CN115023547A

CN115023547A - Electrochemical pneumatic cell

Info

Publication number: CN115023547A
Application number: CN202180011805.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李红; D·亚柯图; D·坎波罗
Original assignee: Nanyang Technological University
Current assignee: Nanyang Technological University
Priority date: 2020-02-25
Filing date: 2021-02-24
Publication date: 2022-09-06
Also published as: WO2021173079A1

Abstract

A gas storage electrochemical pressure generator and a dual gas storage electrochemical pressure generator are provided. The electrochemical pressure generator includes a power source, an electrochemical pressure generator, one or more gas reservoirs, and a hydraulic device. The electrochemical pressure generator is selectively connectable to a power source, and the power source is configured to provide power to the electrochemical pressure generator in a high pressure mode of operation to convert solid hydrogen or oxygen within the electrochemical pressure generator to a high pressure gas having a first pressure when connected to the electrochemical pressure generator. One or more gas reservoirs are in fluid communication with the electrochemical pressure generator, and each gas reservoir includes a first chamber and a second chamber arranged in series. The first chamber of each of the one or more gas reservoirs is in fluid communication with the electrochemical pressure generator and includes a first surface of a non-rigid separation element having a first area. The second chamber of each of the one or more air containers includes a second surface of a non-rigid separation member having a second area, the second surface being mechanically coupled to the first surface by the non-rigid separation member to generate a second pressure. The hydraulic device is coupled to the second chamber and transmits a second pressure to the load.

Description

Electrochemical pneumatic battery

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to pneumatics and hydraulics, and more particularly to an electrochemical pneumatic battery, such as an electrochemical pressure generator, providing a portable, untethered hybrid pneumatic/hydraulic solution.

Background

Conventional pneumatic robot grippers are tethered devices connected to existing pneumatic pressure generators, such as compressors, compressed gas tanks, or pressurized gas supply lines. Therefore, such clamps are only suitable for fixing operations with limited mobility. In contrast, continuous untethered operation requires the use of a pneumatic battery (i.e., pressure generator) to generate the on-board pressure. The pressure generator should be compact, lightweight, quiet, safe (for workers and the environment), and capable of generating high pressures. Conventional pneumatic batteries use mechanical compression, storage of pre-compressed gas, phase change materials, and chemical reactions. Among these conventional pneumatic batteries, the pneumatic battery based on chemical reaction shows excellent compactness, light weight, high power density, and low noise level. However, such cells typically require severe reactions to be performed, such as explosive combustion and decomposition of reactive gases, which are difficult to perform in a controlled and safe manner.

Compared with pure chemical reaction, the electrochemical reaction is easier to control by electrical means and safer. A typical electrochemical pressure generator is a hydrogen fuel cell that utilizes an electrochemical reaction based on water electrolysis. In the high-pressure mode, liquid water is decomposed into gaseous hydrogen (H) on a catalyst by a power supply ₂ ) And oxygen (O) ₂ ) Resulting in a sharp increase in pressure in the pressure generator chamber. In the low pressure mode, gaseous hydrogen and oxygen spontaneously recombine into liquid water over different catalysts. However, the gaseous product (i.e., H) produced by such electrochemical pressure generators ₂ -O ₂ Mixture) is explosive over a range of operating parameters of the generator. To solve this safety problem, it is necessary to separate the generated hydrogen and oxygen using a gas impermeable membrane (e.g., proton exchange membrane). However, hydrogen crossover (i.e., hydrogen leakage from the hydrogen chamber to the oxygen chamber) still occurs, especially under part-load conditions (i.e., when the reaction does not proceed at high speed) and when the membrane degrades (i.e., oxygen gradually oxidizes the gas impermeable membrane). Although it is possible to alleviate the partial load during the high-voltage mode by controlling the driving voltage source, the membrane degradation is inevitable because the coexistence of oxygen and a catalyst can generate highly oxidized active oxygen species, which will oxidize and degrade the membrane, thereby shortening the life of the water electrolyzer.

Accordingly, there is a need for a safe, controllable, and high-pressure electrochemical pressure generator that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the disclosure.

