US 2014/0272645 A1 · FUEL CELL DC-DC CONVERTER

Abstract

A method and system for supplying power to a portable electronic device includes supplying current from one or more fuel cells to a DC-DC converter and regulating a current limit of the DC-DC converter as a function of a measured temperature of at least one of the power supply system and the portable electronic device. The current limit can vary as an inverse function of the measured temperature. The current limit can be an input current limit of the DC-DC converter or an output current limit of the DC-DC converter. Current produced by the one or more fuel cells can decrease proportionally to a decrease of the current limit of the DC-DC converter, reducing the heat produced by the one or more fuel cells and thereby reducing the measured temperature. A temperature sensor can be located on or near the one or more fuel cells. A temperature sensor can be located on an internal housing of the portable electronic device.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A system for supplying power to a portable electronic device, the system comprising:

a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of at least one of the portable electronic device and the system;
one or more fuel cells configured to produce electrical power;
and
a DC-DC converter comprising an input coupled to the one or more fuel cells and an output coupled to the portable electronic device, the DC-DC converter configured to receive the electrical power from the one or more fuel cells at an input current and an input voltage, and provide an output electrical power to the electronic device at a substantially fixed voltage, wherein the DC-DC converter comprises an current limit that varies as a function of the measured temperature.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fuel cell dc-dc converter

Life of this patent

Fuel cell dc-dc converter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24