With Means For Moving Reactant Patents (Class 429/455)
  • Patent number: 11804610
    Abstract: A fuel cell system having a direct liquid fuel cell that uses a liquid containing a formic acid or an alcohol as a fuel includes: a fuel tank that stores the fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell; a fuel supply device that supplies the fuel in the fuel tank to the fuel cell; and a bubbling device that blows an inert gas into the fuel stored in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KANAZAWA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Takuya Tsujiguchi, Yasuhide Takeda, Atsushi Kubo, Akihiro Takazato, Toshiyuki Saito, Motoo Nakai, Yusuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 10847823
    Abstract: A duct for a fuel cell module includes an upper duct hood having an inlet configured to receive reactant gas from a supply duct, the upper duct hood defining a first tapered portion and a second tapered portion. The duct further includes a lower duct hood fluidly coupled to the upper duct hood, the lower duct hood defining at least one outlet. In a side view, the second tapered portion is tapered inwardly in a downstream direction. In a top view, the first tapered portion is tapered inwardly in a downstream direction, and the second tapered portion is tapered outwardly moving downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Quatannens, William Snyder, Quan Jin, Robert S. Fournier
  • Patent number: 10391464
    Abstract: A centrifugal blower system has internal gas mixing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: WATT FUEL CELL CORP.
    Inventors: Caine M. Finnerty, Paul DeWald
  • Patent number: 10273961
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell assembly that includes a plurality of individual fuel cells, each fuel cell having an electrolyte medium, a cathode and an anode; and at least one centrifugal blower system for providing a flow of gaseous medium to the fuel cell assembly. The centrifugal blower system includes a series of blower units, each blower unit in the series comprising a casing having an axial inlet and a radial outlet, an impeller disposed within the casing for drawing a gaseous medium at a first pressure in the axial inlet and expelling gaseous medium at a second higher pressure through the radial outlet, and a motor for driving the impeller; and a duct connecting the radial outlet of at least one blower unit in the series of blower units with the axial inlet of at least one successive blower unit in the series of blower units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: WATT AGENT, LLC
    Inventors: Paul DeWald, Caine Finnerty, Robert P Donley
  • Patent number: 10270120
    Abstract: A system and method for assembling and compressing a fuel cell stack. The system and method include a fuel cell stack housing with a plurality of side walls that create an enclosure that is open on two opposing ends, at least one channel formed on an inner side wall surface, and a first end structural frame that is affixed to one of the open ends of the housing, the first end structural frame including at least one tooling opening through a planar surface. The system and method further include tooling that passes through the at least one tooling opening of the first end structural frame and that extends up through the housing to the open end of the housing, the tooling capable of moving down incrementally while fuel cell stack components are being loaded into the housing through the open end that is opposite to the first end structural frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Martin Heinzmann, David A. Martinchek
  • Patent number: 9911987
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack (1) includes a plurality of stacked power generation cells (3), a heat exchange unit (7) provided between adjacent two of the power generation cells, a fuel gas supply path arranged to supply the power generation cells with a fuel gas, and an oxidant gas supply path (3, 7, 33, 34, 38) arranged to supply the power generation cells with an oxidant gas, wherein the fuel gas supply path includes in series a first path (7, 31) passing through the heat exchange unit (7), a second path (3, 32, 35, 37) passing through some of the plurality of power generation cells (3) in parallel, and a third path (3, 32, 36) passing through the other power generation cells in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Tsuga, Takafumi Shichida, Tetsuya Morikawa, Nobuyuki Hotta
  • Patent number: 9496571
    Abstract: A fuel cell (FC) system operating as its own hydrogen leak detector. The system including at least one cathode and cathode conduit for passage of oxidant to the cathode and a housing containing one or more FCs and defining a plenum around the FC. A ventilation system forces air from the plenum into the cathode conduit and a control system monitors the FC voltage and detects a drop in voltage attributable to hydrogen in the cathode conduit. A control system may include actual cell voltage monitoring of the FC or of one or more cells in the FC stack and a processor for receiving inputs indicative of the operation of the FC or FC stack and/or to determine an expected voltage of FC(s) being monitored and whether the difference between the actual and expected voltage(s) exceeds a predetermined threshold indicative of a predetermined level of hydrogen in the cathode conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Simon Edward Foster, Peter David Hood, Christopher James Kirk
  • Patent number: 9390866
