Cartridge with fuel supply and membrane electrode assembly stack

The present invention relates generally to a fuel cell system, more specifically to a fuel cell system using a fuel cell and a fuel cartridge, and more particularly to the incorporation of a membrane electrode assembly into a fuel cartridge.

A fuel cell is a device that directly converts the chemical energies of reactants, fuel and oxygen, into direct current (DC) electricity. In many increasing applications, fuel cells are more efficient than traditional power generation, such as burning fossil fuels, and more efficient than portable storage batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries.

In general, fuel cell technology includes a variety of different fuel cells such as alkaline fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, phosphate fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, and enzyme fuel cells. Some fuel cells have compressed hydrogen (H)₂) Is used as fuel. Compressed hydrogen is generally kept under high pressure and is therefore difficult to handle. Moreover, large storage tanks are usually required and cannot be made small enough for consumer electronics. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are reformed into hydrogen fuel with methanol (CH).₃OH), sodium borohydride (NaBH)₄), Hydrocarbons (eg butane) or other fuels. Conventional reformed fuel cells require reformers and vaporization and auxiliary systems to convert fuel to hydrogen and react with oxygen in the fuel cell. Recent advances have made reformers or reformed fuel cells promising for consumer electronics. Other PEM fuel cells are directly methanol (CH)₃OH) is used (direct methanol fuel cell or DMFC). In a DMFC, the methanol reacts directly with oxygen in the fuel cell, making it the simplest and smallest possible fuel cell and the most promising power source for consumer electronic products. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) convert hydrocarbons, such as butane, with high heat to produce electricity. SOFCs require relatively high temperatures in the 1000 ° C range to cause fuel cell reactions.

The chemical reactions that generate electricity are different for each type of fuel cell. In the DMFC, the chemical-electric reaction at each electrode and the overall reaction regarding the fuel cell are described as follows:

Half-reaction at the anode: CH₃OH + H₂O CO₂ + 6H⁺ + 6e^- Half-reaction at the cathode: O₂ + 4H⁺ + 4e^- 2H₂O Overall fuel cell reaction: CH₃OH + 1.5O₂ CO₂ + 2H₂O

Hydrogen ion passing through PEM (H⁺To migrate from the anode through the cathode, and also free electrons (e)^-) Cannot pass through the PEM, so the electrons must flow through the external circuit, creating a current through the external circuit. This external circuit may be a useful consumer electronic product such as a mobile or cell phone, calculator, personal digital assistance, laptop computer, power tool and the like.

The DMFC is disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, and the details are as described therein. Generally, PEMs are made from polymers such as Nafion , are available from DuPont, and are perfluo compound materials with thicknesses ranging from about 0.05 mm to about 0.50 mm, and others. The anode is typically made from Teflonized carbon paper supported by a thin layer of catalyst such as platinum ruthenium. The cathode is typically a gas diffusion electrode to which platinum particles are adhered to one surface of the membrane.

Other fuel reactions of sodium borohydride modified fuel cells are as follows: NaBH₄(Liquid) + 2H₂O (heating or catalyst) 4 (H₂) + (NaBO₂)(liquid) Half-reaction at the anode: H₂ 2H⁺+ 2e^- Half-reaction at the cathode: 2 (2H⁺+ 2e^-) + O₂ 2H₂O Suitable catalysts are platinum and ruthenium, and others. The hydrogen fuel produced by reforming sodium borohydride is used in the fuel cell as an oxidant such as O.₂Reacts with to produce electricity (ie, electron flow) and water by-products. Sodium borate (NaBO)₂) By-products are also produced in the reforming process. Sodium borohydride fuel cells have been studied in Patent Document 3 and are incorporated herein by reference.

One of the more important features for fuel cell applications is fuel storage. The fuel supply must be easily insertable into the fuel cell or the electronics powered by the fuel cell.

Patent Document 3 discloses a fuel cartridge in which sodium borohydride is modified in a cartridge to produce hydrogen and by-products. However, this prior art discloses a fuel supply that can produce fuel on the fly or contains reagents that are non-corrosive and suitable for low cost storage, or fuel supplies that have the advantages and features described below. Absent.

