Liquid Cooling Patents (Class 429/437)
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Patent number: 9088016Abstract: The invention relates to a stack (200) comprising a plurality of stacked fuel cells (100), fixed and fluidically connected to a first head (210), which comprises: a feeding inlet (301) for a fuel flow and a corresponding outlet (302); a feeding inlet (303) for a comburent flow and a corresponding outlet (306); a feeding inlet (302) and a corresponding outlet (305) for a flow of a cooling heat-transfer fluid thermally coupled with the fuel cells (100) in order to remove at least part of the reaction heat at the fuel cells (100) themselves; the first head (210) comprising a feeding inlet (307) and a corresponding outlet (308) for a flow may pass, said volume being thermally coupled with the cooling heat-transfer fluid flow, so that the cooling heat-transfer fluid delivers at least some of the heat removed from the fuel sells (100) to the working heat-transfer fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Electro Power Systems S.p.A.Inventors: Pierpaolo Cherchi, Luca Mercante, Giuseppe Gianolio, Ilaria Rosso, Denis Bona
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Patent number: 9054351Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Matthew A. Lang, Steven R. Falta
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Publication number: 20150125774Abstract: A liquid electrolyte fuel cell system (10) comprises at least one fuel cell with a liquid electrolyte chamber between opposed electrodes, the electrodes being an anode and a cathode, and means (30, 32) for supplying a gas stream to a gas chamber adjacent to the cathode and withdrawing a spent gas stream (38) from the gas chamber adjacent to the cathode, the system also comprising a liquid electrolyte storage tank (40), and means (42, 44, 47, 48) to circulate liquid electrolyte between the liquid electrolyte storage tank (40) and the fuel cells. In addition the system comprises a gas heater (50) and a humidification chamber (52) in the duct (36) leading to the said gas chamber, and means (53, 66, 68) to supply liquid electrolyte to the humidification chamber (52) so the gas is humidified by contact with the liquid electrolyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: James Alexander Austin, Martin Thomas, Naveed Akhtar
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Publication number: 20150118586Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the net water drag coefficient (rd) in a fuel cell. By measuring the velocity of the fluid stream at the outlet of the anode, rd can be determined. Real time monitoring and adjustments of the water balance of a fuel cell may be therefore achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventor: Torsten Berning
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Patent number: 9005834Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprises a plurality of stacked cells each having an ionic conductive electrolyte membrane, an anode placed on one side of the electrolyte membrane, a cathode placed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, and a conductive separator on which a first refrigerant channel for flow of a refrigerant is formed in center part thereof. The separator comprises penetration holes constituting a manifold which extend in a direction of stacking of the plurality of cells and through which the refrigerant flows and second refrigerant channels for communication between the penetration holes and the first refrigerant channel. A plurality of protrusions that protrude into the penetration holes from parts of wall surfaces of the penetration holes that are located peripherally in connection parts between the penetration holes and the second refrigerant channels.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuo Yoshimura, Hirokazu Honkawa, Kenji Arai
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Publication number: 20150086893Abstract: A fuel cell stack is formed by stacking unit cells and each unit cell is formed by sandwiching a membrane electrode assembly between a pair of separators having depression parts and protrusion parts. A cooling liquid flow space is formed between the unit cells, and a displacement absorption member which absorbs displacement between the unit cells is disposed in the flow space. The displacement absorption member includes a spring function part having a free end and a fixed end, and an intrusion prevention means which prevents the free end of the spring function part from intruding into the depression part. A displacement absorption function between the unit cells is well maintained, while size reduction of the fuel cell stack is achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2012Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yosuke Fukuyama, Keita Iritsuki
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Patent number: 8986897Abstract: A fuel cell constructed with single layer bipolar plates, water damming layers and membrane electrode assembly with gas diffusion layers locally impregnated with water transporting materials, which has reactant gas flow fields placed on both sides of the single layer plates, while cooling liquid flow fields are integrated at least on one side of the plates. Disclosed novel configuration of the fuel cell provides a united means for humidifying reactant gases, hydrating membrane, removing generated water and cooling cells.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2007Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Inventor: Yong Gao
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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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Patent number: 8980494Abstract: A fuel cell is provided that includes a water transport plate separating an air flow field and a water flow field. The driving force for moving water across the water transport plate into the water flow field is produced by a differential pressure across a restriction. The restriction is arranged between an air outlet of the cathode water transport plate and a head of a reservoir that is in fluid communication with the water flow field.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.Inventor: Jeremy P. Meyers
