Plural Heat Exchangers Patents (Class 429/435)
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Publication number: 20150017559Abstract: A system for cooling an aircraft fuel cell system comprising a first cooling circuit thermally coupled to a first fuel cell, to remove thermal energy generated by the first fuel cell during operation from the first fuel cell, and a first heat exchanger arranged in the first cooling circuit and adapted to transfer thermal energy, removed from the first fuel cell via the first cooling circuit, to the aircraft surroundings. The system comprises a second cooling circuit thermally coupled to a second fuel cell, to remove thermal energy generated by the second fuel cell during operation from the second fuel cell, and a second heat exchanger arranged in the second cooling circuit and adapted to transfer thermal energy, removed from the second fuel cell via the second cooling circuit, to the aircraft surroundings. The first cooling circuit is thermally couplable to the second cooling circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Guido Klewer, Hauke Peer Luedders, Sebastian Mock, Christian Mueller
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Patent number: 8932776Abstract: The invention provides tubular solid oxide fuel cell devices and a fuel cell system incorporating a plurality of the fuel devices, each device including an elongate tube having a reaction zone for heating to an operating reaction temperature, and at least one cold zone that remains at a low temperature below the operating reaction temperature when the reaction zone is heated. An electrolyte is disposed between anodes and cathodes in the reaction zone, and the anode and cathode each have an electrical pathway extending to an exterior surface in a cold zone for electrical connection at low temperature. In one embodiment, the tubular device is a spiral rolled structure, and in another embodiment, the tubular device is a concentrically arranged device. The system further includes the devices positioned with their reaction zones in a hot zone chamber and their cold zones extending outside the hot zone chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
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Publication number: 20140352309Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell hybrid system. The fuel cell hybrid system includes a heat engine including a compression unit for compressing an oxidizer supply gas including air and an expansion unit for expanding the oxidizer supply gas to generate mechanical energy, a fuel cell including an anode for receiving a fuel gas, a cathode for receiving the oxidizer supply gas, and a catalytic combustor for burning a non-reaction fuel gas of an anode exhaust gas exhausted from the anode to heat the oxidizer supply gas, a first heat exchanger heat-exchanging the oxidizer supply gas discharged from the compression unit with a cathode exhaust gas exhausted from the cathode, and a second heat exchanger heat-exchanging the oxidizer supply gas discharged from the first heat exchanger with the oxidizer supply gas discharged from the catalytic combustor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventors: Min Ki Kim, Yin Jeong Cho, Sang Hoon Lee
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Publication number: 20140356748Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes a fuel cell, a coolant circulation flow passage, a first heat exchanger, a waste heat recovery flow passage, a second heat exchanger, an upstream end of the waste heat recovery flow passage, and a downstream end of the waste heat recovery flow passage. The coolant circulation flow passage includes a first coolant supply flow passage, a first coolant exhaust flow passage, and a first bypass flow passage. The upstream end is connected to at least one of an inlet coolant reservoir and the first coolant exhaust flow passage at a position downstream of a connection point between the first coolant exhaust flow passage and the first bypass flow passage. The downstream end is connected to at least one of the inlet coolant reservoir, an outlet coolant reservoir, and the first coolant supply flow passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazumi YAMAZAKI, Kazutaka NAKAI, Shiro YAGAWA, Daiki NAGATA
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Patent number: 8895199Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system using waste hydrogen generated from a sea water electrolyzing apparatus, the fuel cell system including: a sea water electrolyzing apparatus carrying out electrolysis of sea water used as cooling water in a nuclear power generation system to produce a chlorine-containing material; a hydrogen conveying line linked to one side of the sea water electrolyzing apparatus to convey waste hydrogen generated during the electrolysis; and a fuel cell linked to the hydrogen conveying line to generate electricity by using the waste hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen conveying line as fuel. The fuel cell system generates electricity by using waste hydrogen, which, otherwise, is totally discarded after being generated secondarily from the sea water electrolyzing apparatus, as fuel for the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: XFC Inc.Inventors: Ju-Hyung Lee, Jong Won Choi, Suk-Won Cha, Ik Whang Chang
