Patents Issued in April 1, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040062940
    Abstract: An electrically conductive roll which includes a shaft body and which includes at least a conductive elastic layer formed by extrusion on an outer circumferential surface of the shaft body, wherein the conductive elastic layer is formed of at least one conductive rubber composition which includes a rubber material, a thermoplastic resin having crosslinkable double bonds and a melting point in a range from 40° C. to 100° C., and at least one conductive agent, the thermoplastic resin being included in an amount of 5 to 50 wt. % of a total amount of the rubber material and the thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Miyamori, Yasuyuki Hayasaki, Masanari Umeda, Kenichi Tsuchiya
  • Publication number: 20040062941
    Abstract: Disclosed are porous polymer/carrier solid phase reactants which consist of a polymer that consists of fine particles and is situated in the pore space of porous carrier materials. Reactive groups are bound to the polymer. Said groups act as reactants in organic-chemical syntheses. Said solid phase reactants can be produced as bulk material or tubes, plates or rods, can be built in pressure sealed housings and can be used in flow-through apparatuses or microtitration fields for the synthesis of organic products. Potential active agents can be produced at high speed by using the inventive porous polymer/carrier solid phase reactants that can be flown through convectively, whereby production requires only little isolation and cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Ulrich Kunz, Andreas Kirschning, Ulrich Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20040062942
    Abstract: Polyethylene blend compositions suitable for rotomolding, rotomolded articles, and processes for rotomolding articles are provided. The polyethylene compositions include a first polyethylene having a melt index of 0.4 to 3.0 g/10 min and a density of from 0.910 to 0.930 g/cm3; and a second polyethylene having a melt index of 10 to 30 g/10 min and a density of 0.945 to 0.975 g/cm3. The composition has a density of from 0.930 to 0.955 g/cm3 and a melt index of 1.5 to 12 g/10 min, and the first and second polyethylenes differ in density by from 0.030 to 0.048 g/cm3. These compositions exhibit improved physical properties, such as Environmental Stress Crack Resistance and Izod Impact Strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Arnold Lustiger, David J. Lohse, Blair A. Graham
  • Publication number: 20040062943
    Abstract: The present invention allows both the merits of a metallic housing and those of a synthetic resin structure to be exhibited in electronic devices, domestic electric devices, etc., and achieves high productivity and mass production capability as well as enables a desired configuration and structure to be designed freely. The present invention is useful for achieving a reduction in weight and for attaining increased strength in not only electronic devices and domestic electric devices but also various parts and structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Masanori Naritomi, Naoki Ando, Masao Takahashi, Masao Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20040062944
    Abstract: A data storage medium includes a haze-prevention layer between a heat-resistant thermoplastic substrate and a reflective metal layer. The haze-prevention layer includes a metal having a tensile modulus of at least about 15×106 pounds per square inch. The data storage medium resists hazing of the reflective layer at elevated temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Keith M. Borst, Robert R. Gallucci, Charles D. Iacovangelo, Donald G. LeGrand
  • Publication number: 20040062945
    Abstract: According to various embodiments and aspects of the present invention, there is provided a dynamically tunable thin film interference coating including one or more layers with thermo-optically tunable refractive index. Tunable layers within thin film interference coatings enable a new family of thin film active devices for the filtering, control, modulation of light. Active thin film structures can be used directly or integrated into a variety of photonic subsystems to make tunable lasers, tunable add-drop filters for fiber optic telecommunications, tunable polarizers, tunable dispersion compensation filters, and many other devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Aegis Semiconductor
    Inventors: Lawrence Domash, Eugene Ma, Robert Murano, Nikolay Nemchuk, Adam Payne, Steven Sherman, Matthias Wagner, Ming Wu
  • Publication number: 20040062946
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing high strength balanced Al—Mg—Si alloy with an improved fatigue crack growth resistance and a low amount of intermetallics, comprising the steps of
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Rinze Benedictus, Christian Joachim Keidel, Guido Weber, Alfred Johann Peter Haszler
  • Publication number: 20040062947
    Abstract: Organic electroluminescent compositions comprise
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Sergey A. Lamansky, John P. Baetzold, Fred B. McCormick, Manoj Nirmal, Ralph R. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20040062948
