Reforming Process Patents (Class 429/423)
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Patent number: 12212026Abstract: A highly efficient fuel cell capable of reasonably and effectively utilizing an internal reforming reaction is obtained even when an anode layer provided in a fuel cell element has a thickness of several tens of micron order. A fuel cell single unit is configured to include a reducing gas supply path for supplying a gas containing hydrogen to an anode layer, a steam supply path for supplying steam generated in a fuel cell element to the reducing gas supply path, and an internal reforming catalyst layer for producing hydrogen from a raw fuel gas by a steam reforming reaction are provided in the fuel cell single unit, and at least one steam supply path is provided on an upstream side of the internal reforming catalyst layer in a flow direction of the reducing gas supplied to the anode layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Hisao Onishi, Noritoshi Shinke, Yuji Tsuda
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Patent number: 12103359Abstract: A thermal management system includes a first cooler that cools a first heat source, a first circulation path that connects the first cooler and a first pump, a second cooler that cools a second heat source, a second circulation path that connects the second cooler and a second pump, a changeover valve, and a controller. The changeover valve is switchable between first and second valve positions. The first and second circulation paths are separated from each other when the changeover valve is in the first valve position. The controller causes both the first and second pumps to operate when the temperature difference between refrigerants in the first and second circulation paths is more than a predetermined temperature difference threshold when the changeover valve is set to the first valve position and one of the first and second pumps is operating and the other is not operating.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshio Hasegawa, Masatoshi Hiyoshi, Haruka Tsuruta
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Patent number: 12000333Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for processing ammonia. The system may comprise one or more reactor modules configured to generate hydrogen from a source material comprising ammonia. The hydrogen generated by the one or more reactor modules may be used to provide additional heating of the reactor modules (e.g., via combustion of the hydrogen), or may be provided to one or more fuel cells for the generation of electrical energy.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2022Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: AMOGY, INC.Inventors: Young Suk Jo, Hyunho Kim, Gregory Robert Johnson, Matthew Jacob Montgomery
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Patent number: 11994061Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for processing ammonia. The system may comprise one or more reactor modules configured to generate hydrogen from a source material comprising ammonia. The hydrogen generated by the one or more reactor modules may be used to provide additional heating of the reactor modules (e.g., via combustion of the hydrogen), or may be provided to one or more fuel cells for the generation of electrical energy.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2022Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: AMOGY INC.Inventors: Young Suk Jo, Hyunho Kim, Gregory Robert Johnson, Matthew Jacob Montgomery
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Patent number: 11973205Abstract: An energy storage system includes an energy storage component. It further includes heat generating electronics. It further includes a fluid circulator that transfers fluid between the energy storage component and the heat generating electronics. The circulator is controlled to alternatively transfer fluid from the battery to the heat generating electronics or from the heat generating electronics to the energy storage component based at least in part on a thermal state of the energy storage system.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Lunar Energy, Inc.Inventors: Bozhi Yang, Tanner Bruce DeVoe, Tahina Christine Felisca, Kevin Richard Fine, Mark Daniel Goldman, Mark Holveck, Erica Viola Lewis, Conrad Xavier Murphy, Ian Gregory Spearing
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Patent number: 11936075Abstract: Disclosed are a separator for fuel cells capable of minimizing the volume of a system and the use of sealants, and a stack for fuel cells, more particularly, a stack for solid oxide fuel cells, including the same. Specifically, by adding a metal sheet having a specific shape, position and size to the separator, the stress applied to the sealant can be uniformized, and thus the oxidizing agent and fuel can be separated and electrically isolated using only a piece of sealant. Therefore, the stack for fuel cells is characterized in that there is no variation in temperature, reactant concentration, power, or the like between respective unit cells, so delamination and microcracks do not occur, the volume is minimized, and the power density per unit volume is very high.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Jong Ho Lee, Kyung Joong Yoon, Ji Won Son, Seong Kook Oh, Sang Hyeok Lee, Dong Hwan Kim, Min Jun Oh
