With Gas Diffusion Electrode Patents (Class 429/480)
  • Patent number: 11855271
    Abstract: A metal-air battery includes: a cathode formed of a co-continuous body having a three dimensional network structure formed by an integrated plurality of nanostructures having branches; a foil- or plate-like anode formed of a metal; a separator that absorbs a liquid, which is to be an electrolytic solution; and a foil- or plate-like current collector formed of a metal. The metal-air battery is formed with a wound structure in which the current collector, the cathode, the separator, the anode, and the separator are superimposed and wound in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mikayo Iwata, Masaya Nohara, Hiroaki Taguchi, Yuzu Kobayashi, Takeshi Komatsu
  • Patent number: 11843136
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel cell separator 1 included in a fuel cell, and the fuel cell separator 1 includes: a substrate 11 made of stainless steel; a middle portion 30 including a power generating portion; and an outer peripheral portion 20 including a non-power generating portion. The middle portion 30 includes a dissimilar metal layer 12 different from the stainless steel included in the substrate on the substrate, and a carbon layer 13 provided on the dissimilar metal layer 12, and the outer peripheral portion 20 includes a portion including the dissimilar metal layer 12, the carbon layer 13, and a resin layer 14 on the carbon layer, and a portion not including the dissimilar metal layer 12 or the carbon layer 13, and including the resin layer 14 on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Noda, Katsunori Saiki
  • Patent number: 11799094
    Abstract: The invention relates to a graphite micro-crystalline carbon coating for metal bipolar plates of fuel cells and an application thereof. The graphite micro-crystalline carbon coating is a graphite-like coating deposited on the surface of a metal bipolar plate, includes, by weight, 5%-50% of graphite micro-crystals, and has good compactness. Based on conventional magnetron sputtering technologies, the energy of deposited particles is changed by changing a target sputtering power source, the intensity of a sputtering magnetic field and the deposition temperature of the coating to change the structure of the carbon coating, so that the carbon coating with high conductivity, corrosion resistance, and stability is prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Linfa Peng, Xiaobo Li, Peiyun Yi, Diankai Qiu, Xinmin Lai
  • Patent number: 11786970
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating an interconnect for a fuel cell stack that include providing a protective layer over at least one surface of an interconnect formed by powder pressing pre-alloyed particles containing two or more metal elements and annealing the interconnect and the protective layer at elevated temperature to bond the protective layer to the at least one surface of the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tad Armstrong
  • Patent number: 11777124
    Abstract: The current disclosure teaches one to achieve PBI membranes with high ionic conductivity and low mechanical creep for the first time. This is in contrast to previous teachings of PBI membrane fabrication methods, which yield PBIs with either high ionic conductivity and high mechanical creep or low ionic conductivity and low mechanical creep. The membranes produced according to the disclosed process provide doped membranes for applications in fuel cells and electrolysis devices such as electrochemical separation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Laura A. Murdock, Fei Huang, Brian C. Benicewicz
  • Patent number: 11721824
    Abstract: To provide a high-voltage fuel cell. The fuel cell is a fuel cell comprising an anode-side gas diffusion layer, an anode catalyst layer, an electrolyte membrane, a cathode catalyst layer and a cathode-side gas diffusion layer in this order, wherein a gas diffusion resistance ratio of the anode-side gas diffusion layer to the cathode-side gas diffusion layer is more than 1.50 and less than 2.79; wherein a gas diffusion resistance value of the cathode-side gas diffusion layer is 84 S/m or less at a relative humidity of 165%; and wherein a gas diffusion resistance value of the anode-side gas diffusion layer is less than 234 S/m at a relative humidity of 165%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidenari Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11688871
    Abstract: Disclosed are an electrode for a membrane-electrode assembly, a method of manufacturing the same and a membrane-electrode assembly using the same. The electrode may include the pores and pore density around a catalyst contained in the electrode may be selectively increased using a thermally decomposable chemical blowing agent, thereby improving mass transfer through the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Byeong Gab Ji, Su Won Seol, Dong Hwan Yoon, Kook Il Han, Yoon Hwan Cho
  • Patent number: 11642723
    Abstract: A three-dimensional metallic foam is fabricated with an active oxide material for use as an anode for lithium batteries. The porous metal foam, which can be fabricated by a freeze-casting process, is used as the anode current collector of the lithium battery. The porous metal foam can be heat-treated to form an active oxide material to form on the surface of the metal foam. The oxide material acts as the three-dimensional active material that reacts with lithium ions during charging and discharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: CellMobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyeji Park, Hyelim Choi, Yumi Rho, Heeman Choe
  • Patent number: 11621428
    Abstract: An anode catalyst layer for a fuel cell includes: electrode catalyst particles; a carbon carrier carrying the electrode catalyst particles; water electrolysis catalyst particles; a proton-conductive binder; and a graphitized carbon, wherein the content of the graphitized carbon in the anode catalyst layer for a fuel cell is 3-70 mass % with respect to the total mass of the electrode catalyst particles, the carbon carrier, and the graphitized carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: CATALER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Hori, Yosuke Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 11618963
    Abstract: A method of making a catalyst layer of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes the step of preparing a porous buckypaper layer comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes. Platinum group metal nanoparticles are deposited in a liquid solution on an outer surface of the buckypaper to create a platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper. A proton conducting electrolyte is deposited on the platinum group metal nanoparticles by electrophoretic deposition to create a proton-conducting layer on the an outer surface of the platinum nanoparticles. An additional proton-conducting layer is deposited by contacting the platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper with a liquid proton-conducting composition in a solvent. The platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper is dried to remove the solvent. A membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventor: Jian-ping Zheng
  • Patent number: 11616246
    Abstract: Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of method of inducing or providing a pH gradient in electrochemical or chemical systems. Briefly, the pH gradient is induced by use of coated particles or films with an ion exchange ionomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Vijay K. Ramani, Zhongyang Wang, Javier Parrondo, Shrihari Sankarasubramanian
  • Patent number: 11581551
    Abstract: An elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell includes an insert which includes: a membrane electrode assembly including a polymer electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrode layers respectively disposed on opposite sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane; and a pair of gas diffusion layers disposed and bonded on upper and lower surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly, respectively. The insert further includes an elastomeric frame disposed in an external region of the insert. The elastomeric frame surrounds one of opposite edge surfaces of the insert and a side surface of the insert, the elastomeric frame being interface-bonded, through thermal bonding, to portions of the polymer electrolyte membrane and the electrode layers exposed at the one of opposite edge surfaces of the insert and the side surface of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Byeong-Heon Jeong, Jin Hyeok Yoo
  • Patent number: 11549188
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an anion exchange membrane disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode includes a first metal mesh, a first catalyst layer wrapping the first metal mesh, a second metal mesh, and a second catalyst layer wrapping the second metal mesh. The first metal mesh is disposed between the anion exchange membrane and the second metal mesh. The second metal mesh is thicker than the first metal mesh, and the first catalyst layer is thicker than the second catalyst layer. The second catalyst layer is iron, cobalt, manganese, zinc, niobium, molybdenum, ruthenium, platinum, gold, or aluminum. The second catalyst layer is crystalline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsin Lin, Hsiao-Chun Huang, Li-Duan Tsai, Hao-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11539064
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane according to the present invention has a cluster diameter of 2.96 to 4.00 nm and a converted puncture strength of 300 gf/50 ?m or more. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to the present invention has a low electric resistance and an excellent mechanical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: ASAHI KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichi Inoue, Takumi Ishii
  • Patent number: 11502307
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a gas diffusion layer with a microporous layer includes coating a gas diffusion layer containing titanium with a precursor containing an electroconductive material, a water-repellent resin, and a polyethylene oxide, and heating the gas diffusion layer coated with the precursor to form a microporous layer containing the electroconductive material and the water-repellent resin on a surface of the gas diffusion layer. The heating atmosphere is a non-oxidation atmosphere where an oxygen concentration is no more than 0.3% by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toho Titanium Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawai, Yosuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 11492714
