Abstract: The invention relates to bipolar plates for electrochemical fuel cell assemblies, and in particular to configurations of bipolar plates allowing for multiple fluid flow channels for the passage of anode, cathode and coolant fluids.

Abstract: A solar panel energy system, energy resource network comprising a plurality of energy resources each capable of delivering a quantum of energy; and a plurality of energy-consuming-devices each capable of accepting a quantum of energy. Each energy resource is associated with an energy-resource-processor which is configured to issue one or more offer-messages in respect of a quantum of energy available for supply from the energy resource Each energy-consuming-device is associated with at least one energy-consuming-processor) that is configured to receive one or more offer-messages in respect of a transaction for receiving a quantum of energy from one of the energy resources The energy-resource-processor and/or the energy-consuming-processor being configured to issue a cryptographically-secured transaction record of the transaction for inclusion within a publicly-available distributed ledger.

Abstract: An inductive charger comprising an inductive charging coil for providing energy to a inductive receiving coil; and a fuel cell configured to provide electricity to the inductive charging coil.

Abstract: The invention relates to bipolar plates for electrochemical fuel cell assemblies, and in particular to configurations of bipolar plates allowing for multiple fluid flow channels for the passage of anode, cathode and coolant fluids.

Abstract: A coolant storage tank (1) for storing coolant in a fuel cell system (2), the coolant storage tank comprising a plurality of individually controllable heater elements (7, 8a, 8b). A coolant storage tank comprising a first heater element (7) located at a base of the coolant storage tank and a second heater element (8a) is also disclosed. A coolant storage tank comprising a first coolant storage compartment (50) in fluid communication with a second coolant storage compartment (51), the first coolant storage compartment including at least a first heater element (54) and wherein the second coolant storage compartment is unheated is also disclosed. A method of melting frozen coolant in a coolant storage tank is also disclosed.

Abstract: A charging device is configured to deliver power to a portable, power-consuming device, having a profile sensor which can detect information relating to the identity of power-consuming device to which the charging device is connected and may also have a communication channel configured to transmit said information to a remote server. In use, data can be collected or aggregated relating to power-consuming devices by connecting the charging device to the portable power-consuming device; sensing, by a profile sensor in the charging device, information relating to the identity of the power-consuming device; and transmitting the information to a remote server over a communication channel. Collected data may, for example, be used to identify when fuel for a charging device may need replenishment.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprises a fuel cell stack having a fuel delivery inlet and a fuel delivery outlet. The fuel cell stack further includes a number of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly and a fluid flow path coupled between the fuel delivery inlet and the fuel delivery outlet for delivery of fuel to the membrane electrode assembly. A fuel delivery conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery inlet for 10 delivery of fluid fuel to the stack. A bleed conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery outlet for venting fluid out of the stack. A variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of one or more of the control parameters: (i) measured fuel concentration; (ii) measured humidity; (iii) cell voltages of fuel cells in the 15 stack; (iv) impedance of fuel cells in the stack; (v) resistance of fuel cells in the stack.

Abstract: This disclosure is drawn to systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods, related to fuel cell cartridges. Specifically, the disclosed systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods relate to compact fuel cell cartridges for producing hydrogen gas for use by fuel cells. Some example fuel cell cartridges may include a reactor module for storing a reactant, a water module for storing water, and an interface coupling the reactor module and the water module. The interface may permit the water to flow from the water module to the reactor module such that the water mixes with the reactant in the reactor module to form a gas (e.g., hydrogen gas) that may exit through a gas outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising an energy source (102) configured to provide energy to an energy-consuming device (106). The energy source (102) can be embedded within an item of furniture. The apparatus also includes a communication resource (104) configured to be in communication with a remote sever (108) in order to authorize delivery of a predetermined amount of energy by the energy source (102) to the energy-consuming device (106).

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises an electrochemical fuel cell stack for generating electrical power. A load circuit is switchably coupled to the fuel cell stack for periodically receiving a discharge current from the fuel cell stack during an energy dissipation phase, such as an air stall operation for conditioning the fuel cell stack. A protection circuit is coupled to the load circuit, configured to monitor a cumulative energy dissipation level during an energy dissipation phase and to abort an energy dissipation phase if the cumulative energy level reaches a predetermined threshold. In this way, lower specification resistor components can be used for stack conditioning.