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Patent number: 11862824Abstract: Proposed are a fuel cell system and a method of controlling the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes: a hydrogen supply unit connected to a hydrogen inlet side of a fuel cell stack, with a supply valve and a sensor being provided in the hydrogen supply unit; a hydrogen discharge unit connected to a hydrogen outlet side of the fuel cell stack, with a water trap and a purge valve being provided in the hydrogen discharge unit; and a controller configured to calculate an amount of hydrogen discharged through the purge valve from an amount of hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell stack and an amount of hydrogen consumed therein, and to perform compensation control of the supply valve when the amount of the discharged hydrogen is at or above a reference value.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATIONInventors: Jae Won Jung, Hak Yoon Kim, Jun Young Park, Seong Cheol Jeong
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Patent number: 11862831Abstract: A container for a fuel cell system includes a system frame configured to house one or more components of a fuel cell system. The container also includes a plurality of fuel cells supported by the system frame and configured to provide power to an external unit. The container also includes a raised floor configured to support the plurality of fuel cells. The container also includes a cooling system. The cooling system includes a central cooling pipe located underneath the raised floor, a plurality of fuel cell cooling pipes connected to the central cooling pipe and to each fuel cell, and a cooling pipe valve configured to regulate the pressure of the cooling system.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Matthew K. McClory, Daniel Charles Folick, Dakota Kelley
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Patent number: 11862832Abstract: A modular fuel cell subsystem includes multiple rows of modules, where each row comprises a plurality of fuel cell power modules and a power conditioning module containing a DC to AC inverter electrically connected the power modules. In some embodiments, a single gas and water distribution module is fluidly connected to multiple rows of power modules, and a single mini power distribution module is electrically connected to each of the power conditioning module in each row of modules. In some embodiments, each row of modules further includes a fuel processing module located on an opposite side of the plurality of fuel cell power modules from the power conditioning module. Fuel and water connections may enter each row from the side of the row containing the fuel processing module, and electrical connections may enter each row from the side of the row containing the power conditioning module.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Srihari Raghavan, David Trevisan, Richard Leitch, Armando Gomez, Aaron Ells, Jessica Mahler
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Patent number: 11853398Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for determining an abnormity of a detection device of natural gas. The method comprises: obtaining a first detection data set collected by the detection device of the natural gas, determining whether the detection device is abnormal based on the first detection data set and a first historical detection data set, and sending a determination result to a terminal. The first detection data set and the first historical detection data set include a composition of natural gas, a temperature of natural gas, and a pressure of natural gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Zehua Shao, Haitang Xiang, Yaqiang Quan, Bin Liu
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Patent number: 11831047Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane humidifier for a fuel cell capable of simplifying a fuel cell system and miniaturizing the fuel cell system by performing humidification by moisture exchange and cooling by heat exchange in one membrane humidifier, and a fuel cell system comprising same. The membrane humidifier for a fuel cell of the present invention comprises both a humidification module and a heat exchange module in a housing part, and distributes a first fluid to the humidification module and the heat exchange module at a variable distribution ratio.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Do Woo Kim, Kyoung Ju Kim, Na Hyeon An
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Patent number: 11799104Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fuel gas supply channel, a fuel gas circulation channel, a circulating pump that is driven by a pump motor having no rotation detecting sensor, and an ECU. When a method for operating the fuel cell system determines that the circulating pump is frozen in a low-temperature environment, the method performs a first step of performing a brake mode to limit the rotation of the pump motor while passing current to the pump motor, to thereby heat the pump motor. The method further performs a second step of, after rotating the pump motor, determining that the circulating pump has unfrozen if the rotational speed of the pump motor exceeds a given value.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuki Koiwa, Masaoki Inamoto, Hideo Numata
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Patent number: 11764376Abstract: An incorporated air supplying apparatus for a fuel cell stack and a method for controlling an air flow using the same are described. The apparatus includes an air supply part supplying air to a plurality of fuel cell stacks, a plurality of pipes configured to transmit the air supplied from the air supply part to each of the fuel cell stacks, a flowmeter and a valve installed at each pipe, and a controller controlling an opening degree of each of the valves, based on information on the measured flow. The controller controls the opening degree of the valve installed at each pipe, thus enabling the air flow for each pipe to be controlled.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATIONInventor: Min Su Hyeon
