585results about "Portable application adaption" patented technology

Fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. The fuel supplies can be a pressurized or non-pressurized cartridge that can be used with any fuel cells, including but not limited to, direct methanol fuel cell or reformer fuel cell. In one aspect, a fuel supply may contain a reaction chamber to convert fuel to hydrogen. The fuel supplies may also contain a pump. The fuel supply may have a valve connecting the fuel to the fuel cell, and a vent to vent gas from the fuel supply. Methods for forming various fuel supplies are also disclosed.

The present invention concerns a fuel supply for a fuel cell. The fuel supply includes a fuel storage area configured to hold a fuel solution, a fuel solution outlet configured to pass the fuel solution from the fuel storage area, a waste storage area, a waste inlet configured to pass waste into the waste storage area, and a movable barrier separating the fuel storage area and the waste storage area. The movable barrier is configured to move as fuel solution is passed from the fuel storage area and waste solution is passed into the waste storage area to simultaneously decrease the volume of the fuel storage area and increase the volume of the waste storage area.

Described herein is a portable storage device that stores a hydrogen fuel source. The storage device includes a bladder that contains the hydrogen fuel source and conforms to the volume of the hydrogen fuel source. A housing provides mechanical protection for the bladder. The storage device also includes a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector. The device may be a portable electronics device such as a laptop computer. Refillable hydrogen fuel source storage devices and systems are also described. The refillable system comprises a hydrogen fuel source refiner that includes the mating connector and provides the hydrogen fuel source to the storage device. Hot swappable fuel storage systems described herein allow a portable hydrogen fuel source storage device to be removed from a fuel processor or electronics device it provides the hydrogen fuel source to, without shutting down the receiving device or without compromising hydrogen fuel source provision to the receiving device for a limited time.

The invention relates to hybrid fuel cell systems that protect a fuel cell with a second electrical energy source. The second electrical energy source powers a load to prevent the fuel cell from witnessing stoichiometric levels that may lead to reductions in fuel cell performance or health. The hybrid fuel cell system includes an electrical circuit that electrically initiates the electrical energy source to provide power to the load in response to detecting a potential stoichiometric disturbance for the fuel cell.

A self-contained conveyable power unit for producing 12V/24V, 110V AC, and 220V AC electricity at a desired location independent of external power sources integrates within one weather-resistant molded nonmetallic material based housing a power generating device of a selectable combination of a renewable energy type (e.g., solar), power management devices, power storage devices and management reporting devices. Additional optional power generating devices, renewable or of traditional fuel type, can be contained within or coupled to the housing. The system includes devices or an array of devices contained within the housing for the storage of electrical power. A device for power management is contained within the housing as is networking equipment of wireless or wired type for remote system observation and reporting. The system and housing are modular and configured to produce power using any combination of renewable and non-renewable energy resources. The conveyable power unit may provide easy access to different types of power outputs and inputs and be coupled with like appliances in a ‘daisy chain’ or network of power. Given its molded composite material construction and scaleable design, the appliance may be readily fabricated in a variety of sizes for varied applications. Further, the molded housing of composite material construction is designed for resistance to the elements, light weight and strength.

The invention relates to fuel cell systems with improved thermal efficiency. The systems include a fuel cell that generates electrical energy using hydrogen and a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a fuel. Some heat efficient systems described herein include a thermal catalyst that generates heat when the catalyst interacts with a heating medium. The heat is used to heat the fuel cell. The thermal catalyst may be disposed in, proximity to the fuel cell, or remote from the fuel cell and a heat transfer pipe conducts heat from the catalyst to the fuel cell. Another thermally efficient embodiment uses a recuperator to transfer heat generated in the fuel cell system to incoming fuel. A fuel cell package may also include a multi-layer insulation arrangement to decrease heat loss from the fuel cell and fuel processor, which both typically operate at elevated temperatures.

A power generator has a hydrogen flow path through which moisture is induced to flow to a hydrogen-containing fuel that reacts with the moisture to produce hydrogen. The moisture passes to the hydrogen flow path through a water exchange membrane from a water vapor flow path. A fuel cell between the hydrogen flow path and the water vapor flow path reacts with the hydrogen in the hydrogen flow path to produce electricity, and to also principally produce the moisture in the water vapor flow path.

A floor-cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning head having a cleaning device, a control handle connected to the cleaning head for controlling the cleaning head and a micro power source in communication with the cleaning device. The micro power source is lightweight, compact, and rechargeable or replaceable for generating energy to power the cleaning device.

A battery pack that is charged with power generated in an external power generator and supplies battery power to an external load in parallel with the external power generator, and a power receiving device of a portable electronic device that receives and supplies battery power to an external load in parallel with the external power generator, the battery pack including: a battery cell to discharge power based on a charged amount of electric charge; an external power input terminal to receive power from an external power generator; a power output terminal to supply power to an external load; and a voltage transforming circuit to transform voltage of the power received through the external power input terminal to transfer the transformed voltage to the power output terminal.

A heat sink apparatus for electronic components provides a heat sink and a deformable, convex foil construction affixed to the heat sink around a periphery of the foil construction and adapted to extend away from the heat sink to enable deformation of the convex foil construction as a result of contact with a top surface of an electronic component mounted opposite the foil construction.

A solid electrolyte fuel cell configuration provided with a single sheet shaped solid electrolyte substrate formed with a plurality of fuel cells and thereby not having a sealed structure, achieving a reduction of the size and a reduction of the cost, and able to improve the durability and improve the power generation efficiency, a single sheet shaped solid electrolyte substrate, in particular a solid electrolyte fuel cell configuration provided with a single sheet shaped solid electrolyte substrate, a plurality of anode layers formed on one side of the solid electrolyte substrate, and a plurality of cathode layers formed on the side opposite to the one side of the solid electrolyte substrate at positions facing the anode layers, the anode layers and cathode layers facing each other across the solid electrolyte substrate forming a plurality of fuel cells, the anode layers and cathode layers being connected in series.