Abstract: A fluid flow plate having first and second fluid flow channels on a fluid flow plate with an active area of fluid flow fields having one or more arrays of fluid transfer points (301, 302, 303) disposed along an edge of the flow field for communicating fluid into or out of flow channels. A first and second distribution gallery (15, 16, 21)with peripheral edge portions bounded by the arrays including at least one pair of inlets in external edges of the fluid flow plate and wherein the first fluid distribution gallery is shaped such that the combined lengths of the first-gallery second peripheral edge portions are longer than the first-gallery first peripheral edge portion, and wherein the internal edges of the flow plate comprise edges of a hole, aperture, or port passing through the flow plate, and the external edges of the flow plate comprise an outer peripheral edge of the plate. The edges each may comprise a castellated structure (31, 32, 34).

Abstract: A hydrogen producing reactor having a pellet core within a containment vessel. The vessel having an exit nozzle surrounding the pellet. Optionally, one or more elastomeric winding may be placed around the elastomeric or compressing material of the containment vessel; and, a water line to deliver fluid to the pellet. Whereby the containment compresses around the fuel pellet as it is used. Hydrogen and other products produced by the reactor within a cartridge is filtered with a clog-less filter and substantially pure hydrogen is output.

Abstract: A flexible fuel cell power system comprising one or more fuel cell cartridges (which contain fuel cell modules) connected to a fuel cell system is provided. The components of the flexible fuel cell power system may be placed on a shared backbone with flexible joints, and may be made of flexible materials so that the entire system can be worn by a human being.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack is disclosed. An ozone generator is configured to introduce ozone into a coolant in the fuel cell system. A deionisation apparatus is coupled to the fuel cell stack. A bypass conduit is arranged in parallel with the deionisation apparatus. A controller is configured to control flow of the coolant to the fuel cell stack through either the deionisation apparatus or the bypass conduit based on the operating state of the ozone generator.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus for providing electrical power, the power supply apparatus configured to be coupled to an electronic device to supply power thereto to charge a battery of the electronic device, the apparatus comprising a fuel cell configured to receive a supply of a fuel for generating said electrical power, the apparatus further including a controller configured to determine the power flow to the electronic device to interrupt the supply of power to the electronic device prior to the battery of the electronic device reaching a fully charged state.

Abstract: A microvalve assembly (30) is integrated into a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate (31). An aperture (32) in the PCB substrate includes a closure member (33) extending into the aperture. A flexible fluid pipe (38) is disposed between the closure member and a closure edge (37) of the aperture. A displacement member (34) is coupled to the PCB and is configured for thermal actuation to displace the closure member so as to vary the cross-sectional profile of the flexible fluid pipe. The closure member may be a cantilever section of the PCB substrate. Displacement of the closure member to vary the cross-sectional profile of the flexible fluid pipe can occur entirely within the plane of the PCB substrate and movement of the displacement member to displace the closure member can also occur entirely within the plane of the PCB substrate, providing a very low profile of microvalve particularly suited for integration into a fuel cell stack (1).

Abstract: A fuel source (100), a fluid gauge adapter (300), a fuel cell system (200) and an associated method. The fuel source (100) has a gauge (104) comprising an electronic multi-stable display (106). The fuel cell system (200) and method relate to receiving fuel from the fuel source (100), determining (212) a fuel consumption of the fuel cell system (200), calculating (214) a substance level of the fuel source in accordance with the fuel consumption and updating (216) an electronic multi-stable display of the fluid gauge of the fuel source in accordance with the substance level.

Abstract: A coolant storage tank (1) for storing coolant in a fuel cell system (2), the coolant storage tank comprising a plurality of individually controllable heater elements (7, 8a, 8b). A coolant storage tank comprising a first heater element (7) located at a base of the coolant storage tank and a second heater element (8a) is also disclosed. A coolant storage tank comprising a first coolant storage compartment (50) in fluid communication with a second coolant storage compartment (51), the first coolant storage compartment including at least a first heater element (54) and wherein the second coolant storage compartment is unheated is also disclosed. A method of melting frozen coolant in a coolant storage tank is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid flow plate for an electrochemical assembly has a plurality of first fluid flow channels extending across an active area of the flow plate to define a first fluid flow field of the fluid flow plate and a plurality of second fluid flow channels extending across the active area of the flow plate to define a second fluid flow field of the fluid flow plate. An array of first fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the first fluid flow field for communicating fluid into or out of the first fluid flow channels. An array of second fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the second fluid flow field for communicating fluid into or out of the second fluid flow channels. A first fluid gallery a first peripheral edge portion bounded by the array of first fluid transfer points and has a second peripheral edge portion forming a first fluid communication edge of the fluid flow plate.