Abstract: Methods and systems related to the field of electrolyzers are disclosed. An electrolyzer assembly is disclosed which includes a stack of cells, a plurality of polar plates in the stack of cells, a plurality of flow fields between the plurality of polar plates, a conduit fluidly connecting flow fields in the plurality of flow fields, an electrically conductive fluid in the conduit, a plurality of insulating layers arranged between a conductive surface of the plurality of flow fields and the conduit, and a plurality of openings in the plurality of insulating layers providing a plurality of fluid connections between the conduit and the plurality of flow fields.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system, including: a housing; an electrolyte disposed in the housing; a plurality of discharging cathodes immersed in the electrolyte and a plurality of first spaces between the discharging cathodes, a metallic material, when placed in the first spaces, forms a plurality of discharging anodes; an electrochemical system, including: a housing, an electrolyte disposed in the housing, a discharging assembly immersed in the electrolyte including one or more discharging cathodes and a first space amid the discharging cathodes and the interior surface of the housing, a metallic material, wherein the first space contains the metallic material to form one or more discharging anodes, and a second space above the discharging assembly contains the metallic material in excess of the portion in the first space; and methods of simultaneous charging and discharging.

Abstract: The present invention includes a fuel cell system having a plurality of adjacent electrochemical cells formed of an anode layer, a cathode layer spaced apart from the anode layer, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the anode layer and the cathode layer. The fuel cell system also includes at least one interconnect, the interconnect being structured to conduct free electrons between adjacent electrochemical cells. Each interconnect includes a primary conductor embedded within the electrolyte layer and structured to conduct the free electrons.

Abstract: The present invention includes a fuel cell system having a plurality of adjacent electrochemical cells formed of an anode layer, a cathode layer spaced apart from the anode layer, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the anode layer and the cathode layer. The fuel cell system also includes at least one interconnect, the interconnect being structured to conduct free electrons between adjacent electrochemical cells. Each interconnect includes a primary conductor embedded within the electrolyte layer and structured to conduct the free electrons.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell stack assembly is disclosed comprising a member made of an elastic and electrically conductive material placed between a bus bar and a starter plate. The elastic, electrically conducting member covers at least a peripheral region along a perimeter of a recess housing the bus bar to distribute compression forces over an interface area between the bus bar and an insulator end plate, thereby reducing shear stresses in the starter plate when the stack is compressed. An elastic pad also may be arranged in the recess and between the insulator end plate and the bus bar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery pack which includes: a battery case comprising a first case member and a second case member, which in combination define an enclosed space, the first case member comprising a first sealing portion, the second case member comprising a second sealing portion, wherein the first and second sealing portions adhere to each other for sealing the enclosed space; an electrode assembly contained in the enclosed space, the electrode assembly comprising a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator disposed between the first and second electrode plates; an electrolyte contained in the enclosed space; and a pocket formed in at least one of the first and second sealing portions, wherein the pocket contains an ionic material.

Abstract: A cell stack of a fuel cell comprises a cell stack body including a cell stack structure including plural cells stacked together; an elastic member disposed at an end of the cell stack structure in a direction in which the plural cells are stacked, and a pair of end plates sandwiching the cell stack structure and the elastic member, and a fastener band extending to surround the cell stack body and to cover a pair of end surfaces and a pair of opposing side surfaces of the cell stack body, the fastener band including a first band engagement portion and a second band engagement portion at both end portions thereof, respectively, and the cell stack body is fastened by the fastener band by direct or indirect engagement between the first band engagement portion and the second band engagement portion.

