Of Liquid Reactant Or Reactant In Electrolyte Patents (Class 429/447)
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Patent number: 11165084Abstract: Disclosed in the invention is a zinc-iodine battery structure, which includes a housing, a cavity is formed in the housing, and a cation exchange membrane for dividing the cavity into two parts is disposed in a middle of the cavity; a glass fiber component for protecting the cation exchange membrane is disposed at a negative output end; a graphite felt impregnated with a ZnI2 solution is disposed on an outside of the glass fiber component; and the graphite felt of the negative output end is coated with Bi powder, and a graphite felt of a positive output end is coated with Sm powder. Carbon plates serving as current leading-out channels of a battery are disposed on outsides of the graphite felts; and a return flow channel is disposed between the two graphite felts.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2018Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: EAST CHINA NORMAL UNIVERSITYInventors: Lianwei Wang, Fangyao Shi, Nanxi Shen, Chunfang Xu, Shaohui Xu, Yiping Zhu, Dayuan Xiong, Shaoqiang Chen, Junhao Chu
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Patent number: 10788445Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) sensor includes an anode and a cathode with a polymer electrolyte disposed therebetween. The anode and cathode are configured with asymmetric catalyst loadings, such that the catalyst loading on the cathode is lower than that of the anode. Accordingly, due to the reduction of the amount of catalyst utilized, the cost of fabricating the sensor is substantially reduced.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRONInventor: Siamak Farhad
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Patent number: 9819034Abstract: Disclosed is a stack for simulating a cell voltage reversal behavior in a fuel cell. The stack is configured to have a structure in which a separator of a portion of a plurality of cells in the stack have an inlet of a hydrogen flow field partially blocked to induce hydrogen starvation only in the portion of the plurality of cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Bo Ki Hong, Kook Il Han, Ji Yeon Park, Se Joon Im
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Patent number: 9705140Abstract: A vehicle fuel cell apparatus includes a fuel cell stack configured to take in air as a reaction gas and a coolant through an air intake aperture area, and discharge temperature-raised air through air discharging aperture areas. An air suction duct, air discharge ducts, and air discharge fans take in air to the air suction duct. The air discharge ducts have air discharge ports in the vicinity of the air suction duct. The air suction duct is formed with first air intake ports opening at its upstream end portion, and second air intake ports opening at locations nearer to the air discharge ports of the air discharge ducts than the first air intake ports. The second air intake ports are provided with shutters. The arrangement provides a vehicle fuel cell apparatus having enhanced operability in situations involving low-temperature outside air, and allows for enhanced mountability to vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Shiro Matsumoto, Kengo Ikeya, Damian Patrick Davies, Nathan Grange
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Publication number: 20150147673Abstract: Improved metal-based redox flow batteries (RFBs) can utilize a metal and a divalent cation of the metal (M2+) as an active redox couple for a first electrode and electrolyte, respectively, in a first half-cell. For example, the metal can be Zn. The RFBs can also utilize a second electrolyte having I?, anions of Ix (for x?3), or both in an aqueous solution, wherein the I? and the anions of Ix (for x?3) compose an active redox couple in a second half-cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Bin Li, Zimin Nie, Wei Wang, Jun Liu, Vincent L. Sprenkle
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Patent number: 9005828Abstract: This invention provides a redox fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode separated by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane; means for supplying a fuel to the anode region of the cell; means for supplying an oxidant to the cathode region of the cell; means for providing an electrical circuit between the anode and the cathode; a non-volatile catholyte solution flowing fluid communication with the cathode, the catholyte solution comprising a polyoxometallate redox couple being at least partially reduced at the cathode in operation of the cell, and at least partially re-generated by reaction with the oxidant after such reduction at the cathode, the catholyte solution comprising at least about 0.075M of the said polyoxometallate.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Acal Energy LimitedInventors: Andrew Martin Creeth, Andrew Robert Potter
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Patent number: 8993196Abstract: In a fuel cell system including a fuel cartridge and a fuel supply module, the fuel cartridge includes at least two ports, wherein a first port from among the at least two ports is a fuel inlet port and a second port from among the at least two ports is a fuel outlet port. The fuel cartridge may also include a fuel pouch or the fuel cartridge itself may be the fuel pouch. The fuel supply module may include a fuel circulation structure that circulates the fuel before the fuel is supplied to the stack. The fuel cell system may be equipped with an electronic apparatus and serve as a source of power.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young-soo Joung, Hye-jung Cho, Sang-ho Yoon
