Fuel cell electrical power source for a portable electronic device with thermoelectric module

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An electrical power source for a portable electronic device, the electrical power source comprising:
a fuel cell that receives fuel and generates therefrom electrical power for powering at least one component of the portable electronic device; a fuel tank that provides fuel to the fuel cell; two thermoelectric modules including:
a shared thermoelectric module that is in direct physical contact and direct thermal contact with both the fuel cell and the fuel tank and which passively regulates heat transfer between the fuel cell and fuel tank without electrical power being supplied to the shared thermoelectric module, anda separate thermoelectric module that is in direct physical contact and direct thermal contact with only one of the fuel tank or fuel cell for actively and independently adjusting the temperature of that fuel cell or fuel tank; at least one temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the fuel cell and fuel tank; and a controller that monitors the temperatures of the fuel cell and fuel tank using the at least one temperature sensor and which selectively powers the separate thermoelectric module to maintain the temperatures of the fuel cells and fuel tanks within a desired operating range.