Fuel cell

Abstract

A fuel cell has a fuel cell main body, a fuel supply unit, a voltage sensor, a supply speed determining unit, a fuel supply control unit, and a connecting unit. The voltage sensor measures the open-circuit voltage of the fuel cell main body. The supply speed determining unit determines the fuel supply speed of the fuel supply unit, on the basis of the results obtained from the measurement performed by the voltage sensor, in the case where the voltage measured by the voltage sensor is smaller than a predetermined value. The fuel supply control unit controls, on the basis of the supply speed thus determined, the fuel supply from the fuel supply unit. The connecting unit connects a load to the fuel cell main body, in the case where the voltage measured by the voltage sensor is larger than the predetermined value.

Description

technical field [0001] Embodiments of the invention relate to fuel cells. Background technique [0002] The miniaturization of electronic devices such as mobile phones and portable information terminals is accelerating. Attempts have been made to utilize fuel cells for power supplies and the like of electronic devices while reducing the size of electronic devices. Fuel cells can generate electricity only by supplying fuel and air, and can generate electricity continuously only by replacing and replenishing fuel. Therefore, if the fuel cell can be miniaturized, it will be very effective as a power source for small electronic devices. [0003] As a fuel cell, a direct methanol fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cell)) has attracted attention. According to the supply method of the liquid fuel, the above-mentioned DMFCs are classified into the following two types of DMFCs: active DMFCs such as gas supply type and liquid supply type; Passive DMFC...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In contrast, in order to measure the temperature outside the DMFC, it is necessary to install a temperature sensor outside the DMFC, and the equipment structure of the DMFC becomes complicated.

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