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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: 8968955Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: David Weingaertner, Arne Ballantine, Swaminathan Venkataraman
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Patent number: 8945788Abstract: A fuel cell system whose fuel loss caused by the crossover of the fuel is small and which can be operated economically. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell 10, a primary feeding system 12 for feeding a primary fuel which is a liquid fuel to the fuel cell 10, a secondary feeding system 13 for feeding a secondary fuel which is a liquid fuel whose saturation vapor pressure is lower than that of the primary fuel to the fuel cell 10, a ECU 30 for controlling each part so that the primary fuel in the fuel cell is replaced with the secondary fuel when terminating the operation of the fuel cell 10.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Hidekazu Arikawa, Kazuya Uchisasai
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Patent number: 8932777Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fuel supply comprising a compressed gas chamber and liquid fuel chamber. A pressure regulator connects the compressed gas chamber to the liquid fuel chamber. The pressure regulator is capable of taking a high pressure input from the compressed gas chamber and providing a substantially constant lower output pressure to the liquid fuel chamber. The pressure of the compressed gas chamber can decrease over time, but the pressure that urges liquid fuel out of the liquid fuel chamber remains substantially at the same level.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2008Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Société BICInventors: Andrew J. Curello, Paul Spahr
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Publication number: 20140363753Abstract: An RF battery in which an amount of leakage of an electrolyte in a tank can be reduced by means of a leakage prevention hole provided on the upper side of the tank, at the time of an accident to an upstream pipe and the like, through an inverted U-shaped pipe formed of an accommodated pipe and a portion of the upstream pipe according to the principle of a siphon.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2012Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventor: Takahiro Kumamoto
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Patent number: 8889312Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface and one or more sensors configured to detect an operating condition of the device. Fluid-directing structures may modulate flow or retain fluid in response to the sensors. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Geoffrey F. Deane, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Victoria Y. H. Wood
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Patent number: 8871402Abstract: In a fuel cell system, it is possible to suppress fixation of a fluid circulating device arranged in a fluid passage connected to a fuel cell main body. The fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell stack, a system main body having respective elements for supplying a fuel gas and respective elements for supplying an oxidizing gas, and a control device. The control device includes a fluid circulating device drive processing unit having a function to forcibly drive the fluid circulating device after determining, based on a judgment related to one or more of a non-use time, an operation state of the system main body, a membrane impedance state of a fuel cell, a temperature of the fuel cell stack, and a background noise, whether or not forced driving to suppress sticking of the fluid circulating device is preferable at that time.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigeto Kajiwara, Tetsuya Bono
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Patent number: 8865361Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface and one or more sensors configured to detect an operating condition of the device. Fluid-directing structures may modulate flow or retain fluid in response to the sensors. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2010Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Geoffrey F. Deane, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Victoria Y. H. Wood
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Publication number: 20140295310Abstract: A valve includes a cap, a diaphragm defining a movable portion, a valve housing, and a valve portion. An inlet port through which fluid flows into a valve chamber, an outlet port through which the fluid flows out from the valve chamber, and a placement portion on which a peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm is placed are provided in the valve housing. The diaphragm includes a peripheral edge portion, a center portion, a connecting portion connecting the peripheral edge portion and the center portion, and a pusher. The connecting portion has a wave shape from the peripheral edge portion side toward the center portion side such that the connecting portion first projects to a valve body portion side, and next projects to the cap side.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: Hideaki YAMAGATA, Takenobu MAEDA, Yuzo HIGASHIYAMA
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Patent number: 8846257Abstract: A fuel cell system that is able to perform power generation more stably than in the past regardless of external environment is provided. Based on a temperature of a power generation section detected by a temperature detection section, a supply amount of a liquid fuel from a fuel pump is adjusted, and therefore control in which the temperature of the power generation section becomes constant is performed. In addition, a fuel cell system that is able to perform power generation in a vaporization supply type fuel cell more stably than in the past is provided. A level of a power generation voltage supplied from the power generation section is raised by a boost circuit. In a control section, operation of the boost circuit is controlled using a given control table, and therefore control is performed on an output voltage and an output current supplied from the boost circuit to a load.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Jusuke Shimura, Yoshiaki Inoue
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Publication number: 20140234741Abstract: A fuel cell apparatus includes a fuel cell generating electric power, and including a fuel electrode which includes an anode catalyst, which is disposed in one side of an electrolyte membrane, which is supplied with liquid fuel, and which discharges gas generated by a chemical reaction accelerated by the anode catalyst, and an oxidizing agent electrode which includes a cathode catalyst, which is disposed in the other side of the electrolyte membrane, and which is supplied with air, and a control unit controlling a load applied to the fuel cell. The control unit increases the load in at least one of two cases, one case being when electric power generated by the fuel cell lowers below a predetermined reference value and another case being at predetermined time intervals, and stops the increase of the load after elapsing a predetermined time period from the start of the increase of the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Norihiro TOMIMATSU, Masato AKITA, Ryosuke YAGI
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Publication number: 20140193736Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell generator and a fuel cartridge that is removably attachable to the fuel cell generator is disclosed. The fuel cartridge includes a housing having a port, a normally closed valve disposed in the housing that gates fuel emerging from the port, the valve having a poppet that modulates opening of the valve, the poppet having a control surface. The fuel cell generator has a moveable pintle coupled to the poppet, and the moveable pintle is operative over a range of motion which causes the poppet to move between a closed state and at least one open state.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: LILLIPUTIAN SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Alan P. Ludwiszewski, Antonios E. Prentakis
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Publication number: 20140186731Abstract: Loss of flow battery electrode catalyst layers during self-discharge or charge reversal may be prevented by establishing and maintaining a negative electrolyte imbalance during at least parts of a flow battery's operation. Negative imbalance may be established and/or maintained actively, passively or both. Actively establishing a negative imbalance may involve detecting an imbalance that is less negative than a desired threshold, and processing one or both electrolytes until the imbalance reaches a desired negative level. Negative imbalance may be effectively established and maintained passively within a cell by constructing a cell with a negative electrode chamber that is larger than the cell's positive electrode chamber, thereby providing a larger quantity of negative electrolyte for reaction with positive electrolyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: EnerVault CorporationInventors: Quoc PHAM, On CHANG, Sumitha DURAIRAJ
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Patent number: 8753783Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell comprising an anode in an anode region of the cell and a cathode in a cathode region of the cell, the anode being separated from the cathode by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane, the anode region of the cell being supplied in use thereof with an alcoholic fuel, the cathode region of the cell being supplied in use thereof with an oxidant, the cell being provided with means for generating an electrical circuit between the anode and the cathode and with a non-volatile redox couple in solution in flowing fluid communication with the cathode in the cathode region of the cell, the redox couple being at least partially reduced at the cathode in operation of the cell, and at least partially re-generated by reaction with the oxidant after such reduction at the cathode, the redox couple and/or the concentration of the redox couple in the catholyte solution being selected so that the current density generated by the cell in operation is substantially unaffected by the crossType: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: ACAL Enegy LimitedInventors: Andrew Martin Creeth, Jian-Guo Liu
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Patent number: 8722261Abstract: A recycler for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) that uses methanol as a direct feed fuel includes: a housing in which a gas-liquid mixture recovered from a stack is accommodated; a rotor rotatably mounted in the housing; and a motor to rotate the rotor, wherein, when the rotor is rotated by the motor, a phase separation occurs such that liquid in the gas-liquid mixture is collected mainly in an outer region of the housing and gas is collected in the center region of the housing due to the centrifugal force. Accordingly, as it is unnecessary to align a liquid outlet port of the housing with a gravitational direction, the recycler can be employed in a mobile apparatus whose orientation occasionally changes. Also, the recycler does not use a membrane whose performance is rapidly reduced over time so that effective performance can be maintained for a long operation time.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2008Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young-soo Joung, Hye-jung Cho
