Heat Exchange Means External To Fuel Cell Patents (Class 429/436)
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Patent number: 12062821Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a storage tank in which at least part of generated water discharged from the fuel cell stack is stored in liquid form. The storage tank includes a first valve configured to adjust the pressure inside the storage tank to a pressure equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure that is higher than the pressure outside the storage tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2023Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masakatsu Tsubouchi
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Patent number: 11824236Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a reaction gas supply unit configured to supply a reaction gas to a fuel cell stack; a humidifier configured to transfer moisture from an off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack to the reaction gas; and a controller configured to control the reaction gas supply unit so as to regulate a supply amount of the reaction gas, wherein the controller is configured to acquire a temperature of the humidifier and set the supply amount of the reaction gas based on a target power generation amount of the fuel cell stack, and in a case where the temperature of the humidifier is equal to or lower than a prescribed warm-up determination value, the controller executes warm-up control to increase the supply amount of the reaction gas as compared with a case where the temperature of the humidifier is higher than the warm-up determination value.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Sho Akabori, Shuji Sato, Tomoyuki Inoue
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Patent number: 11764372Abstract: Disclosed is a solid oxide fuel cell power generation system including: a fuel cell module; a blower for supplying a gaseous fuel to the fuel cell module; an air supplier for supplying air to the fuel cell module; and a fuel supplier for supplying the gaseous fuel to the blower. The blower recycles at least a portion of an unreacted gaseous fuel to the fuel cell module.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: INGINEERSInventors: Chang Kyu Song, Mun Kyoung Choi, Sun Jin Kim
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Patent number: 11329301Abstract: To precisely measure and control the amount of a cathode gas supplied to a fuel cell, a fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a first flow passage through which a cathode gas is supplied to the fuel cell, a second flow passage through which a cathode off-gas is discharged from the fuel cell, a bypass flow passage which is bifurcated from the first flow passage and which is connected to the second flow passage, a compressor provided in the first flow passage, a first flowmeter provided in the first flow passage, a flow amount regulation valve provided in the bypass flow passage, a second flowmeter provided in the bypass flow passage, and a controller which controls the flow amount of the cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell, wherein the compressor is arranged on the upstream side of the bypass flow passage, the first flowmeter is arranged on the upstream side of the compressor, the second flowmeter is arranged on the downstream side of the flow amount regulation valve, and the controller controls the flow amType: GrantFiled: November 17, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yasushi Takahashi
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Patent number: 11201323Abstract: A MoSx/carbon black nanocomposite material, and a manufacturing method and application thereof. In the MoSx/carbon black nanocomposite material, 2?x?2.3. The weight percentage of MoSx as part of the total weight of the nanocomposite material is 5-50%. The MoSx/carbon black nanocomposite material has 20% higher performance when compared to a commercial 20% Pt/C catalyst. The manufactured MoSx/carbon black nanocomposite material also has excellent catalytic stability. There is no significant decrease in catalytic performance of the material after 5,000 catalytic cycles.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2017Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: Peking UniversityInventors: Maolin Zhai, Pengfei Cao, Jing Peng, Jiuqiang Li
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Patent number: 11201341Abstract: A vehicle includes first and second fuel-cell stacks, a first coolant circuit having conduit arranged to circulate coolant through the first fuel-cell stack, a second coolant circuit having conduit arranged to circulate coolant through the second fuel-cell stack, a heater in fluid communication with at least the first coolant circuit, and an isolation valve assembly configured to proportion a flow of coolant between the first and second coolant circuits. The isolation valve assembly includes valving. The valving has an isolation position in which the first and second circuits are isolated. The valving also has at least one mixing position in which the first and second circuits are in fluid communication.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hassan Farhat, Ravi Gopal
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Patent number: 11171343Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes multiple stacked individual cells each having an anode and a cathode, a common fuel inlet duct, a common fuel outlet duct, a common oxidizing agent inlet duct, a common oxidizing agent outlet duct, and at least one microwave source configured to selectively generate microwave radiation into the common fuel outlet duct and/or into the common oxidizing agent outlet duct to manage water contained therein to melt ice and/or expedite evaporation.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Arnulf Sponheimer, Stephan Strahl, Julio Orozco Santos Coy, Rolf Lorenz Loeffler
