Personal power using metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells operated in a camping stove flame

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11525581-B2
Application number	US-202016744128-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 15, 2020
Priority date	Jan 16, 2019
Publication date	Dec 13, 2022
Grant date	Dec 13, 2022

Abstract

One or more embodiments relates to a portable, personal device for providing cooking and power and adapted for use with a burner, the device including a plurality of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) coupled together; a microelectronic control circuit connected to at least the MS-SOFCs; a light source coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; and at least one USB port coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; whereby the device is able to simultaneously provide light and power a personal device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A portable, personal device for providing cooking and power and adapted for use with a burner, the device comprising:
a plurality of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) coupled together;
a microelectronic control circuit connected to the MS-SOFCs;
a light source coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; and
at least one USB port coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; whereby the device is able to provide light and power a personal mobile device.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the MS-SOFCs are oriented vertically with respect to the burner.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the MS-SOFCs are oriented horizontally with respect to the burner.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of MS-SOFCs comprise a stack of 5 MS-SOFCs.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the MS-SOFCs are connected in series.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein each one of the MS-SOFCs delivers 0.3V to 0.6V.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises an LED.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the microelectronic circuit includes an LED driver in communication with the MS-SOFCs and the LED.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the microelectronic circuit comprises a boost converter in communication with at least the MS-SOFCs and the USB port.

10. The device of claim 1 further including thermal insulation in contact with at least one surface of one of the MS-SOFCs.

11. A portable, personal device for providing cooking and power and adapted for use with a burner, the device comprising:
a stack of five metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) coupled together;
a microelectronic control circuit connected to the MS-SOFCs;
an LED coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; and
at least one USB port coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit;

whereby the device is able to provide light and power a personal mobile device.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the MS-SOFCs are connected in series.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein each one of the MS-SOFCs delivers 0.3V to 0.6V.

14. A system for providing cooking and power, the system comprising:
a burner;
a stack of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) coupled together and oriented vertically;
a microelectronic control circuit connected to at least the MS-SOFCs;
at least one LED lighting element coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; and
at least one USB port, whereby the MS-SOFCs provide an order of magnitude higher power, whereby the device is able to simultaneously provide power, personal device charging and cooking.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the MS-SOFCs are oriented perpendicular with respect to the burner.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the MS-SOFCs are oriented horizontally with respect to the burner.

17. The device of claim 14 wherein the plurality of MS-SOFCs comprise a stack of 5 MS-SOFCs.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the 5 stacked MS-SOFCs are connected in series.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein each one of the 5 stacked MS-SOFCs delivers 0.3 to 0.6 V.

20. The device of claim 14 wherein the microelectronic circuit comprises a boost converter in communication with at least the MS-SOFCs and the USB port.

Assignees

• Tucker Michael C
• Us Dept Energy

Inventors

• Tucker Michael C

Classifications

• H01M8/04932

  of the individual fuel cell · CPC title

• H01M2008/1293

  Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes · CPC title

• Y02E60/50

  Fuel cells · CPC title

• F21V33/008

  Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes · CPC title

• F21Y2115/10

  Light-emitting diodes [LED] · CPC title