Manifold Patents (Class 429/458)
  • Patent number: 11916260
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus configured for the osmotic injection of water in electrochemical systems are generally described. In certain embodiments, water can be transported from a water-containing liquid in an environment outside the electrochemical cell into the electrochemical cell across an osmotic medium fluidically separating an interior compartment of the electrochemical cell from the environment outside the electrochemical cell. The systems, methods, and apparatus described herein can be, according to certain embodiments, configured to be part of an electrochemical system in which water is consumed (e.g., as a reactant).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: L3Harris Open Water Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Milnes, Ian McKay, Thomas Humplik
  • Patent number: 11888202
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes power generation cells, which are stacked in a vertical direction. Each power generation cell is configured to generated power by using gas. Each power generation cell includes a first hole and a second hole. The first holes of the power generation cells form a gas manifold. The gas manifold extends in the vertical direction, and the gas flows through the gas manifold. The second holes of the power generation cells form a passage. The passage is adjacent to the gas manifold and extends in the vertical direction. The gas manifold and the passage are connected to each other at upper ends of the gas manifold and the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruyuki Aono, Takenori Koyanagi
  • Patent number: 11876204
    Abstract: A battery housing for a motor vehicle battery of a motor vehicle. The housing includes a housing body which forms at least one planar housing wall, a cooling plate which bears on an outwardly facing surface of the housing wall and which serves for temperature control of the motor vehicle battery, and an attachment projection which projects in a plane of the housing wall. The attachment projection has at least one attachment opening which communicates with a cooling channel formed in the cooling plate. The indirect fluidic connection of the cooling channel of the cooling plate via the attachment openings of the attachment projection makes it possible for protrusion of an attachment system for a coolant hose to be avoided and for the installation space requirement perpendicular to the surface of the housing wall to be minimized, with the result that an installation space-saving motor vehicle battery is made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventors: Markus Gref, Fabian Kopold, Dominik Hainke
  • Patent number: 11791693
    Abstract: An electric machine having an electrically insulative manifold is disclosed. In one example aspect, an electric machine includes a non-electrically conductive manifold. The manifold defines a chamber operable to receive a cooling fluid. The electric machine includes a prime winding in fluid communication with the chamber and one or more secondary windings in electrical communication with the prime winding and in fluid communication with the chamber. Further, the electric machine includes an electric machine terminal extending through the non-electrically conductive manifold and coupled with the prime winding. The electric machine terminal can provide or collect cooling fluid from the chamber of the manifold and can act as the electrical connection point for directing electrical power to or from the windings of the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Michael Freely, Mohamed Osama, Fabian Isaza, Pablo Gabriel Piazza Galarza, Paul Robert Gemin, John Russell Yagielski, Mark Dame, Wei Zhang, Karim Younsi
  • Patent number: 11695148
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system including a plurality of fuel cell stacks, in which with a simple configuration, air retention is unlikely to occur in cooling water and a flow rate of the cooling water to each fuel cell stack can be uniformized. In a fuel cell system including a plurality of fuel cell stacks provided with a coolant flow path through which a coolant flows, the plurality of fuel cell stacks are juxtaposed in a horizontal direction, and include a supply pipeline that distributes and supplies the coolant to the coolant flow path, and a discharge pipeline that collects and discharges the coolant that has flowed through the coolant flow path, and the supply pipeline and the discharge pipeline are provided within a formation range where the coolant flow path is formed in the plurality of fuel cell stacks, in a direction of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Yamano, Tadashi Nomura
  • Patent number: 11444298
    Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell assembly includes a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stack including a first end fuel cell near a first end of the stack and a second end fuel cell near a second end of the stack. Each of the fuel cells includes a matrix containing an electrolyte, an anode and a cathode on opposite sides of the matrix, and respective flow fields adjacent the anode and the cathode. An electrolyte supply associated with the anode flow field of the first end fuel cell includes a porous material containing electrolyte. An electrolyte collector associated with the cathode flow field of the second end fuel cell includes a porous material configured to collect electrolyte from at least the cathode of the second end fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: HYAXIOM, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Michael Brown, Ke Gong
  • Patent number: 11380930
    Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed. The fuel cell includes a cell stack including a plurality of unit cells stacked in a first direction, an enclosure surrounding side portions of the cell stack and including at least one opening to expose at least one of opposite end portions of the cell stack therethrough, first and second end plates respectively disposed at the opposite end portions of the cell stack, and a gasket disposed between a target end plate disposed in the at least one opening in the enclosure, among the first and second end plates, and the enclosure in order to seal the cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Suk Heo, Suk Min Baeck
  • Patent number: 11355762
    Abstract: A cross-flow interconnect and a fuel cell stack including the same, the interconnect including fuel inlets and outlets that extend through the interconnect adjacent to opposing first and second peripheral edges of the interconnect; an air side; and an opposing fuel side. The air side includes an air flow field including air channels that extend in a first direction, from a third peripheral edge of the interconnect to an opposing fourth peripheral edge of the interconnect; and riser seal surfaces disposed on two opposing sides of the air flow field and in which the fuel inlets and outlets are formed. The fuel side includes a fuel flow field including fuel channels that extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, between the fuel inlets and outlets; and a perimeter seal surface surrounding the fuel flow field and the fuel inlets and outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Gasda, Vijay Srivatsan, Robert M. Hintz, Swaminathan Venkataraman, Padiadpu Shankara Anantha, Emad El Batawi, Cheng-Yu Lin, Sagar Mainkar, Gilbert Richards, Jonathan Scholl
  • Patent number: 11223053
    Abstract: A fuel cell FC that includes a cell structure including an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte that intervenes between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode; and a pair of separators that forms an anode gas flow area and a cathode gas flow area between the cell structure and an anode-side separator and a cathode-side separator of the pair of separators, respectively. The fuel cell further includes a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion that are disposed on an anode electrode side of the cell structure to enclose respectively the anode gas flow area and an outer periphery of the first sealing portion. A flow path for oxygen-containing gas is formed between the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Ichihara, Takao Izumi, Keita Iritsuki
  • Patent number: 11211630
    Abstract: A housing is provided for a fuel cell stack. The housing includes two end plates, two opposite side walls, a lateral connecting wall, and at least one media exchange element. The two end plates are arranged at the two ends of the fuel cell stack. The two opposite side walls connect the end plates to each other. The lateral connecting wall connects the opposite side walls to each other. The at least one media exchange element has media connections. At least the two end plates are each designed as an extruded supporting structure. The media connections are not fed across the end plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Haase, Fabian Heining, Lukas Wittchen
  • Patent number: 11189849
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cell stack configured such that a plurality of unit cells is stacked, an end plate disposed at one of two ends of the cell stack, the end plate including an air inlet, an air outlet, and a groove portion including a first groove adjacent to and spaced apart from the air outlet and a second groove connecting the first groove to the air inlet, and a cover configured to cover a region of the end plate in which the air inlet, the groove portion and the air outlet are formed so as to form a flow path together with the second groove to allow air to pass therethrough. The cover includes a first through-hole communicating with the first groove, a second through-hole communicating with the air outlet, and a partition wall isolating the first and second through-holes from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Suk Heo, Jae Min Ahn, Suk Min Baeck
  • Patent number: 11092653
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for determining the insulation resistance of a fuel-cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Kai Müller, Friedrich Wilhelm, Stefan Längle
  • Patent number: 11056709
