Patents by Inventor Nobuyuki Hotta
Nobuyuki Hotta 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: 11735758Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell stack, including alternately disposing a plurality of single fuel cells, and a plurality of interconnectors disposed alternately and holding the alternately disposed plurality of single fuel cells and plurality of interconnectors between a pair of end members, forming a space between a first end member and a first interconnector, disposing a junction member composed of an elastic member and an electrically conductive member in the space, and urging a portion of an electrically conductive member and another portion of the electrically member against the first end member and the first interconnector so that a total thickness of the portion of the electrically conductive member, the another portion of the electrically conductive member, and the elastic member prior to being disposed in the space between the first end member and the first interconnector is greater than a height of the space.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Tetsuya Morikawa, Nobuyuki Hotta
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Patent number: 11462759Abstract: A composite including an electrolyte layer containing solid oxide, and at least one electrode selected from a cathode disposed on one side of the electrolyte layer in a first direction and an anode disposed on the other side of the electrolyte layer in the first direction. Either one of two surfaces of the composite located on opposite sides in the first direction satisfies a first requirement that, as viewed in the first direction, a curvature determined on the basis of any three points juxtaposed at intervals of 5 mm is less than 0.0013 (l/mm) and that, as viewed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the curvature is the reciprocal of the radius of an imaginary circle passing through the any three points.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Hideki Nishiwaki, Nobuyuki Hotta, Tetsuo Suehiro, Hiroshi Sumi
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Publication number: 20220013801Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell stack, including alternately disposing a plurality of single fuel cells, and a plurality of interconnectors disposed alternately and holding the alternately disposed plurality of single fuel cells and plurality of interconnectors between a pair of end members, forming a space between a first end member and a first interconnector, disposing a junction member composed of an elastic member and an electrically conductive member in the space, and urging a portion of an electrically conductive member and another portion of the electrically member against the first end member and the first interconnector so that a total thickness of the portion of the electrically conductive member, the another portion of the electrically conductive member, and the elastic member prior to being disposed in the space between the first end member and the first interconnector is greater than a height of the space.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Applicant: MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Tetsuya MORIKAWA, Nobuyuki HOTTA
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Patent number: 11158878Abstract: An electrochemical reaction cell stack includes an electrochemical reaction block including three or more electrochemical reaction units arranged in a first direction; a first heat-absorbing member which is disposed on one side of the electrochemical reaction block in the first direction and absorbs heat generated from the electrochemical reaction block; and a second heat-absorbing member which is disposed on the other side of the electrochemical reaction block in the first direction and absorbs heat generated from the electrochemical reaction block. An upstream electrochemical reaction unit is disposed between the first heat-absorbing member and the downstream electrochemical reaction unit disposed closest to the first heat-absorbing member, and an upstream electrochemical reaction unit is disposed between the second heat-absorbing member and the downstream electrochemical reaction unit disposed closest to the second heat-absorbing member.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2017Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenta Manabe, Nobuyuki Hotta, Takafumi Shichida, Yuki Ota
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Patent number: 11027982Abstract: A mica-made member having a crystal structure exhibiting an intensity peak of KMg3(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 and an intensity peak of Mg2SiO4 in X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Also disclosed is an electrochemical reaction unit including a structural member formed of the mica-made member and an electrochemical reaction cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2017Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoru Ishida, Tomoki Murata, Ryoji Tanimura, Tatsuya Ono, Nobuyuki Hotta
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Publication number: 20200358121Abstract: A composite including an electrolyte layer containing solid oxide, and at least one electrode selected from a cathode disposed on one side of the electrolyte layer in a first direction and an anode disposed on the other side of the electrolyte layer in the first direction. Either one of two surfaces of the composite located on opposite sides in the first direction satisfies a first requirement that, as viewed in the first direction, a curvature determined on the basis of any three points juxtaposed at intervals of 5 mm is less than 0.0013 (l/mm) and that, as viewed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the curvature is the reciprocal of the radius of an imaginary circle passing through the any three points.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2019Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Hideki NISHIWAKI, Nobuyuki HOTTA, Tetsuo SUEHIRO, Hiroshi SUMI