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a current collector including an aluminum porous body suitable for an electrode for a nonaqueous electrolyte battery and an electrode for a capacitor electrode, and an electrode using the current collector. In the three-dimensional network aluminum porous body for a current collector of the present invention, when a sheet-shaped three-dimensional aluminum porous body is divided in the width direction into a central region and two end regions with the central region situated therebetween, the weight per unit area of aluminum in the aluminum porous body at the two end regions is larger than the weight per unit area of aluminum in the aluminum porous body at the central region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignees: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC TOYAMA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihisa Hosoe, Kazuki Okuno, Hajime Ota, Koutarou Kimura, Kengo Goto, Hideaki Sakaida, Junichi Nishimura
  • 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: 9029034
    Abstract: A PEM fuel system includes a fuel cell stack comprising one or more PEM fuel cells and fan configured to provide process air to supply oxidizer to and cool the fuel cell stack. The system has an air duct coupled to the fan and the fuel cell stack, and an electrical service load coupled to the fuel cell stack for receiving electrical power generated from reactions within the fuel cell stack. The system further includes as auxiliary electrical load coupled to the fuel cell stack and located within the air duct to reduce potentials across the fuel cell stack. The air duct is configured to direct the flow of air to the fuel cell stack and auxiliary electrical load to provide cooling air to the fuel cell stack and auxiliary electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Altergy Systems
    Inventors: Glen A. Garrettson, David Grupp, Jeremy Dabel
  • Patent number: 9017893
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell assembly medium and at least one centrifugal blower system for providing a flow of gaseous medium to the fuel cell assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: WATT Fuel Cell Corp.
    Inventors: Paul DeWald, Caine Finnerty, Robert P. Donley
  • Patent number: 9017894
    Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with a separator that supports an electrolyte/electrode assembly sandwiched therebetween. The separator is provided with: first and second fuel gas supply parts in the center of which fuel gas supply holes are formed; first and second cross-link parts connected to the first and second fuel gas supply parts; and first and second surrounding support parts connected to the first and second cross-link parts. Each first surrounding support part is provided with a set of fuel gas exhaust passages that discharge fuel gas that has gone through a fuel gas passage and been used. The cross-sectional areas of the fuel gas exhaust passages are larger on the downstream sides than on the upstream sides, in terms of the direction of fuel gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ogawa, Yukihiko Kiyohiro, Koji Dan, Yuki Yoshimine
  • Patent number: 8993196
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-soo Joung, Hye-jung Cho, Sang-ho Yoon
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8980498
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell stack that has a separator arranged between fuel cells, the separator including: a sandwiching section which sandwiches an electrolyte electrode assembly and includes a fuel gas channel and a separately provided oxygen-containing gas channel; a bridge which is connected to the sandwiching section and includes a reactant gas supply channel; a reactant gas supply section which is connected to the bridge and includes a reactant gas supply passage; and a connecting section that connects the sandwiching section to the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ogawa, Kimiko Fujisawa, Ayatoshi Yokokawa
  • Publication number: 20150064509
    Abstract: A fuel cell module is configured or operated, or both, such that after a shut down procedure a fuel cell stack is discharged and has its cathode electrodes at least partially blanketed with nitrogen during at least some periods of time. If the fuel cell module is restarted in this condition, electrochemical reactions are limited and do not quickly re-charge the fuel cell stack. To decrease start up time, air is moved into the cathode electrodes before the stack is re-charged. The air may be provided by a pump, fan or blower driven by a battery or by the flow or pressure of stored hydrogen. For example, an additional fan or an operating blower may be driven by a battery until the fuel cell stack is able to supply sufficient current to drive the operating blower for normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: HYDROGENICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nathaniel Ian Joos
  • Patent number: 8968958
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, and one or more devices which in operation of the system provide an azimuthal direction to one or more anode or cathode feed or exhaust fluid flows in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Matthias Gottmann, Martin Perry
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150044591
    Abstract: A fuel cell pack is disclosed. The fuel cell pack has N membrane electrode assemblies, N?1 connected conductive planes, an independent first electrode conductive layer, and an independent second electrode conductive layer, wherein N is an integer and 2?N?3000. Each connected conductive plane has a first electrode conductive layer and a second electrode conductive layer, wherein the first electrode conductive layer connects to the second electrode conductive layer. The independent first electrode conductive layer is corresponding to the second electrode conductive layer of the N?1th connected conductive plane; the independent second electrode conductive layer is corresponding to the first electrode conductive layer of the 1st connected conductive plane. Each membrane electrode assembly is situated between each first electrode conductive layer and the second electrode conductive layer to form a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Gunitech Corp.