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Patent number: 11728536Abstract: A storage battery container is provided with an air supply part having an air supply port provided to the bottom surface, a variable heat dissipation device that balances accumulated heat inside the storage battery, and an air discharge part of a rear surface having an air discharge port correspondingly provided to a heat release part of the variable heat dissipation device. The air supply part puts the air supply port in an open state when power is being supplied, and puts the air supply port in a closed state when the power supply stops. The air discharge part puts the air discharge port in an open state when the variable heat dissipation device is actuated, and puts the air discharge port in a closed state when the actuation of the variable heat dissipation device stops.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.Inventor: Motohiro Fukuhara
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Patent number: 11697108Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for fabricating catalysts for ammonia decomposition. The method may comprise (a) subjecting a catalyst support to one or more physical or chemical processes to optimize one or more pores, morphologies, and/or surface chemistry or property of the catalyst support; (b) depositing a composite support material on the catalyst support, wherein the composite support material comprises a morphology or surface chemistry or property; and (c) depositing one or more active metals on at least one of the composite support material and the catalyst support, wherein the one or more active metals comprise one or more nanoparticles configured to conform to the morphology of the composite support material and/or catalyst support material, thereby optimizing one or more active sites on the nanoparticles for ammonia processing.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2022Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: AMOGY Inc.Inventors: Boris Sheludko, Junyoung Cha, Young Suk Jo
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Patent number: 11695122Abstract: A layered cathode structure for a molten carbonate fuel cell is provided, along with methods of forming a layered cathode and operating a fuel cell including a layered cathode. The layered cathode can include at least a first cathode layer and a second cathode layer. The first cathode layer can correspond to a layer that is adjacent to the molten carbonate electrolyte during operation, while the second cathode layer can correspond to a layer that is adjacent to the cathode collector of the fuel cell. The first cathode layer can be formed by sintering a layer that includes a conventional precursor material for forming a cathode, such as nickel particles. The second cathode layer can be formed by sintering a layer that includes a mixture of particles of a conventional precursor material and 1.0 vol % to 30 vol % of particles of a lithium pore-forming compound.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignees: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Abdelkader Hilmi, Gabor Kiss, Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Timothy C. Geary, Ethan L. Demeter, Chao-Yi Yuh
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Patent number: 11621430Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a controller that controls actions of the fuel cell system. The controller includes a freezing presence-absence determination unit that performs freezing presence-absence determination, a temperature raising execution unit that performs temperature raising processing for raising a temperature of an exhaust and drain valve, and a thawing presence-absence determination unit. In the freezing presence-absence determination, freezing determination is made when the exhaust flow rate of gas is equal to or lower than a first threshold. In the thawing presence-absence determination, thawing determination indicating that the exhaust and drain valve is thawed is made when the exhaust flow rate of gas is higher than a second threshold. The second threshold shows a flow rate higher than the first threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2019Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomio Yamanaka, Tomotaka Ishikawa, Shinji Asou, Tsuyoshi Maruo
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Patent number: 11563224Abstract: A method for preparing a fuel cell system in a vehicle for starting, for which purpose a starting preparation routine is carried out after the vehicle has been shut down depending on a temperature limit value. In the method, in the event that the fuel cell had not reached its normal operating temperature during the previous operation and a temperature falls below the predetermined temperature limit value, the fuel cell system is operated until it has reached its normal operating temperature and after which the starting preparation routine is subsequently carried out.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Cellcentric GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Pere Antoni Pastor Nigorra, Sven Schmalzriedt, Hans-Joerg Heidrich
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Patent number: 11542840Abstract: A hybrid powerplant can include a fuel cell cycle system configured to generate a first power using a fuel and an oxidizer. The powerplant can also include a supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) cycle system operatively connected to the fuel cell cycle to receive heat from the fuel cell cycle to cause the sCO2 cycle system to generate a second power.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Malcolm Macdonald, Ram Ranjan
