Patent ID: 9705145
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: B01J,C01B,H01M,Y02B,Y02E

Claim:
1. A hydrogen generator for a fuel cell comprising: a reaction chamber containing a fuel comprising a hydrogen containing material capable of releasing hydrogen gas when heated, said reaction chamber having an outlet for removal of hydrogen gas, a biasing member, a heating element and a retainer configured to permit egress of spent fuel there through; wherein the biasing member is positioned to maintain constant contact between the fuel and at least one of the heating element and the retainer; wherein the retainer bisects the reaction chamber so that the biasing member and fuel are disposed on opposite sides of the retainer; wherein the biasing member, heating element and retainer are wholly contained within the reaction chamber; wherein the reaction chamber further comprises a hollow tube located along a central axis of the reaction chamber and configured to facilitate transport of hydrogen gas to the outlet, the hollow tube provided with inlets along its length for hydrogen gas collection and transport; wherein the biasing member is configured to cooperate with the hollow tube by being wrapped around an outer surface of the hollow tube or by being encased within the hollow tube, so that the hollow tube effectively acts as a guide to further control the movement of the retainer and the heating element in response to force exerted by the biasing member; and wherein the reaction chamber further comprises retention grooves or protrusions formed along the interior of the reaction chamber, the retention grooves or protrusions configured such that, once the retainer, the heating element, or both are pushed to a retention position, the retainer, the heating element, or both are prevented from sliding out of the retention position, irrespective of the action of the biasing member.