Disclosure of Invention

According to at least one aspect of the present embodiments, a gas storage electrochemical pressure generator is provided. The electrochemical pressure generator includes a power source, an electrochemical pressure generator, one or more gas reservoirs, and a hydraulic device. The electrochemical pressure generator is selectively connectable to a power source, and the power source is configured to provide power to the electrochemical pressure generator in a high pressure mode of operation to convert solid hydrogen or oxygen within the electrochemical pressure generator to a high pressure gas having a first pressure when connected to the electrochemical pressure generator. One or more gas reservoirs are in fluid communication with the electrochemical pressure generator, and each gas reservoir includes a first chamber and a second chamber arranged in series. The first chamber of each of the one or more gas reservoirs is in fluid communication with the electrochemical pressure generator and includes a first surface of a non-rigid separation element having a first area, and the second chamber of each of the one or more gas reservoirs includes a second surface of the non-rigid separation element having a second area, the second surface being mechanically connected to the first surface by the non-rigid separation element to generate a second pressure. The hydraulic device is coupled to the second chamber and transmits a second pressure to the load.

According to another aspect of the present embodiment, a dual gas storage electrochemical pressure generator is provided. The system includes a power source, an electrochemical pressure generator, a first gas reservoir, a second gas reservoir, a hydraulic device, a plurality of valves, and a control device. The electrochemical pressure generator is selectively connectable to a power source, and the power source is configured to provide power to the electrochemical pressure generator to produce a high pressure gas having a first pressure P1 from solid hydrogen or oxygen within the electrochemical pressure generator. The electrochemical pressure generator is configured to convert the high pressure gas to solid hydrogen or oxygen, generating a second pressure P2. The first gas reservoir is in fluid communication with the electrochemical pressure generator and includes a first chamber and a second chamber arranged in series. The first chamber is in fluid communication with a high pressure gas having a first pressure and includes a first surface on a first non-rigid separation element separating the first chamber from the second chamber, the first surface having an area S1. The second chamber is filled with an incompressible fluid and comprises a second surface of the non-rigid separation element having an area S1 'to generate a pressure P1', wherein S1> S1 'and P1< P1'. The second gas reservoir is in fluid communication with the electrochemical pressure generator and includes third and fourth chambers arranged in series. The third chamber is in fluid communication with a gas having a second pressure P2, and includes a third surface of a second non-rigid separation element separating the third chamber from the fourth chamber, the third surface having an area S2. The fourth chamber is filled with an incompressible fluid and comprises a fourth surface in contact with said third surface having an area S2 'to output a pressure P2', wherein S2< S1 'and P2> P2'. Hydraulic means is selectively coupled to the second and fourth chambers for transmitting pressure P1 'and pressure P2' to the load. A plurality of valves control the flow of gas from the electrochemical pressure generator to the first and third chambers and control the flow of pressure from the second and fourth chambers to the hydraulic device. Also, a control device is coupled to the plurality of valves and configured to control the delivery of pressure P1 'and pressure P2' to the load.

Drawings

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present embodiments.

Fig. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of a first variation of an electrochemical pressure generator according to the present embodiment;

fig. 2 depicts a schematic view of a second variant of an electrochemical pressure generator according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 3, comprising FIGS. 3A and 3B, depicts a schematic representation of a bellows for use as an inflatable gas storage container in the electrochemical pressure generator of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, according to the present embodiment, wherein FIG. 3A depicts a side plan view of the bellows and FIG. 3B depicts a bottom perspective view of the bellows;

FIG. 4 depicts a graphical representation of oxygen-based electrochemical pressure generator reactions in two different states in accordance with the present embodiments; and

fig. 5 depicts a hydrogen-based electrochemical pressure generator reaction according to this embodiment.

Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description. It is an object of the present embodiment to provide an electrochemical pressure generator having a number of advantages over prior art electrochemical pressure generators.

Although fluid actuation has advantages over electrical actuation, fluid actuation has low portability due to the need for bulky accessories such as pumps and compressors, which has prevented fluid actuation from being used in many applications. The electrochemical pressure generator is a high-pressure pneumatic battery with direct energy conversion from the electrical to mechanical domain, without any pumps and compressors, and can significantly broaden the applications of fluid actuated devices and robots.

