Hydrogen-Generating Fuel Cell Cartridges

Abstract

The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus and various pressure regulators or pressure-regulating valves. Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The transportation of a first fuel component to a second fuel component to generate of hydrogen occurs automatically depending on the pressure of a reaction chamber within the gas-generating apparatus. The pressure regulators and flow orifices are provided to regulate the hydrogen pressure and to minimize the fluctuation in pressure of the hydrogen received by the fuel cell. Connecting valves to connect the gas-generating apparatus to the fuel cell are also provided.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A valve for connecting a fuel supply to a device comprising:
 a first valve component connectable to one of either a fuel supply or a fuel cell, and a second valve component connectable to the other of either a fact supply or a fuel cell,   wherein each valve component comprises a housing and a biased slidable inner body, wherein the slidable inner body is biased toward a sealing surface to form an internal seal in each valve component, wherein during connection the first valve component and the second valve component form an inter-component seal at least before the internal seals open to create a fluid flow path through the valve, and   wherein at least one valve component comprises an extension member that extends out of the housing and is configured to be inserted into the other valve component.   
     
     
         20 . The valve of  claim 19 , wherein the extension member comprises an outer hollow tube and a rod disposed therein and the fluid flow path includes the space between the outer hollow tube and the rod. 
     
     
         21 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . The valve of  claim 20 , wherein the rod is connected to the slidable inner body. 
     
     
         47 . The valve of  claim 19 , wherein the sealing surface is a surface on a sealing member. 
     
     
         48 . The valve of  claim 19 , wherein the slidable body is elastomeric. 
     
     
         49 . The valve of  claim 20 , wherein the hollow tube and the rod are connected by spacers or ribs. 
     
     
         50 . The valve of  claim 19 , wherein a retainer is positioned on an interface end of one valve component, and wherein the retainer engages with a front sealing surface of the other valve component. 
     
     
         51 . A valve component comprising:
 a housing, a biased movable inner body positioned within the housing and an extension member that extends out of the housing, wherein the movable inner body is biased toward a sealing surface to form an internal seal in the valve component, wherein the internal seal is formed away from the extension member,   wherein the extension member comprises an outer hollow tube and a rod slidingly disposed therein and wherein the rod is connected to the movable inner body, and   wherein when the movable inner body is moved away from the sealing surface a fluid flow path is formed through the valve component, said fluid flow path includes a space between the outer hollow tube and the rod.   
     
     
         52 . The valve component of  claim 51 , wherein the biased movable inner body is elastomeric. 
     
     
         53 . The valve component of  claim 51  is adapted to connect to a second valve component, wherein during the connection the rod is pushed to move the movable inner body away from the sealing surface to form the flow path. 
     
     
         54 . The valve component of  claim 51  is adapted to connect to a second valve component, wherein during the connection the rod opens a second internal seal in the second valve component. 
     
     
         55 . The valve component of  claim 54 , wherein a second movable body biased toward a second sealing surface forms the second internal seal. 
     
     
         56 . The valve component of  claim 55 , wherein during the connection the rod is pushed by the second movable body to open the internal seal. 
     
     
         57 . The valve component of  claim 51  is adapted to connect to a second valve component having an internal seal, wherein during the connection an inter-component seal between the two valve components before at least one of the internal seals opens. 
     
     
         58 . The valve component of  claim 57 , wherein the inter-component seal is formed between the hollow tube and a sealing member on the second valve component.