Hydrogen storage systems using non-pyrophoric hydrogen storage alloys

Abstract

A hydrogen storage system includes a hydrogen storage alloy containment vessel comprising an external pressure containment vessel and a thermally conductive compartmentalization network disposed within the pressure containment vessel. The compartmentalization network creates compartments within the pressure vessel within which a hydrogen storage alloy is disposed. The compartmentalization network includes a plurality of thermally conductive elongate tubes positioned within the pressure vessel forming a coherent, tightly packed tube bundle providing a thermally conductive network between the hydrogen storage alloy and the pressure vessel. The hydrogen storage alloy is a non-pyrophoric AB.sub.2-type Laves phase hydrogen storage alloy having: an A-site to B-site elemental ratio of not more than 0.5; and an alloy composition including (in at %): Zr: 2.0-5.5, Ti: 27-31.3, V: 8.3-9.9, Cr: 20.6-30.5, Mn: 25.4-33.0, Fe: 1.0-5.9, Al: 0.1-0.4, and/or Ni: 0.0-4.0.

Claims

1. A hydrogen storage system comprising: a hydrogen storage alloy containment vessel, wherein said hydrogen storage alloy containment vessel comprises: an external pressure containment vessel; a thermally conductive compartmentalization network disposed within said external pressure containment vessel, said thermally conductive compartmentalization network creating compartments within said pressure vessel within which a hydrogen storage alloy is disposed; wherein said thermally conductive compartmentalization network includes a plurality of elongate tubes being made of a thermally conductive metal or alloy selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, copper and alloys of these metals, and being positioned within said external pressure containment vessel with longitudinal axes of said elongate tubes being parallel to the longitudinal axis of said external pressure containment vessel, said plurality of elongate tubes forming a coherent, tightly packed tube bundle within said external pressure containment vessel such that said coherent, tightly packed bundle provides a thermally conductive network between said hydrogen storage alloy and said external pressure containment vessel; said hydrogen storage alloy disposed within said hydrogen storage alloy containment vessel, wherein said hydrogen storage alloy comprises a non-pyrophoric AB.sub.2 Laves phase hydrogen storage alloy comprising: an A-site to B-site elemental ratio of not more than about 0.5; and an alloy composition including about (in at %): Zr: 2.0-5.5, Ti: 27-31.3, V: 8.3-9.9, Cr: 20.6-30.5, Mn: 25.4-33.0, Fe: 1.0-5.9, and Al: 0.1-0.4.

2. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy composition includes (in at %): Zr: 2.9-5.5, Ti: 27-30.3, V: 8.3-9.3, Cr: 20.6-26.5, Mn: 29.4-32.1, Fe: 1.5-5.9, and Al: 0.1-0.4.

3. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy composition further includes up to about 4 at % nickel as an equal substitute for up to about 2 at % chromium or up to about 2 at % manganese or both.

4. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a total hydrogen storage capacity of at least about 1.7 wt % at about 500 psi and about 20° C.

5. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a total hydrogen storage capacity of at least about 1.8 wt % at about 500 psi and about 20° C.

6. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a trapped hydrogen capacity of no more than about 0.25 wt % at about 14.5 psi and about 20° C.

7. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a trapped hydrogen capacity of no more than about 0.20 wt % at about 14.5 psi and about 20° C.

8. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a trapped hydrogen capacity of no more than about 0.15 wt % at about 14.5 psi and about 20° C.

9. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a trapped hydrogen capacity of no more than about 0.10 wt % at about 14.5 psi and about 20° C.

10. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a pressure composition temperature (PCT) isotherm slope of no more than about 0.8.

11. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a PCT isotherm slope of no more than about 0.7.

12. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a PCT isotherm slope of no more than about 0.6.

13. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a hysteresis of not more than about 0.5.

14. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a hysteresis of not more than about 0.4.

15. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a hysteresis of not more than about 0.3.

16. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a hysteresis of not more than about 0.2.

17. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said alloy has a hysteresis of not more than about 0.1.

18. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein in the alloy composition further comprises about 1.0-10.0 at % total of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ba, Co, Cu, Cs, K, Li, Mm, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, Rb, Ta, Tl, and W (where Mm is mischmetal).

19. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of all tubes of said plurality of elongate tubes is the same.

20. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of each tube of said plurality of elongate tubes is variable.

21. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein at least some tubes of said plurality of elongate tubes have one or more notches provided in longitudinal sides thereof providing access openings to an interior of said tubes.

22. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein at least some tubes of said plurality of elongate tubes have a non-cylindrical cross-section.

23. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein at least some tubes of said plurality of elongate tubes have a corrugated interior and/or exterior wall surfaces.

24. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, further comprising a pressure valve connected to a valve opening of the external pressure containment vessel.

25. The hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein said external pressure containment vessel and said thermally conductive compartmentalization network disposed within said external pressure containment vessel are formed simultaneously via 3D metal printing.

26. The hydrogen storage system of claim 25, wherein said 3D metal printing comprises 3D printing of aluminum and/or aluminum alloys.

27. The hydrogen storage system of claim 26, wherein said 3D metal printing of aluminum and/or aluminum alloys comprises deposition by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and/or Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS).