The electrochemical pressure generator according to this embodiment is fluidly untethered, i.e., does not need to be connected to an external pressure generator. Thus, the electrochemical pressure generator according to this embodiment is self-contained so as to be easier to deploy in practical situations with minimal logistical impact. Further, the electrochemical pressure generator according to the present embodiment is compact and light-weight since electric energy is directly converted into mechanical energy without a motor, a pump or a compressor, thereby achieving great portability and adaptability as well as quiet operation and no vibration.

Furthermore, the electrochemical pressure generator according to the present embodiment provides a much higher pressure than the pressure provided by a typical compressed gas line, thus bringing unique advantages to robotic devices. For example, in the case where the actuator is a gripper, the high pressure provided according to this embodiment may generate a large gripping force even if the small gripper is required to be in true conformal contact with the object being gripped.

In addition, the electrochemical pressure generator according to the present embodiment is safe in that only a small amount of high-pressure gas is generated as needed, without storing a large amount of high-pressure gas or explosive gas mixture. Further, the electrochemical pressure generator according to the present embodiment involves only a gas and a solid material, and does not involve a liquid material, which makes the performance stable regardless of the orientation of the electrochemical pressure generator. In addition, due to the adoption of a pneumatic/hydraulic hybrid scheme, the running speed is very high: the pressure is generated as a compressed gas and the power transmission from the electrochemical pressure generator to the holder is hydraulic, thereby reducing the dead volume occupied by the compressible fluid and thus reducing the delay in building up the pressure. Operation is also clean and green because no chemicals or gases are emitted to the environment, e.g., when low voltage is restored, there is no electromagnetic noise, nor mechanical noise or vibration, because the power supply is dc.

Further, the electrochemical pressure generator according to the present embodiment can be used as a general-purpose portable pressure generator capable of driving various robot devices requiring fluid actuation. For example, the electrochemical pressure generator according to the present embodiment may be used for driving autonomous and biomimetic robotic devices, surgical robotic devices for manipulating robotic endoscopes or actuating surgical tools, wearable robotic devices such as exoskeletons for assisting elderly or neurological patients, wearable systems for human body augmentation such as industrial systems for heavy duty tasks, and haptic devices such as wearable systems for force rendering.

Referring to fig. 1, a schematic diagram 100 depicts a first variation of an electrochemical pressure generator according to the present embodiment. The electrochemical pressure generator includes a reactor 110 and a pressure amplifier or intensifier 150. Referring to the reactor 110, the electrochemical pressure generating method utilizes a single gas (e.g., hydrogen or oxygen) coupled with a transition metal hydroxide through an electrochemical reaction. The reactor 110 is a rigid chamber that includes a top electrode 112 (preferably a metal electrode), a bottom electrode 114 (preferably a carbon electrode having a permeable structure), and a solid electrolyte 116 sandwiched therebetween. The structure of the rigid chamber may be formed by a metal frame, the inner surface of which has a chemical resistant and electrically insulating (e.g. teflon) coating. A power source 120 is selectively coupled to the top electrode 112 and the bottom electrode 114 for supplying power thereto. During the high pressure mode, the electrochemical pressure generator is driven by a power source 120 coupled between the top electrode 112 and the bottom electrode 114 to generate high pressure gas (hydrogen or oxygen) from the electrolyte 116, the electrolyte 116 passing through the permeable structure of the bottom electrode 114 and the gas permeable hydrophobic membrane 118 for storage in the gas storage container 152 having the first pressure P1.

The electrochemical reactor 110 does not require an external power source to drive it in a low voltage mode. This reaction is automatic and generates electricity. In the low voltage mode, the reactor 110 is connected to an electrical energy storage device 122. Any electrical energy storage device 122 may be used, such as a battery, capacitor, supercapacitor, or hybrid battery-capacitor. In this low pressure mode, pressure P1 decreases as the gas transitions back to a solid, while the electrochemical pressure generator charges energy storage device 122, regenerating a portion of the energy consumed from power source 120 during the high pressure mode. The energy stored in energy storage device 122 may be reused by power supply 120 during the high-voltage mode.

Note that the energy generated during the low voltage mode may also be stored in the power supply 120. For example, the power source 120 may include a stack of three batteries, and the energy storage device 122 may be one of the three batteries. A computer device (not shown) may be used to facilitate control and charging of the electrical energy storage device 122 during the low voltage mode.

The pressure intensifier 150 is installed in series on the electrochemical reactor 110. The pressure intensifier 150 includes a first or air container 152 and a second chamber 160. Each chamber is in mechanical contact with one side of a non-rigid dividing element 154. The air container 152 and the second chamber 160 have different areas from the two contact surfaces of the non-rigid partition member 154, the former being larger than the latter to achieve pressure enhancement. The gas reservoir 152 (i.e., the first chamber) is in fluid communication with the gas generated by the electrochemical pressure generator and has a surface area S1 on the non-rigid separation element 154, while the second chamber 160 has a surface area S1' on the non-rigid separation element 154. Pressure P1 is exerted on surface S1 of non-rigid separation element 154, which in turn is in mechanical contact with surface S1 'of non-rigid separation element 154 exerting pressure P1'. If the stiffness of the two

chambers

152 and 160 is negligible, the pressure P1 will be amplified to P1 ', where P' ═ P1 · S1/S1 ', which will produce a greater output pressure if S1 is greater than S1'. Thus, the output pressure P1' is controlled by the power source 120 according to the requirements of the application. In a preferred embodiment, both the first chamber 152 and the second chamber 160 are implemented using bellows (or bellows) as shown in fig. 3A and 3B. One skilled in the art will immediately appreciate that one or both bellows may be replaced by other equivalent means, including, for example, pistons, rolling diaphragm pistons, and combinations thereof, as may the number of bellows and pistons on either side of the non-rigid separation element 154.

Furthermore, the second chamber 160 may conveniently be filled with an incompressible fluid, such as silicone or mineral oil, or even water. In this manner, the pneumatically generated pressure is transmitted to the load by the hydraulic device, thereby reducing the dead volume of the fluid path and improving the responsiveness of the system in terms of its ability to vary the output pressure in accordance with changes in the input pressure generated by the electrochemical pressure generator.

The advantages of the first embodiment are compactness and small size, as shown in the illustration 100. However, the rate of pressure rise and fall (i.e., the charging and discharging of the pressure generator) is limited by the reaction kinetics of the low pressure mode (discharge process). To increase the charge/discharge rate, and thus the overall operating frequency of the electrochemical pressure generator, a second variation of an electrochemical pressure generator according to the present embodiment is depicted in schematic diagram 200 of fig. 2. The electrochemical pressure generator of diagram 200 includes reactor 110 and operates in much the same manner as the first variation of diagram 100 (fig. 1) except with a newly introduced pressure reservoir, namely third chamber 252. The third chamber 252 is arranged in series with and in mechanical contact with the fourth chamber 260. This arrangement of third and

fourth chambers

252, 260 may be placed in fluid parallel with first and

second chambers

152, 160. In addition, third chamber 252 is in fluid communication with the gas in the reactor 110 of the electrochemical pressure generator and has a surface S2 on the non-rigid separation element 254. During the high pressure mode, the electrochemical pressure generator driven by the power source 120 generates high pressure gas that is stored in the high pressure storage vessel (i.e., the first chamber 152 having pressure P1). During the low pressure mode, the electrochemical pressure generator reduces the pressure P2 in third chamber 252 by converting the gas in third chamber 252 back to electrolyte 116, and then stores the low pressure gas in the low pressure storage vessel (i.e., third chamber 252 having pressure P2).

In the low-voltage mode, the electrochemical pressure generator charges energy storage device 122, regenerating a portion of the energy consumed by power source 120 in the high-voltage mode. Pressure P2 is exerted on surface S2 of non-rigid separator element 254. The resulting force is counteracted by the pressure P2 ', which is exerted on the surface S2' of the fourth chamber 260 on the other side of the non-rigid separation element 254. Computer controlled

valves

270 and 275 may be installed at the connections between the reactor 110 and the first and

third chambers

152 and 252, respectively, to automatically select the high or low pressure mode based on pressure feedback from the reservoirs (or chambers 152, 252). The electrochemical pressure generators remain operational to maintain pressures P1 and P2 whereby stored high and low pressure gases are always available to

outlet valves

280 and 285, respectively, for transmission to the load by hydraulic means.