    Inventors: Fang-Yu Ho, Ssu-Tai Lin, Huan-Ruei Shiu, Enoch Zhao, Yueh-Chang Wu, Chien-Ju Hung
  • Publication number: 20140377673
    Abstract: A fuel cell including a stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked includes an air manifold and a hydrogen manifold on a first side and a second side of the stack, respectively, a jet array including a tubular body inserted in the air manifold or the hydrogen manifold and a plurality of orifices formed in the tubular body and arranged in a longitudinal direction of the tubular body, a pump or a valve for supplying air or hydrogen to the jet array; and a controller that operates the pump or the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Yong Gyu Noh, Dong Jo Oh, Bu Kil Kwon
  • Patent number: 8871403
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack system is configured to uniformly supply a fuel or an electrolytic solution to each of fuel cell elements, and an electronic device using the fuel cell stack system are provided. An electrolytic solution channel allowing an electrolytic solution to flow therethrough is arranged between a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode, and a fuel channel allowing a fuel to flow therethrough is arranged outside of the fuel electrode. The electrolytic solution channels and the fuel channels of all fuel cell elements are connected in series to one another. That is, the fuel or the electrolytic solution emitted from an outlet of the fuel channel or the electrolytic solution channel of one fuel cell element enters into an inlet of the fuel channel or the electrolytic solution channel of the next fuel cell element through a connection channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kengo Makita, Shinichi Uesaka, Yasunori Ohto
  • Patent number: 8859164
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a bipolar plate includes a wall area and a landing area defining a fluid flow channel, and a plurality of wires extending from at least one of the landing area and the wall area. In another embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes the aforementioned bipolar plate and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) adjacent the bipolar plate and contacting at least a portion of the plurality of wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alireza Pezhman Shirvanian
  • Publication number: 20140255815
    Abstract: A cell frame in which the structure of a positive electrode electrolyte flow path and the structure of a negative electrode electrolyte flow path are different from each other, a cell stack in which the structure of at least one of the positive electrode electrolyte flow path and the negative electrode electrolyte flow path differs between the cell frame positioned at the center and the cell frame positioned at an end, the cell stack being configured such that electrical resistance in at least one of the positive electrode electrolyte flow path and the negative electrode electrolyte flow path increases from the cell frame positioned at the center toward the cell frame positioned at the end, and a redox flow battery utilizing them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Keiji Yano, Toshikazu Shibata, Takahiro Kumamoto
  • Patent number: 8828612
    Abstract: The fuel cell system is simplified and made more compact while providing the favorable recirculation of hydrogen-containing off-gas regardless of the increase or decrease in its flow rate. The fuel cell system is provided with: a cell unit that generates electricity by means of separating hydrogen-containing gas and oxygen-containing gas from each other while placing in flow contact to each other; and a recirculation mechanism for recirculating to the cell unit hydrogen-containing off-gas discharged from the cell unit. The fuel cell system has a flow rate determination unit that determines whether or not the hydrogen-containing gas fed to the cell unit is less than a predetermined flow rate; and a gas feeding pressure varying mechanism that cause the pressure of the hydrogen-containing gas to vary to increase and decrease when it is determined that the hydrogen-containing gas fed to the cell unit is less than the predetermined flow quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keigo Ikezoe, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8822095
    Abstract: A fuel cell system including: a fuel cell stack including plural fuel cells sandwiched between two end plates; a fuel supply system supplying a stream of fuel gas to the fuel cell stack; an oxidizer supply system supplying a stream of oxidizer gas to the fuel cell stack; a closed loop coolant circulation system driving a cooling liquid through the fuel cell stack so that the cooling liquid enters the fuel cell stack, absorbs heat from the fuel cells, and exits the fuel cell stack. The coolant circulation system includes a circulation pump driving the cooling liquid, a heat exchanger removing heat from the cooling liquid and for at least partially transferring the heat to the stream of fuel gas and/or the stream of oxidizer gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Belenos Clean Power Holding AG