Typically, the MEA is located within the fuel cell and the fuel cell is located within the consumer electronics. Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 5 disclose such an apparatus. In such devices, the fuel supply is removable and stored in a cartridge. The life of a MEA is usually constrained by the life of a PEM. PEM efficiency is affected by a variety of factors, such as fuel flow rate, fuel metal ion concentration, fuel temperature, and ambient / storage temperature. If the efficiency of the PEM is low enough, the PEM needs to be replaced or regenerated. Frequent adjustment of the PEM is not preferred as it requires adjustment of the electronic device.

Fuel cell cells that can adjust or repair the PEM without adjusting the electronics are required.<patcit num="1"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 599 2008</text></patcit><patcit num="2"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 5945231</text></patcit><patcit num="3"><text>US Published Patent Application 2003/0082427</text></patcit><patcit num="4"><text>US Published Patent Application 2003/0082416</text></patcit><patcit num="5"><text>US Published Patent Application 2003/0082426</text></patcit>

The present invention is directed to a fuel cell system comprising an electronic device comprising a housing that defines the contour of the fuel cartridge chamber and a fuel cartridge that can be detachably housed in the fuel cartridge chamber. The fuel cartridge has at least one membrane electrode assembly and a fuel reservoir containing the fuel. The fuel is transported to the membrane electrode assembly and converted into electricity that powers the electronics. The electronic device may have a controller that controls the functions of the electronic device and the fuel cartridge, and the balance of plant occurs at least partially within the electronic device.

The present invention is also directed to a fuel cell cartridge that is configured to be insertable into an electronic device and supplies electricity to the electronic device. The fuel cell cartridge comprises a membrane electrode assembly or stack, and a fuel reservoir containing the fuel. The fuel reacts in the membrane electrode assembly to generate electricity.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in detail below, the present invention is a fuel for fuel cells such as methanol and water, methanol / water mixture, varying concentration of methanol / water mixture or pure methanol. Is aimed at fuel cell systems that use. Methanol can be used in many types of fuel cells, such as DMFCs, enzyme fuel cells, reformed fuel cells, and more. The fuel cell system may include fuels for other types of fuel cells, such as chemicals that can be reformed into ethanol or alcohol, hydrogen, or other chemicals that can improve the performance or efficiency of the fuel cell. The fuel also contains a potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte, which can be used with metal or alkaline fuel cells and can be stored in fuel supplies. For metal fuel cells, the fuel is in the form of liquid-bearing zinc immersed in a KOH electrolyte reaction solution, and the anode in the cell cavity is a granular anode made of zinc particles. The KOH electrolyte solution is disclosed in US Publication Patent Application 2003/0077493, published April 24, 2003, entitled "How to Use a Fuel Cell System Configured to Power One or More Loads". Refer to it and incorporate it here. The fuel also contains a mixture of methanol, hydrogen peroxide, and sulfuric acid, which flows through a catalyst formed in the form of silicon chips to produce a fuel cell reaction. The fuel is also liquid sodium borohydride (NaBH)₄) And water, as described above. Fuels further include hydrocarbon fuels, and hydrocarbon fuels include, but are not limited to, butane, kerosene, alcohol, and natural gas, which is entitled "Liquid Heterointerface Fuel Cell Device", May 2003. It is disclosed in US Publication Patent Application 2003/0096150 published on 22nd May and is incorporated herein by reference. Butane is a suitable fuel for solid oxide fuel cells. The fuel also comprises a liquid oxide that reacts with the fuel. Thus, the invention is not restricted to any type of fuel, electrolyte solution, oxide solution or liquid or fixation contained in the supply and otherwise used by the fuel cell system. As used herein, the term "fuel" includes all fuels that can react in a fuel cell or fuel supply and is also suitable fuel, electrolyte solution, oxide solution, liquid, solid and / or as described above. Includes, but is not limited to, chemicals and all of their mixtures.

The term "fuel supply" used herein is not limited to, but is limited to disposable cartridges, refillable / reusable cartridges, containers, cartridges placed inside electronic products, removable cartridges, external to electronic products. Includes cartridges, fuel tanks, fuel refill tanks, other containers for storing fuel, and fuel tanks, pipes attached to the containers. Although one cartridge is described below in the context of exemplary embodiments of the invention, these embodiments are also applicable to other fuel supplies and the invention is applicable to any particular type of fuel supply. Note that it is not limited.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in detail below, the present invention is directed to a fuel cell system 10 that powers a load 11 as shown in FIG. The load 11 is typically an electronic device powered by the fuel cell cartridge 12. In the first embodiment of the fuel cell system 10, the load or electronic device 11 is an external circuit and associated functional part of any useful consumer electronic device. In this embodiment, the electronic device 11 includes a housing 14 that outlines a fuel cartridge chamber 16 (see FIG. 2) for detachably accommodating the fuel cell cartridge 12. In FIG. 1, the cartridge 12 is housed in the chamber 16 and the cartridge 12 is operably connected to the electronic device 11. When the fuel in the fuel cartridge 12 is empty, the user can remove the cartridge from the electronic device and insert another cartridge or refill the empty cartridge. This is as shown in Fig. 2.