    Abstract: An organic electro-luminescent device comprising one or more organic compound layers sandwiched between a pair of electrodes, at least one of which electrodes is transparent or semi-transparent, wherein at least one of the one or more organic compound layers comprises at least one polyurethane compound having a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (I). At least one of A and B in general formula (I) represents a divalent group represented by one of the following general formulae (II) to (VI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadayoshi Ozaki, Mieko Seki, Hirohito Yoneyama, Daisuke Okuda, Hidekazu Hirose, Takeshi Agata, Toru Ishii, Kiyokazu Mashimo, Katsuhiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20040062949
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light-emmiting component having organic layers, in particular to an organic light-emmiting diode. The component has at least one doped charge carrier transport layer (2), a light-emmiting layer (4) and contact layers (1, 5) and also has a blocking layer (3; 3′) wherein an organic material is provided between the charge carrier transport layer (2, 2′) and the light-emmiting layer (4). The energy levels of the charge carried transport layer are chosen in such a way that efficient doping is possible and the blocking layer nevertheless ensures that non-radiating recombination processes on the interface with the emitting layer are prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Martin Pfeiffer, Karl Leo, Jan Blochwitz-Niemoth, Xiang Zhou
  • Publication number: 20040062950
    Abstract: There is disclosed an organic EL display device comprising a transparent electrode, a counter electrode spaced away from the transparent electrode, a light emitting layer interposed between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode, and a hole transferring layer interposed between the transparent electrode and the light emitting layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroki Iwanaga
  • Publication number: 20040062951
    Abstract: An electroluminescent element with an electroluminescent material and a fluorescent substance. The fluorescent substance emits light having an emission maximum at a wavelength different from that of light emitted from the electroluminescent material upon absorption of the light emitted from the electroluminescent material. A color conversion filter is also disclosed. The color conversion filter has a fluorescent substance emitting light having an emission maximum at the wavelengths of 400 to 700 nm upon absorption of the light emitted from the electroluminescent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: KONICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kita, Yoshiyuki Suzuri, Taketoshi Yamada, Kazuaki Nakamura, Noriko Ueda, Yasushi Okubo
  • Publication number: 20040062952
    Abstract: Disclosed is a material for a light emitting device excellent in color purity, good in light emitting characteristics and excellent in stability, which consists of a compound represented by the following general formula (I):
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisashi Okada, Toshihiro Ise
  • Publication number: 20040062953
    Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium which has been improved to be suitable for high-density magnetic recording and a magnetic recording apparatus using the medium are provided. The magnetic back film of a dual-layer perpendicular recording medium is caused to be constituted by a plurality of layers, and a keeper layer 17 for keeping perpendicular magnetization and layers 13 and 15 for improving the recording efficiency of a recording head are functionally separated from one another. Further, the magnetization orientations of the soft magnetic films excluding the keeper layer are defined to be in the circumferential direction of the disk, whereby the frequency of occurrence of noise is decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Masaaki Futamoto, Kazuetsu Yoshida, Yukio Honda, Yoshiyuki Hirayama, Atsushi Kikugawa
  • Publication number: 20040062954
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an article for use in a high-temperature environment, and an article for use in such an environment, are presented. The method comprises providing a substrate; selecting a desired vertical crack density for a protective coating to be deposited on the substrate; providing a powder, wherein the powder has a size range selected to provide a coating having the desired vertical crack density; and applying a thermal-sprayed coating to the substrate, the coating having the desired vertical crack density, wherein the powder is used as a raw material for the coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company-Global Research Center
    Inventors: Hongyu Wang, David Joseph Mitchell, Yuk-Chiu Lau, Arnold Thomas Henry
  • Publication number: 20040062955
