Abstract:
The invention relates to an adapter cartridge for supplying fuel to a device set up for fuel cartridge operation alternatively to the fuel cartridges, also by means of an external tank or an external supply pipe. The adapter cartridge comprises a fuel feed device and an interface on the load side for releasing the fuel, which is formed according to the corresponding interface of the fuel cartridge.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to the extension of possible uses of loads designed for operation with fuel cartridges through the provision of adapter devices. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Due to the considerable technical progress within recent years, fuel cells are a serious alternative to non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries. One of the last advantages of rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries in mobile fields of use was the user friendliness based on universal availability and easy handling. But the fuel cell technology has also caught up in this field: For example, for supplying fuel to fuel cells, exchangeable single-use or multi-use fuel cartridges are provided, which can be simply handled similar to batteries and which are coupled to cartridge connection devices for connection to the fuel cells (for example, by insertion into a cartridge compartment) and which are equipped with a suitable interface for extracting the fuel. These types of cartridges are described in the European patent application with the application number 200101126949. 
   Even if the duration of operation of electrical loads can with the use of these types of cartridges exceed by many times that of similar sized batteries, often a running time free of interruption is desired which exceeds the capacity of a cartridge filling (“endless operation”). Furthermore, especially with those devices which are used both in mobile and stationary fields of use, the possible selection between fuel supply by means of a fuel cartridge or a stationary fuel tank would be advantageous. 
   In view of these aspects, it is an object of the invention to extend the usage potential of devices equipped for fuel cartridge supply and therefore to generally improve the possible uses of fuel cell technology. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object described above is solved according to the invention by means of the adapter cartridge with the features of claim  1  and the adapter top unit with the features of claim  7 . According to these features the adapter cartridge or the adapter top unit can be used instead of a fuel cartridge in order to supply a load with fuel via a fuel supply device (for example a stationary fuel tank). 
   The adapter cartridge according to the invention for the supply of fuel to a device equipped for fuel cartridge operation comprises a fuel feed device and a user-side interface for the discharge of the fuel, which is formed according to the appropriate interface of the fuel cartridge. 
   The fuel feed device of the adapter cartridge is already or will be connected to a fuel tank by means of a fuel pipe. This pipe is preferably flexible so that the adapter cartridge is essentially freely movable with respect to the tank with little restriction. The adapter cartridge is inserted into the appropriate device of the fuel-consuming load like a fuel cartridge. 
   Fuel cartridges have been suggested both for the continuous supply of a load, as well as for refill cartridges for filling an internal fuel tank in the load. The adapter cartridge according to the invention is equally suitable for both of these tasks. 
   To increase the user friendliness and with regard to handling the adapter cartridge as safe as possible, its housing preferably replicates the housing of the fuel cartridge. This affects particularly such housing parts and housing devices of the fuel cartridge which serve its insertion in a cartridge compartment on the load side and its retention in it. Consequently, devices, which are intended for insertion and/or retention on the load side and/or on the cartridge side, can be used advantageously also with the adapter cartridge. 
   Although the adapter cartridge can be equipped with a reservoir chamber, in which a certain amount of fuel is temporarily stored, the main purpose of the adapter cartridge is in the formation of a fluid connection between the fuel tank and the fuel-consuming load. Consequently, a particularly simple and therefore preferable further development of the adapter cartridge solely serves the fuel throughput (without storage) and for this purpose is fitted with a fuel passage from the fuel feed device to the interface for the fuel release, also when with this version part of the internal volume of the adapter cartridge remains unused in some circumstances. 
   The conveyance of the fuel can often occur due to the effect of gravity, overpressure in the fuel tank or a delivery device on the tank side or on the load side. If required, a fuel conveyance device, for example a peristaltic pump or a micropump can be provided in the adapter cartridge. 