Referring to fig. 3A, a side plan view 300 depicts a bellows 310 used as any or all of the first chamber 152, the second chamber 160, the third chamber 252, or the fourth chamber 260. A bottom perspective view 350 of the bellows 310 is depicted in FIG. 3B. Because the bellows 310 can expand and contract longitudinally with minimal radial deformation, the bellows 310 is preferably used for the first chamber 152, the second chamber 160, the third chamber 252, and/or the fourth chamber 260. It should be understood that all or a portion of the bellows may be replaced with a piston, a rolling diaphragm piston, or a combination thereof.

The oxygen-based electrochemical pressure generator reaction is depicted in diagram 400 of fig. 4. In high pressure mode, zinc oxide (ZnO) or zinc hydroxide [ Zn (OH) ] ₂ ]Reduced to zinc metal at the zinc metal electrode (cathode) by equation 1 while generating hydroxyl ions (OH) ^-1 )。

OH ^-1 The ions are transported across a solid electrolyte 116 (e.g., potassium hydroxide gel) and oxidized at the anode (e.g., carbon electrode 114) to produce oxygen (O) ₂ ) This will increase the pressure. The overall reaction is shown in equation 2.

The anode may also be any stable metal anode, such as a nickel anode. In the low-pressure mode, Zn is oxidized into Zn (OH) at the anode ₂ Or ZnO and O ₂ Is reduced to OH "ions at the cathode, resulting in a pressure drop. The overall low pressure reaction is shown in equation 3.

The ions are confined in the solid gel electrolyte 116. The superhydrophobic gas permeable membrane 118 serves to confine water molecules within the reactor 110 while allowing transport of gases into and out of the reactor 100. In the high pressure mode, a trace amount of hydrogen gas generated at the Zn cathode by the parasitic reaction (hydrogen evolution reaction) is released into the environment through the hydrogen permeable membrane 124 (e.g., microporous silica membrane) that allows the hydrogen gas to pass through while preventing the oxygen gas from passing through, as shown in fig. 1 and 2. This greatly improves the safety of the electrochemical pressure generator by avoiding the generation of an oxyhydrogen mixture. Oxygen-based electrochemical power generation is safe; however, the oxygen reduction reaction has slow kinetics, which limits the rate of gas consumption.

Thus, a hydrogen-based electrochemical pressure generation method is presented in diagram 500 of fig. 5. In high pressure mode, nickel hydroxide [ Ni (OH) ] ₂ ]Oxidized to nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) at the nickel anode, and water is reduced to hydrogen at the cathode. The cathode may be a platinum coated carbon electrode 114. Thereby, the pressure increases. The overall reaction is shown in equation 4.

In low pressure mode, NiOOH is reduced to Ni (OH) at the nickel anode ₂ And H is ₂ Oxidized to water at the cathode. Thus, the pressure is reduced. The overall reaction is shown in equation 5.

Hydrogen is difficult to confine, especially at high pressures. Therefore, it is costly to construct hydrogen-based electrochemical pressure generators. However, hydrogen has much faster reduction/oxidation kinetics than oxygen, thus providing rapid gas generation and consumption rates, resulting in rapid charge/discharge of the pneumatic cell (i.e., pressure generator). In addition, hydrogen molecules require two electrons, half of the four electrons required for oxygen molecules. Therefore, hydrogen-based electrochemical pressure generators are more efficient than oxygen-based electrochemical pressure generators.

The electrochemical reaction according to this embodiment may include many metal-metal oxide/hydroxide/oxyhydroxide pairs, such as iron, cobalt, aluminum, magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, tin, lithium, and non-metallic elements, such as silicon, and is thus not limited to Zn-ZnO or Ni (OH) ₂ -NiOOH. In addition, according to this embodiment, more than one metal may be used, such as NiCo (OH) ₂ NiCoOOH and NiFeCo (OH) ₂ /NiFeCoOOH。

Table 1 summarizes the comparison of the advantages of the present embodiment with the most recent pressure generator. Electrochemical pressure generators are smaller, safer, quieter than traditional centralized compressors that generate pressure and then distribute the pressure to the workplace using gas conduits. Furthermore, the electrochemical pressure generator is portable and capable of generating higher pressures than the commonly used five to six bar gas lines. Compared to state-of-the-art chemical and electrochemical generators, the electrochemical pressure generator according to the present embodiment is safer due to single component gas operation and more efficient due to regenerative low pressure mode.