    Abstract: In a fuel cell powered electric vehicle having a fuel cell system and an electricity storing device for storing electricity generated by the fuel cell system, the fuel cell system and the electricity storing device stored in a box are fixed to a lower side of a floor of a cabin. A plate is provided to separate the fuel cell system and the electricity storing device in the interior of the box from each other. In addition, through holes are provided in the floor of the cabin for connecting between a refrigerant inlet port and a refrigerant outlet port of the electricity storing device and the cabin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Kubota, Toshiyuki Matsuoka, Yoshinori Mita
  • Publication number: 20040062956
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel processing unit in an electrochemical fuel cell power plant, and more specifically to a preheater combustor that forms byproduct compounds that may destroy downstream catalytic reactors for fuel reforming. The present invention includes a retention material that collects the byproduct compounds prior to entry into the downstream reactors. The retention material may be comprised of at least one active compound and a support structure, preferably having a porous body to facilitate tortuous fluid flow. Further aspects of the invention may include an electrical charging device for use with the retention device material that enhances collection of byproduct compounds. The present invention also includes a method of operation for start-up incorporating a retention material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Steven G. Goebel, Gerald E. Voecks, Robert N. Carter
  • Publication number: 20040062957
    Abstract: A method of and fuel cell system for limiting an amount of a fuel crossing over a membrane in a fuel cell, the method including determining an appropriate molecular ratio of the fuel and water for a fuel-water mixture 503; and controlling an amount of the fuel-water mixture that is available to an anode side of the membrane 507 in the fuel cell according to an amount of the fuel that will be electro-oxidized by the fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell membrane 103 having an anode layer 107, a cathode layer 109, and an electrolyte layer 111 where the cathode layer is exposed to an oxygen source, and a fuel delivery system 105 including a fuel chamber 119 disposed around and proximate to the anode layer at a side opposite to the electrolyte layer, the fuel delivery system implementing the method above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald James Kelley, Steven Duane Pratt, Sivakumar Muthuswamy, Robert Pennisi
  • Publication number: 20040062958
    Abstract: It is described a method of electrical by-passing of an elementary electrochemical cell, for instance a fuel cell, inserted in a filter-press structure delimited by electrically conducting bipolar sheets and provided with perimetral sealing gaskets, comprising short-circuiting the cell by insertion of a conductive material within recesses realised by perforation of materials interposed between the bipolar sheets. The gaskets and the bipolar sheets may be provided with sites predisposed to the perforation, for instance notches for a drilling tip, or gasket regions of decreased hardness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Daniele Facchi, Antonio Toro, Paolo Binelli
  • Publication number: 20040062959
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of fuel cells (FC) with gaseous reagents, in particular, to methods for the purge of inert gas admixture by blowing and devices for carrying out the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Ziya Ramizovich Karichev
  • Publication number: 20040062960
    Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte film put therebetween, a fuel supply unit supplying fuel to the anode and a gas supply unit having a pump, the pump giving negative pressure to the cathode so as to introduce gas containing oxidant to the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Eiichi Sakaue, Yuusuke Sato, Nobutaka Kikuiri, Atsushi Sadamoto
  • Publication number: 20040062961
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel tank configured to store a fuel at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure; a vaporizer configured to vaporize the fuel; a reformer configured to reform the vaporized fuel into a hydrogen rich gas; a CO gas removal apparatus configured to remove CO gas in the hydrogen rich gas; and a cell unit configured to generate electricity by allowing the hydrogen rich gas to react with oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yuusuke Sato, Nobutaka Kikuiri
  • Publication number: 20040062962
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus has a fuel cell for generating electric power with a reaction portion and an auxiliary mechanism for fuel supply to the reaction portion, an electronic device being operable with the electric power provided from said fuel cell, and a control unit coupled to the auxiliary mechanism. The control unit controls an amount of fuel supply by the auxiliary mechanism in a multi-step manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Akihiro Ozeki
  • Publication number: 20040062963
    Abstract: An alert method capable of preventing problems due to excessive lowering of a remaining fuel amount of a fuel cell system is provided. The alert method includes the following steps of: switching over operation/stopped states of the fuel cell system, detecting that the state of the fuel cell system is switched over to a stopped side, and communicating information related to the remaining fuel amount to a user when fuel of the fuel cell system is consumed in a state where the switch is switched over to a stopped side. According to the alert method, information related to the remaining fuel amount is communicated to the user when fuel is consumed by the fuel cell system while in a practically stopped state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent excessive lowering of the remaining fuel amount of the fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Umayahara, Shuji Hirakata
  • Publication number: 20040062964
    Abstract: A fuel cell system having one or more anodes, one or more cathodes and electrolytes put therebetween is provided with a fuel supply unit, an air supply unit and a heat exchanger. The fuel supply unit supplies fuel to the anodes. The air supply unit supplies air to the cathodes. The heat exchanger is provided with a drain connected to the fuel supply unit and exchanges heat between the air supplied to the cathodes and exhaust gas exhausted from the anode so as to condense water from the exhaust gas and discharge the water to the drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kei Matsuoka, Yuusuke Sato, Koichiro Kawano
  • Publication number: 20040062965
    Abstract: Described herein are processes for fabricating microfluidic fuel cell systems with embedded components in which micron-scale features are formed by bonding layers of DuPont Kapton™ polyimide laminate. A microfluidic fuel cell system fabricated using this process is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Morse, Alan Jankowski, Robert T. Graff, Kerry Bettencourt
  • Publication number: 20040062966
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing composite membranes includes providing a branched polyalkoxy siloxane, providing an organic proton conductor, mixing the branched polyalkoxy siloxane with the organic proton conductor; and forming a membrane from the composite component mixture. Using the method according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the proton conductivity and the mechanical stability of membranes and to reduce the swelling by water and aqueous solutions. The obtained composite membranes may be used in PEM fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Werner A. Goedel, Manfred Jaumann, Martin Moeller, Assiz Muzzafarow
  • Publication number: 20040062967
    Abstract: The fuel cell comprises a single type of polar plates, these polar plates being adjacent to each other with the top of each basic element being placed next to the bottom, from the adjacent basic element, and is globally leak tight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Jean-Edmond Chaix
  • Publication number: 20040062968
    Abstract: An electrolytic perovskite and method for synthesizing the electrolytic perovskite are described herein. Basically, the electrolytic perovskite is a solid that has an ion conductivity greater than 10−5 S/cm in a temperature range of 0-400° C., wherein the ion is Li+, H+, Cu+, Ag+, Na+ or Mg2+. For example, Li1/8Na3/8La1/4Zr1/4Nb3/4O3 (5.26×10−4 S/cm) and Li1/8K1/2La1/8NbO3 (2.86×10−3 S/cm) are two electrolytic perovskites that have been synthesized in accordance with the present invention that have a high Li+ conductivity at 20° C. Both compositions have been confirmed in experiments to conduct Ag+ and H+ ions, as well. The present invention also includes a solid proton conductor that can be formed from the electrolytic perovskite by replacing the ions located therein with protons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Cameron W. Tanner
  • Publication number: 20040062969
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to obtain a novel polymeric material capable of forming a solid polymer electrolyte excellent not only in processability, solvent resistance and durability/stability but also in ion conductivity by introducing sulfonic acid group or phosphonic acid group into a polybenzazole compound having excellent properties in view of heat resistance, solvent resistance, mechanical characteristics and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Sakaguchi, Kota Kitamura, Hiroaki Taguchi, Junko Nakao, Shiro Hamamoto, Hiroshi Tachimori, Satoshi Takase
  • Publication number: 20040062970
    Abstract: The present invention provides relates to a crosslinkable, proton-conducting membrane having a crosslinked structure, excellent in heat resistance, durability, dimensional stability and fuel barrier characteristics, and showing excellent proton conductivity at high temperature, characterized by comprising (a) an organic/inorganic hybrid structure (A) covalently bonded to 2 or more silicon-oxygen crosslinks and, at the same time, having a carbon atom, and (b) an acid containing structure (B) having an acid group, covalently bonded to a silicon-oxygen crosslink and having an acidic group; and provides a fuel cell using the same membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Shigeki Nomura, Toshiya Sugimoto, Masanori Nakamura, Kenji Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20040062971
