Fuel cell system having a toggle switch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9276271-B2
Application number	US-201113991058-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 13, 2011
Priority date	Dec 14, 2010
Publication date	Mar 1, 2016
Grant date	Mar 1, 2016

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

The invention claimed is:

1. A fuel cell system comprising,
a replaceable hydrogen fuel supply;
a fuel cell; and
a toggle switch comprising a rotatable flat cylindrical body, with a cam along a portion of its edge; at least one opening through the cylindrical body; and an actuator portion;
wherein when the actuator portion is moved into a first position hydrogen is provided to the fuel cell and an electrical ON/OFF switch for the fuel cell system is activated by the cam, and when the actuator is moved to a second position hydrogen is purged from the fuel cell.

2. The fuel cell system of claim 1 further comprising an integrated circuit chip.

3. The fuel cell system of claim 2 , wherein the integrated circuit chip comprises information about the fuel cell system or software to operate the fuel cell system.

4. The fuel cell system of claim 1 wherein the fuel cell system generates electricity to charge a stand alone battery or a battery stored within an electronic device.

5. The fuel cell system of claim 1 , wherein the fuel cell comprises two fuel cells wherein the cathode sides of the two fuel cells are facing each other.

6. The fuel cell system of claim 5 , wherein a fan provides an oxidant to the cathode sides of the two fuel cells.

7. The fuel cell system of claim 6 , wherein the fan has variable speed.

8. The fuel cell system of claim 1 further comprising a humidity sensor.

9. The fuel cell system of claim 1 , wherein the fuel cell surrounds the replaceable hydrogen fuel supply, wherein the cathode side of the fuel cell faces the fuel supply, and wherein a pressure regulator controls the pressure from the fuel supply.

10. The fuel cell system of claim 1 , wherein the fuel cell surrounds the replaceable hydrogen fuel supply, wherein the fuel supply and the fuel cell have similar shape and wherein the shape is substantially oval, and wherein a pressure regulator controls the pressure from the fuel supply.

11. The fuel cell system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a fuel aperture and a purge aperture.

12. The fuel cell system of claim 11 , wherein the fuel aperture is fluidly connected to an outlet of a pressure regulator and to an anode of the fuel cell in the first position.

13. The fuel cell system of claim 11 , wherein the purge aperture is fluidly connected to the fuel cell and to a vent in the second position.

Assignees

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

Inventors

• Rosenzweig Alain
• Rath Kurt
• Curello Andrew

Classifications

• H01M8/004 Primary

  Cylindrical, tubular or wound · CPC title

• H01M2250/30

  Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop · CPC title

• H01M8/04201

  Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes · CPC title

• H01M8/1002

  Electricity · mapped topic

• Y02B90/18

  Cross-Sectional Technologies · mapped topic