During Startup Or Shutdown Patents (Class 429/429)
  • Patent number: 11946149
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing alkali hydroxide and method for operating apparatus for producing alkali hydroxide are provided. A cooling chamber through which a coolant can pass is constructed by placing a separation wall in a cathode chamber on a side opposite to an ion-exchange membrane, and a flow rate adjuster, such as manual valves, which can adjust the supply flow rate of the coolant is placed in each unit cell. The electrolytic temperature of each unit cell is regulated at an optimum operating temperature depending on the current density by adjusting the flow rate of the coolant without individually adjusting the flow rate of salt water supplied to the unit cell or the concentration of the salt water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignees: TOAGOSEI CO., LTD., KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ohnishi, Tsugiyoshi Osakabe, Tatsurou Yamashita, Takuya Shimura, Mikihito Sugiyama, Yukinori Iguchi
  • Patent number: 11912416
    Abstract: Aircraft systems including a pressurized fuel tank containing a pressurized fuel, a turbo expander configured to receive the pressurized fuel from the fuel tank, the turbo expander configured to decrease a pressure of the pressurized fuel to generate low pressure fuel having pressure less than the pressurized fuel, a fuel-to-air heat exchanger configured to receive the low pressure fuel from the turbo expander as a first working fluid and air as a second working fluid, the heat exchanger configured to cool the air and warm the fuel, an aircraft cabin configured to receive the cooled air, and a fuel consumption system configured to consume the fuel to generate power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Giusi Quartarone, Erica Zavaglio, Federico Mattia Benzi, Ram Ranjan
  • Patent number: 11891710
    Abstract: In this disclosure, a process of recycling acid, base and the salt reagents required in the Li recovery process is introduced. A membrane electrolysis cell which incorporates an oxygen depolarized cathode is implemented to generate the required chemicals onsite. The system can utilize a portion of the salar brine or other lithium-containing brine or solid waste to generate hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide and carbonate salts. Simultaneous generation of acid and base allows for taking advantage of both chemicals during the conventional Li recovery from brines and mineral rocks. The desalinated water can also be used for the washing steps on the recovery process or returned into the evaporation ponds. The method also can be used for the direct conversion of lithium salts to the high value LiOH product. The method does not produce any solid effluent which makes it easy-to-adopt for use in existing industrial Li recovery plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: MANGROVE WATER TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Saad Dara, Beniamin Zahiri
  • Patent number: 11894709
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for determining, applying, and/or managing the state-of-health of fuel cell to control the lifespan of the fuel cell in a vehicle and/or powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventor: Archit Koti
  • Patent number: 11870114
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, an anode pipeline, a cathode pipeline, an anode discharge valve, a cathode supply valve, a cathode discharge valve, an anode pressure sensor, a cathode pressure sensor, and a control device. The control device determines whether a cross leak that is permeation abnormality of fuel gas or oxidant gas between an anode and a cathode on the basis of a pressure difference, which is difference between a pressure of the fuel gas and a pressure of the oxidant gas detected by the anode pressure sensor and the cathode pressure sensor in a stopped state of electric power generation of the plurality of fuel cell stacks, or a change in the pressure difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seiji Sugiura
  • Patent number: 11855319
    Abstract: When leakage of fuel gas is detected by detection signals or disruption of the detection signals is detected, a FCECU limits a supply amount of the fuel gas from a fuel gas supply device, and shuts off the supply of the fuel gas by the fuel gas supply device when determining, after limiting the supply amount of the fuel gas, that the leakage of the fuel gas or the disruption of the detection signals has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Nishio, Tomonari Hattori, Koichi Kato, Yusai Yoshimura, Kazuhide Inoue, Koichi Takaku, Kuniaki Ojima
  • Patent number: 11855317
    Abstract: A method for shutting down a fuel cell system (2) having at least one fuel cell (3), which fuel cell comprises an anode chamber (10) and a cathode chamber (6), wherein after the shut-down hydrogen remains in the anode chamber (10) of the fuel cell (3) in order to prevent carbon corrosion and to ensure a hydrogen protection time. The invention is characterized in that when the hydrogen in the anode chamber (10) is largely used up directly or after a specified number of subsequent meterings of hydrogen at least into the anode chamber (10), the hydrogen protection time is actively terminated by air being actively admitted into the cathode chamber (6), the fuel cell (3) being actively cooled before air is actively admitted into the cathode chamber (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Simon Erbach
  • Patent number: 11831048
