Direct methanol fuel cell system, fuel cartridge, system of operation, and system for detecting forgery

Abstract

A cartridge for a fuel cell. In one aspect, the cartridge can have either fuel or water or cleaning solution. Multiple different cartridges can be used in a single electronic device. The cartridge can be pierced by a piercing device that can be electronically for mechanically operated. The piercing device allows water to be removed from the cartridge. A cover can be over the area which will be pierced by the piercing device.

1 . A method, comprising: 
 using a first cartridge which stores an alcohol fuel in an electronic device that uses of direct methanol fuel cell; and    using a second cartridge in said electronic device, where said second cartridge includes a cleaning solution for the direct methanol fuel cell therein.    
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said first cartridge is formed of a material that can be pierced, and further comprising locating said cartridge into place, and piercing said cartridge using a piercing mechanism within said electronic device.  
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein said piercing comprises electronically moving a piercing mechanism to a location where it pierces said material.  
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein said piercing comprises moving a lever that moves said piercing mechanism to a location where it pierces said material.  
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 2 , further comprising forming a seal around an area where said cartridge is pierced.  
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 2 , further comprising holding said cartridge into place, during said piercing.  
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising using a third cartridge in said electronic device which includes a water solution for the direct methanol fuel cell.  
     
     
         8 . A fuel supplying system for a direct methanol fuel cell, comprising: 
 a first part, which holds a cartridge for a direct methanol fuel cell, which cartridge includes a reservoir for alcohol solution therein, and which cartridge has at least one portion which can be pierced;    a tightening mechanism, which tightens around said cartridge; and    a piercing mechanism, which pierces said cartridge that said at least one portion, and locates a piercing part into said reservoir.    
     
     
         9 . A system as in  claim 8 , wherein said piercing mechanism is electronically movable.  
     
     
         10 . A system as in  claim 8 , wherein said piercing mechanism is mechanically movable, and further comprising a lever which allows moving said piercing mechanism.  
     
     
         11 . A system as in  claim 8 , further comprising a sealing part, forming a seal around an area where said cartridge is pierced.  
     
     
         12 . A system as in  claim 8 , wherein said tightening mechanism can be tightened against outer surfaces of said cartridge, to hold said cartridge in place, prior to operation of the piercing mechanism.  
     
     
         13 . A system as in  claim 8 , further comprising a cover, that covers said at least one portion, and which can be removed from said at least one portion prior to operation of said piercing mechanism.  
     
     
         14 . A system as in  claim 8 , wherein said cartridge includes an alcohol solution therein.  
     
     
         15 . A fuel cartridge, comprising; 
 a plurality of housing surfaces, adapted to hold a liquid alcohol containing fuel therein,    an opening surface, adapted to allow liquid to flow thereto responsive to placing said cartridge in a specified device which receives said cartridges; and    a covering part, which covers said opening surface, and can be removed to expose said opening surface.    
     
     
         16 . A cartridge as in  claim 15 , wherein said cartridge includes an alcohol solution therein.  
     
     
         17 . A cartridge as in  claim 15 , wherein said cartridge includes a cleaning solution therein, of a type which is intended to clean a direct fed methanol fuel cell.  
     
     
         18 . A cartridge as in  claim 15 , wherein said cartridge includes water therein, for diluting alcohol used by said direct fed methanol fuel cell.  
     
     
         19 . A cartridge as in  claim 15 , wherein an outer shape of said cartridge is cylindrical.  
     
     
         20 . A cartridge as in  claim 15 , wherein an outer shape of said cartridge is in the size of a standard sized battery.