    Abstract: A dual gas flow device including: a first cooling plate structure, a second cooling plate structure, a plurality of electrode plates, wherein the first cooling plate structure, the second cooling plate structure and the plurality of electrode plates are arranged in a stacked configuration, wherein the first cooling plate structure forms a first end of the stack and the second cooling plate structure forms a second end of the stack, wherein the plurality of electrode plates are arranged between the first cooling plate structure and the second cooling plate structure, wherein each electrode plate includes a plurality of cooling channels extending through the electrode plate, distributed along a peripheral portion of the electrode plate, each cooling channel being aligned with the corresponding cooling channel of the other electrode plates in the stack, wherein each of the first cooling plate structure and the second cooling plate structure is provided with a plurality of connecting channels, each connecting cha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Hymeth ApS
    Inventor: Sumon Bishwas
  • Patent number: 11462747
    Abstract: A hybrid bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell includes a formed cathode half plate and a stamped metal anode half plate. The stamped metal anode half plate is unnested with and affixed to the formed cathode half plate. Each of the half plates has a reactant side and a coolant side, a feed region, and a header with a plurality of header apertures. The coolant side of the formed cathode half plate need not correspond with cathode flow channels formed on the opposite reactant side. The coolant side of the stamped metal anode half plate has lands corresponding with anode channels formed on the opposite oxidant side. The lands define a plurality of coolant channels on the coolant side of the stamped metal anode half plate and abut the coolant side of the formed cathode half plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: JIANGSU HORIZON NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Zhijun Gu, Steve Goebel, Chen Jie, Gary M. Robb
  • Patent number: 11342564
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a three-dimensional (3D) architectured anode. The method comprises immersing a fabric textile in a precursor solution, the precursor solution comprising a nickel salt and gadolinium doped ceria (GDC). The nickel salt and GDC are absorbed to the fabric textile. The fabric textile comprising the absorbed nickel salt and GDC is removed from the precursor solution and calcined to form a 3D architectured anode comprising nickel oxide and GDC. Additional methods and a direct carbon fuel cell including the 3D architectured anode are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Dong Ding, Ting He, Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 11302933
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell stack having a plurality of electrochemical cells stacked along a longitudinal axis. The electrochemical cells include a membrane electrode assembly comprising a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, and a polymer membrane interposed between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. The electrochemical cells also include an anode plate and a cathode plate with the membrane electrode assembly interposed therebetween, and the anode plate defines a plurality of channels that form an anode flow field facing the anode catalyst layer. The electrochemical cells further include a cathode flow field positioned between the cathode plate and the cathode catalyst layer, wherein the cathode flow field comprises a porous structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLC
    Inventors: Filippo Gambini, Scott Blanchet, Olga Polevaya, Edward Domit, Andrew Baugher
  • Patent number: 11302947
    Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell, comprising a gas diffusion layer, a microporous layer, a catalytic layer, and an electrolyte membrane that are sequentially stacked. In the direction of an air flow path, the thickness of the microporous layer decreases progressively, the thickness of the catalytic layer increases progressively, and the total thickness of the microporous layer and the catalytic layer keeps consistent. The present application also provides a preparation method for the membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell. The membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell provided in the present application can balance water content of a gas inlet area and a gas outlet area of the fuel cell, and finally improves the stability of the fuel cell at different temperatures and humidity levels, thereby implementing functions such as improving the durability and decreasing a catalyst load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nianfang Wan, Sansan Ding, Wenchao Zhang, Kelei Li, Yankun Li
  • Patent number: 11145881
    Abstract: A gas flow passage formation plate includes a plurality of projections arranged in a first direction and a second direction. The projections project toward a membrane electrode assembly. The gas flow passage formation plate further includes a gas flow passage, a water flow passage, and a plurality of openings. The gas flow passage is formed by a portion of the gas flow passage formation plate at a side opposing the membrane electrode assembly including regions between two adjacent projections. The water flow passage is formed by a portion of the gas flow passage formation plate at a side opposing a partition plate including the inside of the projections. The openings are each formed in a side wall of the projection connecting inside and outside of the projection. Each opening is arranged at only one location in one projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nakayama, Yoshinori Shinozaki, Satoshi Futami