Abstract: In a planar-array cell structure, an area required by interconnectors is reduced and a fuel cell is made further compact. A connection part which connects adjacent cells in series is provided within a sealing member provided in a peripheral edge part of an electrolyte membrane where multiple cells are formed in a planar arrangement. For each cell, an anode terminal of a current collector is disposed counter to a cathode terminal of the current collector via the electrolyte membrane. The connection part penetrates the electrolyte membrane and connects the anode terminal of one of the adjacent cells to the cathode terminal of the other of the adjacent cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell with multiple independent reaction regions comprises multiple fuel cell units. Each fuel cell unit comprises bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly located between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises a proton exchange membrane and catalyst layers located at both sides of the proton exchange membrane, and the catalyst layers at least at one side of the proton exchange membrane are formed with multiple mutually independent catalyst sublayers. Different from the prior design concepts of striving to distribute reactants as uniformly as possible in the whole reaction area, the whole cell in this invention is divided into multiple independent reaction regions, and relevance of the reaction regions is eliminated. Therefore, by partitioning and reducing the amplitude of possible voltage difference, this invention is able to reduce electrochemical corrosion and maximize performance of each independent region and the whole fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell module for a vehicle, which accommodates a stacked-cell body which is provided with electric output terminals for taking electric power from stacked power generating cells in a metallic casing which has an insulation layer on its inner surface, is disposed in a vehicle front room such that the stacked direction of the power generating cells is a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the electric output terminals face the front of the vehicle. An insulating cover made of insulating rubber which is thicker than an insulation layer of a cover is disposed on the exterior surface of the electric output terminals to prevent short circuiting of the electric output terminals.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell that is resistant to seal delamination is disclosed. The solid oxide fuel cell comprises, either individually or in combination, a solid electrically non -conductive frame, a seal structure comprising a material capable of preventing a transfer of charge across the seal during fuel cell operation, and a seal comprising a glass frit that is substantially free of oxides of lithium, sodium, or both lithium and sodium. Methods for manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: A secondary battery including a bare cell, a protection circuit module electrically coupled to the bare cell, and a holder between the bare cell and the protection circuit module, wherein the protection circuit module includes a flexible printed circuit board having an upper and a lower surface, a charging/discharging terminal on the upper surface of the flexible printed circuit board and a protection circuit unit on the lower surface of the flexible printed circuit board opposite to the charging/discharging terminal, and the holder is disposed on the protection circuit unit on the lower surface of the flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract: A secondary battery including a first bare cell, a second bare cell disposed to face at least a portion of the first bare cell, and a protection circuit module including a circuit board having an electrical circuit device mounted thereon and at least one connection tab between the first and second bare cells, the connection tab electrically connecting the circuit board to the first and second bare cells.

Abstract: A seal is provided for use in a solid oxide fuel cell, wherein the seal is formed of alternating adjacent layers of a fiber tow material and a foil material. A solid oxide fuel cell stack is also disclosed and is formed of repeating cell units, each cell unit having a plurality of fuel cell stack components defining opposed component surfaces, and the seal as described above positioned between the opposed component surfaces. A process is also provided for manufacturing a composite seal for a solid oxide fuel cell, and the process including the steps of: (a) feeding a quantity of spooled fiber tow material through an inert bonding agent to form a coated fiber tow material; (b) winding the coated fiber tow material about a mandrel to form a wound layer of fiber tow material; (c) feeding a quantity of spooled foil material about the wound layer of fiber tow material to form a wound layer of foil material; and (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) until forming a composite seal having desired thickness and width.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte matrix having a cathode side with a cathode disposed thereon and an anode side with an anode receiving portion and a sealing portion positioned peripherally to the anode receiving portion. The anode receiving portion has an anode disposed thereon. A fuel conduit has one or more one sealing platforms and having an opening extending through the fuel conduit. The anode is positioned in the opening. The fuel cell includes one or more devices for preventing the occurrence an electrical short circuit between the cathode and the sealing platform. The device for preventing the electrical short circuit is aligned with the sealing portion and sealing platform and is positioned on the electrolyte matrix, the cathode and/or the sealing platform.

Abstract: A fuel cell module for a vehicle, which accommodates a stacked-cell body which is provided with electric output terminals for taking electric power from stacked power generating cells in a metallic casing which has an insulation layer on its inner surface, is disposed in a vehicle front room such that the stacked direction of the power generating cells is a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the electric output terminals face the front of the vehicle. An insulating cover made of insulating rubber which is thicker than an insulation layer of a cover is disposed on the exterior surface of the electric output terminals to prevent short circuiting of the electric output terminals.

Abstract: A fuel cell module for a vehicle, which accommodates a stacked-cell body which is provided with electric output terminals for taking electric power from stacked power generating cells in a metallic casing which has an insulation layer on its inner surface, is disposed in a vehicle front room such that the stacked direction of the power generating cells is a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the electric output terminals face the front of the vehicle. An insulating cover made of insulating rubber which is thicker than an insulation layer of a cover is disposed on the exterior surface of the electric output terminals to prevent short circuiting of the electric output terminals.

