Abstract:
Oxides of carbon and other impurities are removed from a hydrogen fuel supply stream (12) for a fuel cell (30). A getter element (20) sufficient for chemisorbing the oxides of carbon from the hydrogen is removably connected to the fuel cell anode side. The fuel stream is passed through the getter element so as to chemisorb the oxides of carbon onto the getter, thereby providing a purified stream of hydrogen (26) to the fuel cell anode. The getter is removed from the fuel cell when the getter when spent and replaced with a fresh getter.
Abstract:
A plurality of potential receiving locations where a target recipient may be able to receive at least a portion of data that has been provided (101) for transmission to that target recipient are determined (102). A pre-provisioning plan is then developed (103) to provide at least a portion of that data to the target recipient as a function, at leasi. in part, of at least one of time and the target recipient's likely movement with respect to the plurality of potential receiving locations. More particularly, this, pre-provisioning plan can comprise, at least in part, pre-provisioning at least one of the potential receiving locations with at least some of the data in anticipation of the target recipient's movement over time
Abstract:
Devices (302, 702, 800) with embedded control programs are provided are provided with RF-ID devices (114, 504) or other non-contact read data carriers (604) that provide configuration data, on which the execution of the embedded control programs is contingent. Preferred embodiments include wireless communication devices (302, 702, 800) provided with RF-ID devices (114, 504) or set of magnets (604) that encodes data embedded in front fascia. Embodiments of the invention increase the security of configuration data, and allow for functionality to enhance by replacing the front fascia.
Abstract:
A method for humidifying a fuel stream for a direct methanol fuel cell. An ultrasonic transducer (122) is used to create a vapor of methanol without heating. Water is also vaporized with an ultrasonic transducer (132) to create a vapor of water without heating. The water vapor and the methanol vapor are combined (240) in a certain ratio to form a humidified fuel vapor which is presented to an anode (112) of the direct methanol fuel cell (110). The ratio of water to methanol can be adjusted automatically by a sensor (180) that monitors the current drawn by the load (170) on the fuel cell.
Abstract:
A communication system (10) for providing call quality indication includes a plurality of communication devices (75) and a system controller (40). The plurality of communication devices (75) includes a first communication device (62) for communicating using a first radio frequency channel having a first radio frequency channel quality, and a second communication device (62) for communicating using a second radio frequency channel having a second radio frequency channel quality. The system controller (40) communicates the first radio frequency channel quality and the second radio frequency channel quality to the first communication device (62) and the second communication device (64).
Abstract:
A communication system (10) for information security and recovery includes at least one communication device (60) having a memory (145) for storing a plurality of device information (117); a backup server (110); and a system controller (40) coupled between the backup server (110) and the at least one communication device (60). The system controller (40) is programmed to receive a request to secure the communication device (60); transfer the plurality of device information (117) from the communication device (60) to the backup server (110); and disable the operation of the communication device (60).
Abstract:
An improved hydrogen storage medium in the form of a fabric (124, 504, 704) comprises a yarn (300, 400) that includes carbon nanofibers or carbon nanotubes (302, 404) and elastomeric fibers (304, 402). The fabric (124, 504, 704) is volume efficient arrangement of the he carbon nanofibers or carbon nanotubes (302, 404) and is consequently characterized as a high density energy storage medium. According a preferred embodiment an hydrogen storage device (100) comprises a flexible container (104) that includes the fabric (124). The flexibility of the container (104) in combination with the flexibility of the fabric (124) allows the hydrogen storage device 100 to be accommodate in irregularly shaped spaces. According to an embodiment of the invention a battery (700) that uses the fabric (704) as a hydrogen storing anode is provided.
Abstract:
Rewritable signs (100, 1300) that include bistable cholesteric liquid crystal layers (102, 1402, 1404, 1406) are provided. According to one embodiment a rewritable sign (100) is devoid of circuitry for establishing electric fields in localize regions for writing information to the rewritable sign (100), and is consequently inexpensive. In the latter embodiment, a separate information writer (400) that includes an array of pixel electrodes (404) that is driven by an active matrix (602) is used to write information on the rewritable sign. According to another embodiment a rewritable sign (1300) includes three cholesteric liquid layers (1402, 1404, 1406) each of which reflects a different primary color. The three cholesteric liquid crystal layers (1402, 1404, 1406) are interleaved with sets of conductive lines (1316, 1320, 1322, 1324) that are used to apply signals to the cholesteric liquid crystal layers (1402, 1404, 1406) for the purpose of writing information.
Abstract:
A fuel cell power source (100) for use in electronic systems includes a fuel cell system (130) and a control means (150). The control means (150) computes net power requirements of a load device from one or more power functional information sources; and determines an operating point of the fuel cell system (130) by matching the net power requirements with the power characteristics of the fuel cell system (130).
Abstract:
A fuel cell (100) includes a membrane electrode assembly (110) located together with a layer of porous gas diffusion material (150). The membrane electrode assembly (110) is activated by supplying reactants thereto. The porous gas diffusion material layer (150) operates to selectively limit the amount of reactants reaching localized areas of the membrane electrode assembly (110) in order to reduce hot spots.