Hydrocarbon Feedstock Patents (Class 429/425)
  • Patent number: 11898750
    Abstract: A method for controlling a catalytic combustion apparatus having a heater capable of heating fuel to be supplied to a catalyst includes a step of supplying oxidant gas to the catalytic combustion apparatus, and an injection step of injecting the fuel into the catalytic combustion apparatus. The injection step also includes an electric power feeding step of supplying electric power to the heater, and a setting step of setting an injection amount of the fuel to be injected into the catalytic combustion apparatus in response to output of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Susumu Maeshima, Tadaki Mano, Hiroyuki Wada, Masamitsu Satake
  • Patent number: 11843139
    Abstract: A fuel cell apparatus includes a fuel cell module including a housing and a fuel cell housed in the housing, the fuel cell generating electric power with use of a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas; and a heat exchanger which carries out heat exchange between a medium and exhaust gas from the fuel cell module, the heat exchanger being arranged laterally to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignees: KYOCERA Corporation, DAINICHI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Nakamura, Mitsutaka Shimada, Kyosuke Yamauchi, Takayuki Maruyama, Tatsuya Kanbayashi
  • Patent number: 11811117
    Abstract: An air supply system, comprising at least two air blowers and at least two communication valves; wherein one air blower is connected to a main air passage through the corresponding communication valve; and at least one other is connected to a reformer air passage and a stack air passage through at least one other communication valve, respectively. At least two air blowers are provided to connect the at least two communication valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventors: Changming Hu, Youpeng Chen, Xiaowen Sun, Xiao Yu
  • Patent number: 11784329
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a stack of fuel cells, a cathode recuperator configured to heat air using cathode exhaust output from the stack, and an air inlet baffle disposed between the cathode recuperator and the stack and containing at least two rows of apertures which are separated along a vertical direction and configured to provide the heated air output from the cathode recuperator to plural areas of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nilanjana Basu, Nandan Joshi, Hemant Gedam, Kyle Kekelis, David Edmonston
  • Patent number: 11757115
    Abstract: An air compression system for a fuel cell system, the air compression system has a main air compressor with a maximum air flow output approximately equal to a continuous mode air flow requirement of the fuel cell system. The main air compressor weighs less than an air compressor having a maximum air flow output approximately equal to a peak air flow requirement of the fuel cell system such that the weight of the air compression system is reduced compared to a conventional air compression system. The air compression system also includes a supplemental oxygen supply system which is fluidically coupled with the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: ZeroAvia, Inc.
    Inventors: Valery Miftakhov, Ilya Henry Grishashvili
  • Patent number: 11749821
    Abstract: A fuel cell single unit including: a fuel cell element in which an anode layer and a cathode layer are formed so as to sandwich an electrolyte layer; a reducing gas supply path for supplying a gas containing hydrogen to the anode layer; an oxidizing gas supply path for supplying a gas containing oxygen to the cathode layer; and an internal reforming catalyst layer, which has a reforming catalyst for steam-reforming a fuel gas, in at least a part of the reducing gas supply path is provided. An external reformer, which has a reforming catalyst for steam-reforming the fuel gas, is provided upstream of the reducing gas supply path, and the fuel gas partially reformed by the external reformer is supplied to the reducing gas supply path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Hisao Onishi, Noritoshi Shinke, Yuji Tsuda
  • Patent number: 11715835
    Abstract: An interconnector plate for a fuel cell and a fuel cell system for an aircraft. For better extraction of the energy generated by the fuel cell, an interconnector plate can be attached by form fit to fixing studs of the fuel cell by retaining eyes. The interconnector plate may additionally be secured using glass solder. In preparation for a higher power density, a fuel cell can be produced in ceramic by 3D-printing and has an improved power density because of its helical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Kristian Zimmermann, Stephan Friedl
  • Patent number: 11695130
    Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided and the fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; a fuel processing unit configured to process a raw fuel to produce a fuel gas for the fuel cell; an oxidant gas heating unit configured to heat an oxidant gas for the fuel cell; a combustor configured to combust the raw fuel to produce a combustion gas for use in heating the fuel processing unit and the oxidant gas heating unit; a supply control unit configured to, during a warm-up of the fuel cell, control supply of the raw fuel to the fuel processing unit and the combustor; and a power generation control unit configured to control a power generation state during the warm-up of the fuel cell. When the fuel cell has reached a power generation available temperature, the power generation control unit is configured to cause the fuel cell to perform power generation, and the supply control unit is configured to supply the raw fuel to both the fuel processing unit and the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsushi Noda, Tatsuya Yaguchi, Hayato Chikugo
  • Patent number: 11629056
