Patents Examined by Olatunji Godo
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Patent number: 11817603Abstract: A fuel cell system that raises temperature of fuel cells by supplying heated air to the fuel cells during starting up period. The fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cells, a fuel supply path connected parallelly to the fuel cells to provide fuel thereto, an air supply path connected serially to the fuel cells to provide air thereto, a heat exchanger arranged in the fuel supply path to heat air or fuel, an air heat exchanger arranged in the air supply path to heat air; and a connection path connecting a position of the air supply path upstream to the air heat exchanger with a position of the fuel supply path upstream to the heat exchanger. A first control valve is arranged in the air supply path for controlling the air flowing into to the air heat exchanger. A second control valve arranged in the connection path for controlling the air flowing into the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Ken Bryan Ikeguchi, Hayato Chikugo
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Patent number: 11811100Abstract: A cell module includes a plurality of battery cells each having a safety valve at a first end in a height direction, a first current collector plate including a main body having a through hole that at least partly overlaps the safety valve when viewed along the height direction and a lead extending into the through hole from the main body and being electrically connected to a first terminal of each of the battery cells, an exhaust duct disposed over a surface of the first current collector plate remote from the battery cells, and an insulating film being made of an insulating material and covering an area of the first current collector plate facing the exhaust duct. The safety valve opens when an internal pressure of any of the battery cells reaches or exceeds a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinya Motokawa, Daisuke Kishii, Keisuke Shimizu, Akira Takano
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Patent number: 11811112Abstract: The fuel cell control system includes: a reactor; an air compressor, wherein the air compressor has a compressing cavity, the compressing cavity has a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a rotatable pressure wheel is disposed inside the compressing cavity, and the gas outlet is in communication with the reactor; a control flow channel, wherein a first end of the control flow channel is in communication with the gas-intake side of the pressure wheel, a second end of the control flow channel is in communication with the wheel-back side of the pressure wheel, and the control flow channel is provided with a return valve for regulating the flow rate of the control flow channel; and a central control unit, wherein the central control unit is communicatively connected to the return valve to control the opening degree of the return valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: GREAT WALL MOTOR COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Pengfei Niu, Gaoxia Zhao, Haifeng Tang, Zeyu Zhang, Xin Jin, Peiming Wu, Xiangjun Wang, Haichao Yu, Zhengyu Wang, Yang Feng, Minglong Kang, Lei Gao, Hongshui Du, Xiaolong Ma, Ruyi Yang
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Patent number: 11811117Abstract: An air supply system, comprising at least two air blowers and at least two communication valves; wherein one air blower is connected to a main air passage through the corresponding communication valve; and at least one other is connected to a reformer air passage and a stack air passage through at least one other communication valve, respectively. At least two air blowers are provided to connect the at least two communication valves.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Inventors: Changming Hu, Youpeng Chen, Xiaowen Sun, Xiao Yu
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Patent number: 11804612Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a fuel cell system (100), having a fuel cell stack (20) with a plurality of fuel cells (110) each having at least one cathode portion (K) and at least one anode portion (A), a compressor (10) for conveying air into the cathode portions (K), a pressure-sustaining valve (40), and a control device (50), the at least one cathode portion (K) being arranged downstream of and in fluid communication with the compressor (10) and upstream of and in fluid communication with the pressure-sustaining valve (40), the fuel cell system (100) having a high-pressure region (HDB) between the compressor (10) and the pressure-sustaining valve (40). The invention further relates to a control device (50) and to a fuel cell system (100).Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Mark Hellmann, Sergei Hahn
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Patent number: 11804610Abstract: A fuel cell system having a direct liquid fuel cell that uses a liquid containing a formic acid or an alcohol as a fuel includes: a fuel tank that stores the fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell; a fuel supply device that supplies the fuel in the fuel tank to the fuel cell; and a bubbling device that blows an inert gas into the fuel stored in the fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KANAZAWA UNIVERSITYInventors: Takuya Tsujiguchi, Yasuhide Takeda, Atsushi Kubo, Akihiro Takazato, Toshiyuki Saito, Motoo Nakai, Yusuke Ueda
