PORTABLE POWER SUPPLY DEVICE WITH A FUEL CELL

Abstract

The present invention provides a portable power supply device with a fuel cell. The device includes a main body with predefined internal and exterior parts. A fuel cell stack is mounted onto a predefined location of the main body. A fuel supplier is mounted at a preset location of the main body. A control switch is mounted at a predefined location of main body for switching the fuel cell stack on and off. A transformer system is used to convert DC of the fuel cell stack into AC. At least one AC socket is mounted onto a preset location of the main body. The portable power supply device of the present invention offers a longer lasting power supply via a fuel cell stack. The portable power supply device is an environment-friendly and weather-proof power generating system for currently used electronics.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the portable power supply device.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the portable power supply device in a folded state.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic drawing of the transformer system for frequency conversion.

FIG. 4 shows another schematic drawing of the transformer system for frequency conversion.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic drawing of the frequency converting circuit of the transformer system.

FIG. 6 shows another schematic drawing of the frequency converting circuit of the transformer system.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the portable power supply device coupled with a shoulder bag.

FIG. 8 shows another perspective view of the portable power supply device together with fixtures.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the portable power supply device fitted with a DC socket.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the portable power supply device compatible with many different electronics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a preferred embodiment of the present invention, being provided only for explanatory purposes for the patent claims.

The portable power supply device A comprises a main body 10 with predefined internal and exterior parts. The main body 10 of the present invention comprises an expandable first part 11 and second part 12, both of which are connected by a flat flexible part 13 (as illustrated in FIG. 2). This main body 10 is coated with a waterproof fabric layer, such as non-woven fabric. The main body 10 ensures user-friendly operation with its unique features.

The invention also includes a fuel cell stack 20, which is mounted onto a predefined location of the main body 10. The fuel cell stack 20 of the present invention is horizontally placed in series, presenting a flat configuration. With regard to existing portable electronics, such as PCs, digital cameras, PDAs and mobile phones, the power required is less than 20 W. Thus, fifteen 4 cm2 batteries are connected in series to achieve 5V voltage output for the fuel cell stack 20. If the average operating voltage of a battery is about 0.3V-0.4V with constant current of 4 A, 20 W output power can be achieved.

A fuel supplier 30 is mounted at a preset location of the main body 10, thereby supplying power to the fuel cell stack 20. The fuel supplier 30 of the present invention is a hydrogen tank, which is placed between the first part 11 and flexible part 13 of the main body 10. The hydrogen tank is made of LaNi-based or other series of a hydrogen storage alloy, with a release pressure between 1-3 atm. When hydrogen is released, the hydrogen storage alloy yields a heat-absorption reaction and requires a thermal exchange with a stuffy ambient environment. In addition to the hydrogen tank, the fuel supplier 30 may also be an alcohol tank. The fuel supplier 30 is externally provided with a fuel indicator 31, such that the users can visualize and fill with hydrogen. The fuel indicator 31 is designed with many variants depending upon the fuel, such as a transparent window and pressure gauge.

A control switch 40 is mounted at a predefined location of main body 10 for switching the fuel cell stack 20 on and off.

A transformer system 50 is used to convert DC of the fuel cell stack into AC. Given a preset output voltage of about 5V, a voltage increase and frequency conversion shall be required to achieve a 110V AC output. The frequency conversion is described herein below (FIGS. 3-6). After voltage is increased, the load will be changed into 110V DC, where the load is connected to four switches. When S1 and, S4 are energized, the circuit is marked by L1 in FIG. 3. When S2 and, S3 are energized, the circuit is marked by L2 in FIG. 4. In such a way, the previous 110V DC is converted into 110V AC. An actual circuit diagram is illustrated in FIG. 5. When A is charged with a high voltage, the circuit is marked by L3. When B is charged with a high voltage, the circuit is marked by L4 in FIG. 6, thus generating an AC.

An AC socket 60 is mounted onto a preset location of the main body 10. The AC socket 60 is linked to transformer system 50, serving as an outlet of AC.

The main body 10 is also fitted with a fixture, which is designed with many variants. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fixture is a fastener 14 mounted laterally onto the first part 11 of the main body 10, such that the object is shaped like a shoulder bag 70 (referring to FIG. 7). The shoulder bag 70 is provided with a fastener chain 71, which is combined with a fastener 14. So, the portable power supply device A can be coupled with a shoulder bag 70, offering convenient carrying and easy removal. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the fixture is a hooker 15 for the same purpose. In addition, the fixture can also be a snapper (e.g. male and female snappers of a back-strap).

Referring to FIG. 9, the main body 10 is externally provided with a DC socket 80, in addition to an AC socket 60. The DC socket is linked to the fuel cell stack 20, serving as a DC outlet of the fuel cell stack.

Portable power supply device A of the present invention can be linked to most of 3C electronics, such as PC 91, mobile phone 92, PDA 93 and digital camera 94 (referring to FIG. 10).

Claims

1. A portable power supply device with a fuel cell, said portable power supply device comprising: a main body with predefined internal and exterior parts;a fuel cell stack mounted onto a predefined location of said main body;a fuel supplier being mounted at a preset location of said main body and supplying fuel to said fuel cell stack;a control switch, being mounted at a predefined location of said main body and switching said fuel cell stack on and off;a transformer system used to convert DC of said fuel cell stack into AC; andat least one AC socket, being mounted onto a preset location of said main body and being linked to said transformer system, serving as an outlet of AC.

2. The device defined in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of fuel cells being fitted in said main body, said main body being comprised of an expandable first part and second part.

3. The device defined in claim 1, further comprising: fixtures being fitted in said main body, said fixtures being installed onto a predefined object.

4. The device defined in claim 3, wherein said fixture is a fastener.

5. The device defined in claim 3, wherein said fixture is a hooker.

6. The device defined in claim 3, wherein said fixture is a snapper.

7. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said main body is externally coated by a fabric layer.

8. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said fuel cell stack is horizontally placed in series.

9. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said fuel supplier is a metal hydride tank or an alcohol tank.

10. The device defined in claim 1, wherein the said fuel supplier is externally provided with a fuel indicator.

11. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said main body is externally fitted with a DC socket, which is linked to said fuel cell stack, serving as a DC outlet of said fuel cell stack.