Patents by Inventor Teruyuki Ohtani
Teruyuki Ohtani 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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Patent number: 9647278Abstract: To provide a metal separator for fuel cells that can equalize the wet environment of a membrane electrode assembly and a manufacturing method thereof. A metal separator for fuel cells and a manufacturing method thereof are characterized in that, a first separator (14) made of metal, which is layered in a membrane electrode assembly (12) to which a pair of electrodes is provided on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (120), is formed into a corrugated sheet shape having convex parts and concaved parts, a noble metal thin film (147) is formed on a convex part (145) of the first separator (14), and holes (148) through which the first separator (14) is exposed are formed in the noble metal thin film (147).Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Teruyuki Ohtani, Masao Utsunomiya, Natsuki Anzai
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Patent number: 9559376Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell in which an electrolyte membrane-electrode structure is held between the first separator and a second separator. The electrolyte membrane-electrode structure comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a cathode-side electrode and an anode-side electrode. An end portion of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane projects outwardly beyond end portions of gas diffusion layers, and the both surfaces of the end portion of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane are held between the first protective film and a second protective film. The thickness of the first protective film is set to be thinner than the thickness of the second protective film.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2011Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaru Oda, Teruyuki Ohtani, Seiji Sugiura, Kenichi Tanaka, Hiroshi Sohma
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Patent number: 8980501Abstract: A first metal separator and an electrolyte electrode assembly are stacked in a fuel cell. The first metal separator comprises a convex portion that abuts against the electrolyte electrode assembly, and a concave portion forming an oxygen-containing gas flow channel between the electrolyte electrode assembly and the concave portion. A gold coating layer is formed on the convex portion. The gold coating layer includes a main gold coating portion and a reticulate gold coating portion that extends around the main gold coating portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masao Utsunomiya, Teruyuki Ohtani, Toshiki Kawamura
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Publication number: 20130288161Abstract: To provide a metal separator for fuel cells that can equalize the wet environment of a membrane electrode assembly and a manufacturing method thereof. A metal separator for fuel cells and a manufacturing method thereof are characterized in that, a first separator (14) made of metal, which is layered in a membrane electrode assembly (12) to which a pair of electrodes is provided on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (120), is formed into a corrugated sheet shape having convex parts and concaved parts, a noble metal thin film (147) is formed on a convex part (145) of the first separator (14), and holes (148) through which the first separator (14) is exposed are formed in the noble metal thin film (147).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Teruyuki OHTANI, Masao UTSUNOMIYA, Natsuki ANZAI
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Patent number: 8313680Abstract: A first separator to which a resin film is joined beforehand is set in a cavity formed between a lower die and an upper die of an injection molding machine. At the time of die locking by moving the upper die toward the lower die, in the case where the total thickness of the resin film and the first separator is larger than a predetermined dimension, the resin film is pressed by the lower die or the upper die, and thus, the resin film is deformed by compression within its elastic deformation range.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takaaki Mitsuoka, Akihiro Nonogaki, Tetsuhiro Takehara, Masaru Oda, Seiji Sugiura, Teruyuki Ohtani, Keisuke Ando
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Publication number: 20120282539Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell in which an electrolyte membrane-electrode structure is held between the first separator and a second separator. The electrolyte membrane-electrode structure comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a cathode-side electrode and an anode-side electrode. An end portion of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane projects outwardly beyond end portions of gas diffusion layers, and the both surfaces of the end portion of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane are held between the first protective film and a second protective film. The thickness of the first protective film is set to be thinner than the thickness of the second protective film.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masaru Oda, Teruyuki Ohtani, Seiji Sugiura, Kenichi Tanaka, Hiroshi Sohma
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Publication number: 20120258383Abstract: A first metal separator and an electrolyte electrode assembly are stacked in a fuel cell. The first metal separator comprises a convex portion that abuts against the electrolyte electrode assembly, and a concave portion forming an oxygen-containing gas flow channel between the electrolyte electrode assembly and the concave portion. A gold coating layer is formed on the convex portion. The gold coating layer includes a main gold coating portion and a reticulate gold coating portion that extends around the main gold coating portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masao UTSUNOMIYA, Teruyuki OHTANI, Toshiki KAWAMURA
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Patent number: 8197984Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a box-shaped casing and a stack body in the box-shaped casing. The stack body is formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells. The casing includes end plates, a plurality of side plates, angle members, and coupling pins. The angle members couple adjacent ends of the side plates. The coupling pins couple the end plates and the side plates.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Takashi Kosaka, Ayumu Ishizuka, Ken Takahashi, Hiroshi Morikawa, Teruyuki Ohtani
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Patent number: 8153288Abstract: A fuel cell is formed by stacking a membrane electrode assembly and separators alternately. Each of the separators includes first and second metal plates. A coolant flow field is formed between the first metal plate of the fuel cell and the second metal plate of the adjacent fuel cell. A folded section is provided around a coolant supply passage by folding the second metal plate. The folded section forms an inlet which enlarges the sectional area of an opening as a fluid passage between the coolant supply passage and the coolant flow field.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2005Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Teruyuki Ohtani, Shuhei Goto, Yosuke Fujii
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Patent number: 8110316Abstract: A first metal separator of one of adjacent power generation cells and a second metal separator of the other of the adjacent power generation cells are directly stacked together to form a coolant flow field. The first metal separator has a press line protruding toward the coolant flow field, between a fuel gas flow field and an inlet buffer. The second metal separator has a press line protruding toward the coolant flow field, between an oxygen-containing gas flow field and an inlet buffer. The press lines contact each other to limit flow of the coolant into a back surface buffer.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaru Oda, Takashi Kosaka, Norimasa Kawagoe, Teruyuki Ohtani, Narutoshi Sugita, Masaaki Sakano, Masahiro Mohri
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Publication number: 20110033783Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic separator for fuel cells capable of suppressing dropping out of conductive inclusions due to gaps formed at the interface of a base material and the conductive inclusions due to press-forming, thereby decreasing the contact resistance and enhancing the power generation performance, and also provides a method for producing the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Teruyuki OHTANI, Makoto Tsuji, Masao Utsunomiya
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Patent number: 7883814Abstract: A first metal separator of a fuel cell comprises a metal plate, and a first seal member is formed integrally on both surfaces of an outer edge of the metal plate. A first rib having a frame shape is provided around an oxygen-containing gas supply passage or the like of the metal plate. The first rib has a rib surface spaced away from an inner end surface of the metal plate around the oxygen-containing gas supply passage or the like, toward the oxygen-containing gas supply passage or the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhiro Watanabe, Masaaki Sakano, Shuji Sato, Shigeru Inai, Teruyuki Ohtani, Ken Takahashi
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Patent number: 7838171Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic separator for fuel cells capable of suppressing dropping out of conductive inclusions due to gaps formed at the interface of a base material and the conductive inclusions due to press-forming, thereby decreasing the contact resistance and enhancing the power generation performance, and also provides a method for producing the same.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Teruyuki Ohtani, Makoto Tsuji, Masao Utsunomiya
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Publication number: 20100203425Abstract: A first separator to which a resin film is joined beforehand is set in a cavity formed between a lower die and an upper die of an injection molding machine. At the time of die locking by moving the upper die toward the lower die, in the case where the total thickness of the resin film and the first separator is larger than a predetermined dimension, the resin film is pressed by the lower die or the upper die, and thus, the resin film is deformed by compression within its elastic deformation range.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takaaki Mitsuoka, Akihiro Nonogaki, Tetsuhiro Takehara, Masaru Oda, Seiji Sugiura, Teruyuki Ohtani, Keisuke Ando