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Patent number: 10807436Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling coolant flow through parallel branches of a coolant circuit including an AC condenser and a charge air cooler. Flow is apportioned responsive to an AC head pressure and a CAC temperature to reduce parasitic losses and improve fuel economy. The flow is apportioned via adjustments to a coolant pump output and a proportioning valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Karl Bidner, Hugh Hamilton, James C. Rollinson
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Patent number: 9969297Abstract: The performance of a fuel cell power plant that decays, in an electric vehicle which makes frequent starts, is recovered by partially shutting down the power plant. Recovery is enabled by a recovery enable flag upon conditions such as vehicle using low or no power, vehicle speed at or near zero, electric storage SOC above a threshold, and no recovery during the last half-hour (or other duration). The recovery restart resets a timer to ensure that recovery is not attempted too often. The power plant then remains in a recovery stand-by mode until a recovery restart flag is set to 1. The restart causes start-up of the fuel cell power plant, reaching an operational mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Sitaram Ramaswamy, Venkateshwarlu Yadha, Matthew P. Wilson
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Patent number: 9784410Abstract: An operating method is provided for a cryopressure tank in which cryogenic hydrogen for supplying a motor vehicle fuel cell can be stored under supercritical pressure at 13 bar or more. In order to compensate the pressure drop resulting from removal of hydrogen from the cryopressure tank, either a heat transfer medium is supplied to a heat exchanger provided in the cryopressure tank via a control valve over a period of time which significantly exceeds the cycle times of a conventional cycle valve or the heat transfer medium is not supplied to the heat exchanger. Depending on the fill level of the cryopressure tank, the control valve is actuated with respect to a desired temperature or a desired pressure of the hydrogen in the cryopressure tank.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Tobias Brunner, Manuel Tolosa
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Patent number: 9640808Abstract: An operating method is provided for a fuel cell system, in particular a fuel cell system in a motor vehicle. The system includes a cooling system via which waste heat of fuel cells of the fuel cell system is ultimately dissipated into the surrounding air, and a tank withstanding an internal pressure of the order of 150 bar and more. In the tank, fuel for the fuel cell system is stored in the cryogenic state, in particular as a cryogen, which tank has a heat exchanger in its storage volume, via which, in order to compensate for the pressure reduction resulting from the removal of fuel from the tank, heat can be supplied to the stored fuel in a controlled manner by way of a heat transfer medium.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Tobias Brunner, Manuel Tolosa
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Patent number: 9515357Abstract: A battery thermal management system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a heat spreader, a coolant channel attached to the heat spreader and a supply manifold fluidly connected with the coolant channel and configured to supply a heat transfer medium to the coolant channel. A return manifold is fluidly connected with the coolant channel and configured to expel the heat transfer medium from the coolant channel.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Harold J. Haskins, Theodore James Miller, Xiao Guang Yang, Patrick Daniel Maguire, OuJung Kwon, James Matthew Marcicki
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Patent number: 9461346Abstract: A thermal management system that provides air cooling and heating for a battery by flow-shifting air through a battery enclosure. The battery includes a plurality of battery cells provided in the enclosure. The enclosure includes a first manifold having a first end and second end and second manifold opposite to the first manifold having a first end and second end. The thermal management system includes a plurality of valves for allowing air flow into and out of the first end or the second end of the first manifold and a second valve for allowing air flow into and out of the first end or the second end of the second manifold to provide the flow-shifting.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Marc Becker, Remy Fontaine
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Publication number: 20150125770Abstract: A fuel cell unit with a plurality of fuel cells defining a longitudinal axis and a main flow direction coaxial to the longitudinal axis. Fuel cell inlets and fuel cell outlets are arranged at opposite ends of the fuel cell unit and in line with the main flow direction. Also, a component comprising first fluid conduits arranged parallel to the main flow direction, the first fluid conduits comprising first fluid inlets and first fluid outlets arranged at opposite ends of the component and in line with the main flow direction. The component is arranged adjacent the fuel cell unit such that at least one of the first fluid inlets and the first fluid outlets of the component are arranged adjacent at least one of the fuel cell outlets and the fuel cell inlets such that a fluid flow may flow substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus in the first fluid conduits of the component and in the fuel cell unit and when passing from the component to the fuel cell unit or vice versa.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Yves DE VOS, Jean-Paul HUBERT JANSSENS
