Fuel cell cartridge with leak detection
Described herein is a portable storage device that stores a hydrogen fuel source. The storage device includes a bladder that contains the hydrogen fuel source and conforms to the volume of the hydrogen fuel source. A housing provides mechanical protection for the bladder. The storage device also includes a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector. The device may be a portable electronics device such as a laptop computer. Refillable hydrogen fuel source storage devices and systems are also described. Hot swappable fuel storage systems described herein allow a portable hydrogen fuel source storage device to be removed from a fuel processor or electronics device it provides the hydrogen fuel source to, without shutting down the receiving device or without compromising hydrogen fuel source provision.
1 . A portable methanol cartridge for storing methanol, the cartridge comprising:
a bladder that contains the methanol and one of an odorant, a bitterant and a colorant;
a housing that provides mechanical protection for the bladder; and
a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the methanol between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector.
2 . The portable cartridge of claim 1 wherein the one of the odorant, bitterant and the colorant are mixed into the methanol while the methanol is in the bladder.
3 . The portable cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a filter configured to intercept the methanol and to remove the one of an odorant, a bitterant and a colorant from the methanol when the methanol leaves the storage device through an intended outlet.
4 . The portable cartridge of claim 3 wherein the filter is included in the connector.
5 . The portable cartridge of claim 4 wherein the filter spans a tube, in the connector, that opens to the fuel source bladder.
6 . The portable cartridge of claim 1 wherein the one of the odorant, bitterant and colorant is present in the methanol when the methanol does not leave the storage device via the connector.
7 . The portable cartridge of claim 1 wherein the methanol includes a mixture of methanol and water.
8 . A portable methanol cartridge for storing methanol, the storage device comprising:
a bladder that contains the methanol and a colorant in the methanol;
a housing that provides mechanical protection for the bladder; and
a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector.
9 . The portable cartridge of claim 8 wherein the methanol includes a mixture of methanol and water.
10 . The portable cartridge of claim 8 wherein the colorant includes a food dye.
11 . The portable cartridge of claim 8 wherein the housing includes a transparent wall that permits visible detection of the methanol and colorant in the bladder.
12 . The portable cartridge of claim 8 further comprising a filter configured to intercept the methanol and the colorant as the methanol leaves the storage device through an intended outlet.
13 . The portable cartridge of claim 12 wherein the filter is included in the connector.
14 . A portable methanol cartridge for storing methanol, the storage device comprising:
a bladder that contains the methanol and a bitterant in the methanol;
a housing that provides mechanical protection for the bladder; and
a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector.
15 . The portable cartridge of claim 14 further comprising a filter configured to intercept the methanol and the bitterant as the methanol leaves the storage device through an intended outlet.
16 . The portable cartridge of claim 15 wherein the filter is included in the connector.
17 . The portable cartridge of claim 14 wherein the methanol in the bladder is a tasteless liquid without the bitterant.
18 . A portable methanol cartridge for storing methanol, the storage device comprising:
a bladder that contains the methanol and an odorant in the methanol;
a housing that provides mechanical protection for the bladder; and
a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector.
19 . The portable cartridge of claim 18 wherein the methanol in the bladder is an odorless liquid without the odorant.
20 . The portable cartridge of claim 18 further comprising a filter configured to intercept the methanol and the odorant as the methanol leaves the storage device through an intended outlet.
21 . The portable cartridge of claim 20 wherein the filter is included in the connector.