TABLE 1

Although fluid actuation has advantages over electrical actuation, fluid actuation has low portability due to the need for bulky accessories such as pumps and compressors, which has prevented fluid actuation from being used in certain fields. The high-voltage pneumatic battery according to the present embodiment has direct energy conversion from the electrical to mechanical domain, without any pump and compressor, and can significantly broaden the applications of the fluid actuation device and the robot. One industrial application is to power fluid actuated robotic grippers. However, the electrochemical pressure generator according to the present embodiment also has the prospect of allowing the development of a totally untethered fluid actuation system as a whole. Thus, in addition to industrial automation, electrochemical pressure generators would also benefit autonomous and biomimetic robots, surgical robots, wearable robotic devices, and haptic systems. In summary, a self-contained, electrically driven, portable pressure generator according to the present embodiments will have a significant impact on several branches of robotics and automation, where it is considered beneficial to employ efficient, lightweight, quiet and compact actuation means.

It can thus be seen that the present embodiments provide a safe, controllable, high speed and high pressure electrochemical pressure generator that is self-contained so as to be easier to deploy in practical situations with minimal logistical impact. Further, the present embodiments provide an electrochemical pressure generator that is compact and light-weight because electrical energy is directly converted into mechanical energy without requiring a motor, a pump, or a compressor, thereby achieving great portability and quiet operation. The present embodiments also provide electrochemically generated high pressures that are much higher than the pressures provided by typical compressed gas lines, providing unique advantages to robotic devices. Furthermore, the present embodiment provides clean and green operation because no chemicals or gases are discharged into the environment, and no electromagnetic noise because the power supply is direct current, and no acoustic noise because there is no motor, compressor or pump.

While exemplary embodiments have been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the present embodiments, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, operation, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of steps and methods of operation described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gas storage electrochemical pressure generator comprising:

a power source;

an electrochemical pressure generator selectively connectable to the power source,

wherein the power supply is configured to provide power to the electrochemical pressure generator in a high pressure mode of operation to convert solid hydrogen or oxygen within the electrochemical pressure generator to a high pressure gas having a first pressure when connected to the electrochemical pressure generator;

one or more gas reservoirs in fluid communication with the electrochemical pressure generator and each comprising a first chamber and a second chamber arranged in series,

wherein the first chamber of each of the one or more gas reservoirs is in fluid communication with the electrochemical pressure generator and comprises a first surface of a non-rigid separation element having a first area, and

wherein the second chamber of each of the one or more air containers includes a second surface of the non-rigid separation element having a second area, the second surface being mechanically coupled to the first surface by the non-rigid separation element to generate a second pressure; and

a hydraulic device coupled to the second chamber for transmitting the second pressure to a load.

2. The gas storage electrochemical pressure generator of claim 1, further comprising:

an energy storage device coupled to the electrochemical pressure generator, wherein the electrochemical pressure generator is configured to charge the energy storage device when converting the high pressure gas to a solid state.

3. The gas storage electrochemical pressure generator of claim 2, wherein the power source comprises the energy storage device.

4. A gas storage electrochemical pressure generator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first chamber of each of the one or more gas storage containers comprises a first inflatable chamber.

5. The gas storage electrochemical pressure generator of claim 4, wherein the first inflatable chamber of each of the one or more gas storage containers comprises a bellows.

6. The gas storage electrochemical pressure generator of claim 4, wherein the first inflatable chamber of each of the one or more gas storage containers comprises a piston.

7. Gas storage electrochemical pressure generator according to any of the preceding claims, in which the second chamber of each of the one or more gas storage containers comprises a second inflatable chamber.

