Fan flow sensor for proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell

Abstract

A fan flow sensor for a gas generating proton exchange member electrolysis cell includes a switching device and a sail disposed in communication with the switching device. The sail is pivotally mounted and movable in response to an airflow from a fan. The sail is further configured to actuate the switching device in response to the airflow from the fan.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A gas generating system, comprising: 
 a reactant source;    an electrolysis cell disposed in fluid communication with said reactant source;    an electrical source disposed in communication with said electrolysis cell; and    a ventilation system disposed in communication with said electrolysis cell, said ventilation system comprising, 
 a fan,  
 a sail disposed in operable communication with said fan, said sail being pivotally movable in response to an airflow from said fan, and  
 a switch disposed in operable communication with said sail and said electrical source.  
   
     
     
         2 . The gas generating system of  claim 1  wherein said switch comprises a magnetically actuatable reed switch.  
     
     
         3 . A hydrogen gas generator, comprising: 
 a proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell; and    a ventilation system disposed in fluid communication with said proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell, said ventilation system comprising, 
 a fan portion, said fan portion being configured to produce an airflow,  
 a switch disposed in electronic communication with said proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell, and  
 a sail configured to receive the airflow from said fan portion, said sail being pivotally movable in response to the airflow from said fan portion, said sail being disposed in actuatable communication with said switch, and said sail being configured to actuate said switch upon pivotal movement of said sail.  
   
     
     
         4 . The hydrogen gas generator of  claim 3  wherein said sail comprises a magnet disposed thereon, said magnet being actuatably communicable with said switch.  
     
     
         5 . The hydrogen gas generator of  claim 3  wherein said switch comprises a magnetically actuatable reed switch.  
     
     
         6 . A fan flow sensor, comprising: 
 a switching device; and    a sail disposed in communication with said switching device, said sail being pivotally mounted and configured to actuate said switching device in response to an airflow from a fan.    
     
     
         7 . The fan flow switch of  claim 6  wherein said switching device is mounted on a housing of the fan, said sail being pivotally mounted on the housing and pivotally movable in response to the airflow from the fan.  
     
     
         8 . The fan flow switch of  claim 7  wherein said sail is pivotally mounted on a hub of the housing.  
     
     
         9 . The fan flow switch of  claim 6  wherein said sail is pivotally mounted on a housing of the fan with a flexible adhesive member.  
     
     
         10 . The fan flow switch of  claim 6  further comprising a magnet disposed on a tab depending from a peripheral surface of said sail.  
     
     
         11 . The fan flow switch of  claim 10  wherein said switching device is actuatable in response to said magnet disposed on said sail.  
     
     
         12 . The fan flow switch of  claim 6  wherein said switching device is a reed switch.  
     
     
         13 . An electrolysis cell, comprising: 
 means for generating a gas from a reactant source; and    means for interrupting power to said means for generating hydrogen gas upon detection of a hydrogen gas leak.    
     
     
         14 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 12  wherein said means for interrupting power to said means for generating gas is a switching device, said switching device being magnetically actuatable in response to pivotal motion of a sail.