    Inventors: Uwe Hannesen, Akinori Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20140242493
    Abstract: A direct carbon fuel cell DCFC system (5), the system comprising an electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell (10) comprising a cathode (30), a solid state first electrolyte (25) and an anode (20), wherein, the system further comprises an anode chamber containing a second electrolyte (125) and a fuel (120). The system, when using molten carbonate as second electrolyte, is preferably purged with CO2 via purge gas inlet (60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: University Court of the University of St. Andrews
    Inventors: John Thomas Sirr Irvine, Gael Corre, Cairong Jiang
  • Publication number: 20140234742
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of power generation units, a reactant gas channel, and a coolant channel. The plurality of power generation units are stacked in a stacking direction to provide a stacked body and each includes a first separator, a first electrolyte electrode assembly, a second separator, a second electrolyte electrode assembly, and a third separator. The first electrolyte electrode assembly is provided on the first separator. The second separator is provided on the first electrolyte electrode assembly. The second electrolyte electrode assembly is provided on the second separator. The first electrolyte electrode assembly and the second electrolyte electrode assembly each include an electrolyte and a pair of electrodes sandwiching the electrolyte therebetween. The third separator is provided on the second electrolyte electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eri TERADA, Kentaro ISHIDA, Shuhei GOTO, Tsuyoshi KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8785074
    Abstract: A ceramic baffle is configured to place a load on a stack of electrochemical cells and direct a reactant feed flow stream to the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: David Edmonston, Michael Petrucha, Martin Perry, Matthias Gottmann, Dien Nguyen, Emad El Batawi, William David Lyle
  • Publication number: 20140193737
    Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly includes: a polymer electrolyte membrane; catalyst layers disposed on the polymer electrolyte membrane; and gas diffusion layers respectively disposed on the catalyst layers. Each of the gas diffusion layers is constituted by a porous member containing electrically-conductive particles and polymer resin as major components, and a ratio (y/x) of a tensile strength y (N/cm) of the gas diffusion layer to a dry-wet size change rate x (%) of the polymer electrolyte membrane is 0.10 or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishikawa, Yoichiro Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8771898
    Abstract: Described herein are solid oxide fuel cells and manufacturing methods thereof. In certain aspects, the solid oxide fuel cells described herein include a plurality of anodes and a plurality of cathodes in which the anodes and cathodes are alternately stacked on each other and have non-overlapping sections in which the anodes and cathodes do not overlap partially. In certain aspects, the plurality of anodes are electrically connected to a first electrode, and the plurality of cathodes are electrically connected to a second electrode. In certain aspects, a solid electrolyte can be included, for example, between the anode and the cathode. In certain aspects, partitioning sections are disposed between each of the cathodes and the first electrode and between each of the anodes and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: TDK Corporation, Tohoku University
    Inventors: Kei Sugiura, Atsushi Hitomi, Takeshi Urano, Hitoshi Takamura
  • Patent number: 8765311
    Abstract: A fuel cell (1) includes an electromotive unit (2) having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) (12), a fuel storage unit (4) storing a liquid fuel, and a fuel supply mechanism (3) supplying the fuel from the fuel storage unit (4) to a fuel electrode (7) of the membrane electrode assembly (12). The membrane electrode assembly (12) has a gas vent hole (17) provided in a manner to penetrate through at least an electrolyte membrane (11) to let a gas component generated on a side of the fuel electrode (7) escape to a side of an air electrode (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Oozu, Yukinori Akamoto, Yuuichi Sato, Genta Oomichi, Hirofumi Kan, Daisuke Watanabe, Nobuyasu Negishi, Yuichi Yoshida, Asako Sato