    Abstract: A fuel cell system including an exhaust merging unit at which a cathode exhaust fluid containing water discharged from a cathode of a fuel cell stack merges with an anode exhaust fluid containing water discharged from an anode of the fuel cell stack, wherein the exhaust merging unit includes a cathode exhaust outlet for discharging the cathode exhaust fluid, an anode exhaust outlet for discharging the anode exhaust fluid, and a partition separating the cathode exhaust outlet and the anode exhaust outlet on an upstream side of a merging section at which the cathode exhaust outlet and the anode exhaust outlet merge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Yoshitomi, Yuta Hoshi
  • Patent number: 11824234
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fuel cell electrical power system, a first fuel cell module, a second fuel cell module, a heat exchanger, a common coolant, a first coolant piping branch, and a second coolant piping branch. A first pump and a first valve are disposed on the first coolant branch, and a second pump and a second valve are disposed on the second coolant branch. The fuel cell electrical power system is capable of functioning in a condition in which the second fuel cell module and the second pump are not operating to cause substantially all of the flow rate of coolant fluid produced by the first pump to circulate through the common coolant piping and to circulate substantially none of the flow rate of the coolant fluid produced by the first pump through the second fuel cell module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: First Mode IPP Limited
    Inventors: Adam Knez, Spencer M. Anunsen, Stuart Benson, Marie Pahlmeyer, Robert McMullen, Liam Burke
  • Patent number: 11804614
    Abstract: The power supply system includes: a fuel cell, capable of generating power; a power storage device, storing power generated by the fuel cell; and a control device, controlling at least the fuel cell. The control device, under a tendency that power consumption of a load at least connected with the fuel cell and the power storage device decreases, determines a first lower limit power based on power generated by the fuel cell before a predetermined time, causes the fuel cell to generate second power equal to or greater than the first lower limit power when first power generated by the fuel cell determined based on a power supplied to the load drops below the first lower limit power, and determines the first lower limit power with a tendency that the greater the generated power, the greater a difference between the generated power and the first lower limit power is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Sakai, Takuto Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11804608
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell. The fuel cell includes an anode having an anode inlet configured to receive anode feed gas, and an anode outlet configured to output anode exhaust. The fuel cell further includes a cathode having a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet. The fuel cell system further includes an anode blower configured to receive the anode exhaust and output a higher-pressure anode exhaust. The fuel cell system further includes an anode blower recycle line configured to receive a portion of the higher-pressure anode exhaust downstream from the anode blower and to output the portion of the higher-pressure anode exhaust upstream from the anode blower. The fuel cell system further includes a first valve disposed in the blower recycle line, the first valve configured to open when the anode of the fuel cell is under-pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Daly, Jeffrey Brown, Matthew Crowley, Robert S. Fournier, William J. Snyder, Fred C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 11791489
    Abstract: A redox flow battery system comprising a catholyte in fluid communication with a cathode, an anolyte in fluid communication with an anode, a membrane in fluid communication with the catholyte and the anolyte, and positive and negative terminals in contact with a power supply and a load. The positive and negative terminals configured to charge the redox flow battery in an opposite direction such that the anolyte is oxidized and the catholyte is reduced. The anolyte and the catholyte are kept separate and never mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: William T. Kender
  • Patent number: 11777118
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling start/stop of a parallel fuel cell system, which, when controlling stop of a parallel fuel cell system in which two or more fuel cell systems are connected in parallel, considers operating state information of each fuel cell system, such as a current speed value of an air compressor and an opening degree of an air-exhaust-side air pressure valve of a fuel cell stack. Accordingly, the method can calculate a delay time for performing fuel cell system stop control for the two or more fuel cell systems, and sequentially perform the fuel cell system stop control for the two or more fuel cell systems based on the calculated delay time. Therefore, it is possible to minimize output delay of each fuel cell system and to achieve deterioration prevention and efficiency improvement of the fuel cell stack by fuel cell system start/stop control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sung Do Kim, Joo Yeon Kim, Min Su Kang, Chang Seok You
  • Patent number: 11764371
    Abstract: A fuel cell system wherein the fuel cell comprises an electrolyte membrane; wherein the electrolyte membrane is a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membrane; wherein the controller has a data group showing a correlation between the current of the fuel cell and the temperature of the fuel cell which is necessary to keep a moisture content of the electrolyte membrane at a predetermined moisture content threshold or more; and wherein, when the temperature and voltage of the fuel cell become a predetermined first temperature threshold or more and a predetermined voltage threshold or more, respectively, the controller conducts a temperature dropping time power generation mode in which power generation is conducted while controlling the current of the fuel cell with reference to the data group, until the temperature of the fuel cell becomes a predetermined second temperature threshold which is lower than the first temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Dai Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 11757116
