser having a plurality of pins disposed between said gas diffuser and each of said hydrogen electrodes, said pins providing structural support and uniform spacing between each of said hydrogen electrodes and said gas diffuser.
7. The fuel cell of claim 4, said bi-cell further comprising an elastomeric material bonded between each of said electrolyte distributors and each of said electrodes and between said gas diffuser and each of said hydrogen electrodes, said elastomeric material providing mechanical support and each of said ribs providing sealing for said elastomeric material.
8. The fuel cell of claim 6, said bi-cell further comprising an elastomeric material bonded between each of said electrolyte distributors and each of said electrodes and between said gas diffuser and each of said hydrogen electrodes, said elastomeric material providing mechanical support and each of said ribs providing sealing for said elastomeric material.
9. The fuel cell of claims 7 or 8, said elastomeric material comprising a compound of EPDM and polypropylene.
10. The fuel cell of claim 2, said fuel cell further comprising a first end plate and a second endplate, each of said at least one bi-cell disposed in series between said first endplate and said second endplate.
11. The fuel cell of claim 2, said fuel cell further comprising at least one steel belt, said at least one steel belt securing a plurality of bi-cells in series between said first endplate and said second endplate.
12. The fuel cell of claim 9, said fuel cell comprising a plurality of bi-cells stacked in series and wherein adjacent bi-cells are connected by means of mating tongue and groove combinations, said tongue and groove combinations interconnecting hydrogen gas flow holes, electrolyte flow holes and through holes of said bi-cells.
13. The fuel cell of claim 4, each of said electrolyte distributors having at least one mechanical restraint, each mechanical restraint having a mechanical restraint rib on each side of each of said electrolyte distributor.
14. The fuel cell of claim 1, wherein each of said air contacting surfaces of said air electrodes are adjacent an air flow-through passageway.
15. The fuel cell of claim 1, each of said air electrodes, each of said hydrogen electrodes, each of said electrolyte distributors and said gas diffuser having at least one mechanical restraint hole.
16. The fuel cell of claim 10, said first end plate having a hydrogen inlet and an electrolyte inlet and said second end plate having a hydrogen outlet and an electrolyte outlet.
17. The fuel cell of claim 1, further comprising:
a hydrogen supply subsystem; and
a protective casing.
18. The fuel cell of claim 17, wherein said hydrogen supply subsystem is in gaseous communication with said fuel cell stack, said hydrogen supply subsystem being adapted to receive a supply of hydrogen from at least one hydrogen storage container and distribute said supply of hydrogen to said fuel cell stack.
19. The fuel cell of claim 17, wherein said hydrogen storage containers are adapted to store hydrogen in a liquid form, gaseous form, a chemical hydride form, and a metal hydride form.
20. The fuel cell of claim 17, wherein said hydrogen storage containers are adapted to store hydrogen in a metal hydride form.
21. A method of making a fuel cell having at least one bi-cell, comprising:
disposing a first hydrogen electrode having a hydrogen contacting surface and an electrolyte contacting surface;
disposing a second hydrogen electrode having a hydrogen contacting surface and an electrolyte contacting surface, said hydrogen contacting surface of said first hydrogen electrode disposed adjacent to said hydrogen contacting surface of said second hydrogen electrode;
disposing a first air electrode having an air contacting surface and an electrolyte contacting surface, said electrolyte contacting surface of said first air electrode disposed adjacent to said electrolyte contacting surface of said first hydrogen electrode;
disposing a second air electrode having an air contacting surface and an electrolyte contacting surface, said electrolyte contacting surface of said second air electrode disposed adjacent to said electrolyte contacting surface of said second hydrogen electrode; and
disposing a first electrolyte distributor disposed between said electrolyte contacting surface of said first air electrode and said electrolyte contacting surface of said first hydrogen electrode;
disposing a second electrolyte distributor disposed between said electrolyte contacting surface of said second air electrode and said electrolyte contacting surface of said second hydrogen electrode;
disposing a gas diffuser disposed between said hydrogen contacting surface of said first hydrogen electrode and said hydrogen contacting surface of said second hydrogen electrode;
setting said first and second hydrogen electrodes, said first and second air electrodes, said first and second electrolyte distributors and said hydrogen diffuser into a bi-cell mold; and
injecting an elastomeric material into said bi-cell mold, said elastomeric material providing mechanical support for said bi-cell and providing access for air to contact each of said air electrodes.