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Patent number: 8715882Abstract: A phosphoric acid fuel cell according to one embodiment includes an array of microchannels defined by a porous electrolyte support structure extending between bottom and upper support layers, the microchannels including fuel and oxidant microchannels; fuel electrodes formed along some of the microchannels; and air electrodes formed along other of the microchannels. A method of making a phosphoric acid fuel cell according to one embodiment includes etching an array of microchannels in a substrate, thereby forming walls between the microchannels; processing the walls to make the walls porous, thereby forming a porous electrolyte support structure; forming anode electrodes along some of the walls; forming cathode electrodes along other of the walls; and filling the porous electrolyte support structure with a phosphoric acid electrolyte. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Lawrene Livermore National Security, LLC.Inventors: David A. Sopchak, Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Jack Kotovsky, Robert T. Graff
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Patent number: 8709679Abstract: Active metal fuel cells are provided. An active metal fuel cell has a renewable active metal (e.g., lithium) anode and a cathode structure that includes an electronically conductive component (e.g., a porous metal or alloy), an ionically conductive component (e.g., an electrolyte), and a fluid oxidant (e.g., air, water or a peroxide or other aqueous solution). The pairing of an active metal anode with a cathode oxidant in a fuel cell is enabled by an ionically conductive protective membrane on the surface of the anode facing the cathode.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: PolyPlus Battery CompanyInventors: Steven J. Visco, Yevgeniy S. Nimon, Bruce D. Katz, Lutgard C. De Jonghe
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Patent number: 8709680Abstract: A cell unit of a mixed reactant fuel cell comprises a multiphase mixed reactant fluid distributor, an anode and cathode in fluid and electronic communication with the distributor, and a separator positioned relative to one of the anode and the cathode to provide electronic insulation and ionic communication between the cell unit and another adjacent cell unit. The distributor is electronically conductive and the reactant fluid which flows through the distributor has fuel and oxidant each in separate fluid phases, wherein at least one of the fuel and oxidant fluid phases is a liquid.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2009Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: 0798465 B.C. Ltd.Inventor: Colin Oloman
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Patent number: 8703359Abstract: A fuel cell capable of being thinned while maintaining a stable electric power supply is provided. A fuel cell includes a power generation section, a fuel tank, a fuel supply section (pump), and a fuel vaporization section. The power generation section has a structure in which a combined body is sandwiched between a cell plate and a cell plate. The combined body has a structure in which an anode electrode and a cathode electrode are oppositely arranged with an electrolyte film in between. In particular, the fuel supply section and the fuel vaporization section are integrally provided, and are connected by a nozzle section buried therein. A fuel contained in the fuel tank is pumped by the fuel supply section according to the state of the power generation section, and then is vaporized by the fuel vaporization section, and is supplied to the power generation section side.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Kazuaki Fukushima, Shuji Goto, Jusuke Shimura
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Patent number: 8685583Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: David Weingaertner, Arne Ballantine, Swaminathan Venkataraman
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Patent number: 8557480Abstract: A fuel cell according to one embodiment includes a porous electrolyte support structure defining an array of microchannels, the microchannels including fuel and oxidant microchannels; fuel electrodes formed along some of the microchannels; and oxidant electrodes formed along other of the microchannels. A method of making a fuel cell according to one embodiment includes forming an array of walls defining microchannels therebetween using at least one of molding, stamping, extrusion, injection and electrodeposition; processing the walls to make the walls porous, thereby creating a porous electrolyte support structure; forming anode electrodes along some of the microchannels; and forming cathode electrodes along other of the microchannels. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Christopher M. Spadaccini, Hyung Gyu Park
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Publication number: 20130216928Abstract: According to an aspect, an electronic device include: a fuel supply port; a fuel tank for storing a liquid fuel to be supplied from the first supply port through a first fluid channel; a fuel cell for generating power by using the liquid fuel supplied from the fuel tank through a second fluid channel; a first valve that is installed in the second fluid channel for controlling supply of the liquid fuel to the fuel cell; a voltage generator that is installed in the first fluid channel for generating a voltage using a pressure of the liquid fuel that is supplied from the fuel supply port; and a valve control unit for controlling an open/closed state of the first valve according to an application of the voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2011Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATIONInventors: Masayoshi Nakajima, Akira Koyama, Yoshiyuki Shinoda