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Patent number: 8980490Abstract: A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell supplied with fuel gas and oxidizing gas to generate electricity; a fuel gas supply unit supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell; an oxidizing gas supply unit supplying the oxidizing gas to the fuel cell; an aftercooler cooling the oxidizing gas supplied to the fuel cell by heat exchange with a coolant; an oxidizing gas temperature detector detecting temperature of the oxidizing gas; and a coolant circulation controller starting circulation of the coolant when the detected temperature of the oxidizing gas exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined value is set to a value of not higher than a minimum electricity generation temperature of the fuel cell, and a circulation timing and flow rate of the coolant for the aftercooler are controlled such that the supplied oxidizing gas does not become cold. This enables the fuel cell to generate electricity at cold start-up.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ikuhiro Taniguchi, Hiromasa Sakai, Kotaro Akashi, Nobutaka Takahashi
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Publication number: 20150056530Abstract: A fuel cell is used for generating driving energy for a vehicle. The reserve-tank inlet valve is located between a suction side of the coolant pump and a position in the coolant circuit at which a pressure of the coolant controlled by the reserve-tank inlet valve is an intermediate value between a discharge pressure of the coolant pump and a suction pressure of the coolant pump during an operation of the coolant pump. Even if the fuel cell is stopped generating electric power, the coolant pump is made continue operating even when the vehicle is traveling in a case that a coolant temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. The coolant pump is made stop rotating after the coolant temperature becomes lower than or equal to the predetermined temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Michio Nishikawa, Takurou Furukoshi, Shunjiro Kikawa, Keigo Suematsu
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Thermal management system for fuel cell, fuel cell system and vehicle equipped with fuel cell system
Publication number: 20150053491Abstract: The invention provides a thermal management system for a fuel cell, a fuel cell system and a vehicle equipped with the fuel cell system. The thermal management system for a fuel cell comprises: a cooling system (100) for recovering the waste heat produced by the fuel cell system, a heat supply system (15) connected with the cooling system (100) to supply heat using the waste heat recovered by the cooling system (100). The fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack and the aforementioned thermal management system for a fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: DONGFANG ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Hao Tang, Jiao Lei, Zhankui Zhang, Haiyu Yang, Yun Li -
Patent number: 8945786Abstract: A fuel cell stack and a fuel cell system, the fuel cell stack including a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, the membrane electrode assemblies being configured to generate electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction of a fuel and an oxidizer; and a plurality of bipolar plates positioned adjacent to the membrane electrode assemblies and between the membrane electrode assemblies, the bipolar plates including a fuel channel at one side thereof and an oxidizer channel at a second, opposite side thereof, wherein the bipolar plates include a plurality of cooling channels penetrating therethrough, the cooling channels having a curvature along a length thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seong-Jin An, Chi-Seung Lee, Jin-Hwa Lee
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Publication number: 20150017561Abstract: A fuel cell system suppresses the deterioration of an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell. The fuel cell system comprises: a temperature rise speed calculation unit for calculating a target temperature rise speed of the fuel cell using a temperature of the fuel cell and a water content of the fuel cell; and a drive control unit for controlling a drive of the cooling water pump using the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell and the target temperature rise speed calculated by the temperature rise speed calculation unit. The drive control unit controls the drive of the cooling water pump such that a circulation amount of the cooling water is decreased when the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell is below the target temperature rise speed and controls the drive of the cooling water pump such that the circulation amount of the cooling water is increased when the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell is equal to or greater than the target temperature rise speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiaki NAGANUMA, Hiromi TANAKA, Osamu YUMITA, Takayoshi TEZUKA, Nobukazu MIZUNO, Masashi FUJI
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Publication number: 20150010840Abstract: Certain fuel cell designs employ bipolar plate assemblies with internal coolant flow fields which comprise a coolant channel region and transition regions adjacent the coolant channel region. The temperature and/or pressure drop, and hence flow, of coolant over the coolant channel region can be non-uniform however, and this can have an adverse effect on cell performance. The coolant flow and temperature distribution can be modified and made more uniform by inserting an appropriate non-uniform porous insert in one or more of the coolant transition regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventor: Alireza Roshanzamir
