Abstract:
The present invention is an assembly for transporting, storing, and delivering a fuel such that a compromise to the containment of the fuel is readily recognized.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/162,503 as filed Mar. 23, 2009. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND ON THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The present invention relates generally to fuel cartridges for fuel cells and heaters, and more particularly this invention relates to disposable and refillable fuel cartridges. This invention also relates to fuel cartridges for heaters and direct methanol fuel cells. 
         [0007]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0008]    Fuel cells are devices that directly convert chemical energy of reactants, i.e., fuel and oxidant, into direct current (DC) electricity. For an increasing number of applications, fuel cells are more efficient than conventional power generation, such as combustion of fossil fuel and more efficient than portable power storage, such as lithium-ion batteries. 
         [0009]    In general, fuel cell technologies include a variety of different fuel cells, including alkali fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, and solid oxide fuel cells. Today&#39;s more important fuel cells can be divided into three general categories, namely; fuel cells utilizing compressed hydrogen (H 2 ) as fuel; proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells that use methanol (CH 3 OH) reformed into hydrogen as fuel′ and PEM fuel cells that use methanol (CH 3 OH) fuel directly (also known as “direct methanol fuel cells” or DMFC). Compressed hydrogen is generally kept under high pressure, and is therefore difficult to handle. Furthermore, large storage tanks are typically required, and cannot be made sufficiently small for consumer electronic devices. On the other hand, fuel cells using methanol reformats require reformers and other vaporization and auxiliary systems thereby increasing the size and complexity of methanol-reformat based fuel cells. DMFC is the simplest and potentially smallest fuel cell, and holds the most promising power application for consumer electronic devices. 
         [0010]    What is desired is a safer and more economical means for storing, transporting, and delivering methanol fuel such that any damage to a device storing, transporting, and delivering methanol that compromises the containment of the methanol is readily recognized. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include an assembly for transportation, storage and delivery of fuel for heating, cooling, fuel cell, thermo-electric and other applications. However the exemplary assemblies herein may also be used with other liquid chemicals as well. 
         [0012]    Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include an assembly having only one enclosure. In other exemplary embodiments, a second enclosure may be included inside a first enclosure. Or, multiple inner enclosures may be used as needed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a front face of present invention having only one sealed enclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a cut-away side view along line A of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of another exemplary embodiment of a perspective view of the exterior of the present invention having only one sealed enclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a front face of present invention having more than one inner sealed enclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a cut-away side view along line A of  FIG. 4  and showing an inner enclosure and an outer enclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of another exemplary embodiment of a perspective view of the exterior of the present invention having more than one inner sealed enclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a front face of present invention having more than one inner sealed enclosure and an inner sponge. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a cut-away side view along line A of  FIG. 7  and showing an inner sealed enclosure, a middle enclosure, and an outer enclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of another exemplary embodiment of a perspective view of the exterior of the present invention having more than one inner sealed enclosure and an inner sponge. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a cut-away side view of the present invention having two inner enclosures sealed by the outer enclosure. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
       [0024]    In reference to the drawings, similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout all the drawings. The following is a list of the reference characters and associated element: 
         [0025]      10  Fuel cartridge 
         [0026]      20  Outer enclosure 
         [0027]      30  Inner enclosure 
         [0028]      35  Middle enclosure 
         [0029]      40  Absorbent 
         [0030]      50  Fuel 
         [0031]      55  Pressurization means 
         [0032]      60  Inlet/Outlet 
         [0033]      70  Vent 
         [0034]      75  Connector 
         [0035]      80  Area for rupture 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an assembly for transporting, storing, and/or delivering fuel may be comprised of a single sealed enclosure. Such exemplary embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0037]    In the exemplary embodiments in which the assembly is composed of a single sealed outer enclosure  20 . The enclosure may be composed of one or more soft or rigid plastics, or any other materials that are nonreactive to an associated fuel stored within the enclosures. A preferred material for the composition of the enclosure would be, self sealing, able to prevent leakage, or slow down leaking in case the enclosure is damaged. The assembly could be equipped with at least one inlet/outlet  60 . Vents  70  or other inlet/outlet  60 , if required, can be constructed and positioned as desired in similar manner as the outlets. 