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Publication number: 20130189598Abstract: A fuel cell system and a method for controlling the fuel cell system are provided. The method includes detecting an output characteristic value of the fuel cell system and controlling the fuel cell system to respectively operate in at least two of a first mode, a second mode and a third mode at different time points according to the detected output characteristic value. Accordingly, the fuel cell system is capable of stably generating electric power, and is adapted to different operation environments.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: YOUNG GREEN ENERGY CO.Inventors: Din-Sun Ju, Po-Kuei Chou, Tsai-Hsin Cheng
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Publication number: 20130171537Abstract: A forward check valve and a fuel cell system in which fluid control is performed with increased reliability when a highly active fluid is used are structured such that when an edge portion of a cap is joined to an edge portion of a valve housing, a peripheral edge portion of a diaphragm is pushed and sandwiched by a peripheral edge portion of the cap and a placement portion. Further, the diaphragm is formed of rubber. As a result, the peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm is compressed by the peripheral edge portion of the cap and the placement portion, so that the degree of contact at a contact portion between the placement portion and the peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm becomes very high. Consequently, in the forward check valve, joints of the members including a joint of the edge portion of the cap and the edge portion of the valve housing do not contact methanol.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2013Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
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Patent number: 8399138Abstract: One embodiment includes a method for recharging a lithium ion battery, including providing a lithium ion battery comprising used liquid electrode material; removing said used liquid electrode material from said lithium ion battery; and, introducing a relatively unused liquid electrode material into the lithium ion battery to replace the used liquid electrode material.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2009Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Adam T Timmons
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Publication number: 20130017467Abstract: A fuel reservoir for dispensing liquid fuel with a dispensing appliance includes a container having an opening, a liquid fuel in the container, a needle-pierceable septum disposed across the opening of the container, and a locking surface disposed on an exterior surface of the container and configured to engage a locking mechanism of a dispensing appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventors: Larry J. Markoski, Timothy C. Simmons
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Patent number: 8293421Abstract: The aim of the invention is to improve the accuracy of estimating residual water content in a fuel cell system adopting an intermittent operation mode and to accurately suppress cell voltage reduction due to water accumulation caused by the intermittent operation. The fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell having a cell laminate; an estimating unit for estimating a residual water content distribution in a reactant gas flow channel and a moisture content distribution in an electrolyte membrane in a cell plane of each single cell while taking into consideration water transfer that occurs between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode via the electrolyte membrane; and an operation control unit which changes the content of an intermittent operation when a residual water content in the reactant gas flow channel estimated by the estimating unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Okuyoshi, Masaaki Matsusue, Masashi Toida
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Patent number: 8263282Abstract: In a power generation unit incorporated in a fuel cell system, a mixture fuel with a certain concentration is supplied to an anode, power is generated by electrochemical reaction between the anode and a cathode exposed to air, and a discharge liquid containing an unreacted mixture fuel is discharged from the anode. The power generation unit is connected to a fuel circulation path for circulating the discharge liquid to the anode. If a mixture fuel is low in pressure, a fuel supply unit supplies fuel to the fuel circulation path. The temperature of the power generation unit is controlled in accordance with the concentration or volume of the mixture fuel supplied to the anode.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Ryosuke Yagi, Takahiro Suzuki, Yuusuke Sato, Eiichi Sakaue
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Patent number: 8263283Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell which has an anode. A fuel supplying device circulates a supply of aqueous methanol solution to the anode in the fuel cell. The fuel supplying device includes an aqueous solution tank for storing the aqueous methanol solution. By moving aqueous methanol solution from the aqueous solution tank to a water tank, the amount of aqueous methanol solution which is in circulation at the time of start-up is made smaller than the amount for normal operation. The fuel cell system and a control method therefore are capable of shortening a time that is necessary for heating aqueous fuel solution to be supplied to the fuel cell to a predetermined temperature without reducing fuel utilization efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuyuki Muramatsu, Masatsugu Oishi