  • Patent number: 11139498
    Abstract: An electrode catalyst for fuel cells that can inhibit an increase in gas diffusion resistance includes a carbon material having a ratio of a peak intensity IA derived from an amorphous structure to a peak intensity IG derived from a graphite structure in an X-ray diffraction spectrum (ratio IA/IG) of 0.90 or less as a catalyst-supporting carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, CATALER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Yamamoto, Nobuaki Mizutani, Kohei Koyamada, Kotaro Horiai, Mikihiro Kataoka, Kenji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11139486
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes cell units and separators that are alternately stacked, in which each of the cell units includes a single cell. Each of the separators includes: at least one first ridge that is disposed on a first main surface of each of the separators at a predetermined interval to form at least one first gas channel; and at least one second ridge that is disposed on a second main surface of each of the separators at a predetermined interval to form at least one second gas channel. The at least one first ridge and the at least one second ridge are disposed at a regular interval around a center of each of the separators in a cross section perpendicular to the first or second gas channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Ichihara, Kazuhiro Takahata
  • Patent number: 11133514
    Abstract: A resin frame equipped membrane electrode assembly includes a membrane electrode assembly and a resin frame member around an outer peripheral portion of the membrane electrode assembly. An inner end of the resin frame member is joined to an electrolyte membrane. In the state before the inner end is joined to the electrolyte membrane, the inner end is narrowed inward in a manner that a surface of the inner end adjacent to the electrolyte membrane gets closer to a surface of the inner end opposite to the electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Suguru Ohmori, Yutaka Ebato
  • Patent number: 11105010
    Abstract: The design and method of fabrication of a three-dimensional, porous flow structure for use in a high differential pressure electrochemical cell is described. The flow structure is formed by compacting a highly porous metallic substrate and laminating at least one micro-porous material layer onto the compacted substrate. The flow structure provides void volume greater than about 55% and yield strength greater than about 12,000 psi. In one embodiment, the flow structure comprises a porosity gradient towards the electrolyte membrane, which helps in redistributing mechanical load from the electrolyte membrane throughout the structural elements of the open, porous flow structure, while simultaneously maintaining sufficient fluid permeability and electrical conductivity through the flow structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Blanchet, Roger Van Boeyen
  • Patent number: 11101469
    Abstract: In a power generating cell, on a surface on a side opposite from an electrolyte membrane in an anode, there are provided an outer peripheral surface positioned on an outer peripheral portion of the anode, a central surface located more inwardly than an inner peripheral portion of a resin frame member, and a stepped portion connecting the outer peripheral surface and the central surface to each other. A height of the central surface from the electrolyte membrane is lower than that of the outer peripheral surface. A protruding end surface of an end linear protrusion is in contact with the central surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yosuke Nishida
  • Patent number: 11094954
    Abstract: An electrode of an embodiment includes a catalyst layer having pores. A mode diameter of the pores is 10 ?m or more and 100 ?m or less. The catalyst layer may have a thickness of 0.05 ?m or more and 3.0 ?m or less. A value of the mode diameter of the pores may three times or more a value of a thickness of the catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Taishi Fukazawa, Wu Mei, Yuta Kanai
  • Patent number: 11038188
    Abstract: A manufacturing device of a fuel cell component includes an MEA unwinder on which a fabric panel is rolled. An MEA including an electrolyte membrane and an electrode is disposed on a protective film. The manufacturing device further includes a first hot roller disposed to press an upper sub-gasket supplied to a surface of an edge of the MEA from an upper sub-gasket unwinder, a protective film winder disposed behind the first hot roller and disposed to separate the protective film from the fabric panel, a second hot roller disposed to press the lower sub-gasket supplied to another surface of the edge of the MEA from the lower sub-gasket unwinder, and an MEA winder winding the MEA to which the upper sub-gasket and the lower sub-gasket are attached, in a roll shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sun Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 11018366
    Abstract: A frame equipped membrane electrode assembly or a frame equipped MEA of a fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly or an MEA and a frame member provided on an outer peripheral portion of the MEA. A method of producing the frame equipped MEA includes a first joining step of joining a first resin frame film and a second resin frame film together in a thickness direction to form a film joint body, a welding step of spot welding a first resin sheet to a portion of the first resin frame film facing a second inlet buffer when the fuel cell is formed, to form the frame member, and a second joining step of joining the frame member to the outer peripheral portion of the MEA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Ishida, Matthew Beutel, Yutaka Ebato, Masami Kurimoto, Kohei Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10971740