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Patent number: 11491889Abstract: A vehicle, in particular a logistics vehicle, includes a frame and a housing component secured in place thereon. An insert part on the housing component is insertable into a space region of the vehicle, and a first or a second energy store module is situated on the insert part and a DC/DC converter which is electrically connected to the energy store module.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Christopher Blickle
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Patent number: 11491894Abstract: A vehicle powered by a fuel cell power plant to conserve water includes a fuel cell to generate electricity and at least one of water or water vapor. The vehicle further includes one or more electric motors operatively coupled to the fuel cell to receive the electricity and propel the vehicle and an auxiliary system operatively coupled to the fuel cell to utilize the at least one of the water or water vapor generated by the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Anderson Industries, LLCInventors: Kory Anderson, Daniel Ewert, Joel Jorgenson
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Patent number: 11469432Abstract: To suppress the generation of condensed water and suppress the flow of the condensed water into a fuel cell stack. A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell stack, an elector set, a fuel gas supplier which supplies fuel gas to the ejector set, a circulation flow path, a mixed gas supply flow path, a temperature detector which detects a temperature of the fuel gas, and a controller, wherein the ejector set includes at least two ejectors in parallel, which are a first ejector that supplies first mixed gas to the fuel electrodes of the fuel cell stack, and a second ejector that supplies second mixed gas, in which a content ratio of the circulation gas is smaller than the first mixed gas, to the fuel electrodes of the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2021Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masaaki Matsusue
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Patent number: 11398634Abstract: A fuel cell system and method for using a peak shaving gas, the system including: a fuel inlet configured to receive fuel from a fuel source; a catalytic partial oxidation (CPOx) reactor configured to at least partially oxidize the fuel during startup of the system; a blower configured to provide air to the CPOx reactor; a gas analyzer configured to determine a composition of fuel provided to the CPOx reactor from the fuel inlet; an oxidation catalyst configured to reduce an O2 content of fuel received from the CPOx reactor; a reforming catalyst configured to partially reform fuel received from the oxidation catalyst; and a stack of fuel cells configured to generate electricity using fuel received from the reforming catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2019Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: John Fisher, Jayakumar Krishnadass, David Weingaertner, Laxmikant Girwalkar, Shraddesh Malviya
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Patent number: 11380923Abstract: A device includes a container having a top plate containing an array of oxygen limiting pinholes and a chamber to hold a chemical hydride fuel, a fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrode assembly supported within the container between the top plate and the chamber, a first gas diffusion layer supported between the fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrode assembly and the top plate, and a second gas diffusion layer supported between the fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrode assembly and the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Steven J. Eickhoff, Jeffrey Michael Klein, Jason Wiebesick
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Patent number: 11374241Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one fuel cell stack, a water reservoir housed higher than the at least one fuel cell stack, a first water pump, a second water pump and a control module. The at least one fuel cell stack is operable to generate electrical energy and water. The water reservoir is operable to store water. The first water pump is operable to pump water from the at least one fuel cell stack into the water reservoir against gravity. The second water pump is operable to dispense water from the water reservoir under assistance from gravitational potential energy of water in the water reservoir. The control module is configured to operate the second water pump on an on-demand basis, and operate the first water pump on a time-selective basis.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Lee Rovik, Luke A. Rippelmeyer, Daniel Charles Folick
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Patent number: 11338270Abstract: Methods for autothermal reforming over a modified red mud catalyst composition, one method including providing a methane feed with oxygen and carbon dioxide to react over the modified red mud catalyst composition at increased temperature and increased pressure to produce synthesis gas comprising H2 and CO, the composition comprising red mud material produced from an alumina extraction process from bauxite ore; nickel oxide, the nickel oxide present at between about 5 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of the modified red mud catalyst composition; and a Periodic Table Group VIB metal oxide, the Group VIB metal oxide present at between about 1 wt. % and about 30 wt. % of the modified red mud catalyst composition.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Bandar A. Fadhel, Bandar H. Alsolami, Rami Bamagain, Mohammed A. Albuali