    Abstract: Provided are a method of efficiently procuding fullerene into which a OH group or a SO3H group is introduced, such as fullerenol, or a derivative thereof, the fullerene and its derivative being preferable as a proton conductor, and a novel and usable proton conductor obtained by the method. Further, provided is an electrochemical device using the proton conductor such as a fuel cell or the like. In the producing method of the fullerene derivative, halogated fullerene, which is obtained through halogating a fullerene molecule is used as a precursor, the fullerene derivative is produced through introducing one or more proton dissociative group into at least one carbon atom of a fullerene molecule. Moreover, in a producing method of a polymerized fullerene derivative, a plurality of fullerene derivatives are bonded to one another by an aromatic group of an aromatic compound through reacting the plurality of fullerene derivatives with the aromatic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Berthold Nuber
  • Publication number: 20040062972
    Abstract: Provided are a proton conductor and a single ion conductor both having higher conductivity and a wider operating temperature range, and a method of producing the same. A polymer including a structure portion represented by Chemical Formula 49, and an organic compound represented by Chemical Formula 50 or an organic compound represented by Chemical Formula 51 are included. Each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is a component including carbon, and each of X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 is a proton dissociative group. Further, n is n>1, and p is p>0, and the number of carbons in R4 is within a range from 1 to 4. Proton transfer can be promoted by an ether bond or the proton dissociative group of the organic compound, and the number of protons can be increased by the proton dissociative group of the organic compound, thereby the proton transfer can be smoothed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Tomitaro Hara, Ryosuke Takagi, Kazuhiro Noda
  • Publication number: 20040062973
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system (10) comprises a solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) and a gas turbine engine (14). The solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) comprises a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells (16), each solid oxide fuel cell (16) comprises an electrolyte (18) an anode (20) and a cathode (22). The gas turbine engine (14) comprises a compressor (60) and a turbine (62). The compressor (60) is arranged to supply oxidant to the cathodes (22). There are means to supply fuel (28, 30, 24) to the anodes (20). There are means to supply a portion of the unused oxidant (49) from the solid oxide fuel cells (16) to the cathodes (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Gerard D. Agnew, Robert R. Moritz, Olivier C. Tarnowski, Michele Bozzolo
  • Publication number: 20040062974
    Abstract: A composite separator plate for use in a fuel cell stack and method of manufacture is provided. The composite separator plate is polymeric and includes expanded graphite dispersed throughout the polymeric material. The expanded graphite provides an electrically conductive pathway through the separator plate. The method includes the step of dispersing by mixing or sprinkling the expanded graphite in the polymeric material and compressing the expanded graphite while compression molding the separator plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Richard H. Blunk, Daniel John Lisi, Youssef Morcos Mikhail
  • Publication number: 20040062975
    Abstract: An apparatus for dilution of discharged fuel of a fuel cell is provided, which has an inlet for guiding purged hydrogen gas coming from the fuel cell, a reservoir for storing the purged hydrogen gas guided through the inlet, and a cathode exhaust gas pipe penetrating the reservoir. The cathode exhaust gas pipe has a feature that it has holes inside the reservoir and is supplied with cathode exhaust gas of the fuel cell. Also the apparatus has a feature that the cathode exhaust gas pipe sucks the purged hydrogen gas stored in the reservoir through the holes and discharges the purged hydrogen gas diluted by mixing with the cathode exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Yamamoto, Kazunori Fukuma, Takatsugu Koyama, Hideo Numata, Masahiro Matsutani
  • Publication number: 20040062976
    Abstract: A method for attaching a gasket to a non-gasketed bipolar plate for a PEM fuel cell, including the steps of making a pattern of the gasket; preparing the bipolar plate surface; priming the bipolar plate surface for adhesive according to the gasket pattern; aging the primer coat; screen-printing an adhesive coat onto the primer according to the gasket pattern; positioning the gasket face-down in a mirror-image fixture having channels in the form of the gasket; positioning the bipolar plate face down onto the fixture and gasket; applying pressure to the plate to adhere the gasket thereto in the adhesive-coated areas; removing the plate and gasket subassembly from the fixture; and curing the adhesive to provide a gasketed bipolar plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Allan R. Wells, Gary J. DeAngelis, Arthur R. Williams, Carolyn Fleming
