Electrical Current Collector Patents (Class 429/517)
  • Patent number: 11367890
    Abstract: A cell including: a pair of interconnectors for electrically connecting unit cells; a membrane-electrode assembly disposed between the interconnectors; a pair of current collectors, each of which includes an abutting surface abutting against a corresponding one of the electrode layers and a first base material surface being in contact with a corresponding one of the interconnectors and electrically connecting the corresponding of the electrode layers and the corresponding one of the interconnectors; and elastic bodies biasing the abutting surface of at least one current collector toward a corresponding one of the electrode layers. The elastic bodies includes: a second base material surface being in contact with the first base material surface; and an elastic body protruding portion supporting the abutting surface and protruding from the second base material surface toward the corresponding one of the electrode layers to bias the abutting surface toward the corresponding one of the electrode layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kakuwa, Hiromi Kita, Tomoya Kamata, Masatoshi Nakamura, Tomohiro Kuroha
  • Patent number: 11349132
    Abstract: A separator includes a base material made of metal plate and a first layer made of corrosion-resistant material and arranged on the entirety of one surface of the base material. The base material includes extending projections and extending recesses. The projections and the recesses are alternately arranged. The separator includes a second layer including a conductive particle and a binder that is made of plastic material, the second layer being arranged only on a part of a surface of the first layer corresponding to a top surface of the projections of the base material. The conductive particle is contained only in the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eiichiro Morozumi, Takayuki Suzuki, Michi Hashiba
  • Patent number: 10995192
    Abstract: A foamed skeleton reinforced composite, comprising a foamed skeleton and a matrix material. The foamed skeleton is selected from at least one of a metal foamed skeleton, an inorganic non-metal foamed skeleton, and an organic foamed skeleton. The matrix material is selected from a metal or a polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kezhao Zhou, Qiuping Wei, Li Ma, Long Zhang, Zhiming Yu
  • Patent number: 10916786
    Abstract: A channel plate structure includes a nonreactive portion and an electrochemical reactive portion. The nonreactive portion includes at least one manifold inlet, at least one manifold outlet, flow channels, and cutoff structures. The cutoff structures are respectively disposed in the flow channels, and the ratio of the total area of the cutoff structures to the area of the channel plate structure is 0.002 to 0.01 based on battery size. Each of the cutoff structures includes a gas-liquid separation compartment, a joint portion, and a convergent portion, wherein a width of the joint portion is smaller than or equal to that of the gas-liquid separation compartment, the convergent portion connects the gas-liquid separation compartment to the joint portion, and the cross-sectional area of a flow path at an downstream end of the convergent portion is smaller than that of the flow path at an upstream end of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kan-Lin Hsueh, Ching-Chen Wu
  • Patent number: 10886524
    Abstract: Sulfur containing nanoparticles that may be used within cathode electrodes within lithium ion batteries include in a first instance porous carbon shape materials (i.e., either nanoparticle shapes or “bulk” shapes that are subsequently ground to nanoparticle shapes) that are infused with a sulfur material. A synthetic route to these carbon and sulfur containing nanoparticles may use a template nanoparticle to form a hollow carbon shape shell, and subsequent dissolution of the template nanoparticle prior to infusion of the hollow carbon shape shell with a sulfur material. Sulfur infusion into other porous carbon shapes that are not hollow is also contemplated. A second type of sulfur containing nanoparticle includes a metal oxide material core upon which is located a shell layer that includes a vulcanized polymultiene polymer material and ion conducting polymer material. The foregoing sulfur containing nanoparticle materials provide the electrodes and lithium ion batteries with enhanced performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Lynden A. Archer, Jayaprakash Navaneedhakrishnan
  • Patent number: 10505321
    Abstract: An electrical connection system for cell voltage monitoring in a fuel cell stack. A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a plurality of fuel cells disposed in a stacked configuration, each cell substantially parallel to an x-y plane and including an electrical tab extending laterally from an edge of a plate in the cell in the x-direction to form an array of tabs extending along a side face of the fuel cell stack in a z-direction orthogonal to the x-y plane. A connector device comprises a planar member having a plurality of spaced-apart slits formed in an edge of the planar member, each slit having an electrically conductive material on an inside face of the slit. The slits are spaced along the edge of the planar member and configured to receive the tabs by sliding engagement in the y-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventor: Peter David Hood
  • Patent number: 10239302