  • Patent number: 8735015
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a plurality of power generation cells each having a first separator. The separator has a fuel gas flow field. A fuel gas supply passage extends through one corner of the power generation cell in the stacking direction, a fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas supply passage into a fuel gas flow field. An inlet buffer is provided upstream of the fuel gas flow field. The fuel gas supply passage and the inlet buffer are connected by a plurality of inlet connection grooves. The inlet connection grooves are inclined from a direction perpendicular to a wall surface of the fuel gas supply passage toward the center of the fuel gas flow field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetada Kojima, Masaru Oda, Keisuke Suda
  • Patent number: 8715882
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrene Livermore National Security, LLC.
    Inventors: David A. Sopchak, Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Jack Kotovsky, Robert T. Graff
  • Patent number: 8709671
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell including, a stack having fuel channels through which fuel flows and air channels through which air flows, the fuel channels and air channels being located at both sides of a reaction film, an actuator disposed to be involved in the air channels, the actuator allowing external air of the stack to affect the air channels, and a skirt extending from the stack with communicating with the air channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dae-Young Lee, Seo Young Kim, Young Soo Chang, Young-Sheen Hwang, Hun-Sik Han, Suk-Won Cha
  • Patent number: 8709629
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of redox flow battery systems having modular reactant storage capabilities. Accordingly to various embodiments, a redox flow battery system may include an anolyte storage module configured to interface with other anolyte storage modules, a catholyte storage module configured to interface with other catholyte storage modules, and a reactor cell having reactant compartments in fluid communication with the anolyte and catholyte storage modules. By utilizing modular storage modules to store anolyte and catholyte reactants, the redox flow battery system may be scalable without significantly altering existing system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: JD Holding Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Earl MacKenzie Vincent, Gary Lepp
  • Patent number: 8703351
    Abstract: A fuel cell component includes a first fluid distribution layer, a second fluid distribution layer, a cap layer, a third fluid distribution layer, and a pair of fluid diffusion medium layers. The individual layers are polymeric, mechanically integrated, and formed from a radiation-sensitive material. The first fluid distribution layer, the second fluid distribution layer, the cap layer, the third fluid distribution layer, and the pair of fluid diffusion medium layers are coated with an electrically conductive material. A pair of the fuel cell components may be arranged in a stack with a membrane electrode assembly therebetween to form a fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Rock, Steven G. Goebel, Gerald W. Fly, Alan J. Jacobsen, Joanna A. Kolodziejska, Hung D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8691465
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell which has a buffer space provided on a downstream side of a fuel supply space, and in which an output of a most downstream fuel cell unit is less affected by impurity gas stored in the fuel supply space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Mogi, Masaaki Shibata
  • Publication number: 20140093804
    Abstract: A flow battery includes a stack of flow cells, a stack of cell frames supporting the stack of cells, stack level and cell level flow manifolds located in the stack of cell frames, and at least one sealing or shunt current mitigation feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Kreiner, Kyle Haynes, Jonathan Hall, Lauren Hart, Rick Winter, Russell Cole, Pallavi Pharkya
  • Publication number: 20140080026
    Abstract: A direct Fuel Cell is based on organic liquid hydrogen storage materials, and includes a fuel cell unit connected to load through AC/DC convert circuit. The outlet and inlet of hydrogen storage materials on the fuel cell unit is connected to hydrogen storage tank through hydrogen storage output pipe and hydrogen storage input pipe, respectively. There is a pump for hydrogenated hydrogen storage materials on the hydrogenated hydrogen storage materials input pipe; the second outlet for water and gas on the fuel cell unit is connected to water tank through the second water output pipe. The water and gas inlet on the fuel cell unit is connected with oxygen input pipe; there is a gas outlet on the top of the water tank; the hydrogen storage materials tank contains hydrogen storage materials. The mentioned hydrogen storage materials are a multi-component mixture of liquid unsaturated heterocyclic aromatics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF GEOSCIENCES (WUHAN)
