Patents by Inventor Mitsushi Ueno
Mitsushi Ueno has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20110159383Abstract: The present invention provides a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising a fuel cell stack formed by laminating a plurality of fuel cell units each of which includes a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the fuel and oxidant electrodes. The fuel cell unit is operable to generate an electric power through an electrochemical reaction between a first gas supplied to the side of the fuel electrode and a second gas supplied to the side of the oxidant electrode. In this fuel cell, the first gas supplied to the side of the fuel electrode and the second gas supplied to the side of the oxidant electrode are adapted to flow generally in opposite directions in the fuel cell stack, so that a water created on the side of oxidant electrode is reciprocally moved between the fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode to increase a water holding region in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: Yoshitsugu Sone, Mitsushi Ueno, Saburou Kuwashima
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Publication number: 20080038618Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell system having a moisture mixture separating mechanism capable of separating produced water in high purity. While a sheet member closes an outlet port of a drain port and an inlet port of a drain passage by closely adhering to an outlet-side opening end of the drain port and an inlet-side opening end of the drain passage in a state when hydraulic pressure within a Pitot tube is low, it elastically deforms and separates from the opening ends of the drain port and drain passage when the hydraulic pressure within the Pitot tube increases, thus communicating the outlet-side opening end of the drain port with the inlet-side opening end of the drain passage and discharging water in the drain port to the drain passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCYInventors: Hitoshi NAITO, Yoshitsugu SONE, Mitsushi UENO
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Publication number: 20070259231Abstract: The present invention provides a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising a fuel cell stack formed by laminating a plurality of fuel cell units each of which includes a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the fuel and oxidant electrodes. The fuel cell unit is operable to generate an electric power through an electrochemical reaction between a first gas supplied to the side of the fuel electrode and a second gas supplied to the side of the oxidant electrode. In this fuel cell, the first gas supplied to the side of the fuel electrode and the second gas supplied to the side of the oxidant electrode are adapted to flow generally in opposite directions in the fuel cell stack, so that a water created on the side of oxidant electrode is reciprocally moved between the fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode to increase a water holding region in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Yoshitsugu Sone, Mitsushi Ueno, Saburou Kuwashima
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Patent number: 7273672Abstract: The present invention provides a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising a fuel cell stack 21 formed by laminating a plurality of fuel cell units each of which includes a fuel electrode 23, an oxidant electrode 24, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22 interposed between the fuel and oxidant electrodes. The fuel cell unit is operable to generate an electric power through an electrochemical reaction between a first gas supplied to the side of the fuel electrode 23 and a second gas supplied to the side of the oxidant electrode 24. In this fuel cell, the first gas supplied to the side of the fuel electrode 23 and the second gas supplied to the side of the oxidant electrode 24 are adapted to flow generally in opposite directions in the fuel cell stack 21, so that a water created on the side of oxidant electrode 24 is reciprocally moved between the fuel electrode 23 and the oxidant electrode 24 to increase a water holding region in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2003Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Japan Aerospace Exploration AgencyInventors: Yoshitsugu Sone, Mitsushi Ueno, Saburou Kuwashima
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Publication number: 20030198851Abstract: The present invention provides a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising a fuel cell stack 21 formed by laminating a plurality of fuel cell units each of which includes a fuel electrode 23, an oxidant electrode 24, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22 interposed between the fuel and oxidant electrodes. The fuel cell unit is operable to generate an electric power through an electrochemical reaction between a first gas supplied to the side of the fuel electrode 23 and a second gas supplied to the side of the oxidant electrode 24. In this fuel cell, the first gas supplied to the side of the fuel electrode 23 and the second gas supplied to the side of the oxidant electrode 24 are adapted to flow generally in opposite directions in the fuel cell stack 21, so that a water created on the side of oxidant electrode 24 is reciprocally moved between the fuel electrode 23 and the oxidant electrode 24 to increase a water holding region in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Yoshitsugu Sone, Mitsushi Ueno, Saburou Kuwashima
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Patent number: 6613467Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cells system wherein a reacted gas that has been passed through a cell stack is enabled to be contacted with an unreacted gas to be passed through the cell stack, thereby carrying out a temperature/humidity exchange for the purpose of preventing the drying of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The temperature of the unreacted gas is made lower than the temperature of the reacted gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2000Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hiroshi Chizawa, Yasuji Ogami, Kazuo Saito, Mitsushi Ueno
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Patent number: 4766043Abstract: In a fuel cell according to the present invention, a plurality of unit cells each includes an anode and a cathode, each formed of a porous substrate, and an electrolyte matrix layer interposed between the anode and the cathode. A fuel gas channel is formed on one surface of the anode that is located on the side opposite to the electrolyte matrix layer, and an electrolyte-solution permeable portion is formed on the same surface of the anode. The unit cells are stacked in layers, and a plurality of separator elements are interposed between the adjacent unit cells to form a stacked structure. Each of the separator elements has a recess formed on its surface that is located on the side facing the anode. The recess serves to store an electrolyte solution and contain the electrolyte-solution permeable portion. Thus, if an electrolyte solution, with which the electrolyte matrix layer is impregnated, is reduced, the solution stored in the recess permeates the matrix layer, flowing through the permeable portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1987Date of Patent: August 23, 1988Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Tamotsu Shirogami, Mitsushi Ueno