    Abstract: A humidifier, a device including a fuel cell, and a motor vehicle. The humidifier of the includes at least one humidifying duct and is designed in such a way that a first gas to be humidified can be conducted in the humidifying duct in a direction of flow and, separated by a water-permeable material, past a humidifying second gas so that water is transferred from the second gas to the first gas. The humidifier includes a cross-sectional area of the humidifying duct available to the first gas tapers in the direction of flow. The fact that the cross-sectional area tapers results in a drop in pressure along the humidifying duct, and the drop in pressure reduces, compensates or overcompensates an increase in pressure resulting from the increasing humidification, so the partial difference in pressure between the first gas and the second gas remains large over the distance of the humidifying duct in spite of the transfer of humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Jan-Philipp Brinkmeier
  • Patent number: 10944108
    Abstract: A graphite-containing electrode includes a porous body that has a plurality of first graphite-containing elements and a plurality of second graphite-containing elements intermingled with the first graphite-containing elements. The first graphite-containing elements have a first degree of graphitization and the second graphite-containing elements have a second, different degree of graphitization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Mason Darling
  • Patent number: 10862136
    Abstract: Disclosed are a support for a fuel cell, a method of preparing the same, an electrode containing the same, a membrane-electrode assembly containing the same, and a fuel cell system containing the same. The electrode includes an electrode substrate and a catalyst layer on the electrode substrate, wherein the catalyst layer includes a catalyst and a binder resin. The catalyst includes a support and an active metal supported on the support. The support includes a carbon substrate and a graphitic layer covering a surface of the carbon substrate. The carbon substrate may be a carbon nanotube, a carbon nanowire, or a heat-treated carbon black, and the graphitic layer includes graphene sheets stacked together and has mesopore channels therein aligned with the graphene sheets. The active metal is supported on the graphitic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jun-Young Kim, Sung-Chul Lee, Myoung-Ki Min, Yong-Bum Park
  • Patent number: 10862135
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an electrolyte membrane for fuel cells by transferring antioxidants to the electrolyte membrane. The method may include providing a first membrane including a perfluorinated sulfonic acid-based compound, providing a second membrane including an antioxidant such that the second membrane partially or entirely contacts a surface of the first membrane, transferring or moving the antioxidant of the second membrane to the first membrane, and removing the second membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sukhwan Yun, Bo Ki Hong
  • Patent number: 10847814
    Abstract: Provided is a solid oxide fuel cell including a flat-plate-shaped cell structure including a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte layer containing a solid oxide, a frame-shaped sealing member disposed so as to surround a periphery of the cathode, the sealing member having a larger outside diameter than the cathode, a first pressing member and a second pressing member that hold the sealing member therebetween, and a flat-plate-shaped cathode current collector adjacent to the cathode, the flat-plate-shaped cathode current collector being formed of a porous metal body having a three-dimensional mesh-like skeleton, in which the cathode current collector has a peripheral portion that is not opposite the anode, the outer edge portion of a main surface of the sealing member adjacent to the anode faces the first pressing member, the inner edge portion of the main surface of the sealing member adjacent to the anode faces the peripheral portion of the electrolyte layer, the outer edge portion of a main surface of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Chihiro Hiraiwa, Masatoshi Majima, Takahiro Higashino, Hiromasa Tawarayama, Kazunari Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 10826082
    Abstract: A fuel cell and a method for producing the same are provided. The fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer that is disposed at each of opposite surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly, and includes a plurality of compressed parts that are formed by pressure at positions spaced out at predetermined intervals on the gas diffusion layer. The fuel cell further includes a separator that is in contact with an outer surface of the gas diffusion layer, and has a plurality of land parts that protrude toward the gas diffusion layer, and a plurality of channel parts that form flow paths between the land parts. The land parts respectively protrude toward the compressed parts of the gas diffusion layer to come in contact with the compressed parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Suk Min Baeck, Dae Il Yoon, Yoo Chang Yang, Kook Il Han