    Abstract: A system includes a fuel cell stack and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a current density of the fuel cell stack, determine a threshold voltage value, and compare a measured average fuel cell voltage value and the threshold voltage value. The controller is configured to set an allowed current and power draw of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATIONS
    Inventors: Nader Zaag, Sonia Sorbera, Hing Yan Edmond Chan, Chun Yu
  • Patent number: 11757110
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell assembly of a plurality of fuel cells configured to generate electrical power from a fuel flow and an oxidant flow to the plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cell assembly arranged in combination with a coolant storage module configured to supply the fuel cell assembly with a flow of coolant, the method performed when the temperature of the coolant in the coolant storage module is below a coolant temperature threshold and comprises; a first phase performed prior to activation of a coolant pump configured to deliver coolant from the coolant storage module to the fuel cell assembly and a second phase performed after activation of the coolant pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Shahin Moghimi, Nathaniel Thomas Palmer, Pratap Rama, Alex Mark Thirkell
  • Patent number: 11745140
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating inerting gas on vehicles are described. The systems include a proton exchange membrane (PEM) inerting system, a pure water replenishment system configured to provide pure water to the PEM inerting system, wherein the pure water replenishment system is in fluid communication with the PEM inerting system to replenish water lost during operation of the PEM inerting system, and a control system configured to control operation of the pure water replenishment system to automatically replenish pure water to the PEM inerting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Pess, Peter A T Cocks, Kevin P. Aceves, Michael L. Perry, Jonathan Rheaume
  • Patent number: 11738665
    Abstract: A cooling circuit operable with fuel of a fuel cell system includes a fuel tank storing fuel for the fuel cell system, a fuel compressor configured to increase a pressure of the fuel, a first heat exchanger configured to cool the pressurized fuel, a first conduit coupled to an outlet of the first heat exchanger, a first turbine coupled to the first conduit and configured to expand the pressurized and cooled fuel, and a second conduit coupled to an outlet of the first turbine and configured to direct the expanded fuel to the fuel cell system. Further disclosed is a vehicle including at least one cooling circuit or a cooling system having a cooling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Klimpel
  • Patent number: 11721819
    Abstract: A fuel cell system for air vehicles, wherein the fuel cell system comprises: a fuel cell, a fuel gas system for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell, a potential sensor, and a controller; wherein the fuel gas system comprises a fuel gas supplier; wherein the controller determines whether or not a potential of the fuel cell measured by the potential sensor, is a reversal potential; and wherein, when the controller determines that the potential of the fuel cell is a reversal potential, the controller increases a fuel gas supply from the fuel gas supplier to the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Okabe, Tomohiro Shinagawa, Yoshihiro Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 11705561
    Abstract: A method and system of controlling hydrogen purge are provided. The method includes estimating an air supply rate supplied to a fuel cell stack and then executing hydrogen purge based on the estimated air supply rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dae Jong Kim, Jun Young Park
  • Patent number: 11695136
    Abstract: The control device is configured so that when a temperature of the fuel cell at the time of start of power generation of the fuel cell is less than a standard temperature, it makes the fuel cell generate power so that the amount of heat generation of the fuel cell accompanying the power generation loss becomes a first amount of heat generation and so that when a cumulative value of current of a time period during which the fuel cell is made to generate power so that the amount of heat generation becomes the first amount of heat generation is equal to or greater than a predetermined cumulative value, it makes the fuel cell generate power so that the amount of heat generation becomes a second amount of heat generation larger than the first amount of heat generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryouichi Namba, Masahiro Ito, Koro Fujio, Hiroyuki Tsunekawa
  • Patent number: 11695146
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling an air supply system for a fuel cell. The air supply system includes a fuel cell stack, an air channel to supply air to an inlet of the fuel cell stack, a gas adsorption unit disposed on the air channel and configured to adsorb oxygen contained in air introduced into the air channel. In particular, the method includes: determining whether a power generation operation of the fuel cell stack is resumed; when the power generation operation of the fuel cell stack is resumed, controlling a voltage source to apply a voltage to the gas adsorption unit; and supplying air to the fuel cell stack through the air channel in a state in which the voltage is applied to the gas adsorption unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Young Min Kim
