Including Heat Exchange Means Patents (Class 429/434)
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Patent number: 12132234Abstract: A fuel cell interconnect includes fuel ribs disposed on a first side of the interconnect and a least partially defining fuel channels, and air ribs disposed on an opposing second side of the interconnect and at least partially defining air channels. The fuel channels include central fuel channels disposed in a central fuel field and peripheral fuel channels disposed in peripheral fuel fields disposed on opposing sides of the central fuel field. The air channels include central air channels disposed in a central air field and peripheral air channels disposed in peripheral air fields disposed on opposing sides of the central air field. At least one of the central fuel channels or the central air channels has at least one of a different cross-sectional area or length than at least one of the respective peripheral fuel channels or the respective peripheral air channels.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2022Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Gasda, Cheng-Yu Lin, Ling-Hsiang Chen, Harald Herchen, Ian Russell, Tad Armstrong
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Patent number: 12107277Abstract: An electrochemical cell cathode catalyst layer includes electrocatalyst particles, an electrocatalyst support having an electronically conductive porous material including a plurality of pores with a diameter of less than or equal to 10 nm having a surface morphology comprising a plurality of peaks and valleys, the surface morphology being configured to contain the electrocatalyst particles within the plurality of pores and to enhance mass transport of molecular oxygen to the electrocatalyst particles by adsorbing molecular oxygen to the surface morphology, and an ionomer adhered to the electrocatalyst, the electrocatalyst support, or both.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Mordechai Kornbluth, Daniil A Kitchaev, Jonathan Braaten, Lei Cheng, Christina Johnston
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Patent number: 12057607Abstract: An electrochemical device is provided, including a stack of a plurality of electrochemical units, at least one medium channel extending along a stack direction, at least one flow field via which a medium is able to flow transversely to the stack direction from the medium channel to another medium channel, and at least one connecting channel via which the flow field and the medium channel are in fluidic connection. The connecting channel has a medium channel-side mouth opening extending along a circumferential direction of the flow field from a first medium channel-side rim to a second medium channel-side rim, and a flow field-side mouth opening extending along the circumferential direction from a first to a second flow field-side rim. At least one of the flow field-side rims is offset away from the respective other flow field-side rim along the circumferential direction in relation to one of the medium channel-side rims.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: ElringKlinger AGInventors: Juergen Kraft, Manuel Morcos
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Patent number: 12003004Abstract: Fuel cell stack assemblies having a positive end plate and a negative end plate. The end plates can be formed from a central structural element with an insulating end plate cover and an insulating end plate manifold. A plurality of cathode plates and a plurality of fuel cell assemblies can be arranged in a stack having an alternating pattern of cathode plates and fuel cell assemblies, with the positive end plate and the negative end plate provided on either end of the stack of cathode plates and fuel cell assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2022Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Stephen Longley, Jonathan Cole
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Patent number: 12003006Abstract: A fuel cell system according to the present embodiment includes a fuel cell stack, a cooling-water tank having a cooling-water supply port to which a cooling-water supply pipe coupled to a cooling-water inlet manifold is coupled at the other end, a first oxygen-containing-gas discharge pipe coupled at one end to an air outlet manifold being coupled to the cooling-water tank at the other end, the cooling-water tank being configured to supply cooling water from the cooling-water inlet manifold, and a pressure-loss part to which a second oxygen-containing-gas discharge pipe coupled at one end to an air discharge port of the cooling-water tank is coupled at the other end, and to which a fuel-gas discharge pipe coupled at one end to a fuel-outlet manifold provided in a downstream outlet of the fuel-electrode passage is coupled at the other end.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2020Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventor: Soichiro Shimotori
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Patent number: 11967739Abstract: The invention relates to a separator plate for an electrochemical system, comprising a first and a second plate, which are essentially congruently arranged on top of one another. The first and/or second plates furthermore include at least one elongated projection, which protrudes on opposite sides from a plate plane of the separator plate and extends along the plate plane from an outer edge to an interior of the separator plate so that the projection of the first plate and/or the projection of the second plate, if necessary together, form a receptacle for a connector pin. The projection of the first plate or the projection of the second plate includes an indentation directed toward the respective opposite plate for fixing the connector pin in the receptacle in a force-fit and/or form-locked manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2019Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: REINZ-DICHTUNGS-GMBHInventors: Ahmet Oruc, Thomas Stoehr
