Grouping Of Fuel Cells Into Stack Or Module Patents (Class 429/452)
  • Patent number: 11955619
    Abstract: A metal-gas battery including: a battery core including: a metal anode; a non-aqueous electrolyte; a porous cathode; and terminals for providing electrical power from the battery core. The metal-gas battery further including a gas generator configured to be activated by electrical power to generate a pressurized gas; and a gas container having an opening through which the generated gas can move from the gas container into the porous cathode to activate the battery core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: OMNITEK PARTNERS L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jahangir S Rastegar, Javier Alvare
  • Patent number: 11772086
    Abstract: A multifunctional self-cleaning surface layer and methods of preparing the multifunctional self-cleaning surface layer are provided. The multifunctional self-cleaning surface layer includes an inorganic matrix including silicon and oxygen; a plurality of photocatalytic active particles distributed within and bonded to the inorganic matrix; and a plurality of nanopores defined within the inorganic matrix in regions corresponding to bonds between the plurality of photocatalytic active particles and the inorganic matrix. Water molecules may be disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of nanopores. In the presence of water and electromagnetic radiation, the plurality of photocatalytic active particles may facilitate a decomposition reaction of any oil or organic residue on the multifunctional self-cleaning surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A Seder, James A. Carpenter, Gayatri V. Dadheech
  • Patent number: 11742525
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems. Divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems include a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell connected in parallel. Both electrochemical cells include a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, an anode disposed on an anode current collector, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have different performance properties from the second electrochemical cell. For example, the first electrochemical cell can have a high energy density while the second electrochemical cell can have a high power density. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have a battery chemistry, thickness, or any other physical/chemical property different from those properties of the second electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: 24M Technologies, Inc., Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Junji Aranami, Junzheng Chen, Naoki Ota
  • Patent number: 11695140
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting oxidation in at least one planar fuel cell stack that includes a multitude of cells is described. The height of the stack is measured to determine if there has been an increase from a previously-measured height. Such an increase correlates with the oxidation of at least some of the planar cells. In some cases, the fuel flow rate or airflow rate to each fuel cell stack can be adjusted, based in part on the oxidation detection technique. A power delivery system with at least two fuel cell stacks is also described, and it includes a stack height-measurement system, a health monitor for the fuel cell stacks, and a load balancer or airflow regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: CUMMINS ENTERPRISE LLC
    Inventors: Darren Bawden Hickey, Honggang Wang
  • Patent number: 11658327
    Abstract: A cell stack in which a plurality of cells may have a cylindrical shape and may include gas flow passages may be arranged uprightly and may be electrically connected may include: a manifold configured to fix lower ends of the plurality of cells and supply gas to the gas flow passages of the plurality of cells, and a gas supply pipe configured to supply the gas to the manifold. The gas supply pipe may include one end connected to a gas supply portion and another end inserted into a first through hole provided in the manifold, and may be joined to the manifold via a first joining portion. The gas supply pipe may include a first protruding portion protruding toward an inner side of the gas supply pipe and located at a position corresponding to the first joining portion in any cross-section along an insertion direction of the gas supply pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunari Sugihara, Makoto Koi
  • Patent number: 11158878
    Abstract: An electrochemical reaction cell stack includes an electrochemical reaction block including three or more electrochemical reaction units arranged in a first direction; a first heat-absorbing member which is disposed on one side of the electrochemical reaction block in the first direction and absorbs heat generated from the electrochemical reaction block; and a second heat-absorbing member which is disposed on the other side of the electrochemical reaction block in the first direction and absorbs heat generated from the electrochemical reaction block. An upstream electrochemical reaction unit is disposed between the first heat-absorbing member and the downstream electrochemical reaction unit disposed closest to the first heat-absorbing member, and an upstream electrochemical reaction unit is disposed between the second heat-absorbing member and the downstream electrochemical reaction unit disposed closest to the second heat-absorbing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Manabe, Nobuyuki Hotta, Takafumi Shichida, Yuki Ota