  • Patent number: 11682778
    Abstract: A fuel cell system for supplying anode gas and cathode gas to a fuel cell and causing the fuel cell to generate power according to a load includes a component that circulates discharged gas of either the anode gas or the cathode gas discharged from the fuel cell to the fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a power generation control unit that controls a power generation state of the fuel cell on the basis of the load, a freezing prediction unit that predicts the freezing of the component on the basis of a temperature of the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes an operation execution unit that executes a warm-up operation without stopping the fuel cell system or after the stop of the fuel cell system in the case of receiving a stop command of the fuel cell system when the freezing of the component is predicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignees: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., CELLCENTRIC GMBH & CO.KG
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Hoshi
  • Patent number: 11642982
    Abstract: A power plant thermal-management-system control method for controlling thermal management systems in PMCs is provided. The thermal management systems are operated based on coolant temperatures of the PMCs of a power plant of a fuel cell vehicle to prevent the temperatures of the PMCs from deviating from a reference range, which in turn prevents degradation of fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyun Jae Lee, Yei Sik Jeon
  • Patent number: 11641022
    Abstract: A system for controlling purge operation of a fuel cell assembly includes a controller and one or more sensors configured to obtain respective sensor data. The fuel cell stack is configured to receive a stack coolant. The controller is configured to execute a first purge mode when at least one of a first enabling condition and a second enabling condition is met. The first purge mode defines a first group of setpoints, including a relatively low cathode stoichiometric ratio. The controller is configured to switch to a second purge mode when the coolant temperature is above a minimum warm-up temperature and a third mode when a relative humidity value of a stack cathode output falls below a threshold humidity. The second purge mode defines a second group of setpoints, including a relatively high cathode stoichiometric ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Biju Edamana, Aaron R. Rogahn, Michael D. Cartwright, Manish Sinha
  • Patent number: 11637299
    Abstract: A hydrogen leakage detection system for detecting a hydrogen leakage in a fuel cell system includes: an outer shell configured to accommodate a hydrogen flow section; a hydrogen sensor; and a porous sheet disposed to delimit at least a part of a space within the outer shell and allowing permeation of hydrogen through the porous sheet in a thickness direction thereof. The hydrogen flow section is disposed in a region below the porous sheet, and the hydrogen sensor is disposed in a region above the porous sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiko Morinaga
  • Patent number: 11637303
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first ion exchanger, a first fuel cell stack and a second fuel cell stack, a first temperature acquisition part and a second temperature acquisition part, a first power generation time acquisition part and a second power generation time acquisition part, a supply path, an ion concentration estimation part that estimates ion concentration of a refrigerant on the basis of the ion concentration estimated by the ion concentration estimation part, a determination part that determines an exchange timing of the first ion exchanger on the basis of the ion concentration estimated by the ion concentration estimation part, and a control part, and a first refrigerant flow path and a second refrigerant flow path are provided in series or in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Yamano, Takuya Tamura
  • Patent number: 11631871
    Abstract: A startup control method for a fuel cell is provided. The method includes calculating available power of a high-voltage battery when a startup of the fuel cell is requested. An air compressor is then driven based on a calculated magnitude of the available power of the high-voltage battery and a low-voltage battery is charged with the power of the high-voltage battery after the driving of the air compressor is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mi Sun Kim, Dae Jong Kim
  • Patent number: 11626602
    Abstract: To provide a warming-up system in which a period of time taken to warm up a fuel cell is shorter than that for conventional ones. A warming-up system according to an embodiment includes a fuel cell, a motor, a rotation shaft, a speed reducer, a measuring unit, and a control unit. The motor convert electrical power generated by the fuel cell into a rotative force. The speed reducer brake the rotation shaft that is rotating. The measuring unit measure a temperature of the fuel cell. The control unit is configured to determine whether to perform warming up for the fuel cell, based on the temperature. When the control unit determines to perform the warming up, the control unit causes the motor and the speed reducer to operate, and uses heat generated in the fuel cell and heat generated in the speed reducer to warm up the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Nakajima, Junya Miyazaki, Kento Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 11563223
