Patents Issued in April 12, 2007
  • Publication number: 20070082219
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a transparent substrate, especially made of glass, provided with a thin-film stack comprising a plurality of functional layers, characterized in that said thin-film stack comprises at least three silver-based functional layers, in that said stack has a resistance R?<1.5? per square and in that said substrate may undergo at least one transformation operation involving a heat treatment at a temperature of at least 500° C., so as to make it possible to achieve, using the substrate, alternatively or cumulatively, thermal control and/or electromagnetic shielding and/or heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Carinne Fleury, Nicolas Nadaud, Sylvain Belliot
  • Publication number: 20070082220
    Abstract: Galvanized steel having a brushed gloss finish is formed by a brushed galvanic coating, being generally uniform and having not-remarked Zinc Micro crystals and at least one clear organic coating over the galvanic coating. The galvanized steel with brushed gloss finish is obtained by the process of developing a layer of Zinc Micro crystals over the galvanic coating applied on steel; hardening with gloss finish such galvanic coating; brushing the coating; avoiding remarking edges of the Zinc Micro crystal applied on the galvanic coating; and applying at least one clear and/or pigmented clear organic coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: Industrias Monterrey, S.A. de C.V. (IMSA-MEX,S.A. DE C.V.)
    Inventor: Santiago Gonzalez Ramos
  • Publication number: 20070082221
    Abstract: A nickel-base superalloy substrate includes a surface region having an integrated aluminum content of from about 18 to about 24 percent by weight and an integrated platinum content of from about 18 to about 45 percent by weight, with the balance components of the substrate. The substrate is preferably a single-crystal advanced superalloy selected for use at high temperatures. The substrate may optionally have a ceramic layer deposited over the platinum-aluminide region, to produce a thermal barrier coating system. The platinum-aluminide region is produced by diffusing platinum into the substrate surface, and thereafter diffusing aluminum into the substrate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jon Schaeffer
  • Publication number: 20070082222
    Abstract: A new article of manufacture, for example a faucet or other article of hardware, has a specified decorative color, and is resistant to corrosion, abrasion and attack by chemicals. The article includes a substrate, one or more corrosion resistant layers applied to the substrate, a thin transition layer having a composition that varies systematically from a first composition to a second composition and in which the first composition has, at least in part, the function of corrosion protection, and in which the second composition determines the visible color or that portion of the substrate to which the transition layer is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: James Sheek, Jarek Grembowicz, Inho Song, Timothy O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20070082223
    Abstract: There is provided a stainless steel wire having both excellent corrosion resistance and an excellent fatigue strength while being fabricable with high productivity. A stainless steel wire consists of 0.01 to 0.25 mass % C, 0.01 to 0.25 mass % N, 0.4 to 4.0 mass % Mn, 16 to 25 mass % Cr, 8.0 to 14.0% Ni and the balance Fe with impurities, wherein the C+N content satisfies 0.15 mass % ?C+N ?0.35 mass %. The stainless steel wire contains 15 vol. % martensite phase induced by a drawing and the balance austenite phase and has a texture which causes the austenite phase to exhibit diffraction intensities satisfying both I(200)/I(111)?2.0 and I(220)/I(111)?3.0 by X-ray diffraction in the longitudinal direction of the steel wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Hiromu Izumida, Nozomu Kawabe, Yoshiro Fujino, Teruyuki Murai, Shinei Takamura
  • Publication number: 20070082224
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vapour-deposition material for the production of optical layers of high refractive index which comprises titanium oxide and ytterbium oxide in a molar ratio of from 4:1 to 1:4, to a process for the preparation thereof, and to the use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Martin Friz, Reiner Dombrowski, Uwe Anthes
  • Publication number: 20070082225
    Abstract: A method for preserving an organic polymeric material, wherein an organic polymeric material which exhibits strong acidity is preserved with it being dissolved or dispersed in a liquid mainly comprised of water, the method is characterized in that the organic polymeric material is preserved with it being dissolved or dispersed in the liquid so that a concentration thereof is 2 wt %, and a pH (at 25° C.) of the thus obtained liquid is measured and then adjusted so as to be to be higher than the measured pH (at 25° C.). Further, it is preferred that a pH (25° C.) of the liquid before the pH adjustment is 2.2 or lower and a pH (25° C.) of the liquid after the pH adjustment is in the range of 2.5 to 7.5. According to this, even if the organic polymeric material is preserved for a long period of time, it is possible to prevent or reduce a change in a molecular structure thereof with the lapse of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Shinohara, Yuji Shinohara, Koichi Terao