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Patent number: 11322757Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; an anode off-gas discharge path through which an anode off-gas exhausted from an anode of the fuel cell is discharged; a heating medium circulation path through which a heating medium that recovers heat generated in the fuel cell is circulated; a heat exchanger disposed in the heating medium circulation path; an electric power converter that converts the electric power output from the fuel cell; a case that houses the electric power converter; a first air feeder that supplies air to the case; a housing that houses the fuel cell, the case, and the first air feeder; and an air discharge path through which the air having passed through the case is discharged to outside of the housing. A downstream end of the anode off-gas discharge path is connected to the air discharge path.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Junji Morita, Takehiko Ise, Yoshito Usuki
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Patent number: 11318447Abstract: Ceramic compositions with catalytic activity are provided, along with methods for using such catalytic ceramic compositions. The ceramic compositions correspond to compositions that can acquire increased catalytic activity by cyclic exposure of the ceramic composition to reducing and oxidizing environments at a sufficiently elevated temperature. The ceramic compositions can be beneficial for use as catalysts in reaction environments involving swings of temperature and/or pressure conditions, such as a reverse flow reaction environment. Based on cyclic exposure to oxidizing and reducing conditions, the surface of the ceramic composition can be converted from a substantially fully oxidized state to various states including at least some dopant metal particles supported on a structural oxide surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Matthew S. Ide, Changmin Chun, Anastasios I. Skoulidas
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Patent number: 11316184Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell that includes a cathode and an anode and generates electricity by reducing a mediator at the cathode; a regenerator that oxidizes, with an oxidant, the mediator reduced by the cathode; an oxidant feed path that is connected to the regenerator, wherein through the oxidant feed path, the oxidant to be supplied to the regenerator flows; a reformer; a combustor that heats the reformer; and a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat between combustion exhaust discharged from the combustor and the oxidant to be supplied to the regenerator.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoru Tamura, Takao Hayashi, Marine Fayolle, Yosuke Kitazawa
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Patent number: 11316178Abstract: A checking method of a resin-framed membrane electrode assembly includes checking whether there is breakage in one of short sides of a first rectangular peripheral shape of a clearance provided in the resin-framed membrane electrode assembly without checking whether there is breakage in any other part of the clearance, the resin-framed membrane assembly including a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a gas diffusion layer provided on the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a resin frame member that has a second rectangular peripheral shape and surrounds the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the gas diffusion layer to provide the clearance between the resin frame member and the gas diffusion layer, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane being made from a solid polymer electrolyte membrane roll in which a solid polymer electrolyte membrane sheet is wound in a winding direction, long sides of the rectangular peripheral shape extending in the winding direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Suguru Ohmori, Masashi Sugishita, Seiji Sugiura
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Patent number: 11309553Abstract: A fuel cell system including power modules including fuel cells, and an exhaust flue connected to the power modules. The exhaust flue includes an outer duct configured to receive relatively cool cabinet exhaust from the power modules, and an inner duct disposed inside of the outer duct and configured to receive relatively hot reaction exhaust from the power modules.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Arne Ballantine, Jessica Mahler, Swaminathan Venkataraman, Martin Perry, David Weingaertner, Samuel Juday, Christian Daco
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Patent number: 11296333Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell that has a cathode and an anode and generates electricity by reducing a mediator at the cathode; a regenerator that oxidizes, with an oxidant, the mediator reduced by the cathode; a reformer; a combustor that heats the reformer; and a heating medium path that heats the regenerator, wherein through the heating medium path, combustion exhaust discharged from the combustor or a heat medium heated through heat exchange with the combustion exhaust flows.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoru Tamura, Marine Fayolle
