Abstract: An apparatus for discharging water of a fuel cell is provided. The apparatus includes a separation tube that has an inlet formed to face up to be connected to a fuel cell stack and has a first outlet and a second outlet to separately discharge gas and liquid. A discharge tube is connected to the first outlet formed at a lower portion of the separation tube, extends downward, and has a bending portion that bends upward at a predetermined section.

Abstract: The method comprises: determining whether or not an inlet temperature is equal to or above a lower-limit temperature of a temperature range in which generated water does not freeze within the fuel cell; and adjusting the flow rate of the cooling medium in the circulation flow path to become more than the normal flow rate when it is determined that the inlet temperature is equal to or above the lower-limit temperature, and adjusting the flow rate of the cooling medium in the circulation flow path to be equal to or below the normal flow rate when it is determined that the inlet temperature is not equal to or above the lower-limit temperature.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a first knock pin and a second knock pin. A separator has an outer peripheral shape having first and second short sides. The separator has a first knock pin insertion hole adjacent to the first side and a second knock pin insertion hole adjacent to the second side. The first and second knock pin insertion holes have a circular shape. The first insulating plate has third and fourth knock pin insertion holes. The second insulating plate has fifth and sixth knock pin insertion holes. The first knock pin is inserted into the third and fifth knock pin insertion holes to be movable in the third and fifth knock pin insertion holes. The second knock pin is inserted into the fourth and sixth knock pin insertion holes to be movable in the fourth and sixth knock pin insertion holes.

Abstract: An on-board aircraft dried inert gas system includes a source inert gas containing water, an air cycle or vapor cycle cooling system, and a heat exchanger condenser. The heat exchanger condenser has a heat absorption side in thermal communication with the air cycle or vapor cycle cooling system. The heat exchanger condenser has a heat rejection side that receives the inert gas containing water and outputs dried inert gas.

Abstract: A thermal management system of a fuel cell vehicle includes a cold start loop which heats a coolant that flows through a fuel cell during a cold start of the fuel cell, and a cooling loop which moves a coolant that cools the fuel cell.

Abstract: There are provided a stock solution composition for fuel cell vehicle coolant used by dilution with a diluent comprising water and a method for producing the same, and further a fuel cell vehicle coolant composition having improved storage stability and a method for producing the same. The present invention relates to a method for producing a stock solution composition for fuel cell vehicle coolant, wherein the stock solution composition comprises at least one ethylene glycol compound selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol, and is used by dilution with a diluent comprising water, and the method comprises the following steps: (a) a step of selecting as a raw material an ethylene glycol compound having an ethylene glycol monoformate content of 60 ppm or less; or (b) a step of selecting as a raw material an ethylene glycol compound, wherein a 50% by mass aqueous solution of the ethylene glycol compound has a conductivity of 4.

Abstract: A flow plate for use as an anode current collector in an electrolytic cell for the production of hydrogen from water is provided. The flow plate comprises a channel plate and a cover plate. A front face of the channel plate is provided with a flow field pattern of open-faced channels defined by depressed portions alternating with elevated portions. The cover plate made of a material that is corrosion resistant in an anodic environment of water electrolysis. The cover plate is arranged parallel on top of the channel plate and in electrical contact with the front face thereof. The cover plate is further provided with a pattern of through-going apertures alternating with closed portions, and the closed portions cover at least the elevated portions of the channel plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell stack with improved corrosion resistance, in which the outer edge of the fuel cell stack including an outer cut portion of each metallic bipolar plate can be effectively prevented from being corroded. For this purpose, the present invention provides a fuel cell stack including a waterproof member which is formed at an outer edge of a metallic bipolar plate to seal a gap between joined surfaces of the metallic bipolar plate, a membrane-electrode assembly, a gas diffusion layer, and a gasket from the outside thereof such that water vapor and moisture from the fuel cell stack are prevented from being brought into contact with an outer cut portion of each metallic bipolar plate by the waterproof member.