  • Publication number: 20070082226
    Abstract: An organic light emitting diode comprises a cathode, an anode, an emitting layer disposed between the cathode and the anode, a hole injection layer disposed between the anode and the emitting layer, a hole transport layer disposed between the hole injection layer and the emitting layer, and a buffer layer disposed between the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer. The invention also provides a display apparatus including the organic light emitting diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventor: Chen-Ping Yu
  • Publication number: 20070082227
    Abstract: A light-emitting device is provided, which includes an insulating substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode insulated from each other and formed above the insulating substrate, and an electrolyte disposed on the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrolyte contains an ionic liquid and luminescent pigment having a reversible redox structure. Each of the first electrode and the second electrode have an elongated configuration, in an unit length of each of the first electrode and the second electrode, a surface area is 3 to 1000 times as large as a ground contact area, the surface area being an area of a surface of each of the first electrode and the ground contact area being an area projected upon the insulating substrate as the insulating substrate provided with the first electrode and the second electrode is looked from a top surface of the insulating substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Satoshi Mikoshiba, Tomoko Eguchi, Takashi Kuboki, Takashi Kishi, Shinji Murai, Hidesato Saruwatari
  • Publication number: 20070082228
    Abstract: A thermoelastic device comprising an expansive element is disclosed. The expansive element is formed from a material, which is preselected by calculating a dimensionless constant for the material. The dimensionless constant is indicative of the potential effectiveness of the material in a particular application, such as a micro-electromechanical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Gregory McAvoy, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20070082229
    Abstract: This invention relates to cemented carbide articles that are characterized by substantially improved biocompatibility with human skin, tissue, organs, etc., compared with articles made from conventional cemented carbides. The essential feature of these improved biocompatible cemented carbide articles is a binder-depleted zone at and near the exposed surfaces of the articles. By depleting the binder (which mainly consists of Co and/or Ni, as well as their alloys) at and near the surface, the toxic effects of Co and Ni (known carcinogens), as well as the allergic reactions that these metals can cause when in contact with human skin, are eliminated. By depleting the binder only at and near the surface, the bulk properties of the cemented carbide article are not compromised or altered in any manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Rajini Mirchandani, Mala Mirchandani
  • Publication number: 20070082230
    Abstract: The spacer in a spin-valve is replaced with an organic layer, allowing for numerous applications, including light-emitting structures. The invention demonstrates that the spin coherence of the organic material is sufficiently long that the carriers do not lose their spin memory even in traversing a thicker passive barrier. At least three methods to fabricate the organic spin-valve devices are disclosed, in which the difficulties associated with depositing the ferromagnetic (FM) and organic layers are addressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Jing Shi, Valy Vardeny
  • Publication number: 20070082231
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium for perpendicular magnetic recording system includes a nonmagnetic substrate and layers sequentially laminated on the substrate. The layers include a seed layer comprised of a metal or an alloy with a face centered cubic crystal structure, a nonmagnetic underlayer of a metal or an alloy with a hexagonal closest packed crystal structure, a magnetic layer having a granular structure including ferromagnetic crystalline grains with a hexagonal closest packed structure and nonmagnetic grain boundary region of mainly oxide surrounding the crystalline grains, a protective layer, and a liquid lubricant layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Miyabi NAKAMURA, Takahiro SHIMIZU, Hiroyuki UWAZUMI, Naoki TAKIZAWA, Tadaaki OIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20070082232
    Abstract: A film and a magnetic-recording medium using the film, where the heat shrinkage ratio in the transverse direction of the film subjected to heat treatment under no tension for 30 min. at 180° C. is from 1.0 to 2.5%, and where the film satisfies the following equations (1)-(4) simultaneously, with ?MD (×10?6/° C.) and ?TD (×10?6/° C.) being coefficient of thermal expansion in the longitudinal and the transverse direction, respectively, and ?MD (×10?6/% RH) and?TD (×10?6/% RH) being coefficient of hygroscopic expansion in the longitudinal and the transverse direction, respectively. In the film, by controlling the dimensional changes by temperature and humidity within specific ranges, it becomes possible to control the dimensional change and the difference in dimensional changes between the longitudinal and the transverse direction of the film used as a magnetic-recording medium to be extremely small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Masanori Sueoka, Akimitsu Tsukuda
  • Publication number: 20070082233
    Abstract: The present invention is a double-electrode plate with electrical circuitry laminate and comprises a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and a electrical circuitry layer. The first electrode layer comprises a first substrate and a first metal foil covering upon the first substrate surface. The second electrode layer comprises a second substrate and a second metal foil covering upon the second substrate surface. The electrical circuitry layer is laminated between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The double-electrode plate is laminated to form a compact structure in sequence from the top to bottom of the first metal foil, the first substrate, the electrical circuitry layer, the second substrate and the second metal foil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Ko-Chen Shen, Cheng-Hsin Chen, Hsi-Ming Shu
  • Publication number: 20070082234
    Abstract: In a portable electronic device having a battery compartment and a removeable cover therefor, the battery compartment and cover are configured to accommodate batteries of at least two different sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Norman Ladouceur, Jason Griffin, Frank Tyneski
  • Publication number: 20070082235
    Abstract: A system and method for providing dynamic cathode stoichiometry control in a fuel cell during stack load transients to minimize relative humidity excursions. Particularly, changes in the cathode stoichiometry is controlled as a function of time in response to a decrease or increase in stack current density. Thus, if the stack current density drops to a predetermined current density, the dynamic stoichiometry logic will monitor the low power condition and determine if the condition is sustained, i.e., for an extended period of time. If the low power condition is not sustained, then the cathode stoichiometry does not change, but if it is sustained, then the cathode stoichiometry is increased. The same delay in changing the cathode stoichiometry can be provided for a transition from a low power condition to a high power condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Manish Sinha, David Arthur, Matthew Hortop
  • Publication number: 20070082236
    Abstract: A catalyst for reforming a fuel and a fuel cell system including the same is provided. The catalyst for reforming a fuel includes at least one active metal selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), vanadium (V), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), manganese (Mn), tin (Sn), ruthenium (Ru), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), silver (Au), palladium (Pd), copper (Cu), rhodium (Rh), zinc (Zn), and mixtures thereof, supported on a metal foam, and a fuel cell system in which butane is used as a fuel, also including the same catalyst composition as a reforming catalyst for use in a reformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Sung-Chul Lee, Ju-Yong Kim, Sang-Jun Kong, Dong-Yun Lee, Chan-Ho Lee, Dong-Myung Suh, Myeong-Ju Ha, Dong-Uk Lee
  • Publication number: 20070082237
    Abstract: A fuel reforming apparatus which generates a reformed gas containing hydrogen by reforming a fuel and supplies the reformed gas to a fuel cell body is provided. The fuel reforming apparatus is constructed with a burner which generates a flame by burning the fuel together with the atmospheric air, a reforming reactor which receives thermal energy of the flame and generates the reformed gas through a reforming reaction between the fuel and steam, an evaporator in which a pipeline for allowing the fuel and water to flow is disposed in the direction of the flame sprayed from the burner, with the water being evaporated by using the flame and the fuel and steam being supplied to the reforming reactor, and a spraying unit which is disposed in a direction of the sprayed flame to spray additional air into the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Ju-Yong Kim, Chan-Ho Lee, Sung-Chul Lee, Dong-Myung Suh, Jin-Kwang Kim, Jin-Goo Ahn, Dong-Uk Lee
  • Publication number: 20070082238
    Abstract: A reformer that directly receives heat and performs an ATR catalyst reaction and an SR catalyst reaction. The reformer includes: a reforming reactor to reform hydrogen containing fuel into reformed gas having abundant hydrogen by performing an ATR catalyst reaction and an SR catalyst reaction; a heat source contacting one side of the reforming reactor and providing the reforming reactor with heat; and an air feeder to feed the reforming reactor with air by an air flow control unit. Thus, the ATR catalyst reaction featuring a relatively short preheating time is performed while the reformer is initially operated, so that hydrogen can be produced when the reformer is initially operated, thereby efficiently operating a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Sung Lee, Ju Kim, Chan Lee, Dong Suh, Jin Kim, Jin Ahn
  • Publication number: 20070082239
    Abstract: A regenerative fuel cell power system has a plurality of fuel cell power modules, a plurality of electrolysis modules, a water management system and a master controller. The master controller manages the temperature within the electrolysis system to prevent freezing through circulation of water from the water management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Iris Shiroma, Mark Lillis, Dean Halter
  • Publication number: 20070082240
    Abstract: An abnormality detecting device of a fuel cell system according to the invention includes a hydrogen off-gas circulation passage for making hydrogen off-gas discharged from a fuel cell flow back to an anode; a discharge passage for discharging part of the hydrogen off-gas, which is circulated through the hydrogen off-gas circulation passage, from the hydrogen off-gas circulation passage; a hydrogen discharge valve provided in the discharge passage; abnormality determining means for determining whether an abnormality has occurred in opening/closing of the hydrogen discharge valve and gas state quantity detecting means for detecting a gas state quantity of the hydrogen off-gas, the gas state quantity detecting means being provided in the discharge passage at a position downstream from the hydrogen discharge valve. The abnormality determining means determines whether an abnormality has occurred in opening/closing of the hydrogen discharge valve based on the gas state quantity of the hydrogen off-gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventor: Nobuo Fujita
  • Publication number: 20070082241
    Abstract: The present invention is a fuel cell apparatus of feedback module which comprises at least one fuel cell unit and energy management unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Hsi-Ming Shu, Feng-Yi Deng, Tsang-Ming Chang, Chien-Lang Wang, Yu Tang
  • Publication number: 20070082242
    Abstract: A fluid delivery device for an electrochemical conversion assembly. In one embodiment, the electrochemical conversion assembly is a fuel cell system. The device includes one or more fluid-manipulating components combined into a housing to minimize weight, size and complexity. In one form, the device may include a compressor, heat exchanger and a water vapor transfer unit, at least the latter two of which are located within a chamber defined by the housing. A controller can be used to monitor and selectively vary the extent to which at least one of these components modifies properties a fluid (such as air) that can be used as a reactant in the electrochemical conversion assembly. In a particular form, the heat exchanger and water vapor transfer unit can cooperate to promote the hydration of the reactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Meltser, Yousef Jarrah, Ronald James, Christian Konig, John Ruhl
  • Publication number: 20070082243
    Abstract: An anode inlet unit for a split fuel cell stack or two fuel cell stacks having two anode inlets. The anode inlet unit has particular application for a small vehicle that requires less power. In one embodiment, the anode inlet unit only includes three injectors. Two of the injectors provide flow control for the hydrogen gas to the two anode inlets to provide the desired turn-down ratio. For a split stack design, the two injectors may provide flow-shifting where the injection of hydrogen gas into the sub-stacks is alternated. The other injector injects a small amount of hydrogen into the cathode side of the fuel cell stack at system start-up to quickly increase the operating temperature of the system. Additionally, two valves can be provided in the unit that receive a flow of air to purge the anode side of the stack for system shut-down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Jens-Uwe Sparschuh, Franz Winter, Reiner Essinger
  • Publication number: 20070082244
    Abstract: A fuel cell system and a control device and a control method thereof capable of simply and accurately controlling concentration of fuel without using a fuel concentration sensor detecting concentration of fuel, includes a fuel cell system including: a fuel cell generating electric energy by electrochemically reacting a fuel mixture of fuel and water with oxidizer; a fuel supplier supplying the fuel to the fuel cell; and a control device first increasing the supply amount of the fuel by a predetermined amount when a first point of a first current and a first voltage output from the fuel cell is positioned out of a reference current-voltage curve and then increasing and decreasing any one of the supply amount of the fuel and the supply amount of the water in response to a moving direction of a second point of a second current and a second voltage output from the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Kuriiwa
  • Publication number: 20070082245
    Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack that employs a thermal sub-system having a specialized radiator. The cooling fluid from the fuel cell stack is directed through the radiator to remove or dissipate waste heat before the cooling fluid is returned to the stack. The radiator includes a selectively permeable wall that allows liquid water or water vapor to selectively permeate therethrough to the outside of the radiator, where it is evaporated to increase the cooling ability of the radiator. A water separator separates water from the cathode exhaust of the fuel cell stack, which is used to replenish water in the cooling fluid that is evaporated through the radiator wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventor: Volker Druenert
  • Publication number: 20070082246
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, a method for manufacturing the polymer electrolyte membrane, a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell including the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a fuel cell system including the membrane-electrode assembly. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes a proton-conductive polymer membrane including a polymer micelle inside a hydrophilic channel. Herein, the micelle includes a vinyl-based polymer obtained from polymerization of a vinyl-based monomer and an anionic surfactant surrounding the vinyl-based polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Sang-Il Han, In-Hyuk Son, Chan-Gyun Shin, Chang-Bong Lee
  • Publication number: 20070082247
    Abstract: An ion-conducting, sulfonated and crosslinked copolymer for use in a fuel cell is disclosed. The ion-conducting, sulfonated and crosslinked copolymer is made up of four monomers. The first monomer is an aromatic diol. The second monomer includes two groups, each group capable of reacting with the hydroxy groups of the first monomer, and each group independently selected from a nitro group and a halogen group. The third monomer is one of the first monomer or the second monomer, except that one of the hydrogen atoms attached to a benzene ring is substituted with —SO3Y, where Y is selected from hydrogen (H), lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K) and trialkyl ammonium of the form HNR3 where R is an alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms. The fourth monomer includes at least three groups, each independently selected from a hydroxy group, a nitro group, and a halogen group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Jae-jun Lee, Jin-gyu Lee, Sang-kook Mah, Myung-sup Jung
  • Publication number: 20070082248
    Abstract: A solid acid having a core of calixarene or calix resorcinarene. The solid acid is an ion conducting compound in which at least one of the hydroxyl groups is substituted by an organic group having a cation exchange group at a terminal end, a polymer electrolyte membrane including the same, and a fuel cell using the polymer electrolyte membrane. The polymer electrolyte membrane can provide low methanol crossover and high ionic conductivity. Accordingly, a fuel cell having high efficiency can be obtained by using the polymer electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Jae-jun Lee, Myung-sup Jung, Do-yun Kim, Jin-gyu Lee, Sang-kook Mah
  • Publication number: 20070082249
    Abstract: A two-sided fuel flow board structure is disclosed, which includes a plate, at least one top concave portion, at least one bottom concave potion, at least one injection flow channel, and at least one exhaust flow channel. The top and the bottom concave portions separately formed on an upper surface and a lower surface of the plate, and each of them is disposed corresponding to each membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell board. The injection flow channels are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the plate, and connected to each of the top and the bottom concave portions, respectively. The exhaust flow channels are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the plate, and separately connected to each of the top and the bottom concave portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Hsi-Ming Shu, Yean-Der Kuan, Tsang-Ming Chang, Wei-Li Huang, Feng-Yi Deng
  • Publication number: 20070082250
    Abstract: A process of disassembling a fuel cell 10 supplies a fluid to both a fuel gas conduit 6g and an oxidizing gas conduit 7g. Since outlets of the respective gas conduits 6g and 7g are shielded, the internal pressure or in-passage pressure of the respective gas conduits 6g and 7g gradually rises and eventually exceeds a specific in-passage pressure level for power generation of the fuel cell 10. The high in-passage pressure expands a gas diffusion electrode 4b of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 2 and a separator 6, which define the fuel gas conduit 6g, in opposite directions to make a clearance between the gas diffusion electrode 4b and the separator 6. Similarly the high in-passage pressure expands a gas diffusion electrode 5b of the MEA 2 and a separator 7, which define the oxidizing gas conduit 7g, in opposite directions to make a clearance between the gas diffusion electrode 5b and the separator 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Go Tejima, Tomoaki Nakashima, Ryo Akagawa
  • Publication number: 20070082251
    Abstract: (1) In a fuel cell stack structure wherein a stack is formed by stacking cells each of which is formed by sandwiching an MEA between two separators, an adhesive layer 33a is provided between the two separators sandwiching the MEA, without a constant thickness structure or pseudo constant thickness structure provided between the separators. (2) An adhesive layer 33b is provided between adjacent cells, without a bead gasket provided therebetween. (3) The adhesive layers 33a, 33b have a Young's modulus of 100 MPa or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Inagaki
  • Publication number: 20070082252
    Abstract: Clearance gaps in the inactive feed regions of a fuel cell stack are controlled by non-bonded, non-nested bipolar plates to provide reactant flow uniformity and pressure within fuel cells and fuel cell stacks utilizing nested bipolar plates in the active feed regions and non-nested bipolar plates in the inactive feed regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Goebel, Jeffrey Rock, Dirk Rensink, Steven Spencer, William Pettit
  • Publication number: 20070082253
    Abstract: A metal-polymer-carbon composite catalyst for use as a cathode electrocatalyst in fuel cells. The catalyst includes a heteroatomic polymer; a transition metal linked to the heteroatomic polymer by one of nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, and a recast ionomer dispersed throughout the heteroatomic polymer-carbon composite. A membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Piotr Zelenay, Rajesh Bashyam
  • Publication number: 20070082254
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell is disclosed which is excellent in output performance and durability. The solid oxide fuel cell comprises at least an electrolyte, an air electrode and a fuel electrode, and the air electrode includes a perovskite oxide containing at least manganese. A layer which is in contact with the fuel electrode is formed to contain 0.3 to 4 weight % of manganese in the surface facing the fuel electrode. This invention has been made basing on the finding such that, in a solid oxide fuel cell having an air electrode composed of a perovskite oxide containing manganese, the manganese content in the fuel electrode side surface of a layer which is in contact with the fuel electrode greatly affects the performance of the fuel cell, and thus an excellent fuel cell can be obtained by controlling this manganese content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventor: Kenichi Hiwatashi
  • Publication number: 20070082255
    Abstract: The fuel cells include electrode membrane assemblies having a nanoparticle catalyst supported on carbon nanorings. The carbon nanorings are formed from one or more carbon layers that form a wall that defines a generally annular nanostructure having a hole. The length of the nanoring is less than or about equal to the outer diameter thereof. The nanorings exhibit high surface area, high porosity, high graphitization, and/or facilitate mass transfer and electron transfer in fuel cell reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Gongquan Sun, Shuihua Tang, Shiguo Sun, Qin Xin, Changkun Liu, Bing Zhou
  • Publication number: 20070082256
    Abstract: A fuel cell cathode catalyst is provided comprising nanostructured elements comprising microstructured support whiskers bearing nanoscopic catalyst particles; wherein the catalyst comprises platinum and manganese and at least one other metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIb metals, Group VIIb metals and Group VIIIb metals other than platinum and manganese; wherein the volume ratio of platinum to the sum of all other metals in the catalyst is between about 1 and about 4, more typically between 1 and 4, more typically between about 2.5 and about 3.5, more typically between 2.5 and 3.5, and most typically about 3, and wherein the Mn content is equal to or greater than about 5 micrograms/cm2 areal density. Typically, the volume ratio of manganese to the at least one other metal is between 10:90 and 90:10. In one embodiment, the volume ratio of platinum to manganese to the at least one other metal is about 6:1:1. Typically, the at least one other metal is Ni or Co.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Debe, Susan Hendricks, George Vernstrom, Alison Schmoeckel, Radoslav Atanasoski, Clayton Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20070082257
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a catalyst layer of an electrode for a fuel cell has a proton conductive inorganic oxide containing an oxide superacid compound. The compound contains an element X (Titanium, Zirconium, Silicon, Tin, Hafnium, Germanium, Gallium, Indium, Cerium, Niobium or Aluminium) and an element Y (Tungsten, Molybdenum, Chromium, Boron or Vanadium). The catalyst layer also contains a reduction-oxidation metal catalyst or a carrier carrying a reduction-oxidation metal catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Jun Tamura, Yoshihiko Nakano, Wu Mei
  • Publication number: 20070082258
    Abstract: A control system for a rechargeable battery comprising at least two electrochemical generators electrically connected by a power line comprises a protection unit and at least two control units respectively connected to the terminals of each electrochemical generator. Each control unit is designed to measure at least one operating parameter pertaining to the said generator and to command the protection unit by transmission of carrier currents on the power line. The control system according to the invention dispenses with the master processor for commanding the battery protection units and reduces the connecting wires by dispensing with the measurement leads designed to transmit the measurements of the operating parameters of each generator to the master processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventors: Christophe MORIN, Serge Maloizel, Claude Chanson
  • Publication number: 20070082259
    Abstract: A latch mechanism for securing a battery module (70) includes a bracket (10), and a pair latch members (50). The bracket includes a recess (18), a back plate (16) defining a pair of cutouts (162), and a pair of fixing frame (30) disposed besides the cutouts. Each the fixing frame includes a side panel (322) defining a pair of grooves (322, 324). Each latch member is movably received in the corresponding fixing frames and includes a block (562), and a resilient wall (58) with a protrusion (582) selectively located in the grooves. The battery module is slidably moved into the recess and includes a pair of hooks (74) extending through the cutouts of the bracket to engaging with the blocks of the latch member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Ke-Cheng Lin, Wen-Kang Lo, Chien-Li Tsai
