SE541354C2 - Fuel cell based charger for electronic equipment with sliding fuel cell unit - Google Patents

Fuel cell based charger for electronic equipment with sliding fuel cell unit

Info

Publication number
SE541354C2
SE541354C2 SE1750817A SE1750817A SE541354C2 SE 541354 C2 SE541354 C2 SE 541354C2 SE 1750817 A SE1750817 A SE 1750817A SE 1750817 A SE1750817 A SE 1750817A SE 541354 C2 SE541354 C2 SE 541354C2
Authority
SE
Sweden
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
housing
cell unit
cartridge
charger
Prior art date
Application number
SE1750817A
Other versions
SE1750817A1 (en
Inventor
Göran Schack
Torbjörn Andersson
Original Assignee
Myfc Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Myfc Ab filed Critical Myfc Ab
Priority to SE1750817A priority Critical patent/SE541354C2/en
Priority to PCT/SE2018/050510 priority patent/WO2019004891A1/en
Publication of SE1750817A1 publication Critical patent/SE1750817A1/en
Publication of SE541354C2 publication Critical patent/SE541354C2/en

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B3/00—Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it; Purification of hydrogen
    • C01B3/02—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B3/00—Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it; Purification of hydrogen
    • C01B3/02—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
    • C01B3/06—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of inorganic compounds containing electro-positively bound hydrogen, e.g. water, acids, bases, ammonia, with inorganic reducing agents
    • C01B3/065—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of inorganic compounds containing electro-positively bound hydrogen, e.g. water, acids, bases, ammonia, with inorganic reducing agents from a hydride
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04201—Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
    • H01M8/04208—Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/06—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues
    • H01M8/0606—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/0612—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants from carbon-containing material
    • H01M8/0625—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants from carbon-containing material in a modular combined reactor/fuel cell structure
    • H01M8/0631—Reactor construction specially adapted for combination reactor/fuel cell
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/06—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues
    • H01M8/0606—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/065—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants by dissolution of metals or alloys; by dehydriding metallic substances
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/0042—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by the mechanical construction
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
    • H01M2250/30—Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02B90/10—Applications of fuel cells in buildings
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/36—Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel cell based charger (10), comprising a housing (12) and a fuel cell unit (14) having a first end (16a) and a second end (16b). The unit is provided inside the housing (12) in a sliding relationship therewith, such that it can be slid to a position where at least a part of the fuel cell unit (14) protrudes from the housing (12). The fuel cell unit (14) comprises a coupling interface (17) at the second end (16b) of the fuel cell unit, to which coupling interface (17) a fuel generator cartridge (18) is attachable. By pushing the attached cartridge (18) into the housing (12), the fuel cell unit can be made to protrude from the housing (12). It also relates to a housing in which a fuel cell unit (14) is housed in a sliding relationship.