Abstract: A circulation pipe for a coolant is connected to a fuel cell. A pump and a heat exchanger are connected to the circulation pipe. A bypass pipe is connected in parallel with the pump. An ion exchanger is connected to the bypass pipe. An electronic cooling device is connected to the bypass pipe on an upstream side of the ion exchanger. The coolant, which is supplied to the ion exchanger, is cooled by the electronic cooling device to a predetermined temperature, so that the ion-exchange resins are prevented from being abnormally heated by the coolant.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided that includes a water transport plate separating an air flow field and a water flow field. The driving force for moving water across the water transport plate into the water flow field is produced by a differential pressure across a restriction. The restriction is arranged between an air outlet of the cathode water transport plate and a head of a reservoir that is in fluid communication with the water flow field.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of unit cells, a cooling plate and a block plate. Each unit cell includes a cathode electrode and an anode electrode respectively at opposing sides of an electrolyte membrane, and a separator facing each of the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. The cooling plate is between adjacent unit cells a cooling medium flows in the cooling plate. The block plate is between the cooling plate and an adjacent unit cell of the adjacent unit cells. The block plate blocks the cooling medium flowing in the cooling plate from contacting the adjacent unit cell of the adjacent unit cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs a closed coolant loop. The system includes an expansion device having a flexible membrane, where a cooling fluid side of the membrane is in fluid communication with the cooling fluid in the coolant loop and an air side of the membrane is in communication with an air pocket. The air side of the expansion device is in air communication with an air compressor so that the pressure of the cooling fluid within the coolant loop changes as the stack pressure changes. The fuel cell system also includes a coolant reservoir that is in fluid communication with the cooling fluid in the coolant loop. Air and hydrogen bubbles within the cooling fluid are vented to the coolant reservoir where they accumulate. The coolant reservoir includes a level sensor indicating the level of the cooling fluid therein.

Abstract: A fuel cell cooling system includes a fuel cell having a liquid loop that produces water vapor. An antifreeze cooling loop includes an inductor that receives the water vapor and introduces the water vapor to an antifreeze. The water is separated from the antifreeze and returned to the liquid cooling loop as liquid water after the mixture of condensed water vapor and antifreeze has passed through a radiator. Water in the liquid cooling loop exits the fuel cell and passes through a restricting valve thereby lowering the pressure of the water. A flash cooler downstream from the restricting valve collects the water vapor and provides it to the inductor in the antifreeze cooling loop. The flash cooling in the first cooling loop provides a first cooling capacity that is low temperature and pressure compatible with fuel cell operation.

Abstract: A thermal management system is disclosed for a hybrid vehicle having an electrochemical power source (battery/fuel cell) and an internal combustion engine. In cooling mode, the system will flow liquid refrigerant over an evaporator attached to the battery/fuel cell, a two-phase mixture will then flow to the condenser where the heat is dissipated to ambient. In cold conditions where the battery/fuel cell needs to be warmed, the system will pick up heat from the engine and pump the warm fluid back to the battery/fuel cell until its optimal operating temperature is reached.

Abstract: A system for cooling a fuel cell stack and a drive unit in a fuel cell vehicle is disclosed, wherein the system includes a drive unit and a fuel cell stack. An oil cooling loop for the drive unit includes a three way valve, a liquid to liquid heat exchanger, and a pump. The liquid to liquid heat exchanger may be used to transfer drive unit off heat into the stack coolant loop. By not using an oil to air heat exchanger overall heat exchanger arrangement air side pressure drop can be minimized and airflow increased. The three way valve allows decoupling of the cooling loops if needed to inhibit negative impact on the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A connection mechanism for fluid pipings, for connecting a plurality of the fluid pipings to flow a fluid, includes: a first component provided to one side of the plurality of the fluid pipings and including a movable portion constituting a part of a pressure control valve and operated by a differential pressure; a second component provided to another side of the plurality of the fluid pipings and including an opening and closing mechanism which is opened and closed by an operation of the movable portion constituting the part of the pressure control valve; and a transmission mechanism provided to at least one of the first component and the second component.

Abstract: To mitigate bubble blockage in water passageways (78, 85), in or near reactant gas flow field plates (74, 81) of fuel cells (38), passageways are configured with (a) intersecting polygons, obtuse angles including triangles, trapezoids, or (b) hydrophobic surfaces (111), or (c) differing adjacent channels (127, 128), or (d) water permeable layers (93, 115, 116, 119) adjacent to water channels or hydrophobic/hydrophilic layers (114, 120).

