Separable Fuel Cartridge

Abstract

A fuel supply ( 10 ) is attachable to a fuel cell system ( 12 ). The fuel supply includes a fuel supply connector ( 14 ) configured to be attached to the fuel cell system. A fuel supply connector automatically separates the fuel supply from the fuel cell system in a predetermined manner if exposed to a separation load. Valves ( 24, 26 ) or filler material ( 23 a - d ) are used to automatically stop the flow of fuel through the fuel supply connector. Alternatively, the fuel supply connector includes a flexible tube ( 114 ) and a valve disposed within the connector. The flexibility of the tube prevents the connector from breaking in case of a separation load.

1 . A fuel supply attachable to a fuel cell system comprising:
 a fuel supply connector configured to attach the fuel supply to the fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system powers an electronic equipment; and   means for automatically separating the fuel supply from the fuel cell system in response to an external force.   
   
   
       2 . The fuel supply of  claim 1  further comprising means for minimizing or stopping the flow of fuel through the fuel supply connector after separation. 
   
   
       3 . A fuel supply attachable to a fuel cell system for comprising:
 a fuel supply connector attaching the fuel supply to the fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system powers an electronic equipment, and wherein at least a portion of the fuel supply connector is breakable upon impact.   
   
   
       4 . The fuel supply of  claim 3 , wherein a wall thickness of the breakable portion is less than a general connector wall thickness. 
   
   
       5 . The fuel supply of  claim 3 , wherein the breakable portion is made from a different material than the remainder of the fuel supply connector. 
   
   
       6 . The fuel supply of  claim 3 , wherein the breakable portion comprises a joint of a fuel supply-side connection portion with a fuel cell system-side connection portion. 
   
   
       7 . The fuel supply of  claim 3  further comprising a valve for stopping the flow of fuel substantially when said breakable portion of the fuel supply breaks. 
   
   
       8 . The fuel supply of  claim 7 , wherein the valve is disposed within the fuel supply connector. 
   
   
       9 . The fuel supply of  claim 7 , wherein the valve traverses the fuel supply connector. 
   
   
       10 . The fuel supply of  claim 7 , wherein the valve is selected from the group consisting of a check valve, a duckbill valve, a solenoid valve and a separable shut-off valve. 
   
   
       11 . The fuel supply of  claim 3  further comprising a filler material for minimizing the flow of fuel through the breakable portion. 
   
   
       12 . The fuel supply of  claim 11  further comprising at least one hole disposed through the filler material. 
   
   
       13 . A fuel supply attachable to a fuel cell system comprising:
 a fuel supply connection area disposed on the fuel cell system, wherein the fuel supply is configured to be inserted within the fuel supply connection area; and   a fuel supply ejection system adapted to eject the fuel supply upon acceleration of the fuel supply.   
   
   
       14 . The fuel supply of  claim 13 , wherein the fuel supply ejection system comprises an ejector for expelling the fuel supply from the system, wherein the ejector comprises an electroactive polymer actuator. 
   
   
       15 . The fuel supply of  claim 14 , wherein the electroactive polymer actuator is fed a current from a piezoelectric crystal. 
   
   
       16 . The fuel supply of  claim 13  wherein the fuel supply ejection system comprises a controller, a sensor and an ejector for expelling the fuel supply from the fuel cell system. 
   
   
       17 . The fuel supply of  claim 16 , wherein the sensor is at least one of an accelerometer or a strain gauge. 
   
   
       18 . The fuel supply of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is a processor. 
   
   
       19 . The fuel supply of  claim 16  further comprising a filler material for minimizing the flow of fuel. 
   
   
       20 . The fuel supply of  claim 16  further comprising a valve configured to shut off the flow of fuel through the connection area. 
   
   
       21 . The fuel supply of  claim 20 , wherein the valve is selected from the group consisting of a check valve, a duckbill valve, a solenoid valve and a separable shut-off valve. 
   
   
       22 . The fuel supply of  claim 16 , wherein the ejector comprises a spring. 
   
   
       23 . The fuel supply of  claim 16 , wherein the ejector comprises a rod. 
   
   
       24 . The fuel supply of  claim 16 , wherein the ejector comprises a shaft having a cap and a clip system for securing the cap therewithin. 
   
   
       25 . A fuel supply attachable to a fuel cell system comprising:
 an interlock between the fuel supply and the fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system powers an electronic equipment, wherein the interlock holds the fuel supply in position when inserted into the fuel cell system, and the interlock is released when a force exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied to the fuel supply.   
   
   
       26 . The fuel supply of  claim 25  further comprising
 a biasing spring disposed between the fuel supply and the fuel cell system; and   a discharge mechanism adapted to release the interlock, wherein when the interlock is released, the biasing spring separates the fuel supply and the fuel cell system.   
   
   
       27 . The fuel supply of  claim 25 , wherein the fuel supply slides into a slot in the fuel cell system. 
   
   
       28 . A fuel supply attachable to a fuel cell system comprising a flexible tube connector and a valve for controlling the transfer of a fuel from the fuel supply through the flexible tube connector, wherein said flexible tube connector absorbs at least some of an external force during an impact to the fuel supply. 
   
   
       29 . The fuel supply of  claim 28 , wherein the flexible tube connector is corrugated. 
   
   
       30 . The fuel supply of  claim 28  further comprising a rigid connector connecting the fuel supply to the fuel cell system. 
   
   
       31 . The fuel supply of  claim 30  further comprising electrical leads disposed in the rigid connector. 
   
   
       32 . The fuel supply of  claim 31 , wherein the electrical leads connect a sensor in the fuel supply to a controller in the fuel cell. 
   
   
       33 . A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell, a fuel supply and an accelerometer, wherein output from the accelerometer controls the flow of fuel between the fuel supply and the fuel cell. 
   
   
       34 . The fuel cell system of  claim 33 , wherein the accelerometer controls a flow valve in the fuel supply. 
   
   
       35 . The fuel cell system of  claim 33 , wherein the accelerometer controls a flow valve in the fuel cell. 
   
   
       36 . The fuel cell system of  claim 33 , wherein the output from the accelerometer ejects the fuel supply from the fuel cell system. 
   
   
       37 . The fuel cell system of  claim 36  further comprises a retainer made from an electroactive polymer, said retainer retains the fuel supply to the fuel cell system and said retainer is actuatable by the output from the accelerometer.