Battery charger

A battery charger for use with a battery and which is provided with a first charging current which is supplied by way of an AC to DC converter and which is further electrically coupled with an AC power source, the battery charger comprising:

• a housing defining a cavity and which further includes an air plenum which is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative the cavity;
• an electrical bus borne by the housing and which is positioned in the cavity of the housing;
• a source of a fuel gas coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the cavity;
• a plurality of fuel cell modules which, when rendered operational, produce a second charging current for substantially maintaining the electrical charge of the battery, and heat energy, and wherein the plurality of fuel cell modules are received within the cavity of the housing and are individually electrically coupled with the electrical bus and disposed in fluid flowing relation relative to the source of fuel gas, and wherein the individual fuel cell modules may be electrically decoupled from the electrical bus and removed from the housing while the remaining fuel cell modules continue in operation;
• an air movement assembly borne by the housing and which is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the air plenum, and wherein the air plenum delivers a cathode air stream by way of the air plenum and which removes a preponderance of the heat energy generated during operation of the plurality of fuel cells;
• a controller borne by the housing and which is controllably electrically coupled with the plurality of fuel cell modules, the electrical bus and the air movement assembly, and wherein the controller is electrically coupled with the AC power source, and is further disposed in controlling relation relative to the source of fuel gas;
• and
• a communications device electrically coupled to the controller and which is responsive to an electrical signal sent from a remote location, and wherein the controller operably delivers the second charging current to the battery upon interruption of the AC power source.

A method of charging a battery, comprising:

• providing a source of AC power;
• providing an AC to DC converter and supplying the source of AC power to the AC to DC converter to produce a first charging current;
• supplying the first charging current to maintain the charge of the battery;
• providing a plurality of self hydrating fuel cell modules, which when rendered operable, produces a second charging current;
• providing a controller which is electrically coupled with the AC power source, and which is further disposed in controlling relation relative to the plurality of self hydrating fuel cell modules;
• and
• delivering the second charging current to the battery when the controller senses interruption of the AC power source.