  • Patent number: 11158871
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell stack. A vehicle includes a propulsion system and the fuel cell assembly configured to provide power to the propulsion system in at least one mode. The fuel cell assembly also includes an air compressor and an air pump spaced from the air compressor. The air compressor includes an on position in which the air compressor is configured to supply air to the fuel cell stack and an off position in which the air compressor does not supply air to the fuel cell stack. The air compressor also includes a bearing configured to be levitated via air. The air pump is configured to supply air to the fuel cell stack when the air compressor is in the off position and configured to supply air to the bearing when the air compressor is in the on position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kelsey M. Rollag, Balasubramanian Lakshmanan
  • Patent number: 11069913
    Abstract: The present exemplary embodiments disclose a redox flow battery. The present exemplary embodiments disclose a redox flow battery which forms a mixing space for mixing an active material in a porous electrode to improve a ununiform concentration of the active material, thereby improving an energy efficiency by reducing an over-potential and increasing an area of the stack and an output thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jung Il Choi, Yun Young Choi, Min Gyu Yang
  • Patent number: 10964968
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack at least includes a first dummy cell provided at one end of a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells in a stacking direction. A dummy assembly of the first dummy cell includes a first electrically conductive porous body, a second electrically conductive porous body, and a third electrically conductive porous body, which are stacked in this order. A first joint layer is interposed between the first electrically conductive porous body and the second electrically conductive porous body to join the first and second electrically conductive porous bodies together, and a second joint layer is interposed between the second electrically conductive porous body and the third electrically conductive porous body to join the second and third electrically conductive porous bodies together. The first joint layer and the second joint layer are provided at different positions in the stacking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Inoue, Satoshi Aoki, Kensuke Umezawa
  • Patent number: 10826104
    Abstract: A method for integrating a fuel cell unit into a vehicle structural component, includes determining an available receiving space in an interior structural component of the vehicle, providing two casing parts assembleable to a closed casing, providing a fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte, assembling the casing parts and the fuel cell to form the fuel cell unit, and inserting the fuel cell unit into the receiving space. A casing part is additively manufactured such that the fuel cell unit precisely fits into the receiving space. A casing part includes an exterior fuel inlet and an interior fuel distributor for leading a fuel from the inlet to a fuel outlet couplable with the fuel cell. A casing part includes an exterior oxidant inlet and an interior oxidant distributor for leading an oxidant from the inlet to an oxidant outlet couplable with the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Linde
  • Patent number: 10777842
    Abstract: Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that have a high-capacity are provided. The lithium-ion batteries contain an anode structure that is of unitary construction and includes a non-porous region and a porous region including a top porous layer (Porous Region 1) having a first thickness and a first porosity, and a bottom porous layer (Porous Region 2) located beneath the top porous layer and forming an interface with the non-porous region. At least an upper portion of the non-porous region and the entirety of the porous region are composed of silicon, and the bottom porous layer has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness, and a second porosity that is greater than the first porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joel P. de Souza, John Collins, Devendra K. Sadana, Stephen W. Bedell
  • Patent number: 10749203
    Abstract: Fuel cell stack housing including at least a bottom section and a first and a second side wall, which are spaced apart by the bottom section, wherein the housing is adapted to house a fuel cell stack and includes at least one fastening element, which is engaged with the first and the second side wall, wherein at least the first side wall of the housing has a flat section and an arched section extending in direction of the second side wall, and wherein a maximum possible distance between the arched section and the bottom portion defines an inner height of the fuel cell stack housing, where in the inner height of the fuel cell stack housing is adjustable, as well as a fuel cell stack assembly including a fuel cell stack encased by such a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: POWERCELL SWEDEN AB
    Inventor: Thomas Tingelöf
  • Patent number: 10270094
