With Electrolyte Or Reactant Supply Or Circulation Patents (Class 429/454)
  • Patent number: 11764386
    Abstract: A fuel cell device is provided, including a fuel cell stack, which includes a plurality of fuel cell units following each other in a stacking direction, and two end plates, between which the fuel cell stack is arranged. With the fuel cell device, harmful effects from hydrogen exiting the fuel cell units are avoided without making access to the fuel cell units impossible or causing a disproportionately large maintenance expenditure. The fuel cell device includes an enclosure which surrounds the fuel cell stack and the end plates, wherein the free remaining volume that remains within the enclosure between the enclosure, the fuel cell stack, and the end plates is less than 20% of the internal volume of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: EKPO FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Kraft, Michael Goetz, Manuel Morcos
  • Patent number: 11628949
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing flexible, scalable, and controllable electrical power to an aircraft. In some embodiments, a modular power unit comprises a container containing a power generation unit, a control system, a conditioning system, and an environmental control system. The power generation unit produces a generated power. The control system provides control signals to the power generation unit and controls at least one parameter of the generated power. The conditioning system receives and conditions the generated power and provides an output power to the power bus of the aircraft. The environmental control system provides a temperature regulating fluid to the power generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Long, Dwayne Bevis, Sean Guitar
  • Patent number: 11629414
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing hydrogen by an improved electrolytic process; to electrolytic cells (electrolyzers) adapted to such a process and to devices comprising such electrolytic cells. The invention further relates to new uses of aqueous hydrazine; particularly as an electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TEC ADVANCED ANSTALT
    Inventors: Olgun Tanberk, Tilsim Von Liechtenstein
  • Patent number: 11600841
    Abstract: A separator assembly for a fuel cell includes a first separator having tunnel-shaped fastening parts formed on a plurality of points of an edge area thereof, and a second separator having insert parts formed at positions corresponding to each of the fastening parts of the first separator on an edge area thereof to be inserted into the fastening parts, wherein the insert parts of the second separator are inserted into the fastening parts of the first separator to assemble the first separator and the second separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Hyeon Choi, Woo Chul Shin
  • Patent number: 11502207
    Abstract: An energy conversion device for conversion of various energy forms into electricity. The energy forms may be chemical, photovoltaic or thermal gradients. The energy conversion device has a first and second electrode. A substrate is present that has a porous semiconductor or dielectric layer placed thereover. The substrate itself can be planar, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional, and possess internal and external surfaces. These substrates may be rigid, flexible and/or foldable. The porous semiconductor or dielectric layer can be a nano-engineered structure. A porous conductor material is placed on at least a portion of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer such that at least some of the porous conductor material enters the nano-engineered structure of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer, thereby forming an intertwining region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: QuSwami, Inc.
    Inventors: Jawahar M. Gidwani, Andrew Lam, Attila Horvath
  • Patent number: 11458474
    Abstract: Microfluidic chips that can comprise thin substrates and/or a high density of vias are described herein. An apparatus comprises: a silicon device layer comprising a plurality of vias, the plurality of vias comprising greater than or equal to about 100 vias per square centimeter of a surface of the silicon device layer and less than or equal to about 100,000 vias per square centimeter of the surface of the silicon device layer, and the plurality of vias extending through the silicon device layer; and a sealing layer bonded to the silicon device layer, wherein the sealing layer has greater rigidity than the silicon device layer. In some embodiments, the silicon device layer has a thickness between about 7 micrometers and about 500 micrometers while a via of the plurality of vias has a diameter between about 5 micrometers and about 5 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua T. Smith, William Francis Landers, Kevin Winstel, Teresa Jacqueline Wu
  • Patent number: 11335947
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for a polymer electrolyte and a lithium secondary battery using the same, and particularly, to a composition for a polymer electrolyte which includes a single ion-conductive polymer including a unit represented by Chemical Formula 1; and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a ceramic electrolyte and inorganic particles, wherein a weight ratio of the single ion-conductive polymer:the additive(s) is 1:0.1 to 1:9, and a lithium secondary battery which exhibits an improvement in cell performance by including the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventors: Kyoung Ho Ahn, Sol Ji Park, Jeong Woo Oh, Jung Hoon Lee, Chul Haeng Lee
  • Patent number: 11283098
    Abstract: A coupling system for high-temperature tight coupling of a stack having SOEC/SOFC-type solid oxides is described. The system includes a threaded hollow connector, a smooth hollow connector, and a threaded nut. The threaded hollow connector includes an opening for establishing fluid communication with a gas inlet/outlet pipe and is intended to be attached to the gas inlet/outlet pipe. The smooth hollow connector includes an opening for establishing fluid communication with a gas inlet/outlet pipe of the stack and is intended to be attached to the inlet/outlet pipe. The threaded nut engages with the threaded hollow connector to form a screw/nut system, slides relative to the smooth hollow connector, and includes a first threaded portion and a second smooth portion in sliding contact with the smooth hollow connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Michel Planque, Bruno Oresic, Guilhem Roux, Charlotte Bernard, Philippe Szynal
  • Patent number: 11145887
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a cell stack body and a terminal plate and an insulator disposed at an end of the cell stack body in a stacking direction. The cell stack body includes a plurality of stacked power generation cells. Each of the power generation cells includes a membrane electrode assembly and a separator. The terminal plate is disposed between the cell stack body and the insulator. Elastic structure which elastically presses the terminal plate toward the cell stack body is provided between the insulator and the terminal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Suguru Ohmori, Kensuke Umezawa, Hiroshi Morikawa
  • Patent number: 11069912
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a first fuel cell stack and a second fuel cell stack; a supply passage connected to an inlet of oxidant gas in the first fuel cell stack; an discharge passage connected to an outlet of the oxidant gas in the second fuel cell stack; introduction unit that introduces water in the oxidant gas flowing through the discharge passage into the supply passage; and a controller configured to perform refresh control of the first fuel cell stack by lowering voltage of the first fuel cell stack, and operates, during the refresh control, the introduction unit while keeping the second fuel cell stack in an electric power generation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Ito, Tomohiko Kaneko
  • Patent number: 11011787
    Abstract: A miniature electrochemical cell having a total volume that is less than 0.5 cc is described. The cell casing is formed by joining two ceramic casing halves together. One or both casing halves are machined from ceramic to provide a recess that is sized and shaped to contain the electrode assembly. The opposite polarity terminals are metal feedthroughs, such as of gold, and are formed by brazing gold into openings machined into one or both ceramic casing halves. The two ceramic casing halves are separated from each other by a metal interlayer, such as of gold, bonded to a thin film metallization adhesion layer, such as of titanium, that contacts an edge periphery of each ceramic casing half. A solid electrolyte (LixPOyNz) is used to activate the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Keith W. Seitz, Robert S. Rubino, Gary Freitag, David Dianetti, Todd C. Sutay, Ho-Chul Yun, Thomas Marzano, Brian P. Hohl
  • Patent number: 10847809
    Abstract: A solid-oxide-electrolysis-cell-type hydrogen production apparatus includes a cell structure including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte layer, a gas diffusion layer disposed adjacent to the first electrode, and a gas channel plate disposed adjacent to the gas diffusion layer, in which the gas diffusion layer is formed of a porous metal body having a three-dimensional mesh-like skeleton, the gas channel plate includes a first region including a first channel, a second region including a second channel, and a third region including a third channel, the first channel includes a slit extending from the center of the gas channel plate toward its outer edge at the boundary surface between the first region and the second region, letting the total area of the first channel at the boundary surface be a first opening area S1, letting the total area of the second channel at the boundary surface between the second region and the third region be a second opening area S2, and letting the total area
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Chihiro Hiraiwa, Takahiro Higashino, Hiromasa Tawarayama, Masatoshi Majima, Toshihiro Yoshida, Kazunari Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 10741850
    Abstract: A novel method to produce ALD films disposed on powders is disclosed. Examples include the formation of a cobalt doped zirconia (CDZ), hafnia, and cobalt doped hafnia (CDH) films on lanthanum strontium cobalt iron oxide (LSCF) powder for solid oxide fuel cell cathodes. The coated powders are sintered into porous cathodes that have utility for preventing the migration of cations in the powder to the surface of the sintered cathode and/or other performance enhancing attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Sonata Scientific LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Huang, Jeffrey F. Roeder, Anthony F. Zeberoff