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack array is disclosed. The fuel cell stack array includes a first fuel cell stack having a first upper frame structure formed with a first through-hole for exposing a first topmost connector layer positioned at top of a first single cell stack structure, a second fuel cell stack having a second upper frame structure formed with a second through-hole for exposing a second topmost connector layer positioned at top of a second single cell stack structure, and a first current collector electrically connecting the first and second topmost connector layers via the first and second through-holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: MICO POWER LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Hyun Song, Song Ho Choi, Jin Ah Park
  • Patent number: 11043686
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods of storing and delivering electrical using hydrogen at low-cost and for long-durations. The systems and methods use energy-bearing redox pairs that electrochemically bear energy through decoupled hydrogen and oxygen consumption and/or evolution reactions, which are typically associated with fuel cells. Each species of the energy-bearing redox pair is associated with a standard electrode potential within a water electrolysis voltage window for the electrolyte solution. Electrical energy delivery, hydrogen generation, electrolyte regeneration, or combinations thereof can be performed by logically or physically separated unit operations in a continuous manner, batch manner, or semi-batch manner facilitated by the energy-bearing redox pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Wei Wang, Dongping Lu, Yuyan Shao, Qian Huang, Litao Yan
  • Patent number: 10938051
    Abstract: A cell provided with a solid electrolyte layer (4) made from a ZrO2-based sintered member; an inter-connector layer (8) containing a La-containing perovskite composite oxide, including a pair of end portions of the inter-connector layer (8) covering a pair of end portions of the solid electrolyte layer (4); and constituting an annular member with the solid electrolyte layer (4); an outer electrode layer (6) disposed outward of the solid electrolyte layer (4); and an inner electrode layer (3) disposed inward of the solid electrolyte layer (4). In such a cell, the solid electrolyte layer (4) includes a first portion overlapping the pair of end portions of the inter-connector layer (8), and a second portion disposed between the outer electrode layer (6) and the inner electrode layer (3) and having an average thickness of 15 ?m or less. Additionally, the first portion is thicker than the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 10903514
    Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell manifold assembly includes a metal manifold pan. A polymer material liner that is self-supporting includes a primary wall situated adjacent an interior of the manifold pan. The liner has a channel around a periphery of the liner and a portion of the manifold is received in the channel. A reactant conduit adapter is received through respective openings in the manifold pan and the liner. The reactant conduit adaptor includes a flange that is received against an interior surface on the primary wall of the liner with an interface between the flange and the interior surface being sealed. Another portion of the reactant conduit adaptor is adjacent an exterior of the manifold pan that faces in an opposite direction from the interior surface on the primary wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: DOOSAN FUEL CELL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy William Patterson, Jr., Kristoffer H. Ridgeway, Chandrasekhar V. Nori, Eric J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10811711
    Abstract: Electrochemical devices including electrochemical pumps (ECPs) and fuel cell systems comprising a fuel cell and an ECP are disclosed. In particular, this electrochemical device can be an ECP that comprises an anode, a cathode and an anion exchange polymer separating the anode from the cathode. The ECP can be coupled to a hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cell (HEMFC) that is disclosed herein as a fuel cell system. These devices can be used in methods for removing carbon dioxide from air and for generating electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Yushan Yan, Brian Setzler, Yun Zhao, Mario Santiago Rojas Carbonell, Shimshon Gottesfeld
  • Patent number: 10734661
    Abstract: A fuel cell power module includes a cylindrical housing encasing a fuel cell stack and an air supply. The housing has a major interior surface. The fuel cell stack can be cylindrical or hexagonal, and comprises fuel cells having an anode and an anode flow field plate, a cathode and a cathode flow field plate, and a membrane electrolyte interposed between the anode and the cathode. The air supply is directed to the plurality of fuel cell cathode flow field plates via a plenum defined by a space between the fuel cell stack and the housing major interior surface. The hexagonal fuel cell stack can be formed by a plurality of fuel cell groups shaped such that when aligned the fuel cell groups together constitute the hexagonal fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: LOOP ENERGY INC.