    Abstract: Anodes for the lithium secondary batteries include a strong, electrically conductive, porous superstructure filled with a milled or melted interstitial material, such as nano-scaled silicon; the milled or melted interstitial material provides high lithiation capacity, and the superstructure provides durability and controls the anode's electromechanical expansion and contraction during the lithiation and de-lithiation cycle. Embodiments include porous superstructures comprised of silicon carbide, tungsten, and other materials, many of which offer capability of lithiating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Mossey Creek Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Carberry, Tim Wilson
  • Patent number: 10249899
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for making fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module curved to form a chamber. The fuel cell module includes a container having a number of through holes and a membrane electrode assembly located on the container and cover the number of through holes. The membrane electrode assembly includes a proton exchange membrane having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a cathode electrode located on the first surface and an anode electrode located on the second surface. A fuel cell module is at least partially immerged in the fuel and the oxidizing gas is supplied in to the chamber of the fuel cell module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Li-Na Zhang, Xin-Yu Gao, Qi-Yao Yang, Kai-Li Jiang, Chang-Hong Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 10186717
    Abstract: Disclosed are a metal separation plate for a fuel cell stack, which includes protrusion patterns each having an air path opened in a short-side direction or protrusion patterns each having an air path of which one side is opened and the other side is closed, and can not only improve cooling performance and stack performance without a separate cooling plate mounted therein, and but also improve humidification performance of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) by blocking moisture leaking from the inside of the closed air paths, and a fuel cell stack having the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Steel Company
    Inventors: Ji-Young Park, Ki-Jung Kim, Yoo-Taek Jeon
  • Patent number: 10038194
    Abstract: A method for producing a negative electrode, including a step of subjecting a copper foil to a plasma treatment, a step of coating the copper foil subjected to the plasma treatment, with a slurry including an active material containing a silicon atom, and a step of subjecting the copper foil coated with the slurry to a heat treatment to form an intermetallic compound of copper and silicon at an interface between the copper foil and the active material. A negative electrode including a copper foil, an active material layer including an active material containing a silicon atom on the copper foil, and copper silicide at an interface between the copper foil and the active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: NEC ENERGY DEVICES, LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuaki Hamanaka
  • Patent number: 10005944
    Abstract: Some embodiments provided herein relate to metal particles, methods of making, and methods of using such metal particles. In some embodiments, metal particles can be coated in silica and can be used as part of a power transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Masahiro Kishida
  • Patent number: 9935322
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module, fuel and oxidizing gas. The fuel cell module includes a container and a membrane electrode assembly located on the container. The container includes a housing and a nozzle connected to the housing. The container defines a number of through holes located on the housing and covered by the membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly includes a proton exchange membrane having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a cathode electrode located on the first surface and an anode electrode located on the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Li-Na Zhang, Xin-Yu Gao, Qi-Yao Yang, Kai-Li Jiang, Chang-Hong Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 9929423
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fuel cell module. The fuel cell module includes a container and a membrane electrode assembly located on the container. The container includes a housing and a nozzle connected to the housing. The container defines a number of through holes located on the housing and covered by the membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly includes a proton exchange membrane having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a cathode electrode located on the first surface and an anode electrode located on the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Li-Na Zhang, Xin-Yu Gao, Qi-Yao Yang, Kai-Li Jiang, Chang-Hong Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 9911990
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stack including a plurality of unit cells, which is stacked on one another in a predetermined direction, first and second end plates disposed on opposing ends of the stack, and a supply line disposed on a first surface of the first end plate to supply fuel or air to the plurality of unit cells, where an insertion hole is defined in a second surface of the first end plate to be adjacent to the supply line, and the second surface of the first end plate is substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the first end plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae-won Song, Jin-ho Kim, Jeong-sik Ko, Ji-rae Kim
  • Patent number: 9887428
