Patents by Inventor Keiji Ichihara
Keiji Ichihara 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: 20250070193Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes: a plurality of laminated power generation cells each including a solid electrolyte layer, an anode electrode disposed on one surface of the solid electrolyte layer, and a cathode electrode disposed on the other surface of the solid electrolyte layer; a separator provided between the power generation cells and separated from the power generation cells; and an anode flow path formed between an anode electrode side of the power generation cell and the separator; and a cathode flow path formed between a cathode electrode side of the power generation cell and the separator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2021Publication date: February 27, 2025Inventors: Ken Bryan IKEGUCHI, Takeshi SHIOMI, Keiji ICHIHARA
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Publication number: 20240266572Abstract: This solid oxide fuel cell is configured by stacking, in the thickness direction, a plurality of power generating cells having a solid electrolyte plate, an anode electrode disposed to one surface of the solid electrolyte plate, an anode support layer supporting the anode electrode, a cathode electrode disposed to the other surface of the solid electrolyte plate, and a cathode support layer supporting the cathode electrode, the power generating cells being stacked via an interconnector for electrically connecting the anode support layer of one of adjacent power generating cells and the cathode support layer of another of the adjacent power generating cells, wherein: the anode support layer and the cathode support layer are formed of a ferritic stainless steel; and the interconnector is formed of a ferritic stainless steel containing aluminum.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2021Publication date: August 8, 2024Inventors: Yusuke AOYAMA, Takeshi SHIOMI, Keiji ICHIHARA
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Patent number: 11398638Abstract: A cell structure for a fuel cell including: power generation cell assemblies each including a power generation cell which includes a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode, and an electrolyte sandwiched therebetween and is configured to generate power by using supplied gases; a separator configured to separate the adjacent power generation cell assemblies from each other; a sealing member disposed between an edge of a corresponding one of the power generation cell assemblies and an edge of the separator and configured to retain any of the gases supplied to the power generation cells between the corresponding power generation cell assembly and the separator; and a heat exchange part disposed adjacent to the sealing member and configured to perform temperature control of the sealing member by using any of the gases supplied to the power generation cells.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2017Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Keiji Ichihara
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Patent number: 11322770Abstract: A fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack, a casing, an application part, and a facilitating mechanism. The facilitating mechanism has a space that is provided between the casing and an upper current collector. The upper current collector and the casing are connected at inclined surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keiji Okada, Keiji Ichihara
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Patent number: 11223053Abstract: A fuel cell FC that includes a cell structure including an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte that intervenes between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode; and a pair of separators that forms an anode gas flow area and a cathode gas flow area between the cell structure and an anode-side separator and a cathode-side separator of the pair of separators, respectively. The fuel cell further includes a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion that are disposed on an anode electrode side of the cell structure to enclose respectively the anode gas flow area and an outer periphery of the first sealing portion. A flow path for oxygen-containing gas is formed between the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Keiji Ichihara, Takao Izumi, Keita Iritsuki
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Patent number: 11139486Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes cell units and separators that are alternately stacked, in which each of the cell units includes a single cell. Each of the separators includes: at least one first ridge that is disposed on a first main surface of each of the separators at a predetermined interval to form at least one first gas channel; and at least one second ridge that is disposed on a second main surface of each of the separators at a predetermined interval to form at least one second gas channel. The at least one first ridge and the at least one second ridge are disposed at a regular interval around a center of each of the separators in a cross section perpendicular to the first or second gas channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Keiji Ichihara, Kazuhiro Takahata
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Patent number: 11018351Abstract: A single cell structure for a fuel cell includes: a framed membrane electrode assembly; a pair of separators disposed on both sides of the framed membrane electrode assembly; a gas channel portion which is formed between one of the pair of separators and the membrane electrode assembly, and to which gas is supplied; a manifold portion having a hole that penetrates the frame and the separator in a stacking direction; a protrusion that protrudes from at least one of the pair of separators toward the framed membrane electrode assembly to support the frame near the manifold portion; an extended portion of the frame that extends toward the manifold portion beyond the protrusion; and a gas flowing portion that is formed at the extended portion to supply the gas from the manifold portion to the gas channel portion. The gas flowing portion includes a bump that is disposed at the extended portion of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2016Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Keiji Ichihara