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Patent number: 8252471Abstract: A first detection line is set in a lower temperature range than a limit line representing an upper limit temperature of a motor allowed by an inverter and represents a reference motor temperature at a required output for fuel cells as a temperature criterion where a controller changes over the means for achieving the sufficient hydrogen stoichiometric ratio from recycling hydrogen with a circulation pump to increasing the hydrogen concentration. When the motor temperature reaches or exceeds the first detection line at the required output for the fuel cells, the controller prevents an increase in rotation speed of the motor and regulates the openings of a shutoff valve and a regulator to increase the concentration of hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen tank to the fuel cells and thereby increase the hydrogen supply pressure. This arrangement effectively prevents an increase of the motor temperature, while achieving the sufficient hydrogen stoichiometric ratio.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Katano
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Patent number: 8236455Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a direct oxidation fuel cell in which the fuel cell is supplied generally with methanol via a transport device for the fuel. The invention likewise relates to a corresponding arrangement comprising a direct oxidation fuel cell, a fuel reservoir and at least one device for transporting the fuel through the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignees: Faunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat FreiburgInventors: Steffen Eccarius, Christian Litterst, Peter Koltay
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Patent number: 8221610Abstract: An electrochemical method for providing hydrogen using ammonia, ethanol, or combinations thereof, comprising: forming an anode comprising a layered electrocatalyst, the layered electrocatalyst comprising at least one active metal layer deposited on a carbon support; providing a cathode comprising a conductor; disposing a basic electrolyte between the anode and the cathode; disposing a fuel within the basic electrolyte; and applying a current to the anode causing the oxidation of the fuel, forming hydrogen at the cathode.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Ohio UniversityInventor: Gerardine G. Botte
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Patent number: 8211582Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell body that includes a middle plate and an electricity generating unit that generates electricity by a reaction of air and fuel. The middle plate includes a plurality of unit sections, a supply passage formed inside the middle plate, a supply opening for supplying the fuel to the supply passage, a plurality of inlet openings formed on the unit sections, a discharge passage formed inside the middle plate, a plurality of outlet openings formed on the unit sections, and a discharge opening for discharging the fuel from the discharge passage. The fuel is supplied to the unit sections through the inlet openings, and the fuel discharged from the unit sections being discharged to the discharge passage through the outlet openings. In one embodiment, an opening area of an inlet opening become smaller as the inlet opening is located farther from the supply opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Inhyuk Son, Dongmyung Suh
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Patent number: 8211583Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: David Weingaertner, Arne Ballantine, Swaminathan Venkataraman
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Patent number: 8182955Abstract: A method for operating a direct methanol fuel cell is provided. The fuel cell includes a fuel cell main body having a fuel electrode and an air electrode disposed in opposing positions on either side of an electrolyte film. In this method, an aqueous methanol solution is supplied directly to the fuel electrode. A quantity of the aqueous methanol solution supplied is controlled in accordance with an electric current value drawn from the fuel cell main body so as to minimize a quantity of unused methanol within a discharge fluid discharged from the fuel electrode.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Katsumi Kozu, Toshihiko Ichinose, Masahiro Takada, Satoshi Shibutani
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Patent number: 8173318Abstract: The fuel reservoir for a fuel cell is a fuel reservoir detachably connected with a fuel cell main body, and it is equipped with a fuel-storing vessel of a tube type for storing a liquid fuel and a fuel discharge part; the fuel discharge part is provided with a valve for sealing communication between the inside and the outside of the above fuel-storing vessel; and a follower which seals the liquid fuel and moves as the liquid fuel is consumed is disposed in the rear end part of the liquid fuel stored. The valve assumes a structure in which a slit is formed in an elastic material and a structure in which a valve member is pressed by a resilient body.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2005Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignees: Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd., Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takahiro Osada, Yoshihisa Suda, Toshimi Kamitani, Kunitaka Yamada, Kouji Nishimura, Yasunari Kabasawa
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Publication number: 20120107712Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for operating a fuel cell, especially for operating a fuel cell in which the electrolyte responsible for the proton conduction is volatile. By means of the process according to the invention, better operation of such a fuel cell is possible, and they exhibit an improved lifetime.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: BASF SEInventors: Thomas Justus Schmidt, Jochen Baurmeister