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Patent number: 11923569Abstract: A fuel cell unit that includes a support structure having a plurality of flow channels and an active layer membrane coupled with the support structure, the active layer membrane comprising at least one electrode layer. Each flow channel of the plurality of flow channels is configured to direct one of air and fuel across at least one electrode layer of an active layer membrane to create electric current. Each flow channel of the plurality of flow channels includes at least one enhancement feature that is configured to disrupt a formation of a boundary layer near a surface of the active layer membrane where reactions occur. The plurality of flow channels can be positioned in a zig-zag configuration to allow for an increase in power density of the fuel cell unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hendrik Pieter Jacobus de Bock, Richard L. Hart, Honggang Wang, Narendra D. Joshi
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Patent number: 11923568Abstract: A fuel electrode incorporates a first and second corrugated portion that are attached to each other at offset angles respect to their corrugation axis and therefore reinforce each other. A first corrugated portion may extend orthogonally with respect to a second corrugated portion. The first and second corrugated portions may be formed from metal wire and may therefore have a very high volumetric void fraction and a high surface area to volume ratio (sa/vol). In addition, the strands of the wire may be selected to enable high conductivity to the current collectors while maximizing the sa/vol. In addition, the shape of the corrugation, including the period distance, amplitude and geometry may be selected with respect to the stiffness requirements and electrochemical cell application factors. The first and second corrugated portions may be calendared or crushed to reduce thickness of the fuel electrode.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: FORM ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Joel Ryan Hayes, Ramkumar Krishnan, Todd Trimble, Clifford Anderson
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Patent number: 11923525Abstract: Systems and methods for managing airflow in a backup battery unit (BBU) rack are described in the disclosure. In one embodiment, a system includes a BBU rack with a number of BBU modules, the BBU rack configured to power a server rack in a data center. The system further includes one or more crossflow fans, each crossflow fan configured to dynamically adjust its air blowing direction in real time; and a rack management controller that are connected to the server rack, the BBU rack and the one or more crossflow fans. The crossflow fan is equipped with a rotatable frame for airflow variations. The one or more crossflow fans to diffuse cooling air into one or more of the BBU modules in response to a power supply incident after receiving control signals from either a rack management controller and/or the BBU rack controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: BAIDU USA LLCInventor: Tianyi Gao
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Patent number: 11784330Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell control system including: a fuel cell supplied with each of hydrogen and oxygen and configured to generate electric power by means of a chemical reaction therein; a cooling system having a heat-exchange device capable of exchanging heat with external air, the cooling system being configured such that cooling water circulates therein and exchanges heat with the fuel cell; a temperature sensing unit configured to sense a fuel cell temperature or a cooling water temperature in the cooling system; and a cooling control unit configured to control the cooling system so as to additionally cool the fuel cell when the fuel cell stops generating electric power, if the fuel cell temperature or the cooling water temperature sensed by the temperature sensing unit while the fuel cell generates electric power is equal to or higher than a preconfigured performance degradation temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Sung Bum Choi, Choong Woon Lim
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Patent number: 11784324Abstract: A separator for a fuel cell is overlapped with a membrane electrode assembly to form a stack unit of a power generation cell stack body. The separator is provided with a positioning section to be overlapped in the stacking direction in a manner that the stack units are positioned with respect to each other. A marginal portion of the positioning section has a bent surface formed by bending the separator.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hidenori Okamura
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Patent number: 11745881Abstract: A stack fuel cell array featuring paired fuel-cell systems combined to generate 540 VDC for a rotorcraft. Power from the hydrogen-based fuel cells is provided to the rotorcraft. A rated electrical load of the rotorcraft helps determine how many paired fuel-cell systems are needed during any fuel-cell systems failures. Each of the paired fuel-cell systems is coupled to an electrical load of the rotorcraft. The system detects any fuel cell failures and removes other working fuel cells as needed to balance the electrical system.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Joseph Dean Rainville