         [0038]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , fuel  50  is sealed inside the sealed outer enclosure  20  during manufacturing of the assembly. The illustrated exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  also includes three inlets/outlets  60  and/or vent  70  having connectors  75  attached and securely sealed on the outer enclosure  20 . The inlet/outlet  60  and/or vent  70  may be positioned anywhere on the outer enclosure  20  as needed or desired. The actual number of inlet/outlet  60  and/or vent  70  connectors may vary. The inlet/outlet  60  and/or vent  70  may be used, for example, for venting, assisting in the outlet of fuel, being a main outlet of fuel, being an inlet for adding fuel, or a combination thereof. Though the Figures illustrate all of the inlet/outlets  60  and/or vents  70  identically, they need not be identical, and it may even be preferable that they differ in order that they are properly connected. This can also be achieved via a single, multi ported connector, side by side and/or coaxial in design. 
         [0039]    In other exemplary embodiments, the assembly may have an inner enclosure  30  within an outer enclosure  20 . Such exemplary embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 . 
         [0040]    The second sealed enclosure allows fuel  50  to be placed within two sealed enclosures in order to substantially diminish the potential for spill, increase evidence of a spill, pressurize the contained fuel, etc. The fuel is normally stored in the inner enclosure  30 , but the fuel can be contained between the inner enclosure  30  and the outer enclosure  20 . 
         [0041]    Both the inner enclosure  30  and the outer enclosure  20  may be composed of one or more soft or rigid plastics, or any other materials that are nonreactive to the associated fuel and depending upon the use of the specific design. A preferred material for the composition of both enclosures would be, self sealing, able to prevent leakage, or slow down leaking in case an enclosure is damaged. 
         [0042]    If the fuel is stored between the inner enclosure  30  and the outer enclosure  20 , then the inner enclosure  30  can be used to install the pressurization means  55 . The fuel can be delivered in a controlled way by the pressurization means  55 . 
         [0043]    If the fuel is stored in the inner enclosure  30 , an absorbent material may be placed between the inner enclosure  30  and the outer enclosure  20  for leakage protection. The absorbent material can be porous glass fiber, Instr-Snow powder partially filled with water, chemicals which solidify when in contact with fuel, toxicity neutralizing means if fuel is toxic, fire retardant, foaming agents, or any material which would serve for these purposes. 
         [0044]    Additionally, if the fuel is stored in the inner enclosure  30 , a pressurization means  55  in the form of, for example, a spring, a sponge, a gas producing chemical reaction, etc. may be placed between the inner enclosure  30  and the outer enclosure  20  in order to deliver the fuel out of the enclosure to the application. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate an exemplary embodiment in which an inner enclosure is sealed within an outer enclosure. Fuel  50  is sealed inside the inner enclosure  30 , preferably during manufacturing. A fuel inlet/outlet  60  may be attached and securely sealed on the inner enclosure  30 , shown at arbitrary location. There may or may not be a hole into the inner enclosure  30 . The inlet/outlet  60  goes through the outer enclosure  20  and absorbent  40 . If required, the inlet/outlet  60  can be sealed on the outer enclosure  20  as well. Between the inner enclosure  30  and the outer enclosure  20  is the absorbent  40 . The absorbent  40  functions to assist in substantially limiting leaking of the fuel  50  and may provide evidence of actual leaking of the fuel from the inner enclosure  30 . If fuel  50  leaks by, for example, puncture, the absorbent  40  will hinder the fuel either physically or chemically to reduce or eliminate a fuel spill outside of the outer enclosure  20 . As in  FIG. 1 , the assembly could be equipped with more than one inlet/outlet  60  connectors and or vents  70  as needed at any locations, connected to any enclosure of the assembly. 
         [0046]    In other exemplary embodiments, the assembly may have multiple inner sealed enclosures within the outer enclosure  20 . Such exemplary embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 . 
         [0047]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , there can be, for example, two inner sealed enclosures, an inner enclosure  30  and a middle enclosure  35 . The middle enclosure  35  may be for pressurization, and the inner enclosure  30  may be for fuel. Or, in another embodiment, the middle enclosure  35  can be used to store fuel, the inner enclosure  30  may be for pressurization, and the outer enclosure  20  may be for leakage prevention. However, the enclosures can be used in any order and there is not a limit, per se, on the number of inner enclosures that the design or assembly may have. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate an exemplary embodiment having two inner sealed enclosures. Fuel  50  may be sealed in the inner enclosure  30 , preferably during manufacturing. Between the inner enclosure  30  and the middle enclosure  35  may be a compressed sponge, or other pressurization means  55 , here held compressed by a vacuum. The absorbent  40  is placed between the middle enclosure  35  and the outer enclosure  20  for leak prevention and or detection and or detoxification and or reduction. An inlet/outlet  60  is attached and securely sealed on the inner enclosure  30 , to allow the fuel to be used out of the inner enclosure  30 , shown at arbitrary location. The inlet/outlet  60  goes through the outer enclosure  20 , absorbent  40 , middle enclosure  35 , and pressurization means  55 . If required, the inlet/outlet  60  can be sealed on one or more of the outer enclosures. A vent  70  is sealed to the middle enclosure  35 . This vent  70  goes through the outer enclosure  20  and the absorbent  40 , and may be sealed to the outer enclosure  20  as needed. The vent  70  sealed to the middle enclosure  35  is opened during use to gradually allow air or other gas to fill the sponge allowing it to expand and hence pressurize the fuel. Another exemplary embodiment would have the fuel between the middle enclosure  35  and the inner enclosure  30  and the sponge, or other pressure creator would be contained in the inner enclosure  30 . 
         [0049]    As in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  could be equipped with more than one inlet/outlet  60  and or one or more vent  70  as needed at any locations in any enclosure of the assembly. 
         [0050]    When multiple enclosures are used the fuel  50 , absorbent  40  and pressurization means  55 , can each be placed in almost any of the sealed enclosures depending on numerous factors and intended uses. 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  illustrates that multiple inner enclosures  30  can be placed side by side within the outer enclosure  20  without the inner enclosures  30  being one inside the other as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The function of the pressurization means  55 , etc. is the same as with the inner enclosure  30  inside a middle enclosure  35  described above. However, the one or more vent  70  and inlet/outlets  60  do not need to be sealed when passing through the middle enclosure  35 . Therefore, depending on the application this may be more desirable. 
         [0052]    The absorbent material is preferably a fuel-loving material which can absorb many times its own weight in fuel. It can be a material chemically cross-linkable with the fuel, cellulose-like material (e.g., wood pulp, glass fiber) which holds and spreads fuel without chemical reaction or both. Another alternate can be a hydrophilic polymer and a fibrous material such as wood pulp which are partially saturated with water during fuel cartridge manufacturing. The methanol, or other type of fuel, will be absorbed in the hydrophilic absorbent with the aid of water once a leak occurs. The hydrophilic polymer can be, for example, sodium acrylate, potassium acrylate, alkyl acrylate, and the like. In case water is used as part of the absorbent, an acid chemical like vinegar, salt or some other mold prevention additives can be used to prevent mold appearance. The salt can be, for example, sodium chloride, potassium permanganate, and the like. Salt or other anti-freeze can be added for applications used below the freezing point. The Instr-Snow powder, or other absorber, partially filled with water, or if water itself is used as the absorber, not only acts as absorbent for fuel, but in this state it also helps prevent fire/combustion if leakage happens. As a water soluble fuel leaks into the water, or water enhanced absorber the fuel is diluted into the water and becomes less flammable. 
         [0053]    The absorbent material can also include other flame retardants such that a leak of fuel from the inner enclosure will mix with the flame retardant to reduce or eliminate the flammability of the fuel. 
         [0054]    The absorbent material may be comprised of substances that reduce or eliminate toxicity of the fuel or other fluid inside. For example, in the case of methanol, certain enzymes can be added to the absorbent such that in the case of a leak the enzymes break down the methanol through natural processes giving off nonflammable, nontoxic byproducts, such as, for example, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Other methods of detoxifying the fluid could also be employed. The exact methods are dependent upon the exact fluid to be detoxified. 
         [0055]    The enclosures can be bags, boxes, and the like of any shape. The materials can be rigid or breakable such as, for example, glass, hard plastic; or flexible such as, for example, plastics, rubber, and self sealing material. For example, polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) can be used as a flexible or rigid enclosure to contain fuel, absorbent, or pressurization means if such is the design. 
         [0056]    Another example is to use glass or otherwise breakable material as an inner enclosure and the outer enclosure could be made of soft or flexible materials. Fuel or other component is stored inside the glass enclosure during manufacturing. The inner sealed glass enclosure is broken by twist or other means just before use and the fuel or other material (such as a vinegar for one of the below pressurization methods) can be delivered into an outer cavity for the start of a chemical reaction or simply to make it available for use. 
         [0057]    The pressurization methods for the fuel may be, for example, gravity, sponge, spring, pump, chemical reaction, and the like. For example, by placing a vacuumed sponge (compressed, and held so by a bag or other enclosure sealed such that no air can get in) in an inner sealed enclosure, the vacuumed sponge can be used to pressurize the fuel once a vent valve is opened, or some part of the bag or an attachment thereto is cut or otherwise opened into the enclosure housing the sponge allowing air or other gas or liquid at a higher pressure than the internal vacuum of the enclosure holding the sponge to enter, thus allowing the sponge to expand providing pressure for the fuel. Alternatively the sponge&#39;s (or other pressurizing means  55 ) pressure could be released at time of manufacture and the fuel could be shipped under pressure. Another example for pressurizing the fuel is mixing vinegar or other acid with baking soda in a controlled way to produce carbon dioxide gas in an inner enclosure to pressurize the fuel. Another example for pressurizing fuel is by way of gravity. This can be accomplished by raising a portion of the assembly or by placing the assembly in a certain orientation causing the fuel enclosure to be higher than the point at which the fuel is used, the fuel could then be delivered in a favored controlled way. For another example a portion of a body&#39;s or product&#39;s mass, or the entire product&#39;s mass, could be used to pressurize the fuel. For example if one were heating a room with a liquid fueled space heater the flexible or partially moveable as a piston, for example, fuel enclosure could be placed on the bottom of the entire space heater, either designed and mounted on the bottom or placed under the unit by operator, thus allowing some or all of the mass of the entire heater to pressurize the fuel. The fuel enclosure could be placed higher, even on the top of the unit, and a rod (or other mechanical device) protruding from the bottom could transfer pressure up to the fuel enclosure. This pressure can be sufficient to push fuel up a fuel line to a point higher than the fuel enclosure for use. 
         [0058]    One embodiment, for example, places a vacuumed sponge  55  in an inner enclosure  30 , to which a sealed vent  70  is connected. The vacuumed sponge can be used to pressurize the fuel once the vent  70  is opened, or some part of the inner enclosure  30  or an attachment thereto is cut or otherwise opened to air or other gas or liquid at a higher pressure than the internal vacuum of the enclosure holding the sponge. 
         [0059]    For spill evidence, when the outer enclosure is partially or totally transparent or translucent, as examples, the fuel can be colored with dye, or some color change material like a PH indicator or colored beads coated with fuel soluble lacquer can be placed in the outer enclosure  20  with the absorbent material, or in a separated enclosure. In the lacquer example, the absorbent can be of a light color, perhaps white, while the lacquer is of a contrasting darker color, perhaps red. In the event of a spill the lacquer will dissolve into the fuel causing a noticeable discoloration on the absorbent. Some additives useful for PH indicator, if the fluid has a PH which will indicate, may be, for example, neutral red, methyl red, phenolphthalein, and the like. If the fuel leaks, the color should be evident through the transparent or translucent sealed enclosure containing the color change material. Another example, especially if the fuel is PH neutral, is to add a pH indicator material into the fuel and have a suitable acid or basic solution in the absorbent material of the outer enclosure  20 . If the fuel leaks, the pH indicator will react with a color in the absorbent material and should be visible through a transparent or translucent outer enclosure  20 . Or the mild acid or base could be added to the fuel and the pH indicator could be in the absorbent  40  material. 
         [0060]    The inlet/outlet  60  connectors and vents  70  can be constructed using a thread design, snap-in, toggle fastener, barbed connector, or other means. The inlet/outlet  60  connector can be sonic welded (or otherwise attached and sealed) to the enclosure without making a hole in the area for rupture  80  in the enclosure at time of manufacture so the fuel is substantially sealed in. The hole in the fuel enclosure can be created by puncture or otherwise at the time of use. This can be accomplished by the connector  75  being attached. Such connector may be of any means for removing fuel such as, for example, via an attached hose. This puncture or otherwise opening of the enclosure can be used on a fuel enclosure to reduce the chances of leak during shipment, etc. as well as other enclosures such as an enclosure containing a sponge in a vacuum for use as a pressurization means  55 , so that when the connector  75  is attached air or other fluid is allowed to enter the enclosure allowing the sponge to expand and pressurize the fuel. The inlet/outlet  60  can have flow selector. It this way the user can adjust the flow rate of the fuel based upon, for example the number of turns the treads are engaged. And any suitable pressurization system can be used to pressurize the fuel. Vents  70 , if required, can be constructed in similar manner as the inlet/outlet  60 . It may be advantageous, depending on the application, to have a check valve or other spill reduction system incorporated into inlet/outlets  60  and vents  70 . 
         [0061]    The assembly could be equipped with as many inlet/outlets  60 , and or as many vents  70  as needed at any locations on any enclosure of the assembly. 
         [0062]    Even though the combustion may complete, the product of carbon dioxide can be harmful to human body particularly for indoor application. It might be necessary to use materials such as, for example, ascarite or zeolite in the exhaust area to absorb carbon dioxide and then later release it outdoors. 
         [0063]    For consistency in descriptions the liquid to be shipped, stored, delivered, etc. via this invention has been referred to as “fuel”. The invention could be used for any number of liquids which pose some danger, etc. if leaked. Therefore, any occurrence of the word “fuel” can be interchanged with any liquid which could be protected by such an invention. 
         [0064]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.