Electronic devices include mobile ie cell phones, computers, power tools, gardening tools, personal digital assistance, digital cameras, laptop computers, computer game systems, portable music systems (MP3, CD players), global positioning systems, camps. Equipment, etc. may be included.

Figure 1 contains two sets of connecting lines. The first set of connecting lines includes fluid or liquid and gas lines, which have arrows indicating the direction of flow. The second set of connecting lines includes electrical lines, which have black circles at intersections to indicate electrical connections. Although this embodiment is described herein with respect to a direct methanol fuel cell, this embodiment is suitable for any fuel cell.

The electronic device 11 preferably has the following electrically controlled components. That is, the first electrical contact 18, the chamber 16 accommodated the cartridge 12, the controller 20, the optional battery 21, the pump 22, the flow meter 24, the fuel concentration sensor 25, and the water throttle valve 26. The controller 20 is electrically connected to these devices. Further, the electronic device 11 has the following fluid components. That is, the air chamber 28, the carbon dioxide separator 30, the condenser 32, and the mixing chamber 34. These fluid components are fluidly connected to one or more other fluid components. This will be described below. Further, the electronic device has a plurality of valve elements 36b, 38b, 40b, 42b, 44b for the battery and connects various fluid components of the electronic device 11 to various fluid components of the fuel cell cartridge 12. This will be described in detail below.

The fuel cell cartridge 12 preferably includes the following electrically controlled components: That is, the second electrical contact 46, the information storage device 47, and the control valve 50. The contact 46 is electrically connected to the information storage device 47 and the control valve 50 and contacts the first electrical contact 18. Further, the fuel cell cartridge 12 has a housing 51 (shown by a broken line) including a fuel storage 52, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 54, and a heat exchanger 56. MEA, or element 54, also refers to the stack. As used herein, the stack comprises at least one membrane electrode assembly and a bipolar plate. The stack also includes optional fuel and oxygen supplies and current recovery components. The heat exchanger 56 may be located inside the electronic device 11. The MEA 54 preferably comprises an anode 54a, a proton exchange membrane (PEM) 54b or other electrolyte layer, and a cathode 54c. As an option, the fuel cell cartridge 12 may further include an ion filter 58 and an ion sensor 60. These components are fluidly connected to one or more other fluid components. This will be described below. Further, the fuel cartridge 12 includes a plurality of valve elements 36a, 38a, 40a, 42a, 44a, which operate in association with the plurality of valve elements 36b, 38b, 40b, 42b, 44b and various parts of the fuel cartridge 12. Is fluidly connected to various components of the electronic device 11. This will be described below.

Referring to FIG. 1, when the cartridge 12 is loaded or inserted into the chamber 16, the first and second electrical contacts 18 and 46 are connected and the controller 20 is the information storage device 47 and other electrical components of the cartridge 12. Is electrically coupled with. As a result, the controller 20 can receive information from the fuel cell cartridge 12 and control the function of the control valve 50, and can read and write the information to the information storage device 47. Preferred controllers and information storage devices and their operation are disclosed in US Patent Application No. 10/725237 entitled "Fuel Cell Supply Including Information Storage Devices and Control Systems" filed December 1, 2003 by this applicant. .. The content of the '237 application is incorporated herein by reference.

Suitable information storage devices are Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM). , Flash memory, electronically readable elements (eg resistors, capacitances, inductors, diodes, and transistors), optically readable elements (eg barcodes), magnetically readable elements (eg magnetic strips) ), Integrated circuits (IC chips), and programmable logic arrays (PLA) and smart chips (eg, those used in batteries), etc. Preferred information storage devices include PLA and EEPROM, the invention of which is described herein in the context of EEPROM. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any particular type of information storage device.

