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Battery charger

  • US 6,806,678 B2
  • Filed: 02/20/2003
  • Issued: 10/19/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A battery charger comprising:

  • a battery to be charged;

    a source of AC power which is electrically coupled with the battery charger;

    an AC to DC converter electrically coupled to the AC power source and which produces a first charging circuitry which is supplied to the battery to be charged;

    a housing defining a cavity and which further includes an air plenum which is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative the cavity;

    an electrical bus borne by the housing and which is positioned in the cavity of the housing;

    a source of a fuel gas coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the cavity;

    a plurality of fuel cell modules which produce a second charging current which is supplied to the battery, and heat energy, and wherein the plurality of fuel cell modules are received within the cavity of the housing and are individually electrically coupled with the electrical bus, and disposed in fluid flowing relation relative to the source of fuel gas, and wherein the individual fuel cell modules may be selectively electrically decoupled from the electrical bus and removed from the housing while the remaining fuel cell modules continue in operation;

    an air movement assembly borne by the housing and which is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the air plenum, and wherein the air plenum delivers a cathode air stream to the respective fuel cell modules by way of the air plenum, and wherein the cathode air stream removes a preponderance of the heat energy generated during operation of the plurality of fuel cells;

    a controller borne by the housing and which is controllably electrically coupled with the plurality of fuel cell modules, the electrical bus and the air movement assembly, and wherein the controller is electrically coupled with the AC power source, and is further disposed in controlling relation relative to the source of fuel gas; and

    a communications device electrically coupled to the controller and which is responsive to an electrical signal sent from a remote location, and wherein the controller operably delivers the second charging current to the battery upon substantial termination of the first charging current as occasioned by the interruption of the AC power source.

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