Fuel cell power and management system, and technique for controlling and/or operating same

• US 20050233185A1
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Duncan D. Macgregor, Glenn M. Dunn, Kenneth E. Pearson, Paul Getchel, Sinclair D. Macgregor
• Original Assignee: Duncan D. Macgregor, Glenn M. Dunn, Kenneth E. Pearson, Paul Getchel, Sinclair D. Macgregor
• Inventors: Getchel, Paul, Pearson, Kenneth E., MacGregor, Sinclair D., Dunn, Glenn M., MacGregor, Duncan D.
• Application Number:
  US11/151,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20050233185A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/442
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0308 Protective caps
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/30 Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04208 Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04373 of auxiliary devices, e.g. reformers, compressors, burners
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04388 of anode reactants at the inlet or inside the fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04425 at auxiliary devices, e.g. reformers, compressors, burners
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a portable fuel cell power and management system (for example, hydrogen and/or methanol based systems), components and/or elements thereof, as well as techniques for controlling and/or operating such systems. The fuel cell power management system (and method of controlling and/or operating same) actively monitors, manages and/or controls one or more operating parameter(s) of the fuel cell system. For example, the system monitors, manages and/or controls the consumption and/or the rate of consumption of fuel by the system, and in response thereto, may provide and/or alert the user to amount of fuel remaining, consumed, the rate of consumption and/or the time (or estimation thereof) remaining until all of the fuel is spent. In this way, the user may schedule or plan accordingly.

Claims

1-48. -48. (canceled)

49. A hydrogen-based power generation unit for use in a hydrogen-based fuel cell management system wherein the management system includes a hydrogen-based fuel cartridge having a fuel vessel containing a hydrogen-based fuel, the hydrogen-based power generation unit comprising:

a power unit valve assembly, adapted to couple to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge, to provide exchange of hydrogen-based fuel with the fuel vessel of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge;

a hydrogen-based fuel cell, adapted to receive the hydrogen-based fuel and generate electrical power therefrom; and

control circuitry to determine at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.

50. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 49 wherein the control circuitry intermittently, continuously or periodically, or at a predetermined time determines the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge and intermittently or periodically, or at a predetermined time provides the data which is representative of the at least one operating parameter to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.

51. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 49 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel.

52. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 51 wherein the control circuitry determines the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel using an amount of time the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge provides hydrogen-based fuel to hydrogen-based power generation unit.

53. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 51 wherein the control circuitry determines the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining using data which is representative of the pressure and/or temperature of the fuel in the fuel vessel.

54. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 49 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that has been consumed from the fuel vessel.

55. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 49 further includes communication circuitry to provide data which is representative of the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge to external circuitry.

56. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 55 wherein the communication circuitry uses wireless communications techniques.

57. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 49 wherein the hydrogen-based power generation unit further includes a display to visually provide information which is representative of the at least one operating parameter.

58. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 49 wherein the control circuitry is a microprocessor or microcontroller and wherein the control circuitry intermittently, continuously or periodically determines the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge and intermittently or periodically stores data which is representative of the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge in the memory.

59. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 49 wherein the control circuitry provides information which is representative of the at least one operating parameter to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge before the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge is disconnected from the hydrogen-based power generation unit.

60. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 49 further including a power unit interface, including an electrical interface to receive data which is representative of one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge wherein the one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge includes at least one of a serial number of the fuel cartridge, date of manufacture of the fuel cartridge, date of assembly of the fuel cartridge, type of fuel contained in fuel vessel, fuel capacity of the fuel cartridge, and number of refill operations the fuel cartridge has undergone.

61. A hydrogen-based power generation unit for use in a hydrogen-based fuel cell management system wherein the management system includes a hydrogen-based fuel cartridge having a fuel vessel containing a hydrogen-based fuel, the hydrogen-based power generation unit comprising:

a power unit valve assembly, adapted to couple to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge, to provide exchange of hydrogen-based fuel with the fuel vessel of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge;

a hydrogen-based fuel cell, adapted to receive the hydrogen-based fuel and generate electrical power therefrom;

a power unit interface, including an electrical interface to receive first data from the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge, wherein the first data is representative of at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge at a first time; and

control circuitry to determine second data while the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge is coupled to the hydrogen-based power generation unit using the first data, wherein the second data is representative of the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge at a second time.

62. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 61 wherein the control circuitry intermittently, continuously or periodically, or at a predetermined time, determines the second data.

63. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 62 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel.

64. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 62 wherein the at least one operating parameter is the rate of consumption of the hydrogen-based fuel by the power unit.

65. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 61 wherein the control circuitry intermittently, continuously or periodically, or at a predetermined time determines the second data and intermittently, periodically, or at a predetermined time provides the second data to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.

66. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 65 wherein the at least one operating parameter is (i) the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel or (ii) the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that has been consumed from the fuel vessel.

67. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 61 further includes communication circuitry to provide the second data to external circuitry.

68. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 67 wherein the communication circuitry uses wireless communications techniques.

69. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 61 wherein the hydrogen-based power generation unit further includes a display to visually provide information which is representative of the at least one operating parameter.

70. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 61 wherein the control circuitry is a microprocessor or microcontroller and wherein the control circuitry intermittently, continuously or periodically, or at a predetermined time determines the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge and intermittently, periodically, or at a predetermined time provides the data which is representative of the at least one operating parameter to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.

71. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 61 wherein the control circuitry provides the second data to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge before the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge is disconnected from the power generation unit.

72. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 61 wherein the electrical interface receives data which is representative of one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge wherein the one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge includes at least one of a serial number of the fuel cartridge, date of manufacture of the fuel cartridge, date of assembly of the fuel cartridge, type of fuel contained in fuel vessel, fuel capacity of the fuel cartridge, and number of refill operations the fuel cartridge has undergone.

73. A hydrogen-based power generation unit for use in a hydrogen-based fuel cell management system wherein the management system includes a hydrogen-based fuel cartridge having a fuel vessel containing a hydrogen-based fuel, the hydrogen-based power generation unit comprising:

a power unit valve assembly, adapted to couple to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge, to provide exchange of hydrogen-based fuel with the fuel vessel of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge;

a hydrogen-based fuel cell, adapted to receive the hydrogen-based fuel and generate electrical power therefrom;

a power unit interface, including an electrical interface to provide parameter data to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge during operation of the power generation unit and while the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge provides hydrogen-based fuel to the hydrogen-based fuel cell, wherein the parameter data is representative of at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge; and

control circuitry to determine the parameter data while the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge is coupled to the hydrogen-based power generation unit.

74. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 73 wherein the at least one operating parameter is:

(i) the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel or (ii) the rate of consumption of the hydrogen-based fuel by the power unit.

75. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 73 wherein the control circuitry monitors the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel.

76. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 73 further including a display to provide information which is representative of the parameter data.

77. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 73 wherein the electrical interface receives the initial parameter data which is representative of the initial state of the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.

78. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 73 wherein the control circuitry intermittently, continuously or periodically, or at a predetermined time determines the parameter data using the initial parameter data.

79. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 73 wherein the control circuitry intermittently, continuously or periodically, or at a predetermined time determines the parameter data.

80. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 79 wherein the control circuitry intermittently, periodically, or at a predetermined time provides the parameter data to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.

81. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 79 wherein the at least one operating parameter is:

(i) the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel or (ii) the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that has been consumed from the fuel vessel.

82. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 73 further including communication circuitry to provide the parameter data to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.

83. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 82 wherein the communication circuitry communicates wirelessly.

84. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 73 wherein the control circuitry provides the parameter data to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge before the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge is disconnected from the hydrogen-based power generation unit.

85. The hydrogen-based power generation unit of claim 73 wherein the electrical interface receives data which is representative of one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge wherein the one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge includes at least one of a serial number of the fuel cartridge, date of manufacture of the fuel cartridge, date of assembly of the fuel cartridge, type of fuel contained in fuel vessel, fuel capacity of the fuel cartridge, and number of refill operations the fuel cartridge has undergone.