Information is typically stored as zeros (0) and ones (1) in binary systems. These groups of binary digits form octal digits (groups of three binary digits) or hexadecimal digits (groups of four binary digits). Hexadecimal digits are generally used because they are easy to read from information storage devices.

EEPROM is a user-modifiable read-only memory that, by other programming means, applies a voltage higher than the normal electronic write voltage to the same pin and repeats, erases and erases during its useful life. Updates can be written or reprogrammed. The EEPROM does not need to be removed from the fuel supply for renewal. The advantage is that certain parts of the EEPROM are write-protected, i.e., the information originally written is stored and protected from the write voltage, while the other parts of the EEPROM are repeatedly rewritable. Moreover, EEPROM, like other ROMs, does not require power to maintain memory, the data stored therein. Therefore, when the electric device is turned on, the electric device can start and execute the program depending on the information stored in the EEPROM. To erase and rewrite the EEPROM, the controller applies a predetermined voltage to a specific location in the EEPROM to store new information.

EEPROMs, like other ROMs, are widely and commercially available. Suitable EEPROMs are available from Sypress Semiconductor, San Jose, Calif., And Altera, San Jose, Calif., And Microchip Technology, Chandler, Arizona.

In an alternative embodiment, the electrical connection between the first and second electrical contacts 18 and 46 may be wireless. Suitable wireless transmission systems include Blue Tooth technology, high frequency, infrared, etc.

In addition to reading and writing to the information storage device 47, the controller 20 controls the functions of the electronic device 11 and the valves, sensors, and pumps in the electronic device 11 and the cartridge 12. Preferably, the housing 17 supports at least one optional battery to allow powering of various components of the fuel cell system 10 and electronics 11 when the MEA is not operating or at startup. Alternatively, the optional battery 21 powers the controller 20 when the cartridge 12 is empty or when the fuel cell / MEA is off. The optional battery 21 may be replaced or used in conjunction with a solar panel.

Suitable pumps 22 are disclosed in detail in US Pat. The '793 patent application was filed on January 31, 2003 under the title "Fuel Cartridges for Fuel Cells". The '004 patent application was filed on July 29, 2003 under the title "Fuel Cartridge with Soft Liner". The '006 patent application was filed on July 29, 2003 under the title "Fuel Cartridge with Connecting Valve". The contents of these patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

A suitable pump is a piezo electric pump. Suitable piezo electric pumps are such as those available from PAR Technologies, LLC in Newport News, Virginia. Piezo electric pumps are lightweight, compact, sturdy, quiet and highly efficient, with no moving equipment. The excitation voltages of these pumps are greater than about 50V, for example drawing currents as large as about 15mA to about 130mA with input voltages from about 2.2V (direct current) to about 12V (direct current). The flow rate of the piezo electric pump is from about 10 ml / hour to about 900 ml / hour under pressures in the range of about 0 to about 5 psi. Pumps range in size from about 0.5 square inches to about 1.5 square inches and are less than about 0.5 inches thick. Piezo electric pumps may be constructed from materials that are compatible with the fuel used in fuel cells and fuel cartridges. These pumps operate over a wide range and have a long life.

In this embodiment, the pump 22 is outside the cartridge 12 and is mounted inside the housing 17. As a result, when the cartridge 12 is removed from the housing, the pump 22 remains in the housing 17, as shown in FIG. The pump 22 is upstream of the mixing chamber 34 in this embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, the pump 22 may be downstream of the mixing chamber 34 (ie, between the mixing chamber 34 and the valve element 36b) or elsewhere. Alternatively, the pump 22 may be omitted, compressing the cartridge 12 and driving fuel from the cartridge 12 to the electronics 11 via a control valve.

Further referring to FIG. 1, the fuel cartridge 12 includes a housing 51 including a chamber 51a for accommodating the fuel storage 52. In this embodiment, the fuel storage 52 may include an outer shell or outer casing 52a separate from the housing 51. The outer casing may be relatively rigid or flexible. The fuel storage 52 can be formed with or without an inner fuel liner or bladder. Linerless cartridges and related components are disclosed in the '793 patent application. A cartridge with an inner liner or bladder is disclosed in the '004 patent application.

The valve element 36a is coupled to the cartridge 12, and the valve element 36b is coupled to the electronic device 11. The valves 36a and b are preferably two-element valves. Each valve element can form a seal when the fuel cartridge 12 is removed from the electronic device 11. The two-element valve is disclosed in detail in the '006 patent application. When the cartridge 12 is in the chamber 16, the fuel in the storage 52 is fluid communicated with the mixing chamber 34 via the valve elements 36a, b.

