Systems and methods for fuel cartridge distribution

Abstract

The invention relates to systems and methods that improve distribution of fuel cartridges. The cartridges include compatibility information. A controller on the device validates the compatibility information before permitting fuel provision from the cartridge to the device. Invalid compatibility information, or absence of the compatibility information, then denies fuel flow to the device. This permits the device to validate that the cartridge and its contents are acceptable. This improves distribution by allowing the device or fuel cell manufacturer to implement cartridge selectivity by permitting cartridges from select manufacturers to provide fuel and denying cartridge of other manufacturers from providing fuel. Compatibility information stored in the cartridge memory may also be encrypted to prevent open access to the compatibility information. The compatibility information also improves fuel refilling distribution. In this case, the compatibility information permits a cartridge or device manufacturer to selectively control who can refill their cartridges.

1 . A portable cartridge for storing a fuel for provision to a device that includes a fuel cell, the portable cartridge comprising: 
 a bladder configured to contain the fuel;    a housing having an internal cavity that includes the bladder;    a vent that allows air to enter and exit the internal cavity;    a cartridge connector for coupling to a mating connector on the device;    a digital memory configured to store compatibility information that enables a device to validate the compatibility information before permitting fuel provision from the cartridge to the device, wherein the compatibility information is encrypted in the digital memory;    electrical connectivity for digital communication between the digital memory and a processor on the device.