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for production of carbon nanotubes and H2 using a reaction system configuration that is suitable for large scale production. In the reaction system, a substantial portion of the heat for the reaction can be provided by using a heated gas stream. Optionally, the heated gas stream can correspond to a heated H2 gas stream. By using a heated gas stream, when the catalyst precursors for the floating catalyst-chemical vapor deposition (FC-CVD) type catalyst are added to the gas stream, the gas stream can be at a temperature of 1000° C. or more. This can reduce or minimize loss of catalyst precursor material and/or deposition of coke on sidewalls of the reactor. Additionally, a downstream portion of the reactor can include a plurality of flow channels of reduced size that are passed through a heat exchanger environment, such as a shell and tube heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Ramesh Gupta, Sumathy Raman, Amrit Jalan, Hugo S. Caram, David C. Dankworth
  • Patent number: 11621647
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided, comprising a plurality of circuit portions, and a first connection portion and a second connection portion that are formed of planar conductive materials and connected to any of the circuit portions, wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion are arranged with respective main surfaces facing each other, the first connection portion and the second connection portion each comprising a circuit connection end connected to the circuit portions, a path restriction portion for restricting a current path in the main surface, directions of currents flowing through the current paths between the path restriction portions and the circuit connection ends are different in the first connection portion and the second connection portion. Directions of currents flowing through the current paths between the path restriction portions and the circuit connection ends are preferably different in the first connection portion and the second connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sayaka Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11618003
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a diesel reformer system comprising: a diesel autothermal reforming unit; a post-reforming unit disposed downstream of the autothermal reforming unit; a heat exchanger disposed downstream of the post-reforming unit; and a desulfurization unit disposed downstream of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventors: Sai P. Katikaneni, Joongmyeon Bae, Jiwoo Oh, Minseok Bae, Dongyeon Kim
  • Patent number: 11527766
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with improved swirl burners, particularly, but not limited to, swirl burners used in fuel cell systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Ceres Intellectual Property Company Limited
    Inventors: Martin Schmidt, Paul Barnard, Tony Toher, Isaac Cottereau, Michael McLorn, Oliver Postlethwaite, Simone Dozio
  • Patent number: 11525581
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a portable, personal device for providing cooking and power and adapted for use with a burner, the device including a plurality of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) coupled together; a microelectronic control circuit connected to at least the MS-SOFCs; a light source coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; and at least one USB port coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; whereby the device is able to simultaneously provide light and power a personal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: U. S. Department of Energy
    Inventor: Michael C Tucker
  • Patent number: 11380914
    Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) comprising a fuel cell (2), a liquid fuel supply (3) for providing liquid fuel, an evaporator (6) for evaporating the liquid fuel to fuel vapor, a reformer (7) for catalytic conversion of the fuel vapor to syngas for the fuel cell and a burner (8) for heating the reformer (7). The burner (8) comprises a catalytic monolith (21) down-stream of a mixing chamber (31) in which air is mixed with evaporated fuel or rest gas prior to entering the monolith (21). The mixing chamber (31) is surrounded by a sleeve (23), which comprises a plurality of openings (29A, 29B) around the mixing chamber (31) for supply of fuel vapor through the openings (29A, 29B) in the startup phase and for supply of rest gas through the openings (29A, 29B) during normal operation. Optionally, a heat exchanger (17) is provided between the burner (8) and the reformer (7) for reducing the temperature of the exhaust gas from the burner (8) before it reaches the reformer (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: fischer Eco Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Anders Risum Korsgaard, Mads Bang, Morten Hougaard Sørensen
  • Patent number: 11309562
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a fuel cell device (10), wherein the fuel cell device (10) is operated in accordance with a quality characteristic of a fuel that is used. According to the invention, the quality characteristic is determined from a partial analysis of the constituents of the fuel that is used. The invention further relates to a fuel cell device (10) that is operated by means of such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Hering, Stefanie Wahl
  • Patent number: 11298653
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to apparatuses, systems, and methods for separating a target species (e.g., CO2) from a gas mixture (e.g., gas stream) via an electrochemical process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sahag Voskian, Trevor Alan Hatton
  • Patent number: 11290021
    Abstract: A multi-function switch has a Junction-Field Effect Transistor (JFET) that outputs a voltage for both charging and timing/sense the synchronous rectifier controller. Current is provided to a synchronous rectifier controller from a JET having its drain conductively coupled to the drain electrode of the secondary side rectifying MOSFET, wherein the current from the source of the JET is used for both timing/sense and powering the synchronous rectifier controller. The JFET is biased for a fixed output with its source to gate voltage at a turn on threshold voltage of the JFET for charging. The JFET is fully conducting from the secondary side of transformer with a small voltage drop across the drain to source electrode of the secondary side rectifying MOSFET for timing/sense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ALPHA AND OMEGA SEMICONDUCTOR (CAYMAN) LTD.
