Patent ID: 7888906

Claim:
A power unit for use in a fuel cell management system adapted comprising a fuel storage unit, the power unit and a refill unit, the power unit comprising: a fuel cell operable to generate power from a fuel; a power unit control system operable to determine, monitor, manage and/or control a parameter; and memory to store data which is representative of at least one operating parameter of the power unit; and a power unit interface comprising: a power unit mechanical interface; and a power unit communications interface; and wherein a mechanical interface of the fuel storage unit and the power unit mechanical interface are respectively operable to permit holding, retention and/or engagement between the fuel storage unit and the power unit, and a fluid interface therebetween permits fluid communication of the fuel between the fuel storage unit and the power unit; wherein a communications interface of the fuel storage unit and the power unit communications interface are respectively operable to provide communications between a control system of the fuel storage unit and the control system of the power unit; wherein a mechanical interface of the refill unit and the fuel storage unit mechanical interface are respectively operable to permit holding, retention and/or engagement between the refill unit and the fuel storage unit, and a fluid interface therebetween permits fluid communication of the fuel between the refill unit and the fuel storage unit; wherein a communications interface of the refill unit and the fuel storage unit communications interface are respectively operable to provide communications between a control system of the refill unit and the control system of the fuel storage unit; and wherein a transmission and/or reception of the parameter and/or data relating to the parameter between the fuel storage unit control system and the control system of any one of the power unit and/or the refill unit defines a message protocol.