28. A method of fabricating said hydrogen storage system of claim 1, comprising: fabricating said external pressure containment vessel and said thermally conductive compartmentalization network disposed within said external pressure containment vessel via 3D metal printing; and depositing said hydrogen storage alloy within said hydrogen storage alloy containment vessel.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said external pressure containment vessel and said thermally conductive compartmentalization network disposed within said external pressure containment vessel are formed simultaneously via said 3D metal printing.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein said 3D metal printing comprises 3D printing of aluminum and/or aluminum alloys.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said 3D metal printing of aluminum and/or aluminum alloys comprises deposition by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and/or Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 displays desorption pressure composition temperature (PCT) isotherm plots for examples of the inventive non-pyrophoric hydrogen storage alloys at 20° C.;

(3) FIG. 2 displays the absorption and desorption (PCT) isotherm plots of an inventive non-pyrophoric hydrogen storage alloy vs. two comparable pyrophoric alloys at 20° C.;

(4) FIG. 3 displays desorption PCT isotherm plots exhibiting the effects of zirconium contents on the plateau pressures of the inventive non-pyrophoric hydrogen storage alloys at 20° C.;

(5) FIG. 4 displays desorption PCT isotherm plots (at 20° C.) of an A-site lean non-pyrophoric hydrogen storage alloy of the present invention vs. an A-site rich non-pyrophoric hydrogen storage alloy of the prior art Ovshinsky patents;

(6) FIG. 5 displays desorption PCT isotherm plots for examples of the inventive non-pyrophoric hydrogen storage alloys with low iron contents at 20° C.;

(7) FIG. 6 depicts a hydrogen storage system according to the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 depicts a magnified image of the top of the hydrogen storage system in FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8A depicts a cross-sectional view of a hydrogen storage system according to the present invention showing internal tubes having outer diameters that are all the same;

(10) FIG. 8B depicts a cross-sectional view of a hydrogen storage system according to the present invention showing internal tubes having varied outer diameters; and

(11) FIGS. 9A-9D depict additional tubing varieties useful for the hydrogen storage system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) The present invention is a non-pyrophoric, AB.sub.2-type Laves phase hydrogen storage alloy and hydrogen storage systems using the alloys. The alloy may preferably have an A-site to B-site elemental ratio of about <=0.5. The alloy may preferably have a total hydrogen storage capacity of at least about 1.7 wt % or 1.8% wt % at about 500 psi and about 20° C. The alloy may further have a trapped hydrogen capacity of not more than about 0.25 wt % (preferably not more than about 0.2 wt % and more preferably not more than about 0.15 wt % or 0.1 wt %) at about 14.5 psi and about 20° C.

(13) The hydrogen storage alloy may have a pressure composition temperature (PCT) isotherm slope of no more than about 0.8 (preferably not more than about 0.7 or 0.6). The non-pyrophoric AB.sub.2-type Laves phase hydrogen storage alloy may have a hysteresis of not more than about 0.5 or 0.4 (preferably not more than about 0.3 and more preferably not more than about 0.2 or 0.1).

(14) Broadly, the inventive hydrogen storage alloy contains about (in at %): Zr: 2.0-5.5, Ti: 27-31.3, V: 8.3-9.9, Cr: 20.6-30.5, Mn: 25.4-33.0, Fe: 1.0-5.9, and Al: 0.1-0.4.

(15) More narrowly, the inventive hydrogen storage may contain about (in at %): Zr: 2.9-5.5, Ti: 27-30.3, V: 8.3-9.3, Cr: 20.6-26.5, Mn: 26.4-32.1, Fe: 1.5-5.9, and Al: 0.1-0.4.

(16) The alloy may also contain about 1-10 at % total of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ba, Co, Cu, Cs, K, Li, Mm, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, Rb, Ta, Tl, and W (where Mm is mischmetal). Low electronegativity elements (such Ba, Cs, K, Li, Na, Rb, Mm) can purify the alloy by reacting with impurity oxides, while relatively high electronegativity elements (such as Co, Cu, Mo, Nb, Ta, Tl and W) can be dissolved in AB.sub.2-type Laves phase to improve hydriding properties.

(17) The non-pyrophoric AB.sub.2-type Laves phase hydrogen storage alloy may further include up to about 4 at % nickel as an equal substitute for up to about 2 at % chromium or up to about 2 at % manganese or both. Addition of nickel to the alloys can help to reduce hysteresis due to its highly catalytic nature and ductility. Nickel can also prevent the formation of body-centered cubic (BCC) secondary phase in alloys since its alloys have a higher averaging number of outer electrons.

(18) To achieve non-pyrophoricity on exposure to ambient atmosphere, the at % of ductility-enhancing elements have been increased and the at % of brittle-enhancing elements have been decreased to reduce the inventive alloy material's decrepitation. Hydrogen embrittles metals by entering the grain boundaries and creating pressure at the weakest point. This causes micro-cracks that begin to propagate through the grain structure. This process is known as decrepitation. Decrepitation is the main reason for the loss of capacity during long cycling. Usually, high content manganese alloys are prone to decrepitation because manganese is a highly brittle element. Alternatively, vanadium, chromium or nickel containing alloys have less decrepitation issues.

(19) Table 1 lists the compositions and properties of non-pyrophoric alloys of the present invention, two typical pyrophoric alloys and the prior art alloy of the Ovshinsky patents.

