Abstract: A sealed fuel cell is provided which has been manufactured with a lead frame assembly encompassing a first and second current collector adapted to serve as lead frame components in an associated mold device. Fuel cell components include a catalyzed protonically conductive, electronically non-conductive membrane that has first and second diffusion layers disposed on opposite sides thereof. The fuel cell components are arranged between the first and second current collectors, and the entire assembly is placed into an insert molding device. A moldable material is introduced into the insert molding device and is allowed to cure in order to seal the edges of the lead frame assembly against leaks to thereby form a sealed fuel cell.

Abstract: An adjustable fuel delivery regulation assembly is provided which can be disposed within a direct oxidation fuel cell system, or the fuel reservoir or fuel tank that supplies such a system. One embodiment of the fuel delivery regulation assembly is a shutter assembly, which includes two correspondingly perforated components. The two components can be positioned relative to one another such that the apertures in each component are aligned in certain ways. In an open position, the apertures are substantially fully aligned to permit full fuel flow. In a closed position, the apertures are offset such that there is no opening; thereby fuel flow is restricted. Intermediate positions allow adjustments in the amount of fuel flow proportional to the size of the openings. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a set of rotatably mounted slotted rods is inserted into a housing through which fuel can flow through openings in the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing intercolor bleed using pixel spot size control to improve print quality is provided. The method includes printing pixels having a first spot size in an image region having a boundary between a first color portion and a second color portion of the image by ejecting first sized ink drops from the printhead nozzles, and printing border pixels having spot sizes smaller than the first spot size in the image region by ejecting smaller ink drops from the printhead nozzles, wherein the smaller ink drops are smaller than the first sized ink drops. A printing system is provided having means for printing pixels in the region having the first spot size and means for printing border pixels having spot sizes smaller than the first spot size.

Abstract: An integrated heat management assembly that is thermally coupled to a component requiring temperature control is provided. The integrated heat management assembly in one embodiment of the invention is a heat switch which includes two opposed surfaces, a first surface being a hot contact which is coupled to the component, and the second surface being a cold contact which is coupled to a heat sink. An actuator which may be a phase changing material, is mechanically coupled to one of the two surfaces such that when the component reaches a threshold temperature, the actuator is triggered to bring the two surfaces into contact. In this manner, the hot surface conducts heat to the cold surface which then delivers heat to the heat sink to thereby lower the temperature of the component. Other embodiments include heat pipes associated with the heat switch in order to further dissipate heat or to divert it to other areas of the component requiring temperature control.

Abstract: A simplified direct oxidation fuel cell system is provided. The fuel cell is constructed in such a manner that fuel is added to the cell anode as it is consumed and water is evaporated off at cell cathode so that there is no need for recirculation of unreacted fuel at the cell anode or water at the cell cathode. In addition, carbon dioxide generated from the anodic reaction is passively vented out of the system by using a CO2 gas permeable membrane material integrated as part of the anode chamber construction. Other embodiments of the invention include a fuel container and delivery assembly.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a methanol vapor delivery component or film is provided. The component includes an evaporation pad. The evaporation pad is disposed within the fuel cell generally parallel to the anode diffusion layer, but with a vapor gap provided between the evaporation pad and the anode diffusion layer. A fuel delivery conduit having at least one injection port is provided through which liquid fuel is delivered from an associated source of highly concentrated fuel into the evaporation pad, at a controlled, adjustable rate. Multiple parallel liquid delivery points can also be provided. In order to ensure uniform delivery of fuel across the across the active area of the anode, one or more dispersion members are placed on the evaporation pad to effectively disperse the fuel laterally around each injection port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gel fuel, which includes a fuel substance held in a polymeric structure. One embodiment of the composition includes neat methanol, to which a thickening substance, such as that sold commercially under the trade name Carbopol®, is added to impart viscosity, as well as stabilizing and suspending properties. In addition to the thickening substance, a further substance can be added to balance the pH of the gel fuel when needed. In accordance with the invention, a fuel cell cartridge is provided that has at least one aspect that is methanol-permeable, and which may include a fuel vapor permeable layer and it may be comprised of one of a number of various alternative materials. Features within the fuel cartridge can be used to increase surface area of the gel fuel, and to maintain the gel fuel in a desired location within the cartridge.

Abstract: A liquid ink cartridge, such as ink jet ink cartridge, includes a container defining an ink reservoir, the ink reservoir having an ink outlet at one end and capable of receiving a supply of ink in the ink reservoir; and an ink follower composition located in the ink reservoir apart from the ink outlet. The ink follower composition includes a viscous gel material that provides a negative pressure in the ink reservoir.

Abstract: A process for fabrication and molding of a fuel cell, or an array of fuel cells is provided. The inventive process, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, includes diffusion layers being hot-press bonded onto current collectors. A catalyzed membrane is sandwiched between two current collectors integrated into the lead frames designed for use in a molding process. A raised surface on each current collector provides a means for shut off of the mold plates. A suitable moldable material is introduced into a mold cavity to form a frame around the current collectors, which provides a tight and secure seal, eliminating the need for gasketing, and which further also provides compression thus further eliminating screws, nuts and other fasteners.

Abstract: A modular DMFC array, and a related method of manufacturing such an array is provided. The modular DMFC array incorporates separately manufactured individual fuel cells that are connected after the manufacturing process. A locking mechanism incorporates the necessary electric connections. In one embodiment of the invention, the electrical connections also function as the locking mechanism. In such an embodiment, a separate mechanical fastening mechanism is not needed. In other embodiments of the invention, mechanical connections are provided to connect the individual fuel cells in the modular fuel cell array. Yet a further embodiment includes a carrier component on which the individual fuel cells are bonded. The electrical connections are provided either through the carrier component, or cell-to-cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a fuel supply system, and a fuel cell control system. The fuel cell converts fuel into electrical energy. The fuel supply system is connected to the fuel cell and the fuel cell control system is coupled to the fuel cell and the fuel supply system.

Abstract: A liquid ink cartridge, such as ink jet ink cartridge, includes a container defining an ink reservoir, the ink reservoir having an ink outlet at one end and capable of receiving a supply of ink in the ink reservoir; and an ink follower composition located in the ink reservoir apart from the ink outlet. The ink follower composition includes a viscous gel material that provides a negative pressure in the ink reservoir.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are providing for extending the drop volume control of a thermal ink jet print head. The print head has a plurality of drop ejectors, each of the plurality of drop ejectors has a heating element actuatable in response to input signals to eject an ink droplet from the print head. The method includes the steps of applying a plurality of print signals to the print head, the plurality of print signals corresponding to an image for the ink jet assembly to create, applying at least one pulse signal to the print head, and sequentially using the at least one pulse signal and the plurality of print signals to activate the heating elements so that the change in current remains small.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming an image with a print head that fires groups of drops of fluid results in a reduction in stitch joint error. The stitch joint error is reduced by changing the firing sequence of the nozzles of adjacent dies of the print head.