    Inventors: Jian Yin, Qihong Huang
  • Patent number: 11251446
    Abstract: A fuel cell system has a cell (1) that is capable of generating electric power. The cell (1) has a fuel electrode (1a), an air electrode (1b) and an electrolyte (1c). The fuel electrode (1a) is supplied with hydrogen obtained by reforming fuel gas. The air electrode (1b) is supplied with oxygen in the air. The electrolyte (1c) is interposed between the fuel electrode (1a) and the air electrode (1b) to enable oxygen ions to pass through to the fuel electrode (1a). A water vapor retaining mechanism (6) is disposed in a flow path of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel electrode (1a). The mechanism (6) retains water vapor generated in the fuel electrode (1a) during electric power generation by the cell (1). The mechanism (6) enables the water vapor to be mixed with the fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Kentaro Ino, Kenji Ohashi, Kwangjin Jeong, Ryota Hino, Satoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11239479
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of starting a fuel reformer including a heating element and a subsequent autothermal reformer includes contacting a first fluid comprising oxygen with the heating element, passing the first fluid into the autothermal reformer to preheat a reformer catalyst within the autothermal reformer to a first temperature, reducing flow of the first fluid into the autothermal reformer, introducing a fuel into the autothermal reformer subsequent to preheating the reformer catalyst to initiate a partial oxidation reaction and generating additional heat, increasing flow of the fuel and first fluid to initiate autothermal reforming, and controlling the temperature of the reformer catalyst by supplying a cooling fluid, the first fluid, and the fuel and adjusting flow of each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sai P. Katikaneni, Joongmyeon Bae, Jiwoo Oh, Minseok Bae, Dongyeon Kim
  • Patent number: 11233252
    Abstract: A fuel cell case includes: a casing portion provided with a through hole that communicates between an internal space for accommodating a fuel cell stack and outside of the casing portion; a lid portion attached to an outer surface of the casing portion by a first connection portion so as to close the through hole; and a cover portion arranged on the lid portion and attached to the outer surface of the casing portion. It is configured that at least one of the lid portion and the first connection portion is fractured when an internal pressure of the casing portion is increased to be equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure and that the cover portion remains to be attached to the casing portion even after at least one of the lid portion and the first connection portion is fractured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kanazawa, Michitaro Itoga, Hitoshi Hamada
  • Patent number: 11205792
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; a catalyst combustor configured to receive raw fuel and oxidant and generate combustion gas of the raw fuel; and a control unit configured to control supplying of the raw fuel and the oxidant to the catalyst combustor. The control unit is configured to supply the raw fuel and the oxidant to the catalyst combustor at the time of startup of the fuel cell system, and when a reforming reaction of the raw fuel turns dominant over a combustion reaction of the raw fuel at the catalyst combustor, increase an air-fuel ratio that is a ratio of the oxidant to the raw fuel, compared to the air-fuel ratio before the reforming reaction turns dominant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoko Arisaka, Shinji Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 11201339
    Abstract: A fuel cell system with a plurality of fuel cell modules connected to form a fuel cell group having first and second electrical supply terminals that terminate to an electrical load; a measuring device connected to the fuel cell modules that measures a load current of the respective fuel cell modules; and a controller that detects a respective operating state of the fuel cell modules. The controller is connected to and controls operation of the fuel cell modules, and detects whether the operating state is in a respective partial load range of the respective fuel cell module. The controller provides a load current demanded by the load in a first partial-load operating mode of the load by operating all fuel cell modules of the fuel cell group such that all of the fuel cell modules are within the respective partial load range of the respective fuel cell module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: PROTON MOTOR FUEL CELL GMBH
    Inventor: Mathias Reum
  • Patent number: 11069907
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; a fuel treating unit configured to treat a raw fuel and generate fuel gas for the fuel cell; an oxidant-gas heater configured to heat oxidant gas for the fuel cell; a combustor configured to combust the raw fuel and generate combustion gas to heat the fuel treating unit and the oxidant-gas heater; and a control unit configured to control supplying of the raw fuel to the fuel treating unit and the combustor at the time of warming-up of the fuel cell. The control unit supplies the raw fuel to both of the fuel treating unit and the combustor when the fuel treating unit is at an operable temperature of the fuel treating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsushi Noda, Hayato Chikugo, Tatsuya Yaguchi