According to another aspect of the invention, an ion filter 58 and an ion sensor 60 are optionally provided on the cartridge 12. Ion filters and sensors are fully disclosed in US Patent Application 10/725235, filed December 1, 2003 under the title "Fuel Cell System Containing Ion Filters" according to Applicants. Ion filters remove ions from the fuel to extend the life of the PEM. The ion filter 58 can be arranged inside or outside the fuel storage 52. Ion particles can be removed with an ion scavenger, machine rate agent or ion exchange membrane (eg PEM material).

The ion sensor 60 can confirm the effectiveness of the filter and determine when to replace the filter. The ion sensor 60 is preferably located inside the fuel cell cartridge 12 and inside the electronic device 11 as shown. The controller 20 uses the ion sensor 60 to read the ion level in the fuel and write this information to the information storage device 47, thereby preventing the ions from using the fuel exceeding the permissible level. The ion sensor 60 can be confirmed by reading out the conductivity of the fuel. The higher the conductivity, the higher the ion level. The controller can check the ion level in the fuel at any time when the electronic device is turned on or when a different cartridge is inserted.

The MEA54 is typically placed between two bipolar plates (not shown). In the present invention, the MEA 54 is preferably housed in a chamber 53 within the cartridge 12. For this reason, the MEA is preferably manufactured from a cost-effective material and can be placed when the cartridge 12 is empty. An advantage of one embodiment of the present invention is that the ion filter and / or ion sensor can be omitted when the MEA is thrown away. In addition, the inner chamber 51 or storage 52 can be refilled and / or replaced, and the fuel cell cartridge 12 can be reused until the MEA must be replaced. Therefore, the MEA or stack 54 is replaceable while the rest of the cartridge can be reused. This allows the fuel cell designer to choose a disposable or reusable PEM within the fuel cell cartridge 12.

Preferably, the anode 54a and the cathode 54c are made from conventional materials. MEA's PEM54b is preferably made from an ionic conductive polymer. Suitable ionic conductive polymers are, but are not limited to, catalyst-coated perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, available as Nafion from the DuPonts mentioned above. Catalytically coated polymers are known as catalytic "supported" polymers. Suitable catalysts include platinum and ruthenium, or alloys thereof, and other metals. Another suitable ionic conductive polymer is polybenzimidazole (PBI) manufactured by Celanese Fuel Cells-USA, Murray Hill, NJ. PBI is a high temperature PEM that can operate in the range of 120 ° C to 200 ° C.

Other suitable ionic conductive polymers are Davis, TA, Gendrs, JD and Pletcher, D.'s "First Course in Ion Permeable". Membranes , pp.35-57, and US Pat. No. 6,630,518, which is described and incorporated by reference. These polymers are copolymerized with functionalized alkenes containing ionizable groups. Including an unsubstituted alkene or a precursor thereof (eg, Nafion perfluoromembrane), and a copolymerized alkene and an ionic group ex post facto introduced into the membrane. Other suitable ionic conductive polymers. Goretex weather resistant material, which is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), filled with perfluoropolymer in the pores and irradiated with a polyvinyl fluoride (PVC) film in a 2.5% chlorosulfonic acid solution. The '518 patent application discloses other suitable ionic conductive polymers, including hypopermeable membranes that are sulfonated after irradiation. Suitable membranes are polypropylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyhexafluoropropylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethene containing styrene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), copolymers thereof and blends thereof. These membranes and highly permeable membranes can be used in the present invention. Other suitable membranes are also manufactured by Polyfuel. Any ion exchange material can be used and inexpensive materials such as this. The ones discussed in the paragraph are available, because the MEA can be replaced when the cartridge is empty or when the efficiency of the MEA is significantly reduced.

As a result of the reaction at the anode 54a, a gas by-product containing carbon dioxide is formed on the anode side of the DMFC reaction. These gaseous by-products and, if any, unreacted fuel are carried to the carbon dioxide separator 30 of the electronic device 11 via valve elements 38a, b. The valve elements 38a, b may be a two-element valve similar to the valves 36a, b. The carbon dioxide separator 30 uses the natural buoyancy of the gas to separate it from unused fuel. Further, the carbon dioxide separator 30 is provided with a relief valve 30a to discharge carbon dioxide outside the electronic device 11 to the outside air. The relief valve may be a poppet type valve disclosed in the '004 patent application.

