Method and apparatus for filling a fuel container

• US 7,779,873 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2006
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited (Lb-shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Societe BIC
• Inventors: Adams, Paul, Curello, Andrew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O
• Application Number:
  US11/558,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20070065706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 141/301, 141/302, 141/67, 141/95, 141/198, 141351-354, 141/383, 137/614.04
• US Class Current: 141/98
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0311 Closure means
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0335 Check-valves or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0385 in blocks or units
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0121 by gravity
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0142 with specified pump type, e.g. piston or impulsive type
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/04 Methods for emptying or filling
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0417 with electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0636 Flow or movement of content
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/072 Action when predefined value is reached
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/025 Reducing transfer time
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/04 using an independent energy source, e.g. battery
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0763 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 5/06 for filling with compressed gases
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 7/00 Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases from pressure vessels, not covered by another subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/30 Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04186 of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04208 Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1009 : with one of the reactants being liquid, solid or liquid-charged H01M8/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1011 : Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 : Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells

Abstract

A filling device for use to manually or automatically refill a fuel cartridge using a separate fuel container or a second fuel cartridge is disclosed. The filling device provides for the sharing or fuel among numerous fuel containers and fuel cartridges in various consumer electronic devices. Fuel cartridges can be filled in-situ using an adapter for connecting the fuel container to the fuel cartridge. The adapter includes an input connector and an output connector arranged to adapt various fuel containers and fuel cartridges together. The adapter can be arranged as a passive device or as an active device and can include pumps, valves, power sources and control units as desired.

Claims

1. An adapter for connecting a first fuel supply, having a first outlet, to a second fuel supply, having a second inlet, comprising:

an input connector, capable of connecting the adapter to the first outlet of the first fuel supply; and

an output connector, capable of connecting the adapter to the second inlet of the second fuel supply;

wherein the adapter is arranged to transfer fuel from the first fuel supply to the second fuel supply, wherein the adapter is a separate device from the first fuel supply and the second fuel supply such that the adapter is readily removable from said first and second fuel supplies; and

wherein the first outlet of the first fuel supply comprises a first half of a two-component valve and the input connector comprises a second half of the two-component valve.

4. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising a display.

5. The adapter of claim 4, wherein the display comprises a light emitting diode or a liquid crystal display.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises a logic control unit controlling the operation of the adapter.

2. An adapter for connecting a first fuel supply, having a first outlet, to a second fuel supply, having a second inlet, comprising:

an input connector, capable of connecting the adapter to the first outlet of the first fuel supply; and

an output connector, capable of connecting the adapter to the second inlet of the second fuel supply;

wherein the adapter is arranged to transfer fuel from the first fuel supply to the second fuel supply, wherein the adapter is a separate device from the first fuel supply and the second fuel supply such that the adapter is readily removable from said first and second fuel supplies; and

wherein the second fuel supply is disposed in an electronic device and the adapter transfers fuel to the second fuel supply in-situ.

3. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the second inlet comprises a retractable valve connector connectable to the output connector on the adapter.

7. The adapter of claim 2 further comprising at least one valve arranged to selectively stop the flow of fuel from the first fuel supply to the second fuel supply.

8. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the first outlet of the first fuel supply comprises a first half of a two-component valve and the input connector comprises a second half of the two-component valve.

9. The adapter of claim 2 further comprising a display.

10. The adapter of claim 9, wherein the display comprises a light emitting diode or a liquid crystal display.

11. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the adapter comprises a logic control unit controlling the operation of the adapter.