  • Publication number: 20040062977
    Abstract: The invention relates to power packs, which comprises a plurality of fuel cells and a reactant supply element. In one embodiment, the power pack comprises a reactant supply element for a reactant comprising one of a fuel or an oxidant; and a plurality of cylindrical fuel cells. The reactant supply element is aligned with the plurality to be capable to deliver the reactant to more than one fuel cell of the plurality. In a second embodiment, the power pack comprises a reactant supply element for a reactant comprising a fuel and a plurality of fuel cells attached to the reactant supply element. At least two of the plurality are removably attached to the reactant supply element, and the power pack comprises a passive oxidant supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Graftech, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehmet Suha Yazici, Thomas William Weber, Robert Angelo Mercuri
  • Publication number: 20040062978
    Abstract: The invention relates to power packs, which comprises a plurality of fuel cells and a reactant supply element. In one embodiment, the power pack comprises a reactant supply element for a reactant comprising one of a fuel or an oxidant; and a plurality of cylindrical fuel cells. The reactant supply element is aligned with the plurality to be capable to deliver the reactant to more than one fuel cell of the plurality. In a second embodiment, the power pack comprises a reactant supply element for a reactant comprising a fuel and a plurality of fuel cells attached to the reactant supply element. At least two of the plurality are removably attached to the reactant supply element, and the power pack comprises a passive oxidant supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Graftech, Inc.
    Inventor: Mehmet Suha Yazici
  • Publication number: 20040062979
    Abstract: A fuel cell diffusion layer for delivering a fuel mixture to the anode face of a catalyzed membrane and for resisting flow of carbon dioxide produced in the anodic reaction back into the associated fuel chamber. The diffusion layer contains either conduits or channels on one aspect thereof to redirect the carbon dioxide generated at the anode in the fuel cell reaction away from the catalyzed membrane and away from the fuel chamber. This avoids the volume replacement by carbon dioxide of fuel mixture in the anode chamber and enhances the concentration of methanol that can be used in the fuel mixture. It also serves to allow only that fuel that is consumed in the reaction to enter the space between the anode face of the catalyzed membrane and the diffusion layer adjacent thereto. The diffusion layer further includes perforations to increase the ability to deliver fuel to the anode aspect of the membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Gerhard Beckmann, Xiaoming Ren
  • Publication number: 20040062980
    Abstract: A passive fluid management component for a direct oxidation fuel cell is provided. It enables the introduction of highly concentrated methanol solutions, including neat methanol, directly into the anode, eliminating the need of mechanical modes of dosing and/or mixing a methanol/water solution to control the local concentration at the anode. The fluid management of the present invention can be based on pores formed in the component of a specific size and spacing to allow anode reactants to flow through the component towards the anode face of the membrane electrolyte of the fuel cell at a controlled rate. The pore size can be adjusted to allow the highest concentrations possible of methanol, including neat methanol, to be introduced in direct contact with the outer face of the component, said component being capable of lowering, under current, the local concentration of methanol at the anode face of the membrane electrolyte to the level required to minimize methanol loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Xiaoming Ren, Shimshon Gottesfeld, Juan J. Becerra, Robert S. Hirsch
  • Publication number: 20040062981
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrolyte matrix for a fuel cell, especially a molten carbonate fuel cell, the method comprising mixing components which comprises a dispersant, at least one lithium compound, aluminum oxide, and zirconium carbide, to provide a matrix material. Fuel cells produced with the disclosed electrolyte matrix do not form cracks due to the differences in thermal expansion coefficients between the matrix and the surrounding metallic components, and thus have improved performance and service life. Also disclosed are the electrolyte, the matrix, and the fuel cell so produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Mike Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20040062982
