Abstract: A method of forming a fuel cell catalyst layer. The method includes spinning a composition including a base polymer, a solvent, and a catalyst precursor into a non-woven fiber mat having the catalyst precursor embedded therein. The method further includes carbonizing the non-woven fiber mat to form a carbon fiber substrate. The method also includes reacting the catalyst precursor to form a plurality of individual catalyst particles embedded in the carbon fiber substrate.

Abstract: Methods of forming a lithium-ion battery on a vehicle component by spinning and vehicle components with a batteries formed thereon are disclosed. The spinning may include electrospinning. A first electrode layer may be spun, followed by a first separator layer, a second electrode layer, and a second separator layer. Each layer may be spun directly onto the previously spun layer to provide a battery that does not include metal current collectors. The anode and/or cathode layers may include polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. To render the anode and cathode layers conductive, they may be carbonized using a heat source (e.g., a laser). The disclosed method may allow for the formation of batteries directly onto a vehicle component, such as a body panel, thereby using otherwise empty space to increase the battery capacity of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of forming a lithium-ion battery by spinning and a battery formed thereby are disclosed. The spinning may include electrospinning A first anode layer may be spun, followed by a first separator layer, a first cathode layer, and a second separator layer. Each layer may be spun directly onto the previously spun layer to provide a battery that does not include metal current collectors. The anode and/or cathode layers may include polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. To render the anode and cathode layers conductive, they may be carbonized using a heat source (e.g., a laser). The disclosed method may allow for the incorporation of high capacity materials, such as sulfur and/or silicon, in the electrode active materials.

Abstract: A fuel cell system may have at least one sensor including a pair of electrodes disposed on a substrate. The sensor may be configured to produce an output signal having a magnitude that is proportional to a relative humidity in a vicinity of the sensor and, if liquid water is on the sensor, proportional to an amount of the liquid water on the sensor.

Abstract: A battery system includes a battery including an anode, a cathode, and a liquid electrolyte; and a conduit communicating to the battery an electrolyte liquid having an electrolyte salt density lower than an electrolyte salt density of the liquid electrolyte. The electrolyte may be non-aqueous. The electrolyte may be volatile.

Abstract: A system and method for conditioning the temperature of at least one fluid stream that is passed through a fuel cell stack is provided. The system comprises a system module, at least one inlet and a conditioning device. The system module is operable to humidify the fluid stream to a reach a predetermined humidity level that corresponds to a predetermined temperature. The one inlet of the fuel cell stack receives the fluid stream at a first temperature that is different from the predetermined temperature. The fuel cell stack includes at least one outlet operable to present coolant having a temperature that is different from the first temperature of the fluid stream. The conditioning device is operable to receive the fluid stream and the coolant and present the fluid stream to the coolant to change the first temperature of the fluid stream to be equal to the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A battery system includes a battery including an anode, a cathode, and a liquid electrolyte; and a conduit communicating to the battery an electrolyte liquid having an electrolyte salt density lower than an electrolyte salt density of the liquid electrolyte. The electrolyte may be non-aqueous. The electrolyte may be volatile.

Abstract: A purging system for removing oxygen from a fuel cell system during a shutdown period for the fuel cell system. The purging system includes a separator having an inlet and an outlet; a first exhaust line for communicating a first exhaust gas stream from an outlet of the fuel cell system to the separator inlet during the shutdown period of the fuel cell system; and a second exhaust line for communicating a second exhaust gas stream to an inlet of the fuel cell system for delivering the second exhaust gas stream to the fuel cell system during the shutdown period. The separator removes oxygen from the first exhaust gas stream such that the first stream nitrogen molar volume is lower than the second steam nitrogen molar volume and the first stream oxygen molar volume is higher than the second stream oxygen molar volume.

Abstract: A fuel cell hydration system comprising a first reservoir is provided. The first reservoir is positioned between a cathode supply and a fuel cell stack. The first reservoir includes corrugated regions positioned axially along the first reservoir to accumulate water discharged from a first fluid stream. The first fluid stream absorbs the accumulated water when an amount of water within the first fluid stream is below a water level to hydrate the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system may have at least one sensor including a pair of electrodes disposed on a substrate. The sensor may be configured to produce an output signal having a magnitude that is proportional to a relative humidity in a vicinity of the sensor and, if liquid water is on the sensor, proportional to an amount of the liquid water on the sensor.

Abstract: A fuel cell hydration system comprising a first reservoir is provided. The first reservoir is positioned between a cathode supply and a fuel cell stack. The first reservoir includes corrugated regions positioned axially along the first reservoir to accumulate water discharged from a first fluid stream. The first fluid stream absorbs the accumulated water when an amount of water within the first fluid stream is below a water level to hydrate the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A system and method for conditioning the temperature of at least one fluid stream that is passed through a fuel cell stack is provided. The system comprises a system module, at least one inlet and a conditioning device. The system module is operable to humidify the fluid stream to a reach a predetermined humidity level that corresponds to a predetermined temperature. The one inlet of the fuel cell stack receives the fluid stream at a first temperature that is different from the predetermined temperature. The fuel cell stack includes at least one outlet operable to present coolant having a temperature that is different from the first temperature of the fluid stream. The conditioning device is operable to receive the fluid stream and the coolant and present the fluid stream to the coolant to change the first temperature of the fluid stream to be equal to the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A purging system for removing oxygen from a fuel cell system during a shutdown period for the fuel cell system. The purging system includes a separator having an inlet and an outlet; a first exhaust line for communicating a first exhaust gas stream from an outlet of the fuel cell system to the separator inlet during the shutdown period of the fuel cell system; and a second exhaust line for communicating a second exhaust gas stream to an inlet of the fuel cell system for delivering the second exhaust gas stream to the fuel cell system during the shutdown period. The separator removes oxygen from the first exhaust gas stream such that the first stream nitrogen molar volume is lower than the second steam nitrogen molar volume and the first stream oxygen molar volume is higher than the second stream oxygen molar volume.

Abstract: A system 10 for selectively and rapidly preheating one or more vehicle fuel cells 12 during cold start or freezing conditions. The system 10 includes a bypass valve 26, a controller 30, vehicle sensors 32 and a bypass conduit 54. The controller 30 monitors vehicle attribute data by use of sensors 32 to determine whether a cold start condition exists. Based upon the attribute data, controller 30 may signal valve 26 to bypass heat exchanger 18, and cause compressed air to be delivered directly to fuel cells 12, thereby heating the fuel cells 12.

Abstract: A system 10 for selectively and rapidly preheating one or more vehicle fuel cells 12 during cold start or freezing conditions. The system 10 includes a bypass valve 26, a controller 30, vehicle sensors 32 and a bypass conduit 54. The controller 30 monitors vehicle attribute data by use of sensors 32 to determine whether a cold start condition exists. Based upon the attribute data, controller 30 may signal valve 26 to bypass heat exchanger 18, and cause compressed air to be delivered directly to fuel cells 12, thereby heating the fuel cells 12.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a landscape truck which hauls equipment in the usual way yet doubles as a dump truck for hauling and dumping landscaping supplies. The truck has a conventional frame and drive train and includes a cab, a truck bed mounted to the frame behind the cab and raisable to a dumping position, and a ramp assembly movably attachable to the rear end of the bed. The ramp assembly is selectively moveable between a lowered position, wherein the ramp extends from the truck bed downwardly to the ground to allow equipment to be driven onto the back of the truck, and a raised position wherein the ramp assembly is raised to a position above the bed of the truck to allow the truck bed to be raised to its dumping position.

Abstract: A wall strengthening component for a building construction, the building construction having a plurality of spaced apart vertical studs within a frame of a building wall or the like, the wall strengthening component includes first and second vertical support members disposed in a spaced apart relationship and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed between the first and second vertical support members. The reinforcing members are configured to resist lateral stress directed against the vertical support members such that the position of the first vertical support member is maintained relative to the position of the second vertical support member. The reinforcing members are configured in a truss-like arrangement forming triangular shaped portions between the vertical support members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for initiating a fuel cell power system by directly introducing a gas containing oxygen into the fuel cell stack 10. A gas storage source 28 provides oxidizer to the fuel cell 10 such that there is enough initial power to generate a load. The air compressor 24 is started electrically by a portion of the load, and begins to supply compressed air to the cathode 14. The fuel cell stack 10 thereby obtains a further quantity of oxidizer from the compressed air. The air system valve 32 then operates to transfer the fuel cell stack 10 from the gas storage source 28 to the air compressor 24.

Abstract: In a building having a roof with multiple spaced rafters sitting on side walls, this is apparatus for holding the roof on the side walls both vertically and horizontally during high side wind forces. There are plurality of attachment fixtures carried by respective ones of opposite ends of adjacent rafters along a length of the roof. A plurality of ground anchors are disposed at respective ones of ends of the rafters opposite the opposite ends carrying the plurality of attachment fixtures. Finally, a plurality of straps are connected between respective ones of the plurality of attachment fixtures and the plurality of ground anchors. The straps are releasably attached so that they can be stored and only be attached when a hurricane or the like is likely. The attachment fixtures distribute forces to the whole rafter end and avoid rafter-splitting forces.

Abstract: The present invention is a tool for repairing damaged pneumatic lines. The tool is small and compact, and is capable of being moved to the line to be repaired. The device has multiple rollers which may be adjusted to various line interior diameters and to various angles desired for the flange. When the tool is rotated, the rollers reform the flange in the subject line.