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, an anode system apparatus, a control unit, an anode outlet temperature sensor, and a purge valve. In a method of starting operation of the fuel cell system at low temperature, a control unit compares a predetermined freezing temperature threshold value with an anode outlet temperature detected by an anode outlet temperature sensor. Then, the control unit performs low temperature control to place the purge valve in the constantly open state in the case where the temperature is not higher than the freezing temperature threshold value, and performs normal control for switching opening/closing of the purge valve in the case where the temperature exceeds the freezing temperature threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhide Inoue, Jumpei Ogawa, Nobuki Koiwa
  • Patent number: 11557777
    Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a controller configured to determine whether a condition relating to a stop pattern of the fuel cell system satisfies a predetermined condition, and an output unit configured to output a warning when it is determined that the condition relating to the stop pattern satisfies the predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Baba, Shinji Aikawa
  • Patent number: 11555713
    Abstract: An input of a destination and an input of a desired number of power supply facilities via which a vehicle travels on a route from a present location to the destination until an amount of power available becomes 0 are received. The number of facilities are selected and the route to the destination via the number of facilities is specified, the number of facilities being selected such that an amount of power with which the vehicle is able to travel a distance obtained by adding a margin distance to a distance to a farthest facility is less than the amount of power available when the route is specified. An alert is reported when the amount of power available is less than an amount of power required to travel the distance obtained by adding the margin distance to the distance to the farthest facility of the selected facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Ota
  • Patent number: 11552314
    Abstract: To provide a fuel-efficient fuel cell system configured to eliminate flooding in a fuel-based gas flow path, etc. The fuel cell system is a fuel cell system comprising a first fuel cell stack, a second fuel cell stack, a fuel gas supplier, a first supply flow path, a first circulation flow path, a second supply flow path, a second circulation flow path, a first bypass flow path which includes a first on-off valve, a second bypass flow path which includes a second on-off valve, a temperature detector, a current detector, a voltage detector and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11552310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling system (10) for fuel cell stacks (22, 26), comprising a first cooling module (14) and a second cooling module (18). The first cooling module (14) comprises a fuel cell stack (22, 26), a supply line connection (30, 34) for connecting a supply line (38, 42) for supplying coolant to the fuel cell stack (22, 26), a discharge line connection (46, 50) for connecting a discharge line (54, 58) for discharging coolant from the fuel cell stack (22, 26), and a venting line connection (94, 98) for connecting a venting line (102, 106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: Nikola Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kevin Lynk, Jesse Schneider, Werner Belschner, Jorg Heyse, Markus Remlinger
  • Patent number: 11489183
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack including fuel and air electrodes, a fuel gas supply module configured to supply hydrogen and oxygen, as fuel gases, to the fuel cell stack, a fuel gas supply line including channels through which the fuel gases are supplied to the fuel cell stack, a humidification module disposed in the fuel gas supply line and configured to supply moisture to the fuel gases, and a controller configured to control the fuel gas supply line such that the fuel gases bypass the humidification module and are directly supplied to the fuel cell stack when temperature of the fuel cell stack is determined low at an initial stage of operation of the fuel cell stack, and the fuel gases pass through the humidification module and are supplied to the fuel cell stack when the temperature reaches a normal temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ju Hae Jung, Hyun Bae Dong
  • Patent number: 11479125
    Abstract: A braking control unit of a fuel cell vehicle is configured to, in a period during which the fuel cell vehicle is being braked in response to a braking request, (i) when an estimated amount of stagnant water is less than a predetermined second water amount less than a first water amount, limit an upper limit electric power of a regenerated electric power resulting from regenerative operation to a predetermined first value or below, and (ii) when the estimated amount of stagnant water is greater than or equal to the second water amount, execute an upper limit changing process of setting an upper limit electric power to a second value lower by a predetermined value than the first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junichi Oura, Ryouichi Namba
  • Patent number: 11476482
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system capable of suppressing the movement of an operating point of a compressor between a surge region and a non-surge region to reduce operation sounds and vibrations, the fuel cell system including at least: a fuel cell; a compressor; a dry state estimation part to estimate a dry state of the fuel cell; and a pressure target control part to control a pressure target, wherein the pressure target control part is capable of executing at least rise control and lower control, the rise control and the lower control being such that an operating point of the compressor is positioned outside a surge region, a current pressure target is corrected to the value same as a last pressure target if the current pressure target is lower (higher) than the last pressure target when the rise control (lower control) is being carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuya Kawahara, Hiroyuki Imanishi, Takeho Aisaka