Abstract: An electric insulator for a fuel cell stack with a plurality of fuel cell plates is provided. The electric insulator includes an insulation layer having a water management feature adapted to militate against liquid water contacting the fuel cell plates. Fuel cell stacks having the water management feature are also described.

Abstract: A fuel cell module for a vehicle, which accommodates a stacked-cell body which is provided with electric output terminals for taking electric power from stacked power generating cells in a metallic casing which has an insulation layer on its inner surface, is disposed in a vehicle front room such that the stacked direction of the power generating cells is a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the electric output terminals face the front of the vehicle. An insulating cover made of insulating rubber which is thicker than an insulation layer of a cover is disposed on the exterior surface of the electric output terminals to prevent short circuiting of the electric output terminals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal short circuit evaluation method for a battery including an electrode group including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate and a separator disposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and an outer jacket covering the electrode group, the method including the steps of: (I) processing the electrode group to a predetermined position of the electrode group, from the outside of the electrode group toward the inside thereof; and (II) causing a short circuit between a portion of the electrode plate and a portion of the negative electrode plate of the electrode group that are located inside from the predetermined position, and measuring battery information that is changed by the short circuit, and an evaluation apparatus used for the above-described method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to electrochemical cell assemblies in which a region of discontinuity provides separation and insulation between adjacent cells in an array.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bipolar plate for a fuel cell, of the type that comprises anode and cathode bipolar half plates (1, 1?) which are placed next to one another. The central part of each bipolar half plate comprises an active zone (2), while the periphery thereof comprises a plurality of cut-outs (4, 4?, 5, 5?, 6) which are intended to form at least two oxidant tanks, two fuel tanks and two coolant tanks. Moreover, at least one bipolar half plate comprises at least one connecting rib (8, 8?, 10, 12) between a peripheral cut-out and the active zone. Projecting out from the outer face, each coolant tank cut-out is surrounded by a sealing rib (7, 7?) and the periphery of each bipolar half plate comprises a rib (15, 15?) for sealing the active zone, which connects the coolant tank sealing ribs and which surrounds the oxidant and fuel tanks. Furthermore, each channel formed by a rib segment (15, 15?) between two coolant tanks is blocked by a blocking means (17, 17?).

Abstract: At least one positive temperature coefficient element is used to efficiently control fuel cell voltage at startup and shutdown making the fuel cell more efficient and protecting the electro catalyst layer.

Abstract: An electrical shorting device for a fuel cell is provided, wherein the shorting device includes an electrically conductive body and an actuator coupled to the conductive body and adapted to selectively position the body between an electrically conductive and a non-electrically conductive position to selectively provide electrical communication between an anode plate and a cathode plate of the fuel cell. The shorting device facilitates electrical shorting of individual cells during the startup and shutdown of the fuel cell to eliminate the electrical potential across a proton exchange membrane that causes a degradation of a catalyst layer disposed on an a surface of an electrode of the fuel cells.

Abstract: A direct type fuel cell power generator comprises an anode electrode including an anode catalyst layer, a cathode electrode including a cathode catalyst layer, a fuel container comprising at least two electromotive portion units, each of which comprises an electrolyte film disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, the fuel container housing a fuel therein, and a fuel flow path to supply a fuel in the electromotive portion unit. In the power generator, the fuel flow path has a flow path which produces flow-back again from the fuel container to the first electromotive portion unit via the first electromotive portion unit and the second electromotive portion unit, and which is not branched during the flow-back.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve for a fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed, wherein the valve is disposed in an insulation end plate to militate against an over pressurization of the fuel cell stack assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring anode bleed trigger events and determining when to adjust a proactive bleed schedule in a fuel cell system. The system employs a bleed trigger monitor algorithm for monitoring proactive bleed and reactive bleeds that determines whether the reactive bleeds are caused by excess nitrogen in the anode. The algorithm monitors the number of reactive bleeds that are cause by nitrogen accumulation in the anode side of the fuel cell stack and changes the proactive bleed schedule in response thereto, if necessary.

Abstract: A method for producing interconnectors for electrically connecting unit cells of a solid electrolyte type fuel cell. An interconnector material such as a perovskite complexed oxide is thermally sprayed onto the surface of an electrode of a solid electrolyte type fuel cell by plasma thermal spraying process at a temperature of not lower than 1,250.degree. C. to form an interconnector, and heat treated to diminish the cracks and defects resulting from the plasma thermal spraying process.