    Inventors: David E. Leger, Matthew P. Paone, Greg J. Montie, Sean MacKinnon, Raoul Kingma
  • Patent number: 10651484
    Abstract: Fuel cell reactant flow field plates (22, 32) are formed by extruding long sections (17, 25) of carbonaceous material, either with straight grooves (18, 28) formed by the extrusion die, or by end milling or arbor milling, and then cut to a proper size, including cuts in which the edges of the plates are at an angle with respect to the grooves. Cooler plates are formed of water-permeable material (39) in which hydrophobic material (40) is impregnated so as to define coolant channels (42-44) with inlets and outlets (47, 49). A two-layer cooler plate is formed by stamping voids in one layer (51) that define coolant flow channels (52) with inlets (54) and outlets (56) while a second layer (59) is stamped with voids (61, 62) that define coolant inlet and exit headers; juxtaposition of the layers, with or without bonding, form the cooler plate. A cooler plate (65) is made by corrugating thin metal sheet, providing coolant channels (68) for cathodes and coolant channels (73) for anodes when interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Timothy W. Patterson, Jr., Thomas H. Madden, Robert M. Darling, Glenn M. Allen
  • Patent number: 10622660
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for arranging processing units in a common volume to allow for processing of a fluid flow as part of a mass and/or heat transfer process. Fuel cells are examples of processing units that include separate flow paths for processing two input fluid flows with mass and/or heat transfer between the separate flow paths. The arrangements described herein can allow a gas phase fluid flow to be delivered to a first process flow path of processing units in a common volume. The gas phase fluid flow can be delivered in a relatively uniform manner without the use of an intervening manifold to distribute gas from the common volume into the processing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Frank Hershkowitz, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Paul J. Berlowitz, Sandipan K. Das, Thomas A. Badgwell
  • Patent number: 10454126
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for securing a fuel cell stack arrangement in a compressed condition. The stack includes an electrode assembly interposed between upper and lower current collectors, supportable between upper and lower endpiate structures. It comprises at least one rigid clamping device comprising spaced apart transversely disposed elongate clamp members for engaging outer surfaces of the upper and lower endplates respectively along peripheral edges, the clamp members being interposed by vertically disposed support members having a length greater than the height of the stack in a compressed condition thereof. The endpiate structures define docking formations along peripheral edges for engaging the damp members under compression of the stack. The docking formations define spaces between the endpiate structures and the compressing means within which the clamp members are receivable during compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
    Inventor: Shiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10446858
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system included high thermal conductivity materials such as copper to increase thermal energy transfer by thermal conduction. The copper is protected from oxidation by nickel electroplating and protected from thermal damage by providing Hastelloy liners inside combustion chambers. Monel elements are used in the incoming air conduits to prevent cathode poisoning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Upstart Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Palumbo, Paul Osenar, Joshua Persky
  • Patent number: 10345351
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for monitoring an on-board electrical system of a vehicle having at least one distributor and a load that are connected together via a cable. In one implementation, the method includes reading in a sequence of data for a number of parameters representing information about operation of the vehicle by a driver and/or about a state of the vehicle and/or a state of the driver and/or a driving environment; classifying the data as a normal value or an error value; and evaluating the data classified as an error value or a normal value. The normal values may lie within a state space separated from the error values by a discrimination limit. Evaluating the data classified as an error value may include determining if the data classified as an error value fulfils a criterion, and evaluating the data classified as a normal value may include statistically evaluating to determine a stochastic parameter and determining if the stochastic parameter exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Wortberg
  • Patent number: 10283804
    Abstract: A flange assembly for use with a SOFC system includes a first flange, a second flange, and a dielectric element coupled between the first flange and the second flange. The dielectric element includes an outer cylindrical surface and an inner cylindrical surface. The inner cylindrical surface defines a cylindrical region having a circumference. The inner cylindrical surface also defines a channel that extends radially about the circumference of the cylindrical region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Keith Garrette Brown, Liwei Hao, Darren Bawden Hickey, Kevin Joseph Gavel, John Raymond Krahn, Qin Chen, Lili Zhang, Daniel Qi Tan
  • Patent number: 10263264
    Abstract: A heat exchanger can be integrated into an interconnector that can be used in both a SOFC fuel cell and an EHT electrolyser, which allows a heat-transfer fluid different from that in the reactive and drainage gas circuits to be circulated from the inlet of the reactor, thereby allowing the best possible management of the exothermic operating modes of the SOFC cell and the exothermic or endothermic operating modes of the EHT electrolyser and the SOFC cell, especially in the absence of current for the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Magali Reytier, Nicolas Bardi, Charlotte Bernard, Julie Mougin, Philippe Szynal