    Inventors: Hansong Cheng, Gang Ni, Ming Yang, Chaoqun Han, Bo Han, Shengping Wang, Jinping Wu
  • Patent number: 8669017
    Abstract: A stack (10) of fuel cells (11) is to be tested for tightness of the fuel cell membranes. For this purpose, a tracer gas is introduced into the fuel feed channel (15) of the stack (10). The fuel discharge channel (16) is either open or it is closed. A carrier gas is fed to the feed air channel. (17) and led through the exhaust air channel (18) to a gas sensor (28) where a determination is made whether the carrier gas contains amounts of tracer gas. A defective fuel cell (11) can be located by introducing a lance comprising a sniffing probe into the corresponding channel (18) and determining the position of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Inficon GmbH
    Inventors: Sandra Seitz, Rudi Widt
  • Publication number: 20140057138
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprising at least two stacked fuel cell boards (22) which each comprise a membrane of substantially gas impervious electrolyte material and at least two electrode pairs wherein the anode and cathode of each said electrode pair are arranged on respective faces of said membrane. An electrode of each pair of electrodes is connected to an electrode of an adjacent pair of electrodes by a through-membrane connection (13) or by an external connection on a Printed Circuit Board, comprising an electrically conductive region of said electrolyte material. A method for forming the through-membrane electrical connections in the electrolyte membrane is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicants: UCL Business PLC, Imperial Innovations Limited
    Inventors: Daniel John Leslie Brett, Anthony Robert John Kucernak
  • Patent number: 8652700
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprises an electrolyte electrode assembly which includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte; a separator which includes a sandwiching portion; a fuel gas channel which is formed at a first surface of the sandwiching portion, and is covered by the anode electrode; fuel gas outlets which are formed around the fuel gas channel; an oxygen-containing gas channel which is formed at a second surface of the sandwiching portion, and is covered by the cathode electrode; and oxygen-containing gas outlets which are formed around the oxygen-containing gas channel, in which the oxygen-containing gas outlets are formed at phases different from phases of the fuel gas outlets in a thickness direction of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ogawa, Ayatoshi Yokokawa
  • Patent number: 8652701
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell in which an electrolyte electrode assembly having an electrolyte sandwiched between an anode and a cathode is provided between separators, each of the separators including: a sandwiching section which sandwiches an electrolyte electrode assembly and includes a fuel gas channel and a separately provided oxygen-containing gas channel; a bridge which is connected to the sandwiching section and includes a reactant gas supply channel; a reactant gas supply section which is connected to the bridge and includes a reactant gas supply passage; and a connecting section that connects the sandwiching section to the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ogawa, Kimiko Fujisawa, Ayatoshi Yokokawa
  • Publication number: 20140045090
    Abstract: An object is to supply a sufficient amount of air to a fuel cell stack in a fuel cell vehicle when the fuel cell stack is mounted below a floor, the fuel cell stack configured to draw in air through an intake duct and discharge air to the exterior through an exhaust duct. An air introduction surface (26) faces upward or downward in a vehicle upper and lower direction, an intake passage portion (30) of the intake duct (28) extends along the air introduction surface (26) and vertical walls (31, 32) of left and right end portions of the fuel cell stack (11) while a pair of air introduction ports (33, 34) opens in left and right end portions of the intake passage portion (30), and an exhaust passage portion (39) of the exhaust duct (29) extends along an air discharge surface (27) and vertical walls (40, 41) of front and rear end portions of the fuel cell stack (11) while a pair of air discharge ports (42, 43) opens in front and rear end portions of the exhaust passage portion (39).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shiro Matsumoto, Naoki Ozawa, Toru Eguchi, Damian Patrick Davies
