Purification Patents (Class 429/410)
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Patent number: 11367887Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system capable of further increasing electric power generation efficiency, compared to the current circumstances, with respect to a fuel cell SOFC that generates electric power by supplying a reformed gas obtained by steam reforming to a fuel electrode. A steam reformer that reforms a hydrocarbon fuel by a steam reforming reaction; a fuel cell that operates by introducing a reformed gas to a fuel electrode; and an anode off-gas circulation path that removes condensed water while cooling an anode off-gas, and introduces the anode off-gas to the steam reformer are provided. A condensation temperature in a condensing device is controlled by a control unit that controls a steam partial pressure of the anode off-gas circulated to the steam reformer, and S/C adjustment is adapted to high-efficiency electric power generation.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noritoshi Shinke, Mitsuaki Echigo
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Patent number: 11362362Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fuel cell apparatus in which a stable installation state may be maintained even when a size thereof is reduced. A fuel cell apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a fuel cell module including fuel cells housed in a housing; a plurality of auxiliary machines which operate the fuel cell module; and an exterior case, shaped in a rectangular prism, which houses the fuel cell module and the auxiliary machines. A gravity center of the fuel cell apparatus may be located below a level equal to half a height of the exterior case.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2017Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignees: DAINICHI CO., LTD., KYOCERA CorporationInventors: Hiroki Oguro, Shintaro Yanagiuchi, Tomohiro Fukagawa, Kentaro Tanaka, Takashi Ono
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Patent number: 11362346Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel exhaust gas inlet channel for guiding a fuel exhaust gas containing liquid water discharged from a fuel cell stack to a gas liquid separator provided downstream of a humidifier in an oxygen-containing gas inlet channel. The specific gravity of the fuel exhaust gas is lighter than the specific gravity of the oxygen-containing exhaust gas. An outlet channel of the gas liquid separator includes a stirring booster having a first point and a second point positioned downstream of the first point. The second point is positioned ahead of the first point in the gravity direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuhei Horiuchi, Koichi Kimura
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Patent number: 11355771Abstract: A fuel cell including an anode side including an anode, an anode side gas diffusion layer and an anode side bipolar plate formed of a first metal material, and a cathode side including a cathode, a cathode side gas diffusion layer and a cathode side bipolar plate formed of a second metal material. The fuel cell also includes a membrane having first and second sides positioned between the anode and cathode sides. The fuel cell further includes an intercalation host situated in the anode and/or cathode sides. The intercalation host is configured to intercalate metal ions formed from the first and/or second metal materials.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Saravanan Kuppan, Michael Metzger, Münir M. Besli, Sondra Hellstrom, Thilo Lehre, Jake Christensen
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Patent number: 11342571Abstract: A coolant control system of a fuel cell may include the fuel cell; a coolant line allowing a coolant to circulate therein and connected to the fuel cell to be heat-exchangeable with the fuel cell; an ion removal line provided with an ion filter and connected to a first portion and a second portion of the coolant line to allow a coolant branched from the first portion of the coolant line to pass through the ion filter and then flow into the second portion of the coolant line again; an adjusting valve adjusting a ratio between coolants respectively flowing into the coolant line and the ion removal line; and a controller engaged to the adjusting valve and configured for controlling the adjusting valve based on a temperature of the fuel cell or an output voltage of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Joon Guen Park
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Patent number: 11325829Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hydrogen gas and optionally a carbonaceous product from a hydrocarbon fuel, comprising: introducing a flowing stream of said fuel into a reaction chamber of a reactor, wherein said reaction chamber has at least one wall and a heating zone which is heated by a heat source, heating said fuel in said heating zone to effect pyrolytic decomposition of said hydrocarbon fuel to produce said hydrogen gas and optionally said carbonaceous product; wherein the ratio of C:O (mol/mol) in the reaction chamber is greater than 20:1; and characterized in that the heat source heats the hydrocarbon fuel in the heating zone by radiated heat to an average temperature of greater than 2000° C. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: XGAS ASInventor: Arne Godal