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Patent number: 9017890Abstract: Systems and methods provide for the thermal management of a high temperature fuel cell. According to embodiments described herein, a non-reactant coolant is routed into a fuel cell from a compressor or a ram air source. The non-reactant coolant absorbs waste heat from the electrochemical reaction within the fuel cell. The heated coolant is discharged from the fuel cell and is vented to the surrounding environment or directed through a turbine. The energy recouped from the heated coolant by the turbine may be used to drive the compressor or a generator to create additional electricity and increase the efficiency of the fuel cell system. A portion of the heated coolant may be recycled into the non-reactant coolant entering the fuel cell to prevent thermal shock of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2009Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Marianne E. Mata, Tina R. Stoia, Chellappa Balan
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Publication number: 20150104726Abstract: Provided is device and method for heating fuel cell stack and fuel cell system having the device. The fuel cell system includes: a power generating unit having fuel cell stacks arranged with an interval defined between the stacks; an outlet manifold unit provided outside each fuel cell stack and guiding a reaction mixture discharged from each stack to outside; an inlet manifold unit provided on each stack at a location opposed to the outlet manifold unit based on the stack, the inlet manifold unit supplying fuel and air supplied through a fuel supply pipe and an air supply pipe into the stack; and a subsidiary fuel supply unit for supplying subsidiary fuel into the outlet manifold unit such that the subsidiary fuel is burnt in the outlet manifold unit so as to heat both the outlet manifold unit and the stack coming into contact with the outlet manifold unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Young Dae Kim, Seong Je Wu, Jeong Pyo Lee
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Patent number: 9005833Abstract: The invention relates to a system having high-temperature fuel cells, for example SOFCs. A reformer connected upstream of the high-temperature fuel cells at the anode side, a start burner for the preheating of the cathodes of the high-temperature fuel cells, an afterburner and an operating heat exchanger are present at the system in accordance with the invention. Oxidizing agent can be supplied to the high-temperature fuel cell cathodes through the operating heat exchanger. In addition, it can be heated with the exhaust gas of the high-temperature fuel cells. Exhaust gas conducted through the operating heat exchanger can flow in an exhaust gas line together with environmental air and can then be conducted away into the environment as cooled exhaust gas.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Sebastian Reuber, Markus Barthel, Mareike Wolter, Stefanie Koszyk, Rico Belitz
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Patent number: 8980493Abstract: A circulation pipe for a coolant is connected to a fuel cell. A pump and a heat exchanger are connected to the circulation pipe. A bypass pipe is connected in parallel with the pump. An ion exchanger is connected to the bypass pipe. An electronic cooling device is connected to the bypass pipe on an upstream side of the ion exchanger. The coolant, which is supplied to the ion exchanger, is cooled by the electronic cooling device to a predetermined temperature, so that the ion-exchange resins are prevented from being abnormally heated by the coolant.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Atsushi Imamura, Akishi Morita
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Publication number: 20150072259Abstract: A radiator cap is connected to a circulating circuit at a connecting point located upstream of a water pump in a flow direction of coolant and that regulates a pressure in the circulating circuit to be within a predetermined pressure range that is higher than or equal to an atmospheric pressure at the connecting point. A rotary valve is disposed in the circulating circuit at upstream of the connecting point of the radiator cap in the flow direction of coolant. Accordingly, a cavitation is restricted from occurring, and the water pump can perform enough efficiency. A communication passage that has an upstream end and a downstream end connected to the circulating circuit may be disposed instead of the radiator cap. In this case, a pressure regulating valve is disposed in the communication passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takurou Furukoshi, Michio Nishikawa, Nobuharu Kakehashi, Shunjiro Kikawa
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Publication number: 20150072260Abstract: An operating method is provided for a fuel cell system, in particular a fuel cell system in a motor vehicle. The system includes a cooling system via which waste heat of fuel cells of the fuel cell system is ultimately dissipated into the surrounding air, and a tank withstanding an internal pressure of the order of 150 bar and more. In the tank, fuel for the fuel cell system is stored in the cryogenic state, in particular as a cryogen, which tank has a heat exchanger in its storage volume, via which, in order to compensate for the pressure reduction resulting from the removal of fuel from the tank, heat can be supplied to the stored fuel in a controlled manner by way of a heat transfer medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Tobias BRUNNER, Manuel TOLOSA