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Patent number: 11796503Abstract: A voltage applying unit of a water detecting device applies, to a pair of electrodes, a voltage changing within an application range that includes a first voltage which is smaller than an electrolysis voltage of water and a second voltage which is larger than the electrolysis voltage of the water. A judging unit judges presence or absence of the water based on change in electric current measured by a current measuring unit when the voltage changing within the application range is applied to the pair of electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hidetoshi Utsumi, Takehiro Fukushima, Shunsuke Konishi, Yuichi Hori, Hodaka Tsuge
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Patent number: 11784336Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first converter to convert power, which is output from a fuel cell stack or a battery, into power in a specific level, a second converter to convert power which is input to or output from the battery, a power relay assembly to control power flow between a super capacitor and the first converter, and a controller to control outputs of the first converter and the second converter, depending on a starting state or an operating state of the fuel cell system, and to control an operation of the power relay assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventors: Se Hoon Song, Young Hwang Kim, Jae Sung Choi
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Patent number: 11777122Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes a gasifier, upon receiving steam and methane, configured to convert the methane and steam into hydrogen and carbon monoxide; and a carbon trap, operatively connected to the gasifier, configured to capture carbon from the carbon monoxide and allow the hydrogen to pass therethrough. The carbon trap includes iron and a heat source.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Inventor: Clarke G. Homan
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Patent number: 11777119Abstract: In a tubular body mounting step, a tubular body is connected to a first end constituting member and a second end constituting member of a fuel cell stack, respectively. At this time, a first opening and a second opening formed at both ends of the tubular body are closed by the first end constituting member and the second end constituting member, respectively. Accordingly, the fuel cell stack is surrounded by the tubular body. A gap is formed between the outer wall of unit cells of the fuel cell stack and the inner wall of the tubular body. In a determination step, a test gas is supplied into the fuel cell stack. Further, whether the test gas exists in the gap is determined.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takahiro Tanaka
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Patent number: 11777125Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one of plural electrochemical pump separators to separate carbon dioxide from a fuel exhaust stream or a combination of a gas separator and a fuel exhaust cooler located outside a hotbox.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: David Weingaertner, Matthias Gottmann, Jayakumar Krishnadass, Chockkalingam Karuppaiah, Arne Ballantine, Swaminathan Venkataraman, Martin Perry, John Fisher, Greg Young
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Patent number: 11777118Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling start/stop of a parallel fuel cell system, which, when controlling stop of a parallel fuel cell system in which two or more fuel cell systems are connected in parallel, considers operating state information of each fuel cell system, such as a current speed value of an air compressor and an opening degree of an air-exhaust-side air pressure valve of a fuel cell stack. Accordingly, the method can calculate a delay time for performing fuel cell system stop control for the two or more fuel cell systems, and sequentially perform the fuel cell system stop control for the two or more fuel cell systems based on the calculated delay time. Therefore, it is possible to minimize output delay of each fuel cell system and to achieve deterioration prevention and efficiency improvement of the fuel cell stack by fuel cell system start/stop control.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATIONInventors: Sung Do Kim, Joo Yeon Kim, Min Su Kang, Chang Seok You
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Patent number: 11769891Abstract: A fuel cell system (300) in which, at the time of starting up a first fuel cell set (109a) and a second fuel cell set (109b), one of a first air supply unit (102a) or a second air supply unit (102b) is driven and then the another air supply units is driven so that electric power of the another air supply units reaches a peak after an output voltage of the one of the fuel cell stacks reaches the first output value.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinnosuke Sato, Akiji Ando, Joji Nakashima