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Patent number: 11329293Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a method for producing a gas diffusion electrode base which enables the achievement of a gas diffusion electrode base that has a microporous layer with small surface roughness and is not susceptible to damaging an electrolyte membrane; and a gas diffusion electrode base that has a microporous layer with small surface roughness and is not susceptible to damaging an electrolyte membrane. For the purpose of achieving the above-described purpose, the present invention has the configuration described below. Namely, a specific gas diffusion electrode base which has a carbon sheet and a microporous layer, and wherein the carbon sheet is porous and the DBP oil absorption of a carbon powder contained in the microporous layer is 70-155 ml/100 g.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2021Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Masamichi Utsunomiya, Yasuaki Tanimura, Toshiya Kamae
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Patent number: 11329299Abstract: The invention relates to a gas circulation system (1) for transporting heat from a high-temperature source (5) to a heat consumer (7), having a pipe system (2), through which a gaseous heat transfer medium flows, wherein part of the pipe system (2) is formed as a heat exchanger (4) following on from the high-temperature source (5), in which heat is transferred from the high-temperature source (5) into the heat transfer medium, and wherein part of the pipe system (2) is formed as a heat sink (6), in which the heat transferred to the heat transfer medium can be transferred to a heat consumer (7), or as a heat consumer. One or more gas flow enhancers (8) functioning according to the Coand? effect and/or the Venturi effect, which are supplied with pressurized impulse gas, are provided in the pipe system (2), in order to propel the heat transfer medium in the pipe system (2) in a flow direction (3).Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Inventors: José Bellosta Von Colbe, Thomas Klassen, Martin Dornheim, Giovanni Capurso, Klaus Taube
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Patent number: 11302939Abstract: A direct liquid fuel cell power generation device comprises a direct liquid fuel cell system and a low-temperature auxiliary starting component. A heat exchanger is arranged at a stack cathode inlet. The heat of a fuel solution at a stack anode outlet is used to heat the air. The heat generated by an electronic load for starting is used to heat a condenser. The heat of a methanol solution at a liquid outlet of a gas-liquid separator is used to preheat high-concentration fuel flowing into a refueling pump. Starting and operation in a low-temperature environment can be realized through auxiliary heating of external power supplies such as the low-temperature auxiliary starting component or an in-vehicle cigarette lighter. Organic micromolecule substances such as methanol and ethanol are used as fuel and are subjected to catalytic combustion in a catalytic combustor.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: DALIAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCESInventors: Hai Sun, Shengnan Ma, Bing Qin, Gongquan Sun
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Patent number: 11283086Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a gas-liquid separator and a fuel gas pump configured to return the fuel off-gas in the gas-liquid separator to the fuel cell stack. The gas-liquid separator has a first connecting portion extending upward. The fuel gas pump has an inner wall surface constituting a pump chamber, and a lower part of the inner wall surface is provided with an opening into which the first connecting portion is inserted. The lower part of the inner wall surface is inclined downward toward the opening. A tip end of the first connecting portion is disposed at a height equal to or lower than a height of an extension plane extending along the lower part of the inner wall surface. The tip end of the first connecting portion is provided with an inclined surface inclined downward toward the inner peripheral surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomoyuki Kozuka, Tateki Takayama
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Patent number: 11211624Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a fuel gas supply line, an oxidizing agent gas supply line, a fuel gas discharge line, and a reformer provided in the fuel gas supply line. A first circulating line circulates the fuel gas from the fuel gas discharge line to an upstream side of the reformer in the fuel gas supply line as a first circulating gas. The circulation device is provided in the fuel gas supply line, and suctions the first circulating gas by using the flow of the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas supply line as a driving flow. A second circulating line circulates the fuel gas from a downstream side of the circulation device in the fuel gas supply line or the fuel gas discharge line to the upstream side of the circulation device in the fuel gas supply line as a second circulating gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Yuki Mukobara, Takayuki Sugiura, Yasuhiro Osada, Yasutoshi Doi, Atsushi Hayasaka, Takahiro Tamura