22. The method of claim 21, said bi-cell further comprising:
said first electrolyte distributor having a first side and a second side, each of said sides of said first electrolyte distributor having an electrolyte rib, said electrolyte rib of said first side of said first electrolyte distributor providing sealing for a first air electrode electrolyte inlet, said first air electrode electrolyte contacting surface and a first air electrode electrolyte outlet;
said electrolyte rib of said second side of said first electrolyte distributor providing sealing for a first hydrogen electrode electrolyte inlet, said first hydrogen electrode electrolyte contacting surface and a first hydrogen electrode electrolyte outlet;
said second electrolyte distributor having a first side and a second side, each of said sides of said second electrolyte distributor having an electrolyte rib, said electrolyte rib of said first side of said second electrolyte distributor providing sealing for a second air electrode electrolyte inlet, said second air electrode electrolyte contacting surface and a second air electrode electrolyte outlet; and
said electrolyte rib of said second side of said second electrolyte distributor providing sealing for a second hydrogen electrode electrolyte inlet, said second hydrogen electrode electrolyte contacting surface and a second hydrogen electrode electrolyte outlet.
23. The method of claim 22, said bi-cell further comprising:
said gas diffuser having a first side and a second side, each of said first and second gas diffuser sides having a hydrogen rib, said hydrogen rib of said first side of said gas diffuser providing sealing for a first hydrogen electrode hydrogen inlet, said first hydrogen electrode hydrogen contacting surface and a first hydrogen electrode hydrogen outlet; and
said hydrogen rib of said second side of said gas diffuser providing sealing for a second hydrogen electrode hydrogen inlet, said second hydrogen electrode hydrogen contacting surface and a second hydrogen electrode hydrogen outlet.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising disposing a plurality of pins between each of said electrolyte distributors and each of said electrodes, said disposing of said pins providing structural support and uniform spacing between each of said electrodes and each of said electrolyte distributors during said injecting of elastomeric material.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising disposing a plurality of pins between said gas diffuser and each of said hydrogen electrodes, said disposing of said pins providing structural support and uniform spacing between each of said hydrogen electrodes and said gas diffuser during said injecting of elastomeric material.
26. The method of claim 21, each of said first and second hydrogen electrodes, each of said first and second air electrodes, each of said first and second electrolyte distributors and said hydrogen diffuser having at least one mechanical restraint, each of said mechanical restraints aligned to receive a retractable pin.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising inserting said retractable pin through each of said mechanical restraints, each of said retractable pins providing secure alignment of each of said first and second hydrogen electrodes, each of said first and second air electrodes, each of said first and second electrolyte distributors and said hydrogen diffuser during said injecting.
28. The method of claim 24, said fuel cell comprising a plurality of bi-cells stacked in series and wherein adjacent bi-cells are connected by means of mating tongue and groove combinations, said tongue and groove combinations interconnecting hydrogen gas flow holes and electrolyte flow holes of said bi-cells.
29. The method of claim 21, said injecting comprising injecting said elastomeric material through at least one flow channel in said bi-cell mold.
30. The method of claim 21, each of said electrodes having a current collector grid.
31. The method of claim 30, further comprising setting a loose insert into said bi-cell mold, said loose insert restricting the flow of elastomeric material into contact with each of said current collector grids during said injecting.
