Fuel cell power and management system, and technique for controlling and/or operating same

A hydrogen-based power generation unit for use in a hydrogen-based fuel cell management system wherein the management system includes a hydrogen-based fuel cartridge having a fuel vessel containing a hydrogen-based fuel, the hydrogen-based power generation unit comprising:

• a power unit valve assembly, adapted to couple to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge, to provide exchange of hydrogen-based fuel with the fuel vessel of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge;
• a hydrogen-based fuel cell, adapted to receive the hydrogen-based fuel and generate electrical power therefrom;
• and
• control circuitry to determine at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.

A hydrogen-based power generation unit for use in a hydrogen-based fuel cell management system wherein the management system includes a hydrogen-based fuel cartridge having a fuel vessel containing a hydrogen-based fuel, the hydrogen-based power generation unit comprising:

• a power unit valve assembly, adapted to couple to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge, to provide exchange of hydrogen-based fuel with the fuel vessel of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge;
• a hydrogen-based fuel cell, adapted to receive the hydrogen-based fuel and generate electrical power therefrom;
• a power unit interface, including an electrical interface to receive first data from the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge, wherein the first data is representative of at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge at a first time;
• and
• control circuitry to determine second data while the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge is coupled to the hydrogen-based power generation unit using the first data, wherein the second data is representative of the at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge at a second time.

A hydrogen-based power generation unit for use in a hydrogen-based fuel cell management system wherein the management system includes a hydrogen-based fuel cartridge having a fuel vessel containing a hydrogen-based fuel, the hydrogen-based power generation unit comprising:

• a power unit valve assembly, adapted to couple to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge, to provide exchange of hydrogen-based fuel with the fuel vessel of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge;
• a hydrogen-based fuel cell, adapted to receive the hydrogen-based fuel and generate electrical power therefrom;
• a power unit interface, including an electrical interface to provide parameter data to the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge during operation of the power generation unit and while the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge provides hydrogen-based fuel to the hydrogen-based fuel cell, wherein the parameter data is representative of at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge;
• and
• control circuitry to determine the parameter data while the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge is coupled to the hydrogen-based power generation unit.