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing a water purification membrane is presented. The method includes stacking a plurality of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets to create the water purification membrane, the stacking involving layer-by-layer assembly of the plurality of GO nanosheets and forming a plurality of nanochannels between the plurality of GO nanosheets for allowing the flow of a fluid and for rejecting the flow of contaminants. The method further includes cross-linking the plurality of GO nanosheets by 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl trichloride on a polydopamine coated polysulfone support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: Baoxia Mi, Meng Hu
  • Patent number: 9947942
    Abstract: A titanium or titanium alloy material for a fuel cell separator has a surface shape in which a plurality of projections are distributed, and a titanium oxide film on a surface of the projections. Fine projections are assumed to increase the contact conductivity remarkably. By increasing contact conductivity with carbon and durability of a titanium or titanium alloy material for a fuel cell separator, the lifetime of a fuel cell may be increased. The material has high usability in the cell manufacturing industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takahashi, Taku Kagawa, Hiroshi Kihira, Kiyonori Tokuno, Takumi Nishimoto, Koki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9659715
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electricity storing/discharging device having multiple input/output electric conductive interface covered by electrode plate pair with multiple-sided electric conductive terminals with a single layer means, which is applied in a specific multiple-sided package structure having electrode plate pair with multiple-sided electric conductive terminals and a multiple-directional input/output electric conductive interfaces, so the electrode plate pair is able to be installed on at least one multiple-sided electric conductive terminal and/or at least one side for forming an electric conductive interface so as to transfer electric energy to the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 9472817
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to electrochemical cells and membranes including alternating electrically conductive and dielectric regions. One embodiment describes an ion-conducting composite layer for an electrochemical cell, including two or more electrically conductive components, each electrically conductive component having one or more electrically conductive passageways and one or more dielectric components, each dielectric component having one or more ion-conducting passageways. The electrically conductive components and the dielectric components are adjacently arranged to provide a fluidically impermeable composite layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Jeremy Schrooten, Gerard F. McLean, Paul Sobejko
  • Patent number: 9034535
    Abstract: There is provided a flexible circuit board capable of preventing corrosion and elution of a conductor layer constituting a current collector even under high-temperature and high-voltage working conditions while achieving sufficient electric connection with an MEA. A flexible circuit board having a current collector of a fuel cell provided thereon includes an insulating flexible base material 1, a plurality of openings 5 that supply fuel or air, the openings 5 being provided in a specified region so as to penetrate through the flexible base material 1 in a thickness direction, a plating film 6 that constitutes the current collector, the plating film 6 being formed on front and back surfaces of the flexible base material 1 in the specified region and on inner walls of the openings 5, a surface treatment film 9 formed on the plating film 6 and having corrosion resistance higher than that of the plating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NIPPON MEKTRON, LTD
    Inventor: Masanori Hirata
  • Publication number: 20150118582
    Abstract: A cathode current collector for a lithium-air battery includes a carbon-free, conductive, porous matrix. The matrix may include a metal boride, a metal carbide, a metal nitride, a metal oxide and/or a metal halide. Example matrix materials are antimony-doped tin oxide and titanium oxide. A carbon-free cathode exhibits improved mechanical and electrochemical properties including improved cycle life relative to conventional carbon-containing porous cathode current collectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Edward Badding, Chen Shen, Yanming Cui, Zhaoyin Wen
  • Patent number: 9005846
    Abstract: A partly oxidized substrate is disclosed. According to one aspect, the substrate is formed by subjecting a substrate made of a porous metal or metal alloy including particles of at least one metal or metal alloy bound by sintering. The substrate includes a first main surface and a second main surface. The porosity of the substrate gradually changes from the first main surface to the second main surface. The substrate is partially oxidized by an oxidizing gas such as oxygen and/or air. A method for preparing the substrate and high temperature electrolyzer (THE) cell including the substrate are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Julie Mougin, Thomas Pietri
  • Patent number: 9005825
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel Ian Joos, Mario Dzamarija
  • Publication number: 20150099213
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosing providing for a fuel cell (“FC”) stack assembly utilizing bus bars that accommodate for variations in FC stack heights during assembly. In some embodiments, bus bars consistent with embodiments disclosed herein may be integrally formed with terminal plates out of a single piece of conductive material. Further embodiments of the bus bars disclosed herein may include structures configured to facilitating cooling of the bus bars during operation of the FC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: DAVID A. MARTINCHEK, DAVID A. SOUTHWICK