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Patent number: 8927170Abstract: The pressure drop associated with the coolant flow in the coolant transition regions of a typical high power density, solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack can be significant. This pressure drop can be reduced by enlarging the height of the coolant ducts in this region of the associated flow field plate so that the ducts extend beyond the plane of the plate. The height change can be accommodated by offsetting the ducts in adjacent cells in the stack and by employing non planar MEAs in this region. By reducing the pressure drop, improved coolant flow sharing is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Simon Farrington, Richard Fellows
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Systems and methods for regulating fuel cell air flow during low loads or cold temperature operation
Patent number: 8920996Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating fuel cell air flow, such as during low loads and/or cold temperature operation. These systems and methods may include providing a thermal management fluid, such as air, to the fuel cell stack, transferring thermal energy between the thermal management fluid and the fuel cell stack, and varying the flow rate of the thermal management fluid that comes into contact with the fuel cell stack to maintain the temperature of the fuel cell stack within an acceptable temperature range. Varying the flow rate of the thermal management fluid may include varying the overall supply rate of the thermal management fluid within the fuel cell system and/or providing an alternative flow path for the thermal management fluid such that a portion of the thermal management fluid supplied by the fuel cell system does not come into contact with the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: DCNSInventor: David W. Skinkle -
Publication number: 20140370409Abstract: A cooling pump driving system includes an electric water pump in a coolant passage line for circulating a coolant and having a variable rotation speed. A sensor disposed at an outlet side of the electric water pump checks a coolant pressure passing through the electric water pump. A controller including a reference value for the pressure change is configured to decrease a rotation speed of the electric water pump when the pressure change detected by the sensor is the reference value or higher.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Jeong Kyu PARK, Dong Hoon KIM, Young Pin JIN
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Publication number: 20140356749Abstract: An apparatus preventing over-cooling of a fuel cell is provided that includes a cooling fluid manifold which is mounted to a stack of the fuel cell and through which cooling fluid flows therethrough. End plates are arranged on both ends of the stack of a fuel cell, and at least one protrusion is provided on one surface of each of the end plates. The at least one protrusion is disposed inside a cooling fluid manifold to reduce the flow amount of the cooling fluid which flows in and out between the separating plates through the cooling fluid manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Yoo Chang Yang, Sang Mun Jin, Sung Ho Lee
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Publication number: 20140349207Abstract: An electrochemical cell has at least one plate element which can be cooled by a liquid coolant, such as water. The plate element has a surface that can be wetted for the purpose of cooling with the coolant. The surface of the plate element in the electrochemical cell is configured such that a contact angle between the surface and the liquid coolant is less than 90°. In the method for producing the electrochemical cell an additional method step is carried out which influences the wettable surfaces of plate elements for cooling with coolant and by which a contact angle between the surface and the coolant is decreased.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2012Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Torsten Brandt, Frank Baernreuther, Armin Datz, Anett Eder, Florian Eder, Herbert Hartnack, Joachim Hoffmann
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Patent number: 8877398Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell stack which can reduce variation in temperature distribution of whole cells by a simple change in the structure of a coolant inlet manifold and a coolant outlet manifold in the fuel cell stack without the use of a conventional insulator, which increases the thickness of the fuel cell stack, a heater, which requires a power supply and its control logic, or a cover for forming an air layer for thermal insulation, which disadvantageously prevents the heat generated in the electrode from being transferred to the end plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Sung Ho Lee
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Patent number: 8871401Abstract: A fuel cell system suppresses the deterioration of an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell. The fuel cell system comprises: a temperature rise speed calculation unit for calculating a target temperature rise speed of the fuel cell using a temperature of the fuel cell and a water content of the fuel cell; and a drive control unit for controlling a drive of the cooling water pump using the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell and the target temperature rise speed calculated by the temperature rise speed calculation unit. The drive control unit controls the drive of the cooling water pump such that a circulation amount of the cooling water is decreased when the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell is below the target temperature rise speed and controls the drive of the cooling water pump such that the circulation amount of the cooling water is increased when the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell is equal to or greater than the target temperature rise speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiaki Naganuma, Hiromi Tanaka, Osamu Yumita, Takayoshi Tezuka, Nobukazu Mizuno, Masashi Fuji