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Patent number: 10707499Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell cassette capable of assuredly suppressing separator deformation and maintaining good battery characteristics. A fuel cell cassette (2) includes a flat plate-shaped single cell (11), a separator (12), a fuel electrode frame, an interconnector and an air electrode insulating frame (15) stacked together. In the fuel cell cassette (2), the separator (12) and the fuel electrode frame (13) are joined by welding. The air electrode insulating frame (15) has gas channels (75, 76) defined therein for flow of oxidant gas. The fuel cell cassette has a welding mark (77) formed on an exposed region of the separator (12) inside the gas channel (75, 76) such that the exposed region of the separator (12) is fixed to the fuel electrode frame by the welding mark (77).Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Ryoji Tanimura, Hiroshi Sumi, Nobuyuki Hotta
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Patent number: 10693174Abstract: A flat-plate-type fuel cell stack including a plurality of plate-shaped stacked fuel cells each including an electrolyte layer, an anode, and a cathode. The fuel cell stack includes at least one of a fuel manifold communicating with a space adjacent to the anode and an oxidant manifold communicating with a space adjacent to the cathode. A compression seal member and a glass seal member are disposed around the at least one manifold.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Nobuyuki Hotta, Tetsuya Morikawa, Hayato Katsuda, Hiroshi Sumi
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Patent number: 10693153Abstract: An interconnector-electrochemical reaction unit cell composite body includes an electrochemical reaction unit cell and an interconnector. The interconnector has a plurality of combinations of protrusions protruding in the first direction and recesses provided on a side opposite the protrusions in the first direction and being concave toward the protrusions. At least one of the combinations is configured such that, as viewed in the first direction, the bottom of the recess is located on the side toward the open end of the recess. In a section parallel to the first direction, the recess is located within a width t2 of the protrusion in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the width t1 of the recess in the second direction is smaller than the width t2.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenta Manabe, Hiroaki Yagi, Nobuyuki Hotta, Shunta Ohashi
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Patent number: 10665872Abstract: A fuel cell stack including a plurality of electricity generation units fastened by means of a plurality of fastening members. Each electricity generation unit includes a single cell, and a sealing member sandwiched between two other members thereby sealing one of the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. The surface of the sealing member included in at least one electricity generation units, the surface facing either of the two other members, has a surface roughness Ra of 3.0 ?m or less.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Nobuyuki Hotta, Hideki Ishikawa, Shunta Ohashi, Yasuki Izutsu
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Patent number: 10637075Abstract: A fuel cell stack including a plurality of electricity generation units fastened by means of a plurality of fastening members. Each electricity generation unit includes a single cell, and a sealing member sandwiched between two other members thereby sealing one of the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. The surface of the sealing member included in at least one electricity generation units, the surface facing either of the two other members, has a surface roughness Ra of 3.0 ?m or less.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Nobuyuki Hotta, Hideki Ishikawa, Shunta Ohashi, Yasuki Izutsu
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Patent number: 10497949Abstract: An electrochemical reaction unit including a unit cell; a separator bonded to a peripheral portion of the unit cell by means of a bonding member containing a brazing material; and a glass sealing member which is in contact with both the surface of the separator and the surface of the unit cell, thereby sealing between an air chamber and a fuel chamber. The separator has a first flat portion approximately parallel to a second direction perpendicular to a first direction; a second flat portion approximately parallel to the second direction; and a connection portion having a portion whose position in the first direction is different from that of the first flat portion and the second flat portion and connecting the first flat portion and the second flat portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Shunta Ohashi, Nobuyuki Hotta, Hiroaki Yagi
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Publication number: 20190288322Abstract: An electrochemical reaction cell stack includes an electrochemical reaction block including three or more electrochemical reaction units arranged in a first direction. The electrochemical reaction block includes a gas introduction flow passage, a gas discharge flow passage, and a gas transfer flow passage. An upstream electrochemical reaction unit includes an upstream introduction communication passage for connecting an upstream anode chamber to the gas introduction flow passage, and an upstream discharge communication passage for connecting the upstream anode chamber to the gas transfer flow passage. Similarly, a downstream electrochemical reaction unit includes a downstream introduction communication passage and a downstream discharge communication passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2017Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTDInventors: Kenta MANABE, Nobuyuki HOTTA, Takafumi SHICHIDA, Yuki OTA
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Publication number: 20190267658Abstract: An electrochemical reaction cell stack includes an electrochemical reaction block including three or more electrochemical reaction units arranged in a first direction; a first heat-absorbing member which is disposed on one side of the electrochemical reaction block in the first direction and absorbs heat generated from the electrochemical reaction block; and a second heat-absorbing member which is disposed on the other side of the electrochemical reaction block in the first direction and absorbs heat generated from the electrochemical reaction block. An upstream electrochemical reaction unit is disposed between the first heat-absorbing member and the downstream electrochemical reaction unit disposed closest to the first heat-absorbing member, and an upstream electrochemical reaction unit is disposed between the second heat-absorbing member and the downstream electrochemical reaction unit disposed closest to the second heat-absorbing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: August 29, 2019Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenta MANABE, Nobuyuki HOTTA, Takafumi SHICHIDA, Yuki OTA
