Importance

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Abstract

A hydrogen fuel cell assembly including a hollow member having a construction effective for passing a hydrogen containing gas from its interior to its peripheral surface. An anode is disposed around the peripheral surface of the hollow member and a catalyst at or near the anode decomposes hydrogen molecules in the hydrogen containing gas into H+ ions. The H+ ions pass through an electrolyte member disposed around the anode. A cathode is disposed around the electrolyte member and a catalyst at or near the cathode decomposes oxygen molecules in an oxygen containing gas into oxygen atoms. H+ ions that pass through the electrolyte member react with the oxygen atoms to form water and to generate an electrical current in the anode and cathode system. A filament may be wound around the cathode to restrain the electrolyte member between and in contact with the anode and the cathode so that transverse swelling of the electrolyte member is displaced in directions generally parallel to the anode and cathode. At least one of the anode and the cathode can be a conductive winding. A conductive winding cathode may be used in place of the filament to restrain the electrolyte member.

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First Claim