  • Patent number: 10693152
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprises a thin process-gas-connection-endplate with a temperature expansion coefficient which is substantially the same as the temperature expansion coefficient of the plurality of fuel cells and interconnects forming the fuel cell stack, the length and width of the thin process-gas-connection-endplate is matching the length and width of the fuel cells and interconnects and the process-gas-connection-endplate is sealed to the stack of cells and interconnects so the process-gas-connection-endplate, cells and interconnects form one integrated unit, wherein process gas distribution tubes are fixed connected, e.g. welded or brazed to the process-gas-connection-endplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventor: Niels Erikstrup
  • Patent number: 10693168
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for using fuel cell. The fuel cell includes a container, wherein the container comprises a housing and a nozzle, and the housing defines through holes; the housing defines a chamber and an opening; the nozzle has a first end in air/fluid communication with the opening and a second end; and a membrane electrode assembly, which is flexible, on the container to form a curved membrane electrode assembly surrounding the chamber and covering the through holes, wherein the membrane electrode assembly comprises a proton exchange membrane having a first surface and a second surface, a cathode electrode on the first surface and an anode electrode on the second surface. The method includes at least partially immersing the fuel cell in a fuel; and supplying an oxidizing gas into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    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: 10483584
    Abstract: A fuel cell device includes: a cell stack; a case including a cover portion that covers one of side surfaces of the cell stack along a stacking direction; an end plate connected to one end portion of the cover portion in the stacking direction; and a fastening member that extends in parallel with the stacking direction on an opposite side of the cell stack from the cover portion, that includes one end portion in the stacking direction connected to the end plate and another end portion in the stacking direction connected to the case, and that fastens the cell stack, the end plate, and the case to each other. A thermal expansion coefficient of the cover portion is larger than a thermal expansion coefficient of the fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Takeyama
  • Patent number: 10411267
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode having a yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) structure. The YSZ structure is in contact with a solid electrolyte layer. A lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM) structure is deposited on the YSZ structure to form a composite cathode. The cathode includes a catalyst layer. The catalyst layer is a mesoporous nanoionic catalyst material integrated with the YSZ and LSM structures. Alternatively, or in addition to, the mesoporous nanoionic catalyst material may be coated onto the YSZ and LSM structures or embedded into the YSZ and LSM structures. The mesoporous nanoionic catalyst material may form an interconnected fibrous network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Cenk Gumeci, David Thompson
  • Patent number: 10320019
    Abstract: A process for depositing an electrically conductive, preferably perovskitic layer uses a pulsed sputtering process. The layer has a low diffusivity for the elements in the iron group and is especially suitable for use in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). An assembly of the electrically conductive ceramic layer on a porous support substrate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Plansee SE
    Inventors: Karl Kailer, Georg Kunschert, Stefan Schlichtherle, Georg Strauss
  • Patent number: 10186715
    Abstract: A metal plate-bonded single fuel cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a single cell element having a solid electrolyte and fuel and air electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the solid electrolyte and a metal plate bonded by a brazing material to the single cell element. The metal plate contains Ti and Al and has an Al—Ti-containing oxide layer present on a surface of the metal plate, an Al oxide film present on a surface of the Al—Ti-containing oxide layer and a Ti-containing phase apart from a part of a surface of the Al oxide film in contact with the brazing material while being present on a remaining part of the surface of the Al oxide film. The metal plate-bonded single fuel cell unit has a Ti reaction phase formed at an interface between the solid electrolyte and the brazing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Okuyama, Makoto Kuribayashi, Etsuya Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9991529
    Abstract: A fuel cell system operates under at least one of the conditions of no humidity or high temperature, and an operating method thereof, are characterized in that a fuel cell has a fuel gas flow path and an oxidant gas flow path arranged such that fuel gas and oxidant gas flow in opposite directions, a determining apparatus that determines the amount of water near the oxidant gas flow path inlet, and a fuel gas control apparatus which increases the amount of water near the oxidant gas flow path inlet by increasing the fuel gas flowrate and/or reducing the fuel gas pressure if it is determined in the determining apparatus that the amount of water near the oxidant gas flow path inlet is insufficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeki Hasegawa, Masaki Ando, Kenichi Hamada
  • Patent number: 9923225
    Abstract: The present application relates to an ion transport material, an electrolyte membrane including the same, and a method for manufacturing the same, and more specifically, provides an ion transport material in which inorganic particles are dispersed in a peripheral portion of a sulfonic acid group of a partially fluorinated polymer containing sulfonic acid, an electrolyte membrane including the same, and a method for manufacturing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyungsam Choi, Joong Jin Han, Chong Kyu Shin, Seungpyo Jeong, Youngjea Kim
  • Patent number: 9799895
    Abstract: A stack fastening structure of a fuel cell is provided and includes a fastening mechanism that is mounted at an outside of a plurality of stacked fuel cells to generate a force pressing against the plurality of stacked fuel cells. In addition, an insertion body is mounted within the fastening mechanism to adjust the force pressing against the plurality of fuel cells. Accordingly, the fastening force is more accurately adjusted using the insertion body and the external force applied to the insertion body is measured to calculate the fastening force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jung Ik Kim
  • Patent number: 9780384
    Abstract: A double-layer anode structure on a pretreated porous metal substrate and a method for fabricating the same, for improving the redox stability and decreasing the anode polarization resistance of a SOFC. The anode structure includes: a porous metal substrate of high gas permeability; a first porous anode functional layer, formed on the porous metal substrate by a high-voltage high-enthalpy Ar—He—H2—N2 atmospheric-pressure plasma spraying process; and a second porous anode functional layer, formed on the first porous anode functional layer by a high-voltage high-enthalpy Ar—He—H2—N2 atmospheric-pressure plasma spraying and hydrogen reduction. The first porous anode functional layer is composed a redox stable perovskite, the second porous anode functional layer is composed of a nanostructured cermet. The first porous anode functional layer is also used to prevent the second porous anode functional layer from being diffused by the composition elements of the porous metal substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN, R.O.C.
    Inventors: Chang-Sing Hwang, Chun-Huang Tsai, Jen-Feng Yu, Chun-Liang Chang, Jun-Meng Lin, Shih-Wei Cheng
  • Patent number: 9735438
    Abstract: A humidifier for transferring water vapour from a first gas stream to a second gas stream in a fuel cell system comprises a stack of thin plates having planar sealing surfaces at their edges, along which they are sealed together. A water permeable membranes is provided between each pair of plates in the stack. Each plate defines a gas flow passage along its top and bottom surfaces, with an inlet and outlet defined along edges of the plate, and a flow field extending between the inlet and outlet openings. Inlet and outlet passages connect the inlet and outlet openings to the flow field, and the planar sealing surfaces on both sides of the plate include bridging portions which extend across the inlet and outlet passages. Support structures such as ribs are provided throughout the flow field and the inlet and outlet passages to support the membrane and diffusion medium layer(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Doug Vanderwees, Colin Arthur Shore
  • Patent number: 9680164
    Abstract: Provided are a current collector for a fuel cell and a stack structure having the same. The fuel cell includes an electrolyte layer, and an air electrode layer and a fuel electrode layer on both surfaces of the electrolyte layer and generates electricity, and the current collector includes an even surface configured to electrically surface-contact with the air electrode layer or the fuel electrode layer; and a plurality of openings punched so that air or a fuel gas directly contacts with the air electrode layer or the fuel electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MICO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Song Ho Choi, Sang Pil Park
  • Patent number: 9653739
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing solid oxide fuel cells, which includes preparing an electrical connection material, preparing a stacked body by stacking a plurality of power generation cells with the electrical connection material interposed therebetween, and firing the stacked body while applying pressure on the stacked body in a direction of stacking the power generation cells. The electrical connection material includes a ceramic porous layer and a ceramic dense layer stacked on the ceramic porous layer, the ceramic dense layer having a porosity lower than a porosity of the ceramic porous layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Nakamura, Tomoaki Hirai
  • Patent number: 9583773
    Abstract: Provided is a solid oxide fuel cell unit comprising an insulating support, and a power generation element comprising, at least, a fuel electrode, an electrolyte and an air electrode, which are sequentially laminated one another, the power generation element being provided on the insulating support, wherein an exposed insulating support portion, an exposed fuel electrode portion, and an exposed electrolyte portion are provided in an fuel electrode cell end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Ando, Naoki Watanabe, Takuya Hoshiko, Shuhei Tanaka, Masaki Sato, Nobuo Isaka, Yutaka Momiyama, Seiki Furuya, Kiyoshi Hayama, Yasuo Kakinuma, Osamu Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9564651
    Abstract: 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 water storage tank (60) adjacent to the storage tank (40), and means (50, 51) for condensing water vapor from the spent gas stream (38), and for feeding (56) the condensed water vapor into the water storage tank (60). The water storage tank (60) has an overflow outlet (64); and a communication duct (68) linking the liquid electrolyte storage tank (40) and the water storage tank (60) below the level of the overflow outlet (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: AFC Energy plc
    Inventor: Andreas Karl Backstrom
  • Patent number: 9512525
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell or a solid oxide electrolyzing cell includes a) a plurality of cathode-anode-electrolyte units, each CAE-unit having a first electrode for an oxidizing agent, a second electrode for a combustible gas, and a solid electrolyte between the first electrode and the second electrode and b) a metal interconnect between the CAE-units. The interconnect having a first gas distribution element and a gas distribution structure for the combustible gas, wherein the first gas distribution element is in contact with the second electrode of the CAE-unit, and a second gas distribution element having channels for the oxidizing agent and including separate channels for a tempering fluid. The channels for the oxidizing agent are in contact with the first electrode of an adjacent CAE-unit, and the first gas distribution element and the second gas distribution element being electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HTCERAMIX S.A.
    Inventor: Zacharie Wuillemin
  • Patent number: 9413028
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided that comprises a laminate obtained from unit cells of rectangular plates, end plates disposed at both end surfaces of the laminate, and a pair of reinforcing plates disposed on a first and third outer peripheral surfaces, wherein the respective end plates and reinforcing plates are connected. Each reinforcing plate has a base plate covering that covers the first or third outer peripheral surface of the laminate, and a pair of holding portions that cover the second and fourth outer peripheral surfaces of the laminate partly. Each holding portion supports the laminate as a spring element, and the spring elements are attached in the direction of displacement of the laminate. As a result, the resonant frequency of the laminate is increased and vibration resistance is improved without increasing the parts count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Ichihara, Yasuhiro Numao, Sigetaka Uehara
  • Patent number: 9368808
    Abstract: An electrical connection material for solid oxide fuel cells, which is capable of preferred electrical connections. The electrical connection material includes a burn-out material-containing ceramic layer and a burn-out material-free ceramic layer stacked on the burn-out material-containing ceramic layer. The burn-out material-containing ceramic layer contains a conductive ceramic and a burn-out material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Nakamura, Tomoaki Hirai
  • Patent number: 9362585
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes fuel cells stacked in a stacking direction, a first end plate a second end plate, and first tightening members and second tightening members. The first tightening members couple long sides of the first end plate and long sides of the second end plate, and extend in the stacking direction. The second tightening members couple short sides of the first end plate and short sides of the second end plate, and extend in the stacking direction. Extensions are formed on both of long sides of the fuel cell, and the first tightening members have recessed portions engaged with the extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Nishiyama, Yusuke Nara, Kimiharu Mizusaki
  • Patent number: 9306228
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a cathode separator and an anode separator sandwiching a solid polymer electrolyte membrane therebetween. The fuel cell includes an oxidant gas channel including a plurality of wave-shaped channel portions extending in a horizontal direction. Part of one of the plurality of wave-shaped channel portions that is disposed at the lower end in the vertical direction protrude downward from a planar region of electrode catalyst layers, i.e. a power generation region, in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaharu Suzuki, Kentaro Ishida
  • Patent number: 9281536
    Abstract: A fuel cell including at least one of a hydrophilic interlayer and a flow field treated to impart hydrophilic properties is disclosed, wherein the hydrophilic interlayer and the treated flow field militate against water accumulation in ultrathin electrodes of the fuel cell, particularly for cool-start operating conditions (i.e. about 0° C. to about 60° C.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Anusorn Kongkanand, Eric L. Thompson, Frederick T. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9190691
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack is equipped with a stacked body constituted by stacking a plurality of power generating elements, which contain an electrolytic membrane and electrocatalytic layers arranged at both surfaces of the electrolytic membrane, via a separator for providing a flow path for supplying reaction gas to the electrocatalytic layer, and collector plates arranged at both ends of the stacked body, for collecting electricity generated by the stacked body and outputting it to the outside, wherein on the separator and the collector plate are formed at least one of an anode exhaust gas exhaust hole for exhausting anode exhaust gas, a cathode exhaust gas exhaust hole for exhausting cathode exhaust gas, and a medium supply hole for supplying into the stacked body a medium for maintaining the temperature of the stacked body at an approximately fixed level, and at the anode side collector plate arranged at the anode side end of the stacked body, an output terminal for outputting at least part of the collected elect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sogo Goto
  • Patent number: 9190672
    Abstract: A fuel cell including a plurality of tubular unit cells each including: a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a second electrode layer, stacked radially in a direction from a center axis to an outer region thereof; an internal current collector in an interior of the unit cell; and an external current collector arranged at an outer circumferential surface of the unit cell, the external current collector including a plurality of connecting portions configured to electrically connect between the unit cell and at least one another unit cell of the plurality of unit cells, and the connecting portions form two or more electrical paths between a unit cell of the plurality of unit cells and another unit cell of the plurality of unit cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-Won Suh, Jan-Dee Kim, Young-Sun Kwon, Ho-Jin Kweon
  • Patent number: 9133553
    Abstract: A structural plate with external reinforcing means is provided for an electrolyzer module. The structural plate defines at least one degassing chamber and a half cell chamber opening. The external reinforcing means contact the structural plate for mitigating outward displacement of the structural plate in response to fluid pressure within the structural plate. The structural plate and the external reinforcing means define interlocking features for achieving contact and corresponding mechanical reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Next Hydrogen Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Wilson, Michael Stemp, James Hinatsu
  • Patent number: 9105916
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes: in a casing, a fuel cell stack that is formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells; and an oxidant gas distributing member that is disposed at a side surface, that extends in a stack direction, of the fuel cell stack, that extends in a direction from one end to another end of each of the unit cells, and that supplies the oxidant gas along the oxidant gas distributing member from the one end to the another end to supply the oxidant gas to the another end of each unit cell. The oxidant gas distributing member includes a heat exchange restraint portion that restrains heat exchange between the unit cells and the oxidant gas in at least one of end portions of the fuel cell stack in the stack direction, in comparison with the heat exchange thereof in other portion in the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Izawa, Satoshi Shiokawa, Takashi Ono, Mitsuhiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9093672
    Abstract: Disclosed is a titanium fuel cell separator having excellent conductivity and durability. In the disclosed titanium fuel cell separator (10), a carbon layer (2) is formed on the surface of a substrate (1) formed from pure titanium or a titanium alloy. An intermediate layer (3) is formed on the interface between the substrate (1) and the carbon layer (2). The intermediary layer (3) has lined-up granular titanium-carbide in the direction parallel to the carbon layer (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Suzuki, Toshiki Sato
  • Patent number: 9040207
    Abstract: In a method for operating a high-temperature fuel cell, which in normal mode of generating electrical power is supplied with liquid fuel, preferably diesel oil, and is preceded on the anode side by a reformer for liquid fuel, where at least part of the hot anode exhaust gas is recirculated into the anode circuit via a recirculation line. Upstream of a compressor preceding the reformer the liquid fuel is sprayed or injected into the hot anode exhaust gas, the quantity of air needed for reforming the liquid fuel being added to the mixture of anode exhaust gas and fuel. On change-over from normal operational mode to standby mode without power generation, the supply of liquid fuel and air is stopped and the gas mixture present in the anode circuit be permanently circulated. A defined amount of air being introduced into the anode circuit in order to remove deposits and contaminations in the high-temperature fuel cell following standby operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: AVL LIST GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Prenninger, Juergen Rechberger
