Abstract: Various designs and configurations of and methods of operating fuel cell units, fuel cell systems and combined heat and power systems are provided that permit efficient thermal management of such units and systems to improve their operation.

Abstract: An operating method of a fuel cell system which includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks; a refrigerant passage configured to circulate a refrigerant circulated in a first fuel cell stack among the plurality of fuel cell stacks through a second fuel cell stack among the plurality of fuel cell stacks; and a first temperature acquisition unit and second temperature acquisition unit configured to acquire a temperature of the refrigerant downstream of the first fuel cell stack and upstream of the second fuel cell stack, includes, when the temperature of the refrigerant acquired by the first temperature acquisition unit and the second temperature acquisition unit is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, after start of the first fuel cell stack and after elapse of a delay time, starting the second fuel cell stack, and variably setting the delay time according to the temperature of the refrigerant.

Abstract: An aircraft comprising a structure comprising a leakproof tank delimited by walls, of which at least one is in contact with the air outside the aircraft, and filled partly with a two-phase heat-transfer fluid, a fuel cell that is passed through by a heat-transfer fluid, and a line which takes the heat-transfer fluid at an output of the fuel cell and which reintroduces this heat-transfer fluid at an input of the fuel cell. The line passes through the leakproof tank immersed in the heat-transfer fluid in liquid phase.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel cell having an air inlet port and an air outlet port and an air supply system having a compressor connected in fluid communication with the inlet port and a throttle valve connected in fluid communication with the outlet port. A controller is programmed to change a position of the throttle valve based on a target mass air flow, a measured mass air flow, a measured pressure, and the position of the throttle valve.

Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell stack, a stack case containing the fuel cell stack, and an interruption control unit for electrically interrupting an output line of the fuel cell stack at the time of vehicle collision. The interruption control unit is arranged on an upper surface of the stack case, and a front end of the interruption control unit is positioned on the vehicle rear side as compared with a front end of the stack case.

Abstract: A humidifier for a fuel cell is provided and includes a housing having, at a first side, a moist air supply port through which moist air is supplied from a fuel cell stack and having, at a second side, a moist air discharge port. A humidifying membrane is disposed in the housing and allows dry air to flow along the inside of the humidifying membrane. A bypass flow path is formed in the housing to allow a part of the moist air supplied to the moist air supply port to continuously flow to the moist air discharge port without passing through the humidifying membrane, thereby adjusting the amount of humidification and a differential pressure of the humidifier based on an operating condition of a fuel cell.

Abstract: A charger for charging an audio-device-accumulator of an audio device which is wearable on a head of a user and contains an interface for the transfer of electrical energy to the audio-device-accumulator. The charger contains an energy source configured as a hybrid battery for supplying the interface in a first charging mode. The hybrid battery contains a charger-accumulator and a fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell cooling system and a control method are provided. The fuel cell cooling system includes a fuel cell module having a fuel cell stack and a first cooling water line through which primary cooling water undergoing heat exchange with the fuel cell stack to adjust a temperature of the fuel cell stack circulates. A cooling module includes a second cooling water line through which secondary cooling water circulates and a cooling tower is configured to adjust a temperature of the secondary cooling water. A heat exchanger is connected between the first cooling water line of the fuel cell module and the second cooling water line of the cooling module for heat exchange. A controller configured to operate the fuel cell module and the cooling module.