Abstract: A fuel cell cooling system (10) includes a fuel cell (12) having a liquid loop (24) that produces water vapor. An antifreeze cooling loop (38) includes an inductor (40) that receives the water vapor and introduces the water vapor to an antifreeze. The water is separated (48) from the antifreeze and returned to the liquid cooling loop as liquid water (50) after the mixture of condensed water vapor and antifreeze has passed through a radiator (46). Water in the liquid cooling loop (24) exits the fuel cell (12) and passes through a restricting valve (32) thereby lowering the pressure of the water A flash cooler (34) downstream from the restricting valve collects the water vapor and provides it to the inductor (40) in the antifreeze cooling loop (38).

Abstract: A fuel cell cooling device has a cooling loop for circulating a coolant fluid. At least during the operation of the fuel cell, an ion extraction medium that is in the liquid state is provided. A method for cleaning a coolant with a corresponding fuel cell cooling device is provided as well.

Abstract: A coolant subsystem for use in a fuel processor and a method for its operation are disclosed. In accordance with a first aspect, the coolant subsystem is separate from the feed to the processor reactor and is capable of circulating a coolant through the processor reactor. In accordance with a second aspect, the constituent elements of the fuel processor are housed in a cabinet, and the coolant subsystem is capable of cooling both the processor reactor and the interior of the cabinet. In various alternatives, the fuel processor can be employed to reform a fuel for a fuel cell power plant and/or may be used to provide thermal control for unrelated mechanical systems.

Abstract: An integrated charge air heat exchanger for use in a vehicle fuel cell system is provided. The integrated charge air heat exchanger includes a plurality of coolant conduits adapted for a coolant fluid to flow therethrough. The integrated charge air heat exchanger further includes a plurality of heating elements and a plurality of fin elements. One heating element is disposed on a first surface of each of the coolant conduits, and one of the fin elements is disposed on a second surface of each of the coolant conduits. A method for heating the coolant fluid in a first operational mode and cooling a charge air stream in a second operational mode is also provided.

Abstract: A heat transfer controlling mechanism and a fuel cell system, which allow working fluid to flow in a predetermined direction in a loop-shaped flow path without a back flow, having a simple structure independent of the orientation during use, low power consumption, and efficient heat transfer and size reduction. The mechanism includes a vaporizing portion, a condensing portion, and a loop-shaped flow path connecting the vaporizing and the condensing portions so as to seal working fluid. The mechanism transports heat by vaporizing the fluid in the vaporizing portion and condensing the fluid in the condensing portion to control heat transfer. The mechanism further includes a gas passage suppressing portion on one side in the flow path, for allowing liquid, but not gas, to pass therethrough and a liquid passage suppressing portion on the other side in the flow path, for allowing gas, but not liquid, to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A heat exchanging apparatus adapted to a fuel cell system includes a water-collecting tank, at least one first pipe, at least one second pipe, an airflow generator, and a housing. The water-collecting tank has a fluid outlet and is adapted to be communicated with a fuel-mixing tank of the fuel cell system. The first pipe is adapted to receive vapor produced by a cathode of a fuel cell module of the fuel cell system. The second pipe is communicated between the first pipe and the water-collecting tank, and is communicated with the outside through the fluid outlet. The airflow generator is adapted to generate a cooling airflow, flowing through outside the second pipe, and performing heat exchange with the vapor inside the second pipe. The housing has a first channel with the first pipe disposed therein and a second channel with the second pipe disposed therein.

Abstract: A heat recycling system of fuel cells is provided. The heat recycling system includes: a fuel cell apparatus, a cooling tank, an adsorption refrigerating apparatus, a first set of valve, and a second set of valve. The adsorption refrigerating apparatus has a first adsorption bed, a second adsorption bed, a first evaporator/condenser, and a second evaporator/condenser. The first set of valve connects the fuel cell apparatus and the cooling tank to the first adsorption bed and the second adsorption bed. The second set of valve connects the first evaporator/condenser and the second evaporator/condenser to the cooling tank. Switching of the first and the second sets of valve is controlled by an automatic control system communicating between the fuel cell apparatus, the cooling tank, and the adsorption refrigerating apparatus. Thus, waste heat generated by the fuel cell apparatus is timely brought away, recycled, and reused by the adsorption refrigerating apparatus.