  • Patent number: 10763520
    Abstract: A separator for a fuel cell allows air to bypass a diffusion part, which is frequently exposed to air, and thus flow directly to a reaction surface, which can reduce deterioration of a polymer electrolyte membrane. The separator includes a separator main body having a diffusion part formed thereon that is configured to allow air to be diffused and supplied from an air inlet manifold to the reaction surface; and a gasket line formed on the separator main body and surrounding the air inlet manifold and the reaction surface to maintain airtightness. The separator main body or the gasket line includes a bypass flow path formed thereon so as to allow air supplied from the air inlet manifold to flow directly to the reaction surface without passing through the diffusion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Mun Jin, Kyung Min Kim
  • Patent number: 10734657
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly is provided that includes a polymer electrolyte membrane and a catalyst layer provided on a surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane. The catalyst layer comprises catalyst particles and an ionomer film surrounding each of the catalyst particles. The ionomer film has an oxygen permeability of approximately 6.0×1012 mol/cm/s to 15.0×1012 mol/cm/s at 80° C. and a relative humidity of approximately 30% to 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Rameshwar Yadav
  • Patent number: 10693147
    Abstract: The present specification relates to a fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Yeon Cho, Sang Hoon Kim, Gyo Hyun Hwang, Kwanghyun Kim
  • Patent number: 10665873
    Abstract: A resin frame equipped membrane electrode assembly includes an MEA having different sizes of components, and a resin frame member. A resin melt portion is provided for the resin frame member. The inside of a first gas diffusion layer is impregnated with resin as a part of the resin melt portion. A thin portion is provided at an outermost peripheral portion of the resin frame member through a step at an outermost peripheral portion of the resin melt portion, and the thin portion is thinner in a thickness direction than the resin melt portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suguru Ohmori, Yukihito Tanaka, Yoshihito Kimura, Ryugo Fujitsuka, Shintaro Tanaka, Masaki Tani
  • Patent number: 10651477
    Abstract: A porous carbon electrode substrate hardly causes a short circuit when used in a fuel cell, and from which carbon fibers protruding from the substrate surface, carbon fibers that protrude from the substrate surface when the porous carbon electrode substrate is pressurized in a direction perpendicular to a surface thereof, and short carbon fibers that are insufficiently bonded at the substrate surface have been sufficiently removed. The porous carbon electrode substrate includes short carbon fibers and carbonized resin bonding the short carbon fibers, the porous carbon electrode substrate having an average short circuit current value measured at a first surface of 10 mA or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikio Inoue, Takayuki Oda, Tamotsu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10637087
    Abstract: The electrolyte membrane of the present disclosure includes a phase A forming a matrix phase, and a phase B. The phase B is continuous from a first principal surface of the electrolyte membrane to a second principal surface of the electrolyte membrane opposite to the first principal surface. The phase B includes a graft polymer having a main chain and a graft chain. The graft chain has a functional group having anion-exchange ability. The main chain preferably has no functional group having anion-exchange ability. The electrolyte membrane of the present disclosure can reliably maintain the function as a separation membrane even when decomposition reaction by a peroxide occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mizuki Yamamoto, Koso Matsuda, Takeshi Nakano
  • Patent number: 10629918
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell stack with enhanced freeze-thaw durability. In particular, the fuel cell stack includes a gas diffusion layer between a membrane-electrode assembly and a bipolar plate. The gas diffusion layer has a structure that reduces contact resistance in a fuel cell and is cut at a certain angle such that the machine direction (high stiffness direction) of GDL roll is not in parallel with the major flow field direction of the bipolar plate, resulting in an increased GDL stiffness in a width direction perpendicular to a major flow field direction of a bipolar plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bo Ki Hong, Kook Il Han, Sae Hoon Kim, Jae Jun Ko
  • Patent number: 10615429
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell stack (1), comprising: —bipolar plates (10), each having an active region (13a), wherein a surface of the bipolar plate is formed non-profiled at least in the active region (13a), —a membrane electrode assembly (20), arranged between two bipolar plates (10), and—a gas distribution layer (30) arranged between the membrane electrode assembly (20) and at least one of the bipolar plates (10), wherein the gas distribution layer (30) comprises a porous flow body (31). It is provided that the gas distribution layer (30) includes recesses (32) in the active region (13a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignees: VOLKSWAGEN AG, AUDI AG
    Inventor: Hannes Scholz
  • Patent number: 10601056
    Abstract: A heat treatment method for a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a fuel cell includes: placing a power supply plate on a surface of the MEA or on a surface of an assembly of the MEA and a gas diffusion layer (GDL); and performing heat treatment on a surface or interior of the power supply plate by applying power to the power supply plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Woo Jin Lee, Yong Min Kim, Min Kyung Kim, Ki Sub Lee, Min Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 10573905
    Abstract: In a power generation cell, first bypass stop protrusions for preventing bypassing of an oxygen-containing gas are provided between an end of an oxygen-containing gas flow field in a flow field width direction and an outer peripheral bead. An end wavy ridge includes curves recessed away from the outer peripheral bead. The first bypass stop protrusions are provided between the recessed curves and the outer peripheral bead. A first metal separator has first support protrusions for supporting a cathode, between the recessed curves and the first bypass stop protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Ishida, Yu Tomana, Kenji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10573915
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes a polymer electrolyte membrane; a first electrode layer disposed on an upper surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane; and a second electrode layer disposed on a lower surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane. At least one end of the polymer electrolyte membrane is bent upward along a side of the first electrode layer and extends to an upper surface of the first electrode layer or is bent downward along a side of the second electrode layer and extends to a lower surface of the second electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Byeong-Heon Jeong
  • Patent number: 10563313
    Abstract: An active layer/membrane assembly to be incorporated into a hydrogen production device comprises an active layer in contact with a membrane capable of exchanging ions, the active layer comprising catalyst particles and particles referred to as support particles, wherein the size of the support particles is greater than the thickness of the active layer, so that the support particles emerge from the active layer, at the surface opposite the surface in contact with the membrane. A unit comprising the assembly and a porous current collector, the assembly and the collector having a complementarity of surface finish is provided. A process for manufacturing the assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Eric Mayousse, Caroline Rozain
  • Patent number: 10559835
    Abstract: A resin-framed membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes a stepped membrane-electrode assembly and a resin frame member. The stepped membrane-electrode assembly includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The resin frame member surrounds an outer perimeter of the polymer electrolyte membrane and includes an inner perimeter base end and an inner protruding portion. The inner protruding portion includes a flat surface portion which extends to face an outer perimeter surface portion of a second surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane and on which an adhesive layer is provided so that the adhesive layer lies at least between the flat surface portion and the outer perimeter surface portion. The adhesive layer has a tapered shape in which a thickness of the adhesive layer increases from a tip of the inner protruding portion toward the inner perimeter base end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihito Tanaka, Naoki Mitsuta, Seiji Sugiura, Suguru Omori
  • Patent number: 10535888
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly of an embodiment includes: a first electrode having a first base, and a first catalyst layer provided on the first base, the first catalyst layer including a plurality of first catalyst units with a laminated structure, and the laminated structure including void layers; and an electrolyte membrane being in direct contact with both first surfaces of the first catalyst units facing each other among the first catalyst units, and second surfaces of the first catalyst units on the opposite side from the first base side. A portion is included where the electrolyte membrane exists over a region being at least 80% of a thickness of the first catalyst layer from the second surfaces of the first catalyst units toward the first base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Nakano, Wu Mei, Taishi Fukazawa, Yuta Kanai, Hiroki Hiraga
  • Patent number: 10512907
    Abstract: Provided is a resin including a copolymer having a first structural unit and/or second structural unit and a structural unit having a polar group. R1, R2, R5, and R6 are each independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R3 and R4 are each independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, A1 is a saturated carbon chain having 3 to 7 carbon atoms or a structure resulting from substitution of a heteroatom for a part of the carbon atoms of the saturated carbon chain, m and n are each independently 0 or 1, and X1 and X2 are each independently a halide ion, a hydroxide ion, or an anion of an organic or inorganic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mizuki Yamamoto, Takeshi Nakano, Koso Matsuda, Hiroyuki Nishii, Takashi Suzuki