Patents by Inventor Narutoshi Sugita
Narutoshi Sugita 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: 7297432Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell comprising a pair of separators sandwiching outsides of a membrane electrode assembly composed of a pair of electrodes provided on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an outer seal member sandwiched by a pair of separators at a position surrounding an outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly, an inner seal member sandwiched by one of the pair of separators and an outer periphery of the electrolyte membrane, and a backing member opposing to the inner seal member interposing the electrolyte membrane, wherein steps are formed at contact surfaces of the inner seal member and the outer seal member on one of the pair of separators.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Yoshihiro Nakanishi, Hideaki Kikuchi
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Publication number: 20070231662Abstract: A fuel cell includes first and second separators sandwiching a membrane electrode assembly. The first and second separators include first and second metal plates, first and second insulating bushings for positioning the first and second metal plates in alignment with each other, and first and second seal members formed integrally with the first and second metal plates. The first and second seal members are formed by injection molding on the first and second metal plates using the first and second insulating bushings as insert members.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuhei Goto, Seiji Sugiura, So Fujiwara, Daisuke Okonogi, Narutoshi Sugita, Mikihiko Kimura
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Publication number: 20070207372Abstract: A fuel gas flow field is formed on a surface of a rectangular first metal separator. The fuel gas flow field includes flow grooves extending in the direction of gravity. An outlet buffer is provided at a lower end of the fuel gas flow field. The outlet buffer includes an inclined surface inclined toward a fuel gas discharge passage. The fuel gas discharge passage is positioned below the outlet buffer. Outlet channel grooves are formed by ridges provided between the fuel gas discharge passage and the outlet buffer. Lower ends of the ridges are arranged in a zigzag pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2007Publication date: September 6, 2007Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Kikuchi, Narutoshi Sugita, Norimasa Kawagoe, Masaru Oda, Takashi Kosaka, Takeshi Banba, Yasuhiro Watanabe
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Patent number: 7220511Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second metal separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. A first cell voltage terminal for detecting a voltage generated in the membrane electrode assembly is formed integrally with an outer region of the first metal separator. The first cell voltage terminal extends outwardly from the first metal separator. A first seal member covers the outer region of the first metal separator, and includes a first extension seal which covers the first cell voltage terminal to a position near a tip end of the first cell voltage terminal.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takaki Nakagawa, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Takashi Kosaka, Takahiro Yoshida, Narutoshi Sugita, Shuhei Goto, Seiji Sugiura, Tadashi Nishiyama
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Patent number: 7201990Abstract: An intermediate plate is interposed between first and second sub-stacks. The intermediate plate has, defined in a surface thereof, an oxygen-containing gas mixing passage interconnecting an oxygen-containing gas outlet in the first sub-stack which is located upstream and an oxygen-containing gas inlet in the second sub-stack which is located downstream. In the first and second sub-stacks, an oxygen-containing gas is supplied from the oxygen-containing gas inlet and discharged to the oxygen-containing gas outlet at all times.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Wariishi, Masaharu Suzuki, Hideaki Kikuchi, Narutoshi Sugita, Ichiro Baba, Ken Takahashi, Seiji Sugiura, Yosuke Fujii, Daisuke Wachi
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Patent number: 7201987Abstract: In order to provide an membrane electrode assembly having an electrolyte membrane in which bending and warping of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane are prevented so as to facilitate the handling ability, in the membrane electrode assembly having an electrolyte membrane comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a pair of gas diffusion electrodes which are disposed on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a flat surface having the same size as the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is formed by disposing a frame-shaped seal member on an outer surface of the gas diffusion electrode, and the flat surface closely contacts to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane so as to be able to cover and support the solid polymer electrolyte membrane.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2002Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Hideaki Kikuchi, Yoshihiro Nakanishi, Tadashi Nishiyama
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Patent number: 7195837Abstract: A first separator of a unit cell and a second separator of another unit cell and are disposed adjacent to each other in a stacked assembly. Crest surfaces of straight sections of first hollow ridges of the first separator are in contact with crest surfaces of second hollow ridges of the second separator, and crest surfaces of bent sections of the first hollow ridges are spaced from crest surfaces of the second hollow ridges. The spaced crest surfaces allow first troughs of the first separator and second troughs of the second separator to communicate with each other, providing communication passages between the first separator and the second separator. Cooling water is passed through the communication passages.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaharu Suzuki, Naoyuki Enjoji, Yuichiro Kosaka, Narutoshi Sugita
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Publication number: 20070020504Abstract: An assembling operation of a fuel cell is effectively simplified. With the simple and economical structure, the desired sealing function is achieved. The fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second metal separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. Connection channels are provided on the first metal separator. The connection channels connect the oxygen-containing gas supply passage and the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage to the oxygen-containing gas flow field. The membrane electrode assembly has first overlapping portions overlapped on the connection channels for sealing the connection channels. The first overlapping portions comprise, in effect, a gas diffusion layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2004Publication date: January 25, 2007Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Katsuhiko Kohyama, Shuhei Goto, Hiroshi Shinkai, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Takaki Nagawa
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Publication number: 20070003816Abstract: A unit cell of 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. A plurality of first supply holes and a plurality of second supply holes extend through a channel unit of the anode side metal separator, and the channel unit connects a fuel gas supply passage and a fuel gas flow field. A fuel gas from the fuel gas supply passage flows into the first supply holes, and flows through an inlet connection channel. The fuel gas flows into the second supply holes connected to an end of the inlet connection channel. The fuel gas flows toward the side of the membrane electrode assembly, and then, the fuel gas is supplied to an anode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2006Publication date: January 4, 2007Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Takashi Kosaka, Shuji Sato, Takeshi Muro, Masaaki Sakano
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Patent number: 7144647Abstract: A fuel cell stack capable of giving improved impact resistance and vibration resistance without causing the space occupied by the fuel cell stack to be increased. In a fuel cell stack for mounting in a vehicle in which a plurality of fuel cell units, each of which is formed by interposing a solid polymer electrolyte membrane between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, are stacked in a horizontal direction with separators placed between each, mounting members used for installation are provided at backup plates that are outside fastening structure portions that are provided at both ends along the direction in which the fuel cell units are stacked, and an intermediate supporting member used for installation is additionally provided at an intermediate portion along the direction in which the fuel cell units are stacked.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2001Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Tadashi Nishiyama, Ken Takahashi, Seiji Sugiura
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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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Patent number: 7097927Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises first and second parallel fuel cell stacks (12, 14) in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode of adjoining terminal electrodes are set to be opposite to one another. First and second conductive plates (82, 180) are incorporated at ends on an identical side of the first and second fuel cell stacks (12, 14). First and second connecting plate sections (106, 182) extend from the first and second conductive plates (82, 180) closely to one another under the first and second fuel cell stacks (12, 14). The first and second connecting plate sections (106, 182) are electrically connected by flexible strand wires (186a, 186b). Accordingly, the fuel cell system reliably avoids stress caused by vibration or the like at a connecting portion for electrically connecting the first and second fuel cell stacks (12, 14) to one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2002Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Noriaki Osao, Takeshi Ushio
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Patent number: 7090941Abstract: A cell assembly is formed by stacking a first cell and a second cell. In the cell assembly, oxygen-containing gas flow passages are connected in series by an intermediate oxygen-containing gas flow passage, and fuel gas flow passages are connected in series by an intermediate fuel gas flow passage. An additional oxygen-containing gas is supplied to an oxygen-containing gas passage which includes the intermediate oxygen-containing gas flow passage. An additional fuel gas is supplied to a fuel gas passage which includes the intermediate fuel gas flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ichiro Baba, Yosuke Fujii, Ken Takahashi, Daisuke Wachi, Hiromichi Yoshida, Takaki Nakagawa, Yoshinori Wariishi, Masaharu Suzuki, Seiji Sugiura, Narutoshi Sugita, Hideaki Kikuchi
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Patent number: 7056614Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a membrane electrode assembly that can increase durability by increasing the strength of an extending part of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and can also reduce cost by minimizing the volume of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane used. In the present invention, an anode electrode is provided on one side of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a cathode electrode is provided on the other side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane is formed such that its outer peripheral portion extends the anode electrode and the cathode electrode on both sides thereof. A framc-shaped first sealing member is closely contacted with the outer peripheral edge face of the anode electrode or the cathode electrode. The frame-shaped first sealing member coats and supports one face of the extending part of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2002Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Masaaki Nanaumi, Tadashi Nishiyama
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Publication number: 20060110643Abstract: A fuel cell has a unit cell in which a membrane electrode assembly, in which a pair of electrodes are provided on either side of an electrolyte membrane, is provided between a first separator and a second separator. Pin insertion holes are respectively provided in a plurality of portions in an outer periphery of each of the first and the second separators, and the pin insertion holes of the first separators are respectively coaxial with those of the second separator. A leg portion of a cell fastening pin made of resin is inserted through each pair of the coaxial pin insertion holes of the first and the second separators. The unit cell is fastened by fitting a flange portion formed at an end of the leg portion to the first separator, and fitting a hook portion formed at the other end of the leg portion to the second separator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2005Publication date: May 25, 2006Inventors: Masaaki Sakano, Narutoshi Sugita, Ryugo Suzuki
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Publication number: 20060110646Abstract: In a solid polymer electrolyte membrane type fuel cell of the invention, where a pair of electrodes are provided on opposite sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and the outside thereof is clamped by a pair of separators, and nonconductive picture frame-shaped members 61 are arranged at the outer edge portions of the separators, for allowing increase and decrease of a space between separators, while sealing a gap between the separators.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2006Publication date: May 25, 2006Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihiko Suenaga, Narutoshi Sugita, Takayuki Ogawa, Keisuke Andou, Masajiro Inoue
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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: 7014939Abstract: In a solid polymer electrolyte membrane type fuel cell of the invention, where a pair of electrodes are provided on opposite sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and the outside thereof is clamped by a pair of separators, and nonconductive picture frame-shaped members 61 are arranged at the outer edge portions of the separators, for allowing increase and decrease of a space between separators, while sealing a gap between the separators.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2002Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihiko Suenaga, Narutoshi Sugita, Takayuki Ogawa, Keisuke Andou, Masajiro Inoue
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Publication number: 20060003220Abstract: An oxygen-containing gas flow field for supplying an oxygen-containing gas from an oxygen-containing gas supply passage to an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage is formed on a first metal plate. The oxygen-containing gas flow field includes oxygen-containing gas flow grooves as serpentine flow grooves having two turn regions T1, T2. The oxygen-containing gas flow grooves have substantially the same length. The oxygen-containing gas flow grooves are connected to an inlet buffer and an outlet buffer at opposite ends. The inlet buffer and the outlet buffer have a substantially triangular shape, and are substantially symmetrical with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2003Publication date: January 5, 2006Inventors: Seiji Sugiura, Shuhei Goto, Kazuya Sasamoto, Narutoshi Sugita
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Publication number: 20050271926Abstract: A power generation cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second metal separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. The first metal separator is a thin metal plate. A first seal member is formed integrally around the outer end of the first metal separator. A portion defining an orifice is provided in an outer marginal region of the first metal separator. The thickness H1 of the first seal member in the area covering the portion defining the orifice is larger than the thickness of the H2 of the first seal member in the area covering other portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2005Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Daisuke Okonogi, Mikihiko Kimura, Shuhei Goto