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Patent number: 11258082Abstract: The fuel cell includes a power generation unit, a plurality of storage containers that are detachable and house hydrogen absorbing alloy, a heat medium passage through which a heat medium flows, and a temperature control unit for heating the storage containers by controlling the temperature of the heat medium and causing the heat medium to flow. The temperature control unit can carry out a first temperature control mode of controlling the temperature of the heat medium to be equal to or higher than a first temperature, and a second temperature control mode of controlling the temperature of the heat medium to be equal to or higher than a second temperature. The temperature control unit determines whether the second temperature mode is to be carried out or not based on the pressure or the temperature of an attached storage container when a new storage container is attached.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yoshiaki Fukatsu
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Patent number: 11258081Abstract: A fuel cell hydrogen supply fault diagnosis system is provided. The system includes multiple fuel tanks that store hydrogen therein to supply the hydrogen and a fuel tank valve disposed at each of the fuel tanks and configured to be opened or closed to supply or shut off the hydrogen of the fuel tanks. A pressure sensor measures pressure in a fuel supply line that extends from each of the multiple fuel tanks to be integrally connected to a fuel cell stack. A supply amount estimator then estimates a supply amount of hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell stack and a consumption amount estimator estimates a consumption amount of hydrogen consumed in a reaction in the fuel cell stack or discharged therefrom. A fault detector then detects a hydrogen supply state.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2019Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Boung Ho Min, Dong Hun Lee, Soon Woo Kwon
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Patent number: 11251443Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed, which includes an anode recirculation loop having a fuel cell stack for generating power, a flowmeter, a current sensor and a processor. The flowmeter is configured for measuring a fuel flow rate provided into the anode recirculation loop. The current sensor is configured for measuring a current drawn from the fuel cell stack. The processor is configured for determining a steam to carbon ratio in the anode recirculation loop based on the measured fuel flow rate and the measured current. The fuel cell system further includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature in the anode recirculation loop. The process is configured for determining the steam to carbon ration further based on the measured temperature. A method for operating the fuel cell system and a fuel cell power plant are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2016Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Cummins Enterprise, LLCInventors: Honggang Wang, Andrew Philip Shapiro, Patrick Hammel Hart, Xiangdong Kong, Ralph Teichmann
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Patent number: 11251617Abstract: Some embodiments include electric power demand stabilization methods and systems that may include receiving an indication that a specific controllable device will have a high power draw event; retrieving a power draw profile for the specific controllable device that includes at least a maximum power draw and an event duration; identifying a plurality of low priority controllable devices with a combined power draw that is substantially equal to the maximum power draw of the specific controllable device; and turning off the plurality of low priority controllable devices for a time period substantially equal to the event duration.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Crossno & Kaye, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Walsh, Jesse Crossno, Thomas Foley, Bryan Kaye
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Patent number: 11196066Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system that can effectively suppress clogging of a pipe due to freezing of water in a fuel gas supply system thereof without the need for halting the operation of the fuel cells, and thus is highly reliable. When possible freezing of water is detected or presumed to be present downstream of an injector, the amount of a fuel gas to be supplied from a circulation pump that is disposed in a circulation channel is relatively increased compared to the amount of the fuel gas to be supplied from the injector.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2018Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seiichi Tanaka, Masashi Toida, Hiroyuki Tsunekawa, Shun Matsumoto, Tsuyoshi Maruo
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Patent number: 11125391Abstract: Systems and methods related to loading and unloading stations for simultaneous unloading of a first fluid from at least one storage tank in a vessel and loading of a second fluid into a storage tank of the same vessel are provided. In at least one aspect, a loading and unloading station includes a first connector for fluid connection to a storage tank of the vessel for unloading the first fluid, and a source of the second fluid. The station also includes a second connector for fluidly connecting the source of the second fluid with a storage tank of the vessel for loading the second fluid. The station further includes a first thermal linkage between the first fluid being unloaded and the second fluid being loaded that facilitates heat transfer between the first fluid and the second fluid at the loading and unloading station.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Ahmad O. Al Khowaiter, Aqil Jamal, Mourad Younes