    Abstract: A binary alloy catalyst comprising platinum and tantalum, wherein the tantalum is present in the alloy at 15 to 50 atomic % and a phosphoric acid fuel cell comprising such a catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst provides a better CO tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells Limited
    Inventors: Sarah Caroline Ball, Brian Ronald Charles Theobald, Silvain Buche
  • Patent number: 9742013
    Abstract: A system for inspecting quality of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) of a fuel cell includes a bonding device configured to bond the MEA and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) to manufacture a bonded unit thereof. A transfer device adsorbs one surface of the bonded unit to transfer the bonded unit. An inspection device is disposed on one side of the bonded unit transferred by the transfer device and inspects an outer appearance of the bonded unit. A reversing device places the bonded unit thereon by the transfer device and reverses the bonded unit vertically. A loading and lifting device loads the bonded unit thereon after being transferred by the transfer device and adjusts a loading height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sun Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9673459
    Abstract: A single monolithic ceramic substrate has rectangular dimensions with thermal expansion dominant along the length. An inactive ceramic portion substantially surrounds a fuel cell active portion of scalable power. The active portion comprises a plurality of three-layer active structures, each including an electrolyte disposed between a first polarity electrode and a second polarity electrode, the electrolyte layers being co-fired with the inactive ceramic portion, and a first or second gas passage respectively associated with each first and second polarity electrode. The plurality of active structures are stacked in the thickness dimension with alternating polarity such that first polarity electrodes of adjacent active structures face each other with the associated first gas passage shared therebetween and second polarity electrodes of adjacent active structures face each other with the associated second gas passage shared therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
  • Patent number: 9437895
    Abstract: Fuel cells and, more particularly, the H2—Cl2 proton exchange membrane fuels cells are described. In some embodiments the fuel cells include a flow through electrolyte assembly that is configured to allow the introduction of a first (relatively dilute) electrolyte into the cell, and the remove of a second (relatively concentrated) electrolyte from the cell. Fuel cell stacks and systems for cogenerating electricity and hydrochloric acid using such fuel cells are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Francis Y. Huang
  • Patent number: 9379390
    Abstract: In a direct-liquid fuel cell supplied directly with a liquid fuel, a process for producing an electrode catalyst for a direct-liquid fuel cell is provided which is capable of suppressing decrease in cathode potential caused by liquid fuel crossover and providing an inexpensive and high-performance electrode catalyst for a direct-liquid fuel cell. The process for producing an electrode catalyst for a direct-liquid fuel cell includes Step A of mixing at least a transition metal-containing compound with a nitrogen-containing organic compound to obtain a catalyst precursor composition, and Step C of heat-treating the catalyst precursor composition at a temperature of from 500 to 1100° C. to obtain an electrode catalyst, wherein part or entirety of the transition metal-containing compound includes, as a transition metal element, at least one transition metal element M1 selected from Group IV and Group V elements of the periodic table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Kunchan Lee, Chunfu Yu, Ryuji Monden, Masaki Horikita, Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 9362572
    Abstract: A fuel cell device is provided having an active central portion with an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte therebetween. At least three elongate portions extend from the active central portion, each having a length substantially greater than a width transverse thereto such that the elongate portions each have a coefficient of thermal expansion having a dominant axis that is coextensive with its length. A fuel passage extends from a fuel inlet in a first elongate portion into the active central portion in association with the anode, and an oxidizer passage extends from an oxidizer inlet in a second elongate portion into the active central portion in association with the cathode. A gas passage extends between an opening in the third elongate portion and the active central portion. For example, the passage in the third elongate portion may be an exhaust passage for the spent fuel and/or oxidizer gasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
  • Patent number: 9350025
    Abstract: A method for producing a fuel cell electrode catalyst including a metal element selected from aluminum, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, strontium, yttrium, tin, tungsten, and cerium and having high catalytic activity through heat treatment at comparatively low temperature. The method including: a step (1) of mixing at least a certain metal compound (1), a nitrogen-containing organic compound (2), and a solvent to obtain a catalyst precursor solution, a step (2) of removing the solvent from the catalyst precursor solution, and a step (3) of heat-treating a solid residue, obtained in the step (2), at a temperature of 500 to 1100° C. to obtain an electrode catalyst; a portion or the entirety of the metal compound (1) being a compound containing, as the metal element, a metal element M1 selected from aluminum, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, strontium, yttrium, tin, tungsten, and cerium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Ryuji Monden, Takuya Imai, Yasuaki Wakizaka, Kunchan Lee, Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 9306221