  • Publication number: 20140023950
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a power generating unit including a cell stack having connected therein a plurality of cells that generate power by using a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxidant, and a housing accommodating the power generating unit. The housing includes an accommodation chamber having a power generating unit arrangement surface where the power generating unit is disposed and a first side wall section and accommodating the power generating unit, and an oxidant flow channel that is formed on the outside of the accommodation chamber, with the first side wall section being interposed therebetween, and allows the oxidant to pass therethrough. A through hole is formed that connects the accommodation chamber with the oxidant flow channel and serves to supply the oxidant to the cell stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Yamamoto, Yasushi Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20140011109
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell stack in which end plates are respectively disposed at two ends of a unit-cell stack of unit cells in the stacking direction, and in which a fuel gas channel for conveying a fuel gas along surfaces of one of the end plates in a direction parallel to the surfaces of the one end plate is formed within the one end plate; an injector that is integrally provided in one of the surfaces of the one end plate and that injects the fuel gas into the fuel gas channel; and a relief valve that is integrally provided in the other of the surfaces of the one end plate and that prevents overpressure in the fuel gas channel. The relief valve is disposed at a position offset from an injection axis of the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Katano
  • Patent number: 8623565
    Abstract: A current producing cell has anode flow plates 22 and cathode flow plates 20. Each of the flow plates 20, 22 defines a membrane face 26, a collector face 24, and a center axis C perpendicular to the membrane face 26 and the collector face 24. Each of the collector faces 24 define a plurality of cooling channels 74, 76, 78 and a plurality of transport channels 62, 64. The cooling channels 74, 76, 78 of the cathode flow plates 20 extend radially relative to the center axis C thereof to overlap the transport channels 62, 64 of the anode flow plates 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Susanta K. Das, Jayesh Kavathe, K. Joel Berry
  • Patent number: 8617764
    Abstract: Provided are an ion conductive resin fiber, an ion conductive hybrid membrane, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell. The ion conductive resin fiber comprises an inner layer including an ion conductive resin; and an outer layer including an ion conductive resin having larger EW than the ion conductive resin of the inner layer, and surrounding the inner layer. The ion conductive resin fiber and the ion conductive hybrid membrane are excellent in ion conductivity, polar solvent stability and dimensional stability under low humidity conditions. The fuel cell manufactured using the same has advantages of stable operation and management of a system at ease, removal or reduction of components related to water management, and even in case of low relative humidity, operation at high temperature of 80° C. or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Go-Young Moon, Won-Ho Lee, Sang-Hyun Lee, Young-Il Choi, Hyuk Kim
  • Patent number: 8617758
    Abstract: A hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell including a main cell and an auxiliary cell sharing a common electrolyte and having at least one separate electrode, circuitry for measuring the humidity ratio of the electrolyte, and control and switching circuitry for operating the main and auxiliary cells in parallel on a same load or separately on two different loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
    Inventors: Nicolas Karst, Pierre Bouillon, Nelly Martin, Audrey Martinent
  • Patent number: 8597848
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel cell system or the like capable of sufficiently reducing an exhaust hydrogen concentration even in a case where a fuel cell is operated in a state of a low power generation efficiency. A bypass valve is arranged between an oxidation gas supply path and a cathode-off gas channel. In a state in which supply of an oxidation gas to a cathode falls short, pumping hydrogen is included in a cathode-off gas. Therefore, a valve open degree of the bypass valve is regulated, and a flow rate of bypass air is regulated to control the exhaust hydrogen concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Imanishi, Kota Manabe, Tomoya Ogawa, Go Tejima, Yoshiaki Naganuma, Hironori Noto