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Patent number: 11108061Abstract: A clamping chamber in a reactor or fuel cell architecture having a stack of elementary units is above the clamping fittings. The clamping chamber, in which a gas other than the reactive gases will flow, is substantially at the same pressure as the reactive gases in the stack. The pressure of the gas flowing in the clamping chamber above the stack of elementary units will then balance the pressure created by the reactive gases and the gases produced within the stack.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2018Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventors: Magali Reytier, Charlotte Bernard, Guilhem Roux, Philippe Szynal
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Patent number: 11108068Abstract: Disclosed is a control system for a fuel cell system that includes at least two or more fuel cell groups which each have at least one fuel cell connected in parallel. The fuel cell control system comprises: a unit level controller configured to control an output of an individual fuel cell; a group level controller configured to determine the output distribution of the individual fuel cells within the fuel cell group based on the performance decrease rates of the individual fuel cells within the fuel cell group; and a system level controller configured to determine the total output of the fuel cell system according to the power demand for the grid and determine the output distribution for each of the fuel cell groups in correspondence to the total output.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: FCI CO., LTD.Inventors: Ingab Chang, Tae Won Lee
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Patent number: 11081709Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; a reformer to generate a hydrogen-containing gas; an electric power generation raw material supply unit; a reforming material supply unit configured to supply at least one of reforming water and reforming air, to the reformer; an oxidizing gas supply unit to supply an oxidizing gas to a cathode of the fuel cell; a combustor to ignite an exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell; and a controller. In an operation stop process of the fuel cell system, the controller causes the oxidizing gas supply unit to supply the oxidizing gas, causes the electric power generation raw material supply unit and the reforming material supply unit to intermittently supply the electric power generation raw material and at least one of the water and the air to the reformer, and causes the ignitor to perform an ignition operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignees: PANASONIC CORPORATION, MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Shigenori Onuma, Kunihiro Ukai, Hiroshi Shirahama, Takeshi Saito, Yosuke Akagi, Taiichiro Sakamoto, Toshiharu Ooe, Toshiharu Otsuka
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Patent number: 11056699Abstract: In a fuel cell system, the output from a plurality of fuel cells can reach an output greater than or equal to auxiliary driving power in a short time because the initial supply amount of raw fuel supplied from a raw fuel supply part is greater than or equal to a first supply amount that is a raw fuel supply amount corresponding to the auxiliary driving power. Thus, even if the raw fuel is supplied at the initial supply amount when a power failure has occurred in an electric power system during a startup operation of the fuel cell system, it is possible to supply electric power from the fuel cells to the auxiliary machinery and continue to drive the auxiliary machinery under the control of a startup controller. This suppresses the stop of the fuel cell system under the startup operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Hitachi Zosen CorporationInventors: Kyohei Izuma, Kazuki Wakamiya
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Patent number: 11050067Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, and a burner. The burner has anode off-gas apertures and first and second cathode off-gas apertures. In a cross section of the burner at a cutting plane that passes a first cathode off-gas aperture, an anode off-gas aperture, and a second cathode off-gas aperture that are aligned on a straight line when seen in plan view, the first cathode off-gas aperture is provided on one side of the anode off-gas aperture such that a vector of an ejecting direction of cathode off-gas forms a first acute angle with a vector of an ejecting direction of anode off-gas, and the second cathode off-gas aperture is provided on the other side of the anode off-gas aperture such that the vector of the ejecting direction of cathode off-gas forms a second acute angle with the vector of the ejecting direction of anode off-gas.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Takashi Kakuwa
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Patent number: 11038186Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a reformer for fuel cells is provided. When the temperatures of a high temperature reforming unit operating as an endothermic catalyst reactor and a CO modification unit operating as an exothermic catalyst reactor deviate from catalyst activity reference temperatures, an amount of water supplied for heat exchange is increased so that the water for heat exchange sequentially flows up to the CO modification unit and the high temperature reforming unit. Accordingly, the temperature of the high temperature reforming unit and the temperature of the CO modification unit reach the catalyst activity reference temperatures, thereby preventing deterioration of high-concentration hydrogen production efficiency and unnecessary CO removal efficiency of the reformer and improving lifespan of catalysts of the reformer.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Jung Joo Park