8. The gas storage electrochemical pressure generator of claim 7, wherein the second inflatable chamber of each of the one or more gas storage containers comprises a bellows.

9. The gas storage electrochemical pressure generator of claim 7, wherein the first inflatable chamber of each of the one or more gas storage containers comprises a piston.

10. The gas storage electrochemical pressure generator of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second chamber of each of the one or more gas storage containers is filled with an incompressible fluid.

11. The gas storage electrochemical pressure generator of claim 10, wherein the incompressible fluid comprises a fluid selected from the group consisting of silicone oil, mineral oil and water.

12. A gas storage electrochemical pressure generator of any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more gas storage containers comprises a single gas storage container in fluid communication with the electrochemical pressure generator to receive the high pressure gas, and wherein the first area of the first surface is greater than the second area of the second surface and the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.

13. The gas storage electrochemical pressure generator of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the electrochemical pressure generator is further configured to operate in a low pressure mode to convert the high pressure gas back to the solid state, and

wherein the one or more gas storage containers comprise a first gas storage container and a second gas storage container, both the first gas storage container and the second gas storage container being in fluid communication with the electrochemical pressure generator, and

wherein the first area of the first surface of the first chamber of the first air container is greater than the second area of the second surface of the second chamber of the first air container, and the second pressure within the second chamber of the first air container is greater than the first pressure within the first chamber of the first air container, and

wherein the first area of the first surface of the first chamber of the second air container is smaller than the second area of the second surface of the second chamber of the second air container, and the second pressure within the second chamber of the second air container is smaller than the first pressure within the first chamber of the first air container,

the gas storage electrochemical pressure generator further comprises a plurality of valves configured to control the pressure transmitted to the load by the hydraulic device, wherein a first portion of the plurality of valves is located between the electrochemical pressure generator and each of the first and second gas storage containers and a second portion of the plurality of valves is located between each of the first and second gas storage containers and the hydraulic device; and is

The gas storage electrochemical pressure generator further includes a control device coupled to each of the plurality of valves and configured to alternate gas flow between the first gas storage container and the second gas storage container and to alternate gas flow to the hydraulic device when operation of the electrochemical pressure generator alternates between the high pressure mode and the low pressure mode.

14. A dual gas storage electrochemical pressure generator comprising:

a power source;

wherein the power source is configured to provide power to the electrochemical pressure generator to generate a high pressure gas having a first pressure P1 from solid hydrogen or oxygen within the electrochemical pressure generator, and

wherein the electrochemical pressure generator is configured to convert the high pressure gas to the hydrogen and the oxygen in solid state, resulting in a second pressure P2;

a first gas reservoir in fluid communication with the electrochemical pressure generator and comprising a first chamber and a second chamber arranged in series,

wherein the first chamber is in fluid communication with the high pressure gas having the first pressure and comprises a first surface on a first non-rigid separation element separating the first chamber from the second chamber, the first surface having an area S1, and

wherein the second chamber is filled with an incompressible fluid and comprises a second surface of the first non-rigid separation element having an area S1 'to generate a pressure P1', and

wherein S1> S1 'and P1< P1';

a second gas reservoir in fluid communication with the electrochemical pressure generator and comprising a third chamber and a fourth chamber arranged in series,

wherein the third chamber is in fluid communication with a gas having the second pressure P2 and comprises a third surface of a second non-rigid separation element separating the third chamber from the fourth chamber, the third surface having an area S2, and

wherein the fourth chamber is filled with an incompressible fluid and includes a fourth surface in contact with the third surface having an area S2 'to output a pressure P2', and

wherein, S2< S1 'and P2> P2';

hydraulic means selectively coupled to the second and fourth chambers for transmitting the pressure P1 'and the pressure P2' to a load;

a plurality of valves for controlling a flow of gas from the electrochemical pressure generator to the first and third chambers and for controlling a flow of the pressure from the second and fourth chambers to the hydraulic device; and

a control device coupled to the plurality of valves and configured to control delivery of the pressure P1 'and the pressure P2' to a load.

15. The dual gas storage electrochemical pressure generator of claim 14, further comprising: an energy storage device, wherein the electrochemical pressure generator is configured to charge the energy storage device when converting the high pressure gas to a solid state.