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Patent number: 4756718Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell assembly, said assembly comprising at least one unit cell, said unit cell comprising at least two planar electrodes, said electrodes being ribbed on one side thereof and having a catalyst layer on the second side thereof, and a matrix impregnated with an electrolyte, comprising the steps of:arranging said electrolytes on each side of said matrix with said second side of each said electrode in contact with said matrix; andpolarizing the potential of at least one electrode in one of the positive and negative directions by applying a potential from an external source.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1987Date of Patent: July 12, 1988Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Mitsushi Ueno, Noboru Segawa, Yasuji Ogami
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Patent number: 4661423Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fuel cell electrolyte matrix comprises the steps of providing a fuel electrode and oxidizing electrode respectively coated with a catalyst layer on one side, forming a layer of powdery electrolyte-resistive material on the surface of at least one of the catalyst layers, coating a paste layer prepared from acid electrolyte and powdery electrolyte-resistive material on the powder layer or catalyst layer of the fuel electrode and/or the powder layer or catalyst layer of the oxidizing electrode, tightly superposing the fuel electrode and oxidizing electrode on each other with the paste layer and powder layer interposed therebetween, thereby forming an electrolyte matrix between both electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1986Date of Patent: April 28, 1987Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsushi Ueno, Tamotsu Shirogami, Noboru Segawa
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Patent number: 4578135Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fuel cell electrolyte matrix comprises the steps of providing a fuel electrode and oxidizing electrode respectively coated with a catalyst layer on one side, forming a layer of powdery electrolyte-resistive material on the surface of at least one of the catalyst layers, coating a paste layer prepared from acid electrolyte and powdery electrolyte-resistive material on the powder layer or catalyst layer of the fuel electrode and/or the powder layer or catalyst layer of the oxidizing electrode, tightly superposing the fuel electrode and oxidizing electrode on each other with the paste layer and powder layer interposed therebetween, thereby forming an electrolyte matrix between both electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1984Date of Patent: March 25, 1986Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsushi Ueno, Tamotsu Shirogami, Noboru Segawa
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Patent number: 4555324Abstract: A porous gas diffusion electrode for use in an air-metal cell or a hydrogen-air (oxygen) cell comprising an electroconductive porous substrate, which has itself on one surface thereof reaction gas feed channels or is to be used with one surface in contact with reaction gas feed channels during use, and which comprises gas impermeable and electrically insulating seals formed of a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether compolymer provided on the substrate at least at both end portions parallel to said reaction gas feed channels, is capable of positively shielding the gas streams at the end portions parallel to the reaction gas feed channels and maintaining electrical insulation.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1984Date of Patent: November 26, 1985Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Mitsushi Ueno, Tamotsu Shirogami, Yukihiro Mikogami
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Patent number: 4515871Abstract: An electrochemical power generator is disclosed which is composed of a plurality of unit cells stacked with interconnectors interposed therebetween; said unit cells being each composed of an anode consisting of a porous carbon plate having on its one surface a plurality of grooves constituting gas passages and on its other surface an anode catalyst layer; a cathode formed on its one surface with a cathode catalyst layer and applied on its other surface a hydrophobic material powder consisting of fluoropolymer resin; and an electrolyte layer interposed between the anode and the cathode in such a manner that its two surfaces are allowed to come into contact, respectively; said anode catalyst layer and said cathode catalyst layer, the electrolyte layer being prepared by causing an acidic electrolyte to be impregnated into an inorganic compound powder having heat resistance and chemical resistance; the interconnectors being each compressed of a high density carbon plate and having, on each surface coming into conType: GrantFiled: August 16, 1983Date of Patent: May 7, 1985Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tamotsu Shirogami, Mitsushi Ueno
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Patent number: 4478918Abstract: A fuel cell stack has a plurality of stacked unit cells, each consisting of a pair of gas diffusion electrodes with a matrix containing an electrolyte solution interposed between them, with an interconnector having a fuel gas passage on one surface and an oxidizing gas agent passage on the other surface interposed between each pair of adjacent unit cells. One out of every three to five interconnectors is a one-piece-molded product which has at least one cooling pipe embedded in it and which provides an excellent cooling effect. The fuel cell stack stably provides a high output voltage over a long period of operation time.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1982Date of Patent: October 23, 1984Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsushi Ueno, Tadanori Maoka, Kenji Murata, Tamotsu Shirogami
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Patent number: 4461813Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical power generator having a structure where a plurality of unit cells are stacked such that each pair of adjacent unit cells sandwich an interconnector therebetween. Each unit cell is formed such that an anode of a porous carbon substrate having an anode catalyst layer on one surface thereof and a cathode of a porous carbon fiber sheet having a cathode catalyst layer on one surface thereof sandwich a matrix layer containing an electrolyte solution of a concentrated acid solution therebetween so as to respectively bring the two surfaces of the matrix layer into tight contact with the anode and cathode catalyst layers. The interconnector is formed of a high density carbon plate. The electrochemical power generator uses as an anode reactant material a gas containing hydrogen as a major component, and uses as a cathode reactant material an oxidizing gas.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1982Date of Patent: July 24, 1984Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tamotsu Shirogami, Mitsushi Ueno
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Patent number: 4143212Abstract: A sealed storage battery comprising a sealed container, an electricity generating means contained in the sealed container and composed of a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte, a hydrogen gas oxidation auxiliary electrode disposed within the sealed container, and a resistance means connected to the auxiliary electrode and having an inverse current checking characteristic (or property).In this sealed storage battery, the (critical) point of time of overcharging in charging the sealed storage battery may be detected by monitoring the variation of the voltage between the positive electrode or a separately provided measurement electrode and the auxiliary electrode.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1977Date of Patent: March 6, 1979Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsushi Ueno, Tamotsu Shirogami