Patents by Inventor Hideaki Kikuchi
Hideaki Kikuchi 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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Publication number: 20070207372Abstract: A fuel gas flow field is formed on a surface of a rectangular first metal separator. The fuel gas flow field includes flow grooves extending in the direction of gravity. An outlet buffer is provided at a lower end of the fuel gas flow field. The outlet buffer includes an inclined surface inclined toward a fuel gas discharge passage. The fuel gas discharge passage is positioned below the outlet buffer. Outlet channel grooves are formed by ridges provided between the fuel gas discharge passage and the outlet buffer. Lower ends of the ridges are arranged in a zigzag pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2007Publication date: September 6, 2007Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Kikuchi, Narutoshi Sugita, Norimasa Kawagoe, Masaru Oda, Takashi Kosaka, Takeshi Banba, Yasuhiro Watanabe
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Patent number: 7255945Abstract: A fuel cell system for supplying electricity to a main motor as a power source includes a fuel cell stack and pumps for supplying a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell system further includes a driving force transmitting mechanism. The driving force transmitting mechanism connects the main motor, the pumps, and the supercharger for driving the pumps and the supercharger by the main motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoyuki Enjoji, Masaharu Suzuki, Hideaki Kikuchi
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Publication number: 20070154758Abstract: This fuel cell stack includes: a coolant-supplying penetration hole and a coolant-discharging penetration hole each communicating with a coolant passage and each penetrates unit fuel cells in a stacking direction. A coolant-supplying penetration hole and a coolant-discharging penetration hole are arranged in a horizontal direction opposing with each other so as to sandwich a power generating region. The fuel cell stack further includes: an air draining penetration hole communicating with the coolant passage and arranged such that at least one part thereof is located at a higher position than an uppermost position of the coolant passage, and penetrates the unit fuel cells in the stacking direction; and a coolant draining penetration hole communicating with the coolant passage and arranged such that at least one part thereof is located at a lower position than a lowermost position of the coolant passage, and penetrates the unit fuel cells in the stacking direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2006Publication date: July 5, 2007Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Kikuchi, Masaaki Sakano, Yasuhiro Watanabe, Satoshi Tanimoto
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Patent number: 7232582Abstract: First and second separators include first and second metal plates. The first metal plate has first embossed protrusions protruding toward a membrane electrode assembly to form an oxygen-containing gas flow passage. The second metal plate has second embossed protrusions protruding toward another membrane electrode assembly to form a fuel gas flow passage. Further, the second metal plate has third small embossed protrusions protruding toward the first metal plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideaki Kikuchi, Naoyuki Enjoji, Masaharu Suzuki, Masaru Oda
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Publication number: 20070117004Abstract: A fuel cell stack having stacked unit fuel cells, each having a pair of separators between which a membrane electrode assembly is provided, which includes an anode and a cathode. Each separator has protruding lines arranged vertically in a zigzag manner, which protrude in a direction going away from the membrane electrode assembly. A space between the anode and the protruding lines of the separator facing the anode is used as a fuel gas passage. A space between the cathode and the protruding lines of the separator facing the cathode is used as an oxidant gas passage. At least part of the separators are each arranged in close contact with another separator so that a coolant passage through which a coolant flows horizontally is formed between both separators. A lower area of the coolant passage has a larger flow resistance than that of an upper area thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2006Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Kikuchi, Masaru Oda, Teruyuki Otani, Norimasa Kawagoe
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Publication number: 20070111083Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes stacked unit fuel cells provided between end holding members, each unit fuel cell having a membrane electrode assembly including an anode and a cathode. A pair of separators respectively contact the anode and the cathode, and respectively form reaction gas passages between one separator and the anode, and between the other separator and the cathode. For each reaction gas passage, a gas supply passage and a gas discharge passage are formed through the unit fuel cells and one end holding member so that they communicate with the reaction gas passage of each unit fuel cell, and a drainage passage is also formed through the unit fuel cells and one end holding member. An end of the drainage passage and an end of the gas discharge passage on the side of the other end holding member are joined to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2006Publication date: May 17, 2007Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Kikuchi, Masaru Oda, Masaharu Suzuki, Norimasa Kawagoe
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Publication number: 20070080382Abstract: A silicide film is formed between a ferroelectric capacitor structure, which is formed by sandwiching a ferroelectric film between a lower electrode and an upper electrode, and a conductive plug (the conductive material constituting the plug is tungsten (W) for example). Here, an example is shown in which a base film of the conductive plug is the silicide film.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2006Publication date: April 12, 2007Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: Hideaki Kikuchi, Kouichi Nagai
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Patent number: 7201987Abstract: In order to provide an membrane electrode assembly having an electrolyte membrane in which bending and warping of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane are prevented so as to facilitate the handling ability, in the membrane electrode assembly having an electrolyte membrane comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a pair of gas diffusion electrodes which are disposed on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a flat surface having the same size as the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is formed by disposing a frame-shaped seal member on an outer surface of the gas diffusion electrode, and the flat surface closely contacts to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane so as to be able to cover and support the solid polymer electrolyte membrane.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2002Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Hideaki Kikuchi, Yoshihiro Nakanishi, Tadashi Nishiyama
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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: 7178374Abstract: A press forming apparatus, for metal separators for fuel cells, has a pair of peripheral portion holding dies which hold a peripheral portion of a material and are movable toward and counter to each other; a pair of intermediate portion forming dies for forming a intermediate portion of the material, which are disposed inside the peripheral portion holding dies and are movable toward and counter to each other; and a pair of center portion forming dies for forming a center portion of the material, which are disposed inside the intermediate portion forming dies and are movable toward and counter to each other, wherein one of the peripheral portion holding dies and one of the intermediate portion forming dies are fixed to each other, one of the center portion forming dies is movable with respect to one of the intermediate portion forming dies toward the material, the other intermediate portion forming die and the other center portion forming die are fixed to each other, and the other intermediate portion formingType: GrantFiled: December 2, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoyuki Enjoji, Toshiki Kawamura, Hideaki Kikuchi, Takanori Monda
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Patent number: 7174977Abstract: A fuel cell system incorporated in a vehicle has a main electric motor, a drive power transmitting mechanism for engaging and disengaging a fuel gas pump, a coolant fluid pump, a supercharger, and a compressor, which serve as auxiliary equipment, and transmitting a drive power to the auxiliary equipment, and an auxiliary electric motor coaxially connectable to the main electric motor for transmitting a drive power to the auxiliary equipment depending on the manner in which the vehicle is operated.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoyuki Enjoji, Masaharu Suzuki, Hideaki Kikuchi, Yoshinori Wariishi, Masaru Oda
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Patent number: 7169496Abstract: A first separator is formed by combining a resinous passage member and a metal member together. A second separator is formed by combining a resinous passage member and a metal member together. A coolant flow field is defined between the resinous passage members such that the coolant flow field is electrically insulated from the membrane electrode assembly. The metal member includes a copper member, and the metal member includes a copper member. An outer circumferential portion of the copper member and an outer circumferential portion of the copper member are electrically connected with each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2003Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoyuki Enjoji, Hideaki Kikuchi, Kentaro Nagoshi
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Publication number: 20060223198Abstract: An Al2O3 film with a thickness greater than that of a wiring is formed as a protective film, and then the Al2O3 film is polished by CMP until a conductive barrier film is exposed. Namely, CMP is applied to the Al2O3 film by utilizing the conductive barrier film as a stopper film. Next, a silicon oxide film is formed over the entire surface by, for example, a high-density plasma method, and then the surface thereof is flattened. Subsequently, another Al2O3 film is formed on the silicon oxide film as a protective film for preventing intrusion of hydrogen or moisture. Further, another silicon oxide film is formed on the Al2O3 film, for example, by a high-density plasma method. Then, a via hole reaching the conductive barrier film is formed through the silicon oxide film, the Al2O3 film and the silicon oxide film, and then a W plug is embedded therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2005Publication date: October 5, 2006Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: Hideaki Kikuchi, Kouichi Nagai
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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: 7082650Abstract: A snap fit mechanism has an elastic tongue provided on a base of the mechanism. On the tip of the tongue is provided an engaging claw that has an engaging inclined face. A far end of the engaging inclined face from the base is arranged so as to be located between the outside face of the elastic tongue and the centerline C in a longitudinal direction of the elastic tongue. Further, on the tip of the elastic tongue is provided an engagement-maintaining inclined face which gives an outward load to the elastic tongue on receiving an accidental load thereon so as to reduce the inward elastic deformation of the elastic tongue, thereby preventing the accidental release of the engagement of the tongue.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshifumi Awakura, Kazutoshi Taniguchi, Hideaki Kikuchi
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Patent number: 7049023Abstract: A fuel cell is provided wherein the production of a separator is easy and a reactant gas channel thereof can be easily arranged. The fuel cell is constituted by clamping an electrolyte membrane electrode assembly provided with an anode and a cathode at opposite positions on both sides of an electrolyte membrane, by a pair of separators via a sealing member. A part of a reactant gas channel formed between the electrolyte membrane electrode assembly and the cathode side separator is formed seamlessly by extended portions of the sealing member.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2001Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yosuke Fujii, Takayuki Ogawa, Hideaki Kikuchi, Masaharu Suzuki
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Publication number: 20060088756Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a gas liquid separator, a first drain channel, and a second drain channel. The gas liquid separator is connected to a fuel gas discharge passage of the fuel cell stack through a fuel gas discharge channel. The first drain channel is connected to the fuel gas discharge passage separately from the fuel gas discharge channel, and connected to the gas liquid separator through a valve unit. The second drain channel chiefly discharges liquid droplets from the gas liquid separator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2005Publication date: April 27, 2006Inventors: Masahiko Sato, Yosuke Fujii, Yasunori Kotani, Hideaki Kikuchi
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Publication number: 20060068264Abstract: A side plate of a casing includes bracket members and a surface member. Each of the bracket members includes three second coupling portions and a plate-shaped attachment portion provided integrally with the second coupling portions. A coupling pin is inserted into the second coupling portions. The surface member is joined to the plate-shaped attachment portion. The bracket member includes a step fitted to an end of the surface member. The plate-shaped attachment portion and the surface member are jointed at a spot welding section including spots in a zigzag pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2005Publication date: March 30, 2006Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ayumu Ishizuka, Hideaki Kikuchi, Go Morimoto
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Publication number: 20060046127Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes side plates of a casing. Flanges are provided on the side plates on the short sides for coupling the side plates on the short sides to the other side plates on the long sides. In each of the side plates, the center O of the coupling pin is offset from the neutral surface NS of the side plate in a direction away from a stack body by the distance “h”.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2005Publication date: March 2, 2006Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ayumu Ishizuka, Hideaki Kikuchi, Go Morimoto
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Patent number: 6991871Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second separators in the form of meal plates for sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. An anode of the membrane electrode assembly has a gas diffusion layer, and a cathode of the membrane electrode assembly has a gas diffusion layer. Each of the gas diffusion layers includes a foamed member made of metal material such as stainless steel. Resinous flow field walls are provided in the foamed member by impregnation for forming a reactant gas flow field.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kentaro Nagoshi, Keisuke Andou, Hideaki Kikuchi