Fuel Cell System Coupled to Portable Computing Device Battery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Designing hydrogen fuel cell systems that are both portable and cost-effective for powering portable electronic devices is challenging due to the need for bulky and heavy batteries, which hinders their adoption in renewable energy solutions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system that integrates a fuel cell stack, a controller, and communication and power links to regulate power exchange with a rechargeable battery, allowing the system to operate without an internal battery and optimize hydrogen pressure within the fuel cell stack, thereby reducing size, weight, and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a hydrogen fuel cell system is designed to power portable electronic devices, then renewable energy capability is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and heavy due to the need for internal batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery component from the fuel cell system, allowing the fuel cell to directly power the portable electronic device without requiring an internal battery. The fuel cell system is coupled to the device's existing rechargeable battery, eliminating the need for a separate battery in the fuel cell assembly and significantly reducing overall system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the existing rechargeable battery in the portable electronic device for dual purposes: as the device's power storage and as the fuel cell system's power storage. This multi-functional use eliminates redundant components and reduces system weight while maintaining renewable energy capability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a hydrogen fuel cell system is designed to power portable electronic devices, then renewable energy capability is achieved, but the system size increases due to bulky battery requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is extracted from the fuel cell system and integrated into the portable electronic device, eliminating the need for a separate battery compartment in the fuel cell assembly and reducing overall system volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cell system is merged with the portable electronic device by coupling to its existing battery infrastructure, combining two separate systems (fuel cell power source and device battery) into a unified system that reduces total volume.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an internal rechargeable battery is included in the fuel cell system, then power management flexibility is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing battery in the portable electronic device serves dual functions as both the device's power storage and the fuel cell system's power storage, eliminating redundant components and reducing system complexity while maintaining power management flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable electronic device's existing battery and power management infrastructure serves the fuel cell system, allowing the device to self-manage power without requiring additional dedicated components in the fuel cell assembly.
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 design enables efficient power management between the fuel cell system and a portable computing device, enhancing the system's portability, reducing size and weight, and improving cost-effectiveness while maintaining stable hydrogen pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a fuel cell system which is capable of both providing power to and receiving power from a rechargeable battery in a portable computing device. This eliminates the need for a bulky and heavy battery within the fuel cell system, which can significantly reduce the size, weight and cost of the fuel cell system. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system additionally includes a power link that transfers electrical power between the fuel cell system and the portable computing device, and a communication link that provides communication between the portable computing device and the controller for the fuel cell system. The controller can regulate both the electrical power provided by the fuel cell system to the portable computing device and the electrical power provided by the rechargeable battery to the fuel cell system.