Abstract: A fuel cell system for providing power to a load, and having a safety mode, is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell configured to convert fuel to electrical power and coupled so as to provide electrical power at a fuel cell power output, a system power port having a power connection and a data connection, configured to be reversibly coupled to the load, a power connection controller, coupled to the fuel cell power output and to the system power port, and configured to enable and disable the power connection, and a fuel cell system controller coupled to the fuel cell, the data connection and the power connection controller. The fuel cell system controller has a normal mode and a safety mode. A user selection determines whether the fuel cell system controller is in the normal mode or the safety mode. If the load has a smart power port, the data connection is configured to communicate over the smart power port.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having an air quality sensor suite includes a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode, a fuel source providing a fuel flow, a fuel flow rate sensor having a fuel flow rate sensor output, a fuel flow control device, a fuel oxidizer flow conduit, a first mixing region coupled to the fuel source and the fuel oxidizer flow conduit, an anode chamber coupled to the anode, a combustion oxidizer flow conduit, a second mixing region coupled to the combustion oxidizer flow conduit, and at least one oxidizer flow rate sensor having an oxidizer flow rate sensor output. The system further includes at least one oxidizer pump, an air quality sensor having an air quality sensor output, and a control system coupled to the fuel flow rate sensor output, the oxidizer flow rate sensor output, and the air quality sensor output.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having protection from water vapor condensation is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell having an input port configured to receive an input gas and a liquid water transient accumulation chamber coupled to the input port. The chamber is configured to accumulate condensed water vapor from the input gas. The chamber includes a water-capture element configured to retain liquid water therein. The system further includes a first thermal pathway coupled to the chamber and also coupled to the fuel cell, so that the chamber is heated by heat from the fuel cell, when the fuel cell is operating in a steady state, in a manner that causes the liquid water accumulated in the chamber to be evaporated by the heat.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for providing power to a load, and having a safety mode, is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell configured to convert fuel to electrical power and coupled so as to provide electrical power at a fuel cell power output, a system power port having a power connection and a data connection, configured to be reversibly coupled to the load, a power connection controller, coupled to the fuel cell power output and to the system power port, and configured to enable and disable the power connection, and a fuel cell system controller coupled to the fuel cell, the data connection and the power connection controller. The fuel cell system controller has a normal mode and a safety mode. A user selection determines whether the fuel cell system controller is in the normal mode or the safety mode. If the load has a smart power port, the data connection is configured to communicate over the smart power port.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell generator and a fuel cartridge that is removably attachable to the fuel cell generator is disclosed. The fuel cartridge includes a housing having a port, a normally closed valve disposed in the housing that gates fuel emerging from the port, the valve having a poppet that modulates opening of the valve, the poppet having a control surface. The fuel cell generator has a moveable pintle coupled to the poppet, and the moveable pintle is operative over a range of motion which causes the poppet to move between a closed state and at least one open state.

Abstract: A portable fuel cell system and related method are disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell having an anode port through which passes an anode gas, a cathode port through which passes a cathode gas, and an exhaust port through which passes an exhaust gas. The system further includes a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, wherein the pump inlet is coupled to the exhaust port of the fuel cell. The pump is configured to draw the anode gas into the anode port, to draw the cathode gas into the cathode port, and to draw the exhaust gas out of the exhaust port.

Abstract: Fuel cells having an efficient means of thermal insulation such that all of the components requiring high temperature operation are contained within a single housing and whereby such thermal insulation is disposed exterior to such housing.