(20) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Composition (at %) A/B Trapping Capacity Plateau Zr Ti V Cr Mn Fe Ni Al Ratio Slope Hysteresis (wt %) (wt %) (psia) HA944 5.5 27 9.3 20.6 31.2 5.9 0.40 0.482 0.681 0.154 0.25 1.76 55 HA1023 3.00 30.30 8.50 25.00 30.00 3.00 0.20 0.499 0.799 0.087 0.25 1.74 95 HA1032 2.94 29.70 8.33 24.50 31.37 2.94 0.20 0.485 0.693 0.121 0.15 1.74 145 HA1036 2.94 29.70 8.33 26.47 29.41 2.94 0.20 0.485 0.550 0.143 0.13 1.75 130 HA1037 2.94 29.70 8.33 24.50 29.41 2.94 1.98 0.20 0.485 0.642 0.042 0.18 1.73 165 HA1038 3.76 28.63 8.60 25.06 29.85 3.89 0.20 0.479 0.788 0.082 0.15 1.73 160 HA1039 3.76 28.63 8.60 23.08 29.85 3.89 1.98 0.20 0.479 0.693 0.087 0.12 1.75 140 HA1048 4.00 29.02 8.73 22.00 32.09 3.89 0.27 0.493 0.511 0.262 0.15 1.74 115 Comparative pyrophoric alloys HA697 4.00 29.50 6.00 20.00 39.33 1.07 0.10 0.504 0.588 0.827 0.09 1.77 140 HA703 3.50 29.50 8.00 20.00 37.43 1.43 0.14 0.504 0.588 0.616 0.11 1.76 135 Previous invention alleys OV555 1.00 33.00 12.54 15.00 36.00 2.25 0.21 0.515 1.145 0.080 0.26 1.65 120 A/B ratio = A(Ti + Zr)/B(V + Cr + Mn + Fe + Al + Ni) Stope = d In P(psi)/d(Capacity(wt %)) at 20 C. Hysteresis = In Pa/In Pd at 20 C. Trapping (wt %) = trapping capacity at 14.5 psi and 20 C. Capacity (wt %) = storage capacity at 500 psi and 20 C. Plateau (psia) = desorption middle plateau pressure at 20 C.

(21) FIG. 1 displays desorption PCT isotherm plots for examples of the inventive non-pyrophoric hydrogen storage alloys at 20° C. Samples HA697 and HA703 in Table 1 and FIG. 2 are pyrophoric alloys with more than about 37 at % manganese. These samples are self-igniting when exposed to ambient atmosphere. Alternatively, inventive alloys such as HA1036 with higher chromium and vanadium (compared with their pyrophoric counterparts) and less manganese are non-self-igniting.

(22) FIG. 2 displays the absorption and desorption pressure composition temperature (PCT) isotherm plots of an inventive non-pyrophoric hydrogen storage alloy (HA1036) vs. two comparable pyrophoric alloys (HA697 and HA703) at 20° C.

(23) Another advantage of the higher content of ductility enhancing elements, such as vanadium and chromium, of the inventive hydrogen storage alloys can increase the ductility of the metal hydride alloy, which in turn, reduces hysteresis.

(24) To understand hysteresis, it should be noted that one of the most important features of a metal hydride storage system is its plateau pressure, which indicates the pressure at which metal hydrides reversibly absorb/desorb large quantities of hydrogen. Generally, there is a difference between equivalent pressures for absorption and desorption in the pressure-composition isotherms. This differential in absorption and desorption pressure is known as hysteresis.

(25) For example, compared with the low hysteresis (0.143) HA1036, the low vanadium and chromium HA697 and HA703 alloys have high hysteresis values of 0.827 and 0.616, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2 and Table 2.

(26) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Composition (at %) Sample # Zr Ti V Cr Mn Fe Al Hystersis HA697 4.00 29.50 6.00 20.00 39.33 1.07 0.10 0.827 HA703 3.50 29.50 8.00 20.00 37.43 1.43 0.14 0.616 HA1036 2.94 29.70 8.33 26.47 29.41 2.94 0.20 0.143 Hysteresis = InPa/InPd

(27) The vanadium and manganese contents strongly affect the hysteresis of AB.sub.2-type Laves phase hydrogen storage alloys, while the effect of the chromium is relatively weak. High vanadium content can significantly reduce the hysteresis, while high manganese content does the opposite.

(28) Another reason why the inventive, high vanadium and chromium, hydrogen storage alloys tend not to catch fire is that V and Cr tend to form dense oxide layers that can protect the alloy from further oxidation (i.e. pyrophoric burning). Alternatively, manganese and iron form porous oxide layers that cannot protect the alloy from further contacting and reacting with oxygen.

(29) Unfortunately, a high content of vanadium and chromium in AB.sub.2-type Laves phase alloys tends to form a secondary body-centered cubic (BCC) phase. The BCC phase is a disordered structure of solid solution atoms and requires elements with similar atomic sizes and low external electrons. Generally speaking, there is a body-centered cubic phase in which the average number of external electrons is less than 5.4. Therefore, the high content of titanium, vanadium and chromium in such alloys promote the formation of the BCC phase due to their similar atomic size and lower number of external electrons.

(30) The existence of this secondary BCC phase distorts the flatness of the plateau pressure of the PCT isotherms because the BCC phase has two hydride structures. These include a BCC phase where hydrogen atoms occupy octahedral sites and a face-centered cubic (FCC) phase where hydrogen atoms are located in tetrahedral sites. Usually, the hydrogen in large octahedral sites of the BCC hydride phase is irreversible, thereby trapping a huge amount of hydrogen, while the hydrogen in the small tetrahedral sites of the FCC phase is reversible, but plateau pressures of the FCC phase may not be the range of AB.sub.2-type Laves phase alloys.

(31) Since manganese has a larger atomic radius and a high number of external electrons, a high content of manganese can prevent the formation of a second BCC phase in the AB.sub.2-type Laves phase. Therefore, the high-content manganese AB.sub.2-type alloy has a relatively flat plateau pressure but has a high degree of self-ignitability and high hysteresis. In order to achieve non-ignition and low hysteresis, the manganese content in AB.sub.2 alloy should not exceed about 33 at %. More preferably the manganese does not exceed about 32 at %.

(32) Adding zirconium to the alloys can help to reduce the formation of the secondary BCC phase. This is because zirconium atoms are large and do not like to form disordered solid solution phases with titanium, vanadium and chromium. The addition of Zr to AB.sub.2 alloys can result in hydrogen storage alloys having high thermal stability and low plateau pressures. This is because of zirconium's large radius and low electronegativity.

(33) FIG. 3 displays desorption PCT isotherm plots exhibiting the effects of zirconium contents on the plateau pressures of the inventive non-pyrophoric hydrogen storage alloys at 20° C. This is evidenced by the difference in plateau pressure of alloys with differing Zr content. The middle plateau pressure of HA944 (with 5.5 at % Zr) is 55 psia while those of HA1040 (with 3.78 at % Zr) and HA1032 (with 2.94 at % Zr) are 110 psia and 145 psia, respectively (See Table 1).

(34) For AB.sub.2-type Laves phase alloys, the Zr/Ti ratio controls the tetrahedral interstitial sites and average electronegativity, as well as determining plateau pressures. Lower Zr/Ti values facilitate the formation of alloys with high plateau pressures while higher values result in lower plateau pressures. Thus, the plateau pressure can be, at least somewhat, tailored to the needs of the end use of the hydrogen storage alloys.

(35) In AB.sub.2-type Laves phase, the A/B ratio can affect plateau flatness. The A/B ratio has been slightly reduced to less than or equal to 0.5 to limit formation of any secondary BCC phase. This is because A-site elements, which have low outer electron numbers, favor the formation of the BCC disordered solid solution phase. Therefore, alloys that are lean in A-site elements limit the secondary phase. The existence of the secondary BCC phase can destroy the flatness of the plateau because the BCC phase has two hydride structures, that is, the BCC phase where hydrogen atoms occupy octahedral sites and the FCC phase where hydrogen atoms are located at tetrahedral sites. The hydrogen stored at the octahedral sites of the BCC hydride phase is irreversible at reasonable pressures and temperatures, thus forming hydrogen traps in the metal lattice. Although the hydrogen at tetrahedral sites of the FCC phase is reversible, the plateau pressures are not as useful as those in the AB.sub.2-type Laves phase.

(36) FIG. 4 displays desorption PCT isotherm plots (at 20° C.) of the A-site lean inventive alloy HA1032 vs. the A-site rich prior art alloy OV555. The alloy OV555 with an A/B ratio of 0.515 exhibits a high slope of 1.145 and a high trapping of 0.26 wt %, while the alloy of the present invention HA1032 with an A/B ratio of 0.485 exhibits a low slope of 0.693 and a low trapping of 0.15 wt %. This indicates that the A/B ratio significantly affects plateau pressures and plateau flatness. Thus, reduction of the A/B ratio has led to the formation of alloys with high plateau pressures as well as flatter plateaus.

(37) While decrepitation is the main reason for the loss of capacity during long cycling and pyrophoric burning, another reason is partly related to the stresses and strains of charging/discharging cycling. High hysteresis usually exhibits high stresses and strains, thereby resulting in high decrepitation. Some elements, such as vanadium, chromium and nickel, could reduce this disadvantage in such materials.

(38) The price of pure vanadium is several times higher than ferrovanadium. Replacement of pure vanadium with low-cost ferrovanadium will significantly reduce cost of materials to produce the alloys. Typically, ferrovanadium alloy contains 15%-17% Fe and 1%-2% Al. Iron negatively affects the flammability and high hysteresis of AB.sub.2-type Laves phase alloys, while aluminum negatively affects capacity and platform flatness, resulting in lower levels of both elements and better performance. Table 3 lists the compositions and properties of non-pyrophoric alloys with low Fe contents of the present invention. FIG. 5 displays desorption PCT isotherm plots for examples of the inventive non-pyrophoric hydrogen storage alloys with low Fe contents at 20° C.

(39) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Composition (at %) A/B Trapping Capacity Plateau Zr Ti V Cr Mn Fe Ni Al Ratio Slope Hysteresis (wt %) (wt %) (psia) HA1068 3.70 29.10 8.40 24.10 31.03 1.52 2.00 0.15 0.488 0.667 0.092 0.10 1.78 152 HA1072 3.50 29.10 8.40 24.20 31.13 1.52 2.00 0.15 0.484 0.697 0.108 0.09 1.77 157 HA1075 3.50 29.10 8.40 25.33 32.00 1.52 0.15 0.484 0.702 0.185 0.10 1.77 166 HA1077 3.50 29.10 8.40 24.20 30.13 1.52 3.00 0.15 0.484 0.504 0.131 0.09 1.78 150 HA1079 3.50 28.80 8.40 24.30 29.33 1.52 4.00 0.15 0.477 0.486 0.101 0.10 1.78 195 HA1087 4.00 28.80 8.40 25.00 30.13 1.52 2.00 0.15 0.488 0.631 0.181 0.09 1.78 112 HA1092 3.00 29.50 8.40 26.00 29.43 1.52 2.00 0.15 0.481 0.707 0.106 0.08 1.77 215 A/B ratio = A(Ti + Zr)/B(V + Cr + Mn + Fe + Al + Ni) Slope = d In P(psi)/d(Capacity(wt %)) at 20 C. Hysteresis = In Pa/In Pd at 20 C. Trapping (wt %) = trapping capacity at 14.5 psi and 20 C. Capacity (wt %) = storage capacity at 500 psi and 20 C. Plateau (psia) = desorption middle plateau pressure at 20 C.

(40) The Zr can be about 2.0 at %, 2.1 at %, 2.2 at %, 2.3 at %, 2.4 at %, 2.5 at %, 2.6 at %, 2.7 at %, 2.8 at %, 2.9 at %, 3.0 at %, 3.1 at %, 3.2 at %, 3.3 at %, 3.4 at %, 3.5 at %, 3.6 at %, 3.7 at %, 3.8 at %, 3.9 at %, 4.0 at %, 4.1 at %, 4.2 at %, 4.3 at %, 4.4 at %, 4.5 at %, 4.6 at %, 4.7 at %, 4.8 at %, 4.9 at %, 5.0 at %, 5.1 at %, 5.2 at %, 5.3 at %, 5.4 at %, 5.5 at % or other incremental at % between.

(41) The Ti can be about 27.0 at %, 27.1 at %, 27.2 at %, 27.3 at %, 27.4 at %, 27.5 at %, 27.6 at %, 27.7 at %, 27.8 at %, 27.9 at %, 28.0 at %, 28.1 at %, 28.2 at %, 28.3 at %, 28.4 at %, 28.5 at %, 28.6 at %, 28.7 at %, 28.8 at %, 28.9 at %, 29.0 at %, 29.1 at %, 29.2 at %, 29.3 at %, 29.4 at %, 29.5 at %, 29.6 at %, 29.7 at %, 29.8 at %, 29.9 at %, 30.0 at %, 30.1 at %, 30.2 at %, 30.3 at %, 30.4 at %, 30.5 at %, 30.6 at %, 30.7 at %, 30.8 at %, 30.9 at %, 31.0 at %, 31.1 at %, 31.2 at %, 3.3 at % or other incremental at % between.

(42) The V can be about 8.3 at %, 8.4 at %, 8.5 at %, 8.6 at %, 8.7 at %, 8.8 at %, 8.9 at %, 9.0 at %, 9.1 at %, 9.2 at %, 9.3 at %, 9.4 at %, 9.5 at %, 9.6 at %, 9.7 at %, 9.8 at %, 9.9 at % or other incremental at % between.

(43) The Cr can be about 20.6 at %, 20.7 at %, 20.8 at %, 20.9 at %, 21.0 at %, 21.1 at %, 21.2 at %, 21.3 at %, 21.4 at %, 21.5 at %, 21.6 at %, 21.7 at %, 21.8 at %, 21.9 at %, 22.0 at %, 22.1 at %, 22.2 at %, 22.3 at %, 22.4 at %, 22.5 at %, 22.6 at %, 22.7 at %, 22.8 at %, 22.9 at %, 23.0 at %, 23.1 at %, 23.2 at %, 23.3 at %, 23.4 at %, 23.5 at %, 23.6 at %, 23.7 at %, 23.8 at %, 23.9 at %, 24.0 at %, 24.1 at %, 24.2 at %, 24.3 at %, 24.4 at %, 24.5 at %, 24.6 at %, 24.7 at %, 24.8 at %, 24.9 at %, 25.0 at %, 25.1 at %, 25.2 at %, 25.3 at %, 25.4 at %, 25.5 at %, 25.6 at %, 25.7 at %, 25.8 at %, 25.9 at %, 26.0 at %, 26.1 at %, 26.2 at %, 26.3 at %, 26.4 at %, 26.5 at %, 26.6 at %, 26.7 at %, 26.8 at %, 26.9 at %, 27.0 at %, 27.1 at %, 27.2 at %, 27.3 at %, 27.4 at %, 27.5 at %, 27.6 at %, 27.7 at %, 27.8 at %, 27.9 at %, 28.0 at %, 28.1 at %, 28.2 at %, 28.3 at %, 28.4 at %, 28.5 at %, 28.6 at %, 28.7 at %, 28.8 at %, 28.9 at %, 29.0 at %, 29.1 at %, 29.2 at %, 29.3 at %, 29.4 at %, 29.5 at %, 29.6 at %, 29.7 at %, 29.8 at %, 29.9 at %, 30.0 at %, 30.1 at %, 30.2 at %, 30.3 at %, 30.4 at %, 30.5 at % or other incremental at % between.

(44) The Mn can be about 25.4 at %, 25.5 at %, 25.6 at %, 25.7 at %, 25.8 at %, 25.9 at %, 26.0 at %, 26.1 at %, 26.2 at %, 26.3 at %, 26.4 at %, 26.5 at %, 26.6 at %, 26.7 at %, 26.8 at %, 26.9 at %, 27.0 at %, 27.1 at %, 27.2 at %, 27.3 at %, 27.4 at %, 27.5 at %, 27.6 at %, 27.7 at %, 27.8 at %, 27.9 at %, 28.0 at %, 28.1 at %, 28.2 at %, 28.3 at %, 28.4 at %, 28.5 at %, 28.6 at %, 28.7 at %, 28.8 at %, 28.9 at %, 29.0 at %, 29.1 at %, 29.2 at %, 29.3 at %, 29.4 at %, 29.5 at %, 29.6 at %, 29.7 at %, 29.8 at %, 29.9 at %, 30.0 at %, 30.1 at %, 30.2 at %, 30.3 at %, 30.4 at %, 30.5 at %, 30.6 at %, 30.7 at %, 30.8 at %, 30.9 at %, 31.0 at %, 31.1 at %, 31.2 at %, 31.3 at %, 31.4 at %, 31.5 at %, 31.6 at %, 31.7 at %, 31.8 at %, 31.9 at %, 32.0 at %, 32.1 at %, 32.2 at %, 32.3 at %, 32.4 at %, 32.5 at %, 32.6 at %, 32.7 at %, 32.8 at %, 32.9 at %, 33.0 at % or other incremental at % between.