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Patent number: 11121416Abstract: An adsorption assembly and a battery are provided. The adsorption assembly includes: a housing including a gas permeable portion; and an adsorbent encapsulated by the housing. The adsorption assembly can effectively isolate the adsorbent from the external environment by providing the housing, thereby preventing the adsorption performance of the adsorbent from being affected, and the housing includes a gas permeable portion, which can make the produced gas in the external environment enter the housing and be effectively adsorbed by the adsorbent. In particular, when the adsorbent is used for a battery, especially a soft pack battery, the gas produced inside the battery can be effectively adsorbed to prevent liquid leakage of the battery seal caused by breakage of the battery seal by gas, improving reliability and safety of the battery and extending lifetime of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: NINGDE AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventors: Qiang Guo, Yu Chen, Pei Han
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Patent number: 11111140Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for generating hydrogen including first and second reactant containers linked to a reactor vessel. The reactant containers contain reactants which, when mixed in the reactor vessel, react to form hydrogen gas. Peristaltic pumps pump the reactants from the reactant containers to the reactor vessel. The peristaltic pumps are selected to provide a maximum pumping pressure in the range from 0.1 bar to 10 bar. An electronic control means is programmed to control the flow of reactants to the reactor vessel so as to maintain the pressure of hydrogen gas within the apparatus at a value of no more than 10 Bar.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2016Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: IHOD LIMITEDInventor: Mark Collins
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Patent number: 11094958Abstract: An electric power generation system includes a fuel cell module. The fuel cell module includes a fuel cell and a compression plate. The compression plate includes a surface contacting the fuel cell. A support plate is opposite the compression plate. The compression plate is movable in relation to the support plate. A pressurized fluid container is disposed between the compression plate and the support plate. The pressurized fluid container includes a casing defining an internal space configured to contain pressurized fluid. The electric power generation system further includes a pressurized fluid source and a fluid line coupled to the pressurized fluid source and the pressurized fluid container.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: CUMMINS ENTERPRISE LLCInventors: Keith Garrette Brown, Darren Bawden Hickey
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Patent number: 11038191Abstract: In accordance with a fuel cell module, a cell stack is housed in a housing including a box and a lid, and the lid is provided with a first gas flow channel through which either one of oxygen containing gas and exhaust gas flows. Therefore, the configuration of the housing can be simplified. Since the lid is provided with the gas flow channel, an accommodation space inside the box can be enlarged, the cell stack can be easily housed inside the housing through an opening, and the fuel cell module can be easily assembled.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignees: KYOCERA Corporation, DAINICHI CO., LTD.Inventors: Tatsuya Kanbayashi, Kentaro Tanaka, Takayuki Maruyama, Akinori Fukuda
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Patent number: 10944122Abstract: An electrochemical device includes an electrochemical cell, an oxidizer gas supply portion, and a first contaminant trap portion. The electrochemical cell includes an anode, a cathode, and a solid electrolyte layer provided between the fuel cell and the cathode. The oxidizer gas supply portion includes an oxidizer gas supply port for supplying oxidizer gas to the cathode. The first contaminant trap portion is provided between the cathode and the oxidizer gas supply port and configured to adsorb contaminants contained in the oxidizer gas. At least part of the first contaminant trap portion is disposed 20 mm or less from the oxidizer gas supply port in a gas supply direction in which the oxidizer gas is supplied from the oxidizer gas supply port.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Inventors: Risako Ito, Makoto Ohmori
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Patent number: 10923745Abstract: A fuel cell system has a gas delivery-means that circulates the anode exhaust gas back to the anode compartment of the fuel cell for further reaction.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Christopher Ainscough, David Henderson
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Patent number: 10910838Abstract: An energy management device comprises a first supply/demand information acquisition unit, a second supply/demand information acquisition unit, and a supply/demand management unit configured to determine, based on the first supply/demand information and the second supply/demand information, at least one of (i) an upper limit value of a power amount that the hydrogen generation system can receive from a power grid during a certain period, (ii) a target value of an amount of hydrogen that the hydrogen generation system generates during the certain period, (iii) an upper limit value of a power amount that each of the one or plurality of tri-generation systems can transmit to the power grid during the certain period, and (iv) a target value of a power amount that each of the one or plurality of tri-generation systems generates during the certain period.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yutaka Tsuji, Yuji Yamamoto, Jun Ishikawa, Kazuyoshi Miyajima, Takayuki Yamada, Yuiko Koga, Shigeaki Esaka
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Patent number: 10892507Abstract: A high temperature electrolyzer assembly comprising at least one electrolyzer fuel cell including an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte matrix, and a power supply for applying a reverse voltage to the at least one electrolyzer fuel cell, wherein a gas feed comprising steam and one or more of CO2 and hydrocarbon fuel is fed to the anode of the at least one electrolyzer fuel cell, and wherein, when the power supply applies the reverse voltage to the at least one electrolyzer fuel cell, hydrogen-containing gas is generated by an electrolysis reaction in the anode of the at least one electrolyzer fuel cell and carbon dioxide is separated from the hydrogen-containing gas so that the at least one electrolyzer fuel cell outputs the hydrogen-containing gas and separately outputs an oxidant gas comprising carbon dioxide and oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Fred C. Jahnke, Matthew Lambrech, Pinakin Patel, Mohammad Farooque, Chao-Yi Yuh
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Patent number: 10854907Abstract: A permanent magnet is expressed by a composition formula: RpFeqMrCusCo100-p-q-r-s. M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Ti, and Hf. The magnet includes a crystal grain having a main phase including a TbCu7 crystal phase, and a volume ratio of the TbCu7 crystal phase to the main phase is 95% or more.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kimiharu Mizusaki, Hideharu Naito, Kosuke Takagi, Masahiro Sato
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Patent number: 10847817Abstract: The invention relates to a method to determine a content of a gas component in a gas mixture delivered recirculating through an anode chamber (12) or a cathode chamber (13) of a fuel cell (10), wherein the delivery takes place via a delivery device (26) functioning according to the positive displacement principle. The invention also relates to a fuel cell system (100) configured to execute the method. According to the invention, the content of the gas component is determined depending on geometric parameters (V, ?) and operating parameters (n, U, I) of the delivery device (26), as well as on thermodynamic state variables (p, T) of the gas mixture. The sought target quantity, for example a hydrogen component of an anode gas, can thus be determined in a simple and robust manner from quantities that are already known or measured.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignees: VOLKSWAGEN AG, AUDI AGInventors: Harald Heinrich, Wolfgang Hable, Torsten Schwarz
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Patent number: 10828992Abstract: A fuel cell unit includes a fuel cell stack, a reactor, and a case housing the fuel cell stack and the reactor. The case is provided with an intermediate plate that partitions a space inside the case into an upper space and a lower space. The fuel cell stack is housed in the lower space, with a predetermined clearance provided between the intermediate plate and the fuel cell stack. The reactor is housed in the upper space above the fuel cell stack, with an upper portion of the reactor fixed to the case. A through-hole that is provided in the intermediate plate at a position below the reactor. The lower portion of the reactor faces the through-hole.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Ikuhiro Nakamura, Shuji Kawamura
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Patent number: 10826089Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring method for determining the recirculation rate (RR) in the anode gas circuit (50) of a fuel cell system (1) with fuel cell (10), wherein an anode gas (52) from an anode chamber (13) is supplied to the fuel cell (10) by means of a gas conveying device (70) via an anode gas recirculation line (51) and thermostated in an anode gas heat exchanger (60) arranged in the anode gas recirculation line (51).Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2016Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: AVL List GmbHInventor: Martin Hauth
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Patent number: 10811704Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a first supply flow path, a second supply flow path, a recycle flow path, a circulator, a discharge flow path, a reservoir, a valve, and a controller. The controller opens the valve, determines an open time, for which the valve is opened to discharge the anode off gas, on the basis of the amount of water stored in the reservoir, the discharge time of water that flows through the discharge flow path to be discharged, and the discharge amount of the anode off gas that flows through the discharge flow path to be discharged, and closes the valve when an elapsed time for which the valve is opened reaches the open time.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Miki Abe, Akinori Yukimasa, Junji Morita, Takehiko Ise, Yoshito Usuki
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Patent number: 10797514Abstract: A fuel cell system having a power module including at least one fuel cell segment, an input output module including at least one inverter, a rectifier, and an electric distribution module having at least a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector. The at least one fuel cell segment may be electrically connected to the at least one inverter and may be electrically connected to an information technology (IT) load via a split bus. The at least one inverter may be electrically connected to an alternating current (AC) source via the first electrical connector of the electric distribution module.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Peter Gross, Carl Cottuli, Arne Ballantine
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Patent number: 10792589Abstract: Examples of gas liquid separators include a chamber, a fluid mixture inlet, a gas outlet and a liquid outlet. The fluid mixture inlet and the gas and liquid outlets are in fluid communication with the chamber. A fluid mixture received at the fluid mixture inlet diffuses inside the chamber and is separated into a liquid and a gas. The separated liquid is gravity-fed to the liquid outlet. The gas liquid separators have reduced dispersion and increased liquid recovery in comparison to conventional gas liquid separators used for chromatographic separations. The reduced dispersion yields an improvement in the shape of chromatographic peaks.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Emily J. Berg, Joshua A. Shreve, Edwin H. Denecke
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Patent number: 10790529Abstract: Provided is an oxygen reduction catalyst element including a water impermeable, gas permeable membrane coated on at least one a portion thereof with a porous layer including a mixture of a non-ionic polymer and at least one oxygen reduction catalytic particulate material. Also provided herein is a method of producing the oxygen reduction catalyst element, a cathode including the same and a fuel cell making use of such cathode.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2016Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: EMEFCY LTD.Inventors: Ronen-Itzhak Shechter, Yair Haim Wijsboom, Lior Eshed
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Patent number: 10790561Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a fuel source for the fuel cell stack and a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel system also includes an interface to the portable computing device, wherein the interface comprises a power link that provides power to the portable computing device, and a bidirectional communication link that provides bidirectional communication between the portable computing device and the controller for the fuel cell system.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bradley L. Spare, Vijay M. Iyer, Jean L. Lee, Gregory L. Tice, Michael D. Hillman, David I. Simon
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Patent number: 10741868Abstract: A vehicle may include an engine compartment and a fuel cell stack arranged in the engine compartment. The fuel cell stack may include an enclosure having an interior space and a cell disposed in the interior space of the enclosure configured to generate electrical energy. The enclosure may include an enclosure inlet guiding air from an exterior of the enclosure to the interior space, and an enclosure outlet guiding air from the interior space to the exterior. The fuel cell stack may also include a filter preventing foreign matter from being introduced into the interior space of the enclosure arranged in the enclosure inlet. The filter may include a filter member covering the enclosure inlet and a filter cover covering the filter member. The filter cover may include a filter cover inlet guiding air to the filter member. The filter cover inlet may fluidically communicate with the engine compartment.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignees: MAHLE DONGHYUN FILTER SYSTEMS CO., LTD., MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBHInventor: Chanjung Jung
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Patent number: 10625198Abstract: A desulfurization apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first desulfurizer filled with a first desulfurization agent that removes a first sulfur compound from a hydrocarbon fuel; and a second desulfurizer filled with a second desulfurization agent that removes a second sulfur compound from the hydrocarbon fuel, the second desulfurizer being provided downstream of the first desulfurizer in a flow direction of the hydrocarbon fuel. The second desulfurization agent is constituted by a porous coordination polymer having a polymeric structure that is a combination of copper ions and organic ligands. A sulfur compound adsorption ability of the second desulfurization agent to adsorb the second sulfur compound is different from a sulfur compound adsorption ability of the first desulfurization agent to adsorb the first sulfur compound. A temperature of the second desulfurization agent is kept to 100° C. or lower.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignees: PANASONIC CORPORATION, KYOTO UNIVERSITYInventors: Masashi Morita, Jin Zhang, Hidenobu Wakita, Yoichiro Tsuji, Susumu Kitagawa, Masakazu Higuchi
