Patents by Inventor Daisuke Wachi
Daisuke Wachi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9368825Abstract: A unit cell of a fuel cell stack includes separators. Load receivers provided in the separators include projections, for example. The proximal ends of the projections are depressed to form inner curves. In the structure, sufficient flexibility of the projection is achieved. That is, when a force in a direction perpendicular to a stacking direction of fuel cell stack is applied to the projection, the projection is deformed in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2013Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Yamano, Seiji Sugiura, Daisuke Wachi
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Patent number: 9190686Abstract: A casing of a fuel cell stack has stack deformation prevention structure for limiting the change of an interval between end plates on the lower side in a direction of gravity, due to swelling of the lower side of the stack body in the direction of gravity. The stack deformation prevention structure is configured such that elastic modulus of a side plate provided on a lower side of the stack body in the direction of gravity is higher than elastic modulus of a side plate provided on an upper side of the stack body in the direction of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ken Takahashi, Daisuke Wachi
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Publication number: 20140106254Abstract: A unit cell of a fuel cell stack includes separators. Load receivers provided in the separators include projections, for example. The proximal ends of the projections are depressed to form inner curves. In the structure, sufficient flexibility of the projection is achieved. That is, when a force in a direction perpendicular to a stacking direction of fuel cell stack is applied to the projection, the projection is deformed in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Naoki YAMANO, Seiji SUGIURA, Daisuke WACHI
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Publication number: 20120321985Abstract: A casing of a fuel cell stack has stack deformation prevention structure for limiting the change of an interval between end plates on the lower side in a direction of gravity, due to swelling of the lower side of the stack body in the direction of gravity. The stack deformation prevention structure is configured such that elastic modulus of a side plate provided on a lower side of the stack body in the direction of gravity is higher than elastic modulus of a side plate provided on an upper side of the stack body in the direction of gravity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Ken TAKAHASHI, Daisuke WACHI
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Patent number: 8247131Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a load receiver provided at an outer end of a fuel cell unit, a guide receiver provided in a box, and a pressure receiver provided in at least one corner in the box. The guide receiver abuts against the load receiver for receiving the external load. The pressure receiver protrudes toward the fuel cell unit. The pressure receiver abuts against a corner of the fuel cell unit for receiving the load. The pressure receiver has a resin receiver, and the resin receiver abuts against a curved portion of the fuel cell unit for supporting the fuel cell unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ken Takahashi, Ryoichi Yoshitomi, Daisuke Wachi, Keisuke Andou, Ayumu Ishizuka, Tadashi Nishiyama
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Publication number: 20090311571Abstract: A casing of a fuel cell stack has stack deformation prevention structure for limiting the change of an interval between end plates on the lower side in a direction of gravity, due to swelling of the lower side of the stack body in the direction of gravity. The stack deformation prevention structure is configured such that elastic modulus of a side plate provided on a lower side of the stack body in the direction of gravity is higher than elastic modulus of a side plate provided on an upper side of the stack body in the direction of gravity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ken TAKAHASHI, Daisuke WACHI
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Publication number: 20080305368Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a load receiver provided at an outer end of a fuel cell unit, a guide receiver provided in a box, and a pressure receiver provided in at least one corner in the box. The guide receiver abuts against the load receiver for receiving the external load. The pressure receiver protrudes toward the fuel cell unit. The pressure receiver abuts against a corner of the fuel cell unit for receiving the load. The pressure receiver has a resin receiver, and the resin receiver abuts against a curved portion of the fuel cell unit for supporting the fuel cell unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ken Takahashi, Ryoichi Yoshitomi, Daisuke Wachi, Keisuke Andou, Ayumu Ishizuka, Tadashi Nishiyama
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Patent number: 7393607Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and a first and second separators for sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. The first separator has an oxygen-containing gas flow passage for allowing an oxygen-containing gas in a serpentine pattern to flow horizontally back and forth, and flow downwardly. Partition areas are provided along the oxygen-containing gas flow passage in the serpentine pattern. The partition areas are formed by partially cutting out a gas diffusion layer. Insulating seals for preventing leakage of the oxygen-containing gas are provided in the partition areas.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2003Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Mohri, Yosuke Fujii, Hiromichi Yoshida, Daisuke Wachi, Shuhei Goto
