Fuel Cell Thermal Management via Surrounding Solid-State Battery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile electronic devices with fuel cells face challenges in managing temperature, as energy storage devices like batteries tend to heat up during use, leading to reduced battery life, decreased efficiency, and safety concerns, especially in high-bandwidth devices like 3G+LTE devices.
Innovation Solution
The fuel tank is designed to surround and be in thermal contact with the energy storage device, facilitating heat transfer through conduction, convection, and radiation, acting as a heat sink to draw excess heat away from the battery and potentially using this heat to enhance the reaction rate of the fuel cell, while selecting fuels with high heat capacity and endothermic properties to manage temperature effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the energy storage device operates to provide power, then the device functions properly, but the battery temperature increases leading to reduced battery life and decreased efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by the energy storage device into a beneficial resource by using it to warm the fuel cell, thereby improving fuel cell performance while preventing battery overheating and extending battery life
2Productivity
If the energy storage device operates to provide power, then the device functions properly, but heat-related safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the harmful excess heat from the energy storage device into a useful thermal resource for the fuel cell, thereby eliminating safety concerns related to heat accumulation while maintaining continuous power provision
3Power
If the fuel cell operates, then electrical power is generated, but the reaction rate may be limited by temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal management function with the power generation function by thermally coupling the energy storage device and fuel cell, allowing the battery's waste heat to directly warm the fuel cell and enhance its reaction rate and power output
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration helps maintain optimal battery temperature, increasing efficiency, extending battery life, and reducing the risk of heat-related issues, while also improving the performance of the fuel cell by utilizing heat energy effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The fuel tank is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the energy storage device... facilitating heat transfer through conduction
Implementation Method 2
facilitating heat transfer through conduction, convection, and radiation
Implementation Method 3
facilitating heat transfer through conduction, convection, and radiation
Implementation Method 4
selecting fuels with high heat capacity and endothermic properties to manage temperature effectively
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect, a mobile electronic device having a fuel cell configured to receive fuel and generate therefrom electrical power for the mobile electronic device, a fuel tank adapted to store fuel and provide fuel to the fuel cell, and a solid-state battery configured to provide power to the mobile device. The solid-state battery is sized and shaped to at least partially surround at least one of the fuel cell and the fuel tank.