Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell stack; a coolant circulation path through which coolant for cooling the fuel cell stack flows; a cathode gas supply flow path that is connected to an inlet of the fuel cell stack, and in which a compressor that supplies cathode gas to the fuel cell stack is arranged; an intercooler that is arranged between an outlet of the compressor and the inlet of the fuel cell stack in the cathode gas supply flow path, is connected to the coolant circulation path, and cools cathode gas discharged from the compressor with use of the coolant; and a regulating valve that is arranged in the cathode gas supply flow path, and regulates a pressure between the outlet of the compressor and the inlet of the fuel cell stack when the fuel cell stack is being started at low temperature.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell stack; a coolant circulation path through which coolant for cooling the fuel cell stack flows; a cathode gas supply flow path that is connected to an inlet of the fuel cell stack, and in which a compressor that supplies cathode gas to the fuel cell stack is arranged; an intercooler that is arranged between an outlet of the compressor and the inlet of the fuel cell stack in the cathode gas supply flow path, is connected to the coolant circulation path, and cools cathode gas discharged from the compressor with use of the coolant; and a regulating valve that is arranged in the cathode gas supply flow path, and regulates a pressure between the outlet of the compressor and the inlet of the fuel cell stack when the fuel cell stack is being started at low temperature.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having an adsorber placed in an air supply path to an air electrode of a fuel cell and receiving a chemical filter for adsorbing impurities contained in air; measurement means for measuring the amount per unit time of air having passed the adsorber; detection means for detecting the density of impurities contained in the air, whose volume has been measured by the measurement means, before it enters the adsorber; estimation means for estimating, based on the amount of the air, the density of the impurities, and adsorption efficiency of the chemical filter, the amount of the impurities adsorbed per unit time by the chemical filter; and output control means for causing a signal to output when an accumulated value of the amount of the impurity exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: This invention provides a fuel tank of a simple structure without any special device but having space of a predetermined ratio after the fuel tank has been filled with liquefied fuel. The fuel tank is of a form in which a number of cylindrical or spherical containers are arranged in parallel and are coupled together in a manner that the cylindrical or spherical containers neighboring each other share partitioning walls, respectively. Each of the partitioning walls has a passage through which the neighboring cylindrical or spherical containers are communicated with each other, and the upper ends of the passages are formed leaving partly the inner partitioning walls so that the liquid will not enter into the upper parts of the cylindrical or spherical containers.

Abstract: A fuel tank system comprises a fuel tank which stores a water soluble fuel in a liquid state, detection devices which detect a temperature and pressure inside of the fuel tank, and a moisture content estimation device for estimating the moisture content in the fuel inside of the fuel tank based on the temperature and pressure which were detected by the detection devices. Due to this, it is possible to detect the moisture content or the amount of moisture in the fuel even when using a water soluble fuel.