  • Patent number: 8968946
    Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided, comprising a cell unit capable of gas exhausting. The cell unit comprises an anode current collector and a cathode current collector. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is interposed between the anode current collector and the cathode current collector. A frame is formed to surround the MEA, the anode current collector, and the cathode current collector. A hydrophilic gas-blocking layer is disposed adjacent to an anode side of the MEA, underlying the MEA and the frame. A hydrophobic gas-penetrating layer is disposed under the hydrophilic gas-blocking layer. At least one gas exhaust is disposed in the frame, exposing a part of the hydrophilic gas-blocking layer and contacting the area surrounding adjacent to the cell unit for exhausting a gas produced by the MEA from the cell unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Chun-Ho Tai, Chiou-Chu Lai, Yin-Wen Tsai, Ying-Ying Hsu
  • Patent number: 8962175
    Abstract: An electrochemical device including a housing and a stack of electrochemical cells in the housing. Each electrochemical cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, a separator located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and an electrolyte. The electrochemical device also includes a current collector located between adjacent electrochemical cells, an anode bus operatively connected to the anodes of the electrochemical cells in the stack and a cathode bus operatively connected to the cathodes of the electrochemical cells in the stack. The housing, the anode electrode, the cathode electrode, the separator, the anode bus and the cathode bus are non-metallic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Aquion Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Whitacre, Don Humphreys, Wenzhuo Yang, Edward Lynch-Bell, Alex Mohamed, Eric Weber, David Blackwood
  • Patent number: 8956785
    Abstract: A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes a metal with a non-crystalline carbon layer disposed over at least a portion of the metal plate. The non-crystalline carbon layer includes an activated surface which is hydrophilic. Moreover, the flow field plate is included in a fuel cell with a minimal increase in contact resistance. Methods for forming the flow field plates are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gayatri Vyas Dadheech, Thomas A. Trabold, Youssef M. Mikhail, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid
  • Patent number: 8951691
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack is disclosed. In one aspect, the solid oxide fuel cell stack includes unit cells, an external collector, a first stack collecting member, a cap, and a suspension member. The external collector contacts an outer periphery of each of the unit cells and electrically connects the unit cells to each other. The first stack collecting member is positioned to collect current from a distal unit cell. A cap is provided in one end of the distal unit cell. The suspension member has one side thereof suspended from the cap and the other side fixed to the first stack collecting member to distribute weight of the first stack collecting member. Structural stability of a stack collector may be maintained even at oxidizing atmosphere of high temperature when driving the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gyu-Jong Bae, Sang-Jun Kong, Hyun Soh, Tae-Ho Kwon, Kwang-Jin Park, Duk-Hyoung Yoon, Young-Sun Kwon
  • Publication number: 20150037710
    Abstract: The invention relates to an article, such as a plate for a use in a fuel cell, which has a base onto which a coating is applied which is electrically conductive and which includes a substantially carbon material layer and at least one intermediate layer which can be a nitride, carbide, metal and metal alloy. The multilayer coating which is formed allows the protection of the article in an efficient and effective manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin Cooke, Gunter Eitzinger, Susan Field, Hailin Sun
  • Patent number: 8932744
    Abstract: A battery capable of improving the cycle characteristics is provided. A current collector containing copper (Cu), in which ratio I (200)/I (111) between intensity I (200) of a peak originated in (200) crystal plane of copper obtained by X-ray diffraction and intensity I (111) of a peak originated in (111) crystal plane thereof is in the range from 0.5 to 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takakazu Hirose, Masayuki Iwama, Kenichi Kawase
  • Patent number: 8928328
    Abstract: A testing device for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is disclosed. The testing device which combines the original cell housing with a four-point probe equipment is set for measuring SOFC MEA. The current collectors on anode and cathode in the original cell housing are respectively replaced by four independent probe units. They are not only to collect current but also to become measuring probes. Therefore, the lateral impedance of anode and cathode can be measured. Furthermore, the local characteristics are examined by open circuit voltage (OCV), I-V curve, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The results show that the lateral impedance is substantially varied with temperatures. The distributions of OCV, current density, EIS and cell voltage in long-term test at the center of the cell are different from the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Cheng, Yaw-Hwa Shiu, Yung-Neng Cheng, Ruey-Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 8921006