  • Patent number: 9034534
    Abstract: A fuel cell or electrolysis cell stack has force distribution members with one planar and one convex shape applied to at least its top and bottom face and in one embodiment further to two of its side faces. A compressed mat and further a rigid fixing collar surrounds the stack and force distribution members, whereby the stack is submitted to a compression force on at least the top and bottom face and potentially also to two side faces. The assembly is substantially gas tight in an axial direction of the primarily oval or circular shape and can be fitted with gas tight end plates to form robust gas inlet and outlet manifolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Martin Refslund Nielsen, Niels H. B. Erikstrup
  • Publication number: 20150132673
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cell plates in a stack. The stack defines an air inlet face and/or an air outlet face; and two opposing engagement faces. The fuel cell assembly also comprises a detachable cover configured to releasably engage the two engagement faces in order to define an air chamber with the air inlet or outlet face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Peter David Hood
  • Publication number: 20150118591
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a plurality of fuel cells in a stack, the stack defining two opposing parallel end faces. An end plate assembly is provided at each opposing end face of the stack. The end plate assemblies are coupled together to thereby maintain the fuel cells in the stack under compression. At least one of the end plate assemblies comprises: a master plate defining a master compression face having a first portion and a second portion; a first slave plate defining a first slave compression face; and a second slave plate defining a second slave compression face. The first slave compression face faces the first portion of the master compression face and when assembled, is in compressive relationship therewith, and the second slave compression face faces the second portion of the master compression face and when assembled, is also in compressive relationship therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Peter David Hood
  • Patent number: 9017892
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell structure has an electrical current-carrying structure which, at least in part, underlies an electrochemical reaction layer. The cell comprises an ion exchange membrane with a catalyst layer on each side thereof. The ion exchange membrane may comprise, for example, a proton exchange membrane. Some embodiments of the invention provide electrochemical cell layers which have a plurality of individual unit cells formed on a sheet of ion exchange membrane material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Gerard F McLean, Anna Stukas, Jeremy Schrooten
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150093675
    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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-won SONG, Jin-ho KIM, Jeong-sik KO, Ji-rae KIM
  • Patent number: 8993190
    Abstract: A fuel cell unit of a fuel cell contains a first membrane electrode assembly having a frame portion on an outer circumference thereof, a first separator, a second membrane electrode assembly having a frame portion on an outer circumference thereof, a second separator, and a third separator. A plurality of resin pins are formed integrally on the frame portion of the first membrane electrode assembly. The resin pins are integrally inserted into holes in the first separator, holes in the second membrane electrode assembly, holes in the second separator, and holes in the third separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Fukuta, Yoshihiro Nakanishi, Kentaro Ishida
  • Patent number: 8993188
    Abstract: Each separator of a fuel cell stacked alternately with the power generation bodies has a first surface facing the first electrode of the power generation body, a second surface facing the second electrode of another power generation body, a first reactant gas channel that supplies or discharges a first reactant gas to or from the first electrode and that extends in the separator and has an opening portion opened in the first surface, and a second reactant gas channel that supplies and discharges a second reactant gas to or from the second electrode facing the second surface and that extends in the separator and has an opening portion opened in the second surface. The opening portion of the first reactant gas channel and the opening portion of the second reactant gas channel are both disposed along a first portion of a peripheral border of a power generation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaishi
    Inventor: Sogo Goto
  • 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: 20150079489
    Abstract: A fuel cell system with an ejector is provided. In particular, the system includes a stack, fuel injection nozzle and a water injection nozzle. In particular, the stack produces electricity via an electrochemical reaction using fuel and air. The fuel injection nozzle injects fuel into the stack and the water injection nozzle injects water into the fuel injection nozzle. In particular, water is supplied from the water injection nozzle into the fuel injection nozzle due to a vacuum within the fuel injection nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Yong Gyu Noh, Sekwon Jung