Abstract: A fuel cell includes an exhaust gas flow path provided between a pair of separators that are arranged across a membrane electrode assembly and a resin frame placed therebetween. The exhaust gas flow path includes a first flow path portion extended from a power generation portion toward a manifold portion; a second flow path portion and a third flow path portion extended side by side on a downstream side of the first flow path portion and including downstream ends respectively connected with the manifold portion; and a linkage part connected with a downstream end of the first flow path portion, an upstream end of the second flow path portion and an upstream end of the third flow path portion. An extended region of the downstream end of the first flow path portion is extended toward the upstream end of the third flow path portion in the linkage part.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an exhaust gas flow path provided between a pair of separators that are arranged across a membrane electrode assembly and a resin frame placed therebetween. The exhaust gas flow path includes a first flow path portion extended from a power generation portion toward a manifold portion; a second flow path portion and a third flow path portion extended side by side on a downstream side of the first flow path portion and including downstream ends respectively connected with the manifold portion; and a linkage part connected with a downstream end of the first flow path portion, an upstream end of the second flow path portion and an upstream end of the third flow path portion. An extended region of the downstream end of the first flow path portion is extended toward the upstream end of the third flow path portion in the linkage part.

Abstract: In a fuel cell, a cathode passage extends from an oxidizing gas supply hole to an oxidizing gas discharge hole. A turn interval at which a flow direction of an oxidizing gas returns to an original direction in an upstream-side passage region is different from the turn interval in a downstream-side passage region. A ratio between the turn interval in the upstream-side passage region and the turn interval in the downstream-side passage region is set to 1.1:1 to 3:1. The upstream-side passage region is overlapped with a most downstream-side passage portion of an anode passage with a membrane electrode assembly interposed between the upstream-side passage region and the most downstream-side passage portion.

Abstract: In a fuel cell, a cathode passage extends from an oxidizing gas supply hole to an oxidizing gas discharge hole. A turn interval at which a flow direction of an oxidizing gas returns to an original direction in an upstream-side passage region is different from the turn interval in a downstream-side passage region. A ratio between the turn interval in the upstream-side passage region and the turn interval in the downstream-side passage region is set to 1.1:1 to 3:1. The upstream-side passage region is overlapped with a most downstream-side passage portion of an anode passage with a membrane electrode assembly interposed between the upstream-side passage region and the most downstream-side passage portion.

Abstract: A fuel cell module is disposed below a floor of a vehicle. The fuel cell module includes: a high-voltage portion including a fuel cell; a case that is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy and that accommodates at least a part of the high-voltage portion; and a gasket sandwiched between the case and another component, which is different from the case. An anodic oxide coating is formed on at least a surface that comes into contact with the gasket in a surface of the case.

Abstract: This invention adopts plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition using the apparatus including a chamber, a pair of rotary electrode reels including a feed-out reel and a take-up reel, a plasma source, a material gas supplier, and an exhaust unit, and includes applying a negative voltage applied to the rotary electrode reels from the plasma source while a conductive substrate is fed-out from the feed-out reel and is wound on the take-up reel so that the entire surface of the substrate portion between reels contacts the material gas, whereby plasma sheath is formed along the surface of the substrate portion between reels, and the material gas is activated in the plasma sheath and thus contacts the surface of the substrate, thus forming the film on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides technology for noble metal plating of titanium surfaces. A process such as the following would be carried out when manufacturing a partially gold-plated separator for a fuel cell, for example. First, a titanium component made of titanium or titanium alloy is prepared for use as the fuel cell separator (S10). This titanium component is a titanium component whose surfaces are coated with carbon-containing substance. This titanium component is then subjected to a first heat treatment at a prescribed first temperature of between 300 and 700 degrees Celsius (S20). Gold plating of the surfaces of the heat-treated titanium component is then carried out (S80). In this way it is possible to more easily carry out gold electrolytic plating of titanium surfaces.

Abstract: To provide a sauna device having a small number of components without any special heat source, operable at a low running cost, and capable of turning a sauna room into a high humidity space with low noise. The sauna device has a heating/humidifying unit for heating/humidifying air, a ventilating unit for exhausting the air in the sauna room, and a control unit for controlling the heating/humidifying unit and the ventilating unit. The heating/humidifying unit has a heating section for heating the air through a circulation blowing section for circulating the air in the sauna room and a humidifying section for humidifying the heated air having passed through the heating section. The humidified air is blown out into the sauna room through the humidifying section. A bent portion where the air-blowing duct through which the humidified air having passed through the humidifying section passes is bent is provided.