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Publication number: 20210057772Abstract: A fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack, a casing, an application part, and a facilitating mechanism. The facilitating mechanism has a space that is provided between the casing and an upper current collector. The upper current collector and the casing are connected at inclined surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2018Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Keiji OKADA, Keiji ICHIHARA
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Publication number: 20200168931Abstract: A cell structure for a fuel cell including: power generation cell assemblies each including a power generation cell which includes a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode, and an electrolyte sandwiched therebetween and is configured to generate power by using supplied gases; a separator configured to separate the adjacent power generation cell assemblies from each other; a sealing member disposed between an edge of a corresponding one of the power generation cell assemblies and an edge of the separator and configured to retain any of the gases supplied to the power generation cells between the corresponding power generation cell assembly and the separator; and a heat exchange part disposed adjacent to the sealing member and configured to perform temperature control of the sealing member by using any of the gases supplied to the power generation cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2017Publication date: May 28, 2020Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Keiji ICHIHARA
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Patent number: 10629922Abstract: A fuel cell stack FS, in which cell structures 3, each of which includes a frame 2 that is disposed at the periphery of the cell structure 3; and separators 4 that are alternately stacked, includes a sealing member S between a peripheral portion of a frame 2 of a first cell structure 3 on one side of one of the separators and a peripheral portion of the separator 4. In each of the separators 4, a first contacting portion 11 in contact with the sealing member S, second contacting portions 12 in contact with a frame 2 of a second cell structure 3 on the other side thereof, and connecting portions 13 that connect the first contacting portion 11 and the second contacting portions 12 are included so as to form a protruded shape portion. Each of the second contacting portions 12 includes a fixing portion fixing with the frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Keiji Ichihara
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Patent number: 10615433Abstract: A fuel cell stack seal structure of a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cell single cells that are stacked, each of the fuel cell single cells including a membrane electrode assembly and a pair of separators holding the membrane electrode assembly between the pair of separators, includes inner peripheral sealing members and an outer peripheral sealing member at peripheral edges of a pair of separators, in which the inner peripheral sealing members close a gap between inner peripheral ribs that protrude at least towards a mutually facing sides of the pair of separators, and the outer peripheral sealing member that closes a gap between outer peripheral ribs that protrude at least towards the mutually facing sides of the pair of separators. The inner peripheral sealing members and the outer peripheral sealing member form a first closed space between the inner peripheral sealing members and the outer peripheral sealing member.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Norikatsu Sekine, Yasuhiro Numao, Keiji Ichihara, Takanori Oku, Hiroshi Miyaoka
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Publication number: 20200028186Abstract: A single cell structure for a fuel cell includes: a framed membrane electrode assembly; a pair of separators disposed on both sides of the framed membrane electrode assembly; a gas channel portion which is formed between one of the pair of separators and the membrane electrode assembly, and to which gas is supplied; a manifold portion having a hole that penetrates the frame and the separator in a stacking direction; a protrusion that protrudes from at least one of the pair of separators toward the framed membrane electrode assembly to support the frame near the manifold portion; an extended portion of the frame that extends toward the manifold portion beyond the protrusion; and a gas flowing portion that is formed at the extended portion to supply the gas from the manifold portion to the gas channel portion. The gas flowing portion includes a bump that is disposed at the extended portion of the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2016Publication date: January 23, 2020Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTDInventor: Keiji ICHIHARA
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Patent number: 10522866Abstract: A fuel cell stack obtained by stacking a plurality of fuel cells has an internal manifold that extends in a stacking direction of the fuel cells to externally discharge a gas used in the fuel cell, and an extension member that adjoins an inner wall surface of the internal manifold and extends in the stacking direction. The extension member is a bar-shaped member provided in an opposite side to a side where a gas from the fuel cells flows to the inside of the internal manifold and has a sloping surface making an acute angle with an inner-wall lower surface of the internal manifold.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Daigo Iwasaki, Hidetaka Nishimura, Hayato Chikugo, Ryoichi Shimoi, Keiji Ichihara
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Publication number: 20190305324Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes cell units and separators that are alternately stacked, in which each of the cell units includes a single cell. Each of the separators includes: at least one first ridge that is disposed on a first main surface of each of the separators at a predetermined interval to form at least one first gas channel; and at least one second ridge that is disposed on a second main surface of each of the separators at a predetermined interval to form at least one second gas channel. The at least one first ridge and the at least one second ridge are disposed at a regular interval around a center of each of the separators in a cross section perpendicular to the first or second gas channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2016Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Keiji ICHIHARA, Kazuhiro TAKAHATA
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Publication number: 20190296371Abstract: A fuel cell stack FS, in which cell structures 3, each of which includes a frame 2 that is disposed at the periphery of the cell structure 3; and separators 4 that are alternately stacked, includes a sealing member S between a peripheral portion of a frame 2 of a first cell structure 3 on one side of one of the separators and a peripheral portion of the separator 4. In each of the separators 4, a first contacting portion 11 in contact with the sealing member S, second contacting portions 12 in contact with a frame 2 of a second cell structure 3 on the other side thereof, and connecting portions 13 that connect the first contacting portion 11 and the second contacting portions 12 are included so as to form a protruded shape portion. Each of the second contacting portions 12 includes a fixing portion fixing with the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2016Publication date: September 26, 2019Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Keiji ICHIHARA
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Patent number: 10411273Abstract: The fuel cell single cell of the present invention includes: a membrane electrode assembly; a low-rigidity frame that supports the membrane electrode assembly; a pair of separators that holds the low-rigidity frame and the membrane electrode assembly therebetween; a gas channel for supplying gas to the membrane electrode assembly between the pair of separators; manifold parts that are formed in the low-rigidity frame and the pair of separators to supply the gas to the gas channel; restraining ribs that restrain the low-rigidity frame near the manifold parts; a projected part of the low-rigidity frame that projects toward the manifold parts beyond the restraining ribs; and a gas flow part that is formed in the projected part to supply the gas from the manifold part to the gas channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2015Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Keiji Ichihara, Motoki Yaginuma, Akira Yasutake
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Publication number: 20190173106Abstract: A fuel cell FC includes: a cell structure 3 including an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte 5 that intervenes between the anode electrode 7 and the cathode electrode 6; and a pair of separators 4 that forms an anode gas flow area G1 and a cathode gas flow area G2 between the cell structure 3 and an anode-side separator and a cathode-side separator of the pair of separators 4, respectively. The fuel cell further includes: a first sealing portion S1 and a second sealing portion S2 that are disposed on an anode electrode side of the cell structure 3 to enclose respectively the anode gas flow area G1 and an outer periphery of the first sealing portion S1. A flow path F for oxygen-containing gas is formed between the first sealing portion S1 and the second sealing portion S2. This double sealing structure prevents leakage of the anode gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2016Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Keiji ICHIHARA, Takao IZUMI, Keita IRITSUKI
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Publication number: 20190173102Abstract: The fuel cell single cell of the present invention includes: a membrane electrode assembly; a low-rigidity frame that supports the membrane electrode assembly; a pair of separators that holds the low-rigidity frame and the membrane electrode assembly therebetween; a gas channel for supplying gas to the membrane electrode assembly between the pair of separators; manifold parts that are formed in the low-rigidity frame and the pair of separators to supply the gas to the gas channel; restraining ribs that restrain the low-rigidity frame near the manifold parts; a projected part of the low-rigidity frame that projects toward the manifold parts beyond the restraining ribs; and a gas flow part that is formed in the projected part to supply the gas from the manifold part to the gas channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2015Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Keiji ICHIHARA, Motoki YAGINUMA, Akira YASUTAKE
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Publication number: 20180358634Abstract: A fuel cell stack seal structure of a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cell single cells that are stacked, each of the fuel cell single cells including a membrane electrode assembly and a pair of separators holding the membrane electrode assembly between the pair of separators, includes inner peripheral sealing members and an outer peripheral sealing member at peripheral edges of a pair of separators, in which the inner peripheral sealing members close a gap between inner peripheral ribs that protrude at least towards a mutually facing sides of the pair of separators, and the outer peripheral sealing member that closes a gap between outer peripheral ribs that protrude at least towards the mutually facing sides of the pair of separators. The inner peripheral sealing members and the outer peripheral sealing member form a first closed space between the inner peripheral sealing members and the outer peripheral sealing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2016Publication date: December 13, 2018Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Norikatsu SEKINE, Yasuhiro NUMAO, Keiji ICHIHARA, Takanori OKU, Hiroshi MIYAOKA
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Patent number: 10128524Abstract: A fuel cell manufacturing method and a fuel cell manufacturing device are provided in which it is possible to heat, in a localized manner, sections for which heating is desired. In this fuel cell manufacturing method, a laminate is obtained by stacking a membrane electrode assembly and a separator that has an adhesive disposed therebetween. Coils are provided adjacent a site of the laminate to be heated. Preferably, coils are disposed on opposite sides of the site in the stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly and the separator such that current flows in the same direction as directions intersecting the stacking direction. The site to be heated is subjected to induction heating by passing current through the coils.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keiji Ichihara, Naoyuki Torii, Tsuneo Saito, Takahiko Fujii, Teruhito Nakatomi