   Depending on the field of use, one of the following two alternative further developments can be advantageous, in which the fuel feed device of the adapter cartridge on the feed side either exhibits a fuel feed pipe formed integrally with the adapter cartridge or comprises a plug-in or screw connection or similar for connection to a correspondingly formed fuel feed pipe. 
   The adapter top unit, according to the invention, for the fuel supply of a device equipped for fuel cartridge operation comprises a feed-side interface, which is formed for attachment to a fuel supply device, for example a fuel tank or a supply pipe and for the formation of a fluid connection between the adapter top unit and the fuel supply device, as well as an interface for the fuel release, which is formed according to the corresponding interface of the fuel cartridge. 
   The adapter top unit is permanently connected to the fuel supply device, for example the fuel tank. For drawing fuel the load is placed on the adapter top unit with its interface device and it can be operated in this arrangement. 
   Preferably, a section of the outer shape of the fuel cartridge housing on the load side is replicated such that an uncomplicated connection to the interface device of the load is possible. 
   If the fuel tank is not too large and not permanently installed, then a certain amount of mobility is ensured also with this configuration. Particularly suitable is the adapter top unit though for refilling internal fuel tanks in loads, i.e. as an alternative to fuel cartridges used as refill cartridges. 
   As with the adapter cartridge described above, the adapter top unit can also be formed in a simple and therefore particularly preferred further development with a fuel duct from the interface on the tank side to the interface for the fuel release, i.e. the top unit is not used for (intermediate) storage of the fuel, but rather solely for the fuel flow. 
   In an advantageous further development the tank-side interface of the adapter top unit comprises an actuating device which, on attaching the adapter top unit onto the fuel tank, opens an outlet valve on the fuel tank. To draw off fuel the appropriate interface of the load only needs to be placed on the adapter top unit. 
   As already seen in the case of the adapter cartridge, a fuel conveying device, for example a peristaltic pump or a micropump can be provided in the adapter top unit also with such versions of the adapter top unit in which the interior principally or exclusively is used for the fuel throughput. 
   Similarly, for the solution of the object mentioned above, the invention suggests a fuel supply device which is formed with a connection device for connection to an interface of an adapter top unit on the tank side. In addition or alternatively to this, the fuel tank can exhibit an adapter top unit which is permanently fitted to it. 
   Furthermore, the invention provides for a fuel supply pipe for the connection of a load to this fuel supply device. The fuel supply pipe comprises an adapter cartridge according to the invention (for the connection of a load), an interface device (for the connection to the fuel supply device), and a (preferably formed to be flexible) fuel pipe. This fuel supply pipe is used to a certain extent as an “extension cable” for the fuel supply. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments are described in the following with reference to the enclosed figures. 
     The following are shown: 
       FIG. 1A : a fuel cartridge; 
       FIG. 1B : an interface device on the load side for accommodating the fuel cartridge of  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 1C : the fuel cartridge of  FIG. 1A  inserted into the interface device of  FIG. 1B  on the load side; 
       FIG. 2A : a first preferred embodiment of the adapter cartridge according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2B : a second preferred embodiment of the adapter cartridge according to the invention; 
       FIG. 3A : a preferred embodiment of the adapter top unit according to the invention; 
       FIG. 3B : a fuel tank with a connection device for the connection to the interface of the adapter top unit of  FIG. 3A  on the tank side; 
       FIG. 3C : the fuel tank of  FIG. 3B  in fluid connection with the adapter top unit of  FIG. 3A . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The  FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate a fuel cartridge P, an interface device S on the load side for the accommodation of the fuel cartridge P and both in combination. 
   The fuel cartridge P and the interface device S on the load side are matched to one another and preferably formed such that the cartridge P latches into the interface device S when introduced into it and the interface  20  for drawing off the fuel during the insertion stage using a complementary device  20 ′ of the interface device S is opened. With regard to the details reference is made to the European patent application with the application number 200101126949. 