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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: 8841038Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a humidifier. The humidifier includes an unreacted gas inlet port connected to an end of an unreacted hydrogen discharge pipeline, which is connected at the other end to a hydrogen outlet port of the fuel cell stack, such that the unreacted hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell stack via the hydrogen outlet port is led by the unreacted hydrogen discharge pipeline into the humidifier. The humidifier regulates the humidity and concentration of the unreacted hydrogen led thereinto, and the unreacted hydrogen is then discharged from the humidifier.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Jefferson Y S Yang, Feng-Hsiang Hsiao
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Patent number: 8835067Abstract: A fuel cell power plant includes a cell stack assembly having an anode and a cathode. A component is arranged in fluid connection with at least one of the anode and cathode. The component has a first shut-down cooling rate. A heat exchanger is arranged in fluid communication with and between the component and one of the anode and cathode. The heat exchanger has a second shut-down cooling rate greater than the first shut-down cooling rate. Water vapor within the fuel cell power plant outside of the cell stack assembly will condense and freeze in the heat exchanger rather than the component, avoiding malfunction of the component upon start-up in below freezing environments.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.Inventors: David G. Converse, Fortunat J. Mueller
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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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Patent number: 8822095Abstract: A fuel cell system including: a fuel cell stack including plural fuel cells sandwiched between two end plates; a fuel supply system supplying a stream of fuel gas to the fuel cell stack; an oxidizer supply system supplying a stream of oxidizer gas to the fuel cell stack; a closed loop coolant circulation system driving a cooling liquid through the fuel cell stack so that the cooling liquid enters the fuel cell stack, absorbs heat from the fuel cells, and exits the fuel cell stack. The coolant circulation system includes a circulation pump driving the cooling liquid, a heat exchanger removing heat from the cooling liquid and for at least partially transferring the heat to the stream of fuel gas and/or the stream of oxidizer gas.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Belenos Clean Power Holding AGInventors: Uwe Hannesen, Akinori Tsukada
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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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Publication number: 20140212782Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cathode side separator. An oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of the cathode side separator. The oxygen-containing gas flow field includes an inlet channel having a plurality of flow grooves connected to the oxygen-containing gas supply passage, an outlet channel having a plurality of flow grooves connected to the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage, and an intermediate channel having flow grooves with both ends connected to the inlet channel and the outlet channel respectively. The flow grooves of the outlet channel are longer than the flow grooves of the inlet channel, and the flow grooves of the outlet channel are narrowed toward the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kentaro ISHIDA, Takeshi USHIO, Eri TERADA
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Patent number: 8790843Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and a stamped metal separator. The metal separator is positioned between the membrane electrode assemblies. The separator includes at least one channel on both surfaces of the separator formed by a stamping process. The separator comprises a plurality of holes, each of which form a manifold communicating with each the channels.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., LtdInventors: Young-Seung Na, Jun-Won Suh, In-Seob Song, Keun-Yong Lee, Sung-Won Jeong, Chan-Gyun Shin
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Patent number: 8785066Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell activation portion that starts electricity generation of a fuel cell; a cooling medium passage that is provided with a pump and that is provided for passing a cooling medium through a cell-side passage for the cooling medium; and a pump control portion that stops the pump for a first predetermined period after a start of the electricity generation caused by the fuel cell activation portion at a time when a temperature of the fuel cell is a low temperature lower than or equal to a predetermined value, and that starts operating the pump after the first predetermined period elapses. The pump control portion includes a cooling medium reverse portion that alternately reverses a direction of flow of the cooling medium in the cell-side passage according to elapsed time by controlling operation of the pump after the first predetermined period elapses.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Araki, Sho Usami
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Publication number: 20140199606Abstract: A method for cooling a fuel cell (3) using a liquid cooling medium, wherein of the starting materials supplied to the fuel cell and the products discharged from the fuel cell, at least one is gaseous during at least one of the operating conditions. The cooling medium is conveyed through the fuel cell (3) by a coolant conveying device (11). The power consumption of the coolant conveying device (11) is compared to predefined reference values in order to detect gas in the liquid cooling medium by a deviation of the power consumption from the predefined reference values.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2012Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: DAIMLER AGInventor: Clemens Schwab