These liquid / water by-products from the cathode are transported to the condenser 32 in the electronic device 11 via the valve elements 40a, b. The valve elements 40a, b may be a two-element valve similar to the valves 36a, b. The condenser 32 condenses water vapor, if any, by receiving water by-products and carries the liquid water to the mixing chamber 34. Further, the condenser 32 includes a relief valve 32a to exhaust any gas outside the electronic device 11 to the outside air. Alternatively, the relief valves 30a and / or 32a may be replaced with a single relief valve on the mixing chamber 34.

The valve 26 stabilizes the flow of water and unused fuel to the mixing chamber 34 and helps to obtain the optimum fuel concentration in the fuel / water mixture. The controller 20 controls the valve 26 to achieve an appropriate fuel / water concentration in the chamber 34.

The fuel / water mixture of the appropriate concentration is pumped from the chamber 34 by pump 22. The fuel concentration of the fuel / water mixture is measured by the fuel concentration sensor 25, and is monitored and controlled by the controller 20 using the water throttle valve 26. Such sensors are disclosed in US Patent Application Publication 2003/0131663 and 2003/0134162 and US Pat. Nos. 6254748 and 6306285. These contents are incorporated here with reference.

The fuel / water mixture flows from the pump 22 to the heat exchanger 56 in the fuel cartridge 12 via valve elements 44a, b. The valve elements a44, b may be a two-element valve similar to the valves 36a, b. Since the MEA, and more specifically the PEM, is affected by the fuel temperature, the heat exchanger 56 cools the fuel to a preferred temperature range. The heat exchanger is a normal heat exchanger and often contains fins.

The fuel / water mixture flows from the heat exchanger to the anode 54a of the MEA 54 and reacts to generate electricity to power the electronic device 11. In this embodiment, the control valve 50 controls the flow of fuel to the MEA 54. The control valve 50 may have a variable orifice that can be opened with a predetermined diameter to regulate the flow. An alternative control valve is disclosed in the '237 patent application. Similar control valves are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4496309 and 4560345. The contents of these two patents are incorporated herein by reference.

The electronic device 11 further includes an air chamber 28 containing air. Air flows from the air chamber 28 to the cathode 54c in the fuel cartridge 12 via the valve elements 42a, b. The valve elements 42a, b may be a two-element valve similar to the valves 36a, b. Alternatively, air can be supplied directly from the ambient atmosphere to the cathode or through an electronic device prior to accommodating the cathode. Air may be carried using a pump or fan.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the MEA is located within the cartridge 12 and can be replaced more easily, while the "balance of plant" is effectively performed in electronic devices. The advantage of this is that the balance of plant includes delicate or effective items such as controllers, pumps, which are suitable for placement in electronics. These items may be placed within the cartridge depending on cost and reliability.

Referring to FIG. 3, according to another aspect of the invention, the fuel cartridge 112 is provided and adjusted to operate with the electronic device 111 while remaining outside the electronic device. Electronic device 111 includes various electronic and fluid components of device 11, including a first contact 118. In this embodiment, the first contact includes a component that electrically and fluidly connects the component of the electronic device 111 to the fuel cartridge 112. The fuel cartridge 112 includes various electronic and fluid components of the fuel cartridge 12, including a second contact 146. In this embodiment, the second contact includes components that electrically and fluidly connect components of electronics 111 to fuel cartridge 112 when contacts 118 and 146 are associated to operate. In an alternative embodiment, the fuel cartridge 112 may be incorporated into a docking station with a second contact and an optional platform to hold the laptop 111 in use.

With reference to FIG. 4, according to another aspect of the invention, the fuel cartridge 212 is provided as a central fuel station, or hub, or manifold so that it operates outside the device, along with two or more electronic devices 211. It has become. The fuel cartridge can be designed to work with any number of electronic devices 211. Each electronic device 211 includes the various electronic and fluid components of device 11, including a first contact 218. In this embodiment, the first contact includes a component that electrically and fluidly connects the component of electronic device 211 to the fuel cartridge 212. The fuel cartridge 212 includes various electronic and fluid components of the fuel cartridge 12, including a second contact 246 and lines 246a, b. In this embodiment, the second contact 246 includes components that electrically and fluidly connect components of electronics 211 to fuel cartridge 212 when contacts 218 and 246 are associated to operate. ..