(45) The Fe can be about 1.0 at %, 1.1 at %, 1.2 at %, 1.3 at %, 1.4 at %, 1.5 at %, 1.6 at %, 1.7 at %, 1.8 at %, 1.9 at %, 2.0 at %, 2.1 at %, 2.2 at %, 2.3 at %, 2.4 at %, 2.5 at %, 2.6 at %, 2.7 at %, 2.8 at %, 2.9 at %, 3.0 at %, 3.1 at %, 3.2 at %, 3.3 at %, 3.4 at %, 3.5 at %, 3.6 at %, 3.7 at %, 3.8 at %, 3.9 at %, 4.0 at %, 4.1 at %, 4.2 at %, 4.3 at %, 4.4 at %, 4.5 at %, 4.6 at %, 4.7 at %, 4.8 at %, 4.9 at %, 5.0 at %, 5.1 at %, 5.2 at %, 5.3 at %, 5.4 at %, 5.5 at %, 5.6 at %, 5.7 at %, 5.8 at %, 5.9 at % or other incremental at % between.

(46) The Al can be about 0.1 at %, 0.2 at %, 0.3 at %, 0.4 at % or other incremental percentage between.

(47) The Ni can be about 0.0 at %, 0.1 at %, 0.2 at %, 0.3 at %, 0.4 at %, 0.5 at %, 0.6 at %, 0.7 at %, 0.8 at %, 0.9 at %, 1.0 at %, 1.1 at %, 1.2 at %, 1.3 at %, 1.4 at %, 1.5 at %, 1.6 at %, 1.7 at %, 1.8 at %, 1.9 at %, 2.0 at %, 2.1 at %, 2.2 at %, 2.3 at %, 2.4 at %, 2.5 at %, 2.6 at %, 2.7 at %, 2.8 at %, 2.9 at %, 3.0 at %, 3.1 at %, 3.2 at %, 3.3 at %, 3.4 at %, 3.5 at %, 3.6 at %, 3.7 at %, 3.8 at %, 3.9 at %, 4.0 at % or other incremental at % between.

(48) The Ba, Co, Cu, Cs, K, Li, Mm, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, Rb, Ta, Tl, and W (where Mm is mischmetal) can be about 1.0 at %, 1.1 at %, 1.2 at %, 1.3 at %, 1.4 at %, 1.5 at %, 1.6 at %, 1.7 at %, 1.8 at %, 1.9 at %, 2.0 at %, 2.1 at %, 2.2 at %, 2.3 at %, 2.4 at %, 2.5 at %, 2.6 at %, 2.7 at %, 2.8 at %, 2.9 at %, 3.0 at %, 3.1 at %, 3.2 at %, 3.3 at %, 3.4 at %, 3.5 at %, 3.6 at %, 3.7 at %, 3.8 at %, 3.9 at %, 4.0 at %, 4.1 at %, 4.2 at %, 4.3 at %, 4.4 at %, 4.5 at %, 4.6 at %, 4.7 at %, 4.8 at %, 4.9 at %, 5.0 at %, 5.1 at %, 5.2 at %, 5.3 at %, 5.4 at %, 5.5 at %, 5.6 at %, 5.7 at %, 5.8 at %, 5.9 at %, 6.0 at %, 6.1 at %, 6.2 at %, 6.3 at %, 6.4 at %, 6.5 at %, 6.6 at %, 6.7 at %, 6.8 at %, 6.9 at %, 7.0 at %, 7.1 at %, 7.2 at %, 7.3 at %, 7.4 at %, 7.5 at %, 7.6 at %, 7.7 at %, 7.8 at %, 7.9 at %, 8.0 at %, 8.1 at %, 8.2 at %, 8.3 at %, 8.4 at %, 8.5 at %, 8.6 at %, 8.7 at %, 8.8 at %, 8.9 at %, 9.0 at %, 9.1 at %, 9.2 at %, 9.3 at %, 9.4 at %, 9.5 at %, 9.6 at %, 9.7 at %, 9.8 at %, 9.9 at %, 10.0 at % or other incremental at % between.

(49) The alloy can have a trapped hydrogen capacity (at about 14.5 psi and about 20° C.) of no more than about 0.08 wt %, 0.09 wt %, 0.10 wt %, 0.11 wt %, 0.12 wt %, 0.13 wt %, 0.14 wt %, 0.15 wt %, 0.16 wt %, 0.17 wt %, 0.18 wt %, 0.19 wt %, 0.20 wt %, 0.21 wt %, 0.22 wt %, 0.23 wt %, 0.24 wt %, 0.25 wt % other incremental wt % between. The alloy can have a trapped hydrogen capacity (at about 14.5 psi and about 20° C.) of less than 0.08 wt %.

(50) The alloy can have a PCT isotherm slope of no more than about 0.50, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.60, 0.61, 0.62, 0.63, 0.64, 0.65, 0.66, 0.67, 0.68, 0.69, 0.70, 0.71, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.77, 0.78, 0.79, 0.80 or other incremental value between. The alloy can have a PCT isotherm slope of less than 0.50.

(51) The alloy can have a hysteresis of not more than about 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.10, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.20, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.40, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.50 or other incremental value between.

(52) The alloy can have a total hydrogen storage capacity (at about 500 psi and about 20° C.) of at least about 1.70 wt %, 1.71 wt %, 1.72 wt %, 1.73 wt %, 1.74 wt %, 1.75 wt %, 1.76 wt %, 1.77 wt %, 1.78 wt %, 1.79 wt %, 1.80 wt % other incremental wt % between. The alloy can have a total hydrogen storage capacity (at about 500 psi and about 20° C.) of greater than 1.80 wt %.