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Patent number: 7326485Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second separators for sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. A serpentine oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of the first separator. A seal member is provided around the oxygen-containing gas flow field, i.e., around the anode. Filling seals are provided in a clearance between the seal member and the cathode at positions where the leakage of an oxygen-containing gas is likely to occur.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2003Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiromichi Yoshida, Daisuke Wachi, Masahiro Mohri, Yosuke Fujii, Narutoshi Sugita, Shuhei Goto
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Patent number: 7258943Abstract: A fuel cell of the invention has unified a processing circuit processing a cell voltage output signal of a fuel cell stack and a connector connecting an circuit unit with terminals provided extending from separators of the fuel cell, thereby having abolished connection points (in which harnesses are attached and detached) of an electrical circuit unit with the connector. So, for connection, reliability can be improved, and downsizing is possible. Moreover, with a casing enclosing the connector and electrical circuit unit, the fuel cell can be made compact and the processing circuit can be surely protected thanks to being shielded from surroundings, thereby handling as a unit being able to be facilitated.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2003Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshiaki Ariyoshi, Masahiko Sato, Ken Takahashi, Yuya Sato, Daisuke Wachi
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Patent number: 7201990Abstract: An intermediate plate is interposed between first and second sub-stacks. The intermediate plate has, defined in a surface thereof, an oxygen-containing gas mixing passage interconnecting an oxygen-containing gas outlet in the first sub-stack which is located upstream and an oxygen-containing gas inlet in the second sub-stack which is located downstream. In the first and second sub-stacks, an oxygen-containing gas is supplied from the oxygen-containing gas inlet and discharged to the oxygen-containing gas outlet at all times.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Wariishi, Masaharu Suzuki, Hideaki Kikuchi, Narutoshi Sugita, Ichiro Baba, Ken Takahashi, Seiji Sugiura, Yosuke Fujii, Daisuke Wachi
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Patent number: 7090941Abstract: A cell assembly is formed by stacking a first cell and a second cell. In the cell assembly, oxygen-containing gas flow passages are connected in series by an intermediate oxygen-containing gas flow passage, and fuel gas flow passages are connected in series by an intermediate fuel gas flow passage. An additional oxygen-containing gas is supplied to an oxygen-containing gas passage which includes the intermediate oxygen-containing gas flow passage. An additional fuel gas is supplied to a fuel gas passage which includes the intermediate fuel gas flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ichiro Baba, Yosuke Fujii, Ken Takahashi, Daisuke Wachi, Hiromichi Yoshida, Takaki Nakagawa, Yoshinori Wariishi, Masaharu Suzuki, Seiji Sugiura, Narutoshi Sugita, Hideaki Kikuchi
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Patent number: 6969564Abstract: A cell assembly has reactant gas passages connected in series in first and second unit cells, and oxygen-containing gas inlets, intermediate oxygen-containing gas inlets, oxygen-containing gas outlets, intermediate oxygen-containing gas outlets which are defined in the first and second unit cells. The oxygen-containing gas inlets and the intermediate oxygen-containing gas inlets are disposed upwardly of the oxygen-containing gas outlets and the intermediate oxygen-containing gas outlets. The oxygen-containing gas outlets and the intermediate oxygen-containing gas outlets are disposed at least partly below electric energy generating surfaces of the first and second unit cells.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Wariishi, Narutoshi Sugita, Masaharu Suzuki, Seiji Sugiura, Daisuke Wachi, Yosuke Fujii
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Publication number: 20050214619Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of unit cells each including a membrane electrode assembly and first and second metal separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. The unit cells are stacked into a stack body, and the stack body is placed in a casing. Fluorocarbon resin sheets are provided between four sides of the stack body in parallel with the stacking direction of the stacked body and side plates of the casing, respectively. The fluorocarbon resin sheets fill gaps between stack body and inner surfaces of the casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2005Publication date: September 29, 2005Inventors: So Fujiwara, Yuya Sato, Ken Takahashi, Ichiro Baba, Daisuke Wachi
