Fuel Cell System

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016156047-A1
Application number	US-201614996792-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 15, 2016
Priority date	Dec 14, 2010
Publication date	Jun 2, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fuel cell system ( 10 ) with a toggle switch ( 32 ) between an ON or OFF position is provided. In the OFF position, gas is purged from the fuel cell. The fuel cell ( 12 ) may surround the fuel source ( 14 ) with the cathode side of the fuel cell facing the fuel source. Additionally, both the fuel cell ( 12 ) and the fuel source ( 14 ) may have similar form factor to maximize the available space. Preferably the form factor is substantially an oval shape. The fuel cell system may also have a pressure regulator ( 26 ).

First claim

1 . (canceled)

2 . A fuel cell system for powering an electronic device comprising,
a replaceable fuel supply having a first hydrogen valve; a plurality of fuel cells fluidly connected to the replaceable fuel supply and configured to removably receive the replaceable fuel supply, wherein the plurality of fuel cells are in fluid communication with a second hydrogen valve, the second hydrogen valve is configured to mate with the first hydrogen valve, wherein the cathode side of the fuel cell faces the fuel supply; and a pressure regulator disposed between the second hydrogen valve and the plurality of fuel cells to control the pressure from the fuel supply.

3 . A fuel cell system for powering an electronic device comprising,
a replaceable fuel supply having a first hydrogen valve; a plurality of fuel cells disposed loosely around the replaceable fuel supply and configured to removably receive the replaceable fuel supply, wherein the fuel supply and the fuel cell have similar shape, wherein the plurality of fuel cells are in fluid communication with a second hydrogen valve, the second hydrogen valve is configured to mate with the first hydrogen valve, wherein the anode side of the fuel cell faces the fuel supply; and a pressure regulator disposed between the second hydrogen valve and the plurality of fuel cells to control the pressure from the fuel supply.

4 . The fuel cell system of claim 2 further comprising an integrated circuit chip.

5 . The fuel cell system of claim 4 , wherein the integrated circuit chip comprises information about the fuel cell system or software to operate the fuel cell system.

6 . The fuel cell system of claim 2 , wherein the fuel cell system generates electricity to charge a stand alone battery or a battery stored within an electronic device.

7 . The fuel cell system of claim 3 , wherein the fuel cell comprises two fuel cells wherein the cathode sides of the two fuel cells are facing each other.

8 . The fuel cell system of claim 7 , wherein a fan provides an oxidant to the cathode sides of the two fuel cells.

9 . The fuel cell system of claim 8 , wherein the fan has variable speed.

10 . The fuel cell system of claim 2 further comprising a humidity sensor.

11 . The fuel cell system of claim 2 , further comprising an electrical ON/OFF switch operationally connected to the plurality of fuel cells to initiate a predetermined start-up and shut down sequences of the fuel cell system.

12 . The fuel cell system of claim 3 , further comprising an electrical ON/OFF switch operationally connected to the plurality of fuel cells to initiate a predetermined start-up and shut down sequences of the fuel cell system.

13 . The fuel cell of claim 2 , wherein the shape is substantially oval.

14 . The fuel cell of claim 3 , wherein the shape is substantially oval.

15 . The fuel cell system of claim 5 , wherein the electronic device accesses the information stored in the integrated chip to control at least one operation of the fuel cell system.

16 . The fuel cell system of claim 5 , wherein the integrated chip stores information that comprises at least one of fuel cell type, fuel type, fuel gage, temperature gage, fuel concentration gage, fuel purity level, start-up sequences, shut down sequences that is necessary to operate the fuel cell system.

Assignees

• Rosenzweig Alain
• Rath Kurt
• Curello Andrew J
• Commissariat Energie Atomique
• Intelligent Energy Ltd

Inventors

• Rosenzweig Alain
• Rath Kurt
• Curello Andrew J

Classifications

• H01M2008/1095

  Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes · CPC title

• H01M8/04089

  of gaseous reactants · CPC title

• H01M8/04208

  Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs · CPC title

• H01M8/04753

  of fuel cell reactants · CPC title

• H01M16/006

  of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries · CPC title