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Publication number: 20150064590Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes at least two cell modules adjacent to each other, the at least two cell modules each being formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells into an integrated unit and a seal plate interposed in a cooling flow channel defined between separators of the at least two cell modules, the cooling flow channel configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therethrough. The seal plate includes a manifold portion in which a plurality of manifold holes are formed to allow two power-generation gases to flow separately through the plurality of manifold holes and through the plurality of fuel cells and a seal member provided along a peripheral portion of each of the plurality of manifold holes to provide sealing for a corresponding one of the two power-generation gases flowing through the manifold hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuhiro Numao, Kazuhiro Kageyama, Shigetaka Uehara
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Publication number: 20150050574Abstract: In a cogeneration system that stores hot water heated by exhaust heat of a generator in a hot water storage tank, during return to normal control from anti-freezing control, the return to the normal control is rapidly performed and freezing of water in a water circulating passage is also suppressed, suppressing the drop in system efficiency. When a freezing condition, indicating a risk of freezing of the water in the water circulating passage such as a radiator unit, is met, the anti-freezing control is executed. When a cancellation condition of the anti-freezing control is met, a heat recovery temperature target value (first return target value) SVTf2 at the outlet of the generator is set to a minimum target temperature SVTf2_min.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATIONInventor: Manabu Hiwatari
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Patent number: 8945784Abstract: There are provided a hydrogen production apparatus and a hydrogen producing method that can easily bring the temperature of a gas to be supplied to a preferential oxidation catalyst bed to a proper range without the necessity of flow rate control of a cooling medium, and a fuel cell system which is relatively inexpensive and can easily realize stable operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy CorporationInventors: Yasushi Sato, Emi Kato, Takaya Matsumoto, Masataka Kadowaki, Ryuji Yukawa, Takuya Kajita
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Publication number: 20150017560Abstract: A functional module for a coolant circuit of a vehicle fuel cell system includes a container having an ion-exchange material and a pump device for the coolant fluidically coupled to each other in such a manner that a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet of the pump device are connected to a coolant outlet and a coolant inlet of the container. The container surrounds at least one region of the pump device that has a conveying unit of the pump device at least in certain areas around the outer circumference.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2012Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Mario Mittmann, Ralf Hoess, Herbert Schulze, Matthias Wuest, Christoph Koch, Clemens Schwab, Bianca Limbaecher, Joris De Jong
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Patent number: 8927169Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system and a mobile body capable of restraining freeze in an air cleaner. The fuel cell system includes an air cleaner for cleaning the air to be supplied to a fuel cell and a heater for heating the air cleaner. The air cleaner can be alternatively heated by supplying a refrigerant in a refrigerant piping system to the air cleaner instead of using the heater.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroyuki Yumiya
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Publication number: 20140370408Abstract: Methods, articles, and systems for controlling the internal operating temperature of fuel cell systems, such as planar fuel cell arrays. The heat management system conducts heat away from the fuel cell without disturbing the flow of gases around the fuel cell layer and without the need for the equipment to disturb the flow of gases around the fuel cell layer. The present invention also provides a heat transfer system that has a low thermal mass relative to the fuel cell layer or is thermally isolated from the fuel cell layer such that the heat transfer system will not remove substantial amounts of heat from a fuel cell layer during star-up and can be activated to dissipate heat from the fuel cell only as needed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Jeremy Schrooten, Jean-Louis Iaconis, Paul Sobejko, Benjamin Tam, Gerard F. McLean
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Patent number: 8877399Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: David Weingaertner, Michael Petrucha, Martin Perry, David Edmonston, Virpaul Bains, Andy Ta, Navaneetha Krishnan
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Patent number: 8869543Abstract: A cooling assembly for cooling a thermal body for an aircraft. The cooling assembly has a Peltier element with a hot side and a cold side. Furthermore, the cooling assembly has a thermal body. The thermal body is arranged in heat-conductive contact with the cold side of the Peltier element. The hot side of the Peltier element is adapted to dissipate thermal energy to an aircraft structure, such that the thermal body may be cooled.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hansgeorg Schuldzig
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Publication number: 20140315108Abstract: Disclosed are a hydrogen fuel cell and system thereof, and a method for dynamic variable humidity control; the hydrogen fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack assembly and an outside plate gas distribution device; the fuel cell stack assembly is encapsulated with a hard housing; the outside plate gas distribution device is fixed on the hard housing; the outside plate gas distribution device includes an outside plate gas distribution device for working gas flow and a heat dissipation gas distribution device; the outside plate gas distribution device for working gas flow is provided with a fan mount for connecting with a working fan, and the outside plate gas distribution device for working gas flow extends into the inner cavity of the housing from outside of the housing; the heat dissipation gas distribution device includes a heat dissipation channel set outside the housing and interconnected with the inner cavity of the housing, and a heat dissipation port set on the housing; and the heat dissipation channel isType: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventor: Tieliu Li