  • Patent number: 11005116
    Abstract: Disclosed are a membrane-electrode assembly for fuel cells having improved durability and a manufacturing method thereof. Hydrogen peroxide, from which a hydroxyl radical is generated, may be removed using an antioxidant having the structure A1-aA?aBO3-? and including strontium or samarium, thereby improving the durability of an electrolyte membrane and an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jung Han Yu, Sukhwan Yun, Jong Kil Oh, In Yu Park, Jae Jun Ko, Bo Ki Hong
  • Patent number: 10818947
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices which optimize fuel-cell stack airflow control are described. According to aspects of the present disclosure, actuation of at least one cathode-flow actuator is initialized to an initial state based on a desired oxygen flowrate to operate the fuel-cell stack in a voltage-controlled mode, a stack current produced by the fuel-cell stack is determined that corresponds to operation at the actuation of the cathode-flow actuators, a flowrate of oxygen exiting the fuel-cell stack is calculated based on the stack current, the flowrate of oxygen exiting the fuel-cell stack is compared to the desired oxygen flowrate exiting the fuel-cell stack, and actuation of at least one of the cathode-flow actuators is modified in response to the flowrate of oxygen being different from the desired oxygen flowrate. The modified actuation reduces the difference between the desired oxygen flowrate and the flowrate of oxygen exiting the fuel-cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Biju Edamana, Sergio E. Garcia, Jeffrey J. Gagliardo, J. M. Ellenberger
  • Patent number: 10804549
    Abstract: Provided are: a power generation system that can generate electric power efficiently with a fuel cell; and a method for operating said power generation system. This power generation system comprises: a fuel cell including a plurality of unit fuel cell modules; a gas turbine; various lines for circulating fuel gas, air, discharged fuel gas, and discharged air between the fuel cell and the gas turbine; and a control device. The control device determines the number of said unit fuel cell modules to be operated on the basis of the required power generation amount, and operates the determined number of said unit fuel cell modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yukimasa Nakamoto, Kazunori Fujita
  • Patent number: 10790522
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack, a reformer, and an exhaust gas combustor. The fuel cell module further includes an exhaust gas combustion chamber equipped with the exhaust gas combustor and a preheating unit for heating a raw fuel by combustion exhaust gas produced in the exhaust gas combustor before the raw fuel is supplied to the reformer. The preheating unit forms one surface of the exhaust gas combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Kanao, Yuki Yoshimine, Tetsuya Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10781100
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a reformer and a plurality of fuel cells of solid oxide. The reformer reforms raw fuel to generate fuel gas. The plurality of fuel cells generates electric power by using the fuel gas and oxidant gas. The plurality of fuel cells is arranged in the up-down direction and the right-left direction. The reformer has a cell facing face that faces any of the plurality of fuel cells in the back-and-forth direction. This configuration improves temperature uniformity among the plurality of fuel cells, and as a result, suppresses or prevents a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Hashimoto, Kyohei Izuma, Kazuki Wakamiya, Kotaro Yagi
  • Patent number: 10756359
    Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a solid oxide fuel cell which generates a power by receiving a supply of an anode gas and a cathode gas. The system comprises a cathode gas supply unit to supply the cathode gas to the fuel cell via a cathode gas supply route; a first burner arranged in the cathode gas supply route, a second burner to burn an anode off-gas and a cathode off-gas, which are discharged from the fuel cell; a first branch path which is branched out from an upstream of the first burner and joins to a downstream of the first burner in the cathode gas supply route; and a second branch path which is branched out from a downstream of the first burner in the cathode gas supply route and joins to a cathode off-gas discharge route through which the cathode off-gas is discharged from the fuel cell to the second burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuichi Sato
  • Patent number: 10720651
    Abstract: A cathode electrode for a fuel cell, includes a conductive carrier having pores and a catalyst having a platinum alloy supported in the pores of the conductive carrier, wherein the catalyst has in a pore diameter range of 2 to 6 nm when diameters of the pores is plotted in relation with volumes of the pores a peak value of more than 1 cm3/g and also a BET specific surface area of 1300 m2/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Shimoi, Satoshi Takaichi, Shinichi Miyazaki, Takehiko Okui
  • Patent number: 10693158