  • Publication number: 20070082260
    Abstract: Separator for cylindrical cell of the outwardly guided type, wherein a sheet material is wound around a mandrel, and starting from the winding step until the insertion of a separator into the cell, an outward support is used that renders the binding of neighboring turns of the separator winding unnecessary, and the separator sheet has an extended portion, with the extension being at least equal to the radius of the separator cylinder, and with this extended portion being wetted with distilled or de-ionized water until the material softens and the winding and the mandrel are rotated and the bottom part is folded back and heat fused to close the separator cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: Hibar Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Djuro Slivar
  • Publication number: 20070082261
    Abstract: A lithium rechargeable battery includes a cathode including a cathode collector and a cathode active material layer formed on the cathode collector; an anode including an anode collector and an anode active material layer formed on the anode collector; and a non-aqueous electrolyte. A first separator layer, containing an electrolyte salt and a binder, and a second separator layer containing ceramic powder are formed on the cathode active material layer and/or the anode active material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sangwon Lee
  • Publication number: 20070082262
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for producing a cathode film having a thin and even thickness and having stable electrical characteristics at a high productivity by an extrusion molding method. That is, the present invention provides a compounding agent composition for a cathode film comprising an active material and an electrical conductivity-providing agent and having a repose angle of 35 degrees or less and a polyether polymer composition for a cathode film comprising at least a polyether polymer and the compounding agent composition for a cathode film described above. The object described above can be achieved by extrusion-molding them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: Zeon Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Nishimura, Hiroyuki Yonemaru
  • Publication number: 20070082263
    Abstract: Disclosed is a binder for a lithium-sulfur battery including a butadiene-based copolymer. The binder exhibits chemical resistance to polysulfides, is stable a battery working temperatures, forms an emulsion in organic solvents and exhibits high adherence to positive active materials and electrodes used in the lithium-sulfur battery. The disclosed binder compositions, due to their high adherence to positive active materials allow for higher relative amounts of positive active materials to be used in the battery resulting in a high capacity lithium-sulfur battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seok Kim, Yongju Jung, Ji-Seong Han, Jan-Dee Kim
  • Publication number: 20070082264
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochemical cell comprising a lithium anode and a sulfur-containing cathode and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The cell exhibits high utilization of the electroactive sulfur-containing material of the cathode and a high charge-dis-charge efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventor: Yuriy Mikhaylik
  • Publication number: 20070082265
    Abstract: A positive electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte lithium ion battery (31, 41) of the present invention has an oxide (11) containing lithium and nickel, and a lithium compound (13) which is deposited on a surface of the oxide (11) and covers nickel present on the surface of the oxide (11). By this structure, it is possible to suppress decomposition of an electrolysis solution as much as possible and drastically reduce swelling of the batteries (31, 41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori Itou, Takamitsu Saito, Hideaki Horie
  • Publication number: 20070082266
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a manganese oxide having a spinel structure, wherein the manganese oxide is represented by the general formula: Li1+aMn2?x?aMxO4+y, where M is a transition metal element having an oxidation number of 2 or greater, M?Mn, 0.17?x?0.5, ?0.2?y??0.5 and 0?a?0.2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Shinichi Waki, Youko Sano, Yasuhiko Bito, Tetsuo Nanno
  • Publication number: 20070082267
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method of making and using a composition that includes the replacement of electrochemically inactive additives with a conductive and electrochemically active polymer that is attached so as to make an electrical contract to the redox couples of the electrochemically active oxide particles into/from which Lithium is reversibly inserted/extracted in a battery discharge/charge cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: John Goodenough, Kyu-Sung Park, Steen Schougaard
  • Publication number: 20070082268
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an anode having a metal material having an oxygen containing layer. The electrochemical cell also includes a cathode and an electrolyte. The anode includes a chemically bonded protective layer formed by reacting a D or P block precursor with the oxygen containing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Kurt Star, John Muldoon, Filippo Marchioni, Fred Wudl, Bruce Dunn, Monique Richard, Kimber Stamm