Abstract:
The present invention relates to a connector or cable between the fuel supply and the fuel cell that in addition to transporting fuel and electrical power can also communicate control signals between the fuel cell and the cartridge to instruct the fuel cartridge or the fuel cell or both to commence or cease the operation of one or more functions. Control signals can be electrical, fluidic/hydraulic and/or mechanical. The connector or cable may also transport electricity produced by the fuel cell to power an electronic device, and/or to the fuel cartridge to power a component(s) on the cartridge or to re-charge a battery. The connector or cable may have universal connectors that can attach to multiple fuel cells, fuel cartridges and electronic devices, even when manufactured by different manufacturers.
Abstract:
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a fuel cell connection component, including an interconnect or a current collector. The fuel cell connection component includes conductive fibers oriented at an angle of less than about 90° to at least one electrode in the fuel cell. The fuel cell connection component provides an electrically conductive pathway from the at least one electrode of the fuel cell to an external circuit or to an electrode of a different fuel cell. Embodiments of the present invention also provide fuel cells that include the fuel cell connection component, including fuel cell layers, and methods of making the same.
Abstract:
Purge valves (109, 109', 200) that are manually turned ON but are automatically or electrically turned OFF as the fuel cell (108)'s production of electricity reaches a predetermined level, e.g. , steady state or thereabout are disclosed. The purge valve may be opened at system start-up, or may be opened at system shut-down so that the purge valve is armed and the fuel cell system is purged at the next start-up. Also disclosed is an integrated fluidic interface module (10) that contains various fluidic components including one of these purge valves. The integrated fluidic interface module (10) can operate passively or without being actively controlled by a processor. Methods of operating a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system is purged at system start-up, are also disclosed. The purging automatically stops when the anode plenum is fully purged and replaced with fuel.
Abstract:
A fluidic control system includes featured layers. The featured layers include two or more features which collectively form at least one functional component.
Abstract:
Purge valves (109, 109', 200) that are manually turned ON but are automatically or electrically turned OFF as the fuel cell (108)'s production of electricity reaches a predetermined level, e.g., steady state or thereabout are disclosed. The purge valve may be opened at system start-up, or may be opened at system shut-down so that the purge valve is armed and the fuel cell system is purged at the next start-up. Also disclosed is an integrated fluidic interface module (10) that contains various fluidic components including one of these purge valves. The integrated fluidic interface module (10) can operate passively or without being actively controlled by a processor. Methods of operating a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system is purged at system start-up, are also disclosed. The purging automatically stops when the anode plenum is fully purged and replaced with fuel.
Abstract:
Purge valves (109, 109', 200) that are manually turned ON but are automatically or electrically turned OFF as the fuel cell (108)'s production of electricity reaches a predetermined level, e.g ., steady state or thereabout are disclosed. The purge valve may be opened at system start-up, or may be opened at system shut-down so that the purge valve is armed and the fuel cell system is purged at the next start-up. Also disclosed is an integrated fluidic interface module (10) that contains various fluidic components including one of these purge valves. The integrated fluidic interface module (10) can operate passively or without being actively controlled by a processor. Methods of operating a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system is purged at system start-up, are also disclosed. The purging automatically stops when the anode plenum is fully purged and replaced with fuel.
Abstract:
A method and system for supplying power to a portable electronic device includes supplying current from one or more fuel cells to a DC-DC converter and regulating a current limit of the DC-DC converter as a function of a measured temperature of at least one of the power supply system and the portable electronic device. The current limit can vary as an inverse function of the measured temperature. The current limit can be an input current limit of the DC-DC converter or an output current limit of the DC-DC converter. Current produced by the one or more fuel cells can decrease proportionally to a decrease of the current limit of the DC-DC converter, reducing the heat produced by the one or more fuel cells and thereby reducing the measured temperature. A temperature sensor can be located on or near the one or more fuel cells. A temperature sensor can be located on an internal housing of the portable electronic device.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a connector or cable between the fuel supply and the fuel cell that in addition to transporting fuel and electrical power can also communicate control signals between the fuel cell and the cartridge to instruct the fuel cartridge or the fuel cell or both to commence or cease the operation of one or more functions. Control signals can be electrical, fluidic/hydraulic and/or mechanical. The connector or cable may also transport electricity produced by the fuel cell to power an electronic device, and/or to the fuel cartridge to power a component(s) on the cartridge or to re-charge a battery. The connector or cable may have universal connectors that can attach to multiple fuel cells, fuel cartridges and electronic devices, even when manufactured by different manufacturers.
Abstract:
Purge valves (109, 109', 200) that are manually turned ON but are automatically or electrically turned OFF as the fuel cell (108)'s production of electricity reaches a predetermined level, e.g., steady state or thereabout are disclosed. The purge valve may be opened at system start-up, or may be opened at system shut-down so that the purge valve is armed and the fuel cell system is purged at the next start-up. Also disclosed is an integrated fluidic interface module (10) that contains various fluidic components including one of these purge valves. The integrated fluidic interface module (10) can operate passively or without being actively controlled by a processor. Methods of operating a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system is purged at system start-up, are also disclosed. The purging automatically stops when the anode plenum is fully purged and replaced with fuel.
Abstract:
A complete fuel cell system (10) is described. The: fuel cell system (10) comprises at least two fuel precursors (16, 18) that react to create hydrogen. A solid fuel precursor (18) can be carried in disposable fuel cartridges (100). A passive pressure control system including a dose pump (22) and a pressure equalization system (24, 300, 504) is provided to dose a liquid fuel precursor (16) to the solid fuel precursor (18) in the fuel cartridge (100). An outer wall (102) of the fuel cartridge can form a part of the passive pressure control system. The solid fuel precursor may include larger metallic particles coated by other fine metallic particles such that multiple micro galvanic cells are formed on the surface of the larger metallic particles.