Abstract: This invention adopts plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition using the apparatus including a chamber, a pair of rotary electrode reels including a feed-out reel and a take-up reel, a plasma source, a material gas supplier, and an exhaust unit, and includes applying a negative voltage applied to the rotary electrode reels from the plasma source while a conductive substrate is fed-out from the feed-out reel and is wound on the take-up reel so that the entire surface of the substrate portion between reels contacts the material gas, whereby plasma sheath is formed along the surface of the substrate portion between reels, and the material gas is activated in the plasma sheath and thus contacts the surface of the substrate, thus forming the film on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: To provide a sauna device having a small number of components without any special heat source, operable at a low running cost, and capable of turning a sauna room into a high humidity space with low noise. The sauna device has a heating/humidifying unit for heating/humidifying air, a ventilating unit for exhausting the air in the sauna room, and a control unit for controlling the heating/humidifying unit and the ventilating unit. The heating/humidifying unit has a heating section for heating the air through a circulation blowing section for circulating the air in the sauna room and a humidifying section for humidifying the heated air having passed through the heating section. The humidified air is blown out into the sauna room through the humidifying section. A bent portion where the air-blowing duct through which the humidified air having passed through the humidifying section passes is bent is provided.

Abstract: An improved fuel cell makes uniform partial gas pressure of a fuel gas flowing through a gas passage formed between an electrode and a separator of a fuel cell, activating an electrode reaction in a whole region of the electrode surface along the gas passage. The inlet and outlet for the fuel gas are disposed on a diagonal line of the separator to define a gas passage such that fuel gas smoothly flows even though portions of the passage away from the diagonal line. This may reduce the separator size and improve the volumetric efficiency of the fuel cell and the diffusibility of fuel gas as well as the drainage of water produced by the electrode reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides technology for rare metal plating of titanium surfaces. A process such as the following would be carried out when manufacturing a partially gold-plated separator for a fuel cell, for example. First, a titanium component made of titanium or titanium alloy is prepared for use as the fuel cell separator (S10). This titanium component is a titanium component whose surfaces are coated with carbon-containing substance. This titanium component is then subjected to a first heat treatment at a prescribed first temperature of between 300 and 700 degrees Celsius (S20). Gold plating of the surfaces of the heat-treated titanium component is then carried out (S80). In this way it is possible to more easily carry out gold electrolytic plating of titanium surfaces.

Abstract: A fuel cell according to an embodiment of the invention includes a separator on which a gas passage groove is formed. A cross sectional area of a gas passage changes in a direction in which the gas passage groove extends, while each of an opening width of the gas passage groove and a depth of the gas passage groove remains substantially constant.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention for achieving the aforementioned objects relates to a fuel cell including at least one unit cell. The unit cell includes a first separator which is disposed on one side of an MEA, and which includes a first concave groove which constitutes a first gas passage, and a first convex rib whose rear surface constitutes a first refrigerant passage, and on which a first gas cross groove is formed; and a second separator which is disposed on the other side of the MEA, and which includes a second concave groove which constitutes a second gas passage, and a second convex rib whose rear surface constitutes a second refrigerant passage, and on which a second gas cross groove is formed.

Abstract: A separator for a fuel cell is manufactured by preparing a raw material powder, uniformly mixing the prepared raw material to be formed into a slurry, and charging the raw material powder derived from granulation into a metal mold for heat press forming. The raw material is obtained by adding to carbon powder a binder containing a mixture of phenolic resin and epoxy resin. Therefore the heat press forming step does not cause the binder to generate gas, thus allowing manufacturing of a separator exhibiting sufficient gas-impermeability.

Abstract: An improved fuel cell makes uniform partial gas pressure of a fuel gas flowing through a gas passage formed between an electrode and a separator of a fuel cell, activating an electrode reaction in a whole region of the electrode surface along the gas passage. The inlet and outlet for the fuel gas are disposed on a diagonal line of the separator to define a gas passage such that fuel gas smoothly flows even though portions of the passage away from the diagonal line. This may reduce the separator size and improve the volumetric efficiency of the fuel cell and the diffusibility of fuel gas as well as the drainage of water produced by the electrode reaction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel reformer device that produces a hydrogen rich gas from a hydrocarbon and steam. The steam reforming reaction that produces the hydrogen rich gas from the hydrocarbon and steam is endothermic. A known technique supplies heat required for the steam reforming reaction by an exothermic oxidation reaction proceeding in parallel with the steam reforming reaction. This known technique may, however, cause an excessive temperature rise in an area of the vigorous oxidation reaction in the fuel reformer device. A reformer unit 34 including a Cu—Zn catalyst receives a supply of a crude fuel gas containing the air flown through a second fuel supply conduit 64. The crude fuel gas is subjected to the steam reforming reaction and the oxidation reaction proceeding inside the reformer unit 34. A resulting hydrogen rich gaseous fuel is discharged to a third fuel supply conduit 65. The reformer unit 34 includes an upper stream reaction unit 80 and a lower stream reaction unit 81.