Retrofittable power supply

• US 20030042740A1
• Filed: 08/29/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited (Lb-shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Goebel, Sandra, Holder, Helen Ann
• Granted Patent: US 6,781,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/1A
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0436 Small-sized flat cells or batteries for portable equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/10 Fuel cells in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/30 Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A retrofittable power supply allows an electronic device that is initially designed to be non-portable (in the sense that such electronic and electrical devices require a wired connection to an AC or DC power supply) to operate in geographical regions, or under conditions, in which a wired power supply is not available. The retroffitable power supply can simply plug into an existing case or frame of the non-portable electronic device, and can then serve as a means for powering both the non-portable electronic device, as well as a means for powering peripheral devices that may be coupled to the non-portable electronic device.

Claims

1. A retrofittable, wireless power supply device, comprising:

a housing having a form factor equal to that of a wired power supply device;

a power generation module within the housing, the power generation module comprising;

a DC power generator, the DC power generator capable of generating DC power for use in an electronic device, and

a DC/AC converter that generates AC output power using the generated DC power; and

one or more AC power output connections, wherein the retrofittable power supply device replaces the wired power supply device.

2. The retrofittable, wireless power supply device of claim 1, wherein the DC power generator comprises a proton exchange module fuel cell.

3. The retrofittable, wireless power supply device of claim 1, wherein the DC power generator comprises a heat generating source.

4. The retrofittable, wireless power supply device of claim 1, wherein the DC power generator comprises a solar cell.

5. The retrofittable, wireless power supply device of claim 1, wherein the DC power generator comprises a wind turbine.

6. A retrofittable power supply for use in a non-portable electronic device, comprising:

means for housing the retrofittable power supply device, the means for housing having a form factor equal to that of a wired power supply device used in the non-portable electronic device;

means for generating power, comprising;

means for generating DC power, and

means for converting the generated DC power to AC power; and

means for outputting the AC power.

7. The power supply of claim 6, wherein the means for generating DC power comprises fuel cell means.

8. The power supply of claim 6, wherein the means for generating DC power comprises heat generating means.

9. The power supply of claim 6, wherein the means for generating DC power comprises solar energy means.

10. The power supply of claim 6, wherein the means for generating DC power comprises wind-driven means.

11. The power supply of claim 6, further comprising means for storing DC power.

12. The power supply of claim 11, wherein the means for storing DC power comprises a rechargeable storage battery.

13. The power supply of claim 11, wherein the means for storing DC power comprises a flywheel apparatus.