Patent ID: 7316857

Claim:
A miniature electrochemical gas generator comprising: an elongated plastic tube member having non-electrical conducting properties; said plastic tube member having a top end, a bottom end, an interior chamber, an outer diameter D1, an inner diameter D2 and a length L1; a top end cap having a first tubular sleeve closed by a top end wall; said first tubular sleeve having an inner surface and an inner diameter D3; said top end cap being made of metal and having electrical conducting properties; wherein said top end cap functions as a current collector; a gas release port being formed in said top end wall for releasing gases; a bottom end cap having a second tubular sleeve closed by a bottom end wall; said second tubular sleeve having an inner diameter D3; said bottom end cap being made of metal and having electrical conducting properties; wherein said bottom end cap functions as a current collector; an electrochemical cell module having a first electrode and a second electrode; said electrochemical cell module being positioned within said bottom end cap with said first electrode being in electrical contact with said bottom end cap; a gas permeable membrane having a bottom surface and an outer diameter substantially equal to D3 that seals said gas permeable membrane against the inner surface of said first tubular sleeve of said top end cap and wherein said gas permeable membrane is positioned in said top end cap adjacent to said top end wall; a metallic retaining ring having a central aperture; said metallic retaining ring having a top surface, a bottom surface and an outer diameter substantially equal to D3 and wherein said metallic retaining ring is positioned in said top end cap adjacent to said gas permeable membrane; said metallic retaining ring being in electrical contact with said top end cap; an elongated metal wire having a top end and a bottom end; said metal wire being positioned within said plastic tube member with said top end being in electrical contact with said top end cap and said bottom end being in electrical contact with said second electrode of said electrochemical cell module; and a predetermined amount of carboxylic acid solution in said interior chamber of said plastic tube member.