Abstract: A metal foil including on at least one of its sides a layer of a material including: a metal or a metal alloy, carbon, hydrogen, and optionally oxygen, the atomic percentage of the metal or of the metals of the alloy in the material ranging from 10 to 60%, the atomic percentage of carbon in the material ranging from 35 to 70%, the atomic percentage of hydrogen in the material ranging from 2 to 20%, and the atomic percentage of oxygen if present in the material being less than or equal to 10%. The metal foil can be used in the manufacture of a cathode of a lithium-ion electrochemical cell. The deposition of this layer reduces the internal resistance of the cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen pump includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, an anode gas diffusion layer, a cathode gas diffusion layer, an anode separator, a cathode separator, a first end plate and a second end plate that are disposed on the respective ends of at least one hydrogen pump unit in which the electrolyte membrane, the catalyst layers, the gas diffusion layers, and the separators are stacked on each other, a fastener that fastens the end plates and at least one hydrogen pump unit, and a voltage applier. The electrochemical hydrogen pump transfers hydrogen from the anode catalyst layer to the cathode catalyst layer and pressurizes hydrogen when the voltage applier applies the voltage. The cathode gas diffusion layer includes a water-repellent carbon fiber layer in a main surface thereof that is on a side of the cathode catalyst layer, and is compressed by the fastener.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell separator precursor that is obtained by impregnating a porous sheet, which contains a conductive filler, with a resin composition that contains a thermoplastic resin and a conductive filler.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprising stacked unit cells, each comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrodes disposed on both surfaces thereof, two separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly, and a frame-shaped resin sheet disposed between the two separators and around the membrane electrode assembly to attach the separators, wherein the resin sheet comprises a first protrusion protruding in the planar direction of the resin sheet and occupying a part of a first region occupied by a reaction gas inlet manifold, and a second protrusion protruding in the planar direction of the resin sheet and occupying a part of a second region occupied by a reaction gas outlet manifold; and wherein the resin sheet comprises at least one water discharge hole at a predetermined position of at least one protrusion selected from the group consisting of the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

Abstract: Various designs and configurations of and methods of operating fuel cell units, fuel cell systems and combined heat and power systems are provided that permit efficient thermal management of such units and systems to improve their operation.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator includes a separator main body having a first surface and a second surface, and a first seal member disposed on the first surface. When a region on the first surface of the separator main body corresponding to an electrode member disposed on the second surface is defined as a power generation region, and a region on the first surface of the separator main body corresponding to an in-cell seal member is defined as a seal region, a displacement/vibration reducing member made of polymer is disposed at a part of the seal region. The displacement/vibration reducing member includes multiple protrusions and a coupling portion. When viewed in plan view, an axis line connecting the centers of the figures of the adjacent protrusions does not coincide with a center line passing through the widthwise center of the coupling portion. The coupling portion has a gate cut mark.

Abstract: A cooling control system includes: a fuel cell stack formed with a cooling flow path in which hydrogen and oxygen are received and reacted, respectively, and coolant flows between separators; a coolant circulation line connected with the cooling flow path of the fuel cell stack, and having the coolant flowing therein; a cooling pump connected to the coolant circulation line to circulate the coolant to cool the fuel cell stack; a heat generation amount estimator for estimating the heat generation amount of the fuel cell stack; a coolant estimator for estimating an amount of the coolant to cool the fuel cell stack based on the heat generation amount of the fuel cell stack; and a driving controller for controlling the operation of the cooling pump based on the estimated amount of the coolant.

Abstract: According to the present invention, electrolyte membrane electrode structures have a staggered arrangement wherein a part of an anode electrode faces a part of one of two adjacent cathode electrodes, with an electrolyte membrane being interposed therebetween, and another part of the anode electrode faces a part of the other cathode electrode, with an interconnect part being interposed therebetween, said interconnect part being formed in the electrolyte membrane. A fuel cell according to the present invention is additionally provided with a fuel gas supply layer that is provided with a fuel gas supply path in which a fuel gas to be supplied to the anode electrode flows. A wall part between fuel gas supply paths in the fuel gas supply layer is superposed on the interconnect part, with the anode electrode being interposed therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas diffusion layer including a porous carbonaceous film layer for a fuel cell, in which the average pore diameter of the porous carbonaceous film layer is 0.1 ?m to 100 ?m, a membrane-electrode assembly including the gas diffusion layer, and a fuel cell including the membrane-electrode assembly.