According to another aspect of the invention, some components located inside the electronic device 11 can be moved inside or on the surface of the cartridge 12, as shown in FIG. For example, the pump 22 and the mixing chamber 34 can be moved to the cartridge 12. Further, one or more parts of the air chamber 28, the condenser 32 and the carbon dioxide separator 30 can be moved to the cartridge 12.

Alternatively, the MEA 54 can be moved to an electronic device, with the fuel storage 52, pump 22 and mixing chamber 34 located in the cartridge 12. The fuel and water mixture is prepared in the cartridge and subjected to the reaction at MEA before being transported to the electronic device 11.

According to another aspect of the invention, all fuel cell components located in FIG. 1 are moved to the cartridge 12. Referring to FIG. 5, cartridge 12 is a stand-alone fuel cell with a replaceable / refillable fuel supply 52 and a repairable / replaceable MEA or stack. The output of this cartridge 12 is the electricity generated by the MEA 54. The advantages of such a system are that (i) the size and shape of the MEA can generate two barrels of electricity to operate whatever the electronic device 11 is, (ii) valve coupling 36a, b, 38a, b, 40a, b, 42a, b, 44a, b and electrical connections 18, 46 can be minimized or omitted.

The accompanying drawings form part of the specification and should be understood in the context of the specification, in which similar reference numbers are used to indicate similar parts. The attached drawings are as follows. The technical features of the above-described embodiment are listed below. [Technical Feature 1] The fuel cartridge has an electronic device having a housing that defines the contour of the fuel cartridge chamber, and a fuel cartridge that can be detachably stored in the fuel cartridge chamber. The fuel cartridge has at least one membrane electrode. It has an assembly and a fuel storage unit containing fuel so that the fuel can be carried to the electronic device before being carried to the membrane electrode assembly for conversion to electricity used in the electronic device. A fuel cell system characterized by the fact that it has been done. [Technical feature 2] The electronic device further has a first electrical contact and a controller, the fuel cartridge further has a second electrical contact, and the first and first when the fuel cartridge is operably associated with the electronic device. 2. The fuel cell system according to technical feature 1, wherein the electrical contacts of 2 are electrically connected and the controller controls the functions of the electronic device and the fuel cartridge. [Technical Feature 3] The fuel cell system according to Technical Feature 1, wherein the membrane electrode assembly includes an anode, a proton exchange membrane, and a cathode. [Technical Feature 4] The fuel cartridge further has an information storage device that is electrically connected to the second electrical contact, and when the fuel cartridge is operably associated with the electronic device, the information storage device The fuel cell system described in Technical Feature 1 which can be read by the controller. [Technical Feature 5] The fuel cartridge further has a fluid-communication heat exchanger upstream of the membrane electrode assembly, and after the fuel is carried to the heat exchanger and cooled, the membrane electrode assembly is performed. The fuel cell system described in Technical Features 1 that is carried in three dimensions. [Technical feature 6] The fuel cell system according to technical feature 1, wherein the fuel cartridge further has an ion filter in which a fluid is communicated downstream of the fuel storage. [Technical Feature 7] The fuel cell system according to Technical Feature 1, wherein the fuel cartridge further has an ion sensor, and the ion sensor is electrically connected to the second electrical contact. [Technical Feature 8] The technical feature 1 described in which the electronic device further comprises a pump that assists in transporting the fuel to the membrane electrode assembly, and the fuel cartridge is operably associated with the electronic device. Fuel cell system. [Technical Feature 9] The fuel cell system according to Technical Feature 8, wherein the pump is electrically connected to the second electrical contact and the controller. [Technical Feature 10] The electronic device further has an air chamber, and when the fuel cartridge is operably associated with the electronic device, the air chamber is fluid communicated with the cathode of the membrane electrode assembly. The fuel cell system according to the technical feature 1 in which air is carried to the above-mentioned cathode. [Technical features 11] The electronic device further comprises a gas by-product separator, and when the fuel cartridge is operably associated with the electronic device, the carbon dioxide separator is fluid communicated to the anode of the membrane electrode assembly to produce a gas by-product. The fuel cell system according to the technical feature 1 carried to the above-mentioned gas product separator. [Technical Feature 12] The electronic device further has an aggregator, and when the fuel cartridge is operably associated with the electronic device, the aggregator is fluid communicated to the