    Abstract: The fuel cell assembly of the present invention comprises a first fuel cell, a second fuel cell disposed adjacent to the first fuel cell, and a current collector for electrically connecting the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell. The first fuel cell and the second fuel cell are respectively furnished with an electrical generating portion for generating electricity, each of the electrical generation portion having a first electrode through the interior of which a first gas flows, a second electrode of a polarity different from the first electrode, on the exterior of which a second gas flows, and an electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The current collector distributes and sources the current generated in the first fuel cell generating portion from two different locations on the first electrode on the first fuel cell to the second electrode of the second fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Watanabe, Yousuke Akagi, Shuichiro Saigan, Nobuo Isaka
  • Publication number: 20140349211
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises: an anode formed of graphene oxide from an acidic pH; a cathode from a pH greater than the acidic pH of the anode; and charge collectors deposited on the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Di Wei, Stefano Marco Borini, Richard White, Jani Kivioja
  • Publication number: 20140302422
    Abstract: Magnesium energy storage devices that take advantage of magnesium-based anodes while maintaining practical energy densities can be useful for large-scale energy storage as well as other applications. One such device can include a negative electrode having magnesium and a positive electrode material that can flow in a batch or continuous manner. The flowable positive electrode material can result in an increased practical energy density because the fresh active material can be flowed to the positive electrode, and as a result can be theoretically infinite in size. The positive electrode can include a cathode suspension contacting a positive current collector and having particulates of a cathode magnesium intercalation compound, a cathode magnesium conversion compound, a redox active species, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Yuyan Shao, Jun Liu, Guosheng Li, Tianbiao Liu
  • Publication number: 20140302407
    Abstract: This invention proposes metal complexes of polyphenylenediamines as the precursors of carbonized materials used as air electrode catalysts. Method of production includes mixing phenylenediamine monomer with a catalyst carrier in a solvent and adding an oxidant with metal salt to produce a metal complex of polyphenylenediamine. After drying the precursor is heat treated in the temperature range 400° C.-1000° C.° in nitrogen. Then the catalyst is leached and heat treated once again. In a modified procedure the heat treatment is carried out in air while leaching and subsequent thermal treatment are eliminated. The catalyst has demonstrated high performance and stability as the component of the air electrode of a metal-air battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Panisolar Inc
    Inventors: Iakov Kogan, Anna Khomenko
  • Patent number: 8841043
    Abstract: Provided is an interconnector material which is chemically stable in both oxidation atmospheres and reduction atmospheres, has a high electron conductivity (electric conductivity), a low ionic conductivity, does not contain Cr, and enables a reduction in sintering temperature. The interconnector material is arranged between a plurality of cells each composed of an anode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a cathode layer stacked sequentially, and electrically connects the plurality of cells to each other in series in a solid electrolyte fuel cell. The interconnector is formed of a ceramic composition represented by the composition formula La(Fe1-xAlx)O3 in which 0<x<0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhide Takata, Michiaki Iha
  • Patent number: 8841044
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid oxide fuel cell, including: a unit cell; a current collector formed in a flat shape having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface including a groove formed in a thickness direction so as to receive the unit cell therein; and a circular support member formed between the first surface and the second surface of the current collector, wherein the support member is provided in plural, and the support members for respective regions have different diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Ho Chung, Jai Hyung Gil, Kyong Bok Min, Jong Sik Yoon, Eon Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 8821969
    Abstract: A method for making a modified current collector of a lithium ion battery is provided. In the method, the modifier and a metal plate are provided. The modifier is a mixture of a phosphorus source having a phosphate radical, a trivalent aluminum source, and a metallic oxide provided in a liquid phase solvent. The modifier is coated on a surface of the metal plate to form a coating layer. The coated metal plate is heat treated to transform the coating layer into a protective film formed on the surface of the metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiang-Ming He, Jian-Jun Li, Li-Chun Zhang, Wei-Hua Pu, Jian Gao, Jian-Guo Ren
  • Publication number: 20140242496
    Abstract: A graphene-nanomaterial composite, an electrode and an electric device including the graphene-nanomaterial composite and a method of manufacturing the graphene-nanomaterial composite include a graphene stacked structure including a plurality of graphene films stacked on one another; and a nanomaterial between the plurality of graphene films and bonded to at least one of the plurality of graphene films by a chemical bond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: SAMSUNG CORNING PRECISION MATERIALS CO., LTD., SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chong-joon RYU, Nae-young JUNG, Soon-geun KWON, Jae-young CHOI
  • Patent number: 8815464
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and a metal separator. The metal separator is stacked with the membrane electrode assembly. A reactant gas passage is provided between the membrane electrode assembly and the metal separator to supply a reactant gas along an electrode surface. The metal separator includes a reactant gas communication hole to communicate with the reactant gas passage. The metal separator further includes a plurality of groove groups each having a plurality of grooves press-formed to allow the reactant gas communication hole to communicate with the reactant gas passage. The grooves adjacent to each other are spaced apart by a first distance. The groove groups adjacent to each other are spaced apart by a second distance larger than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetada Kojima, Masaaki Sakano, Yasuhiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8802331
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods for testing a fuel cell interconnect including the steps of providing a fuel cell interconnect and performing a non-destructive test on the fuel cell interconnect comprising at least one of detecting a magnetic response of the interconnect, calculating a volume by optically illuminating the interconnect, detecting an acoustic response of the interconnect, and detecting a thermal response of the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Harald Herchen, Martin Janousek
  • Patent number: 8802332
    Abstract: A system for fabricating a fuel cell component in which a deposition mechanism deposits loading material particles onto the fuel cell component and an actuation mechanism actuates the deposition mechanism. A unit provides a tape fixing agent to the fuel cell component and loaded material particles so as to retain the particles on the fuel cell component. Other fuel components are retained to the fuel cell component also using a tape fixing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvador E. Correa, Thomas M. Lucas, Lawrence J. Novacco
  • Patent number: 8802322
    Abstract: An interconnecting-type solid oxide fuel cell is disclosed. The fuel cell includes a unit cell, a first current collecting member, a first insulating member, and a second current collecting member. The unit cell has a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a second electrode layer sequentially formed from an inside thereof, and has an interconnector configured for electrical connection to the first electrode layer and exposed to an outside thereof in a state in which the interconnector is insulated from the second electrode layer. The first current collecting member is formed on an outside of the interconnector and configured to collect current. The first insulating member is formed on an outside of the first current collecting member. The second current collecting member is wound around an outer circumferential surface of the second electrode layer and an outside of the first insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Duk-Hyoung Yoon, Sang-Jun Kong, Tae-Ho Kwon, Kwang-Jin Park, Gyu-Jong Bae, Hyun Soh, Young-Sun Kwon
  • Patent number: 8790850
    Abstract: A current collection apparatus and its method of processing for a solid oxide fuel cell, which mainly includes using screen printing process to print conductive adhesive onto the surface of the electrode of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), forming a current collection layer with drying process, using an appropriate amount of conductive adhesive to paste a conductive wire onto the current collection layer, forming an adhesion layer through drying, fixing the conductive wire on the electrode surface with an appropriate amount of ceramic adhesive, and forming a fixing layer after baking. A good connection is hence made between metal conductive wire and electrode through current collection layer, not only the interface impedance between electrode and current collection layer can be reduced effectively, but also the output power density of the SOFC unit cell can be enhanced, and stable as well as long term power output can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Jen-Chen Chang, Maw-Chwain Lee, Rung-Je Yang, Tai-Nan Lin, Yang-Chuang Chang, Wei-Xin Kao, Lin-Song Lee
  • Patent number: 8785077
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a fuel cell connection component, including an interconnect or a current collector. The fuel cell connection component includes conductive fibers oriented at an angle of less than about 90° to at least one electrode in the fuel cell. The fuel cell connection component provides an electrically conductive pathway from the at least one electrode of the fuel cell to an external circuit or to an electrode of a different fuel cell. Embodiments of the present invention also provide fuel cells that include the fuel cell connection component, including fuel cell layers, and methods of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Jeremy Schrooten, Mark Petersen, Jean-Louis Iaconis, David Lo, Paul Sobejko
  • Publication number: 20140186746