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Patent number: 10622653Abstract: A system comprising: a solid oxide fuel cell having an anode and a cathode; an anode recycle loop; and an adiabatic steam reformer positioned in the anode recycle loop.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Greg A. Whyatt, Lawrence A. Chick
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Patent number: 10622654Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for fuel cell utilizing hydrogen from reforming propane fuel include a propane fuel reformer, controlling operating parameters of O2/C ratio, pressure, and catalyst temperature, and a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) controlling operating parameters of pressure and temperature. For mobile application, the system includes a 3D printed reformer for generation of hydrogen rich gas.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Rochester Insitute of TechnologyInventors: Michael Waller, Mark Walluk, Thomas Trabold, Michael Bradley
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Patent number: 10608272Abstract: A carbon dioxide capture system for capturing carbon dioxide from an exhaust stream. The system may include a fuel cell configured to output a first exhaust stream comprising carbon dioxide and water. The system may further include an electrolyzer cell configured to receive a first portion of the first exhaust stream and output a second exhaust stream comprising oxygen and carbon dioxide. The fuel cell may be a solid oxide fuel cell. The electrolyzer cell may be a molten carbonate electrolysis cell.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventor: Fred C. Jahnke
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Patent number: 10584052Abstract: Disclosed are methods for operating a glass furnace, the method comprises the steps of feeding a non-pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel gas stream to a pre-reformer forming a pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel gas stream, feeding the pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel gas stream to burners of the furnace, combusting oxidant and the pre-reformed hydrocarbon fuel gas with the burners to produce flue gas, heating air through heat exchange with the flue gas at a recuperator, and transferring heat from heated air to pre-reformer tubes of the pre-reformer. A glass furnace system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.Inventors: Taekyu Kang, Robert A. Gagliano, Pavol Pranda, Ashkan Iranshahi
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Patent number: 10581097Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, a fuel cell stack supported by the body for tilting relative thereto, a pivoting system and at least one control module. The fuel cell stack includes a fuel cell operable to generate electrical energy using fuel and exhaust water as a byproduct, and an exhaust water drainage port in fluid communication with the fuel cell. The pivoting system is mechanically connected between the body and the fuel cell stack, and operable to selectively tilt the fuel cell stack relative to the body. The at least one control module is communicatively connected to the pivoting system, and configured to operate the pivoting system in response to an inclination event associated with the body being tilted away from the exhaust water drainage port. By the operation of the pivoting system, the fuel cell stack is tilted relative to the body toward the exhaust water drainage port.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Lee Rovik
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Patent number: 10553887Abstract: A fuel cell system of controlling a valve assembly to maintain a feed flow rate while avoiding a vibration generation range in order to reduce noise due to vibrations generated in the valve assembly is provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack that receives fuel and generates electric energy and a valve assembly that adjusts a flow rate of fuel that is supplied to the fuel cell stack. A controller then oscillates the flow rate of the fuel to alternately have a first value that is equal to or greater than a upper limit value of a first vibration generation range and a second value that is equal to or less than a lower limit value of the first vibration generation range, in response to determining that the flow rate of the fuel supplied through the valve assembly is included in the first vibration generation range.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: GunHyung Park, JunYoung Park
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Patent number: 10483574Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell using a fuel gas containing a combustible gas and an oxidant gas to generate power includes an exhaust gas route for an exhaust gas from the fuel cell to circulate, an air supplier absorbing air within the fuel cell system and supplying the air to the exhaust gas, an air supply route for the air to circulate, a merging part where the exhaust gas and the air merge, a discharge route discharging a mixed gas composed of the merged exhaust gas and the air to the atmosphere, and a combustible gas detector that detects the concentration of a combustible gas in the mixed gas. With respect to flow of the air circulating in the air supply route and the discharge route, from the upstream side, the air supplier, the merging part, and the combustible gas detector are disposed in this order.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Akinori Yukimasa, Takehiko Ise, Yoshito Usuki
