APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HEATING FUEL CELLS
First Claim
1. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing the following steps:
- measuring, by a smart controller, an electrical output of at least one fuel cell, wherein said smart controller is communicatively coupled to a host consumer electronic device via a host interface, wherein said host consumer electronic device is powered by said fuel cell, and wherein the measurement of the electrical output is based upon a measurement received from at least one ammeter communicatively coupled to said smart controller;
measuring, by said smart controller, a temperature of the at least one fuel cell based on a measurement received from at least one temperature transducer communicatively coupled to said smart controller;
determining, by said smarter controller, whether the temperature of the at least one fuel cell is within a predetermined operating temperature range; and
if the temperature is within the predetermined operating temperature range, adjusting, by said smart controller, an amount of electrical current in a resistive conductor positioned in close proximity to the at least one fuel cell based on said electrical output of the at least one fuel cell for adjusting the temperature of the at least one fuel cell, such that the electrical output of the at least one fuel cell is optimized.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel cell or fuel cell stack heater using resistive heat. A resistive conductor (preferably some type of metal wire) is attached to a source of electricity such as a battery. The resistive conductor is in proximity with the fuel cell or stack so that when the resistive conductor is heated, the cell or stack will also become hot. An insulating material surrounds the outside of the fuel cell or stack, so that it encloses the cell or stack and the resistive conductor. The insulating material will capture heat from the resistive conductor and any waste heat given off by the operation of the fuel cell or stack. A means for modifying the amount of electrical current in the resistive conductor is attached to the apparatus. When the fuel cell or stack reaches the desired temperature, the means is employed to reduce or turn off current in the resistive conductor.
7 Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing the following steps:
-
measuring, by a smart controller, an electrical output of at least one fuel cell, wherein said smart controller is communicatively coupled to a host consumer electronic device via a host interface, wherein said host consumer electronic device is powered by said fuel cell, and wherein the measurement of the electrical output is based upon a measurement received from at least one ammeter communicatively coupled to said smart controller; measuring, by said smart controller, a temperature of the at least one fuel cell based on a measurement received from at least one temperature transducer communicatively coupled to said smart controller; determining, by said smarter controller, whether the temperature of the at least one fuel cell is within a predetermined operating temperature range; and if the temperature is within the predetermined operating temperature range, adjusting, by said smart controller, an amount of electrical current in a resistive conductor positioned in close proximity to the at least one fuel cell based on said electrical output of the at least one fuel cell for adjusting the temperature of the at least one fuel cell, such that the electrical output of the at least one fuel cell is optimized. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
Specification