    Abstract: A fuel electrode for a solid oxide electrochemical cell includes: an electrode layer constituted of a mixed phase including an oxide having mixed conductivity and another oxide selected from the group including an aluminum-based oxide and a magnesium-based composite oxide, said another oxide having, supported on a surface part thereof, particles of at least one member selected from nickel, cobalt, and nickel-cobalt alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takayuki Fukasawa, Keizo Shimamura, Yoshio Hanakata, Masato Yoshino, Kentaro Matsunaga, Tsuneji Kameda, Yoshiyasu Itoh
  • Patent number: 9145087
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric vehicle and a control method thereof. According to the inventive electric vehicle and control method thereof, the state of a fuel cell that is a driving power of the electric vehicle can be sensed to determine whether the fuel cell system is normal or not, and output different sound sources according to the states of the fuel cell system so that the sound outputted as a driving sound while the electric vehicle runs may vary to allow a driver to recognize the state of the electric vehicle and a change in state of the fuel cell. Also, the awareness of difference in driving of the motor can be decreased through the sound outputted as the driving sound of the electric vehicle to improve the driver's satisfaction and allow pedestrians to more easily recognize approach of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI AUTRON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun-Seok Park, Sung-Mog Yu, Jin-Ho Cho
  • Patent number: 9118042
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a fluid distribution system. The system may include one or more electrochemical cell layers, a bulk distribution manifold having an inlet, a cell layer feeding manifold in direct fluidic contact with the electrochemical cell layer and a separation layer that separates the bulk distribution manifold from the cell feeding manifold, providing at least two independent paths for fluid to flow from the bulk distribution manifold to the cell feeding manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Gerard F. McLean, Joerg Zimmermann, Jeremy Schrooten, Paul Sobejko
  • Patent number: 9059450
    Abstract: Fuel cell devices and systems are provided. In certain embodiments, the devices include a ceramic support structure having a length, a width, and a thickness with the length direction being the dominant direction of thermal expansion. A reaction zone having at least one active layer therein is spaced from the first end and includes first and second opposing electrodes, associated active first and second gas passages, and electrolyte. The active first gas passage includes sub-passages extending in the y direction and spaced apart in the x direction. An artery flow passage extends from the first end along the length and into the reaction zone and is fluidicly coupled to the sub-passages of the active first gas passage. The thickness of the artery flow passage is greater than the thickness of the sub-passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
  • Patent number: 9029033
    Abstract: A barrier layer for a fuel cell assembly is disclosed, the barrier layer having a thermally insulating layer having a first surface and a second surface, and an electrically conducting layer formed on the first surface of the thermally insulating layer. The thermally insulating layer may include a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and the electrically conducting layer may be formed on a second surface of the thermally insulating layer and on the walls of the thermally insulating layer forming the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric J. Connor, Gerald W. Fly
  • Patent number: 9029038
    Abstract: A method of forming a fuel cell stack, wherein the stack includes an anode electrode layer, an adhesive and anode gas diffusion layer coupled to the anode electrode layer, an ion exchange membrane coupled on a first side to the gas diffusion layer opposite the anode electrode layer, an adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer coupled to a second side of the ion exchange membrane, and a cathode electrode layer coupled to the adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer opposite the ion exchange membrane. The fuel cell stack may be flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 9029041
    Abstract: To an internal vessel that houses cells of a solid oxide fuel cell, an external vessel is further disposed. In the internal vessel, a plurality of planar cells is disposed vertically with a gap between the cells, a mixed gas of a fuel and air is descended from top down through the gap having a predetermined width between the cells, and, at a bottom portion of the housing space, the mixed gas is burned to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Yasue Tokutake, Shigeaki Suganuma, Jun Yoshiike, Fumimasa Katagiri
  • Publication number: 20150125775