Description

FUEL CELL BASED CHARGER FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT WITH SLIDING FUEL CELL UNIT The present invention relates to fuel cell based chargers for e.g. electronic equipment such as cell phones, lap-tops and other electronic devices.
Background of the Invention Fuel cell based chargers for electronic equipment have become increasingly popular over the last decade. Various technologies for fuel generation has been developed with single-use cartridges for the fuel generation. For connecting such fuel generating cartridges to the chargers the charger has been provided with a slot or other void in which the cartridge is inserted. This solution inevitably renders the charger unnecessarily bulky in that the slot or void occupies space that adds to the size of the charger.
Since there is always a strive to make devices of all kinds as slim as possible there is a need in the art for a solution to this problem.
Summary of the Invention In view of the above mentioned problem the present inventors have devised a novel feature of a fuel cell based charger the makes it much less bulky while maintaining the same or even improved functionality of the device.
A charger having this new feature is defined in claim 1.
Thus, the novel fuel cell charger comprises a housing and a fuel cell unit having a first end and a second end. The fuel cell unit is provided inside the housing in a sliding relationship therewith, such that it can be slid to a position where at least a part of the fuel cell unit protrudes from the housing. The fuel cell unit comprises a coupling interface at the second end of the fuel cell unit, to which coupling interface a fuel generator cartridge is attachable, whereby the fuel cell unit can be made to protrude from the housing by pushing the attached cartridge into the housing.
The invention has several advantages. It offers protection for the sensitive fuel cells, and it reduces overall size of the charger.
The present invention will be disclosed in more detail in the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus not to be considered limiting on the present invention, and wherein Fig. 1 schematically illustrates the novel mechanism; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a charger and cartridge; Fig. 3 shows different shapes of a charger unit; and Fig. 4 schematically illustrates use of the charger.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments The invention in its most general aspect relates to a mechanism for protecting the sensitive fuel cells in a fuel cell based charger unit comprising a fuel cell assembly from the environment. Said mechanism comprises a housing that encloses the charger unit in a “sliding relationship”, i.e. the charger unit can be slid out of and into the housing at least to some extent. The latter means that the charger unit fits inside the housing the inside of which at least essentially conforms with the outer shape of the charger unit.
The invention also comprises the provision of a cartridge for fuel, either storing a fuel for direct use or for fuel generation, the cartridge being insertable in the housing, whereby it is connectable to the fuel cell unit by means of a coupling feature. When the connected cartridge is pushed into the housing it will displace the fuel cell unit such that it extends out from the housing at the opposite end.
Fig. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the novel mechanism in a schematic manner.
Thus, as schematically shown in Fig. 1a, a charger unit 10 comprises a housing 12 and a fuel cell unit 14, having a first end 16a and a second end 16b, the fuel cell unit 14 being located inside the housing 12 in a condition of non-use. Thus, the housing 12 is adapted to receive and house a fuel cell unit 14, such that the fuel cell unit 14 is slideable from a condition of non-use wherein it is completely covered by the housing 12 and thereby protected from impact from the environment, to a condition wherein it protrudes a predetermined distance out of the housing. The fuel cell unit 14 thereby fits snugly inside the housing 12 in a sliding manner. To this end there can preferably be provided guiding rails having low friction surfaces mating with recesses in the fuel cell unit 14. Rails and recesses are not shown. Other means for providing the sliding function are of course equally possible and within the inventive idea.
Furthermore, the housing 12 is adapted to receive a fuel cartridge 18 (as described below) in an inlet opening IO such that when the cartridge 18 is inserted it will connect to the fuel cell unit 14 and expel the fuel cell unit to its extended position at an outlet opening OO, in which preferably the actual connection between fuel cell unit 14 and cartridge 18 occurs, so as to initiate fuel flow from the cartridge 18 to the fuel cells in the unit 14.
A fuel cartridge 18, in preferred embodiments a fuel generator wherein hydrogen is generated, is provided as a separate, single-use device, which is connectable to one end 16b of the fuel cell unit 14 (illustrated by an arrow). The cartridge 18 is preferably designed as disclosed in applicants co-pending International patent applications PCT/SE2016/051292 and PCT/SE2016/051293, and Swedish patent application 1650013-4. It rapidly provides a flow of fuel gas (hydrogen) once it has been connected to the fuel cell unit. Details of its function and design are disclosed in the co-pending applications which are incorporated herein by reference.
The fuel cell unit 14 comprises a coupling interface 17 at its second end 16b, to which coupling interface 17 a fuel generator cartridge 18 is attachable, by means of mating coupling members provided on the cartridge.
Fig. 1b illustrates the situation wherein the cartridge 18 has been connected to the fuel cell unit 14 and pushed into the housing 12. As can be seen the fuel cell unit 14 will protrude from the housing at the opposite end 16b from where the cartridge 18 was connected, i.e. at 16b, to the fuel cell unit 14.
Preferably, there is provided stop means for preventing the fuel cell unit 14 from coming out of the housing 12 at the second end 16b. Suitably, there is also provided stop means for preventing the fuel cell unit 14 to protrude more than a desired distance at the first end 16a. Such stop means can take many forms and are merely matters of design pertaining to the field of a skilled man and will not be discussed further herein. However, one example could be to provide abutment elements on the fuel cell unit that will be brought into contact with a flange or rim structure in or on the housing, when the unit 14 has been brought to a protruded state.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the schematic structures shown in Fig. 1.
The housing 12 in this embodiment has an oval like cross section and is also provided with a ribbed outer surface. These features renders the device easy to grip and to hold.
In Fig. 2 the device 10 is shown to have generally flat constitution, albeit with the slightly oval cross section. Of course the device can have any other outer shape that still provides the functionality discussed above.
Thus, the device could equally well be cylindrical as illustrated in Fig. 3a, box like, Fig. 3b, or any other suitable shape that would be preferred by a user. The fuel cell unit 14 being shown in broken lines as positioned inside the housing 12.
The method of using the charger 10 and the mechanism will now be described with reference to Fig. 4.
Charger 10 and fuel generating cartridge 18 are separate units that when combined triggers the reactions inside the cartridge. Thus, in order to initiate electricity generation the cartridge 18 is positioned (I) at the interface end 16b of the fuel cell unit 14. By pushing the cartridge 18 against the fuel cell unit 14 in the direction of the arrow, the fuel cell unit will be gradually forced out of the housing 12 (II). Finally (III), when the cartridge 18 is substantially inside the housing 12, the fuel cell unit 14 will encounter the stop member, whereby suitably the interface is designed in such manner that the actual connection between cartridge 18 and fuel cell unit 14 takes place at this point and not before. At this time the mechanism in the interface will cause the system inside the cartridge to become activated, i.e. chemicals begin to flow and react and subsequently fuel, preferably hydrogen, will evolve and is passed through channels into the fuel cells. This ascertains that no gas is produced until there is a proper connection between the units.
Details of the mechanism for hydrogen generation are disclosed in detail in the patent applications mentioned previously herein.
Although hydrogen has been indicated as a preferred fuel, it would be equally possible to provide fuel generators for other kinds of fuel.
It is also conceivable to simply provide a cartridge having a ready-made fuel, i.e. the cartridge rather functions as a tank, and once connection between fuel cells and tank is ascertained the fuel begins to flow. Thus, liquid fuels such as methanol would be usable in the invention, without deviating from the inventive idea.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:
1. A fuel cell based charger (10), comprising a housing (12) and a fuel cell unit (14) having a first end (16a) and a second end (16b), and provided inside the housing (12) in a sliding relationship therewith, such that it can be slid to a position where at least a part of the fuel cell unit (14) protrudes from the housing (12), characterized in that the fuel cell unit (14) comprises a coupling interface (17) at the second end (16b) of the fuel cell unit, to which coupling interface (17) a fuel generator cartridge (18) is attachable, whereby the fuel cell unit can be made to protrude from the housing (12) by pushing the attached cartridge (18) into the housing (12).
2. The fuel cell based charger (10) according to claim 1, wherein there is provided stop means for preventing the fuel cell unit (14) from coming out of the housing (12) at the second end (16b).
3. The fuel cell based charger (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there is provided abutment elements on the fuel cell unit that will be brought into contact with a flange or rim structure in or on the housing, when the unit (14) has been brought to a protruded state.
4. The fuel cell based charger (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there is provided guiding rails having low friction surfaces mating with recesses in the fuel cell unit (14).
5. The fuel cell based charger (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing (12) has an oval cross section, and a ribbed outer surface.
6. The fuel cell based charger (10) according to any preceding claim 1- 4, wherein the housing (12) has a circular or rectangular cross section.
7. A housing (12) for a fuel cell charger (10), characterized in that said housing (12) is adapted to receive and house a fuel cell unit (14) in a sliding relationship, such that the fuel 10 cell unit (14) can be expelled out of the housing (12) at an outlet opening (OO) in the housing (12) to a predetermined extent, by inserting a fuel cartridge (18) at an inlet opening (IO) in the housing (12).
8. Method of using a fuel cell based charger according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized by: providing i) a charger device (10) comprising a fuel cell unit (14) inside a housing (12), and ii) a hydrogen generating cartridge (18); positioning the cartridge (18) adjacent an interface (17) end of the fuel cell unit (14), said interface end having coupling means and gas communication means; pushing the cartridge (18) into the housing (12) thereby expelling the fuel cell unit (14) out from the housing (12) until it encounters a stop member, whereby the interface (17) activates the processes inside the cartridge (18) to generate hydrogen.
SE1750817A 2017-06-26 2017-06-26 Fuel cell based charger for electronic equipment with sliding fuel cell unit SE541354C2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE1750817A SE541354C2 (en) 2017-06-26 2017-06-26 Fuel cell based charger for electronic equipment with sliding fuel cell unit
PCT/SE2018/050510 WO2019004891A1 (en) 2017-06-26 2018-05-17 Fuel cell based charger for electronic equipment with sliding fuel cell unit

