Fuel cell charger interface with multiple voltage outputs for portable devices
First Claim
1. A power supply for an electronic device comprising:
- a. a direct oxidation fuel cell;
b. one or more rechargeable batteries coupled to supply power to the electronic application device;
c. an interface coupled between said fuel cell, said one or more batteries, and said electronic device, said interface including one or more DC-DC converters coupled to receive the output of the fuel cell, and to supply power to said one or more batteries, and further being coupled to said electronic device such that said fuel cell and DC-DC converter(s) provide one or more voltages at required voltage rail(s) directly to said electronic device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel cell-based powerpack for use with an electronic device that requires multiple voltages is provided. The power pack includes an interface between a direct oxidation fuel cell and one or more rechargeable batteries coupled to supply power to the electronic application device. The interface is connected to receive the output of the fuel cell and includes one or more DC-DC converters that not only boost power to said one or more batteries, but are further coupled to the electronic device such that the fuel cell can be used to directly provide one or more subvoltages, at required voltage rails, directly to said electronic device. The output voltage can also be linearly regulated if needed in a particular application.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power supply for an electronic device comprising:
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a. a direct oxidation fuel cell; b. one or more rechargeable batteries coupled to supply power to the electronic application device; c. an interface coupled between said fuel cell, said one or more batteries, and said electronic device, said interface including one or more DC-DC converters coupled to receive the output of the fuel cell, and to supply power to said one or more batteries, and further being coupled to said electronic device such that said fuel cell and DC-DC converter(s) provide one or more voltages at required voltage rail(s) directly to said electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An interface for a power pack for an electronic device, said power pack including a fuel cell and a battery, the interface comprising:
a plurality of DC-DC converters, each converter coupled to receive an output voltage of said fuel cell and to convert said output voltage of the fuel cell to one or more desired voltages for the electronic device, and said plurality of DC-DC converters being coupled to said electronic device to thereby provide multiple input voltage rails for said electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An interface for a power pack for an electronic device, said power pack including a fuel cell and a battery, the interface comprising:
a DC-DC converter coupled to receive an output voltage of said fuel cell and to convert said output voltage of the fuel cell to a desired voltage for the battery, and said DC-DC converter having two or more output switches that can couple its out put to a voltage rail of said electronic device or to the battery to thereby provide power to a voltage rail of said electronic device or to charge the battery.
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15. A method of providing power to an electronic device, comprising the steps of:
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providing a fuel cell and an interface including one or more DC-DC converters coupled to the electronic device and a battery; configuring the interface to provide multiple voltages as needed by said electronic device; and supplying a particular voltage directly from said interface to said electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification