Abstract: The invention is a reversible fuel cell power plant (10). A reactant switch-over assembly (48) is secured between a reducing fluid fuel source (30), an oxygen containing oxidant source (24), and first and second flow fields (20) (22) of a fuel cell (12). The switch-over assembly (48) first directs a reducing fluid fuel stream to flow into the first flow field (20) while it simultaneously directs the oxygen containing oxidant stream to flow into the second flow field (22). Then, after a first half of a useful life span of the fuel cell (12) but before a final one quarter of the useful life span, the switch-over assembly (48) directs the reducing fluid fuel stream to flow into the second flow field (22) while it simultaneously directs the oxygen containing oxidant stream to flow into the first flow field (20).

Abstract: The invention is a fuel cell (20) having a corrosion resistant and protected cathode catalyst layer (24). The cathode catalyst layer (24) includes a platinum oxygen reduction catalyst and an oxygen evolution catalyst selected from the group consisting of catalysts that are more active than platinum for oxygen evolution. The oxygen evolution catalyst may be uniformly applied within the cathode catalyst layer, or non-uniformly applied to identified high corrosion areas (82) (84) of the cathode catalyst layer (24). The cathode catalyst layer (24) may include heat-treated carbon support material, and/or a heat-treated carbon black within a diffusion layer (40) supporting the cathode catalyst layer (24). The fuel cell (20) may also include an anode catalyst layer (22) having a poor oxygen reduction catalyst having a greater oxygen reduction over potential than platinum.

Abstract: A high water permeability proton exchange membrane (12) is disclosed for use in an electrochemical cell, such as a fuel cell (10) or an electrolysis cell. The membrane (12) includes: a. between about 20 volume percent (“vol. %”) and about 40 vol. % of a structural insulating phase (40); between about 50 vol. % and about 70 vol. % of a hydrated nanoporous ionomer phase (42); and, about 10 vol. % of a microporous water-filled phase (44). The structural insulating material (40) defines an overall membrane volume, and the ionomer phase (42) fills all but 10% of the overall volume so that the microporous water-filled phase (44) is defined within the ionomer phase (42) and consists of open pores having a diameter of between 0.3 microns and 1.0 microns. Water transport is enhanced between opposed catalytic surfaces (14), (16) of the membrane (12).

Abstract: The invention is a start up system and method for a fuel cell power plant (10) using a purging of the cathode flow field (38) with a hydrogen rich reducing fluid fuel to minimize corrosion of the cathode electrode (16). The method for starting up the shut down fuel cell power plant (10) includes the steps of: a. purging the cathode flow field (38) with the reducing fluid fuel; b. then, directing the reducing fluid fuel to flow through an anode flow field (28); c. next, terminating flow of the fuel through the cathode flow field (38) and directing an oxygen containing oxidant to flow through the cathode flow field (38); and, d. finally, connecting a primary load (70) to the fuel cell (12) so that electrical current flows from the fuel cell (12) to the primary load (70).

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for shutting down a fuel cell power plant having at least one fuel cell, a primary load, and an auxiliary load that receive electrical current from electrodes of the fuel cell through an external circuit. Shutting down the plant includes disconnecting the primary load; terminating flow of the oxidant through a cathode flow field; connecting the auxiliary load to consume oxygen within the fuel cell; disconnecting the auxiliary load; connecting a power supply to the fuel cell electrodes to increase a concentration of hydrogen within the cathode flow field; and, then, decreasing or eliminating flow of hydrogen into an anode flow field after an equilibrium gas concentration of at least 0.0001% hydrogen, balance fuel cell inert gases, is achieved in both the anode and cathode flow fields.

Abstract: The invention is a method of using a temporary dilute surfactant water solution to enhance mass transport in a fuel cell (10) that generates electrical current from hydrogen containing reducing fluid and oxygen containing oxidant reactant streams. The method includes the steps of: a. directing the dilute surfactant water solution to flow through a cathode flow field (20) of a fuel cell (10); b. then removing the solution from the fuel cell (10); and, c. then directing flow of the reactant streams through the flow fields (12) (20). The temporary dilute surfactant water solution has a surface tension of not less than 50 dynes/cm. Flowing the temporary dilute surfactant water solution through the fuel cell (10) for a temporary, short duration improves mass transport of the cell (10) even after the solution is removed from the cell (10).

Abstract: A reduced volume fuel cell stack (10) includes a plurality of thin fuel cells (46, 48, 50, 52, 54) and a plurality of thick fuel cells (56, 58). The thin fuel cells include water management channels (62A, 62B, 62C, 62D) and the thick fuel cells include cooling channels (76A, 76B, 76C, 76D). At least two thin fuel cells (48, 50) are secured adjacent each other and adjacent each thick fuel cell (56, 58) within the stack (10). The water management channels (62A, 62B, 62C, 62D) have a depth that is at least four times less than a depth of the cooling channels (76A, 76B, 76C, 76D) so that volume, weight and water content of the stack (10) are reduced.

Abstract: A direct antifreeze cooled fuel cell is disclosed for producing electrical energy from reducing and process oxidant fluid streams that includes an electrolyte secured between an anode catalyst and a cathode catalyst; a porous anode substrate secured in direct fluid communication with and supporting the anode catalyst; a porous wetproofed cathode substrate secured in direct fluid communication with and supporting the cathode catalyst; a porous water transport or cooler plate secured in direct fluid communication with the porous cathode substrate; and, a direct antifreeze solution passing through the porous water transport plate. A preferred direct antifreeze solution passing through the porous water transport plate remains essentially within the water transport plate and does not poison the catalysts.

Abstract: The invention is a fuel cell stack having an improved pressure plate and current collector. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell component plates stacked adjacent each other to form a reaction portion of the fuel cell stack. A current collector is secured adjacent a first end of the stack of fuel cell component plates and a pressure plate is secured adjacent to the current collector. The current collector is made from a non-porous, electrically conductive graphite material and includes at least one conductive stud secured to the collector. The pressure plate is made of an electrically non-conductive, non-metallic, fiber reinforced composite material, so that the current collector and pressure plate are light, compact and have a low thermal capacity.

Abstract: The invention is a porous carbon body for a fuel cell having an electronically conductive hydrophilic agent and method of manufacture of the body. The porous carbon body comprises an electronically conductive graphite powder in an amount of between 60%-80% by weight of the body; a carbon fiber in an amount of between 5%-15% by weight of the body; a thermoset binder in an amount of between 6%-18% by weight of the body; and, a modified carbon black electronically conductive hydrophilic agent in an amount of between 2%-20% by weight of the body. The body provides for increased wettability without any decrease in electrical conductivity, and also provides for an efficient manufacture without any need for high temperature, costly steps to graphitize the body, or to incorporate post molding hydrophilic agents into pores of the body.

Abstract: A memory device protective carrier is disclosed for protecting small memory devices. The container includes a non-deformable, rigid exterior case having first and second shells and a securing mechanism to adjustably secure the shells in an open or closed position so that a containment chamber is defined between the shells in the closed position. A deformable, resilient receiving insert and a resilient securing insert are secured respectively within the first and second shells. Sealing lips of the inserts are compressed in the closed position to form a fluid seal so that a memory device secured within the containment chamber is protected by the rigid case and resilient inserts against damage from impact injury or fluid contaminants.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic powder and multilayer ceramic capacitors made from the powders are disclosed. A dielectric start powder mixture includes at least ninety weight percent essentially pure barium titanate powder having an average particle size of from 0.2 to 1.2 microns; from 0.2 to 2.5 weight percent of barium lithium borosilicate; from 0.1 to 0.3 weight percent of MnCO3; 0.4 to 1.50 weight percent Nb205 or a niobate compound, or a molar equivalent of Ta2O5 or a tantalum compound as a grain growth inhibitor; and, 0.4 to 1.2 weight percent of gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3). The start powder mixture is calcined and then sintered in an open zirconia setter at from 950° C. to 1,025° C. to produce a dielectric ceramic body that satisfies X7R capacitor performance characteristics; that includes no hazardous heavy metal oxides; and, that may include silver-palladium electrodes having 85 weight percent or more of silver.

Abstract: The invention includes a dielectric ceramic powder mixture comprising at least ninety weight percent essentially pure barium titanate powder having an average particle size of from 0.2 to 1.2 microns; from 0.2 to 2.5 weight percent of barium lithium borosilicate flux; from 0.1 to 0.3 weight percent of MnCO3; a grain growth inhibitor such as niobium oxide or other niobate compound; and, 0.4 to 1.2 weight percent of an additive selected from the group consisting of a rare earth oxide, yttrium oxide, a combination of rare earth oxides, and a combination of yttrium oxide and rare earth oxides, such that ions of the additive(s) have an average ionic radius of about 0.97 angstroms. The dielectric ceramic powder provides a start powder for making very low firing multilayer ceramic capacitors satisfying X7R performance requirements.

Abstract: The invention is a bi-fluid actuator for precise bi-directional movement and positioning of a mechanical object or load. The bi-fluid actuator includes a pneumatic fluid container defining opposed first and second pneumatic fluid chambers, and having a first mechanical object secured between the chambers; a hydraulic fluid container defining opposed first and second hydraulic fluid chambers, and having a second mechanical object secured between the first and second hydraulic chambers; a pneumatic fluid controller; and, a hydraulic fluid controller. Directing pneumatic fluid into either the first or second pneumatic chambers, while controlling flow of hydraulic fluid between the first and second hydraulic chambers, controls movement and positioning of the mechanical objects which may be secured to a load.

Abstract: The invention reduces free water volume in a fuel cell power plant so support systems of the plant are freeze tolerant. The fuel cell power plant includes a coolant system having a sealed cooler plate that circulates an antifreeze coolant in heat exchange with a fuel cell and that collects fuel cell water; a water vapor removal system that removes water vapor from the antifreeze coolant to regulate the antifreeze concentration; and a start-up system having a start-up heat exchanger and a start-up valve that selectively direct heated antifreeze coolant into the cooler plate for a start-up procedure. The plant may also include a fuel processing system that utilizes the removed water vapor, and that is in heat exchange with the start-up heat exchanger. The antifreeze coolant is a low vapor pressure solution, such as an alkanetriol or polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: The invention is a moveable presser rail assembly for supporting blanking material during operation of a blanking tool for making packaging blanks. The moveable presser rail assembly includes a mount housing having a cavity that pivotally secures a pivot sleeve, and a guide strut is secured within the pivot sleeve by a spring biasing mechanism so that a fastening end of the guide strut may be rigidly secured to a presser rail. Because the guide strut may pivot within the mount housing, the presser rail may be rigidly secured to the guide strut and still provide reciprocating and non-parallel or limited lateral motion relative to a support plate that supports the mount housing.

Abstract: The invention is a freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant that includes at least one fuel cell and a water transport plate secured within the fuel cell having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet that direct a water coolant through the plate. A suction water displacement system includes a freeze tolerant accumulator secured to the coolant inlet and a vacuum separator secured to the coolant outlet having a suction generating eductor secured to the separator. Control valves and a coolant pump selectively direct either the water coolant, heated, or unheated water immiscible fluid to cycle from the accumulator, through the coolant inlet, water transport plate, coolant outlet, vacuum separator and back to the accumulator in order to permit operation and storage of the plant in sub-freezing ambient temperatures.

Abstract: The invention is a freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant that includes at least one fuel cell; a coolant loop having a coolant circulating device that directs a water coolant through a water transport plate within the fuel cell; and a water displacement system having a freeze tolerant accumulator that contains a water immiscible fluid and water coolant. The water displacement system also includes a water immiscible fluid pump, heater and displacement valves for directing the water immiscible fluid to flow from the accumulator into the coolant loop; for directing the water coolant in the coolant loop to flow into the accumulator; and, for directing heated water immiscible fluid to flow from the accumulator into the coolant loop and back into the accumulator.

Abstract: The invention is an automated peeler for peeling vegetables or fruit. The peeler includes a split axle support for securing and rotating an object to be peeled within a frame, and a peeling blade supported on an articulating peeler blade mount secured through a blade arm to a peeler support. As the peeler support is driven along a peeler carriage, a torsion drive forces the peeler blade against the rotating object. The articulating peeler blade mount permits the peeling blade to track an irregular surface of a vegetable such as a butternut squash. The peeling blade comprises an arcuate cutting surface having at least one blade tip extending above a throughbore defined in the surface of the peeling blade so that a peel of the object passes through the throughbore defined in the peeling blade.

Abstract: The invention is a fuel cell with an electrolyte dry-out barrier to restrict loss of water from the electrolyte. The fuel cell includes: an anode catalyst and a cathode catalyst secured to opposed sides of an electrolyte; an anode flow field disposed adjacent the anode catalyst for directing the reducing fluid to pass adjacent the anode catalyst, and a cathode flow field disposed adjacent the cathode catalyst for directing the process oxidant stream to pass adjacent the cathode catalyst; and, an anode electrolyte dry-out barrier secured between the electrolyte and the anode flow field for restricting transfer of water from the electrolyte into the anode flow field. The anode electrolyte dry-out barrier extends from adjacent an entire reducing fluid inlet and along an entire reducing fluid flow path a distance that is adequate for the reducing fluid stream flowing through the anode flow field to become saturated with water.