OXYGEN (AIR)-HYDROGEN FUEL CELL Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: electrical engineering; fuel cells for various applications including vehicles. SUBSTANCE: fuel cell has gas-diffusion hydrogen electrode with hydrogen box, gas-diffusion oxygen (air) electrode with oxygen (air) box, and electrolyte disposed between hydrogen and oxygen (air) electrodes. Hydrogen electrode includes metal-hydride alloy; oxy-nickel electrode is inserted between hydrogen and oxygen (air) electrodes; alkali electrolyte is used in fuel cell. Oxy-nickel electrode may be isolated from hydrogen and oxygen (air) electrodes by means of separators. Oxy-nickel electrode may be designed for electrical connection to oxygen (air) electrode through switch. Oxy-nickel electrode porosity may range between 50 and 80% at relative electrolyte resistance of 1.5 to 8. Metal-hydride alloy is placed on hydrogen electrode surface facing hydrogen box; charging capacitance of oxy-nickel electrode is consistent with hydrogen capacitance of metal-hydride alloy. EFFECT: enhanced specific characteristics and service life of fuel cell. 8 cl, 1 dwg