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Patent number: 10465304Abstract: A compound green-energy purification device includes a casing having a water inlet port and a gas outlet port, a filtration module arranged in the casing and includes a first filtration assembly and a second filtration assembly, an electrolysis unit arranged in the casing, and a separation base arranged in the casing and located between the filtration module and the electrolysis unit. The separation base includes a pipe and at least one hole formed therein such that the hole is located in a bottom of the separation base. Water is supplied through the water inlet port and flows through the hole of the separation base into the electrolysis unit to allow the electrolysis unit to heat and convert the water into steam, which moves through the pipe, the first filtration assembly, and the second filtration assembly so as to separate the water and the gas from each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Inventors: Bo-Yu Huang, Bing-Hua Huang
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Patent number: 10465849Abstract: A hydrogen gas filling method includes: a step for acquiring a pre-supply upstream pressure that is a pressure in a station side of a piping at time t0, a step for starting the supply of hydrogen gas from the station at time t1 that is after the pre-supply upstream pressure is acquired, a step for acquiring a post-supply upstream pressure at time t2 that is immediate after the supply of hydrogen gas starts, a step for acquiring a start-time flowrate that is a flowrate of hydrogen gas at the same period as the step for starting, a step for estimating the pressure loss generated in the piping at the time of the supply by using the pre-supply upstream pressure, post-supply upstream pressure, and the start-time flowrate, and a step for stopping the supply of hydrogen gas so that a tank pressure conforms with a predetermined target pressure.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Kiyoshi Handa
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Patent number: 10461346Abstract: A power generator includes a power generator cavity adapted to receive a fuel cartridge, a protrusion disposed with in the cavity to engage a check valve of the fuel cartridge, a fuel cell to convert hydrogen and oxygen to electricity and to generate water vapor, and a passage to transport hydrogen from the cavity to the fuel cell and water vapor to the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
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Patent number: 10454119Abstract: A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly; cathode and anode-side water-repellent layers; a cathode-side separator that includes a cathode gas passage and an air exhaust manifold communicated to the cathode gas passage. The cathode gas passage includes a water exhaust inhibiting portion and a water storage portion. The water exhaust inhibiting portion is provided on a lowermost passage positioned on a lowermost side in a gravity direction. The water storage portion is provided upstream of the water exhaust inhibiting portion such that liquid water is stored in the water storage portion by the water exhaust inhibiting portion. A liquid water connection portion is provided in the water-repellent layer so as to pass through the water-repellent layer such that liquid water flows between the catalyst layer and the water storage portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaaki Matsusue, Yasushi Araki, Kohsei Yoshida, Hiromi Tanaka
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Patent number: 10439241Abstract: A method for reducing fuel cell voltage loss in a fuel cell that includes an anode catalyst layer including an anode catalyst and a cathode catalyst layer including a cathode catalyst with a proton exchange layer interposed between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer. The method includes a step of initiating shutdown of the fuel cell. Carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide-like species contaminating the anode catalyst is oxidized during shutdown such that carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide-like species is removed from the anode catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jingxin Zhang, Paul Taichiang Yu, Balasubramanian Lakshmanan
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Patent number: 10424807Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack including an air electrode and a fuel electrode, a stack housing having a hollow therein to accommodate the fuel cell stack in the hollow, an air compressor configured to pump air to supply the air to the air electrode, a ventilation pipe connecting an entrance of the air compressor and the hollow, and at least one vent hole provided on an outer wall of the stack housing such that the hollow and an outside of the stack housing communicate with each other. An interior of the stack housing is ventilated by lowering of a pressure at the entrance of the air compressor, which is generated as the air compressor is operated, while air outside the stack housing is suctioned into the entrance of the air compressor after passing through the vent hole, the hollow, and the ventilation pipe.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Jung Han Yu, Yong Suk Heo, Duck Whan Kim, Kwi Seong Jeong
