초록 ▼

Coupling miniature liquid fueled fuel cells with portable electrical devices, with or without rechargeable batteries, lead to new appliance configurations: charging holster, piggyback charger, fuel cell integral with rechargeable battery, fuel cell with voltage regulating electronics, supplying fuel

Coupling miniature liquid fueled fuel cells with portable electrical devices, with or without rechargeable batteries, lead to new appliance configurations: charging holster, piggyback charger, fuel cell integral with rechargeable battery, fuel cell with voltage regulating electronics, supplying fuel through a tube with a valve or pump, and supplying power though an electric cable between the fuel cell and the electronic device and the fuel cell power pack having independent communication and functions from the portable electrical devices. In all of these configurations there may be a window showing the fuel level of a disposable fuel ampoule or refillable fuel tank. Fuel is distributed through disposable fuel ampoules in blister packages, or refueling bottles. Adjustable moisture and thermal internal insulation allows fuel cells to run at elevated temperatures. These design features permit greater performance, workability, and convenience to the user of these portable electronics. Additionally, these MICRO-FUEL CELL arrays, which pack more energy into a small space, may be mass produced on a plastic film in a reel-to-reel process.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.]1. An apparatus having a power source for a battery powered device comprising an energy source, a fuel cell array consisting of at least one rechargeable fuel cell array sub-assembly having a plastic web comprising a patterned porous plastic substrate, electrolyte coating on the sub

[ We claim:] [1.]1. An apparatus having a power source for a battery powered device comprising an energy source, a fuel cell array consisting of at least one rechargeable fuel cell array sub-assembly having a plastic web comprising a patterned porous plastic substrate, electrolyte coating on the substrate, diffusion membrane, and gas manifolds for receiving fuel from the energy source and converting to power supply for the device, a thermal insulation and gas diffusion mat positioned on the fuel cell array, the gas diffusion mat having a water distribution matrix for removing and/or supplying water to the fuel cell array, and fuel manifolds in the fuel cell array, and a holder for receiving the battery powered device, the energy source, the thermal insulation and gas diffusion mat, and the fuel cell array.