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Patent number: 8865360Abstract: A fuel cell system for a vehicle includes a burner for producing a heat flow by combustion of a fuel gas which reacts with an oxidant. A heating heat exchanger provided to heat a vehicle passenger compartment is arranged in a coolant circuit of the fuel cell system, and is externally heated, at least at times, by the burner.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Daimler AGInventor: Gerald Hornburg
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Patent number: 8859153Abstract: Technologies are described herein for conditioning fluids stored in an underwater cryogenic storage vessel designed for use in a fuel system of an underwater vehicle. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a fuel system includes a fuel cell and a storage vessel, which stores a first fluid that is supplied to the fuel cell and a second fluid that is produced by the fuel cell. The fuel system also includes a thermal conditioning module that receives the first fluid from the storage vessel and receives the second fluid from the fuel cell. The first fluid stored in the storage vessel is conditioned by absorbing heat from the second fluid, such that the fuel cell receives the conditioned first fluid. The second fluid received from the fuel cell is in gaseous state and is converted to a liquid. The liquid second fluid is stored in the storage vessel.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Edwin C. Cady, Daniel A. Watts, Gary D. Grayson
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Patent number: 8846261Abstract: Methods, articles, and systems for controlling the internal operating temperature of fuel cell systems, such as planar fuel cell arrays. The heat management system conducts heat away from the fuel cell without disturbing the flow of gases around the fuel cell layer and without the need for the equipment to disturb the flow of gases around the fuel cell layer. The present invention also provides a heat transfer system that has a low thermal mass relative to the fuel cell layer or is thermally isolated from the fuel cell layer such that the heat transfer system will not remove substantial amounts of heat from a fuel cell layer during star-up and can be activated to dissipate heat from the fuel cell only as needed.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Jeremy Schrooten, Jean-Louis Iaconis, Paul Sobejko, Benjamin Tam, Gerard F McLean
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Patent number: 8841037Abstract: Fuel cell system with at least one burner that is arranged directly at a fuel cell, shaped at/on it, or in which a burner (7) is a separate element of a fuel cell system with more than one fuel cell (8) and this burner possesses the structure of a fuel cell or of a sealing element (5) of a fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2009Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Ezelleron GmbHInventors: Sascha Kuehn, Katrin Klein, Gerhard Matthias Buchinger
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Patent number: 8835063Abstract: An evaporative humidifier for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack, comprising: a condensation channel to which exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack is introduced; an evaporation channel to which supply gas for the fuel cell stack is introduced; a partition wall for separating the condensation channel and the evaporation channel from each other; and a water distribution unit for supplying water into the evaporation channel, wherein the water is condensed in the condensation channel by heat exchange between the exhaust gas and the supply gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Dae-Young Lee, Hoe-Woong Kim, Seo-Young Kim, Yoon-Pyo Lee
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Publication number: 20140255733Abstract: Disclosed are fuel cell systems used as power sources aboard aircraft and utilizing catalytic systems. Fuel cell systems can include a fuel cell assembly and a catalyst system. The fuel cell assembly can receive a hydrogen input, receive an oxygen input comprising a fluid having an initial oxygen content, and convert the hydrogen input and the oxygen input so as to yield products, such as water, thermal energy, an oxygen-depleted product comprising the fluid having a second oxygen content lower than the initial oxygen content, and electrical power. The fuel cell assembly can supply any combination of such products to aircraft operational systems. The catalyst system can receive and combust hydrogen from the fuel cell assembly and/or a hydrogen storage vessel, such as to treat exhaust from the fuel cell assembly and/or provide heat for warming water and/or for regulating operating temperatures of fuel cell system components.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Zodiac AerotechnicsInventors: Franck Masset, Yannick Brunaux
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Patent number: 8822093Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling system for a fuel cell vehicle which employs a single integrated radiator disposed on a front side of the vehicle and configured to cool cooling fluid by exchanging heat using exterior air to integrally manage a fuel cell stack and an electrical power apparatus. More specifically, the integrated radiator is divided into a first high temperature region and a second low temperature region according to a flow requirements so that the fuel cell stack is cooled with cooling fluid flowing through the high temperature region and the electrical power apparatus is cooled with cooling fluid flowing through the low temperature region.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Hag Se Kim, Kil Woo Lee