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Patent number: 8771894Abstract: A cooling plate in which flow channels are modified to reduce temperature differences between portions of the cooling plate and provide for more uniform heat distribution within a heat generator. The flow channels of the cooling plate are formed such that a central portion of the flow channels has a greater volume than the end portions near an inlet and an outlet so that the amount of cooling water that is contained in the central portion at any one time is larger than either of the end portions near the inlet and the outlet. Likelihood of thermal deformation of the cooling plate due to thermal stress is decreased, and stability of performance of the fuel cell is increased.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae-young Shin, Jie Peng, Seung-jae Lee, Tae-won Song
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Publication number: 20140154604Abstract: A fuel cell comprising at least two stacked fuel cell boards (22) which each comprise a membrane of substantially gas impervious electrolyte material and at least two electrode pairs wherein the anode and cathode of each said electrode pair are arranged on respective faces of said membrane. An electrode of each pair of electrodes is connected to an electrode of an adjacent pair of electrodes by a through-membrane connection (13) or by an external connection on a Printed Circuit Board, comprising an electrically conductive region of said electrolyte material. A method for forming the through-membrane electrical connections in the electrolyte membrane is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicants: UCL Business PLC, Imperial Innovations LimitedInventors: Daniel John Leslie BRETT, Anthony Robert John KUCERNAK
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Publication number: 20140147764Abstract: A system for adjusting temperature of cooling-liquid comprises: a radiator; a cooling-liquid circulation flow-channel; a radiator bypass flow-channel; a thermostat valve; and a valve bypass flow-channel through which the cooling-liquid of the radiator bypass flow-channel is allowed to flow in a predetermined amount even if the thermostat valve is completely closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2012Publication date: May 29, 2014Inventors: Hayato Chikugo, Michihiko Matsumoto, Tetsuya Aoki, Masato Odashima, Shinichiro Takemoto
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Patent number: 8735014Abstract: A fuel cell of the present invention includes an electrolyte layer-electrode assembly (5), a first separator (4A), and a second separator (4C). A cooling water channel (8) is formed on a main surface of at least one of the first separator (4A) and the second separator (4C) so as to communicate with at least one of a first cooling water manifold hole (41) and a second cooling water manifold hole (51). A first channel forming portion (11) is located in at least one of the first cooling water manifold hole (41) and the second cooling water manifold hole (51) when viewed from a thickness direction of an electrolyte layer (1) and is provided so as to be opposed to at least a part of an end surface constituting the first cooling water manifold hole (41) and the second cooling water manifold hole (51).Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Shinsuke Takeguchi
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Patent number: 8735009Abstract: A control unit operates a fuel-cell power generation apparatus efficiently according to power consumption and supplied hot-water heat consumption which are different in each home. A generated-power command-pattern creation section creates a plurality of generated-power command patterns which are obtained from a combination of a start time and a stop time of the fuel-cell power generation apparatus, based on a power-consumption prediction value. A hot-water storage-tank heat-quantity calculation section calculates a stored hot-water heat quantity for a predetermined period in a hot-water storage tank, based on a supplied hot-water heat-consumption prediction. A fuel-cell system-energy calculation section calculates fuel-cell system energy which indicates the energy of a fuel required in hot-water supply equipment and electricity required in electric equipment when the fuel-cell power generation apparatus is operated in each generated-power command pattern.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Shigeaki Matsubayashi, Masataka Ozeki, Yoshikazu Tanaka
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Publication number: 20140134510Abstract: In a solid polymer fuel cell, destabilization of a voltage when an output state is changed is suppressed, and flow of a corrosion current through a cooling liquid in a cooling liquid manifold is reduced. The fuel cell is constructed by laminating a plurality of fuel battery cells, each including an MEA, a pair of separators, a frame that surrounds the periphery of the MEA, an anode, and a cathode, and a cooling liquid manifold that is formed by the frame. A flow channel of the cooling liquid manifold has a constant flow channel cross-sectional area, and a flow channel length of the cooling liquid manifold, which is included in one of the fuel battery cells, along a flow channel direction is longer than the thickness of the one fuel battery cell in a stacked direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Norihiko Kawabata, Takashi Morimoto, Soichi Shibata
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Publication number: 20140134511Abstract: A fuel cell includes a separator having an uneven shape integrally formed on the front and the back surfaces thereof, so that gas can flow in a recessed portion of one surface and cooling water can flow in a recessed portion of the other surface. The separator has a gas passage portion connected to a manifold via a gas outlet/inlet portion. A first continuous portion that connects the gas outlet/inlet portion to the manifold is different from a second continuous portion that connects the gas outlet/inlet portion to the gas passage in communicating width. The gas outlet/inlet portion has an elliptical embossed portion that protrudes toward the gas passage side. A major axis direction of the embossed portion inclines relative to a straight axis connecting one end of the first continuous portion and one end of the second continuous portion toward a straight axis connecting the other ends of the first and second continuous portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroki Okabe
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Publication number: 20140127600Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a fuel cell is provided. The cooling apparatus for a fuel cell includes a reservoir that is configured to store a coolant and an ion filter assembly that is integrally installed at the reservoir and configured to remove bubbles in the coolant.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Sung Wook Na, Chi Myung Kim, Yong Sun Park
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Patent number: 8715869Abstract: A fuel cell, a method for operating a fuel cell and a fuel cell system, which ensure no dew condensation for a wet reaction gas in the inlet area of gas channels in plates in a fuel cell stack, are provided. Gas channels 2 and heat medium channels are disposed on one surface and the other surface of one plate 1, respectively. Gas channels are disposed on the other plate such that they face the gas channels 2 in the plate 1. A gas inlet header 3 is disposed at the upper part of the gas channel 2 in the plate 1 and a heat medium inlet header is disposed at the upper part of the heat medium channels such that they face the gas inlet header on the other side. Cooling water such as heat medium is supplied from the heat medium supply manifold hole 7 to the heat medium inlet header, thereby warming up the same. The water vapor in the reaction gas (wet fuel gas) is prevented from being condensed in the inlet area of the gas channels 2 by heating up the gas inlet header by the heat conduction.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2013Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy CorporationInventors: Takaaki Matsubayashi, Mitsuo Karakane, Yasunori Yoshimoto, Akira Hamada
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Patent number: 8685577Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module and a condenser apparatus. The condenser apparatus includes a first condenser using an oxygen-containing as a coolant, and a second condenser using hot water stored in a hot water tank as the coolant. Further, the fuel cell system includes a control device for controlling at least one of a flow rate of the exhaust gas supplied to the first condenser and a flow rate of the exhaust gas supplied to the second condenser based on at least any of a water level of the hot water in the hot water tank, a temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank, and a water level of the condensed water in the condenser apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukihiko Kiyohiro, Tetsuya Ogawa, Ayatoshi Yokokawa
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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: 8679693Abstract: A fuel cell including a stack of electrochemical cells, a pair of end plates located at each end of the stack of cells, and a cooling system for cooling the cells. The cooling system includes a coolant fluid circulating in closed loop through the stack and in the end plates, such that the coolant fluid exchanges heat with the end plates.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Commissariat à l′énergie atomique et aux énergies alternativesInventor: Jean Oriol
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Publication number: 20140080024Abstract: There are provided: a power supply provided with a fuel cell; a fuel cell vehicle; an inverter device capable of supplying electric power that is supplied from the fuel cell to an external load; a radiator; a radiator fan; a dryness detection device that detects a dry condition of the fuel cell; and an ECU that control supply of electric power to the external load. The ECU drives the radiator fan when the dryness detection device detects dryness of the fuel cell while electric power is being supplied from the fuel cell to the external load.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Daishi Igarashi, Morio Kayano, Takuya Shirasaka, Kosuke Higashitani, Kenichi Shimizu, Shuichi Kazuno, Yasutaka Sakai
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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: 20140045084Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having an anode plate and a cathode plate arranged on opposing sides of a proton exchange membrane. Cooling channels are in thermal contact with at least one of the anode plate and the cathode plate and include an internal coolant passage. A pressure-drop device is provided in the coolant channels and is configured to provide a sub-atmospheric pressure within the coolant passage. In one example, the coolant within the coolant passage is at less than ambient pressure. A compression device fluidly interconnects to and is downstream from the internal coolant passage by a coolant system loop and configured to convey a sub-atmospheric pressure coolant steam. The compression device is configured to increase the pressure and a temperature of the sub-atmospheric coolant steam to a super-atmospheric pressure and maintain the coolant steam within a steam region of a pressure-enthalpy curve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2011Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Sitaram Ramaswamy
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Patent number: 8647786Abstract: A cell stack pair (100a, 100b) includes refrigerant introduction openings (42a, 42b) arranged at lower end portions of the cell stacks (100a, 100b) and also includes refrigerant discharge openings (44a, 44b) arranged at upper end portions of the cell stacks (100a, 100b), and the cell stack pair (100a, 100b) is arranged symmetrical about a plane (v) vertical to a horizontal plane (h). The direction of stacking of unit cells (50) in each of the cell stacks (100a, 100b) is inclined relative to the horizontal plane (h).Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Norio Yamagishi
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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