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Patent number: 11710841Abstract: A reaction device comprising: a first flow path to which a fuel gas is supplied; a second flow path to which a gas containing oxygen is supplied; a hydrogen permeable membrane that separates the first flow path and the second flow path and allows hydrogen contained in the fuel gas supplied to the first flow path to permeate toward the second flow path; and a catalyst that is provided in the second flow path and promotes oxidation reaction between the oxygen and hydrogen passing through the hydrogen permeable membrane, wherein the hydrogen permeable membrane comprises a barium zirconium oxide membrane.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: TOKYO GAS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuharu Kawabata, Yoshio Matsuzaki, Koki Sato
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Patent number: 11710640Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic sampling of a sample for the determination of chemical element concentrations and control of semiconductor processes are described. A system embodiment includes a remote sampling system configured to collect a sample of phosphoric acid at a first location, the remote sampling system including a remote valve having a holding loop coupled thereto; and an analysis system configured for positioning at a second location remote from the first location, the analysis system coupled to the remote valve via a transfer line, the analysis system including an analysis device configured to determine a concentration of one or more components of the sample of phosphoric acid and including a sample pump at the second location configured to introduce the sample from the holding loop into the transfer line for analysis by the analysis device.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: ELEMENTAL SCIENTIFIC, INC.Inventors: Kyle W. Uhlmeyer, Jae Seok Lee, Daniel R. Wiederin, Patrick Sullivan
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Patent number: 11682782Abstract: A modular fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly interposed between a pair of bipolar plates, and the membrane electrode assembly has a total active area measured in an x-y plane that is generally perpendicular to the z-axis. Each bipolar plate includes a plurality of common passages extending generally parallel to the z-axis. The total active area of the membrane electrode assembly includes a plurality of base active areas arranged co-planar in the x-y plane along an x-axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Filippo Gambini, Amedeo Conti, Scott Blanchet
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Patent number: 11652219Abstract: A hybrid bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell includes a formed cathode half plate and a stamped metal anode half plate. The stamped metal anode half plate is nested with and affixed to the formed cathode half plate. Each of the half plates has a reactant side and a coolant side, a feed region, and a header with a plurality of header apertures. The coolant side of the formed cathode half plate has support features that can be different from and need not correspond with cathode flow channels formed on the opposite reactant side. The coolant side of the stamped metal anode half plate has lands corresponding with anode channels formed on the opposite oxidant side. The lands define a plurality of coolant channels on the coolant side of the stamped metal anode half plate and abut the coolant side of the formed cathode half plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2018Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Jiangsu Horizon New Energy Technologies CO. LTD.Inventor: Zhijun Gu
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Patent number: 11637295Abstract: The invention relates to a media management plate (1) for a fuel cell assembly (5), a fuel cell system (10) comprising the media management plate and a fuel cell assembly, and a method of operating a fuel cell system (10) comprising a fuel cell assembly (5) and the media management plate (1). All lines for supplying and discharging the fuel cell media and all devices necessary for treating the fuel cell media are integrated in the media management plate (1). The media management plate (1) can be heated by means of coolant and is functional both when oriented vertically and horizontally.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: PROTON MOTOR FUEL CELL GMBHInventor: Quirin Meder
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Patent number: 11594750Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for transporting and hydrating a redox flow battery system with a portable field hydration system. In one example, the redox flow battery system may be hydrated with the portable field hydration system in a dry state, in the absence of liquids. In this way, a redox flow battery system may be assembled and transported from a battery manufacturing facility to an end-use location off-site while the redox flow battery system is in the dry state, thereby reducing shipping costs, design complexities, as well as logistical and environmental concerns.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: ESS TECH, INC.Inventors: Yang Song, Kenneth Kiyoshi Fisher, Timothy McDonald
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Patent number: 11566589Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing an EGR cooler including a barrier layer applied to EGR cooler components while allowing sufficient heat transfer between exhaust gases and the cooling medium. A barrier layer may be applied onto particular surfaces of the EGR cooler components to prevent deposition of hydrocarbons or soot on the EGR cooler components. In some arrangements, the barrier layer may comprise a refractory solid oxide. In other arrangements, an EGR cooler may comprise a catalytic barrier layer. The catalytic barrier layer may include a refractory solid oxide and a platinum group metal or mixed metal oxide to prevent accumulation of varnish material deposited onto EGR cooler components.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2022Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLCInventors: Navtej Singh, Bradley Jay Adelman, Timothy M. Lyons, Paul Lawrence Berke, Darren William Gosbee, John C. McCuisition
