Fuel cell assembly
Disclosed herein is a fuel cell assembly that arranges a plurality of individual fuel cells into an array. The fuel cells are set into openings formed in a frame. The openings are arranged into the array, such as in columns and rows. A rear cover is sealingly attached to the frame, thereby defining a chamber between the frame and a base of the rear cover, where the chamber serves as a manifold. Optional supports extend from the base to the fuel cells. The void forms a fluid manifold for dispersing fuel for the fuel cells from a fuel reservoir to the fuel cells. Alternatively, the rear cover separates the interstitial space between the rear cover and the frame into compartments, which are fluidly interconnected by channels. The array may also include a functional element electrically connected to the fuel cells configured to transfer power an electronic device.
1. A fuel cell assembly comprising:
a frame having a plurality of openings formed therewithin to define an array;
at least one fuel cell having an anode side sealingly disposed within one opening;
a rear cover sealingly attached to the frame on the anode side of the at least one fuel cell;
at least one protruding support member extending from the rear cover to contact at least one fuel cell;
a fuel inlet connected to the rear cover, capable of connecting to a fuel supply; and
a chamber formed between the frame and the rear cover, wherein the chamber is capable of being in fluid connection with the fuel supply, and wherein each fuel cell is in fluid contact with the chamber, and wherein fuel disperses from the fuel supply through the chamber to feed the anode side of the at least one fuel cell.
2. The fuel cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one support member comprises a post.
3. The fuel cell assembly of claim 1 comprising at least one additional fuel port.
4. The fuel cell assembly of claim 3 , wherein the at least one additional fuel port is an inlet and wherein the at least one additional fuel port and the fuel inlet are arranged within the assembly to create a circular flow pattern when fuel is introduced through the plurality of fuel inlets.
5. The fuel cell assembly of claim 3 , wherein the fuel inlet is disposed at a first end of the fuel cell assembly, and wherein the at least one additional fuel port is disposed at an opposing end of the fuel cell assembly.
6. The fuel cell assembly of claim 3 , wherein the at least one additional fuel port is an outlet.
7. The fuel cell assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one electrical connector, wherein the at least one electrical connector connects a first fuel cell to at least one second fuel cell.
8. The fuel cell assembly of claim 7 , wherein the at least one electrical connector is disposed on a surface of the frame.
9. The fuel cell assembly of claim 7 , wherein the at least one electrical connector is embedded in either the frame or the rear cover.
10. The fuel cell assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first fuel cell is electrically connected in series to the at least one second fuel cell.
11. The fuel cell assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first fuel cell is electrically connected in parallel to the at least one second fuel cell.
12. The fuel cell assembly of claim 7 , wherein at least one electrical connector is configured to connect the at least one fuel cell to a device.
13. The fuel cell assembly of claim 9 , wherein the at least one electrical connector is formed by wire bonding.
14. The fuel cell assembly of claim 9 , wherein the at least one electrical connector comprises an amount of conductive adhesive.
15. The fuel cell assembly of claim 9 , wherein the at least one electrical connector comprises an amount of low-melting metal.
16. The fuel cell assembly of claim 1 further comprising a heat sink.
17. A fuel cell assembly comprising:
a frame having a plurality of openings fainted therewithin to define an array;
at least two fuel cells having an anode side sealingly disposed within two openings;
a rear cover sealingly attached to the frame on the anode side of the at least two fuel cells;
a fuel inlet connected to the rear cover, connected to a fuel supply, and
a chamber formed between the frame and the rear cover, wherein the chamber is in fluid connection with the fuel supply, and wherein each fuel cell is in fluid contact with the chamber, and wherein fuel disperses from the fuel supply through the chamber to feed the anode side of the at least two fuel cells, and wherein the frame and cover are foldable along at least one axis such that the at least two fuel cells are located in at least two different planes.
18. The fuel cell assembly of claim 17 , wherein the at least two fuel cells are hingedly attached to each other.
19. The fuel cell assembly of claim 17 , wherein the frame and cover comprise a flexible material.
20. A power module, comprising
a plurality of fuel cells electrically connected to an electrical regulator, and at least one fuel chamber supplying fuel to the plurality of fuel cells,
wherein the electrical regulator is configured to collect electricity generated by the plurality of fuel cells and to modulate the electricity before providing the modulated electricity to at least one of a plurality of electronic devices,
wherein the plurality of fuel cells and the electrical regulator are supported by a frame having a plurality of openings formed therewithin to define an array,
wherein the array is sized and dimensioned to receive the plurality of fuel cells and the electrical regulator.
21. The power module of claim 20 , wherein the electrical regulator comprises an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chip.
22. The power module of claim 20 , wherein the plurality of electronic devices is selected from a group consisting of a battery, a phone, a laptop, an MP3 player, a GPS device, and a PDA.
23. The power module of claim 20 , wherein the power module outputs a current having a voltage ranging from about 3 V to about 7 V and an amperage ranging from about 150 mA to about 250 mA.
24. The power module of claim 20 , further comprising:
a rear cover sealingly attached to the frame on the anode side of the plurality of fuel cells;
a fuel inlet connected to the rear cover capable of connecting to a fuel supply containing a fuel; and
wherein the fuel chamber is formed between the frame and the rear cover, wherein the fuel chamber is capable of being in fluid connection with the fuel supply, and wherein each fuel cell is in fluid contact with the chamber, and wherein fuel disperses from the fuel supply through the chamber to feed the anode side of the plurality of fuel cells.
25. The power module of claim 20 further comprising a heat sink.
26. The power module of claim 24 , wherein the fuel supply comprises a fuel cartridge.
27. The power module of claim 24 , wherein the frame and cover can be adjusted along at least one axis such that at least two fuel cells can be located in at least two different planes.
28. A power module, comprising
a plurality of fuel cells electrically connected to a functional element, and at least one fuel chamber supplying fuel to the plurality of fuel cells,
wherein the functional element is configured to collect electricity generated by the plurality of fuel cells and to modulate the electricity before providing the modulated electricity to at least one of a plurality of electronic devices,
wherein the plurality of fuel cells and the functional element are supported by a frame having a plurality of openings formed therewithin to define an array,
wherein the array is sized and dimensioned to receive the plurality of fuel cells and the functional element, and wherein the functional element is selected from a group consisting of a DC-DC converter, an operational amplifier, and a power regulator.
29. A power module, comprising
a plurality of fuel cells electrically connected to a functional element, and at least one fuel chamber supplying fuel to the plurality of fuel cells,
wherein the functional element is configured to collect electricity generated by the plurality of fuel cells and to modulate the electricity before providing the modulated electricity to at least one of a plurality of electronic devices,
wherein the plurality of fuel cells and the functional element are supported by a printed circuit board having a plurality of openings formed therewithin to define an array,
wherein the array is sized and dimensioned to receive the plurality of fuel cells and the functional element.