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Patent number: 10388971Abstract: Fuel-cell thermal management systems and control schemes therefore are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system may include a fuel-cell stack, a heat-exchanger, a thermal battery including a material having a melting temperature of 50-120° C., a first coolant loop including the fuel-cell stack and the thermal battery and excluding the heat-exchanger, and a second coolant loop including the fuel-cell stack, the thermal battery, and the heat-exchanger. The first and second coolant loops may be configured to heat and cool the fuel-cell stack, respectively. The system may include a controller or processor configured to direct coolant to transfer heat from the thermal battery to the fuel-cell stack based on a negative heat rejection status of the fuel-cell stack and to transfer heat from the fuel-cell stack to the thermal battery based on a positive heat rejection status of the fuel-cell stack when the thermal battery is below a target temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Furqan Zafar Shaikh, Sunil Katragadda, W. Cary Cole, Colby Jason Buckman, Phillip Bonkoski
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Patent number: 10381698Abstract: A metal air battery includes an air purification module which communicates fluid to a battery cell module, purifies air flowing from an outside, and supplies the purified air to the battery cell module. The air purification module includes: a first air purifier which filters a first impurity of a plurality of impurities in the air flowing from the outside; and a second air purifier which filters a second impurity of the plurality of impurities, which is different from the first impurity.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jeongsik Ko, Hyukjae Kwon
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Patent number: 10381666Abstract: A control device of a fuel cell system includes a sensor state determining unit and a power generation control unit. A sensor state determining unit performs sensor state determining control before a first startup of the fuel cell after supply complete timing into a first tank and a second tank based on first pressure detected by a first pressure sensor at the supply complete timing, and second pressure detected by a second pressure sensor after a valve is opened. A power generation control unit starts up the fuel cell only when the sensor state determining unit determines that the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are normal.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihiro Ohkuwa, Taiki Ikeda
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Patent number: 10280852Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to the invention is applied to an internal combustion engine in which EGR gas and condensed water generated by an EGR cooler are supplied into a cylinder. The control apparatus calculates an equivalence ratio of the internal combustion engine, and controls an EGR valve and a condensed water supply valve such that, when the equivalence ratio is high, a supply rate of the condensed water increases and a supply rate of the EGR gas decreases relative to when the equivalence ratio is low.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaaki Katayama, Takeshi Hashizume
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Patent number: 10283802Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for incorporating molten carbonate fuel cells into a heat recovery steam generation system (HRSG) for production of electrical power while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO2 present in the flue gas exiting the HRSG. An optionally multi-layer screen or wall of molten carbonate fuel cells can be inserted into the HRSG so that the screen of molten carbonate fuel cells substantially fills the cross-sectional area. By using the walls of the HRSG and the screen of molten carbonate fuel cells to form a cathode input manifold, the overall amount of duct or flow passages associated with the MCFCs can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Paul J. Berlowitz, Timothy Andrew Barckholtz, Frank Hershkowitz
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Patent number: 10283789Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stack body, a stack casing, and an exhaust duct. The stack body includes a first end, a second end, a bottom, a top, a side, and a downwardly inclined portion. The top has a substantially flat portion with an end point. The side extends between the top and the bottom and between the first end and the second end. The downwardly inclined portion connects the end point of the substantially flat portion and the side. The stack casing accommodates the stack body. The stack casing includes an upper wall and a side wall. The side wall is opposite to the side of the stack body. The exhaust duct is connected to the upper wall of the stack casing. The exhaust duct has an opening on the upper wall. The opening is arranged between the end point and the side wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD..Inventor: Hideharu Naito
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Patent number: 10256487Abstract: A method of accelerating activation of a fuel cell stack includes repeating, a plurality of times, a process including: applying a specific cyclic voltammetric pulse of high current to the fuel cell stack for a designated time and maintaining shutdown of the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Hyun Suk Choo