Integrated heat management of electronics and fuel cell power system

Abstract

A method and apparatus for managing heat generated by a device that is powered at least in part by a direct oxidation fuel cell. Additional heat tends to improve the reaction in the direct oxidation fuel cell, such that heat produced by a powered device can be harnessed to increase the temperature of the reaction in the direct oxidation fuel cell. By doing so, the performance of the fuel cell can be enhanced and the temperature of the heat-generating portion of the device maintained.

1 . An apparatus for managing heat generated by a device that is powered at least in part by a direct oxidation fuel cell, comprising: 
 a direct oxidation fuel cell coupled to provide power to said device;    an oxygen source; and    a conduit coupling said oxygen source to said fuel cell and arranged so as to transfer at least some heat produced by a heat generating portion of said device to the oxygen flowing in the conduit, whereby an operating temperature of said device is regulated and an operating temperature of said fuel cell is raised.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein heat is transferred to the oxygen flowing in the conduit prior to introduction to the fuel cell.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein heat is transferred to the oxygen flowing in the conduit following introduction to the fuel cell.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said heat transfer is substantially conductive.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said heat transfer is substantially convective.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said conduit is arranged to transport said heated oxygen to a cathode face of said fuel cell.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said conduit is arranged to increase the transfer of heat to the oxygen.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said conduit is arranged in a serpentine pattern.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a fan for driving oxygen through said conduit.  
   
   
       10 . A method for managing heat generated by a device that is powered at least in part by a direct oxidation fuel cell system, comprising: 
 providing a device that is powered at least in part by a direct oxidation fuel cell system, said fuel cell system including a conduit coupling an oxygen source to said system;    transferring at least a portion of the heat generated by said device to the oxygen flowing in said conduit, whereby an operating temperature of said device is regulated and an operating temperature of said fuel cell is raised.    
   
   
       11 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein heat is transferred to the oxygen flowing in the conduit prior to introduction to the fuel cell.  
   
   
       12 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein heat is transferred to the oxygen flowing in the conduit following introduction to the fuel cell.  
   
   
       13 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein said heat transfer is substantially conductive.  
   
   
       14 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein said heat transfer is substantially convective.  
   
   
       15 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein said conduit is arranged to transport said heated oxygen to a cathode face of said fuel cell.  
   
   
       16 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein said conduit is arranged to increase the transfer of heat to the oxygen.  
   
   
       17 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein said conduit is arranged in a serpentine pattern.  
   
   
       18 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein a fan is used to drive oxygen through said conduit.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for managing heat generated by a device that is powered at least in part by a direct oxidation fuel cell comprises: 
 a direct oxidation fuel cell coupled to provide power to said device; and    means for managing heat generated by said device by transferring at least some of said heat to oxygen flowing in a conduit coupled between a source of oxygen and said fuel cell, whereby an operating temperature of said device is regulated and an operating temperature of said fuel cell is raised.    
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 19  wherein heat is transferred to the oxygen flowing in the conduit prior to introduction to the fuel cell.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 19  wherein heat is transferred to the oxygen flowing in the conduit following introduction to the fuel cell.  
   
   
       22 . A thermal management system, comprising: 
 a direct oxidation fuel cell system;    an application device which is powered at least in part by said direct oxidation fuel cell system;    an oxygen source coupled to said direct oxidation fuel cell system; and    a heat management component coupled between said direct oxidation fuel cell system and said application device, said heat management component being arranged such that at least a portion of the heat generated by the device is transferred to the oxygen, whereby an operating temperature of said application device is regulated and an operating temperature of said fuel cell is raised.    
   
   
       23 . The thermal management system as defined in  claim 22  wherein said heat management component includes a conduit disposed between said oxygen source and said fuel cell.  
   
   
       24 . A method of regulating the temperature of a fuel cell system including the steps of providing an application device that is powered at least in part by a direct oxidation fuel cell system; 
 providing an associated oxygen source; and    integrating with said fuel cell system and said application device, a heat management component which transfers at least a portion of the heat generated by said device or said fuel cell system to said oxygen, whereby an operating temperature of said fuel is regulated.    
   
   
       25 . The method as defined in  claim 24  including the further step of 
 providing as said heat management component a conduit coupled between said oxygen source and said fuel cell system.