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Publication number: 20140335434Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle is provided which includes an exterior heat exchanger for cooling and the exterior heat exchanger for heating are arranged at a front part of the vehicle, and the exterior heat exchanger for heating is heated by the outside air used to cool the air-cooling type fuel cell stack, an intake duct and an exhaust duct are mounted at the front side and the rear side of the air-cooling type fuel cell stack, respectively, the intake duct and the exterior heat exchanger for cooling are arranged at a front side part of the vehicle so as not to overlap with each other when the vehicle is seen from the front, and the exterior heat exchanger for heating is arranged at the rear of the exhaust duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Kengo Ikeya, Shiro Matsumoto, Naoki Ozawa, Yuuichi Umezane
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Patent number: 8877399Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: David Weingaertner, Michael Petrucha, Martin Perry, David Edmonston, Virpaul Bains, Andy Ta, Navaneetha Krishnan
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Publication number: 20140322624Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a stack; an antifreezing heater; a surplus power heater; a switching unit; and an electric power conversion unit. Where a first supply path denotes a power supply path from a system power supply to the antifreezing heater, a second supply path denotes a power supply path from the stack to the antifreezing heater, and a third supply path denotes a power supply path from the stack to the surplus power heater, when a power failure happens, the switching unit disconnects the first supply path, disconnects the second supply path and connects the third supply path until an output electric power of the stack is converted to the power necessary for operating the antifreezing heater, and connects the second supply path and disconnects the third supply path after the output power of the stack is converted to the power necessary for operating the antifreezing heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2012Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Masumi Kasai, Atsushi Nakayama, Motomichi Katou
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Patent number: 8865360Abstract: A fuel cell system for a vehicle includes a burner for producing a heat flow by combustion of a fuel gas which reacts with an oxidant. A heating heat exchanger provided to heat a vehicle passenger compartment is arranged in a coolant circuit of the fuel cell system, and is externally heated, at least at times, by the burner.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Daimler AGInventor: Gerald Hornburg
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Patent number: 8852820Abstract: A fuel cell stack module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, a base supporting the plurality of fuel cell stacks, and a metal shell located over the base and the fuel cell stacks. The metal shell contains an integrated heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2008Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: Martin Perry, Arne Ballantine
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Publication number: 20140295308Abstract: A fuel cell stack (1) includes a plurality of stacked power generation cells (3), a heat exchange unit (7) provided between adjacent two of the power generation cells, a fuel gas supply path arranged to supply the power generation cells with a fuel gas, and an oxidant gas supply path (3, 7, 33, 34, 38) arranged to supply the power generation cells with an oxidant gas, wherein the fuel gas supply path includes in series a first path (7, 31) passing through the heat exchange unit (7), a second path (3, 32, 35, 37) passing through some of the plurality of power generation cells (3) in parallel, and a third path (3, 32, 36) passing through the other power generation cells in parallel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Shunsuke TSUGA, Takafumi SHICHIDA, Tetsuya MORIKAWA, Nobuyuki HOTTA
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Patent number: 8835067Abstract: A fuel cell power plant includes a cell stack assembly having an anode and a cathode. A component is arranged in fluid connection with at least one of the anode and cathode. The component has a first shut-down cooling rate. A heat exchanger is arranged in fluid communication with and between the component and one of the anode and cathode. The heat exchanger has a second shut-down cooling rate greater than the first shut-down cooling rate. Water vapor within the fuel cell power plant outside of the cell stack assembly will condense and freeze in the heat exchanger rather than the component, avoiding malfunction of the component upon start-up in below freezing environments.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.Inventors: David G. Converse, Fortunat J. Mueller
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Patent number: 8822096Abstract: An electrical power source for a portable electronic device. The electrical power source includes at least one fuel cell adapted to receive fuel and generate therefrom electrical power for powering at least one component of the portable electronic device, a fuel tank adapted to provide fuel to the fuel cell, and at least one thermoelectric module in thermal contact with at least one of the fuel cell and fuel tank for regulating the temperature of the at least one fuel cell and at least one fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: David Gerard Rich, Lyall Kenneth Winger
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Patent number: 8808938Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one cooling channel that extends between a housing and a fuel cell stack disposed within the housing. The cooling channel has an inlet and an outlet for producing a gas flow in the cooling channel. As a result, a gas flow may be used for cooling and at the same time may be used for ventilation of the cathode.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2010Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Robert Hahn, Christian Kunde
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Patent number: 8785069Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, an oxidizer supply unit, a reformer, a fuel tank, and a water tank. The reformer generates a hydrogen-containing reformed gas reformed from hydrocarbon-based fuel and supplies it to the fuel cell stack. The fuel tank supplies the hydrocarbon-based fuel to the reformer. The water tank supplies water to the reformer. The reformer includes a reforming unit configured to have a reforming reaction generated therein, a combustion unit configured to supply heat energy to the reforming unit, and a carbon monoxide reduction unit configured to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide in a reformed gas discharged from the reforming unit. A combustion gas pipe is connected to the combustion unit. A reformed gas pipe is disposed between the reforming unit and the carbon monoxide reduction unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., LtdInventors: Hyun Kim, Dong-Rak Kim, Dong-Hyun Kim, Ming-Zi Hong, Woong-Ho Cho
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Patent number: 8785062Abstract: The fuel cell system of the present invention includes: (A) a fuel cell stack including at least one unit fuel cell including a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween; (B) a detecting device for detecting lack of humidification in the fuel cell stack; (C) a water supplying device for supplying moisture to the fuel cell stack when lack of humidification is detected by the detecting device; (D) a heating device for heating the supplied moisture; and (E) a cooling device for cooling the supplied moisture. In the fuel cell system of the present invention, the fuel cell stack is humidified by repeating heating and cooling of the supplied moisture by the heating device and the cooling device, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hiroaki Matsuda, Takashi Akiyama
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Publication number: 20140186729Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cells arranged into a stack. A combustor receives a cathode exhaust flow from the fuel cell cathodes and a flow of fuel. The fuel is oxidized in the combustor by the cathode exhaust to produce a mixed exhaust flow. A cathode air flow path extends between a fresh air source and the fuel cell cathodes. An air preheater is arranged along the cathode air flow path, cathode air passing through the air preheater being heated therein by a flow of uncombusted anode exhaust from the fuel cell anodes. A cathode recuperator is arranged along the cathode air flow path, cathode air passing through the cathode recuperator being heated therein by the mixed exhaust flow. Water passing through a vaporizer is converted to steam by heat from the mixed exhaust flow and directed from the vaporizer to the fuel cell anodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2014Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Todd M. Bandhauer, Michael J. Reinke, Jeroen Valensa
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Publication number: 20140178786Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: Martin Perry, David Weingaertner, Nilanjana Basu, Michael Petrucha, William David Lyle, Navaneetha Krishnan, Matthias Gottmann
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Patent number: 8722283Abstract: A fuel cell includes a stack of electrolyte electrode assemblies and metal separators. Each of the electrolyte electrode assemblies includes an electrolyte and a pair of electrodes sandwiching the electrolyte between the pair of electrodes. The fuel cell includes a coolant channel. The coolant channel is formed between the metal separators that are adjacent to each other to allow a coolant to flow through the coolant channel, and has grooves. The coolant channel includes an inclined coolant channel group in which overlapping portions of the grooves facing each other are connected along flow of the coolant that is oriented diagonally inward with respect to a longitudinal direction. The inclined coolant channel group includes inclined coolant channels whose downstream ends are connected to a downstream center of the coolant channel and whose upstream ends are connected to coolant inlet manifolds.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keisuke Suda
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Patent number: 8703348Abstract: The cooling device of the present invention is intercalated to the fuel cells assembled in a stack and comprises a planar, elastically deformable, conductive and porous element capable of ensuring both the passage of a suitable coolant and the electrical continuity between the walls delimiting the same. The planar conductive deformable and porous element is characterized by being provided with linear sections capable of guiding the coolant flow so as to reliably achieve a uniform heat withdrawal. The linear sections may have a straight shape and consist of inert impervious and preferably elastic material.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2005Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells Europe SRLInventor: Antonino Toro
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Patent number: 8697296Abstract: A separator includes sandwiching sections for sandwiching electrolyte electrode assemblies. A fuel gas channel and an oxygen-containing gas channel are formed in each of the sandwiching sections. Further, the separator includes first bridges connected to the sandwiching sections and a manifold connected to the first bridges. A fuel gas supply channel is formed in the first bridge for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas channel. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the manifold in the stacking direction for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas supply channel. At the time of starting operation, the heated air is distributed to the oxygen-containing gas channel and the fuel gas channel through a circumferential portion of the electrolyte electrode assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2008Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomio Miyazaki
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Publication number: 20140099562Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards the design of bipolar plates for use in conduction-cooled electrochemical cells. Heat generated during the operation of the cell is removed from the active area of the cell to the periphery of the cell via the one or more bipolar plates in the cell. The one or more bipolar plates are configured to function as heat sinks to collect heat from the active area of the cell and to conduct the heat to the periphery of the plate where the heat is removed by traditional heat transfer means. The boundary of the one or more bipolar plates can be provided with heat dissipation structures to facilitate removal of heat from the plates. To function as effective heat sinks, the thickness of the one or more bipolar plates can be determined based on the rate of heat generation in the cell during operation, the thermal conductivity (“k”) of the material selected to form the plate, and the desired temperature gradient in a direction orthogonal to the plate (“?T”).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc.Inventors: Scott Blanchet, Benjamin Lunt, Edward Domit
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Patent number: 8691462Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) is provided and includes a fuel cell stack (3), a cathode recuperator heat exchanger (33) adapted to heat an air inlet stream using heat from a fuel cell stack cathode exhaust stream, and an air preheater heat exchanger (39) which is adapted to heat the air inlet stream using heat from a fuel cell stack anode exhaust stream.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2005Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Todd M. Bandhauer, Michael J. Reinke, Jeroen Valensa
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Publication number: 20140087283Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first fuel cell unit having a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell, a second fuel cell unit having a third fuel cell and a fourth fuel cell, a hydrogen tank coupled to all fuel cells, an oxygen supply unit and an air inlet. Oxidant inlets of the first fuel cell and the fourth fuel cell are couplable with the air inlet. Oxidant inlets of the second fuel cell and the third fuel cell are couplable with the oxidant supply unit couplable with at least one of the oxygen supply unit and the air inlet. Exhaust outlets of the first and fourth fuel cells are couplable with an inert gas outlet. Exhaust outlets of the second and third fuel cells are coupled with an exhaust switching unit couplable with the inert gas outlet and a water outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Ralf-Henning Stolte, Ralf Peck
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Patent number: 8679693Abstract: A fuel cell including a stack of electrochemical cells, a pair of end plates located at each end of the stack of cells, and a cooling system for cooling the cells. The cooling system includes a coolant fluid circulating in closed loop through the stack and in the end plates, such that the coolant fluid exchanges heat with the end plates.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Commissariat à l′énergie atomique et aux énergies alternativesInventor: Jean Oriol
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Publication number: 20140045088Abstract: A fuel cell including two stacks of electrochemical cells, a thermal management system including a coolant circulation circuit in the stacks, each stack of electrochemical cells being squeezed by a first end plate common to the two stacks and a second end plate, each stack including at least one coolant circulation channel, two pumps being provided for circulating the coolant in the channels, and a chamber formed in the common end plate, the two pumps and the channels passing through the stacks being connected to this chamber. There are valves between each pump and the chamber, communication with a pump being interrupted if there is no coolant flow from this pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux ene altInventors: Delphine Drouhault, Pierre Nivelon
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Patent number: 8642219Abstract: A cooling system of a fuel cell is provided with a main cooling flow passage and a bypass cooling flow passage which is arranged parallel with the main cooling flow passage and diverts the same coolant, as flow passages through which coolant flows. A radiator and a coolant circulation pump (WP) and the like are arranged in the main cooling flow passage. Coolant from the main cooling flow passage enters the bypass cooling flow passage and reaches a second heat exchanger via a case of a motor of an ACP and the like. At the second heat exchanger, heat exchange is also performed with a supply gas flow passage, after which the coolant returns to the main cooling flow passage. The manner in which the coolant is distributed can be changed depending on where the coolant is diverted from the main cooling flow passage and the arrangement of the circulation pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tomotaka Ishikawa
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Patent number: 8623566Abstract: An aircraft fuel cell system includes a fuel cell which has an oxidant inlet for supplying an oxygen-containing medium to the fuel cell. An oxidant supply line has a first end which is connected to the oxidant inlet of the fuel cell. A second end of the oxidant supply line is connectable to a used air outlet of a cabin of the aircraft. A heat exchanger is located in the oxidant supply line and thermally couples the oxygen-containing medium flowing through the oxidant supply line and a second medium flowing through an air conditioning process air line of an air conditioning unit, the heat exchanger being located downstream of a cabin air compressor in the air conditioning process air line.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2009Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Andreas Westenberger, Martin Arendt, Lars Frahm, Till Marquardt
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Publication number: 20140004436Abstract: Methods, articles, and systems for controlling the internal operating temperature of fuel cell systems, such as planar fuel cell arrays. The heat management system conducts heat away from the fuel cell without disturbing the flow of gases around the fuel cell layer and without the need for the equipment to disturb the flow of gases around the fuel cell layer. The present invention also provides a heat transfer system that has a low thermal mass relative to the fuel cell layer or is thermally isolated from the fuel cell layer such that the heat transfer system will not remove substantial amounts of heat from a fuel cell layer during star-up and can be activated to dissipate heat from the fuel cell only as needed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Societe BICInventors: Jeremy Schrooten, Jean-Louis Iaconis, Paul Sobejko, Benjamin Tam, Gerard F. McLean
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Patent number: 8616317Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one cooling circuit for cooling a fuel cell system. The cooling circuit includes at least one cooling heat exchanger, a cooling medium transportation device and a heat exchanger in a fuel cell stack of fuel cell system. Cooling heat exchanger is affected by motion-related air flow as cooling air. The cooling heat exchanger is constructed in at least two stages, which are arranged in such a way that they are serially flowed through, one after another, by motion-related airflow.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Daimler AGInventor: Ralf Hoess
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Patent number: 8603692Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprises a stack of three or more fuel cells, each having an assembly in which an anode electrode and a cathode electrode are respectively joined to either side of an electrolytic membrane. The anode electrode is provided nearer to one end, in the stack direction of the fuel cell, than the cathode electrode. Temperature regulating parts for regulating the temperature of the anode electrode of one fuel cell of any two adjacent fuel cells and the cathode electrode of the other fuel cell are disposed at a plurality of positions arranged in the stack direction. The provided temperature regulating parts perform temperature regulation so that the heat dissipating capability of the anode electrode is different in the stack direction from that of the cathode electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippon Soken, Inc.Inventors: Koichiro Yamashita, Junichi Shirahama, Katsuya Matsuoka, Ikuyasu Kato, Kazuo Horibe, Osamu Hamanoi, Takuya Hashimoto, Hideki Kubo, Masahiro Shiozawa, Ryo Akagawa
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Patent number: 8603686Abstract: A system and method for controlling the speed of a compressor that provides air to the cathode side of a fuel cell stack in the event that a cathode by-pass valve fails. If a by-pass valve failure is detected, a failure algorithm first disengages the normal flow and pressure algorithms used to control the airflow to the cathode side of the stack. Next, the failure algorithm opens the cathode exhaust gas valve to its fully opened position. Then, in response to a stack power request, the compressor control will be put in an open-loop control where a look-up table is used to provide a particular compressor speed for a power request. An airflow meter will measure the airflow to the stack, and the stack current will be limited based on that airflow.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Matthew C Kirklin
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Patent number: 8603694Abstract: According to the invention, a fuel cell is operated at a working temperature of between 60° C. and 110° C. and thermally insulated from the exterior, the waste air from the cathode being cooled by a surplus of incoming air that is provided for the reaction. The supplied fuel is pre-heated during the exchange of heat. The fuel cell that is operated according to said method can be used in systems that are restricted by exposure to thermal stress and can be produced in a cost-effective manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2006Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: ZAE Bayern Bayerisches Zentrum für angewandte Energieforschung e.V.Inventors: Carsten Cremers, Wolfgang Scholkopf, Ulrich Stimming
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Publication number: 20130309588Abstract: One embodiment may include an integrated fuel supply and cooling system for a fuel cell including a fuel cell stack and a fuel cell stack cooling system; a cryo-adsorber including a bed of particles for adsorbing hydrogen fluid; wherein the cryo-adsorber may be in heat transfer communication with the fuel cell stack cooling system and in fluid communication with the fuel cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Senthil K. Vadivelu
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Patent number: 8586257Abstract: A standard phosphoric acid fuel cell power plant has its heat exchanger removed such that a higher temperature coolant flow can be directed from the system to the generator of an absorption chiller to obtain improved efficiency in the chiller. In one embodiment, the higher temperature coolant may flow directly from the fuel cell stack to the generator and then back to the high temperature coolant loop. Either a double effect absorption chiller or a single effect absorption chiller may be used.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Bhimashankar V. Nitta, Brian Chakulski, Benoit C. Olsommer, Robert J. Braun
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Publication number: 20130302712Abstract: A fuel-cell stack including a stack of fuel cells with intermediate conductive bipolar plates. The bipolar plates include internal flow channels for flow of a heat-transfer fluid. The channels are connected to a circuit of a cooling system. Only some of the bipolar plates include internal flow channels that are temporarily or permanently not in service.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et Aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Xavier Glipa, Jean-Francois Ranjard, Eric Pinton, Jean-Philippe Poirot Crouvezier, Sylvie Begot, Fabien Harel, Jean-Marc Le Canut
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Publication number: 20130302710Abstract: A Flow Cell System that utilizes a Vanadium Chemistry is provided. The flow cell system includes a stack, electrolyte heat exchangers, and a controller executing a state machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Inventors: Reinder J. Boersma, Derek Kwok, Suresh Kumar Surapalan Nair, Gopalakrishnan R. Parakulam
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Patent number: 8580450Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell generating electricity and heat by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel and air, a thermoelectric element converting heat, emitted from the fuel cell, into electrical energy, and a heat storage tank storing heat emitted from the thermoelectric element. The fuel cell system includes therein a configuration allowing for the conversion of heat, emitted from a fuel cell, into electricity or the utilization of heat, thereby minimizing the amount of heat that is released at the final stage. Therefore, a reduction in the size of a heat storage tank can be achieved, and the electricity conversion efficiency of a fuel cell can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eon Soo Lee, Jae Hyuk Jang, Tae Kon Koo
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Patent number: 8568938Abstract: Systems and methods of electric power generation are disclosed. A particular method includes generating electric power using a fuel cell. The method also includes generating additional electric power using a thermoelectric generator (TE) by routing exhaust from the fuel cell to a hot side of the TE and routing fuel cell intake gases to a cold side of the TE. The method also includes preheating the fuel cell intake gases by routing the fuel cell intake gases from the TE through a heat exchanger (HX).Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Lijun Gao, Shengyi Liu, Chin-Hsi Chien, George M. Roe
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Patent number: 8563184Abstract: A fuel cell system (1), especially in a motor vehicle, is provided with a fuel cell (2), which generates electric current during the operation from anode gas and cathode gas, with a residual gas burner (3), which reacts anode waste gas with cathode waste gas into burner waste gas during the operation; with an air delivery device (17), which feeds air as cathode gas to the fuel cell (2) via a fuel cell air line (12) during the operation; and with a first heat exchanger (14), which couples a waste gas line (13) removing burner waste gas from the residual gas burner (3) with the fuel cell air line (12) in a heat-transmitting operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Eberspächer Climate Control Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Kaupert, Markus Willkommen, Karsten Reiners, Valentin Notemann, Jörg vom Schloss
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Patent number: 8557460Abstract: A hydrogen system (10) comprising a reformer (12), in which a vaporized hydrocarbon fuel (50) is reformed to yield a reformate gas (62) comprising hydrogen, and a hydrogen consumer (40), the reformer and the hydrogen consumer being arranged in fluid communication such that the reformate gas can be fed to the hydrogen consumer, the hydrogen consumer, when in use, consuming at least a part of the hydrogen produced by the reformer wherein the hydrogen system further comprises:—an off gas burner (35) which is arranged such that it is in fluid communication with the hydrogen consumer and a first heat exchanger (21), in which offgas burner, when in use, remaining reformate gas in offgas from the hydrogen consumer is combusted, producing exhaust gas (53) which is passed through the first heat exchanger;—at least one air pump (30) which is arranged such that it is in fluid communication with the reformer and the offgas burner, the at least one air pump, when in use, supplying air to said reformer and offgas burner,—aType: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Cool Flame Technologies ASInventors: Kla{dot over (u)}s Lucka, Stephan Köhne, Roland Wruck, Sergej Bauer, Andreas Klausmann, Roland Wollenweber
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Publication number: 20130236804Abstract: A cooling system is provided for use with a fuel cell. The cooling system comprises a first heat exchanger fluidly connected to an outlet passage of the fuel cell. The first heat exchanger can be configured to condense at least a portion of a fluid passing through the outlet passage of the fuel cell into liquid water. The cooling system can also comprise a second heat exchanger fluidly connected to an outlet passage of the first heat exchanger and an inlet passage of the fuel cell. The second heat exchanger can be configured to cool a fluid passing into the inlet passage of the fuel cell. In addition, the outlet passage of the fuel cell and the inlet passage of the fuel cell can be fluidly connected to a cathode of the fuel cell, and the inlet passage of the fuel cell can be configured to supply water to the cathode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventors: Brian J. Bowers, Steven Fiore, Ware Fuller, Greg Hickey, Changsik Kim
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Publication number: 20130224618Abstract: A multi-stream heat exchanger includes at least one air preheater section, at least one cathode recuperator section, and at least one anode recuperator section, wherein each section is a plate type heat exchanger having two major surfaces and a plurality of edge surfaces, a plurality of risers through at least some of the plates, and a plurality of flow paths located between plates. The cathode recuperator section is located adjacent to a first edge surface of the anode recuperator, and the air preheater section is located adjacent to a second edge surface of the anode recuperator section.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventor: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
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Publication number: 20130209901Abstract: A power generation system onboard an aircraft includes a fuel cell module configured to produce heat. A loop heat pipe module is coupled to the fuel cell module. The loop heat pipe module includes a first fluid that absorbs the heat from the fuel cell module and is channeled through the loop heat pipe module.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Inventors: Joseph Sherman Breit, Steven E. Hahn, Randeep Singh, Masataka Mochizuki, Koichi Mashiko, Zhen Guo
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Patent number: 8507143Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell, includes: a heater core used by a heating device; a first circulation circuit arranged to circulate a heat medium through the fuel cell; a second circulation circuit arranged to circulate the heat medium through the heater core; a connection channel arranged to connect the first circulation circuit with the second circulation circuit and thereby circulate the heat medium between the first circulation circuit and the second circulation circuit; and a first temperature regulator located on the second circulation circuit and downstream of the heater core and configured to regulate temperature of the heat medium after flowing out of the heater core and before flowing into the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoyuki Kako, Keiko Tanaka, Kei Okamoto, Seiji Tanaka
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Patent number: 8492045Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention a fuel cell system comprises: (i) a plurality of fuel cell packets, each packet comprising at least one fuel inlet, at least one fuel outlet, a frame, and two multi-cell fuel cell devices, the fuel cell devices situated such that an anode side of one fuel cell device faces an anode side of another fuel cell device, and the two fuel cell devices, in combination, at least partially form a fuel chamber connected to the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet; (ii) a plurality of heat exchange packets, each packet comprising at least one oxidant inlet, at least one oxidant outlet, and an internal oxidant chamber connected to the at least one oxidant inlet and the least one oxidant outlet; the heat exchange packets being parallel to and interspersed between the fuel cell packets, such that the heat exchange packets face the fuel cell packets and form, at least in part, a plurality of cathode reaction chambers between the heat exchange packets and the fuel cell packets; (Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Michael Edward Badding, William Joseph Bouton, Peng Chen, Steven Joseph Gregorski
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Patent number: 8469676Abstract: A compressor for compressing a gas. The compressor receives the gas at a base pressure from a source and provides the gas at a higher pressure to a target. The compressor includes a series of pressure vessels and a one-way valve between the vessels, where a first pressure vessel is coupled to the source and a last pressure vessel is coupled to the target. For one period of time, every other pressure vessel in the series is heated starting with the pressure vessel coupled to the source. As the pressure in the heated pressure vessels increases as a result of the heat, the gas is sent to a next pressure vessel in the series of pressure vessels. After some period of time, the other alternating sequence of pressure vessels is heated to move the gas along the series of pressure vessels from the source to the target.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Ian J. Sutherland
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Patent number: 8455148Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell which is capable to improve heat exchange efficiency with a plurality of tubular cells. The fuel cell of the present invention comprises: a plurality of tubular cells; heat exchangers arranged at the outside of the tubular cells, wherein at least a part of the outer circumferential surface of said tubular cells and the peripheral surface of said heat exchangers have face contact with each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Shigeaki Murata, Masahiro Imanishi, Yoshihisa Tamura
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Patent number: 8450017Abstract: The present invention discloses a fuel-cell-based cogeneration system with radio frequency identification (RFID) sensors. The fuel-cell-based cogeneration system with RFID sensors includes the fuel-cell-based cogeneration system and an RFID data processing system. The RFID data processing system captures data of the temperature and flow rate from the RFID sensors, while the system data are in turn converted into RFID signals. The RFID data processing system transmits a control signal generated from the RFID signal to control the operation of the fuel-cell-based cogeneration system. Since the RFID transmission technology, the sensor error caused by wires is consequently reduced. Furthermore, overall sensitivity and accuracy of the RFID sensors are increased, which leads to an accompanying increase in the stability of the operating system.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: To-Wei Huang, Ting-Kuan Li, Zhan-Yi Lin, Yu-Ming Sun, Chi-Bin Wu
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Patent number: 8445155Abstract: A complex power generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a fuel cell module having a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger configured to generate a direct current by means of an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, a first cycle configured to receive hot water in a first temperature range from the first heat exchanger to supply to a heat pump, and receive hot water in a second temperature range from the heat pump to supply to the first heat exchanger, and a second cycle configured to receive hot water in a third temperature range from the heat pump to discharge hot water in a fourth temperature range through the second heat exchanger, thereby enhancing a heating performance and increasing a thermal efficiency of the overall system.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Samsung Everland Inc.Inventor: Soo Young Park