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Patent number: 8808938Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one cooling channel that extends between a housing and a fuel cell stack disposed within the housing. The cooling channel has an inlet and an outlet for producing a gas flow in the cooling channel. As a result, a gas flow may be used for cooling and at the same time may be used for ventilation of the cathode.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2010Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Robert Hahn, Christian Kunde
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Patent number: 8808937Abstract: A system includes a radiator side flow path for supplying a coolant which has cooled a fuel cell stack to a radiator, a bypass flow path for allowing the coolant which has cooled the fuel cell stack to bypass the radiator, a thermostat valve for increasing a flow rate of the coolant flowing through the radiator side flow path in a case where the temperature of the coolant is high as compared to a case where the temperature of the coolant is low, and an electric heater for warming up the coolant. The electric heater is controlled based on an outside atmospheric pressure and on the temperature of the coolant such that the temperature of the coolant flowing into the fuel cell stack is raised in a case where the outside atmospheric pressure is high as compared to a case where the outside atmospheric pressure is low.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2009Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichiro Takemoto, Keisuke Wakabayashi, Takahito Osada
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Publication number: 20140220468Abstract: A fuel cell system, including a plurality of bipolar plate assemblies, each assembly including a first plate and a second plate with an internal coolant flow path disposed therebetween, a flow path for a first reactant gas on a side of the first plate opposite the internal coolant flow path, and a flow path for a second reactant gas on a side of the second plate opposite the internal coolant flow path, and a cooling system configured to place coolant in thermal communication with the plurality of bipolar plate assemblies, wherein cycling pressure differentials between the internal coolant flow path and the external reactant gas flow paths cause expansion and contraction of a volume of coolant disposed within the bipolar plate assembly, thereby pumping coolant through the cooling system. A method of cooling a fuel cell-powered vehicle is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Matthew A. Lang, Steven R. Falta
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Patent number: 8785069Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, an oxidizer supply unit, a reformer, a fuel tank, and a water tank. The reformer generates a hydrogen-containing reformed gas reformed from hydrocarbon-based fuel and supplies it to the fuel cell stack. The fuel tank supplies the hydrocarbon-based fuel to the reformer. The water tank supplies water to the reformer. The reformer includes a reforming unit configured to have a reforming reaction generated therein, a combustion unit configured to supply heat energy to the reforming unit, and a carbon monoxide reduction unit configured to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide in a reformed gas discharged from the reforming unit. A combustion gas pipe is connected to the combustion unit. A reformed gas pipe is disposed between the reforming unit and the carbon monoxide reduction unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., LtdInventors: Hyun Kim, Dong-Rak Kim, Dong-Hyun Kim, Ming-Zi Hong, Woong-Ho Cho
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Patent number: 8785062Abstract: The fuel cell system of the present invention includes: (A) a fuel cell stack including at least one unit fuel cell including a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween; (B) a detecting device for detecting lack of humidification in the fuel cell stack; (C) a water supplying device for supplying moisture to the fuel cell stack when lack of humidification is detected by the detecting device; (D) a heating device for heating the supplied moisture; and (E) a cooling device for cooling the supplied moisture. In the fuel cell system of the present invention, the fuel cell stack is humidified by repeating heating and cooling of the supplied moisture by the heating device and the cooling device, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hiroaki Matsuda, Takashi Akiyama
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Publication number: 20140193733Abstract: The multi-section cathode air heat exchanger (102) includes at least a first heat exchanger section (104), and a fixed contact oxidation catalyzed section (126) secured adjacent each other in a stack association. Cool cathode inlet air flows through cool air channels (110) of the at least first (104) and oxidation catalyzed sections (126). Hot anode exhaust flows through hot air channels (124) of the oxidation catalyzed section (126) and is combusted therein. The combusted anode exhaust then flows through hot air channels (112) of the first section (104) of the cathode air heat exchanger (102). The cool and hot air channels (110, 112) are secured in direct heat exchange relationship with each other so that temperatures of the heat exchanger (102) do not exceed 800° C. to minimize requirements for using expensive, high-temperature alloys.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: UTC POWER CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuo SAITO, Yao LIN