32. The method of claim 21, further comprising controlling the internal temperature of said mold.
33. The method of claim 32, further comprising maintaining the internal temperature of said mold at a sufficiently high level to enable said elastomeric material to flow evenly throughout said mold.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A marking and tracing tool comprising a casing having an elongate plane first bearing face and an elongate plane second bearing face that are mutually perpendicular and extend in respective longitudinal directions, having at least a first laser beam generator adapted to generate a first laser beam in the first longitudinal direction, and having one or more air levels adapted to check that a bearing face is horizontal, said tool further comprising retractable linear marking means adapted to be deployed in the second longitudinal direction, thereby extending the second bearing face, and to be retracted into the casing, by winding them onto a spool in the casing,
wherein the retractable linear marking means consist of a tracing cord wound on the spool and associated with a container of tracing powder through which it passes between the spool and an exit orifice in the vicinity of the distal end of the second bearing face,
and wherein the tool comprises two air levels with the first air level oriented for checking that the first bearing face is horizontal in the first longitudinal direction and the second air level oriented for checking that the first bearing face is horizontal in the transverse direction.
2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the first laser beam generator is adapted to generate a flat laser beam in the median longitudinal plane containing the two longitudinal directions in order to trace a line of laser light on a plane surface on which the first bearing face is resting.
3. The tool according to claim 1, further comprising a second laser beam generator adapted to generate a second laser beam along the second longitudinal direction in order to mark a point on a distant surface.
4. The tool according to claim 1, comprising a handle in the acute angle between the bearing faces.
5. The tool according to claim 4, wherein the handle is annular and offset towards the first bearing face and the spool onto which the retractable linear marking means are wound is offset towards the second bearing face.
6. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the bearing faces have a dovetail-shaped cross section, their surface having a width greater than that of the central portion of the casing and being connected to the central portion of the casing by oblique re-entrant facets to which can be fixed accessories for fixing the tool against a wall or other support.
7. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the bearing faces comprise, integrated into their thickness, fixing elements comprising magnets or suckers with stops for fixing to metal surfaces or smooth surfaces, respectively.
8. The tool according to claim 1, having a face at 45\xb0 which extends from the free end of the second bearing face in the direction of the free end of the first bearing face.
9. The tool according to claim 1, having linear graduations provided along at least one edge of the bearing faces.
10. The tool according to claim 1, wherein an angular graduation is provided on a lateral face of the casing centered on the intersection of the bearing faces, and a transverse notch is provided at the intersection of the bearing faces.
11. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the spool is driven in rotation by a handle that the user can operate to wind in and thereby retract the retractable linear marking means.
12. A marking and tracing tool comprising a casing having an elongate plane first bearing face and an elongate plane second bearing face that are mutually perpendicular and extend in respective longitudinal directions, having at least a first laser beam generator adapted to generate a first laser beam in the first longitudinal direction, and having one or more air levels adapted to check that a bearing face is horizontal, said tool further comprising retractable linear marking means adapted to be deployed in the second longitudinal direction, thereby extending the second bearing face, and to be retracted into the casing, by winding them onto a spool in the casing,
wherein the first laser beam generator is adapted to generate a flat laser beam in the median longitudinal plane containing the two longitudinal directions in order to trace a line of laser light on a plane surface on which the first bearing face is resting.
13. A marking and tracing tool comprising a casing having an elongate plane first bearing face and an elongate plane second bearing face that are mutually perpendicular and extend in respective longitudinal directions, having at least a first laser beam generator adapted to generate a first laser beam in the first longitudinal direction, and having one or more air levels adapted to check that a bearing face is horizontal, said tool further comprising retractable linear marking means adapted to be deployed in the second longitudinal direction, thereby extending the second bearing face, and to be retracted into the casing, by winding them onto a spool in the casing,
wherein the tool comprises two air levels with the first air level oriented for checking that the first bearing face is horizontal in the first longitudinal direction and the second air level oriented for checking that the first bearing face is horizontal in the transverse direction.