Diaphragm pump for a fuel cell system

摘要

A method of supplying fuel to a fuel cell system wherein a flexible diaphragm controls ingress and egress of liquid reactant. The method utilizes a pump assembly including a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The first subassembly includes a fluid conduit; an inlet fluidly coupled to the liquid reactant dispenser and the fluid conduit; an outlet fluidly coupled to a reaction chamber and the fluid conduit; and a diaphragm, defining a portion of the fluid conduit, that flexes to pump the liquid reactant from the inlet to the outlet. The diaphragm preferably includes an actuation point coupled to the diaphragm, wherein the liquid reactant is substantially contained within the first subassembly during pumping. The second subassembly is couplable to the first subassembly, and is fluidly isolated from the liquid reactant wherein operation of the actuator causes diaphragm flexion.

主权项

1. A method of supplying fuel to operate a fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cartridge including a liquid reactant dispenser containing a liquid reactant and a reaction chamber distinct from the liquid reactant dispenser, a pump assembly including: a first subassembly including: a fluid conduit, an inlet fluidly coupled to the liquid reactant dispenser and the fluid conduit, an outlet fluidly coupled to the reaction chamber and the fluid conduit, a diaphragm that defines a portion of the fluid conduit and that flexes to pump the liquid reactant from the inlet to the outlet, and an actuation point coupled to the diaphragm; wherein the liquid reactant is substantially contained within the first subassembly during pumping; and, a second subassembly, couplable to the first subassembly and fluidly isolated from the liquid reactant, the second subassembly including an actuator that couples to the actuation point, wherein operation of the actuator causes diaphragm flexion;
flexing the diaphragm between a flexed and unflexed state; and, wherein the flexed state creates a positive pressure within the fluid conduit so as to facilitate the egress of the liquid reactant from the outlet, and the unflexed state creates a negative pressure within the fluid conduit the facilitate ingress of liquid reactant from the inlet.