Systems and methods for fuel cartridge distribution
First Claim
1. In a device that includes a fuel cell, a method for validating fuel provision from a cartridge that stores a fuel, the method comprising:
- reading compatibility information from a memory included with the cartridge;
validating the compatibility information before permitting fuel provision from the cartridge to the device; and
permitting fuel to flow from the cartridge to the device when the compatibility information is valid, or denying fuel to flow from the cartridge to the device when the compatibility information is not valid or absent.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to systems and methods that improve distribution of fuel cartridges. The cartridges include compatibility information. A controller on the device validates the compatibility information before permitting fuel provision from the cartridge to the device. Invalid compatibility information, or absence of the compatibility information, then denies fuel flow to the device. This permits the device to validate that the cartridge and its contents are acceptable. This improves distribution by allowing the device or fuel cell manufacturer to implement cartridge selectivity by permitting cartridges from select manufacturers to provide fuel and denying cartridge of other manufacturers from providing fuel. Compatibility information stored in the cartridge memory may also be encrypted to prevent open access to the compatibility information. The compatibility information also improves fuel refilling distribution. In this case, the compatibility information permits a cartridge or device manufacturer to selectively control who can refill their cartridges.
111 Citations
58 Claims
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1. In a device that includes a fuel cell, a method for validating fuel provision from a cartridge that stores a fuel, the method comprising:
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reading compatibility information from a memory included with the cartridge;
validating the compatibility information before permitting fuel provision from the cartridge to the device; and
permitting fuel to flow from the cartridge to the device when the compatibility information is valid, or denying fuel to flow from the cartridge to the device when the compatibility information is not valid or absent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A device for receiving fuel from a cartridge that stores a fuel for use in a fuel cell system, the device comprising:
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a fuel cell; and
a controller, operating according to instructions stored in a device memory, configured to communicate with a memory on the cartridge, obtain compatibility information from the cartridge memory, and validate the compatibility information before permitting fuel provision from the cartridge to the device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A fuel cell system for producing electrical energy, the fuel cell system comprising:
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a portable cartridge for storing a fuel, the cartridge including a memory that stores compatibility information, and a cartridge connector; and
a device that includes a fuel cell, a mating connector that interfaces with the cartridge connector to permit transfer of the fuel from the cartridge to the device, and a controller, operating according to instructions stored in a device memory, configured to communicate with the cartridge memory, obtain compatibility information from the cartridge memory, and validate the compatibility information before permitting fuel provision from the cartridge to the device. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A portable cartridge for storing a fuel for provision to a device that includes a fuel cell, the portable cartridge comprising:
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an internal cavity adapted to contain the fuel;
a cartridge connector for coupling to a mating connector on the device; and
a memory including compatibility information that enables a device to validate the compatibility information before permitting fuel provision from the cartridge to the device. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of providing a plurality of cartridges for use with a device that includes a fuel cell, the method comprising:
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storing a fuel in each of the plurality of cartridges;
adding compatibility information to a memory included in each of the plurality of cartridges, wherein the compatibility information enables the device to validate the compatibility information before permitting fuel provision from a cartridge coupled to the device; and
distributing the plurality of cartridges for sale to consumers. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method of storing a fuel in a fuel cartridge for use with a fuel cell system, the method comprising:
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at least partially removing a gas from the liquid fuel;
at least partially removing a gas from a volume in the fuel cartridge that stores the fuel before fuel is stored in the cartridge; and
storing the liquid fuel in the volume. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification