Patents by Inventor Junichi Shirahama
Junichi Shirahama 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: 9203103Abstract: A fuel cell has a plurality of constituent members that constitute the fuel cell. The constituent members have first positioning portions and a second positioning portion that is provided on an outer peripheral portion, which are used for positioning during stacking.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomokazu Hayashi, Yutaka Hotta, Junichi Shirahama
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Patent number: 8741498Abstract: In a fuel cell, one of separators that are opposed to each other and an intermediate body interposed between the separators are sandwiched by a cell monitor. An end portion of the intermediate body extends to an edge portion of a cell monitor mounting portion of the above-indicated one separator. The intermediate body includes at least one of a member that functions to hold an electrolyte body, a spacer (as in the case where the intermediate body is a resin frame), and a seal member or members. A major surface of the separator in the cell monitor mounting portion on which the cell monitor is mounted is in surface contact with a terminal of the cell monitor for conduction therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2007Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Junichi Shirahama
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Patent number: 8603692Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprises a stack of three or more fuel cells, each having an assembly in which an anode electrode and a cathode electrode are respectively joined to either side of an electrolytic membrane. The anode electrode is provided nearer to one end, in the stack direction of the fuel cell, than the cathode electrode. Temperature regulating parts for regulating the temperature of the anode electrode of one fuel cell of any two adjacent fuel cells and the cathode electrode of the other fuel cell are disposed at a plurality of positions arranged in the stack direction. The provided temperature regulating parts perform temperature regulation so that the heat dissipating capability of the anode electrode is different in the stack direction from that of the cathode electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippon Soken, Inc.Inventors: Koichiro Yamashita, Junichi Shirahama, Katsuya Matsuoka, Ikuyasu Kato, Kazuo Horibe, Osamu Hamanoi, Takuya Hashimoto, Hideki Kubo, Masahiro Shiozawa, Ryo Akagawa
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Patent number: 8557448Abstract: The fuel cell of the invention includes an electrolyte assembly, and a separator having one face as a gas flow path-forming face with a gas flow path formed thereon to allow flow of a reactive gas and the other face, which is reverse to the one face, as a refrigerant flow path-forming face with a refrigerant flow path formed thereon to allow flow of a refrigerant. The gas flow path-forming face of the separator has multiple linear gas flow paths that are arranged in parallel to one another, and a gas flow path connection structure that divides the multiple linear gas flow paths into plural linear gas flow path groups and connects at least part of the plural linear gas flow path groups in series.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2006Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Yamamoto, Yuichi Yagami, Jiro Aizaki, Junichi Shirahama, Sogo Goto, Tsuyoshi Takahashi, Tomokazu Hayashi
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Patent number: 8298715Abstract: There is realized a structure particularly suitable for inhibiting deformation of separators having a structure where the shapes of projections and recesses are inverted from each other on the front side and the back side of each separator as in a pressed metal separator. Between adjacent separators, there is formed either a power generation region where MEAs and frame members for holding at least a part of the MEAs are inserted or a refrigerant flow region where neither the MEAs nor the frame members are inserted. A deformation inhibiting region for inhibiting deformation of each separator is formed by a projection provided on the separator. Also, a projection for inhibiting the separator from deforming at the deformation inhibiting region or nearby is formed on each frame member. The projection is projected toward the back side of the deformation inhibiting region, where the deformation inhibiting region is a recess on the back side of the separator.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomokazu Hayashi, Yoshinori Yamamoto, Yuichi Yagami, Jiro Aizaki, Junichi Shirahama
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Patent number: 8257880Abstract: In at least one of flow distribution areas 35 provided on a separator 15, plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a first section (parted regions 32a and 32c) of a center area (including parted regions 32a through 32c) having a relatively high flow rate of a first fluid (refrigerant) are designed to have a larger diameter of a cross section than plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a second section (parted region 32b) of the center area having a relatively low flow rate of the first fluid. This arrangement effectively attains a substantially uniform flow rate distribution of a fluid in a fluid flow path formed on a separator, which is configured to have concavo-convex structures formed in a mutually reversed relation on two opposed sides thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Suzuki, Haruyuki Aono, Junichi Shirahama
