Fuel cartridge interconnect for portable fuel cells
US7482091B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 15, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hybrid power supply includes a fuel cell and an interface between the fuel cell and a fuel cartridge or external battery and a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from the fuel cell or external battery and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply also includes a fuel cell current sensor/comparator, included in a feedback control loop disposed about the DC/DC converter, which controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the fuel battery side of the hybrid power supply. An adapter that couples a source of AC power such as a charger to the interconnect is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.