Abstract: In a urea injection system of a vehicle, to detect the shortage of the cooling water by using an electric water pump (EWP) to cool a dosing injector during the running of the vehicle engine, the apparatus for detecting shortage of the cooling water in the vehicle includes a urea injector that injects urea into an exhaust pipe of the vehicle, a pump that cools the urea injector, and a controller that applies a reference current to the pump, measures a time taken until a revolutions per minute (RPM) of the pump reaches a reference RPM, and detects the shortage of the cooling water in the pump by comparing the measured time and a reference time.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes: an electrolyte membrane; first and second catalyst layers respectively formed on first and second surface of the electrolyte membrane; and a separator disposed opposite to the electrolyte membrane with respect to the first catalyst layer.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to heat transfer fluids for use in heat transfer systems. The heat transfer fluids comprise at least one non-aqueous dielectric heat transfer fluid. The non-aqueous dielectric heat transfer fluid has density (?), specific heat (cp), and dynamic viscosity (?) properties.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a controller acquires temperature data periodically while receiving a first mode designating signal, writes the temperature data into a nonvolatile storage while or after the first mode designating signal, acquires temperature data after a lapse of a predetermined time from designation of the second mode, writes the temperature data into the nonvolatile storage while or after a lapse of a predetermined time since the designation of the second mode, acquires temperature data at a timing of changing from the second mode to the first mode, and write the acquired temperature data into the nonvolatile storage at or after the timing of changing from the second mode to the first mode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, is a battery module that comprises an encapsulant material exhibiting improved thermal transfer and heat dissipation characteristics. In one example embodiment, the battery module comprises a “stack” of cells, wherein at least some of the cells, and optionally each cell, is not separated by a metal plate or tab-shaped heat sink layer, and instead, the cells are substantially surrounded by an encapsulant material and stacked directly upon one another.

Abstract: A spring member is used in a fuel cell stack. The spring member includes a planar portion and a spring portion. The planar portion is joined to a separator in a state of surface contact with the separator. The spring portion extends from the planar portion and generates an elastic force for pressing the separator toward a power generation cell by receiving force in a stacking direction of a cell unit and undergoing bending deformation.

Abstract: An air-metal battery utilizes a magnesium anode, a carbon cathode, and a conductive fluid including glycol and water. The anode and cathode are provided in a fuel card assembly that is replaceable as a unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a separator for a fuel cell, including a central part with a rectangular shape, and a surrounding part disposed to surround the central part, wherein the surrounding part includes an outlet manifold positioned at a pair of edges of the central part, which are opposed each other, and an inlet manifold positioned along a side of the central part to be adjacent to another edge except for the pair of edges at which the outlet manifold is positioned, and the central part includes a plurality of guide patterns that are spaced apart from each other to guide fluids introduced through the inlet manifold toward the outlet manifold.

Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle according to the present disclosure includes, in a front room: a fuel cell stack fixed to an upper part of a stack frame; a high voltage element fixed to an upper part of the fuel cell stack; and an ion exchanger that is arranged in front of the fuel cell stack and the high voltage element. The stack frame is provided with an inclined part, and when the ion exchanger is displaced rearward at the time of a frontal crash of the fuel cell vehicle, a rear part in a lower end of the ion exchanger is slid along an inclined surface of the inclined part and the ion exchanger is displaced in a diagonally upward direction, whereby the cap part of the ion exchanger is positioned on the upper side in the vertical direction with respect to the high voltage element.

Abstract: The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a hydrogen circulation pump, heating portion, and a controller. The hydrogen circulation pump is configured to circulate hydrogen to the fuel cell and includes a cylinder and a rotor accommodated in the cylinder. The heating portion is configured to heat the cylinder. The controller is configured to control an operation of the heating portion. The controller is configured to cause the heating portion to heat the cylinder in a case where a driving state of the hydrogen circulation pump is higher than or equal to a standard driving state.

Abstract: Various designs and configurations of and methods of operating fuel cell units, fuel cell systems and combined heat and power systems are provided that permit efficient thermal management of such units and systems to improve their operation.

Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell system and an exhaust gas pipe. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, an oxygen-containing gas supply line, an oxygen-containing gas discharge line, and an air pump. The air pump includes a compressor provided in an oxygen-containing gas supply line, and an expander provided in an oxygen-containing gas discharge line. An air cleaner is provided upstream of the compressor. An exhaust gas pipe is connected to an expander. The air compressor is closer to the air cleaner than the expander is.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling hydrogen supply for a fuel cell are provided. The method includes calculating a target hydrogen supply pressure, which is a target pressure value of hydrogen supplied to a fuel cell stack based on a required output. A fuel supply valve (FSV) duty is then adjusted based on the calculated target hydrogen supply pressure and modes are determined based on the FSV duty or actual hydrogen supply pressure measurements of a sensor. A hydrogen supply pressure measurement is calculated according to each of the determined modes and the FSV duty is corrected based on the calculated target hydrogen supply pressure and the hydrogen supply pressure measurement.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a fuel cell separator includes preparing a separator member in which an uncured thermosetting resin layer is provided on a surface of a core member, as a preparation step; and pressing the separator member while heating the separator member so that a gas flow passage is formed in the separator member while the uncured thermosetting resin layer is cured, as a hot-press step.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack in which unit cells are stacked, wherein the unit cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly; an insulating member; a first separator; a second separator; and a gasket, a hole penetrates through the insulating member and the first and second separators, the gasket extends around the hole on the insulating member, a flow path portion is formed in at least one of the first and second separators, the first and second separators define a communicating portion, one of the first and second separators includes: first and second protruding portions; and a recessed portion, at least a part of the communicating portion is defined by the first and second protruding portions, the recessed portion, and the other of the first and second separators, and the first separator includes a support portion contacting and supporting the insulating member on a back side of the gasket.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a load receiver provided in a first separator, and a contact portion. The load receiver includes a protrusion protruding outward from an outer peripheral portion of the first separator. The protrusion includes a protrusion body positioned at the center in a width direction of the protrusion, and a pair of expansions expanded in the width direction from both ends of the protrusion body in the width direction. When the load receiver contacts the contact portion, only a top portion of the expansion contacts the contact portion.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a power-generation channel provided on a surface of a cathode-side separator which faces a MEA and a cooling channel provided on a surface of the cathode-side separator opposite to the MEA. Air flows through the power-generation channel and the cooling channel. The cooling channel is separated from the power-generation channel by a side wall. The cross-sectional area of the power-generation channel on the air outlet side is smaller than that of the power-generation channel at a position upstream of the air outlet side, and the cross-sectional area of the cooling channel on the air outlet side is larger than that of the cooling channel at a position upstream of the air outlet side. A through-hole is provided in a side wall that separates the power-generation channel from the cooling channel.

Abstract: An end plate of a fuel cell stack includes a metal plate body including a plurality of through holes and a resin cover that covers a wall surface defining each of the through holes. The cover includes a body, a flange projecting outward in a radial direction from an outer end of the body, an annular rim extending toward the inner side from an outer edge of the flange, and a coupling rib that couples an inner circumferential surface of the rim to an outer circumferential surface of the body. The plate body further includes an outer end surface including a recess. The recess is filled with the flange, the rim, and the coupling rib.

Abstract: The fuel cell FC includes a discharge manifold AMe for discharging anode offgas from inside the fuel cell to outside the fuel cell. In the discharge manifold AMe, discharge pipe 45 is placed, and a support mechanism 400 is provided, the support mechanism including one or plural supporting portions 41 for supporting the discharge pipe 45 as well as an engaging portion 43 for placing a distal end portion 45a of the discharge pipe 45 at a position apart from a closed end E2 of the discharge manifold AMe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell (10) comprising a membrane electrode assembly (16) and two gas diffusion layers (14) co-operating with the assembly to form a unit cell (12). The fuel cell (10) also has a two-phase thermal diffuser (24) having a condensation zone and an evaporation zone, the evaporation zone being arranged between the bipolar plates (14) of two adjacent unit cells (12). The two-phase thermal diffuser (24) also has a heating element arranged in the condensation zone. The invention also provides a system comprising the fuel cell and a controller, and it also provides a method of regulating the temperature of the fuel cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ion exchange membranes, electrochemical systems, and methods that relate to various configurations of the ion exchange membranes and other components of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A system for cooling a mobile phone and method for using the system are described. The system includes an active piezoelectric cooling system, a controller and an interface. The active piezoelectric cooling system is configured to be disposed in a rear portion of the mobile phone distal from a front screen of the mobile phone. The controller is configured to activate the active piezoelectric cooling system in response to heat generated by heat-generating structures of the mobile phone. The interface is configured to receive power from a mobile phone power source when the active piezoelectric cooling system is activated.

Abstract: A non-electrical battery can include a backing plate; a plurality of strings disposed in parallel relation on the backing plate, each string comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each string is attached to the backing plate and each string extends away from the backing plate; and a charging mechanism attached to the second end of each string to apply a force to the strings to increase a potential energy stored by the strings.