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Publication number: 20120100451Abstract: A process for the highly efficient oxidation of ethanol in fuel cells involves the addition of a metal co-catalyst oxidation enhancer to the fuel cell electrolyte in soluble form. The enhancer vastly improves the rate of ethanol ethanol oxidation and promotes oxidation of the C—C bond to CO2. The metal co-catalyst can adopt oxidation number II and oxidation number IV and forms a redox couple that promotes oxidation reactions at the anode. Embodiments of the invention include fuel cells, methods of their operation, and fuel cell electrolyte solutions for the efficient electro-oxidation of organic fuels including ethanol.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Inventors: Sanjeev Mukerjee, Qinggang He, Petr Krtil, Katerina Macounova
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Patent number: 8163429Abstract: A fuel cell comprises an anode comprising an anode catalyst, a cathode comprising a gas diffusion electrode and a cathode catalyst on the gas diffusion electrode, a microfluidic channel contiguous with the anode, and a liquid comprising fuel in the channel. The concentration of the fuel in the liquid is 0.05-0.5 M.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: INI Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Larry J. Markoski, Dilip Natarajan
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Patent number: 8088521Abstract: A fuel cell system capable of computing fuel level stored in a fuel tank, and more particularly to a fuel cell system capable of computing fuel level without using a flux sensor or flow rate sensor includes: a fuel tank storing fuel; a stack for generating electricity by the electro-chemical reaction of the fuel; a fuel pump for transferring fuel from the fuel tank to the stack; a fuel pump for transferring the fuel from the fuel tank to the stack; a pumping controller for generating a pump control signal controlling the pumping operation of the fuel pump; and a fuel level computing unit for computing the amount of fuel used and fuel level from the waveform of the pump control signal. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system informs a user when the fuel level is low, with reduced manufacturing costs.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ri-a Ju, Dong-rak Kim, Jin-hong An, Ho-jin Kweon, Sang-kyun Kang
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Publication number: 20110311896Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrochemical energy storage systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to particular systems and methods for providing a compact framework in which to house an electrochemical energy storage system. Various embodiments of electrochemical energy storage systems are disclosed that include a flow manifold and a flow manifold cover. The flow manifold may provide a plurality of channels for distributing liquid reactant to an electrical cell stack. The flow manifold may be utilized in conjunction with a flow manifold cover. The flow manifold cover may be configured to support a variety of components of a liquid reactant distribution system. Such components may include liquid reactant pump motors, inlet and outlet ports, a reference cell, and a variety of sensors. The distribution of liquid reactants to the cell stack from the inlet and outlet ports may be accomplished by way of the flow manifold cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: JD HOLDING INC.Inventors: Matthew Albert MacLennan HARPER, Gary LEPP
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Patent number: 8071244Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a cell stack, a temperature sensor which detects a temperature of the cell stack, an outside air temperature sensor which detects an outside air temperature, and a CPU which controls a process in the fuel cell system. When the temperature of the cell stack is lower than a predetermined temperature, the fuel cell system performs a temperature raising operation of the cell stack by making the concentration of aqueous methanol solution in an aqueous solution tank higher than in a normal operation and by making an output of an aqueous solution pump greater than in the normal operation. The CPU sets a run time for the temperature raising operation based on a detection result from the outside air temperature sensor, a detection result from the temperature sensor, and a run time setting table which is stored in a memory. The fuel cell system is capable of raising a temperature of the fuel cell quickly and stably to the predetermined temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasuyuki Muramatsu
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Patent number: 8057956Abstract: A fuel cell includes electromotive portions, a first sheet, a second sheet, a replenishing portion and a fuel adjusting film. The electromotive portions cause fuel and oxygen to react chemically with each other to produce electrical energy. The first sheet is provided to supply the fuel to the electromotive portions. The second sheet is provided to supply the oxygen to the electromotive portions. The replenishing portion is provided at a predetermined portion of the first sheet to replenish the first sheet with the fuel. The fuel adjusting film is inserted in the first sheet to adjust the amounts of the fuel to be supplied from the first sheet to the electromotive portions.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2005Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takahiro Terada, Yasutada Nakagawa, Shinji Nakata, Yuuichi Yoshida