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Patent number: 8221022Abstract: A fuel cell has at least one engaging portion that protrudes from an outer edge of a cell and engages with a cell monitor so as to restrict movement of the cell monitor away from the cell. The cell has a plurality of engaging portions that are spaced apart from each other, and the engaging portions engage with one cell monitor at a plurality of positions of the cell. Separators of the cell contact at major surfaces thereof with cell monitor terminals. One cell monitor is mounted on a plurality of cells, and the terminals of the cell monitor are electrically connected to the separators of the cells.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2007Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Junichi Shirahama
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Patent number: 8216742Abstract: In at least one of flow distribution areas 35 provided on a separator 15, plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a first section (parted regions 32a and 32c) of a center area (including parted regions 32a through 32c) having a relatively high flow rate of a first fluid (refrigerant) are designed to have a larger diameter of a cross section than plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a second section (parted region 32b) of the center area having a relatively low flow rate of the first fluid. This arrangement effectively attains a substantially uniform flow rate distribution of a fluid in a fluid flow path formed on a separator, which is configured to have concavo-convex structures formed in a mutually reversed relation on two opposed sides thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Suzuki, Haruyuki Aono, Junichi Shirahama
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Patent number: 8206875Abstract: The contraction and deformation of a seal member are inhibited. To realize this, in a separator in which the shapes of projections and recesses forming at least fluid passages are inverted from each other on the front surface and the back surface of the separator and which is provided with a manifold for supplying and discharging a fluid, the separator, when a seal member for sealing the fluid is provided along the edge side of the separator forming the contour of the manifold, a projecting section capable of functioning as a spacer between the separator and another member adjacent to the separator is provided between the seal member and the edge side.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Yamamoto, Yuichi Yagami, Jiro Aizaki, Junichi Shirahama
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Publication number: 20120115051Abstract: In at least one of flow distribution areas 35 provided on a separator 15, plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a first section (parted regions 32a and 32c) of a center area (including parted regions 32a through 32c) having a relatively high flow rate of a first fluid (refrigerant) are designed to have a larger diameter of a cross section than plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a second section (parted region 32b) of the center area having a relatively low flow rate of the first fluid. This arrangement effectively attains a substantially uniform flow rate distribution of a fluid in a fluid flow path formed on a separator, which is configured to have concavo-convex structures formed in a mutually reversed relation on two opposed sides thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshinori YAMAMOTO, Toshiyuki SUZUKI, Haruyuki AONO, Junichi SHIRAHAMA
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Patent number: 7981569Abstract: A fuel cell in which protrusion of an adhesive agent into a gas communication path is suppressed. The fuel cell has a gas passage in a power generation region, a manifold in a non power generation region, and the gas communication path interconnecting the gas passage and the manifold. The adhesive agent is used near at least the gas communication path. An adhesive agent accumulation section for suppressing inflow of the adhesive agent into the gas communication path is located near the gas communication path.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Junichi Shirahama
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Publication number: 20100196784Abstract: A fuel cell having a seal structure that exhibits excellent sealing properties and corrosion resistance. By providing a resin layer on at least a portion of an adhesion region where a metal separator contacts an adhesive, a fuel cell having a seal structure that exhibits excellent sealing properties and corrosion resistance can be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2008Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Kenji Kimura, Jinhak Kim, Junichi Shirahama, Haruyuki Aono
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Publication number: 20100035122Abstract: In at least one of flow distribution areas 35 provided on a separator 15, plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a first section (parted regions 32a and 32c) of a center area (including parted regions 32a through 32c) having a relatively high flow rate of a first fluid (refrigerant) are designed to have a larger diameter of a cross section than plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a second section (parted region 32b) of the center area having a relatively low flow rate of the first fluid. This arrangement effectively attains a substantially uniform flow rate distribution of a fluid in a fluid flow path formed on a separator, which is configured to have concavo-convex structures formed in a mutually reversed relation on two opposed sides thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Inventors: Yoshinori Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Suzuki, Haruyuki Aono, Junichi Shirahama
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Publication number: 20100003580Abstract: A fuel cell in which protrusion of an adhesive agent into a gas communication path is suppressed. The fuel cell has a gas passage in a power generation region, a manifold in a non power generation region, and the gas communication path interconnecting the gas passage and the manifold. The adhesive agent is used near at least the gas communication path. An adhesive agent accumulation section for suppressing inflow of the adhesive agent into the gas communication path is located near the gas communication path.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2007Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventor: Junichi Shirahama
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Publication number: 20090325016Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprises a stack of three or more fuel cells, each having an assembly in which an anode electrode and a cathode electrode are respectively joined to either side of an electrolytic membrane. The anode electrode is provided nearer to one end, in the stack direction of the fuel cell, than the cathode electrode. Temperature regulating parts for regulating the temperature of the anode electrode of one fuel cell of any two adjacent fuel cells and the cathode electrode of the other fuel cell are disposed at a plurality of positions arranged in the stack direction. The provided temperature regulating parts perform temperature regulation so that the heat dissipating capability of the anode electrode is different in the stack direction from that of the cathode electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2007Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NIPPON, INC.Inventors: Koichiro Yamashita, Junichi Shirahama, Katsuya Matsuoka, Ikuyasu Kato, Kazuo Horibe, Osamu Hamanoi, Takuya Hashimoto, Hideki Kubo, Masahiro Shiozawa, Ryo Akagawa
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Publication number: 20090286136Abstract: The contraction and deformation of a seal member are inhibited. To realize this, in a separator in which the shapes of projections and recesses forming at least fluid passages are inverted from each other on the front surface and the back surface of the separator and which is provided with a manifold for supplying and discharging a fluid, the separator, when a seal member for sealing the fluid is provided along the edge side of the separator forming the contour of the manifold, a projecting section capable of functioning as a spacer between the separator and another member adjacent to the separator is provided between the seal member and the edge side.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventors: Yoshinori Yamamoto, Yuichi Yagami, Jiro Aizaki, Junichi Shirahama
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Publication number: 20090269640Abstract: Miniaturization is achieved when a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) is provided with a cutout, and the flow of a fluid is further smoothened. To realize this, in a separator for a fuel cell according to the present invention, a portion of the contour of a manifold formed in the separator corresponding to a cutout of the membrane-electrode assembly is formed into a shape along the cutout, and a reactant gas or a coolant is supplied or discharged through a portion formed into the shape along the cutout. The cutout is, for example, a corner cut provided in the corner of the membrane-electrode assembly and forming the membrane-electrode assembly into an asymmetric shape. A portion of the contour of the manifold facing this corner cut is preferably formed substantially in parallel with the edge of the corner cut.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2007Publication date: October 29, 2009Inventors: Yoshinori Yamamoto, Yuichi Yagami, Jiro Aizaki, Junichi Shirahama
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Publication number: 20090104503Abstract: A fuel cell has at least one engaging portion that protrudes from an outer edge of a cell and engages with a cell monitor so as to restrict movement of the cell monitor away from the cell. The cell has a plurality of engaging portions that are spaced apart from each other, and the engaging portions engage with one cell monitor at a plurality of positions of the cell. Separators of the cell contact at major surfaces thereof with cell monitor terminals. One cell monitor is mounted on a plurality of cells, and the terminals of the cell monitor are electrically connected to the separators of the cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2007Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventor: Junichi Shirahama
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Publication number: 20090068513Abstract: In a fuel cell, one of separators that are opposed to each other and an intermediate body interposed between the separators are sandwiched by a cell monitor. An end portion of the intermediate body extends to an edge portion of a cell monitor mounting portion of the above-indicated one separator. The intermediate body includes at least one of a member that functions to hold an electrolyte body, a spacer (as in the case where the intermediate body is a resin frame), and a seal member or members. A major surface of the separator in the cell monitor mounting portion on which the cell monitor is mounted is in surface contact with a terminal of the cell monitor for conduction therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventor: Junichi Shirahama
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Publication number: 20090068540Abstract: A fuel cell has a plurality of constituent members that constitute the fuel cell. The constituent members have first positioning portions and a second positioning portion that is provided on an outer peripheral portion, which are used for positioning during stacking.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomokazu Hayashi, Yutaka Hotta, Junichi Shirahama