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a laminated body in which a plurality of electricity generation cells are laminated and is provided with a reaction gas discharge through hole which discharges a reaction gas used in an electricity generation reaction. An end plate is arranged at one end in the lamination direction of the laminated body and is provided with a reaction gas outlet which communicates with the reaction gas discharge through hole. A drainage structure has an outlet pipe coupled to the reaction gas outlet. A tip end portion of the outlet pipe on the downstream side in the reaction gas discharge flow direction opens downward. Umbrella-shaped protrusion portions are provided within the outlet pipe. These protrusion portions have a shape which tapers toward the upstream side with respect to the reaction gas discharge flow direction, dividing the continuous flow of the discharged liquid and the reaction gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Takashi Kuwayama, Kazuya Sasamoto, Mitsunori Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20150125770
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Yves DE VOS, Jean-Paul HUBERT JANSSENS
  • Patent number: 9023546
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel cell in which an insulating material is disposed, whereby the thermal diffusion of the inside and outside of a fuel cell can be suppressed to suppress the deterioration of the performance of the fuel cell due to a temperature drop. Moreover, the physical properties of the insulating material are specified, whereby appropriate insulating properties required in the fuel cell can be obtained, and startup properties are improved. A fuel cell has a cell stack in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked, and terminal plates disposed on both sides of the cell stack in a cell stack direction thereof. The fuel cell comprises an insulating portion having an insulating material and holding plates which hold the insulating material from both the sides of the insulating material in the cell stack direction, the insulating material is held between the holding plates, and the insulating material has a thermal conductivity of 0.1 W/mK or less and a porosity of 70% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Yamamoto, Koichiro Yamashita, Takashi Wano, Ryoichi Matsushima
  • Patent number: 9023547
    Abstract: A separator of a fuel cell includes a sandwiching section, first and second bridges connected to the sandwiching section, a fuel gas supply section connected to the first bridge and an oxygen-containing gas supply section connected to the second bridge. The sandwiching section sandwiches an electrolyte electrode assembly, and has a fuel gas channel and an oxygen-containing gas channel separately. In the sandwiching section, a plurality of first projections are arranged in a zigzag pattern in a direction in which the first bridge extends, and the first projections at least protrude toward the fuel gas channel to contact an anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Homma, Tsutomu Takahashi, Tetsuya Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9005835
    Abstract: This disclosure related to polymer electrolyte member fuel cells and components thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Blanchet, Amedeo Conti, James C. Cross, III
  • Patent number: 9005825
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell stack assembly is disclosed comprising a member made of an elastic and electrically conductive material placed between a bus bar and a starter plate. The elastic, electrically conducting member covers at least a peripheral region along a perimeter of a recess housing the bus bar to distribute compression forces over an interface area between the bus bar and an insulator end plate, thereby reducing shear stresses in the starter plate when the stack is compressed. An elastic pad also may be arranged in the recess and between the insulator end plate and the bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel Ian Joos, Mario Dzamarija
  • Patent number: 8993135
    Abstract: A flexible fuel cell stack is also described that includes an anode electrode layer, an adhesive and anode gas diffusion layer coupled to the anode electrode layer, an ion exchange membrane coupled on a first side to the gas diffusion layer opposite the anode electrode layer, an adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer coupled to a second side of the ion exchange membrane, and a cathode electrode layer coupled to the adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer opposite the ion exchange membrane. The fuel cell stack may be incorporated into a power generator that includes a hydrogen producing fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 8986899
    Abstract: Methods and systems for enhancing the performance of fuel cells in fuel cell vehicles. Some embodiments comprise a current control module for controlling the application of a load to the fuel cell and a voltage monitoring module for monitoring one or more voltages within the fuel cell. The current control module may be configured to apply a delay period before applying a load to the fuel cell after the fuel cell has reached an open circuit voltage. In other embodiments, a fixed delay period may be applied before applying a load to the fuel cell after the fuel cell has reached an open circuit voltage or, for example, an incremental set of delay periods that increase as measured temperature decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel I. Harris, Sriram Ganapathy, Michael Cartwright, Pinkhas A. Rapaport
