Hydrogen storage cell

Patent 4599867 Issued on July 15, 1986. Estimated Expiration Date:

January 25, 2005. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

1966559

2426536

3075361

3732690

Methods of and apparatus for energy storage and utilization
Patent #: 4161211
Issued on: 07/17/1979
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Method and apparatus for providing increased thermal conductivity and heat capacity to a pressure vessel containing a hydride-forming metal material
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Inventor

Retallick, William B.

Application

No. 06/695073 filed on 01/25/1985

US Classes:

62/46.2, Mixing of substance with hydrogen123/533, Having a separate pump for the air or gas165/104.12, Reversible chemical reaction165/133, WITH COATED, ROUGHENED OR POLISHED SURFACE165/151, Side-by-side tubes traversing fin means165/182, With means spacing fins on structure423/248Hydrogen component

Examiners

Primary: Capossela, Ronald C.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Eilberg; William H.

International Classes

F17C 11/00 (20060101)
C01B 3/00 (20060101)

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to store hydrogen in the form of a metal hydride. The hydride is disposed on the surface of a plurality of metal fins which are attached to heat transfer tubes. The fins are closely spaced so that the weight of hydrogen stored per unit volume is high, approaching one pound per cubic foot. Because the formation of a metal hydride is quite exothermic, the rate of addition or removal of hydrogen to or from the hydride is limited by the ability of the apparatus to conduct heat to or from the hydride. The structure of the present invention provides for rapid heat transfer, so that the cell can be used in a heat pump, a hydrogen compressor, or to store hydrogen fuel for a vehicle. The invention includes embodiments wherein the heat transfer medium is either a liquid or a gas. The invention also comprises a new method of applying a metal or metal alloy, capable of forming a metal hydride, to a metal surface.