Thermoelectric Module Temperature Control for Fuel Cell Power Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cells for portable electronic devices face challenges due to temperature-related issues, such as inefficiency and icing problems when operating outside a specific temperature range, which affect their performance in varying environments.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating thermoelectric modules that are in thermal contact with the fuel cells and fuel tanks to manage temperature through heat transfer, allowing for the generation of electrical power or heat, thereby maintaining optimal operating conditions and preventing icing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If fuel cells are used in portable electronic devices, then electricity generation capability is improved, but temperature management problems occur leading to inefficiency and icing in varying environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel cell stack and fuel tank into a single integrated temperature management system, where a single thermoelectric module serves both components simultaneously. This merging approach allows coordinated temperature control of both the fuel cell stack and fuel tank, preventing icing in both components while maintaining optimal operating temperatures, thereby resolving the temperature management reliability issue without adding separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoelectric module is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides active heating to prevent icing in both the fuel cell stack and fuel tank, and actively cools the fuel cell stack during operation to maintain optimal temperature. This multi-functional capability allows a single device to address both warming and cooling needs, resolving the contradiction between electricity generation and temperature management reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If fuel cells operate outside a specific temperature range, then environmental adaptability is improved, but operating efficiency deteriorates due to icing and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of thermoelectric modules based on real-time temperature conditions. The controller monitors temperatures of both the fuel cell stack and fuel tank, and adjusts the heating/cooling power accordingly. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain optimal operating efficiency across varying environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between environmental adaptability and operating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the thermoelectric modules based on temperature conditions. By adjusting the electrical power supplied to the thermoelectric modules, the system can provide variable heating and cooling rates to maintain optimal temperature ranges for both the fuel cell stack and fuel tank, thereby maintaining high operating efficiency across different environmental conditions
3Reliability
If thermoelectric modules are added to manage temperature, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces system complexity by merging the temperature management functions for the fuel cell stack and fuel tank into a single integrated system. Instead of using separate thermoelectric modules and control systems for each component, a single thermoelectric module serves both components, and a single controller manages both temperature control functions. This merging approach maintains reliable temperature control capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity
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
The use of thermoelectric modules effectively regulates the temperature of fuel cells and fuel tanks, ensuring efficient operation across a range of environmental conditions and preventing icing, thus enhancing the reliability and performance of portable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating thermoelectric modules that are in thermal contact with the fuel cells and fuel tanks to manage temperature through heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
at least one thermoelectric module may in operation receive heat energy as an input and produce electrical energy as an output
Implementation Method 3
the first thermoelectric module may be in operation to receive heat from the fuel cell
Implementation Method 4
a second thermoelectric module may be in thermal contact with the fuel tank. The second thermoelectric module may in operation transfer heat to the fuel tank
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power source for a portable electronic device. The electrical power source includes at least one fuel cell adapted to receive fuel and generate therefrom electrical power for powering at least one component of the portable electronic device, a fuel tank adapted to provide fuel to the fuel cell, and at least one thermoelectric module in thermal contact with at least one of the fuel cell and fuel tank for regulating the temperature of the at least one fuel cell and at least one fuel tank.