    Abstract: An electrode group for a battery including a positive electrode and a negative electrode wound into a spiral with a separator interposed therebetween, wherein the positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector and positive electrode material mixture layers formed on both sides of the positive electrode current collector, the negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector and negative electrode material mixture layers formed on both sides of the negative electrode current collector, a lead is connected to at least one of the positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode current collector, and at least one of step portions having difference in level formed in the electrode group by lengthwise ends of the positive electrode, the negative electrode and the separator and the periphery of the lead, respectively, is covered with an insulating member arranged on an inner circumference side or an outer circumference side of a turn of the electrode group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideharu Takezawa, Shuji Tsutsumi, Mikinari Shimada
  • Publication number: 20040062983
    Abstract: A laminate battery is provided with a tab, an electric power generating element connected to the tab, and a laminate sheet allowing the electric power generating element to be accommodated. The laminate sheet includes a metallic layer and a thermally welding resin layer laminated on the metallic layer. The tab and the thermally welding resin layer are welded by permitting a thermally welding area, which is formed in at least one of the thermally welding resin layer and the tab, and the other of the thermally welding resin layer and the tab to be welded to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Takaaki Abe, Takanori Ito, Osamu Shimamura, Takamitsu Saito, Hideaki Horie, Hiroshi Sugawara, Yukinori Takahashi, Masaaki Suzuki, Kenji Hamada
  • Publication number: 20040062984
    Abstract: A manganese dry battery with excellent leak-proof property is provided, in which electrolyte leakage does not occur even if the size of a positive electrode material mixture is increased to meet a demand for improvement in discharge property. In a sealing part, a first circular projection, a second circular projection and a third circular projection are arranged at the bottom in sequence from the center to the outside, and a positive electrode carbon rod supporting part is provided in an innermost periphery portion to have an interval from the first circular projection. A groove between the first projection and the carbon rod is formed to have a substantially rectangular vertical section, kraft board is pressed by flat bottom surfaces of the first and second projections and an opening of the zinc can is fitted between the second and third projections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Koji Inokuchi, Ryohei Ashihara, Keiji Ogino, Isao Kubo
  • Publication number: 20040062985
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Jason T. Papenfuss, William J. Farrell, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Publication number: 20040062986
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a planar bottom, an open top to receive the cover, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Publication number: 20040062987
    Abstract: A structure of battery electrolyte container seal comprises a container, a plurality of resilient caps and a plurality of hard plugs; the cap being provided in an opening of the container; the plug in shape of a bead being inserted into a through hole of the cap; a body of the cap being fixed onto inner wall of and fully sealing up the opening of the container to reduce resistance encountered upon opening up the container for easy and rapid opening while assuring of integral sealing of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Jui-Chih Wang
  • Publication number: 20040062988
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a unique polymeric battery system of electrochemical cells that are connected in series, and can be of nanometer size. The polymers possess conjugated bonds along their backbones and high levels of metals. The invention also concerns methods for the fabrication of the polymers and battery system as well as methods for the use of the polymers as a nanoscale solid-state battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Kofinas, Steven Bullock
  • Publication number: 20040062989
    Abstract: The invention relates to a binder for an electrode material of an electrochemical device, said binder comprising an aqueous dispersion (I) containing a water-dispersible resin; (I) containing at least one of a thermoreversible thickening vinylic polymer (A) having reversibility of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity at a certain transition temperature (T) and a water-dispersible resin (B) having a fluorine atom-containing unit; an electrode material dispersion for an electrochemical device, which comprises the said binder and an electrode material (E); an electrode for an electrochemical device, formed from said electrode material dispersion; and a primary cell, a secondary cell, an aluminum electrolytic capacitor or an electric double layer capacitor, which has said electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Ueno, Satoshi Murahashi, Katsufumi Yamada