Patent ID: 6569555
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A refuelable and rechargeable power supply unit for integration into an appliance comprising a system housing with at least one electrical-energy-consuming load device disposed therein, the power supply unit comprising:a modular housing for integration into the system housing; a metal-air fuel cell battery subsystem, disposed within the modular housing, comprising at least one metal-air fuel cell capable of generating and storing electrical power, wherein the metal-air fuel cell battery subsystem is configured to allow unloading of consumed metal fuel and loading of metal-fuel to refuel the metal-air fuel cell battery subsystem; and a controller, disposed within the modular housing, that enables electrical connection from the metal-fuel cell battery subsystem to the electrical power-consuming load device in a discharging mode to thereby supply electrical power to the electrical power-consuming load device, and that enables electrical connection from an external power source to the metal-fuel cell battery subsystem in a recharging mode to thereby recharge the metal-air fuel cell battery subsystem.