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Publication number: 20140106253Abstract: A fuel cell including at least two stacks of electrochemical cells, a heat management system including a circuit for flowing a coolant into each of the stacks fed in parallel, and an outside circuit for flowing the coolant outside the stacks. The outside circuit includes a first subcircuit including a heat exchanger and a second subcircuit directly connected to an inlet of the inside circuit, and controlling valves for controlling flow of the coolant toward either or both subcircuits as a function of temperature of the coolant at an output of each of the stacks. The second outside subcircuit includes a mechanism increasing its head loss such that it is close or equal to that of the first outside subcircuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Commissariat a I'energie atomique et aux ene altInventors: Delphine Drouhault, Pierre Nivelon
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Patent number: 8691462Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) is provided and includes a fuel cell stack (3), a cathode recuperator heat exchanger (33) adapted to heat an air inlet stream using heat from a fuel cell stack cathode exhaust stream, and an air preheater heat exchanger (39) which is adapted to heat the air inlet stream using heat from a fuel cell stack anode exhaust stream.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2005Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Todd M. Bandhauer, Michael J. Reinke, Jeroen Valensa
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Patent number: 8685582Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell and at least one air conveyor that conveys a process air flow to the fuel cell. At least one heat exchanger is also provided, through which the process air flow flows after the air conveyor and through which a cooling medium flow flows. A region with catalytically active material is arranged in the flow direction of the process air flow before or in the region of the heat exchanger. In addition a fuel can be fed to the region with the catalytically active material.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Benjamin Steinhauser, Gerhard Konrad
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Patent number: 8669016Abstract: A fuel cell manifold holding pressurized cooling fluid is attached to a plurality of cells. A swirl chamber communicating cooling fluid from the manifold to the cells slows the speed of the cooling fluid and lowers its pressure as it enters a fuel cell cooling path.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2009Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Richard N. Fargo
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Publication number: 20140065505Abstract: Cathode exhaust of an evaporatively cooled fuel cell stack (50) is condensed in a heat exchanger (12a, 23, 23a) having extended fins (14, 25a) or tubes (24, 24a) to prevent pooling of condensate, and/or having the entire exit surface of the condenser rendered hydrophilic with wicking (32) to conduct water away. The cathode exhaust flow paths may be vertical or horizontal, they may be partly or totally rendered hydrophilic, and if so, in liquid communication with hydrophilic end surfaces of the condenser, and the condensers (49) may be tilted away from a normal orientation with respect to earth's gravity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2011Publication date: March 6, 2014Inventors: Kazuo Saito, Sitaram Ramaswamy, Masaki M. Yokose, Richard R. Phillips, Michael L. Perry, Catherine M. Goodrich
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Patent number: 8663851Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells arranged in a fuel cell stack, an integrated heat exchanger/reformer operable to partially reform an anode feed prior to entry into the fuel cell stack, an anode tailgas oxidizer, and an offgas flow path extending away from an anode side of the fuel cell stack and having a first branch to selectively combine offgas from the anode side of the fuel cell stack with fuel from a fuel source to comprise the anode feed to the fuel cell stack and a second branch to supply offgas from the anode side of the fuel cell stack to the anode tailgas oxidizer. The integrated heat exchanger/reformer transfers heat from the oxidized offgas from the anode tailgas oxidizer to the anode feed before the anode feed enters the anode side of the fuel cell stack. The offgas from the anode tailgas oxidizer provides the sole heat source for the anode feed traveling through the integrated heat exchanger/reformer.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Jeroen Valensa
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Patent number: 8642219Abstract: A cooling system of a fuel cell is provided with a main cooling flow passage and a bypass cooling flow passage which is arranged parallel with the main cooling flow passage and diverts the same coolant, as flow passages through which coolant flows. A radiator and a coolant circulation pump (WP) and the like are arranged in the main cooling flow passage. Coolant from the main cooling flow passage enters the bypass cooling flow passage and reaches a second heat exchanger via a case of a motor of an ACP and the like. At the second heat exchanger, heat exchange is also performed with a supply gas flow passage, after which the coolant returns to the main cooling flow passage. The manner in which the coolant is distributed can be changed depending on where the coolant is diverted from the main cooling flow passage and the arrangement of the circulation pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tomotaka Ishikawa
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Patent number: 8637201Abstract: A cooling system is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keigo Suematsu, Yuichi Sakajo, Masanori Uehara, Takashi Koyama