  • Patent number: 11476480
    Abstract: A steam vaporizer assembly includes an internal steam generator having a vessel configured to hold water, a vaporizer unit having a heating element configured to heat the water to generate saturated steam; and a controller configured to: cause the heating element to heat the water to a stand-by temperature; and while maintaining a water level of the water in the vessel between two control points: maintain the water in the vessel at the stand-by temperature until steam generation is required, and when steam generation is required, heating the water in the vessel from the stand-by temperature to a temperature at or above a vaporization temperature of the water using a heating element, to generate the steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Dobek, Stephen Jolly, Keith Davis
  • Patent number: 11469429
    Abstract: A fuel cell system ensures estimation on a cooling capacity by produced water in an intercooler when water is provided. A control device in a fuel cell system includes a freeze determination unit, a required pressure calculator, a discharge pressure setting unit, a power supplying unit, and a melting estimation unit. The freeze determination unit determines a freezing of produced water in an intercooler. The required pressure calculator calculates a pressure of air discharged from an air compressor. The discharge pressure unit sets the discharge air compressor to a melt pressure when the required pressure is the melt pressure or more. The power supplying unit performs power generation with the melt pressure for a melting period set to melt the frozen produced water, and supplies the generated power to the motor. The unit estimates the melting of the frozen water in the intercooler has completed after the melting period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuya Kusano
  • Patent number: 11469431
    Abstract: A system for estimating a concentration of hydrogen in a fuel cell is provided. The system includes a hydrogen supply line supplying the hydrogen to the fuel cell and a time measurement sensor measuring a time duration from a point in time when an operation of the fuel cell ends to a point in time when the fuel cell restarts. A controller estimates an amount of air introduced into the fuel cell during the time duration using the measured time duration and estimates a concentration of hydrogen in the hydrogen supply line at the time of restarting the fuel cell based on the measured time duration and the estimated amount of introduced air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Soon Woo Kwon, Hyun Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 11462757
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes first and second fuel cells, first and second coolers cooling coolant, first and second coolant supply path from the coolers to the fuel cells, first and second coolant discharge paths from the fuel cells to the coolers, a detour path connecting the first coolant supply path and the first coolant discharge path bypassing the first cooler, an adjusting device adjusting a flow rate of coolant of the detour path, first and second connection paths connecting the coolant supply paths and the coolant discharge paths, first and second opening/closing valves in the connection paths, and a controller configured to, when there is a possibility of flooding, suspend power generation of the first fuel cell and control the adjusting device or the first cooling device such that a temperature of the coolant of the first fuel cell increases, and open the opening/closing valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11431009
    Abstract: A power management server controls a fuel cell system including a power generator. The power management server includes at least one processor. The processor is configured to execute a reception process and control process. The reception process incudes a reception process of receiving a massage including an information element indicating an operation state of the fuel cell system. The control process includes a control process of controlling the fuel cell system which the operation state is a power generating state, in preference to the fuel cell system which the operation state is a starting up state, stopping state, and stop operating state, in a control target period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryota Terai
  • Patent number: 11431005
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high-temperature operating fuel cell system including: a fuel cell stack; a combustor that combusts a cathode off-gas and an anode off-gas; a heat insulator that covers at least part of the fuel cell stack and at least part of the combustor; a first preheater that covers at least part of the heat insulator and preheats an oxidant gas; an oxidant gas feeder that supplies the oxidant gas to the first preheater; a vacuum heat insulator that covers at least part of the first preheater; a sensor that detects information indicating stopping of a power generation operation; and a controller. When a determination is made that the power generation has stopped, the controller controls the oxidant gas feeder to supply the oxidant gas to the first preheater so that the temperature of the vacuum heat insulator is equal to or lower than a prescribed temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Nakata, Kunihiro Ukai, Masakazu Aoki
  • Patent number: 11411232