    Abstract: A fuel cell system and corresponding methods are provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack configured for in-block reforming, as well as a pre-reformer. The fuel cell stack may include a plurality of fuel cells. The fuel cell stack may also include a fuel supply manifold, a fuel exhaust manifold, an oxidant supply manifold, and an oxidant exhaust manifold. The fuel supply manifold may be configured to receive fuel, and to supply the fuel to the fuel cell stack for in-block reforming. The fuel exhaust manifold may be configured to expel fuel exhaust from the fuel cell stack. The oxidant supply manifold may be configured to receive an oxidant and to supply the oxidant to the fuel cell stack for in-block reforming. The oxidant exhaust manifold may be configured to expel oxidant exhaust from the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Bozzolo, Robert Hay Cunningham, Gary John Saunders
  • Patent number: 10680261
    Abstract: A fuel cell system and corresponding methods are provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack configured for in-block reforming, as well as a pre-reformer. The fuel cell stack may include a plurality of fuel cells. The fuel cell stack may also include a fuel supply manifold, a fuel exhaust manifold, an oxidant supply manifold, and an oxidant exhaust manifold. The fuel supply manifold may be configured to receive fuel, and to supply the fuel to the fuel cell stack for in-block reforming. The fuel exhaust manifold may be configured to expel fuel exhaust from the fuel cell stack. The oxidant supply manifold may be configured to receive an oxidant and to supply the oxidant to the fuel cell stack for in-block reforming. The oxidant exhaust manifold may be configured to expel oxidant exhaust from the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Bozzolo, Robert Hay Cunningham, Gary John Saunders
  • Patent number: 10573907
    Abstract: A load-following fuel cell system for a grid system operating with a high penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources includes a baseload power generation module and a load-following power generation module. The baseload power generation module provides a baseload power to the grid system and includes a high-efficiency fuel cell system. The high-efficiency fuel cell system includes a topping module and a bottoming module. The topping module and the bottoming module are connected in series and the topping module provides an exhaust stream to the bottoming module. The load-following power generation module provides a load-following power to the grid system and includes an energy storage system that separates and stores hydrogen contained in the exhaust stream and a power generation system having one or more fuel cells. The power generation system receives the hydrogen from the energy storage system to provide the load-following power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Fred Jahnke, Ramakrishnan Venkataraman, George Berntsen, Ludwig Lipp, Pinakin Patel
  • Patent number: 10431840
    Abstract: Provided are a membrane electrode assembly, including a solid electrolyte layer, an anode layer provided on one side of the solid electrolyte layer, and a cathode layer provided on the other side of the solid electrolyte layer, the anode layer being stacked on the solid electrolyte layer to be pressed thereagainst, the anode layer including a porous anode member having electrical conductivity; and a method for manufacturing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignees: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., KYUSHU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chihiro Hiraiwa, Masatoshi Majima, Hiromasa Tawarayama, Takahiro Higashino, Yohei Noda, Naho Mizuhara, Tatsumi Ishihara
  • Patent number: 10381669
    Abstract: A fuel cell system and method is provided to control the volumetric ratio of a reformate and unreformed hydrocarbon fuel supplied to a fuel cell configured for in-stack reforming. The system includes a reformer having a number of high and low steam reforming activity channels which provide a full equilibrated fuel stream and a fuel stream having hydrocarbon levels slight lower than the hydrocarbon levels of the hydrocarbon fuel supplied to the reformer, respectively. The fuel streams can be mixed and supplied to the fuel cell to provide in-stack reforming while reducing or inhibiting the formation of carbon in the fuel stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: LG FUEL CELL SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Gerry D. Agnew, John R. Budge, Robert H. Cunningham, Eric Dean
  • Patent number: 10315716
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a high voltage apparatus for a fuel cell, a compressor for an air conditioner disposed under the high voltage apparatus for the fuel cell and constituting a module integrated with the high voltage apparatus for the fuel cell, and a power control unit separated from the high voltage apparatus for the fuel cell, disposed at a vehicle body over the compressor and configured to control an operation of a motor. The compressor and the high voltage apparatus for the fuel cell are connected by a single power wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Katano, Tsutomu Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 10320006