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Patent number: 11764374Abstract: A water electrolysis and electricity generating system is equipped with a water introduction flow path, an oxygen-containing gas flow path, an oxygen-containing gas introduction flow path, a first gas-liquid separator, and a dilution flow path. The oxygen-containing gas introduction flow path introduces the oxygen-containing gas that flows through the oxygen-containing gas flow path into the first supply flow path. The first gas-liquid separator separates into a gas and a liquid the gas-containing water that is guided from the first lead-out flow path connected to the first outlet port member. The dilution flow path guides the oxygen-containing gas that flows through the oxygen-containing gas flow path to the first gas-liquid separator as a diluting gas.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masahiro Mohri
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Patent number: 11764376Abstract: An incorporated air supplying apparatus for a fuel cell stack and a method for controlling an air flow using the same are described. The apparatus includes an air supply part supplying air to a plurality of fuel cell stacks, a plurality of pipes configured to transmit the air supplied from the air supply part to each of the fuel cell stacks, a flowmeter and a valve installed at each pipe, and a controller controlling an opening degree of each of the valves, based on information on the measured flow. The controller controls the opening degree of the valve installed at each pipe, thus enabling the air flow for each pipe to be controlled.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATIONInventor: Min Su Hyeon
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Patent number: 11764370Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of a fuel cell system, includes determining whether there is a risk of flooding by confirming whether the fuel cell system satisfies a predetermined flooding risk condition, and performing air supercharging by supplying air at a flow rate increased compared to an air supply demand to fuel cells of the fuel cell system, when the controller confirms that the fuel cell system satisfies the flooding risk condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventor: Jun Yeol Paek
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Patent number: 11764373Abstract: A stack ventilation system includes a supply line that supplies a supply gas to an air electrode of a fuel cell stack, a discharge line that discharges an exhaust gas released from the air electrode, and a stack supply line that branches off from a branching point of the supply line and that supplies the supply gas in the supply line to a stack enclosure in which the fuel cell stack is accommodated.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Byeong Seung Lee, Kyoung Ku Ha
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High efficiency hydrogen fueled high altitude thermodynamic fuel cell system and aircraft using same
Patent number: 11752899Abstract: A high efficiency hydrogen fuel system for an aircraft at high altitude which utilizes compressors to compress air to a sufficiently high pressure for the fuel cell. Liquid hydrogen is compressed and then utilized in heat exchangers to cool the compressed air, maintaining the air at a temperature low enough for the fuel cell. The hydrogen is also used to cool the fuel cell as it is also depressurized prior to its entry in the fuel cell cycle. A water condensation system allows for water removal from the airstream to reduce impacts to the atmosphere. The hydrogen fuel system may be used with VTOL aircraft, which may allow them to fly at higher elevations. The hydrogen fuel system may be used with other subsonic and supersonic aircraft, such as with asymmetric wing aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.Inventors: Gregor Veble Mikic, JoeBen Bevirt, Robert Gulliver Lynn, Alex Stoll -
Patent number: 11742499Abstract: To provide a fuel cell system configured to reduce false cross leak judgment. A fuel cell system wherein the controller preliminarily stores a first data group indicating a relationship between the flow rate of the oxidant gas, the opening degree of the bypass valve, and the hydrogen concentration of the oxidant off-gas; and wherein before the controller determines whether or not a cross leak has occurred, the controller varies the hydrogen concentration threshold used for determining whether or not a cross leak has occurred, by comparing the flow rate of the oxidant gas measured by the oxidant gas flow rate sensor and the opening degree of the bypass valve with the first data group.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masaaki Matsusue
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Patent number: 11728497Abstract: A rebalancing reactor for a redox flow battery system may include a plurality of reactor vessels arranged in stages, each vessel of the plurality of reactor vessels housing a catalyst bed. In one example, the rebalancing reactor is fluidly coupled to an electrolyte storage tank and configured to flow electrolyte through the plurality of reactor vessels, enabling a chemical rebalancing of electrolyte in the redox flow battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: ESS TECH, INC.Inventors: Yang Song, Craig E. Evans, Timothy J. McDonald, Kenneth Fisher, Sean Kissick