Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel cell system with various features for optimal operations of an electronic device, a battery charger or a fuel refilling device. The fuel cell system includes an information storage device associated with the fuel supply, pump and/or refilling device. The information storage device can be any electronic storage device including, but not limited to, an EEPROM or a PLA. The information storage device can include encrypted information. The information storage device can include software code for confirming the identification of the cartridge before operation of the electronic device and/or refilling device. The information storage device can include instructions for a hot swap operation to shut down properly when the fuel supply is ejected while the electronic device is in operation. The present invention is also directed to system architecture for a fuel cell system that utilizes information storage devices.

Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus (10) includes a reaction chamber (18) containing a solid fuel component (24) and a liquid fuel component (22) that is introduced into the reaction chamber by a fluid path, such as a tube, nozzle, or valve. The flow of the liquid fuel to the solid fuel is self-regulated. Other embodiments of the gas-generating apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a luminaire (1) having a luminaire housing (2) and an adjustable spotlight arrangement (10). In order to achieve a movement of the spotlight arrangement (10) which is dependent in two degrees of freedom on one another, the spotlight arrangement (10) is held displaceably in a displacement direction (5b) of the luminaire housing (2), and there is provided in the luminaire housing (2) a pivot guide slot member (14), by means of which upon displacement in the displacement direction the spotlight arrangement (10) is compulsorily and reproducibly pivoted.

Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus includes a fuel storage chamber having a fuel gas stored within a plurality of microspheres. A releasing mechanism releases the gas from the microspheres, such as by fracturing the spheres or diffusing the gas through the spheres. A ratcheting mechanism controls the release of the gas, such as hydrogen, from the microspheres. The ratcheting mechanism is controlled by either the pressure within the fuel storage chamber or an electronic controller. Additionally, the gas-generating apparatus of the present invention includes a fuel introducing system that has a fuel transporting system that is pressure regulated.

Abstract: Fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. The fuel supplies can be a pressurized or non-pressurized cartridge that can be used with any fuel cells, including but not limited to, direct methanol fuel cell or reformer fuel cell. In one aspect, a fuel supply may contain a reaction chamber to convert fuel to hydrogen. The fuel supplies may also contain a pump. The fuel supply may have a valve connecting the fuel to the fuel cell, and a vent to vent gas from the fuel supply. Methods for forming various fuel supplies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A building management system (1) for the control of plural actuators (10) arranged in a distributed manner, comprised of a central control unit (2) and at least one actuator (10) controlled by the central control unit (2), wherein the actuator (10) has a control device (11) which is formed to receive control commands from the central control unit (2) and to operate the actuator (10) in dependence upon these control commands, and a memory part (13) for storing function-relevant information. In accordance with the invention the memory part (13) is separate or separable from the control device (11).

Abstract: A fuel supply connectable to a fuel cell is disclosed. The fuel supply comprises an outer casing and a fuel liner and an effective amount of fuel in the space between the outer casing and the fuel liner to control the pressure inside the fuel liner. In one example, the fuel inside the fuel liner is methanol, and the fuel between the outer casing and the fuel liner is methanol or methanol gel.

Abstract: A filling device for use to manually or automatically refill a fuel cartridge using a separate fuel container or a second fuel cartridge is disclosed. The filling device provides for the sharing or fuel among numerous fuel containers and fuel cartridges in various consumer electronic devices. Fuel cartridges can be filled in-situ using an adapter for connecting the fuel container to the fuel cartridge. The adapter includes an input connector and an output connector arranged to adapt various fuel containers and fuel cartridges together. The adapter can be arranged as a passive device or as an active device and can include pumps, valves, power sources and control units as desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lamp (1) comprising a projector (3) and an adjustable holding device (5), by means of which the projector (3) is joined to a base part (2) of the lamp (1). The holding device (5) is provided with an elongate support element (6), a holding element (7) at least for part of the projector (3), a joint (8) between the support element (6) and the holding element (7), and a clamping device (9) for locking the joint (8). The joint (8) and the clamping device (9) are disposed in a projector housing (11). In order to ensure that the projector (3) is easy to handle for adjustment purposes, a removing mechanism (41), with the aid of which the clamping force of the clamping device (9) can be reduced or canceled, is arranged in the projector housing (11).

Abstract: Valves for connecting fuel supplies are disclosed. The fuel supplies can be a pressurized or non-pressurized cartridge that can be used with any fuel cells. The valves may include valves that vent gas from the cartridge and allow byproducts produced by the fuel cell to be transported to the fuel cartridge, and valves that connect the fuel supplies to the fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substrates and coating compositions disposed thereon containing improved ultraviolet degradation resistance. Specifically, these coating compositions can contain multiple UV protectants and can advantageously be used in transparent, semi-transparent, and/or translucent coatings on substrates, particularly opaque or semi-opaque substrates such as wood, e.g., in order to inhibit, to reduce, and/or to minimize UV degradation of said substrates.

Abstract: A method for selecting paints is disclosed. This method includes the steps of selecting true paint colors, displaying device-dependent colors corresponding to the true paint colors in a simulated full size room and interacting with the buyers to change the displayed colors and select the desired colors. The method also includes the step of dispensing paints corresponding to the selected colors. The displayed colors are generated by multiple color and/or white LEDs to provide a wider gamut of displayable colors and more color saturation and chromatic. A full-size apparatus for displaying paint colors using device-dependent colors is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus includes a cartridge including a reservoir having a first reactant and a reaction chamber, and a receiver that can include a flow control device. The receiver is adapted to receive the cartridge and to transport the first reactant to the reaction chamber after connection with the cartridge. The flow control device is adapted to stop the transport of reactant when the pressure in the reaction chamber reaches a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: Fuel gauges for fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. Each fuel gauge has a property that is readable by an electrical circuit. These properties are related to the remaining fuel in the fuel supplies. These properties include, but are not limited to, electrical capacitance, magnetic, semi-conducting resistance, bi-metal resistance, and oscillating magnetic field. These fuel gauges are functional at any fuel supply orientation.

Abstract: Fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. The fuel supplies can be a pressurized or non-pressurized cartridge that can be used with any fuel cells, including but not limited to, direct methanol fuel cell or reformer fuel cell. In one aspect, a fuel supply may contain a reaction chamber to convert fuel to hydrogen. The fuel supplies may also contain a pump. The fuel supply may have a valve connecting the fuel to the fuel cell, and a vent to vent gas from the fuel supply. Methods for forming various fuel supplies are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel supply and fuel system with an ion filter and an ion gauge. The filter can be made from discrete pieces of polymeric filter material. The polymeric filter material is substantially the same as the proton exchange membrane or polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) in the fuel cell. The ion gauge measures the level of ions in the fuel by measuring a voltage across a section of fuel or a current through the same section. The voltage or current is related to the ion level in the fuel.