Abstract: Fuel cell system comprising impurity adsorbing means for adsorption of impurities contained in oxidation gas fed to fuel cell; impurity emitting means for emission of impurities adsorbed by the impurity adsorbing means from the impurity adsorbing means; impurity outlet passage for pass of impurities emitted from the impurity emitting means; and diluting means for dilution of the impurities emitted by the impurity emitting means, so that any adsorbed impurities are diluted by the diluting means before emission outside the system. Consequently, not only can impurities contained in the oxidation gas fed to fuel cell be effectively removed but also before emission of the removed impurities, there can be conducted lowering of influence on human health and environment.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (10, 200) includes an intake pipe (45, 46) that admits an introduction of oxidizing gas upstream of an oxidizing gas supply source that supplies the oxidizing gas to a fuel cell (20), and an exhaust pipe (51, 52, 221, 222) that discharges exhaust gas which contains a vapor generated at an oxygen electrode side through an operation of the fuel cell (20). The fuel cell system (10, 200) is provided with a circulating pipe (61, 62, 220) that connects the intake pipe and the exhaust pipe (51, 52, 221, 222), a circulating valve (60) that is provided in the circulating pipe and operated to adjust a flow rate of the exhaust gas supplied from the exhaust pipe (51, 52, 221, 222) to the intake pipe, and a pressure generating member that is provided in the exhaust pipe (51, 52, 221, 222) at a position at which the circulating pipe and the exhaust pipe (51, 52, 221, 222) are joined and generates a pressure that is higher than at least an atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having an adsorber placed in an air supply path to an air electrode of a fuel cell and receiving a chemical filter for adsorbing impurities contained in air; measurement means for measuring the amount per unit time of air having passed the adsorber; detection means for detecting the density of impurities contained in the air, whose volume has been measured by the measurement means, before it enters the adsorber; estimation means for estimating, based on the amount of the air, the density of the impurities, and adsorption efficiency of the chemical filter, the amount of the impurities adsorbed per unit time by the chemical filter; and output control means for causing a signal to output when an accumulated value of the amount of the impurity exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: Fuel cell system comprising impurity adsorbing means for adsorption of impurities contained in oxidation gas fed to fuel cell; impurity emitting means for emission of impurities adsorbed by the impurity adsorbing means from the impurity adsorbing means; impurity outlet passage for pass of impurities emitted from the impurity emitting means; and diluting means for dilution of the impurities emitted by the impurity emitting means, so that any adsorbed impurities are diluted by the diluting means before emission outside the system. Consequently, not only can impurities contained in the oxidation gas fed to fuel cell be effectively removed but also before emission of the removed impurities, there can be conducted lowering of influence on human health and environment.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (10, 200) includes an intake pipe (45, 46) that admits an introduction of oxidizing gas upstream of an oxidizing gas supply source that supplies the oxidizing gas to a fuel cell (20), and an exhaust pipe (51, 52, 221, 222) that discharges exhaust gas which contains a vapor generated at an oxygen electrode side through an operation of the fuel cell (20). The fuel cell system (10, 200) is provided with a circulating pipe (61, 62, 220) that connects the intake pipe and the exhaust pipe (51, 52, 221, 222), a circulating valve (60) that is provided in the circulating pipe and operated to adjust a flow rate of the exhaust gas supplied from the exhaust pipe (51, 52, 221, 222) to the intake pipe, and a pressure generating member that is provided in the exhaust pipe (51, 52, 221, 222) at a position at which the circulating pipe and the exhaust pipe (51, 52, 221, 222) are joined and generates a pressure that is higher than at least an atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A direct cylinder injection-type spark ignition internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine comprises a spark plug, a cavity formed in the top surface of a piston, and a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into the cavity in nearly the shape of a fan having a relatively small thickness. When the fuel injected in nearly the shape of a fan from the fuel injection valve is considered by being divided into a plurality of fuel segments in a radial direction, a side wall of the cavity has a first fuel deflection passage 82a and a second fuel deflection passage 82b for so deflecting at least two of the plurality of fuel segments as to pass near the spark plug. The side wall of the cavity is at least partly provided with a return portion 83 that protrudes toward the inside of the cavity.

Abstract: A direct cylinder injection-type spark ignition internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine comprises a spark plug, a cavity formed in the top surface of a piston, and a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into the cavity in nearly the shape of a fan having a relatively small thickness. When the fuel injected in nearly the shape of a fan from the fuel injection valve is considered by being divided into a plurality of fuel segments in a radial direction, a side wall of the cavity has a first fuel deflection passage 82a and a second fuel deflection passage 82b for so deflecting at least two of the plurality of fuel segments as to pass near the spark plug. The side wall of the cavity is at least partly provided with a return portion 83 that protrudes toward the inside of the cavity.

Abstract: A direct cylinder injection-type spark ignition internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine comprises a spark plug, a cavity formed in the top surface of a piston, and a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into the cavity in nearly the shape of a fan having a relatively small thickness. When the fuel injected in nearly the shape of a fan from the fuel injection valve is considered by being divided into a plurality of fuel segments in a radial direction, a side wall of the cavity has a first fuel deflection passage 82a and a second fuel deflection passage 82b for so deflecting at least two of the plurality of fuel segments as to pass near the spark plug. The side wall of the cavity is at least partly provided with a return portion 83 that protrudes toward the inside of the cavity.

