Portable disposable fuel-battery unit for a fuel cell system

1. A portable disposable fuel-battery unit for use with a system including a fuel cell, a system fuel connector operably connected to the fuel cell, and a system electrical connector, the portable disposable fuel-battery unit comprising:

a fuel-battery container including a fuel compartment having fuel stored therein and a battery compartment having a battery stored therein;

a fuel-battery unit fuel connector, operably connected to the fuel compartment, adapted to be connected to the system fuel connector such that fuel can flow out of the fuel-battery container; and

a fuel-battery unit electrical connector, operably connected to the battery, adapted to be connected to the system electrical connector.

2. A portable disposable fuel-battery unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fuel comprises hydrogen.

3. A portable disposable fuel-battery unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fuel comprises methanol.

4. A portable disposable fuel-battery unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fuel-battery container includes only a fuel compartment and a battery compartment.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

a fuel cell system including

at least one fuel cell,

a system fuel connector operably connected to the fuel cell, and

a system electrical connector; and

a portable disposable fuel-battery unit including

a fuel-battery container including a fuel compartment having fuel stored therein and a battery compartment having a battery stored therein,

a fuel-battery unit fuel connector, operably connected to the fuel compartment, adapted to be connected to the system fuel connector such that fuel can flow out of the fuel-battery container to the at least one fuel cell, and

a fuel-battery unit electrical connector, operably connected to the battery, adapted to be connected to the system electrical connector.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the fuel comprises hydrogen.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the fuel comprises methanol.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the fuel-battery container includes only a fuel compartment and a battery compartment.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cells.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the fuel cell system includes an outer shell defining a chamber, the fuel-battery container is located within the chamber and the at least one fuel cell is not located within the chamber.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the fuel-battery container and fuel cell system are adapted to be snap-connected to one another.

12. A device, comprising:

an electrical load;

a fuel cell system including

at least one fuel cell connected to the electrical load,

a system fuel connector operably connected to the fuel cell, and

a system electrical connector; and

a portable disposable fuel-battery unit including

a fuel-battery container including a fuel compartment having fuel stored therein and a battery compartment having a battery stored therein,

a fuel-battery unit fuel connector, operably connected to the fuel compartment, adapted to be connected to the system fuel connector such that fuel can flow out of the fuel-battery container to the at least one fuel cell, and

a fuel-battery unit electrical connector, operably connected to the battery, adapted to be connected to the electrical load.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the fuel comprises hydrogen.

14. A device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the fuel comprises methanol.

15. A device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the fuel-battery container includes only a fuel compartment and a battery compartment.

16. A device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cells.

17. A device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the fuel cell system includes an outer shell defining a chamber, the fuel-battery container is located within the chamber and the at least one fuel cell is not located within the chamber.

18. A device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the fuel-battery container and fuel cell system are adapted to be snap-connected to one another.

19. A method of fueling an apparatus that includes a fuel cell and an electrical load connected to the fuel cell, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting a single fuel-battery cartridge that includes both fuel and a battery to the fuel cell and to the electrical load;

supplying power to the electrical load with the battery; and

transferring fuel from the fuel-battery cartridge to the fuel cell.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the fuel comprises hydrogen.

21. A method as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the fuel comprises methanol.

22. A method as claimed in claim 19 , comprising the step of:

charging the battery with energy from the fuel cell.

23. A portable disposable fuel-battery unit for use with a system including a fuel cell, a system fuel connector operably connected to the fuel cell, and a system electrical connector, the portable disposable fuel-battery unit comprising:

a fuel container including a fuel compartment having fuel stored therein;

a battery carried by the fuel container;

a fuel-battery unit fuel connector, operably connected to the fuel compartment, adapted to be connected to the system fuel connector such that fuel can flow out of the fuel container; and

a fuel-battery unit electrical connector, operably connected to the battery, adapted to be connected to the system electrical connector.

24. A portable disposable fuel-battery unit as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the fuel comprises hydrogen.

25. A portable disposable fuel-battery unit as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the fuel comprises methanol.