(53) The hydrogen storage system 1 of the present invention can be seen in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 depicts the hydrogen storage system 1 which includes a hydrogen storage alloy containment vessel. The hydrogen storage alloy containment vessel includes an external pressure containment vessel 2. The hydrogen storage alloy containment vessel further includes a thermally conductive compartmentalization network 3 disposed within the external pressure containment vessel 2. The thermally conductive compartmentalization network 3 creates thermally conductive compartments within the external pressure containment vessel 2. A hydrogen storage alloy 7 is disposed within the thermally conductive compartments of the thermally conductive compartmentalization network 3. Typically, a conventional pressure valve 4 is connected to the valve opening of the external pressure containment vessel 2 to control inflow and outflow of hydrogen gas from the external pressure containment vessel 2 for storage in the hydrogen storage alloy 7. Other embodiments many include different or specialized pressure valves that interface with other systems, such as other types of storage systems, vehicles, engines, equipment or any other system that uses hydrogen whether known or unknown.

(54) FIG. 7 depicts a magnified image of the top of the hydrogen storage system 1. As depicted in FIG. 7, the thermally conductive compartmentalization network 3 is formed from a plurality of elongate tubes 5, which are positioned within the external pressure containment vessel 2. The plurality of elongate tubes 5 are packed into the external pressure containment vessel 2 to form a coherent, tightly packed bundle, wherein longitudinal axes of the elongate tubes 5 are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the external pressure containment vessel 2. The elongate tubes 5 are preferably thin walled and made of aluminum, copper, magnesium or alloys of these metals to avoid any problem with interaction between the elongate tubes and the hydrogen atmosphere within the external pressure containment vessel 2. The external pressure containment vessel 2 can be made of aluminum, copper, stainless steel, carbon steel, and other metals when properly designed in accordance with known technology.

(55) The elongate tubes 2 are packed firmly into a bundle within the external pressure containment vessel 2 so that each elongate tube 5 in the bundle is in firm contact along its longitudinal surface with the longitudinal surfaces of other elongate tubes 5. In addition, the outer elongate tubes 5 in the bundle make firm contact along their longitudinal surfaces with the longitudinal inside surface of the external pressure containment vessel 2.

(56) The otherwise void spaces remaining in the external pressure containment vessel 2 containing the elongate tubes 5 are substantially filled with a particulate, hydrogen storage alloy 7 (see FIGS. 8A-8B). FIGS. 7A and 7B reflect designs of the elongate tube size, wherein the elongate tubes 5 of FIG. 8A all have the same outer diameter, and the elongate tubes 5 of FIG. 8B have variable outer diameter.

(57) To facilitate filling of the otherwise void spaces with hydrogen storage alloy 7, a plurality of spaced apart notches 6 (see FIG. 7) are provided in the longitudinal sides of each of the elongate tubes 5. The notches 6 are arranged randomly around each tube to provide one or more access openings to the interior of each elongate tube 5. The notches 6 allow particulate hydrogen storage alloy 7 to flow to and from the interior of the elongate tubes 5 and the spaces between elongate tubes, thereby facilitating the filling of the void spaces with the hydrogen storage alloy 7.

(58) The elongate tubes 5 can be positioned within the external pressure containment vessel 2 during the manufacture of the external pressure containment vessel 2, or, as will be further explained hereinafter, the elongate tubes 5 can be retrofitted in an existing external pressure containment vessel 2. If positioned in the external pressure containment vessel 2 during the construction of the external pressure containment vessel 2, the elongate tubes 5 are inserted through the open end of the proto-vessel prior to the rolling down of that end to form the valve opening therein. This entails having the full bundle of elongate tubes 5 in the external pressure containment vessel 2 during the rolling and forming of the valve opening.

(59) It is advantageous to retrofit the elongate tubes 5 into a completely formed pressure vessel, thus avoiding interposing the step of inserting the elongate tubes 5 into the external pressure containment vessel 2 during the manufacturing thereof. The elongate tubes 5 are readily inserted into the external pressure containment vessel 2 through the valve opening. The elongate tubes 5 are cut to lengths having a longitudinal dimension shorter than the longitudinal dimension of the external pressure containment vessel 2. The lengths of elongate tube 5 are then inserted one at a time into the external pressure containment vessel 2 through the valve opening therein. The elongate tubes 5 are organized into a tightly packed tube bundle as best illustrated in FIG. 7. Adjacent elongate tubes 5 are in firm contact along the longitudinal sides thereof, and the outer elongate tubes 5 of the bundle also make firm contact along their longitudinal surfaces with the longitudinal, inside surface of the external pressure containment vessel 2.

(60) Following installation of the elongate tubes 5 into the external pressure containment vessel 2, the hydrogen storage alloy 7 is introduced into the vessel 11 through the valve opening. Sufficient hydrogen storage alloy 7 is added to the external pressure containment vessel 2 to substantially fill the otherwise void volume within the elongate tubes 5 and the spaces between adjacent elongate tubes 5.

(61) While the elongate tubes 5 may be cylindrical elongate tubes, they may also have non-cylindrical shapes. FIGS. 9A and 9B depict cross-sections of non-cylindrically shaped elongate tubes 5′ that may be useful in the hydrogen storage system of the present invention. FIG. 9A depicts the cross-section of a three-sided elongate tube 5′, while FIG. 9B depicts the cross-section of a four-sided elongate tube 5′. Such non-cylindrical elongate tubes 5′ may be used in conjunction with the cylindrical elongate tubes 5 to increase the packing density of the tubes within the external pressure containment vessel 2. This in turn leads to higher thermal conductivity of the thermally conductive compartmentalization network 3 and thermal connection to the external pressure containment vessel 2.

(62) Also, while the elongate tubes 5 may be smooth-walled elongate tubes, they may also have non-smooth-walled shapes. FIGS. 9C and 9D depict cross-sections of non-smooth-walled shaped elongate tubes 5″ that may be useful in the hydrogen storage system of the present invention. FIG. 9C depicts the cross-section of an elongate tube 5″ having a smooth-walled inner surface and a corrugated exterior wall. FIG. 9D depicts the cross-section of an elongate tube 5″ having corrugated interior and exterior walls. Such non-smooth-walled elongate tubes 5″ may aid in increasing the thermal contact area between the individual elongate tubes within the thermally conductive compartmentalization network 3, but also increasing the thermal surface contact area between the hydrogen storage alloy 7 and the tubes of the thermally conductive compartmentalization network 3. It should also be noted that the non-cylindrically shaped elongate tubes 5′ may also have corrugated-walled surfaces.

(63) Alternatively, the entire hydrogen storage system 1, including the external pressure containment vessel 2 and the thermally conductive compartmentalization network 3, can be formed simultaneously via 3D printing technology. This usually includes methods of 3D printing of metal.

(64) Metal 3D printing is a catchall term for several technology families. Simply put, metal 3D printing refers to any technology that creates metal objects layer by layer through sintering, melting, and welding with metal.

(65) Metal 3D printing is one of the most heavily invested in and fastest-growing manufacturing technologies. It can be used in conjunction with other manufacturing technologies, but it is also capable of producing prototypes and finished products on its own. In some cases, 3D-printed metal objects perform just as well as machined parts. It can be in prototyping, aerospace, mechanical engineering, specific tools, and other applications.

(66) Aluminum is a lightweight alloy with high flexibility, good strength, and superior thermal properties and it has become the primary metal used in 3D printing. Aluminum 3D printers have been used in biomedical, automotive, and aerospace applications. Aluminum's core strength is its ability to be molded and used for functional objects as well as prototypes. The material is suitable for both prototyping and manufacturing. The quality of 3D-printed aluminum parts is comparable to that of synthetic parts. Aluminum's material properties make it an excellent choice for high-performance functional parts that are subjected to high loads.

(67) Available 3D printing technologies include, but are not limited to: 1. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 2. Stereolithography (SLA) 3. Digital Light Processing (DLP) 4. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 5. Material Jetting (MJ) 6. Drop on Demand (DoD) 7. Sand Binder Jetting 8. Metal Binder Jetting 9. Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) and Selective Laser Melting (SLM); and 10. Electron Beam Melting (EBM).

(68) Of these, DMSL/SLM can be considered a useful technique for forming the entire hydrogen storage system 1.

(69) Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) are two metal additive manufacturing processes that use metal powder bed fusion, the process where a heat source is utilized to fuse metal particles one layer at a time. Both make objects in a way similar to SLS, the main difference being these technologies are used in the production of metal parts instead of plastic. Typical materials used are metal powder, aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium.

(70) DMLS is used for producing parts from metal alloys. Instead of melting it, DMLS heats the metal powder with a laser to the point where it fuses together on a molecular level. SLM uses the laser to fully melt the metal powder to form a homogeneous part, in other words, it makes parts from single element materials, such as titanium.

(71) DMLS and SLM processes do need structural support in order to limit the possibility of distortion, which can result from the high temperatures used during printing. The two technologies have a lot of similarities: both use a laser to scan and selectively fuse (or melt) metal powder particles, bonding them together and building a part layer-by-layer. Also, the materials used in both processes are metals that come in a granular/powder form.

(72) The differences between SLM and DMLS come down to the fundamentals of the particle bonding process. SLM uses metal powders with a single melting temperature and fully melts the particles, while in DMLS the powder is composed of materials with variable melting points that fuse on a molecular level at elevated temperatures. Essentially, SLM produces parts from a single metal, while DMLS produces parts from metal alloys.

(73) Both SLM and DMLS are used in industrial applications to create end-use engineering products. Using such technologies, the entire hydrogen storage system 1, including the external pressure containment vessel 2 and the thermally conductive compartmentalization network 3 can be formed simultaneously.

(74) Accordingly a method of fabricating the hydrogen storage system may include fabricating the external pressure containment vessel and the thermally conductive compartmentalization network disposed within the external pressure containment vessel via 3D metal printing, and depositing the hydrogen storage alloy within the hydrogen storage alloy containment vessel. The external pressure containment vessel and said thermally conductive compartmentalization network disposed within said external pressure containment vessel may be formed simultaneously via 3D metal printing, such as 3D printing of aluminum and/or aluminum alloys. The 3D metal printing of aluminum and/or aluminum alloys may include deposition by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and/or Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS).

(75) It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

(76) All publications, patent applications and patents mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

(77) The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects.

(78) As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. In embodiments of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, “comprising” may be replaced with “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of”. As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” requires the specified integer(s) or steps as well as those that do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention. As used herein, the term “consisting” is used to indicate the presence of the recited integer (e.g., a feature, an element, a characteristic, a property, a method/process step or a limitation) or group of integers (e.g., feature(s), element(s), characteristic(s), propertie(s), method/process steps or limitation(s)) only.

(79) The term “or combinations thereof” as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

(80) As used herein, words of approximation such as, without limitation, “about”, “substantial” or “substantially” refers to a condition that when so modified is understood to not necessarily be absolute or perfect but would be considered close enough to those of ordinary skill in the art to warrant designating the condition as being present. The extent to which the description may vary will depend on how great a change can be instituted and still have one of ordinary skilled in the art recognize the modified feature as still having the required characteristics and capabilities of the unmodified feature. In general, but subject to the preceding discussion, a numerical value herein that is modified by a word of approximation such as “about” may vary from the stated value by at least ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 or 15%.

(81) All of the devices and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the devices and/or methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

(82) Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.

(83) To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims to invoke paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C. § 112 as it exists on the date of filing hereof unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.