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Publication number: 20050074655Abstract: A fuel cell of the invention has unified a processing circuit processing a cell voltage output signal of a fuel cell stack and a connector connecting an circuit unit with terminals provided extending from separators of the fuel cell, thereby having abolished connection points (in which harnesses are attached and detached) of an electrical circuit unit with the connector. So, for connection, reliability can be improved, and downsizing is possible. Moreover, with a casing enclosing the connector and electrical circuit unit, the fuel cell can be made compact and the processing circuit can be surely protected thanks to being shielded from surroundings, thereby handling as a unit being able to be facilitated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2003Publication date: April 7, 2005Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiaki Ariyoshi, Masahiko Sato, Ken Takahashi, Yuya Sato, Daisuke Wachi
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Patent number: 6844093Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell stacking body that allows a connector unit to be used even when the thickness of the fuel cells has been made thinner. A fuel cell stacking body is provided with stacked fuel cells that each have a membrane electrode assembly and separators that sandwich this membrane electrode assembly. The fuel cells generate electricity when fuel gas and oxidizer gas are supplied. The separators of the fuel cells are provided with terminals that enable voltage to be measured by being connected to connectors that are connected an external voltage measuring apparatus. One of the voltage measuring sections is formed at a different position, with respect to the stacking direction, from the voltage measuring section that is adjacent in the stacking direction. The spacing between terminals that are at the same position with respect to the stacking direction is kept at a distance that allows a connector unit formed by grouping together a plurality of connectors to be inserted.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideaki Kikuchi, Masahiko Sato, Toshiaki Ariyoshi, Yosuke Fujii, Daisuke Wachi
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Publication number: 20040115509Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second separators for sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. A serpentine oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of the first separator. A seal member is provided around the oxygen-containing gas flow field, i.e., around the anode. Filling seals are provided in a clearance between the seal member and the cathode at positions where the leakage of an oxygen-containing gas is likely to occur.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiromichi Yoshida, Daisuke Wachi, Masahiro Mohri, Yosuke Fujii, Narutoshi Sugita, Shuhei Goto
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Publication number: 20040038112Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and a first and second separators for sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. The first separator has an oxygen-containing gas flow passage for allowing an oxygen-containing gas in a serpentine pattern to flow horizontally back and forth, and flow downwardly. Partition areas are provided along the oxygen-containing gas flow passage in the serpentine pattern. The partition areas are formed by partially cutting out a gas diffusion layer. Insulating seals for preventing leakage of the oxygen-containing gas are provided in the partition areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Mohri, Yosuke Fujii, Hiromichi Yoshida, Daisuke Wachi, Shuhei Goto
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Publication number: 20030064261Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell stacking body that allows a connector unit to be used even when the thickness of the fuel cells has been made thinner. A fuel cell stacking body is provided with stacked fuel cells that each have a membrane electrode assembly and separators that sandwich this membrane electrode assembly. The fuel cells generate electricity when fuel gas and oxidizer gas are supplied. The separators of the fuel cells are provided with terminals that enable voltage to be measured by being connected to connectors that are connected an external voltage measuring apparatus. One of the voltage measuring sections is formed at a different position, with respect to the stacking direction, from the voltage measuring section that is adjacent in the stacking direction. The spacing between terminals that are at the same position with respect to the stacking direction is kept at a distance that allows a connector unit formed by grouping together a plurality of connectors to be inserted.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2002Publication date: April 3, 2003Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideaki Kikuchi, Masahiko Sato, Toshiaki Ariyoshi, Yosuke Fujii, Daisuke Wachi
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Publication number: 20030054224Abstract: An intermediate plate is interposed between first and second sub-stacks. The intermediate plate has, defined in a surface thereof, an oxygen-containing gas mixing passage interconnecting an oxygen-containing gas outlet in the first sub-stack which is located upstream and an oxygen-containing gas inlet in the second sub-stack which is located downstream. In the first and second sub-stacks, an oxygen-containing gas is supplied from the oxygen-containing gas inlet and discharged to the oxygen-containing gas outlet at all times.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Wariishi, Masaharu Suzuki, Hideaki Kikuchi, Narutoshi Sugita, Ichiro Baba, Ken Takahashi, Seiji Sugiura, Yosuke Fujii, Daisuke Wachi