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Patent number: 11021405Abstract: Moulded insulation bodies, processes for the production thereof and use thereof consisting essentially of ceramic material comprising SiO2 fibers and Al2O3 fibers which has been produced using Al2O3 sol as a binder and kilned at a temperature of above 800° C. for insulation of the ends of cracking tubes of a tubular reactor for performing a steam reforming process for generating synthesis gas which project out of the reactor heating space.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2017Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Antonio Coscia, Hans-Werner Scholz
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Patent number: 11024863Abstract: According to a control method of controlling a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system including a solid oxide fuel cell that is supplied with an anode gas and a cathode gas to generate electric power, a fuel processor that at least reforms fuel to generate the anode gas and supplies the generated anode gas to the fuel cell, and a combustor that combusts the supplied fuel to perform warming of the fuel processor, the method is conducted when warming is performed at least at starting-up of the system.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2017Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Tatsuya Yaguchi, Hayato Chikugo
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Supported nickel catalysts used as direct internal reforming catalyst in molten carbonate fuel cells
Patent number: 11005115Abstract: Disclosed here is a supported catalyst comprising a thermally stable core, wherein the thermally stable core comprises a metal oxide support and nickel disposed in the metal oxide support, wherein the metal oxide support comprises at least one base metal oxide and at least one transition metal oxide or rare earth metal oxide mixed with or dispersed in the base metal oxide. Optionally the supported catalyst can further comprise an electrolyte removing layer coating the thermally stable core and/or an electrolyte repelling layer coating the electrolyte removing layer, wherein the electrolyte removing layer comprises at least one metal oxide, and wherein the electrolyte repelling layer comprises at least one of graphite, metal carbide and metal nitride. Also disclosed is a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising the supported catalyst as a direct internal reforming catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2017Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Jin-Yun Wang, Mohammad Farooque, Ramakrishnan Venkataraman, Chao-Yi Yuh, April Corpuz -
Patent number: 10998559Abstract: An electrical power supply device in an aircraft, the device including an enclosure, the enclosure containing at least: a fuel cell; a dihydrogen generator; a gas feed circuit connecting the dihydrogen generator to the anode of the fuel cell; an oxygen feed device feeding the cathode of the fuel cell; and a cooling circuit of the fuel cell associated with at least one heat exchanger; wherein the enclosure is mounted on an actuator system, the actuator system being configured to move the enclosure from a first position in which the enclosure is housed inside an outer wall of the aircraft, to a second position in which the enclosure projects from the outer wall.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: SAFRAN POWER UNITSInventors: Fabien Boudjemaa, Adrien Gasse, Matthieu Baron, Denis Real
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Patent number: 10989184Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen pump includes a hydrogen pump unit including an electrolyte film, an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, an anode gas diffusion layer, an anode separator, a cathode gas diffusion layer, and a cathode separator, a first end plate and a second end plate, a fastener, and a voltage applicator. The electrochemical hydrogen pump transfers and pressurizes hydrogen on the cathode catalyst layer, when a voltage is applied by the voltage applicator. Cathode gas flow channels in which the cathode gas flows are connected to each other. The amount of thickness reduction of the cathode gas diffusion layer due to compression resulting from fastening of the fastener is larger in the hydrogen pump unit positioned at at least one end of the stacked hydrogen pump units than in the hydrogen pump unit positioned at neither end of the stacked hydrogen pump units.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Kunihiro Ukai, Hiromi Kita, Takayuki Nakaue
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Patent number: 10903512Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprises a fuel cell stack having a fuel delivery inlet and a fuel delivery outlet. The fuel cell stack further includes a number of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly and a fluid flow path coupled between the fuel delivery inlet and the fuel delivery outlet for delivery of fuel to the membrane electrode assembly. A fuel delivery conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery inlet for 10 delivery of fluid fuel to the stack. A bleed conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery outlet for venting fluid out of the stack. A variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of one or more of the control parameters: (i) measured fuel concentration; (ii) measured humidity; (iii) cell voltages of fuel cells in the 15 stack; (iv) impedance of fuel cells in the stack; (v) resistance of fuel cells in the stack.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Pratap Rama, Paul Leonard Adcock, Jignesh Karsan Devshi Patel