Abstract: A direct cylinder injection-type spark ignition internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine comprises a spark plug, a cavity formed in the top surface of a piston, and a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into the cavity in nearly the shape of a fan having a relatively small thickness. When the fuel injected in nearly the shape of a fan from the fuel injection valve is considered by being divided into a plurality of fuel segments in a radial direction, a side wall of the cavity has a first fuel deflection passage 82a and a second fuel deflection passage 82b for so deflecting at least two of the plurality of fuel segments as to pass near the spark plug. The side wall of the cavity is at least partly provided with a return portion 83 that protrudes toward the inside of the cavity.

Abstract: A direct cylinder injection-type spark ignition internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine comprises a spark plug, a cavity formed in the top surface of a piston, and a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into the cavity in nearly the shape of a fan having a relatively small thickness. When the fuel injected in nearly the shape of a fan from the fuel injection valve is considered by being divided into a plurality of fuel segments in a radial direction, a side wall of the cavity has a first fuel deflection passage 82a and a second fuel deflection passage 82b for so deflecting at least two of the plurality of fuel segments as to pass near the spark plug. The side wall of the cavity is at least partly provided with a return portion 83 that protrudes toward the inside of the cavity.

Abstract: An in-cylinder-injection internal combustion engine of spark ignition type has a plurality of cylinders, a fuel accumulator for storing a pressurized fuel; a fuel injector system that injects the pressurized fuel into each of the cylinders; a spark ignition system that ignites the fuel injected into each of the cylinders; and is controlled such that the engine is started by a partial operation of a selected at least one of the cylinders with a fuel injected into the selected at least one of the cylinders in at least its intake stroke. Then, a full operation of all of the cylinders with the fuel injected into all of the cylinders is started. The full operation is initiated not before a pressure of the fuel in the fuel accumulator has been raised to a level high enough to permit injection of the fuel into each of the cylinders in its compression stroke, as a result of the partial operation of the selected at least one of the cylinders.

Abstract: A direct-fuel-injection-type spark-ignition internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine comprises a spark plug, a cavity formed on the top surface of the piston, and a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into the cavity in nearly the shape of a fan having a relative small thickness. In the engine, the side wall of the cavity facing the fuel injection valve, for leading the fuel to the vicinity of the spark plug, has a horizontal sectional shape consisting of a part of an ellipse shape of which two foci are at a position of the injection hole of the fuel injection valve and a position near to the spark plug in plan view, and the side wall has a deflecting portion to deflect the fuel toward the inside of the cavity.

Abstract: An in-cylinder-injection internal combustion engine of spark ignition type has a plurality of cylinders, a fuel accumulator for storing a pressurized fuel; a fuel injector system that injects the pressurized fuel into each of the cylinders; a spark ignition system that ignites the fuel injected into each of the cylinders; and is controlled such that the engine is started by a partial operation of a selected at least one of the cylinders with a fuel injected into the selected at least one of the cylinders in at least its intake stroke. Then, a full operation of all of the cylinders with the fuel injected into all of the cylinders is started. The full operation is initiated not before a pressure of the fuel in the fuel accumulator has been raised to a level high enough to permit injection of the fuel into each of the cylinders in its compression stroke, as a result of the partial operation of the selected at least one of the cylinders.

Abstract: A direct cylinder injection-type spark ignition internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine comprises a spark plug, a cavity formed in the top surface of a piston, and a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into the cavity in nearly the shape of a fan having a relatively small thickness. When the fuel injected in nearly the shape of a fan from the fuel injection valve is considered by being divided into a plurality of fuel segments in a radial direction, a side wall of the cavity has a first fuel deflection passage 82a and a second fuel deflection passage 82b for so deflecting at least two of the plurality of fuel segments as to pass near the spark plug. The side wall of the cavity is at least partly provided with a return portion 83 that protrudes toward the inside of the cavity.

Abstract: In a direct fuel injection-type spark ignition internal combustion engine including a spark plug and a fuel injector for injecting fuel directly into the cylinder, the engine can carry out stratified charge combustion by the fuel injection in the compression stroke and uniform charge combustion by the fuel injection in the intake stroke. The engine includes a mechanism which can make a tumbling stream formed in the cylinder in the intake stroke in the stratified charge combustion weaker than that in the uniform charge combustion.