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE1750817A SE541354C2 (en) 2017-06-26 2017-06-26 Fuel cell based charger for electronic equipment with sliding fuel cell unit

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
SE1750817A1 SE1750817A1 (en) 2018-12-27
SE541354C2 true SE541354C2 (en) 2019-08-13

Family

ID=64742832

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
SE1750817A SE541354C2 (en) 2017-06-26 2017-06-26 Fuel cell based charger for electronic equipment with sliding fuel cell unit

Country Status (2)

Country Link
SE (1) SE541354C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2019004891A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006135896A2 (en) * 2005-06-13 2006-12-21 Societe Bic Hydrogen generating fuel cell cartridges
IT1397223B1 (en) * 2009-12-30 2013-01-04 St Microelectronics Srl CARTRIDGE FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION, HYDROGEN PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND RELATIVE PRODUCTION METHOD
KR101881172B1 (en) * 2010-02-08 2018-07-23 인텔리전트 에너지, 인크. Fuel cell cartridge
US9725316B2 (en) * 2013-03-07 2017-08-08 Intelligent Energy Inc. Hydrogen generator with replaceable fuel unit and a method of producing hydrogen gas
SE1550580A1 (en) * 2015-05-07 2016-11-08 Myfc Ab Fuel cell based charger system and fuel generator therefor
USD784922S1 (en) * 2016-01-04 2017-04-25 Myfc Ab Fuel cell based charger

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2019004891A8 (en) 2019-06-27
WO2019004891A1 (en) 2019-01-03
SE1750817A1 (en) 2018-12-27

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NUG Patent has lapsed