POWER GENERATOR HAVING INTEGRATED MEMBRANE VALVE

摘要

A power generator includes a case having a surface with a perforation and a cavity containing a gas generating fuel. A membrane is supported by the case inside the cavity, the membrane having an impermeable valve plate positioned proximate the perforation, wherein the membrane is water vapor permeable and gas impermeable and flexes responsive to a difference in pressure between the cavity and outside the cavity to selectively allow water vapor to pass through the perforation to the fuel as a function of the difference in pressure. A fuel cell membrane is supported by the case and positioned to receive hydrogen at an anode side of the fuel cell membrane and to receive oxygen from outside the power generator at a cathode side of the fuel cell membrane.

主权项

1. A power generator comprising:
a case having a surface with a perforation and a cavity containing a gas generating fuel; a membrane supported by the case inside the cavity, the membrane having an impermeable valve plate positioned proximate the perforation, wherein the membrane is water vapor permeable and gas impermeable and flexes responsive to a difference in pressure between the cavity and outside the cavity to selectively allow water vapor to pass through the perforation to the fuel as a function of the difference in pressure; and a fuel cell membrane supported by the case and positioned to receive hydrogen at an anode side of the fuel cell membrane and to receive oxygen from outside the power generator at a cathode side of the fuel cell membrane.