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the same, the interconnect including: a conductive core; an oxidation-resistant insulating part receiving therein; and an oxidation-resistant conductive material layer coated on an exposed surface of the conductive core, which is exposed to an external environment by removing a portion of the oxidation-resistant insulating part, so that the interconnect can maintain durability against high-temperature heat generated from a flat type solid oxide fuel cell for a long time and thus have a very small voltage loss due to oxidation even with the use over a long-time period; have no sealing problem and no delaminating problem of a coating film due to a difference in coefficient of thermal expansion; be inexpensive; and have a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Han Kim, Jong Ho Chung, Jong Sik Yoon, Bon Seok Koo
  • Patent number: 10259516
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a high voltage apparatus for a fuel cell, a compressor for an air conditioner disposed under the high voltage apparatus for the fuel cell and constituting a module integrated with the high voltage apparatus for the fuel cell, and a power control unit separated from the high voltage apparatus for the fuel cell, disposed at a vehicle body over the compressor and configured to control an operation of a motor. The compressor and the high voltage apparatus for the fuel cell are connected by a single power wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Katano, Tsutomu Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 10144641
    Abstract: A method for passively removing water from a stream of hydrogen gas includes receiving a stream of hydrogen gas that is water-saturated, having an initial pressure below about 1 psig and an initial temperature above about 25° C., compressing the stream of hydrogen gas to an elevated pressure, chilling the compressed stream of hydrogen gas to a low temperature, and condensing water from the compressed and chilled stream of hydrogen gas until the water content of the stream of hydrogen gas is below about 100 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Joshua M. Mermelstein
  • Patent number: 10029579
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a fuel cell system having a fuel cell that is mounted on a vehicle, and a controller for controlling the fuel cell system. The controller performs control to operate the fuel cell by switching as appropriate between a driving mode in which the vehicle travels, and an external power supply mode for supplying electric power to an external load. In the driving mode, a first voltage is set as a high-potential avoiding voltage, and in the external power supply mode, a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage is set as the high-potential avoiding voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Michito Norimoto
  • Patent number: 10014541
    Abstract: A method for producing a purified carbon dioxide product suitable for EOR and surplus electricity uses a vaporous hydrocarbon feed and a SOFC system. A SOFC system includes a condensate removal system, an acid gas removal system, a hydrodesulfurization system, a sorption bed system, a pre-reformer, a solid oxide fuel cell, a CO2 separations system and a CO2 dehydration system operable to form the purified carbon dioxide product, where the SOFC system is operable to produce surplus electricity from the electricity produced by the solid oxide fuel cell. A method of operating the pre-reformer to maximize the internal reforming capacity of a downstream solid oxide fuel cell uses a pre-reformer fluidly coupled on the upstream side of a solid oxide fuel cell. A method of enhancing hydrocarbon fluid recovery from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation using a SOFC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Aqil Jamal, Thang Pham, Aadesh Harale
  • Patent number: 9902287
    Abstract: A system and a method for managing power on board a vehicle is described herein, that allows power to be provided to electrical equipment of the vehicle in an optimized manner from a plurality of power sources without the charge of the equipment disrupting the electrical network of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: POWIDIAN
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Bourgeais
  • Patent number: 9806345
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy conversion device 10 comprising a stack of solid oxide electrochemical cells 12 alternating with gas separators 14, 16, wherein scavenger material selected from one or both of free alkali metal oxygen-containing compounds and free alkaline earth metal oxygen-containing compounds is provided in or on one or more of the positive electrode-side of the cell 12, the adjacent gas separator 14 and any other structure of the device 10 forming a gas chamber 64 between the cell and the gas separator. The invention also extends to the treated cell 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: CHAOZHOU THREE-CIRCLE (GROUP) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jihua Qiu, Shuoshuo Chen
  • Patent number: 9806360
