Patents by Inventor Kentaro Nagoshi
Kentaro Nagoshi 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: 7662502Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells, and an ejector for supplying a fuel gas to the fuel cell stack. A flow rectifier for rectifying the flow of the fuel gas is provided at a portion of an insulating plate of the fuel cell stack connecting the ejector and the fuel gas supply passage. The flow rectifier includes an opening having a laterally elongated shape in correspondence with the bottom of the fuel gas supply passage having a laterally elongated shape, and a plurality of holes provided above the opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2009Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaharu Suzuki, Yasunori Kotani, Kentaro Nagoshi, Hideaki Kikuchi, Yoshihito Kimura, Tadashi Nishiyama, Yasuhiro Watanabe
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Patent number: 7638219Abstract: Anodes are provided on a porous resin film, a polymer electrolyte membrane is provided on the anodes, and cathodes are provided on the polymer electrolyte membrane to form a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies as power generation units. An electrically conductive member is connected to the cathode of a membrane electrode assembly, and a metal film is electrically connected to the anode of an adjacent membrane electrode assembly. The electrically conductive member has an expansion connected to the metal film. The cathode of the membrane electrode assembly and the anode of the adjacent membrane electrode assembly are electrically connected by the electrically conductive member and the metal film.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2004Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Komura, Yoichi Asano, Chikara Iwasawa, Ryoichiro Takahashi, Masaaki Sakano, Keisuke Andou, Kentaro Nagoshi
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Publication number: 20090246597Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells, and an ejector for supplying a fuel gas to the fuel cell stack. A flow rectifier member is provided at a portion connecting an end plate of the fuel cell stack and the ejector. The flow rectifier member is a cylindrical member. A plurality of openings are formed between partition walls formed in the flow rectifier member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaharu Suzuki, Kentaro Nagoshi
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Publication number: 20090246598Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells, and an ejector for supplying a fuel gas to the fuel cell stack. A flow rectifier for rectifying the flow of the fuel gas is provided at a portion of an insulating plate of the fuel cell stack connecting the ejector and the fuel gas supply passage. The flow rectifier includes an opening having a laterally elongated shape in correspondence with the bottom of the fuel gas supply passage having a laterally elongated shape, and a plurality of holes provided above the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaharu SUZUKI, Yasunori KOTANI, Kentaro NAGOSHI, Hideaki KIKUCHI, Yoshihito KIMURA, Tadashi NISHIYAMA, Yasuhiro WATANABE
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Patent number: 7335434Abstract: A separator assembly for a fuel cell stack includes a diffusion layer including a porous metal body for diffusing and supplying fuel or oxidizer to an electrode of the fuel cell stack, and a separator including a metal plate which is disposed adjacent to the diffusion layer, and which is provided for separating the fuel and the oxidizer from each other. The diffusion layer and the separator are welded together by laser welding. Flow passage partitions of the metal forming the diffusion layer, which are formed by melting the metal by irradiation by a laser beam and by solidifying the metal, may be formed in the diffusion layer so as to define a flow passage for the fuel or oxidizer in the diffusion layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kentaro Nagoshi, Keisuke Andou, Takeshi Matsubara
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Patent number: 7288334Abstract: A terminal plate of a fuel cell stack includes an electron conductive area and a passage area. The electron conductive area is connected to an anode. The passage area includes passages for supplying an oxygen-containing gas, a fuel gas, and coolant to a membrane electrode assembly. The electron conductive area is made of composite of foamed metal and insulating resin. The passage area is made of the insulating resin. The electron conductive area and the passage area are combined together by injection molding, for example.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Komura, Toshiki Kawamura, Masaaki Sakano, Kentaro Nagoshi
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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: 20070009779Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and an anode side metal separator and a cathode side metal separator sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. An oxygen-containing gas flows in an oxygen-containing gas flow field in a horizontal direction. A coolant flows in a coolant flow field in a vertical direction. The coolant flow field is connected to coolant supply passages and coolant discharge passages. The opening of one of the coolant supply passages and the opening of one of the coolant discharge passages are smaller than those of the other coolant supply passages and the other coolant discharge passages in cross section, respectively. Thus, the flow rate of the coolant supplied to an area near outlets of the oxygen-containing gas flow field and the fuel gas flow field become smaller than the flow rate of the coolant supplied to the other area.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2006Publication date: January 11, 2007Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Mohri, Kentaro Nagoshi, Masaru Oda
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Patent number: 7135249Abstract: A separator 21, 22 for use in a fuel cell that generates electricity by a reaction between fuel and oxidant is disclosed. The separator is formed by metal foam 28 which is impregnated with resin. Gas flow passages 23, 25 are formed on a contact surface for contacting with an electrode 19, 20, and conductive plating is applied on the parts where the metal foam 28 is exposed to view in the contact surface 21a, 21b of the separator 21, 22.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2003Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoyuki Enjoji, Keisuke Andou, Kentaro Nagoshi
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Publication number: 20060204807Abstract: A power generation cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, with an anode side metal separator and a cathode side metal separator sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. Flow field walls are provided within the coolant flow field for preventing coolant from flowing into an area corresponding to an oxygen-containing gas inlet buffer, while allowing the coolant to flow into an area corresponding to an oxygen-containing gas outlet buffer. Likewise, flow field walls contact each other for preventing the coolant from flowing into an area corresponding to a fuel gas inlet buffer, while allowing the fuel gas to flow into an area corresponding to a fuel gas outlet buffer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2006Publication date: September 14, 2006Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Kosaka, Kentaro Nagoshi, Narutoshi Sugita, Masaru Oda
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Publication number: 20060088740Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes unit cells. At one side of the unit cells, an oxygen-containing gas supply passage and a fuel gas discharge passage having different opening areas are provided. At the one side of the unit cells, a recess is provided near the fuel gas discharge passage having a relatively small opening area. A cell voltage terminal is provided in the recess such that the cell voltage terminal does not protrude outwardly from the side of the unit cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2005Publication date: April 27, 2006Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaaki Sakano, Masaru Oda, Kentaro Nagoshi
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Publication number: 20060083977Abstract: A power generation cell includes an anode side seal member and a cathode side seal member. The anode side seal member is provided outside an anode of a membrane electrode assembly, and directly contacts a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The cathode side seal member is provided outside the membrane electrode assembly. A space is formed between the anode side seal member and the cathode side seal member. First ribs are formed integrally with the anode side seal member. The first ribs protrude toward the space. Further, second ribs are formed integrally with the cathode side seal member. The second ribs protrude toward the space. The first ribs and the second ribs are arranged alternately.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2005Publication date: April 20, 2006Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kentaro Nagoshi, Daisuke Okonogi, Masaru Oda, Narutoshi Sugita
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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
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Publication number: 20040175606Abstract: Anodes are provided on a porous resin film, a polymer electrolyte membrane is provided on the anodes, and cathodes are provided on the polymer electrolyte membrane to form a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies as power generation units.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2004Publication date: September 9, 2004Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Komura, Yoichi Asano, Chikara Iwasawa, Ryoichiro Takahashi, Masaaki Sakano, Keisuke Andou, Kentaro Nagoshi
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Publication number: 20040170880Abstract: A separator assembly for a fuel cell stack includes a diffusion layer including a porous metal body for diffusing and supplying fuel or oxidizer to an electrode of the fuel cell stack, and a separator including a metal plate which is disposed adjacent to the diffusion layer, and which is provided for separating the fuel and the oxidizer from each other. The diffusion layer and the separator are welded together by laser welding. Flow passage partitions of the metal forming the diffusion layer, which are formed by melting the metal by irradiation by a laser beam and by solidifying the metal, may be formed in the diffusion layer so as to define a flow passage for the fuel or oxidizer in the diffusion layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kentaro Nagoshi, Keisuke Andou, Takeshi Matsubara
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Publication number: 20040142228Abstract: A terminal plate of a fuel cell stack includes an electron conductive area and a passage area. The electron conductive area is connected to an anode. The passage area includes passages for supplying an oxygen-containing gas, a fuel gas, and coolant to a membrane electrode assembly. The electron conductive area is made of composite of foamed metal and insulating resin. The passage area is made of the insulating resin. The electron conductive area and the passage area are combined together by injection molding, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Komura, Toshiki Kawamura, Masaaki Sakano, Kentaro Nagoshi
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Publication number: 20040131905Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoyuki Enjoji, Hideaki Kikuchi, Kentaro Nagoshi
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Publication number: 20040043285Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kentaro Nagoshi, Keisuke Andou, Hideaki Kikuchi
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Publication number: 20040033412Abstract: A separator 21, 22 for use in a fuel cell that generates electricity by a reaction between fuel and oxidant is disclosed. The separator is formed by metal foam 28 which is impregnated with resin. Gas flow passages 23, 25 are formed on a contact surface for contacting with an electrode 19, 20, and conductive plating is applied on the parts where the metal foam 28 is exposed to view in the contact surface 21a, 21b of the separator 21, 22.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2003Publication date: February 19, 2004Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoyuki Enjoji, Keisuke Andou, Kentaro Nagoshi
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Publication number: 20030087143Abstract: A fuel cell separator plate comprising a portion in contact with an electrode, and a sealing portion provided around the contact portion, the contact portion having a larger surface roughness (Rmax) than that of the sealing portion. It is preferably a molded separator plate made of a composite carbon material comprising carbon and a thermosetting resin.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakanishi, Yuichiro Kosaka, Kentaro Nagoshi