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Patent number: 11552309Abstract: An electrochemical device comprises a stack consisting of a plurality of electrochemical units which succeed one another along a stack direction and which each include a membrane electrode arrangement, a bipolar plate and at least one sealing element, at least one medium channel which extends along the stack direction, a flow field through which a medium can flow from the medium channel to another medium channel, and a connection channel through which the flow field and the medium channel are in fluid connection with one another, wherein the sealing arrangement includes a connection channel region in which the sealing arrangement crosses the connection channel, and at least one neighboring region which is located in front of or behind the connection channel region in the longitudinal direction of the sealing arrangement, wherein the sealing arrangement has a lower average height in the connection channel region than in the neighboring region.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: ElringKlinger AGInventors: Juergen Kraft, Peter Stahl, Michael Goetz, Manuel Morcos
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Patent number: 11539058Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell configured to produce electrical power by a chemical reaction of a flow of fuel and a flow of oxygen or air with an electrolyte and a cooling system configured to remove thermal energy from the fuel cell via a flow of coolant through the fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes one or more conductivity sensors configured to measure a change in conductivity of the coolant flow. A method of operating a fuel cell system includes producing electrical power at a fuel cell by a chemical reaction of a flow of fuel and a flow of air with an electrolyte, urging a flow of coolant through the fuel cell to remove thermal energy and ions from the fuel cell, and measuring a conductivity of the flow of coolant via one or more conductivity sensors.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Eric A. Nelson, Eric A. Rohrbach, Nicholas Edward Osepowicz, Adam Hathaway
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Patent number: 11515546Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly of an electrochemical device includes a proton conductive solid electrolyte membrane and an electrode including Ni and an electrolyte material which contains as a primary component, at least one of a first compound having a composition represented by BaZr1-x1M1x1O3 (M1 represents at least one element selected from trivalent elements each having an ion radius of more than 0.720 A° to less than 0.880 A°, and 0<x1<1 holds) and a second compound having a composition represented by BaZr1-x2Tmx2O3 (0<x2<0.3 holds).Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Kosuke Yamauchi, Takehito Goto, Tomoya Kamata, Yuichi Mikami, Tomohiro Kuroha, Atsuo Okaichi, Yoichiro Tsuji, Yuji Okuyama
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Patent number: 11495821Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes an insulating collar member provided in an end plate and screwed with a positioning pin, and a rotation restriction mechanism that restricts rotation of the collar member relative to the end plate in a screw tightening direction of the positioning pin. A method of assembling the fuel cell stack includes a screwing step and a stacking step. In the screwing step, rotation of the collar member relative to the end plate in the screw tightening direction of the positioning pin is restricted by the rotation restriction mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hideharu Naito, Masahiro Sato
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Patent number: 11465515Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle comprising an electricity production unit configured for generating an electrical current, a transformer unit and a fuel storage unit, the production unit comprising at least two fuel cell stacks and a single first electrical connection interface for transmitting the electrical current to the transformer unit. The production unit further comprises a single cooling circuit, an air supply circuit and a single gaseous hydrogen supply circuit for supplying gaseous hydrogen, from the fuel storage unit, to each fuel cell stack. The production unit is separate from the fuel storage unit and connected to the fuel storage unit by a single connection interface, the production unit being removable from the vehicle as an integrated unit independently from the fuel storage unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Alstom Transport TechnologiesInventors: Konrad Steindorff, Stefan Schrank
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Patent number: 11462748Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell separator, includes: stacking a first separator plate and a second separator plate having first and second protruding portions so that the first and second protruding portions protrude in a direction away from the first separator plate, the first and second protruding portions being adjacent to both sides of a first junction portion to be joined to the first separator plate; pressing the first and second protruding portions toward the first separator plate so that the first junction portion is pressed against the first separator plate; and joining the first junction portion to the first separator plate while the first junction portion is being pressed against the first separator plate, wherein in the pressing, the first junction portion is pressed against the first separator plate by elastic deformation of a first bent portion bent between the first junction portion and the first protruding portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazunori Shibata
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Patent number: 11462763Abstract: A system of fuel cells for an aircraft including a plurality of fuel cells, a hydrogen circuit, a cooling circuit and a first air circuit configured to supply oxygen to a first subset of fuel cells having at least two cells. The first air circuit includes an air flow restrictor at each fuel cell inlet of the first subset and configured to distribute the air between the fuel cells of the first subset, and an outlet valve connected to the outlet of the fuel cells of the first subset, the opening of the outlet valve being controlled by a computer as a function of an electrical power that is to be produced by the fuel cells of the first subset. The use of the same air circuit to supply oxygen to several fuel circuits makes it possible to limit the bulk of the fuel cells system.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignees: Airbus SAS, Airbus Operations SAS, Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Didier Poirier, Guido Klewer, Anthony Roux, Olivier Raspati, Matthieu Thomas, Olivier Verseux, Manuel Silvestre Salas
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Patent number: 11450865Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack formed from a plurality of cell units, which have gas diffusion layers, wherein the gas diffusion layer of at least one of the edge cell units has a heat transfer mechanism of reduced efficiency in comparison with the gas diffusion layer of a cell unit from the middle of the fuel cell stack. A motor vehicle may include such a fuel cell system.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignees: VOLKSWAGEN AG, AUDI AGInventors: Lasse Schmidt, Hannes Scholz, Sebastian Kirsch
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Patent number: 11450862Abstract: A separator for a fuel cell, includes a separator plate provided with a flow path groove group through which the reaction gas flows. The flow path groove group includes a single first flow path groove, a plurality of second flow path grooves, and a branch portion that connects an end portion of the first flow path groove to end portions of the second flow path grooves. The branch portion includes a narrow portion having a narrower groove width than a groove width of a remaining portion of the branch portion. A groove depth of the narrow portion is shallower than a groove depth of the remaining portion of the branch portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Wataru Otsu, Naohiro Hoshikawa, Masayuki Ito, Takahiro Kato
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Patent number: 11444286Abstract: Electrochemical cells, such as those present within flow batteries, can include at least one electrode with one face being more hydrophilic than is the other. Such electrodes can lessen the incidence of parasitic reactions by directing convective electrolyte circulation toward a separator in the electrochemical cell. Flow batteries containing the electrochemical cells can include: a first half-cell containing a first electrode with a first face and a second face that are directionally opposite one another, a second half-cell containing a second electrode with a first face and a second face that are directionally opposite one another, and a separator disposed between the first half-cell and the second half-cell. The first face of both the first and second electrodes is disposed adjacent to the separator. The first face of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is more hydrophilic than is the second face.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy, LLCInventors: Jeremy Loretz, Srivatsava Venkataranga Puranam, Helen Elizabeth Vanbenschoten
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Patent number: 11437636Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell a current sensor that detects a current of the fuel cell, a plurality of cell voltage sensors that detects a voltage in a unit of one or two or more cells of the fuel cell among the cells, a pump that adjusts a flow rate of the cooling medium, and a controller. The controller estimates, in a first case, a calorific value of the fuel cell using each detected cell voltage value and the detected current value, decides the flow rate of the cooling medium based on the estimated calorific value, and controls the operation of the pump such that the flow rate of the cooling medium is lower than that of a case where the estimated calorific value is the same in a normal operation of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2021Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuhei Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Maruo, Osamu Hamanoi, Hiroyuki Tsunekawa
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Patent number: 11431001Abstract: A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly; a frame member which surrounds the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly; and a pair of separators with the frame member and the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly sandwiched therebetween. The separators include a manifold hole through which a reaction gas is supplied or discharged. The frame member includes a manifold opening which communicates with the manifold hole, an in-plane opening in which the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly is disposed, a gas flow path which communicates with the in-plane opening and the manifold opening, a seal portion which is welded to the separators around the gas flow path, and an accommodation portion which is provided between the seal portion and the gas flow path to accommodate a material of the frame member caused to flow by welding.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Daisuke Kanno, Yoshihiro Yamagata
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Patent number: 11411239Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one pressure reducing valve connected to a downstream side of a hydrogen gas tank, a hydrogen gas flow path including a first flow path connected to a downstream side of the pressure reducing valve and a plurality of second flow paths connected to a downstream side of the first flow path and branched from the first flow path, a plurality of injector units, each of which is connected to each of the second flow paths, a plurality of fuel cell stacks, each of which is connected to each of the injector units, and a control unit controlling opening and closing of the injector units. The control unit sets valve closing periods of the injector units to periods deviating from each other such that at least one of the injector units is always opened when the fuel cell system satisfies a predetermined operating condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, HINO MOTORS, LTD.Inventors: Yutaka Sawada, Yukihide Yokoyama
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Patent number: 11411238Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system of a motor vehicle includes the steps of: i) detecting whether a washing process of the motor vehicle in a wash facility for cleaning the exterior of the motor vehicle is taking place or is imminent and ii) reducing the supply of an oxidizing agent to a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system when it has been detected that a washing process is taking place or is imminent.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Juergen Binder, Holger Hummel, Markus Koban, Martin Scherrer, Danilo Zimmermann
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Patent number: 11387469Abstract: An electrochemical cell stack having a plurality of electrochemical cells stacked along a longitudinal axis. The electrochemical cells include a membrane electrode assembly having an anode plate and a cathode plate with the membrane electrode assembly interposed therebetween. The electrochemical cells also include an anode plate and a cathode plate with the membrane electrode assembly interposed therebetween, and the anode plate defines a plurality of channels that form an anode flow field facing the anode catalyst layer. The electrochemical cells further include a cathode flow field positioned between the cathode plate and the cathode catalyst layer, wherein the cathode flow field comprises a porous structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Filippo Gambini, Scott Blanchet
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Patent number: 11387468Abstract: A separator plate for at least one fuel cell of a fuel cell system is provided. The separator plate includes at least one seal, wherein the seal is designed to seal at least one media-conducting inner region from a non-media-conducting outer region. The separator plate additionally includes at least one spacer element, which is preferably arranged in the outer region. The separator plate can be contacted by an evaluating device in a contacting region, this region being located such that it lies, in part, between the seal and spacer element. According, a deformation of the separator plate in the contacting region within a fuel cell stack is thus prevented.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Stefan Haase
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Patent number: 11374237Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stacked body including unit cells that are stacked and an end member arranged at an end side of the stacked body in a stacking direction of the stacked body.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi Arisawa, Nobuaki Nonoyama, Masahiro Katayama
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Patent number: 11349133Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell including: a membrane electrode-gas diffusion layer assembly including an electrolyte membrane; a sheet member; and a pair of separators. A first separator has a first projection that protrudes toward a side opposite from where the electrolyte membrane is disposed. A second separator has a second projection that protrudes toward a side opposite from where the electrolyte membrane is disposed. When seen from a direction perpendicular to the electrolyte membrane, the first projection and the second projection overlap at least part of the electrolyte membrane; the first projection has a first overlapping portion and a first non-overlapping portion; the second projection has a second overlapping portion and a second non-overlapping portion; the first projection is shaped so as to extend in a first longitudinal direction; and the second projection is shaped so as to extend in a second longitudinal direction intersecting the first longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaya Kobayashi, Takuya Kurihara, Kenji Sato
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Patent number: 11329297Abstract: A fuel cell metal separator is stacked on a membrane electrode assembly to form a power generation cell. The membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane and electrodes provided on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, respectively. The fuel cell metal separator includes a bead seal for preventing leakage of a fuel gas, an oxygen-containing gas, or a coolant as fluid. A top of the bead seal is configured to become flat in cross section by application of a compression load to the power generation cell.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoshi Oyama, Masaaki Sakano
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Patent number: 11322755Abstract: This disclosure describes a fuel cell device having a unit cell structure including a pair of separators stacked on each side of a membrane electrode assembly via diffusion layers, the pair of separators including a number of grooves and convex parts extending between the grooves formed on a side of a contact surface with the gas diffusion layers, one of the pair of separators being a hydrogen electrode side separator having the grooves as hydrogen channels and the other of the pair of separators being an air electrode side separator having the grooves as air channels. The respective grooves of the air electrode side separator have the same width and are arranged at equal intervals, and the respective grooves of the hydrogen electrode side separator have the same width as that of the respective grooves of the air electrode side separator.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Inventor: Yoshifumi Takai
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Patent number: 11316175Abstract: The invention relates to a gas distributor plate (2) for gas distribution and flow guidance at least in electrolysers or fuel cells, comprising a structure arranged on a contact surface of the gas distributor plate (2), for gas distribution and flow guidance, the structure for gas distribution and flow guidance being formed as a deformable structure (10).Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2018Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Ulrich Berner, Stefan Schoenbauer
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Patent number: 11309573Abstract: A cell stack device may include a cell stack of connected cells, a manifold configured to fix lower ends of the cells and supply a reaction gas into gas flow passages of the cells, and a reaction gas supply pipe connected to the manifold and configured to supply the reaction gas to the manifold. The manifold may include an insertion portion connecting the reaction gas supply pipe to the manifold, and a gap between the insertion portion and the reaction gas supply pipe. The manifold may further include a first joining portion joining the insertion portion and the reaction gas supply pipe and configured to seal an end of the gap. In a cross-section along an insertion direction of the reaction gas supply pipe, the first joining portion may have a meniscus shape, and a joint length is longer than a thickness of the reaction gas supply pipe.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: KYOCERA CorporationInventors: Kazunari Sugihara, Makoto Koi
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Patent number: 11309548Abstract: A fluid flow plate having first and second fluid flow channels on a fluid flow plate with an active area of fluid flow fields having one or more arrays of fluid transfer points (301, 302, 303) disposed along an edge of the flow field for communicating fluid into or out of flow channels. A first and second distribution gallery (15, 16, 21) with peripheral edge portions bounded by the arrays including at least one pair of inlets in external edges of the fluid flow plate and wherein the first fluid distribution gallery is shaped such that the combined lengths of the first-gallery second peripheral edge portions are longer than the first-gallery first peripheral edge portion, and wherein the internal edges of the flow plate comprise edges of a hole, aperture, or port passing through the flow plate, and the external edges of the flow plate comprise an outer peripheral edge of the plate. The edges each may comprise a castellated structure (31, 32, 34).Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Peter David Hood, Paul Leonard Adcock
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Patent number: 11309552Abstract: Fuel cell stack assemblies having a positive end plate and a negative end plate. The end plates can be formed from a central structural clement with an insulating end plate cover and an insulating end plate manifold. A plurality of cathode plates and a plurality of fuel cell assemblies can be arranged in a stack having an alternating pattern of cathode plates and fuel cell assemblies, with the positive end plate and the negative end plate provided on either end of the stack of cathode plates and fuel cell assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Stephen Longley, Jonathan Cole
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Patent number: 11302937Abstract: The electric power supply control apparatus for a vehicle executes a driving prioritizing mode in which a supply of driving electric power is prioritized over a supply of temperature controlling electric power, and a temperature control prioritizing mode in which the supply of the temperature controlling electric power is prioritized over the supply of the driving electric power. While the modes are switched over, the apparatus controls the driving electric power or the temperature controlling electric power so that a sum of the powers stays at an upper limit value or smaller.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Ken Watanabe, Ryohei Hoshi, Fumiyuki Moriya, Hirofumi Yabe