     FIG. 2A  shows a first preferred embodiment of an adapter cartridge  100  which is formed for alternative use instead of the fuel cartridge P of  FIG. 1A . Regarding the outer shape, it only differs from the fuel cartridge P by the fuel feed device  110 , which for example can be formed as a plug-in coupling connection  111 . 
   The embodiment of  FIG. 2A  is provided with a fuel duct  130  which connects the fuel feed device  110  to the fuel extraction interface  210 . (Alternatively to this, the complete internal space of the adapter cartridge  100  can be used for the fuel duct or partly for intermediate storage.) With the exception of this duct  130  the interior of the adapter  100  has no functional significance with this embodiment. The adapter cartridge  100  is simply inserted into the interface device S of the load just like the fuel cartridge P. The outer shape, which is essentially identical to the cartridge P, is practicable so that the elements provided for the guidance and secure mounting also have a function when the adapter cartridge  100  is used. Provided this function is ensured, deviations in the outer form are also possible. 
   Both the fuel feed device  110  and the interface  120  can be provided with (non-return) valves which ensure secure connections and enable the adapter to be fitted and removed while preventing fluid from leaking. 
     FIG. 2B  shows an alternative adapter cartridge  200 , whose feed side  210  exhibits a permanently provided fuel pipe  211 . The other end of the pipe exhibits a connection piece  212 , which for example can be a conventional plug-in coupling piece. This connection piece  212  is connected to a fuel tank or a supply pipe. Further details of the adapter largely correspond to those of the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  and its description does not need to be repeated. In connection with the following described  FIG. 3  and the fuel supply pipe according to the invention, it should first be noted that the end  212  on the supply side of the adapter  200  can essentially be formed as the interface device S sketched in  FIG. 1B , so that this embodiment can be used as a fuel feed extension pipe. 
     FIG. 3A  is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of the adapter top unit  300  according to the invention. It exhibits an interface  310  on the tank side, which for example exhibits a screw thread  312  for permanent connection to a fuel tank T (or alternatively for the connection to a supply pipe). 
   The section of the adapter top unit  300  on the load side exhibits an interface  320 , which is formed as the above described interfaces  120 ,  220  of the adapter cartridges  100 ,  200  analogous to the interface  20  of the fuel cartridge P which is to be substituted. Furthermore, this section is formed such that it facilitates a simple connection to the interface device S. For this purpose notches  340  are for example provided in the housing, with which the retaining pins  40 ′ of the interface device S can engage. 
   An interface  310 ′, formed for connection to the interface  310  of the top unit  300 , is sketched in  FIG. 3B . This is provided on a fuel tank T and exhibits an outer thread  312 ′ in order to facilitate the mechanical joint to the corresponding thread  312  of the top unit. Instead of a screwed joint, other reversible joining devices are also possible. 
   To establish a fluid connection between the tank T and the top unit  300 , the interface  310 ′ of the tank T can exhibit for example a disc valve  313 ′ which is opened by a corresponding actuating device  313  of the top unit. In the sketched embodiment the actuating device  313  is a rigid device, so that the opening occurs automatically on making the connection. If desired, the actuating device can however be formed such that it makes the fluid connection only after separate (mechanical, electrical or magnetic) activation. It need not in this case be provided on the side of the top unit  300 , but instead it can just as well be integrated into the interface  310 ′. 
     FIG. 3C  shows the top unit of  FIG. 3A , which is placed on the tank T of  FIG. 3B , so that a fluid connection is established. In this case it is assumed for the sake of simplicity that the tank T is subject to a pressure and consequently the interior of the top unit  300  is filled with the fuel under pressure. 
   The fuel supply of a load designed for cartridge operation can now occur by placing the interface S of the load onto the top unit  300 . If the load has an internal fuel tank, then it can be filled in this way. If this is not the case, then the operation of the load is possible in the placed-on state. Another, particularly advantageous possible use of the invention is when the device of  FIG. 2B  is formed with an interface  212  corresponding to the interface device S and this device is used as the fuel feed extension pipe, which facilitates a certain degree of mobility when using the load.