  • Patent number: 8986905
    Abstract: A fuel cell interconnect includes a first side containing a first plurality of channels and a second side containing a second plurality of channels. The first and second sides are disposed on opposite sides of the interconnect. The first plurality of channels are configured to provide a serpentine fuel flow field while the second plurality of channels are configured to provide an approximately straight air flow field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: James F. McElroy, Matthias Gottmann, Stephen Couse
  • Publication number: 20150072261
    Abstract: An electrochemical flow type battery may include at least one electrode and a separator. The electrode may include carbon fibers and/or carbon particles, and has an internal surface area density of at least 1 m2/g. The separator may separate an anode side and a cathode side of the battery. A flat surface of the electrode directly contacts a surface of the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew Mench, Thomas Zawodzinski, Che-Nan Sun
  • Patent number: 8968957
    Abstract: A fuel cell unit configuring a fuel cell is provided with a first separator, a first electrolyte film/electrode body, a second separator, a second electrolyte film/electrode body, and a third separator. Resin guide members are provided on the outer periphery of the first separator, the second separator, and the third separator. The resin guide members have outer peripheral ends which protrude outwards, and in the aforementioned resin guide members are formed concave reliefs which are spaced inwards from the aforementioned outer peripheral ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Goto, Tetsuya Nakamura, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Kentaro Ishida
  • Patent number: 8956779
    Abstract: A water vapor transfer unit assembly is disclosed, the water vapor transfer unit assembly including a plurality of water vapor transfer units having a fluid permeable membrane and a plurality of supports disposed within a sealing frame adjacent an end plate of a fuel cell stack, wherein the sealing frame is adapted to provide support to the end plate and a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell stack system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Benno Andreas-Schott, Glenn W. Skala, Thomas P. Migliore, Ian R. Jermy
  • Patent number: 8956745
    Abstract: A metal halogen electrochemical energy cell system that generates an electrical potential. One embodiment of the system includes at least one cell including at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode, at least one electrolyte, a mixing venturi that mixes the electrolyte with a halogen reactant, and a circulation pump that conveys the electrolyte mixed with the halogen reactant through the positive electrode and across the metal electrode. Preferably, the positive electrode comprises porous carbonaceous material, the negative electrode comprises zinc, the metal comprises zinc, the halogen comprises halogen, the electrolyte comprises an aqueous zinc-halide electrolyte, and the halogen reactant comprises a halogen reactant. Also, variations of the system and a method of operation for the systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventor: Rick Winter
  • Patent number: 8951691
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack is disclosed. In one aspect, the solid oxide fuel cell stack includes unit cells, an external collector, a first stack collecting member, a cap, and a suspension member. The external collector contacts an outer periphery of each of the unit cells and electrically connects the unit cells to each other. The first stack collecting member is positioned to collect current from a distal unit cell. A cap is provided in one end of the distal unit cell. The suspension member has one side thereof suspended from the cap and the other side fixed to the first stack collecting member to distribute weight of the first stack collecting member. Structural stability of a stack collector may be maintained even at oxidizing atmosphere of high temperature when driving the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gyu-Jong Bae, Sang-Jun Kong, Hyun Soh, Tae-Ho Kwon, Kwang-Jin Park, Duk-Hyoung Yoon, Young-Sun Kwon
  • Publication number: 20150037703
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may include an electrochemical cell system. The electrochemical cell system may comprise an electrochemical cell stack having a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in series. A first side of the electrochemical cell stack may have a first length, and a second side of the electrochemical cell stack may have a second length, wherein the first length is different than the second length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Giampaolo Sibilia
  • Publication number: 20150037702
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted cell stack system includes a cell stack that comprises a plurality of laminated power generating cells, and power collecting plates that sandwich both outermost power generating cells, electric wires connected to the power collecting plates, and an electric load connected to the power collecting plates via the electric wires and configured to be activated by electric power that is supplied from the cell stack. The electric wires are connected to the power collecting plates in a direction other than a cell laminating direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Takahito Osada, Shoichi Nakamura, Naoko Abe, Mitsutaka Abe