    Abstract: An apparatus for insulating a plurality of exposed live parts of a fuel cell stack, includes a plurality of protectors. Each of the plurality of protectors is made of an insulating material and configured to insulate a corresponding one of the plurality of exposed live parts to which a corresponding one of current collector terminals disposed in an end plate of the fuel cell stack and a corresponding one of connections of a busbar are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: YURA CORPORATION CO., LTD., HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Ju Han KIM, Byung Ki AHN, Jung Do SHU, Young Bum KUM, Ki Wook OHM, Gil Woo JUNG
  • Patent number: 8758917
    Abstract: In a lithium-ion secondary battery (100), a battery case (300) has sidewalls (300A, 300B) facing toward side ends of a wound electrode body (200), the side ends being at opposite lateral sides of the positive electrode sheet (220), and of the sidewalls (300A, 300B), one of the sidewalls (300A) (positive-electrode-side sidewall) facing toward an uncoated portion (222) of the positive electrode sheet (220) is thicker than the other sidewall (300B) (negative-electrode-side sidewall). In other words, the relationship between the thickness A of the one sidewall (300A) facing toward the uncoated portion (222) of the positive electrode sheet (220) and the thickness B of the other sidewall (300B) is A>B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taira Saito, Musashi Nakagane, Satoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8735022
    Abstract: A product comprising a fuel cell component comprising a substrate and a coating overlying the substrate, the coating comprising nanoparticles having sizes ranging from 2 to 100 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Harald Schlag, Ralf Senner, Thomas A. Trabold, Thomas W. Tighe, Gayatri Vyas, Keith E. Newman
  • Patent number: 8722267
    Abstract: A front terminal plate (31) that is joined to a fuel cell unit (40) at the front end of a fuel cell stack has a metal-plating layer (31b) formed on the side to be joined to the fuel cell unit (40). The metal-plating layer (31b) is formed so as to cover the surface of a plate (31a), and the surface of the metal-plating layer (31b) is flat. The thickness of the metal-plating layer (31b) in an electrode-facing region (31c) that faces an electrode region of the fuel cell unit (40) is different from the thickness of the metal-plating layer (31b) in a peripheral region (31d) that surrounds the electrode-facing region (31c), and the thickness of the metal-plating layer (31b) in the peripheral region (31d) is larger than the thickness of the metal-plating layer (31b) in the electrode-facing region (31c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Kunitake
  • Publication number: 20140127601
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell structure has an electrical current-carrying structure which, at least in part, underlies an electrochemical reaction layer. The cell comprises an ion exchange membrane with a catalyst layer on each side thereof. The ion exchange membrane may comprise, for example, a proton exchange membrane. Some embodiments of the invention provide electrochemical cell layers which have a plurality of individual unit cells formed on a sheet of ion exchange membrane material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Société BIC
    Inventors: Gerard F. McLean, Anna Stukas, Jeremy Schrooten
  • Patent number: 8703347
    Abstract: A flat fuel cell assembly including a membrane electrode assembly, a cathode porous current collector, an anode porous current collector and a gas barrier material layer is provided. The membrane electrode assembly includes a proton conducting membrane, an anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer disposed respectively on two sides of the proton conducting membrane, and an anode gas diffusion layer and a cathode gas diffusion layer disposed respectively on the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer. The cathode porous current collector is disposed on one side of the cathode gas diffusion layer. The anode porous current collector is disposed on one side of the anode gas diffusion layer. The gas barrier material layer having at least an opening exposing the surface of the cathode gas diffusion layer is disposed on the cathode gas diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Chun-Ho Tai, Chiou-Chu Lai, Ying-Ying Hsu, Yin-Wen Tsai
  • Patent number: 8697311
    Abstract: An arrangement for interconnecting electrochemical cells of the type having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) interposed between an anode gas diffusion layer (208) and a cathode gas diffusion layer (210), and first and second current collectors coupled to said anode and cathode gas diffusion layers (GDL), respectively, wherein the first current collector extends from the anode side of one cell to the cathode side of an adjacent cell, and wherein the cell components are clamped together. The first current collector (206) which is in contact with the anode gas diffusion layer (GDL; 208) of a first electrochemical cell (200a) is configured to be connected to the cathode side of a second, adjacent electrochemical cell (200b) via an inert and electrically conductive member (204b), without being in electrochemical contact with the electrochemically active components of the adjacent cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: myFC AB
    Inventors: Anders Lundblad, Henrik Ekstrom, Eric Jonsson
  • Patent number: 8691473
