Abstract:
The invention provides a device for generating energy, utilizing a fuel cell. Air is freely guided to the fuel cell, while a fuel gas is provided to the fuel cell from a pressurized fuel supply via a regulator. The portable power supply is most applicable to use with handheld electric devices, and contains a fuel storage means (110) for storing a supply of fuel, a fuel delivery means (120) connected to the fuel storage means, an energy conversion device (140) connected to the fuel delivery means for converting the fuel to electricity. The fuel storage means, the fuel delivery means, and the energy conversion device are all contained in a volume less than 500 cubic centimeters.
Abstract:
A communication device is designed to contain the lowest possible level of toxic or hazardous materials, so that when it is eventually disposed of, it will not harm the environment and can be safely recycled. Each component A1, A2, . . . , An in the communication device has a calculated Component Toxicity Index value. A Product Toxicity Index for the entire communication device is calculated by summing the individual Component Toxicity Index values. The desired outcome is a communication device having a Product Toxicity Index less than or equal to 100. The resulting communication device is referred to as "environmentally friendly". The communication device may be a two-way radio (10), and some of the components are a radio transmitter (12), a radio receiver (14), an antenna (16), an amplifier (18), a battery (20) and a housing (22).
Abstract:
Wireless communication devices (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) include multi-state visual indicating devices (114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 126, 128) that are operable to alert users that wireless communication links or connections have been established between two or more devices. Upon establishing a connection, the wireless devices share indicia activation information (e.g., color or timing sequence information) and the multi-state visual indicating devices in the devices operate according to the indicia activation information to apprise users that the connection has been established. Activatable indicia (216, 214, 216, 218) that are preferably integral with the wireless device housings inform the device users as to the state of communication.
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 a volume efficient arrangement of the carbon nanofibers or carbon nanotubes (302, 404) and is consequently characterized as a high density energy storage medium. According to a preferred embodiment a 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 accommodated in irregularly shaped spaces. According to an embodiment of the invention a battery (700) uses the fabric (704) as a hydrogen storing anode.
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 a volume efficient arrangement of the carbon nanofibers or carbon nanotubes (302, 404) and is consequently characterized as a high density energy storage medium. According to a preferred embodiment a 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 accommodated in irregularly shaped spaces. According to an embodiment of the invention a battery (700) uses the fabric (704) as a hydrogen storing anode.
Abstract:
A method of and fuel cell system for limiting an amount of a fuel crossing over a membrane in a fuel cell, the method including determining an appropriate molecular ratio of the fuel and water for a fuel-water mixture 503; and controlling an amount of the fuel-water mixture that is available to an anode side of the membrane 507 in the fuel cell according to an amount of the fuel that will be electro-oxidized by the fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell membrane 103 having an anode layer 107, a cathode layer 109, and an electrolyte layer 111 where the cathode layer is exposed to an oxygen source, and a fuel delivery system 105 including a fuel chamber 119 disposed around and proximate to the anode layer at a side opposite to the electrolyte layer, the fuel delivery system implementing the method above.
Abstract:
A device housing (20) for a portable electronic device (10) includes an outer visible surface (30). At least one portion (35) of the outer visible surface (30) is composed of one or more optical fibers (40). The one or more optical fibers (40) are illuminated using a light source coupled to at least one end of the one or more optical fibers (40) to provide decorative characteristics and operational functions.
Abstract:
A method of and fuel cell system for limiting an amount of a fuel crossing over a membrane in a fuel cell, the method including determining an appropriate molecular ratio of the fuel and water for a fuel-water mixture (503); and controlling an amount of the fuel-water mixture that is available to an anode side of the membrane (507) in the fuel cell according to an amount of the fuel that will be electro-oxidized by the fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell membrane (103) having an anode layer (107), a cathode layer (109), and an electrolyte layer (111) where the cathode layer is exposed to an oxygen source, and a fuel delivery system (105) including a fuel chamber (119) disposed around and proximate to the anode layer at a side opposite to the electrolyte layer, the fuel delivery system implementing the method above.
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.