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a unit cell for a solid-oxide fuel cell and to a solid-oxide fuel cell using same, and, more specifically, relates to: a unit cell for a solid-oxide fuel cell, wherein a fuel charging-and-discharging part and an air charging-and-discharging part are provided perpendicularly to a cathode comprised in the solid-oxide fuel cell; and a solid-oxide fuel cell using same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Ji-Haeng Yu, In-Sub Han, Doo-Won Seo, Se-Young Kim, Sang-Kuk Woo, Sun-Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 9806344
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy conversion device 10 comprising a stack of solid oxide electrochemical cells 12 alternating with gas separators 14, 16, wherein scavenger material selected from one or both of free alkali metal oxygen-containing compounds and free alkaline earth metal oxygen-containing compounds is provided in or on one or more of the negative electrode-side of the cell 12, the adjacent gas separator 16 and any other structure of the device 10 forming a gas chamber 66 between the cell and the gas separator. The invention also extends to the treated cell 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: CHAOZHOU THREE-CIRCLE (GROUP) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jihua Qiu, Shuoshuo Chen
  • Patent number: 9777629
    Abstract: This power generation system is provided with: a gas turbine (11) having a compressor (21), a combustor (22) and a turbine (23); a first compressed air supply line (26) that supplies compressed air, which has been compressed by the compressor (21), to the combustor (22); a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) (13) having an air electrode and a fuel electrode; a compressed air supply device (61) capable of generating compressed air; and a second compressed air supply line (31) that supplies compressed air, which has been compressed by the compressed air supply device (61) to the SOFC (13). The fuel cell can thus be stably operated regardless of the operating state of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yukimasa Nakamoto, Kazunori Fujita
  • Patent number: 9768461
    Abstract: Provided is a renewable energy power generation system (10) having a renewable energy power generating apparatus (12) arranged to generate electric power; and a hydrogen power generation module (20) having a separation unit (22) adapted to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen, and a fuel cell unit (28) adapted to receive air or oxygen, and hydrogen from said separation unit or from a hydrogen storage; the fuel cell unit being arranged to produce electric power in the presence of hydrogen and oxygen; wherein the hydrogen power generation module being adapted to receive electric power from the at least one renewable energy power generating apparatus at least prior to production of electric power by the fuel cell unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRYGEN PTY LTD
    Inventors: Colin Salmond, Grant Salmond
  • Patent number: 9755258
    Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a solid oxide fuel cell at conditions that can improve or optimize the combined electrical efficiency and chemical efficiency of the fuel cell. Instead of selecting conventional conditions for maximizing the electrical efficiency of a fuel cell, the operating conditions can allow for output of excess synthesis gas and/or hydrogen in the anode exhaust of the fuel cell. The synthesis gas and/or hydrogen can then be used in a variety of applications, including chemical synthesis processes and collection of hydrogen for use as a fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul J. Berlowitz, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Anita S. Lee
  • Patent number: 9664637
    Abstract: A microelectrochemical sensor includes an energy supply unit and a sensor unit. The energy supply unit is configured to generate electrical energy using a reference fluid. The sensor unit is configured to determine a concentration difference of a chemical species between a measuring fluid and the reference fluid. The measuring fluid has an unknown concentration of the species, and the reference fluid has a known concentration of the species. The sensor unit is electrically connected to the energy supply unit and is designed to determine the concentration difference using the electrical energy from the energy supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Fix, Denis Kunz, Andreas Krauss, Kathy Sahner, Philipp Nolte
  • Patent number: 9653742
    Abstract: A fuel cell system control device includes a carbon amount determination unit for determining the carbon amount in fuel gas supplied to a fuel cell stack depending on required output of the stack, a temperature detector unit for detecting temperature of a steam reformer and temperature of an evaporator, an S/C determination unit for determining a range of steam/carbon ratio based on the temperature of the steam reformer, a water supply amount determination unit for determining a range of the water supply amount to the evaporator based on the carbon amount and the steam/carbon ratio, an evaporator operating state determination unit for determining whether the temperature of the evaporator is a temperature determined based on the range of the water supply amount, and a reformer control unit for controlling the steam reformer and a partial oxidation reformer based on the result of the evaporator operating state determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ogawa, Ayatoshi Yokokawa