    Abstract: A fuel cell module may include a membrane electrode assembly two gas diffusion layers, two current collectors, two sealing members, and a fluid flow plate assembly. The membrane electrode assembly may include at least one membrane for fuel cell reactions, and the two gas diffusion layers may be respectively coupled with the two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly. The fluid flow plate assembly is coupled with the membrane electrode assembly at a first side of the two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly. At least one of the membrane electrode assembly, the two gas diffusion layers, the two current collectors, and the two sealing members has a non-planar surface prior to an assembly of the membrane electrode assembly, the two gas diffusion layers, the two current collectors, and the two sealing members, and the non-planar surface is at least partially flattened when the assembly occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chi-Chang Chen, Huan-Ruei Shiu, Wen-Chen Chang, Fanghei Tsau
  • Patent number: 8658228
    Abstract: A tubular fuel cell module comprising a tubular fuel cell capable of improving current collection efficiency, and a fuel cell comprising the fuel cell module are provided. A fuel cell module (100) includes a plurality of tubular fuel cells (10A, 10A, . . . ) arranged in parallel and a first current collector (35), wherein the tubular fuel cells (10A, 10A, . . . ) are woven by the first current collector (35) in a direction crossing an axial direction of the tubular fuel cells (10A, 10A, . . . ) in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Shigeaki Murata, Masahiro Imanishi, Yoshihisa Tamura
  • Publication number: 20140045097
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal current collector for a solid oxide fuel cell including: a plurality of supports in one direction having a length part extended in one direction; a plurality of supports in another direction having a length part extended in a direction different from that of the support in one direction; and a plurality of pores enclosed by the supports in one direction and the support in another direction that are arranged to intersect with each other, wherein the support is provided with a cutting part so that the length part thereof is not integrally connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyong Bok Min, Bon Seok Koo, Hong Ryul Lee
  • Publication number: 20140038082
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connector for a solid oxide fuel cell, which electrically connects tubular solid oxide fuel cells to each other. The connector includes a conductive body part having a first electrode contact groove and a second electrode contact groove. A first electrode contact part is formed on the top surface of the body part to receive at least a portion of an exposed first electrode portion and second electrode portion of a first solid oxide fuel cell, and is electrically connected to the first electrode of the first solid oxide fuel cell. A second electrode contact part is formed at the bottom surface of the body part so as to receive at least a portion of exposed first electrode portion and second electrode portion of a second solid oxide fuel cell, and is electrically connected to the second electrode of the second solid oxide fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: MICO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki Moon Han, Song Ho Choi, Chong Sik Lim
  • Patent number: 8628891
    Abstract: A system and method for electrically interconnecting a plurality of fuel cells to provide dense packing of the fuel cells. Each one of a plurality of fuel cells has a plurality of discrete electrical connection points along an outer surface. Electrical connections are made directly between the discrete electrical connection points of adjacent fuel cells so that the fuel cells can be packed more densely. Fuel cells have at least one outer electrode and at least one discrete interconnection to an inner electrode, wherein the outer electrode is one of a cathode and an anode and wherein the inner electrode is the other of the cathode and the anode. In tubular solid oxide fuel cells the discrete electrical connection points are spaced along the length of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Acumentrics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Brown, Norman F. Bessette, II, Anthony F. Litka, Douglas S. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8617769
    Abstract: Powders of respective metal elements (Mn, Co) constituting a transition metal oxide (MnCo2O4) having a spinel type crystal structure are used as a starting material of the coating film. A film of a paste containing the mixture of the powders is formed on the surface of the interconnector, and with this state, the paste is sintered to form the coating film. In the coating body, a chromia layer including Cr2O3, a first layer including elements of Mn, Co, Fe, Cr, and O, and a second layer including elements of Mn, Co, Fe, and O are provided in this order from the side close to the interconnector at the boundary between the coating film and the interconnector. With this structure, the coating film is difficult to be peeled even if the coating body is placed in a severe temperature change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Ohmori, Takashi Ryu, Toshiyuki Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20130337357
    Abstract: The invention relates to a current collecting plate (50) for a fuel cell. According to the invention, the plate comprises a substantially constant thickness of an electrically conductive material along the stacking axis of the cells of the fuel cell, forming a plane at the end of the stack in order to collect the current from the fuel cell. The invention is characterised in that it comprises holes (52) pierced in the thickness of the material, extending parallel to the plane of the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicants: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives, PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES S.A.
    Inventors: Xavier Glipa, Francis Roy, Eric Pinton, Pascal Schott, Sylvie Begot, Fabien Harel, Jean-Marc Le Canut