Electrolysis: processes – compositions used therein – and methods – Electrolytic synthesis – Involving fuel cell
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-13
2004-08-03
Valentine, Donald R. (Department: 1742)
Electrolysis: processes, compositions used therein, and methods
Electrolytic synthesis
Involving fuel cell
C205S637000, C204S265000, C204S266000, C204S277000, C204S278000, C204S290010, C204S270000, C204S292000, C429S010000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06770186
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to rechargeable hydrogen-fueled motor vehicles as well as to systems and methods for recharging hydrogen-fueled motor vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following U.S. Patents and other patent documents are believed to represent the current state of the art: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,223,843; 6,162,267; 6,105,004; 6,104,939; 6,099,522; 6,091,884; 6,085,576; 6,081,612; 6,081,558; 6,031,585; 5,975,416; 5,968,325; 5,933,813; 5,880,449; 5,846,669; 5,833,934; 5,833,934; 5,762,658; 5,753,900; 5,572,653; 5,553,412; 5,539,393; 5,514,353; 5,457,307; 5,382,779; 5,372,617; 5,361,871; 5,345,071; 5,313,569; 5,119,768; 5,089,107; 5,019,811; 4,782,219; 4,766,295; 4,760,248; 4,737,161; 4,521,677; 4,409,470; 4,387,297; 4,139,149; 4,041,221; 4,002,886; 3,876,470; 3,669,751; 3,607,427; 3,080,440; JP 2000152857; DE 19840248; DE 19840251; EP 974918A2; AU 9923674; FR 2778775; FR 2772529; FR 2778775; SE 9103048; GB 2249854; EP 0837439; WO 95/22798; WO 98/00819; WO 98/32115; WO 99/65288; WO 96/32683; WO 98/32115.
The present applicant/assignee is the proprietor of the following issued patents and patent applications:
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,880,449; 5,933,813; 6,105,004; 4,113,921.
US Patent Application Nos. U.S. Ser. No. 09/147,422, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,396; Ser. No. 08/839,838, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,004; Ser. No. 08/632,576, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,813; Ser. No. 08/699,375 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,449.
PCT-IL-97/00339 and PCT-IL-97/00192.
WO 98/00819; WO 96/32683.
Reference is also made to:
“A Methanol Impermeable Proton Conducting Composite Electrolyte System”, Cong Pu et al, Journal of the Electrochemical Society Vol. 142, No. 7 July 1995;
“PT2000 Portable Terminal”, pp 1-2; http://www.percon.com/html/pt2000.htm
Buckle, J (editor) “Sending Out Clear Signals”, European Supermarkets. March/April 1999, pp 26-32; and
Research Disclosure 34494, “Electronic Price Tag”, Anonymous, December 1992. pp 969.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide improved hydrogen-fueled motor vehicles as well as systems and methods for recharging hydrogen-fueled motor vehicles.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a hydrogen-fueled motor vehicle, which includes at least one hydrogen-fueled locomotion subsystem and at least one refuelable hydrogen generator operative to supply hydrogen fuel to the hydrogen-fueled locomotion subsystem on demand. The refuelable hydrogen generator includes at least one electrochemical reactor operative to generate the hydrogen fuel from water on demand; and a refueling subsystem providing at least one of water, electrolyte, hydrogen, a metal containing material and electrical power to the electrochemical reactor.
There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a hydrogen-fueled motor vehicle, which includes at least one hydrogen-fueled locomotion subsystem, at least one hydrogen generator operative to supply hydrogen fuel to the hydrogen-fueled locomotion subsystem, the hydrogen generator including an electrochemical reactor operative to generate the hydrogen fuel from water on demand and a refueling subsystem enabling at least one of water, electrolyte, hydrogen, metal, electrical power and a replacement hydrogen generator to be provided to the vehicle.
There is further provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a hydrogen-fueled motor vehicle system, which includes at least one hydrogen-fueled motor vehicle. The motor vehicle includes a hydrogen-fueled locomotion subsystem and a hydrogen generator operative to supply hydrogen fuel to the hydrogen-fueled locomotion subsystem, the hydrogen generator including an electrochemical reactor operative to generate the hydrogen fuel from water on demand and a refueling subsystem enabling at least one of water, electrolyte, hydrogen, metal, electrical power and a replacement hydrogen generator to be provided to the vehicle.
There is further provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for recharging a hydrogen-fueled motor vehicle, which includes at least one hydrogen-fueled locomotion subsystem, at least one refuelable hydrogen generator operative to supply hydrogen fuel to the hydrogen-fueled locomotion subsystem on demand. The refuelable hydrogen generator includes an electrochemical reactor operative to generate the hydrogen fuel from water on demand. The method includes supplying at least one of water, electrolyte, hydrogen, a metal containing material and electrical power to the electrochemical reactor.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the hydrogen-fueled locomotion subsystem includes a fuel cell and an electrical motor powered thereby.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the hydrogen-fueled motor vehicle also includes a water recycler operative to supply water produced by the locomotion subsystem to the refuelable hydrogen generator.
Preferably, the hydrogen-fueled locomotion subsystem includes an internal combustion engine.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the hydrogen-fueled motor vehicle further includes an operator controlled hydrogen-fuel generation controller which is operative in response to an input from a vehicle operator for determining the quantity of hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator at a given time.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the hydrogen generator includes at least one hydrophobic cathode including at least one of a Teflon coating, layer and binder.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the cathode is operative as a hydrogen-generating and as a hydrogen-consuming electrode.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the refueling subsystem is operative to recharge at least one refuelable hydrogen generator while at least one other refuelable hydrogen generator is operative to supply hydrogen fuel to the hydrogen-fueled locomotion subsystem
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the electrical power is provided by solar cells.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the electric power is provided by regenerative braking.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the electric power is provided to the electrochemical reactors while at least one of the electrochemical reactors is generating hydrogen.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the electrochemical reactor is replaceable.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the hydrogen generator includes at least one anode and wherein the anode is replaceable. Preferably, the anode includes at least one of powder, granules and coated particles.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the electrochemical reactor includes a slowly consumable anode and a quickly consumable electrolyte.
Typically the slowly consumed anode includes at least one of aluminum and aluminum alloy and wherein the electrolyte includes at least one of an alkaline electrolyte based on potassium hydroxide solution and a halide electrolyte based on aluminum chloride solution.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the hydrogen-fueled locomotion system includes at least one electric motor and at least one fuel cell that provided electric power to the electric motor.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the electrochemical reactor is operative to provide hydrogen to a hydrogen buffer tank and the hydrogen buffer tank is operative to provide hydrogen to the hydrogen-fueled locomotion system.
Typically the electrochemical reactor includes a water-based fuel and includes a salt selected from a group includ
Goldstein Jonathan Russell
Rosenfeld Oren
Sandeerman Nimrod
Eldat Communication Ltd.
Ladas & Parry
Valentine Donald R.
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