Abstract: A spacer for an electrolyzer cell of substantially annular shape comprises: a peripheral part having two parallel principal faces opposite each other, the distance separating the two principal faces defining a thickness of the spacer, and an internal part having a thickness strictly less than the thickness of the spacer, the peripheral part and the internal part being in one piece and connected to each other forming an internal annular shoulder so that the internal part has a substantially annular intermediate face extending in a plane parallel to the two principal faces of the peripheral part and situated between the two principal faces.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to heat transfer fluids for use in heat transfer systems. The heat transfer fluids comprise at least one non-aqueous dielectric heat transfer fluid. The non-aqueous dielectric heat transfer fluid has density (?), specific heat (cp), and dynamic viscosity (?) properties.

Abstract: A coolant storage tank (1) for storing coolant in a fuel cell system (2), the coolant storage tank comprising a plurality of individually controllable heater elements (7, 8a, 8b). A coolant storage tank comprising a first heater element (7) located at a base of the coolant storage tank and a second heater element (8a) is also disclosed. A coolant storage tank comprising a first coolant storage compartment (50) in fluid communication with a second coolant storage compartment (51), the first coolant storage compartment including at least a first heater element (54) and wherein the second coolant storage compartment is unheated is also disclosed. A method of melting frozen coolant in a coolant storage tank is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flow-guiding plate for a fuel cell, including a conductive sheet including a relief: defining alternating flow channels on first and second faces, two successive channels on the first face being separated by walls; defining first and second access holes at ends of each of the flow channels on the second face and of a first group of flow channels on the first face; defining a flow restriction in each flow channel of a second group of flow channels on the first face, the cross-section of the flow restrictions being smaller than the cross-section of the access holes to the flow channels of the first group, the first face including alternating flow channels of the first group and alternating flow channels of the second group.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling heat loss from an electrolytic cell in a smelting process using an adjustable fluid passage to control the heat loss from a preferred area of the electrolytic cell side walls based on operating conditions in the electrolytic cell, and to direct the waste heat from the electrolytic cell side walls back into the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: An object is to equalize the level of cooling along a top-bottom direction of a fuel cell stack. A fuel cell stack has an anode-side separator placed between a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies. The anode-side separator comprises a separator center area that is arranged to face a power generation area of the membrane electrode assembly; an outer peripheral portion that is extended from the separator center area to outer periphery and has a plurality of openings for cooling medium supply manifolds; and a rib that is firmed from a beam portion provided to separate the adjacent openings for cooling medium supply manifolds from each other, over an area between the openings for cooling medium supply manifolds and the separator center area.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell, the output voltage of which is improved by making a membrane moist state uniform. An anode-side gas diffusion layer and a cathode-side gas diffusion layer are joined to a membrane electrode assembly, and a separator is joined to the anode-side gas diffusion layer. The separator has a recess portion and a protrusion portion formed to constitute a gas flow path and a refrigerant flow path, respectively. The cross-sectional area of the recess portion is made relatively small at the downstream side in comparison with that at the upstream side, and the cross-sectional area of the protrusion portion is made relatively large at the downstream side in comparison with that at the upstream side, thereby improving the moist state.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a structural endplate having an exterior surface. An insulator plate contacts an interior surface of the structural endplate located on an opposite surface of the endplate relative to the exterior surface. A collector plate contacts the insulator plate on an opposite side of the insulator plate relative to the structural endplate. A pocket plate is located on an interior side of the collector plate located on an opposite side of the insulator plate relative to the structural endplate. The collective plate is received in a pocket of an exterior side of the pocket plate. The exterior side is adjacent the collector plate and closer to the structural endplate than an opposite side of the pocket plate.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a first line provided with a fuel cell stack and allowing a coolant to be circulated therethrough; and a second line provided with an air conditioning system and connected to the first line to allow a portion of the coolant to be selectively circulated therethrough, wherein the air conditioning system includes: a first flow path including a first inlet through which first air is introduced; a second flow path including a second inlet through which second air is introduced, and one or more communication holes communicating with the first flow path; an opening and closing device independently opening and closing the second inlet and the communication holes; a cooler disposed in the first flow path and cooling the air passing through the first flow path; and a heater core disposed in the second flow path and exchanging heat between the coolant passing through the second line and the air passing through the second flow path.