    Abstract: A process for starting a PEM fuel cell module includes blowing air through the cathode side of the module using external power. An amount hydrogen is released into the anode side of the module under a pressure greater than the pressure of the air on the cathode side, while the anode is otherwise closed. Cell voltages in the module are monitored for the appearance of a charged state sufficient to start the module. When the charged state is observed, the module is converted to a running state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel Ian Joos, Paolo Forte, Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 11398632
    Abstract: A fuel-cell vehicle in which a fuel cell which is a driving power source is mounted includes a refrigerant flow passage that is connected to the fuel cell, a first pump that causes a refrigerant to flow in the refrigerant flow passage, a heater that heats the refrigerant, and a connection part that is electrically connected to the heater and the first pump and that is used for electrical connection to an external power source which is provided outside the fuel-cell vehicle. The heater and the first pump are driven with electric power supplied from the external power source which is connected thereto via the connection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaya Yano
  • Patent number: 11398633
    Abstract: A coolant storage tank (1) for storing coolant in a fuel cell system (2), the coolant storage tank comprising a plurality of individually controllable heater elements (7, 8a, 8b). A coolant storage tank comprising a first heater element (7) located at a base of the coolant storage tank and a second heater element (8a) is also disclosed. A coolant storage tank comprising a first coolant storage compartment (50) in fluid communication with a second coolant storage compartment (51), the first coolant storage compartment including at least a first heater element (54) and wherein the second coolant storage compartment is unheated is also disclosed. A method of melting frozen coolant in a coolant storage tank is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Ninan, Nathaniel Palmer, Sophie Charlotte Harris, Phillip Wardle, Jonathan Cole, Iain Fraser, Peter David Hood, Paul Leonard Adcock
  • Patent number: 11387473
    Abstract: An apparatus configured for controlling emergency driving for a fuel cell vehicle may include a failure detector configured to detect whether a purge valve and a drain valve fails; a determination portion configured to measure voltages of channels of a fuel cell stack to determine whether stability of the fuel cell stack is secured; and a controller configured to control, when the stability of the fuel cell stack is not secured and a failure occurs on one or more of the purge valve and the drain valve, one or more of an operating pressure and an operating temperature of the fuel cell stack and a current applied to the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ik Jae Son
  • Patent number: 11380921
    Abstract: A system includes an electrical storage device that stores an electric power generated by a fuel cell, an electric load to which the electric power is supplied using the electric power of the fuel cell and/or the electrical storage device, and an electric power control part that controls supply of the electric power to the electric load, and the electric power control part performs warming-up control of the fuel cell when an electric power requested to be generated at the fuel cell is less than a predetermined value, and causes the fuel cell to generate an electric power that is greater than the electric power requested to be generated at the fuel cell and causes to store excess electric power in the electrical storage device when the electric power requested to be generated at the fuel cell is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoji Sakai, Akihiro Matsui
  • Patent number: 11362350
    Abstract: The invention concerns fuel cell systems and methods for converting chemical energy of a fuel containing hydrogen into electricity. According to the invention, a fuel cell stack is provided having at least one anode and one cathode separated by a proton-exchange membrane. A fuel transport circuit feeds fuel to the fuel cell stack, and a temperature control system is adapted to control the temperature of the fuel cell stack by circulating a coolant medium through said fuel cell stack. The temperature control system includes a pump for circulating the coolant medium, a heater unit connected to a coolant transport circuit for heating the coolant with a PTC heater, a heat radiation unit connected to the coolant transport circuit for removing excess heat, and a temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventor: Pauli Koski
  • Patent number: 11362357
    Abstract: A system and method for generating vibrations in a fuel cell system include a vibration device which can be arranged on the fuel cell system or is formed by at least one component of the fuel cell system, for generating excitation vibrations which can be transmitted to the component. An electronic actuating system includes a controller and memory for actuating the vibration device, which may include a coolant pump or a compressor, at a natural frequency of a fuel system component for de-icing. At temperatures below 0° C., the electronic actuating system is adapted to actuate the vibration device during a switch-on process and/or a switch-off process of the fuel cell system taking into consideration at least one natural frequency of the component. Embodiments including actuating a compressor, cooling pump, and/or valve to transmit vibrations to a component to be de-iced at a natural frequency of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Julio Orozco Santos Coy, Rolf Lorenz Loeffler, Arnulf Sponheimer