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Patent number: 10396389Abstract: A fuel gas supply path in a fuel cell stack includes in series a first path, a second path, and a third path. In the second path, two inlets of the fuel gas in each of power generating cells included in the second path are located at a first position PA and a second position PB, and the position of one outlet of the fuel gas in each power generating cell is located at a third position PC. In the third path, an inlet of the fuel gas in each of power generating cells included in the third path is located at a position coinciding with the third position PC when the power generating cells are viewed in the stacking direction, and an outlet of the fuel gas in each power generating cell is located at a position between the first position PA and the second position PB.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Shunsuke Tsuga, Takafumi Shichida, Tetsuya Morikawa, Nobuyuki Hotta
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Publication number: 20190218104Abstract: A mica-made member having a crystal structure exhibiting an intensity peak of KMg3(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 and an intensity peak of Mg2SiO4 in X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Also disclosed is an electrochemical reaction unit including a structural member formed of the mic-made member and a n electrochemical reaction cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2017Publication date: July 18, 2019Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoru ISHIDA, Tomoki MURATA, Ryoji TANIMURA, Tatsuya ONO, Nobuyuki HOTTA
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Patent number: 10256495Abstract: A fuel cell includes a pair of interconnectors (ICs); a cell main body provided between the ICs and including an electrolyte, a cathode and an anode formed on respective surfaces of the electrolyte; and a current collection member provided between at least one of the cathode and the anode and the IC for electrically connecting the cathode and/or the anode and the IC. The current collection member has a connector abutment portion which abuts the IC, a cell main body abutment portion abutting the cell main body, and a connection portion connecting the connector abutment portion and the cell main body abutment portion, the portions being continuously formed. Between the cell main body and the IC, a spacer is provided so as to separate the connector abutment portion and the cell main body abutment portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Nobuyuki Hotta, Daisuke Komatsu, Naoto Matsui, Shinobu Okazaki, Hideki Uematsu, Hiroya Ishikawa
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Patent number: 10181608Abstract: A fuel cell stack according to one aspect of the present invention has a plurality of fuel cells stacked together and a plurality of manifolds passing through the fuel cells in a stacking direction thereof so as to allow at least one of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas to flow therethrough. The manifolds include cold gas manifolds adapted to introduce the fuel gas or oxidant gas from the outside into the fuel cell stack, hot gas manifolds adapted to discharge the fuel gas or oxidant gas from the fuel cells, and a heat-exchanged gas manifold adapted to feed the fuel gas or oxidant gas that has been heat-exchanged in a heat exchange part. Every one of the cold gas manifolds is adjacent to any of the hot gas manifolds. One of the hot gas manifolds is non-adjacent to any other one of the hot gas manifolds.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2014Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Tetsuya Morikawa, Nobuyuki Hotta
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Publication number: 20180323448Abstract: An interconnector-electrochemical reaction unit cell composite body includes an electrochemical reaction unit cell and an interconnector. The interconnector has a plurality of combinations of protrusions protruding in the first direction and recesses provided on a side opposite the protrusions in the first direction and being concave toward the protrusions. At least one of the combinations is configured such that, as viewed in the first direction, the bottom of the recess is located on the side toward the open end of the recess. In a section parallel to the first direction, the recess is located within a width t2 of the protrusion in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the width t1 of the recess in the second direction is smaller than the width t2.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2016Publication date: November 8, 2018Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenta MANABE, Hiroaki YAGI, Nobuyuki HOTTA, Shunta OHASHI
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Publication number: 20180191003Abstract: An electrochemical reaction unit including a unit cell; a separator bonded to a peripheral portion of the unit cell by means of a bonding member containing a brazing material; and a glass sealing member which is in contact with both the surface of the separator and the surface of the unit cell, thereby sealing between an air chamber and a fuel chamber. The separator has a first flat portion approximately parallel to a second direction perpendicular to a first direction; a second flat portion approximately parallel to the second direction; and a connection portion having a portion whose position in the first direction is different from that of the first flat portion and the second flat portion and connecting the first flat portion and the second flat portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2016Publication date: July 5, 2018Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Shunta OHASHI, Nobuyuki HOTTA, Hiroaki YAGI