cathode of the membrane electrode assembly to form a liquid. The fuel cell system according to technical feature 1 in which by-products are carried to the aggregator. [Technical Feature 13] The electronic device further has a mixing chamber, and when the fuel cartridge is operably associated with the electronic device, the mixing chamber communicates fluid to the aggregator and the fuel storage. The fuel cell system according to the technical feature 12, wherein the fuel is transported to the mixing chamber portion, the by-product is transported to the mixing chamber portion, and the fuel and the by-product are mixed and then transported to the membrane electrode assembly. .. [Technical features 14] The electronic device has a metering valve that is arranged between the aggregator and the mixing chamber and is fluid-communicated with the aggregator and the mixing chamber, and the by-product is mixed via the aggregating valve. The fuel cell system described in Technical Features 13 that is carried to the chamber. [Technical Feature 15] The fuel cell system according to Technical Feature 1, wherein the membrane electrode assembly is disposable. [Technical Feature 16] The fuel cell system according to Technical Feature 1 is disposable. [Technical Feature 17] The fuel cell system according to Technical Feature 1 in which the membrane electrode assembly is arranged in a stack. [Technical Feature 18] An electronic device including a first electrical contact and a controller electrically connected to the first electrical contact, and a second electrical device that is operably associated with the electronic device and that is operably associated with the electronic device. With contacts, at least one membrane electrode assembly, and a fuel cartridge with a fuel reservoir containing fuel, When the fuel cartridge is operably associated with the electronic device, the first and second electrical contacts are electrically connected, the controller controls the functions of the electronic device and the fuel cartridge, and the above. A fuel cell system characterized in that the fuel is carried to the membrane electrode assembly for conversion into electricity used in an electronic device. [Technical Feature 19] The electronic device further has a plurality of first fluid components, the fuel cartridge has a plurality of second fluid components and a plurality of two-element valves, and a first set of valve elements. Is coupled to the fuel cartridge, the second set of valve elements is coupled to the electronic device, and the first and second sets of valve elements are engaged when the fuel cartridge is operably associated with the electronic device. The fuel cell system according to the technical feature 18 which enables fluid communication between the plurality of first fluid components and the plurality of second fluid components in combination. [Technical features 20] A fuel cell cartridge that is configured to be insertable into an electronic device and supplies electricity to the electronic device has at least one membrane electrode assembly and a fuel storage unit containing fuel, and the fuel is the membrane electrode assembly. A fuel cell cartridge characterized in that it reacts in a three-dimensional manner to generate the above-mentioned electricity, and a balance of plant occurs in the above-mentioned cartridge. 21. The fuel cell cartridge according to technical feature 20, wherein the fuel cell is detachably coupled to the cartridge and the fuel cell is refillable or replaceable. 22. The fuel cell cartridge according to technical feature 20, wherein the membrane electrode assembly is detachably coupled to the cartridge, and the membrane electrode assembly is repairable or replaceable.

The accompanying drawings form part of the specification and should be understood in the context of the specification, in which similar reference numbers are used to indicate similar parts. The attached drawings are as follows.

<figref num="1">FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a fuel cell system of the present invention comprising a fuel storage and a fuel cartridge comprising an MEA or stack, with the fuel cartridge operably coupled to an electronic device.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 5 is an exploded schematic view showing the fuel cell system of FIG. 1 with the cartridge removed from the electronic device.</figref><figref num="3">It is a schematic diagram which shows the alternative fuel cell system of this invention in which a fuel cartridge is used outside the electronic device.</figref><figref num="4">It is a schematic diagram which shows the alternative fuel cell system of this invention in which a fuel cartridge is used outside of two electronic devices.</figref><figref num="5">It is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell cartridge of this invention.</figref>

Code description

11 Electronic device 12 Fuel cell cartridge 16 Fuel cartridge chamber 17 housing 18 First electrical contact 20 controller 22 pump 24 flow meter 25 Fuel concentration sensor 26 Water throttle valve 28 Air chamber 30 carbon dioxide separator 32 condenser 34 Mixing chamber 46 Second electrical contact 47 Information storage device 50 control valve 52 Fuel storage 54 MEA or stack 54a anode 54b PEM 54c cathode 56 Heat exchanger 58 Ion filter 60 ion sensor