  • Patent number: 10247768
    Abstract: A system for measuring the insulation resistance of a fuel cell vehicle is provided. The system includes a fuel cell that supplies power, a rechargeable high-voltage battery, and a bidirectional converter, disposed between an output terminal of the fuel cell and the high-voltage battery, to adjust a voltage at the output terminal of the fuel cell. A fast measurement unit measures the insulation resistance of the fuel cell vehicle by being connected to the output terminal of the fuel cell and a second measurement unit measures the insulation resistance of the fuel cell vehicle by being connected to the output terminal of the high-voltage battery. A controller operates the bidirectional converter based on the state of the fuel cell vehicle and measure the insulation resistance of the fuel cell vehicle using the first measurement unit or the second measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kyu Il Lee, Sung Suk Ok, Seon Hak Kim
  • Patent number: 10230127
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack which is amenable to simple manufacturing processes and is thermally and mechanically compliant. The fuel cell stack reduces the number of components by combing fuel cell tubes to form tube sub-assemblies, the tube sub-assemblies comprising end fittings connected to the fuel cell tubes, the end fittings provided with at least one or preferably a plurality of channels to provide equal distribution of fuel throughout the fuel cell tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: LG FUEL CELL SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Eric Dean
  • Patent number: 10230126
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly (101) comprising a fuel cell stack (102) comprising one or more fuel cells and a retaining member (100) comprising a first engaging region (104) that engages a first end face (110) of the fuel cell stack (102), a second engaging region (106) that engages a second opposing end face (112) of the fuel cell stack (102, and a joining region (108) configured to bias the first engaging region (104) towards the second engaging region (106). The retaining member (106) defines a fluid chamber (118) for communicating a fluid to or from the fuel cell stack (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark Phillip Horlock
  • Patent number: 10096844
    Abstract: An assembly has a plurality of fuel cell stacks with at least one wall. At least one manifold portion is provided outwardly of the at least one wall of each of the fuel cell stacks. The at least one manifold portion for a pair of the plurality of fuel cell stacks is on facing surfaces with an intermediate wall between the at least one of the manifold portions on the pair of the plurality of fuel cell stacks. A method of forming an assembly of a plurality of fuel cell stacks is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Daniel O'Neill, Guillaume Michael Kurczko Brousseau
  • Patent number: 10090535
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell having an anode/cathode stack, which comprises at least one active surface layer, which is designed having a first channel structure having a plurality of first channels for conducting a first fluid in a first direction over the surface layer, which is designed having a second channel structure having a plurality of second channels for conducting a second fluid in a second direction over the surface layer, wherein the second direction extends substantially perpendicularly to the first direction, which is designed having a first feeding structure for feeding the first fluid into the plurality of first channels, and which is designed having a second feeding structure for feeding the second fluid into the plurality of second channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Haase, Andreas Buchner, Michael Bauer
  • Patent number: 10033062
    Abstract: A second end plate constituting a fuel cell stack is provided with a cooling medium supply manifold member and a cooling medium discharge manifold member. The second end plate is also provided with a mount member that affixes the fuel cell stack to an automobile body frame and covers the cooling medium discharge manifold member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideharu Naito, Yusuke Nara, Hidetada Kojima, Choichi Ishikawa, Ryoichi Yoshitomi
  • Patent number: 10020518
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stacked body, a first insulator, and a first shim. The stacked body includes electrolyte-electrode assemblies and separators. The electrolyte-electrode assemblies are stacked in a stacking direction and have a first end electrolyte-electrode assembly disposed at a first end of the stacked body. The separators includes a first end separator disposed at the first end of the stacked body between the first end electrolyte-electrode assembly and a first contact end plate having a first contact surface which the first end separator contacts. The first shim is provided in a first recess between the first contact end plate and the first insulator and has a thickness such that an outer peripheral surface of the first end separator is positioned between the first contact surface of the first contact end plate and an outer peripheral surface of the first insulator in the stacking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Nagumo, Naoki Yamano, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Hiroaki Ota, Syuji Sato
  • Patent number: 9941525
    Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin Perry, Navaneetha Krishnan, Nilanjana Basu, Ram Ramanan
  • Patent number: 9812716
    Abstract: In order to provide a sealing assembly for a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell units, which are arranged consecutively in a stacking direction, wherein each of the fuel cell units comprises a housing with at least one housing part made of a metallic material, which also has an adequate electrical insulation effect and an adequate mechanical strength at a high operating temperature of the fuel cell stack, it is proposed that the sealing assembly comprises at least one intermediate element made of a metallic material, wherein the intermediate element is soldered to a housing part of a first fuel cell unit at at least one location by means of a metal solder and is secured to a housing part of a second fuel cell unit at at least another location, wherein the intermediate element and/or the housing part of the first fuel cell unit is provided with a coating made of a ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ElringKlinger AG
    Inventors: Hans-Rainer Zerfass, Armin Diez, Peter Schenk, Wolfgang Fritz, Peter Lamp, Manfred Wier, Joachim Tachtler
  • Patent number: 9812714
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode having a first region located adjacent to a fuel inlet and a second region located adjacent to a fuel outlet. The anode electrode includes a cermet having a nickel containing phase and a ceramic phase. The first region of the anode electrode contains a lower ratio of the nickel containing phase to the ceramic phase than the second region of the anode electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Emad El Batawi
  • Patent number: 9673476
    Abstract: Fuel cell systems and methods having reduced volumetric requirements are described. The systems include, among other things, an enclosed region formed by the bonding of a fuel cell layer with a fluid manifold. The enclosed region transforms into a fluid plenum when, for example, a fluid exiting a manifold outlet pressurizes the enclosed region causing one or more portions of the fuel cell layer and/or the fluid manifold to deform away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Jeremy Schrooten, Paul Sobejko, Gerard F McLean
  • Patent number: 9673477
    Abstract: A fuel cell is provided, which includes a fuel cell stack having a stacked structure in which a plurality of unit cells generating electric power are stacked, terminal plate that is joined to end of the fuel cell stack and collects the generated electric power, and insulating plate disposed outside the terminal plate. The terminal plate is provided with a first gas discharge manifold communicating with an in-stack gas discharge manifold on a gas discharge side. The in-stack gas discharge manifold penetrates the fuel cell stack and extends in a stacking direction of the fuel cell stack. The insulating plate is provided with a second gas discharge manifold communicating with the first gas discharge manifold. The insulating plate is formed in a shape so that, in a fuel cell arranging state in which the in-stack gas discharge manifold is substantially horizontal, a manifold lower wall of the second gas discharge manifold is located vertically below a manifold lower wall of the first gas discharge manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Kurihara
  • Patent number: 9634335
    Abstract: A coated interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell including an interconnect substrate comprising iron and chromium and a first metal oxide coating formed over an air side of the interconnect substrate. The first metal oxide coating is formed from powder particles, wherein substantially all the powder particles have a particle size less than 22 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Adil A. Ashary
  • Patent number: 9601797
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack manifold having an ejector function of which the manufacturing cost and the weight can be reduced by optimizing hydrogen supply and recirculation channels and removing other members. hardware without a separate ejector structure for additionally attaching an ejector, of which the productivity can be improved by removing from an ejector assembly process. The fuel cell system minimizes joints through which hydrogen may leak, by implementing a new structure of a manifold added with an ejector function by integrally forming/manufacturing a stack manifold having a venturi and diffuser structure and adding a nozzle thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Se Kwon Jung, Duck Whan Kim, Yong Gyu Noh, Bu Kil Kwon
  • Patent number: 9506483
    Abstract: A fluid tube includes: a first fluid tube; a second fluid tube connected to the first fluid tube; and a flow velocity equalizer in the second fluid tube, where the flow velocity equalizer increases a uniformity of fluid flow passed therethrough, the second fluid tube is wider than the first fluid tube, and the flow velocity equalizer includes a diverging tube and a converging tube. The fluid tube may further include a fluid divider between the flow velocity equalizer and the first fluid tube. The diverging tube of the flow velocity equalizer may have a width increasing in a fluid flow direction, and the converging tube of the flow velocity equalizer may include a plurality of converging tubes having widths decreasing in the fluid flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-ho Kim, Tae-won Song, Ji-rae Kim, Jeong-sik Ko
  • Patent number: 9490493
    Abstract: In order to define the power generation performance of a monitor cell, a manufacturing method of a fuel cell including a plurality of ordinary cells and a monitor cell configured to have a greater pressure loss of hydrogen gas than a pressure loss of the ordinary cell comprises the steps of: (a) specifying an upper limit voltage in a voltage range of the monitor cell; (b) specifying a lower limit voltage in the voltage range of the monitor cell; (c) determining an upper limit value and a lower limit value in a range of pressure loss of the hydrogen gas in the monitor cell, based on the upper limit voltage and the lower limit voltage; and (d) manufacturing the monitor cell, such that the pressure loss of the hydrogen gas in the monitor cell is limited to the range of pressure loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuya Kawahara, Akito Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 9413016
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Blanchet, Benjamin Lunt, Edward Domit, Roger Van Boeyen
  • Patent number: 9406963
    Abstract: An interconnect of a solid oxide fuel cell article is disclosed. The interconnect is disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode of the solid oxide fuel cell article. The interconnect comprises a first phase including a ceramic interconnect material and a second phase including partially stabilized zirconia. The partially stabilized zirconia may be in a range of between about 0.1 vol % and about 70 vol % of the total volume of the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Guangyong Lin, Oh-Hun Kwon, Yeshwanth Narendar
  • Patent number: 9373853
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cathode side separator. An oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of the cathode side separator. The oxygen-containing gas flow field includes an inlet channel having a plurality of flow grooves connected to the oxygen-containing gas supply passage, an outlet channel having a plurality of flow grooves connected to the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage, and an intermediate channel having flow grooves with both ends connected to the inlet channel and the outlet channel respectively. The flow grooves of the outlet channel are longer than the flow grooves of the inlet channel, and the flow grooves of the outlet channel are narrowed toward the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Ishida, Takeshi Ushio, Eri Terada
  • Patent number: 9368826
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stacked body, insulators, end plates, heat insulating members, and terminal plates. In the stacked body, a plurality of power generation cells are stacked in a stacking direction. Each of the plurality of power generation cells includes a separator and an electrolyte electrode assembly which includes an electrolyte and a pair of electrodes sandwiching the electrolyte therebetween. The stacked body has a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the stacking direction. The insulators are provided at the first end portion and the second end portion of the stacked body, respectively. Each of the insulators has a recessed portion that faces toward the stacked body. The end plates are provided on the insulators, respectively. The heat insulating members are each provided in the recessed portion. The terminal plates are each provided in the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Kimiharu Mizusaki, Takashi Kuwayama, Hiroaki Ohta
  • Patent number: 9318782
    Abstract: A temperature control device is provided for the temperature control of a battery. The temperature control device has an upper part with an upper side and an underside, which has on the upper side a thermal interface to the battery. Furthermore, the temperature control device has at least one lower part, which has an embossed structure in order to embody a sealing edge and to embody a cavity for guiding temperature control fluid. The sealing edge is arranged on an upper side of the lower part, and is connectable to the underside of the upper part in a fluid-tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Hirsch
  • Patent number: 9093674
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with improved fuel cell stack assemblies, and methods of operation of a fuel cell stack assembly, particularly with improved gas flow and thermal management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ceres Intellectual Property Company Limited
    Inventors: Paul Barnard, Neville Haidar, Matthew Harrington
  • Patent number: 9083017
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of unit cells stacked in a stacking direction substantially along a direction of gravity. Each of the plurality of unit cells includes a first metal separator, a second metal separator, and a membrane electrode assembly sandwiched between the first metal separator and the second metal. A reactant gas channel allows a reactant gas to flow along a surface of each of the first and second metal separators. A reactant gas inlet manifold and a reactant gas outlet manifold allow the reactant gas to flow the reactant gas inlet manifold and the reactant gas outlet manifold in the stacking direction. A bridge portion forms a connection channel to connect at least the reactant gas outlet manifold to the reactant gas channel. The bridge portion includes a guide portion to break a continuity of condensed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tanaka, Narutoshi Sugita, Kentaro Ishida, Keisuke Ando
  • Publication number: 20150125778
    Abstract: A connecting device for a fuel cell including a cell carrier strip wound into a spiral, the device includes a tube provided with an electrically conductive outer surface and an axial electric connection terminal, as well as with a connection terminal for a first gas and radial ports for the passage of the first gas. The tube forms a channel for the distribution of the first gas between the connection terminal for the first gas and the radial ports. In addition, the device includes an electrically insulating sleeve for receiving the tube, the sleeve being provided with an open longitudinal window opposite the ports on one side of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Mario Abadie
  • Patent number: 9023555
    Abstract: A monolithic fuel cell device is provided by forming anode and cathode layers by dispensing paste of anode or cathode material around pluralities of spaced-apart removable physical structures to at least partially surround the structures with the anode or cathode material and then drying the paste. An electrolyte layer is provided in a multi-layer stack between the cathode layer and the anode layer thereby forming an active cell portion. The multi-layer stack is laminated, and then the physical structures are pulled out to reveal spaced-apart active passages formed through each of the anode layer and cathode layer. Finally, the laminated stack is sintered to form an active cell comprising the spaced apart active passages embedded in and supported by the sintered anode material and sintered cathode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe