Patents by Inventor Mitsutaka Abe
Mitsutaka Abe 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).
-
Patent number: 10707497Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly constituted of an electrolyte membrane and an electrode layer, a frame portion disposed along an outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly, and separators that include gas flow passages to supply the membrane electrode assembly with fuel gas, wherein the membrane electrode assembly is interposed by a pair of the separators, and the separators include adhesion regions bonded to the frame portion via an adhesive, and reduced portions where distances between the separators and the frame portion are shorter than distances between the separators and the frame portion at other adhesion regions in the adhesion regions.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2015Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shigemasa Kuwata, Takanori Oku, Mitsutaka Abe
-
Patent number: 10276879Abstract: A fuel battery cell has a membrane electrode assembly, a frame, a pair of separators, and support members. The membrane electrode assembly is formed with an anode and a cathode bonded so as to face an electrolyte membrane. The frame holds the periphery of the membrane electrode assembly. The pair of separators sandwich the frame holding the membrane electrode assembly. The support members protrude along an edge part of the frame so as to pass beyond the frame and support the membrane electrode assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., W. L. Gore & Associates, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takanori Oku, Mitsutaka Abe, Tomoya Nomura, Tomoyuki Takane
-
Patent number: 10256486Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell (A1) in which a frame body (20) provided with a membrane electrode assembly (30) is sandwiched between a pair of separators (40, 41), and multiple projections (21) are arranged at given intervals on each of two surface sides of the frame body (20). Thus, a gas flow path (S1) for a hydrogen-containing gas is defined and formed on one surface side of the frame body (20) and a gas flow path (S2) for an oxygen-containing gas is defined and formed on the other surface side of the frame body (20). The projections (21) on the one surface side of the frame body (20) and the projections (21) on the other surface side of the frame body (20) are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the frame body (20) in a stacking direction (?) of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takanori Oku, Shigetaka Uehara, Mitsutaka Abe
-
Publication number: 20180226660Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly constituted of an electrolyte membrane and an electrode layer, a frame portion disposed along an outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly, and separators that include gas flow passages to supply the membrane electrode assembly with fuel gas, wherein the membrane electrode assembly is interposed by a pair of the separators, and the separators include adhesion regions bonded to the frame portion via an adhesive, and reduced portions where distances between the separators and the frame portion are shorter than distances between the separators and the frame portion at other adhesion regions in the adhesion regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2015Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shigemasa KUWATA, Takanori Oku, Mitsutaka Abe
-
Patent number: 9979042Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes bonding members for joining projecting sections of adjacent frames in cell modules, an inter-cell module seal member forming a seal between the cell modules, and supporting members disposed between adjacent frames in the cell modules. As viewed from above in the direction in which the cell modules are layered, the supporting members overlap at least a part of a section of the inter-cell module seal member that contacts the cell modules.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiro Kageyama, Mitsutaka Abe
-
Patent number: 9496568Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell including: a membrane electrode assembly (30) formed by joining an anode (32) to one surface of an electrolyte membrane (31) and joining a cathode (33) to another surface of the electrolyte membrane (31); a frame body (20) formed integrally with the membrane electrode assembly (30); and a pair of separators (40, 41) holding the membrane electrode assembly (30) and the frame body (20) therebetween. At least one pair of holding pieces (42, 43) holding the membrane electrode assembly (30) therebetween is formed in the pair of separators (40, 41). Positions of holding end portions (42a, 43a) of the pair of holding pieces (42, 43) are shifted from each other in a stacking direction of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2012Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takanori Oku, Manabu Sugino, Shigetaka Uehara, Mitsutaka Abe
-
Patent number: 9450264Abstract: A vehicle-mounted cell stack system includes a cell stack that comprises a plurality of laminated power generating cells, and power collecting plates that sandwich both outermost power generating cells, electric wires connected to the power collecting plates, and an electric load connected to the power collecting plates via the electric wires and configured to be activated by electric power that is supplied from the cell stack. The electric wires are connected to the power collecting plates in a direction other than a cell laminating direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takahito Osada, Shoichi Nakamura, Naoko Abe, Mitsutaka Abe
-
Patent number: 9373859Abstract: A fuel cell stack has a stacked plurality of cell modules, each of the plurality of cell modules comprising a stacked plurality of single cells, each of the plurality of single cells comprising a membrane electrode assembly sandwiched between a pair of separators, a pair of end plates that sandwich the plurality of cell modules in the stacking direction, sealing plates to seal a reactant gas, disposed between the plurality of cell modules and between outermost cell modules and the end plates, and a voltage measuring terminal protruding to an outside of the cells, provided in at least one of the sealing plates.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Manabu Sugino, Kazuhiro Kageyama, Mitsutaka Abe
-
Publication number: 20150325870Abstract: A fuel cell stack has a stacked plurality of cell modules, each of the plurality of cell modules comprising a stacked plurality of single cells, each of the plurality of single cells comprising a membrane electrode assembly sandwiched between a pair of separators, a pair of end plates that sandwich the plurality of cell modules in the stacking direction, sealing plates to seal a reactant gas, disposed between the plurality of cell modules and between outermost cell modules and the end plates, and a voltage measuring terminal protruding to an outside of the cells, provided in at least one of the sealing plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2013Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Manabu Sugino, Kazuhiro Kageyama, Mitsutaka Abe
-
Publication number: 20150140466Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes bonding members for joining projecting sections of adjacent frames in cell modules, an inter-cell module seal member forming a seal between the cell modules, and supporting members disposed between adjacent frames in the cell modules. As viewed from above in the direction in which the cell modules are layered, the supporting members overlap at least a part of a section of the inter-cell module seal member that contacts the cell modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Kazuhiro Kageyama, Mitsutaka Abe
-
Publication number: 20150125781Abstract: A fuel battery cell has a membrane electrode assembly, a frame, a pair of separators, and support members. The membrane electrode assembly is formed with an anode and a cathode bonded so as to face an electrolyte membrane. The frame holds the periphery of the membrane electrode assembly. The pair of separators sandwich the frame holding the membrane electrode assembly. The support members protrude along an edge part of the frame so as to pass beyond the frame and support the membrane electrode assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Takanori Oku, Mitsutaka Abe, Tomoya Nomura, Tomoyuki Takane
-
Patent number: 8999597Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell provided with a membrane electrode structure having a frame, two separators that sandwich the membrane electrode structure therebetween, and gas seals between the end portion of the frame and the end portions of respective separators, and diffuser sections for distributing a reacting gas to between the frame and respective separators. In the diffuser section on the cathode side, the frame is provided with a protruding section in contact with the separator, and in the diffuser section on the anode side, the frame and the separator are disposed by being spaced apart from each other, thereby excellently maintaining contact surface pressure between the membrane electrode structure and the separators, and preventing contact resistance from being increased.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keigo Ikezoe, Mitsutaka Abe, Takanori Oku, Yasuhiro Numao
-
Patent number: 8974980Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with a membrane electrode assembly provided with a frame, both of which are sandwiched between two separators. The fuel cell is configured such that reactive gas is circulated between the frame and the separators. The frame and both separators each have manifold holes, the rims of the manifold holes of frame extend into the manifold holes in the separators, and protrusions cover the inner peripheral surfaces of the manifold holes in at least one of the separators. This structure makes possible the easy and accurate position and integration of the separators and the frame, and fuel cell miniaturization can be achieved because space to position the protrusions is not needed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takanori Oku, Mitsutaka Abe, Shigetaka Uehara, Yasuhiro Numao
-
Publication number: 20150037702Abstract: A vehicle-mounted cell stack system includes a cell stack that comprises a plurality of laminated power generating cells, and power collecting plates that sandwich both outermost power generating cells, electric wires connected to the power collecting plates, and an electric load connected to the power collecting plates via the electric wires and configured to be activated by electric power that is supplied from the cell stack. The electric wires are connected to the power collecting plates in a direction other than a cell laminating direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Takahito Osada, Shoichi Nakamura, Naoko Abe, Mitsutaka Abe
-
Publication number: 20140023954Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell including: a membrane electrode assembly (30) formed by joining an anode (32) to one surface of an electrolyte membrane (31) and joining a cathode (33) to another surface of the electrolyte membrane (31); a frame body (20) formed integrally with the membrane electrode assembly (30); and a pair of separators (40, 41) holding the membrane electrode assembly (30) and the frame body (20) therebetween. At least one pair of holding pieces (42, 43) holding the membrane electrode assembly (30) therebetween is formed in the pair of separators (40, 41). Positions of holding end portions (42a, 43a) of the pair of holding pieces (42, 43) are shifted from each other in a stacking direction of the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Inventors: Takanori Oku, Manabu Sugino, Shigetaka Uehara, Mitsutaka Abe
-
Publication number: 20140017593Abstract: A fuel battery cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly having a resin frame in a periphery of the membrane electrode assembly; two separators holding the frame and the membrane electrode assembly between the two separators; and diffuser areas each provided between the frame and each of the separators and allowing a reaction gas to flowthrough the diffuser areas. In the diffuser area on any one of a cathode side or an anode side, at least one of mutually opposed surfaces of the frame and the separator is provided with a protruding portion in contact with the other opposed surface. In the diffuser area on the other side, a displacement in a thickness direction between the frame and the separator is capable of being absorbed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsutaka Abe, Takanori Oku
-
Publication number: 20140011110Abstract: A fuel battery cell C includes a membrane electrode assembly 2 having a frame 1 in a periphery thereof; two separators 3A, 3B holding them therebetween; and gas seal members 11, 12 provided to peripheral portions of diffuser areas D1, D2 each formed between the frame 1 and one of the separators 3A, 3B. A diffuser-area-D1-side edge position of the gas seal member 11 in the diffuser area D1 on the cathode side and a diffuser-area-D2-side edge position of the gas seal member 12 in the diffuser area D2 on the anode side are offset from each other in an inside-outside direction of the diffuser areas D1, D2.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2012Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takanori Oku, Kazuhiro Kageyama, Mitsutaka Abe
-
Publication number: 20130183606Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell (A1) in which a frame body (20) provided with a membrane electrode assembly (30) is sandwiched between a pair of separators (40, 41), and multiple projections (21) are arranged at given intervals on each of two surface sides of the frame body (20). Thus, a gas flow path (S1) for a hydrogen-containing gas is defined and formed on one surface side of the frame body (20) and a gas flow path (S2) for an oxygen-containing gas is defined and formed on the other surface side of the frame body (20). The projections (21) on the one surface side of the frame body (20) and the projections (21) on the other surface side of the frame body (20) are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the frame body (20) in a stacking direction (?) of the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Inventors: Takanori Oku, Shigetaka Uehara, Mitsutaka Abe
-
Publication number: 20130115541Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with a membrane electrode assembly provided with a frame, both of which are sandwiched between two separators. The fuel cell is configured such that reactive gas is circulated between the frame and the separators. The frame and both separators each have manifold holes, the rims of the manifold holes of frame extend into the manifold holes in the separators, and protrusions cover the inner peripheral surfaces of the manifold holes in at least one of the separators. This structure makes possible the easy and accurate position and integration of the separators and the frame, and fuel cell miniaturization can be achieved because space to position the protrusions is not needed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takanori Oku, Mitsutaka Abe, Shigetaka Uehara, Yasuhiro Numao
-
Publication number: 20130071769Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell provided with a membrane electrode structure having a frame, two separators that sandwich the membrane electrode structure therebetween, and gas seals between the end portion of the frame and the end portions of respective separators, and diffuser sections for distributing a reacting gas to between the frame and respective separators. In the diffuser section on the cathode side, the frame is provided with a protruding section in contact with the separator, and in the diffuser section on the anode side, the frame and the separator are disposed by being spaced apart from each other, thereby excellently maintaining contact surface pressure between the membrane electrode structure and the separators, and preventing contact resistance from being increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Keigo Ikezoe, Mitsutaka Abe, Takanori Oku, Yasuhiro Numao