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Patent number: 11302934Abstract: In a joining method in a method of producing a dummy cell, a dummy structural body and a dummy resin frame member are stacked together into a dummy stack body in a state where an adhesive is interposed between the dummy structural body and the dummy resin frame member, and heat and pressure are applied to the dummy stack body to harden the adhesive to join components of the dummy stack body together into a single piece of the dummy stack body. In the joining step, in a state where a limitation projection is brought into contact with an outer peripheral end surface of the dummy resin frame member to limit outward deformation of the dummy resin frame member, heat and pressure are applied to the dummy stack body.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Daisuke Inoue
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Patent number: 11299810Abstract: The invention is directed to a barrier layer for corrosion protection in electrochemical devices, e.g. carbon based gas diffusion layers (GDLs) in electrochemical devices, comprising electrically conductive ceramic material and a non-ionomeric polymer binder. The electrically conductive ceramic material has an electrical conductivity of >0.1 S/cm, preferably >1 S/cm in air atmosphere (as detected by the powder method) and is selected from the group of precious metal and/or base metal containing oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides and mixtures and combinations thereof. Membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs), catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs), gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) and gas diffusion layers (GDLs) comprising the barrier layer of the invention show improved corrosion resistance, preferably against carbon corrosion; particularly in start-up/shut-down cycles and fuel starvation situations of PEM fuel cells.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Greenerity GMBHInventors: Jens-Peter Suchsland, Alessandro Ghielmi, Pia Braun
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Patent number: 11271231Abstract: An apparatus for controlling cooling of a fuel cell-based generator system is provided. The apparatus includes a first valve disposed between an individual cooling-water line of a first fuel cell system and a common cooling-water line and a first valve driver that opens and closes the first valve. A second valve is disposed between an individual cooling-water line of a second fuel cell system and the common cooling-water line and a second valve driver opens and closes the second valve. A controller determines whether a cooling-water temperature of the first fuel cell system exceeds a reference value, and opens the first valve and the second valve so that cooling-water for the second fuel cell system flows into the first fuel cell system, when the cooling-water temperature of the first fuel cell system exceeds the reference value.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Deuk Kuen Ahn, Seon Jong Kang, Hyun Jae Lee
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Patent number: 11271228Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a gas-liquid separator, a circulation flow path, a connecting flow path, and a distribution flow path. The gas-liquid separator separates fuel exhaust gas, which flows therein via a fuel exhaust gas flow path, into gas and liquid. The circulation flow path causes a gas discharge port of the gas-liquid separator and the fuel gas supply flow path to communicate with each other. The connecting flow path causes a liquid discharge port of the gas-liquid separator to communicate with the oxygen-containing gas supply flow path, via a drain valve. The distribution flow path causes the circulation flow path or a portion of the fuel gas supply flow path that is on a downstream side of a connecting section connecting to the circulation flow path to communicate with a downstream side of the drain valve of the connecting flow path via an opening and closing valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuji Okamura, Koichi Takaku, Koichi Kato
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Patent number: 11271241Abstract: A lightweight electrochemical fuel cell suitable for modular stacking to achieve high output power is described. The electrochemical fuel cell is constructed of a stack of flexible polymer layers sealed at the periphery to create fuel and reactant channels. To scale up the output power, the electrochemical fuel cell is stacked on an external mechanical frame, wrapped-over on to itself in a self-supported 3-dimensional form, or wrapped over around a central mandrel to increase the active area of the fuel cell The electrochemical fuel cell has built in current collecting means and sealed electrodes to eliminate the need for bipolar plates, thereby enabling applications requiring high output power while maintaining a low weight. The thermal management is external to the fuel cell core structure to facilitate modular expansion of the stack to achieve high output power.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2021Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Inventor: Chuni Lal Ghosh
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Patent number: 11258090Abstract: A connecting element electrically and mechanically connects two electrolytic cell stacks. An electrolysis device includes at least one connecting element of this type and the electrolytic cell stacks are connected by the connecting element. For the hydraulic connection of the electrolytic cell stacks, the connecting element has at least two hydraulic interfaces for each of two water circuits, which water circuits are independent of each other. Furthermore, the connecting element has electrical connection points electrically connected to each other, in order to connect the electrolytic cell stacks in a common circuit. By the connecting element, the connected electrolytic cell stacks can be hydraulically separated or connected to each other, depending on the design.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Erik Wolf