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Patent number: 7507490Abstract: A metallic separator in which falling off of the conductive inclusions projecting from a matrix surface is prevented, whereby the contact resistance is decreased, resulting in increasing the characteristics for generation of electrical energy. A metallic separator for a fuel cell comprises conductive inclusions in a metal structure, and the conductive inclusions project from a surface of a matrix to a height of 1 to 3 micrometers.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2002Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Teruyuki Ohtani, Makoto Tsuji, Masao Utsunomiya, Koji Kotani
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Publication number: 20080292937Abstract: A metallic separator according to a first embodiment is formed by obtaining a blank by rolling a metallic material having conductive inclusions, and removing a surface of the blank by 2% or more of the thickness of the blank. A metallic separator according to a second embodiment is formed by pressing a metallic plate so as to have a cross section including ridges and grooves alternatively, and removing parts of the ridged portions so as to make flattened surfaces. A metallic separator having conductive inclusions in its metal texture according to a third embodiment is formed by blasting a liquid containing two or more kinds of abrasives having different particle diameters to a blank after it has been rolled. A metallic separator having conductive inclusion in its metal texture according to a fourth embodiment is formed by blasting a passivation treatment liquid mixed with abrasives to the separator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Teruyuki OHTANI, Makoto Tsuji, Masao Utsunomiya, Koji Kotani
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Publication number: 20080292930Abstract: A first metal separator of one of adjacent power generation cells and a second metal separator of the other of the adjacent power generation cells are directly stacked together to form a coolant flow field. The first metal separator has a press line protruding toward the coolant flow field, between a fuel gas flow field and an inlet buffer. The second metal separator has a press line protruding toward the coolant flow field, between an oxygen-containing gas flow field and an inlet buffer. The press lines contact each other to limit flow of the coolant into a back surface buffer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaru Oda, Takashi Kosaka, Norimasa Kawagoe, Teruyuki Ohtani, Narutoshi Sugita, Masaaki Sakano, Masahiro Mohri
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Publication number: 20080187812Abstract: A first metal separator of a fuel cell comprises a metal plate, and a first seal member is formed integrally on both surfaces of an outer edge of the metal plate. A first rib having a frame shape is provided around an oxygen-containing gas supply passage or the like of the metal plate. The first rib has a rib surface spaced away from an inner end surface of the metal plate around the oxygen-containing gas supply passage or the like, toward the oxygen-containing gas supply passage or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhiro Watanabe, Masaaki Sakano, Shuji Sato, Shigeru Inai, Teruyuki Ohtani, Ken Takahashi
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Publication number: 20080108282Abstract: A metallic separator according to a first embodiment is formed by obtaining a blank by rolling a metallic material having conductive inclusions, and removing a surface of the blank by 2% or more of the thickness of the blank. A metallic separator according to a second embodiment is formed by pressing a metallic plate so as to have a cross section including ridges and grooves alternatively, and removing parts of the ridged portions so as to make flattened surfaces. A metallic separator having conductive inclusions in its metal texture according to a third embodiment is formed by blasting a liquid containing two or more kinds of abrasives having different particle diameters to a blank after it has been rolled. A metallic separator having conductive inclusion in its metal texture according to a fourth embodiment is formed by blasting a passivation treatment liquid mixed with abrasives to the separator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2007Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Teruyuki Ohtani, Makoto Tsuji, Masao Utsunomiya, Koji Kotani
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Patent number: 7325432Abstract: A metallic separator according to a first embodiment is formed by obtaining a blank by rolling a metallic material having conductive inclusions, and removing a surface of the blank by 2% or more of the thickness of the blank. A metallic separator according to a second embodiment is formed by pressing a metallic plate so as to have a cross section including ridges and grooves alternatively, and removing parts of the ridged portions so as to make flattened surfaces. A metallic separator having conductive inclusions in its metal texture according to a third embodiment is formed by blasting a liquid containing two or more kinds of abrasives having different particle diameters to a blank after it has been rolled. A metallic separator having conductive inclusion in its metal texture according to a fourth embodiment is formed by blasting a passivation treatment liquid mixed with abrasives to the separator.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2002Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Teruyuki Ohtani, Makoto Tsuji, Masao Utsunomiya, Koji Kotani