With Fluid Distribution Means Patents (Class 429/456)
  • Patent number: 11909076
    Abstract: A method of making a fuel cell stack includes applying an electrically conductive, compliant contact print ink containing an electrically conductive material, a plasticizer, a solvent, and a binder to at least one of a surface of an electrode of a fuel cell or a surface of an interconnect, and placing the fuel cell and the interconnect in the fuel cell stack such that the compliant contact print ink is located between the electrode of the fuel cell and the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Andres Leming
  • Patent number: 11843150
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using fuel cell staging to reduce or minimize variations in current density when operating molten carbonate fuel cells with elevated CO2 utilization. The fuel cell staging can mitigate the amount of alternative ion transport that occurs when operating molten carbonate fuel cells under conditions for elevated CO2 utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Eric B. Shen, Carla S. Pereira, Keith E. Davis, Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh
  • Patent number: 11728557
    Abstract: A passive-intermodulation-mitigating mounting assembly for a fixture, such as can be affixed to a utility or communications monopole can include a first bracket and a second bracket respectively defining a first through hole and a second through hole. In some examples, a mounting plate supports an antenna or a radio. A fastener can extend through the first through hole and the second through hole, for instance to couple the first bracket with the second bracket to attach the mounting assembly to a fixture. The passive-intermodulation-mitigating mounting assembly can include a bushing that can be inserted into a through hole, and the bushing can physically and electrically isolate the fastener from one or more of the brackets. The isolation of the bushing helps inhibit the passive-intermodulation of the mounting assembly when the fastener extends, via the first bushing, through at least one of the through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Sabre Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Karson W. Klein, Michael James Burnett, Jacob John Robinson, Jeffery Richard Stangler, Paul Scott Everline
  • Patent number: 11728499
    Abstract: In this fuel cell, a cathode-side porous film that covers a cathode electrode is interposed between the cathode electrode and an air supply layer, the cathode electrode constituting electrolyte film/electrode structures. In addition, breathing holes are formed in the cathode-side porous film, and the air flowing through air supply passages passes through the breathing holes and is supplied to the cathode electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daigo Mukasa, Hitoshi Nagasaki, Takehiro Mugishima, Akio Fujimoto, Ayumi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 11719204
    Abstract: Provided are a controller integrated type fuel pump module for preventing thermal deformation of a flange and a manufacturing method thereof. An embodiment of the present invention is directed to providing a controller integrated type fuel pump module for preventing thermal deformation of a flange that minimizes heat transfer from a board to the flange through a thermal insulation effect by an air gap by improving a structure in a storage part of a controller to form the air gap between the board and the flange in the controller formed integrally with a fuel pump module, and a manufacturing method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: COAVIS
    Inventors: Young Sub Jang, Hyug Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 11695141
    Abstract: An ECU of a fuel cell system supplies cathode gas by rotating an air pump at a low-load rotational speed and performs a low-load power generation in a fuel cell stack, while a moving body is traveling. When the fuel cell stack generates power while the moving body is stopped, the ECU increases the supply amount of the cathode gas by rotating the air pump at a during-stoppage-of-traveling rotational speed which is greater than the low-load rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Sakai, Kazuhide Inoue
  • Patent number: 11688860
    Abstract: A fluid flow plate for an electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprises a first plurality of fluid flow channels extending across an area of the flow plate to define a flow field of the fluid flow plate. An array of first fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the flow field for communicating fluid into or out of the fluid flow channels. A gallery has a first peripheral edge portion bounded by the array of first fluid transfer points and at least two second peripheral edge portions each bounded by an array of second fluid transfer points disposed along fluid access edges of the fluid flow plate. The at least two second peripheral edge portions are disposed at oblique angles to the first peripheral edge portion such that the total length of the any of second fluid transfer points is at least as long as, and preferably longer than, the length of the array of first fluid transfer points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter David Hood, Paul Leonard Adcock
  • Patent number: 11575137
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes: a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell, each of which has a structure in which a solid oxide electrolyte layer having oxygen ion conductivity is provided between two electrode layers; and an interconnector that is provided between the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell and has a separator made of a metal material, wherein the interconnector has a first metal porous part and a first gas passage on a first face of the separator on a side of the first fuel cell, wherein the interconnector has a second metal porous part and a second gas passage on a second face of the separator on a side of the second fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xinyu Li, Chie Kawamura
  • Patent number: 11557776
    Abstract: A fuel cell hot box for improving the system efficiency of a fuel cell. Fuel cell stack parts, an after burner, a reformer, an air pre-heating zone, and a fuel-heat exchanger are provided in a housing allowing heat of the fuel cell stack parts and heat of combustion gas generated in the after burner to be used for reforming, preheating fuel and preheating air at the same time to avoid wasting energy. The fuel cell stack parts under thermal stress can be cooled to improve durability of the stack parts to increase a lifetime of a total system, and the stack parts can share the central chamber part to simplify a structure of the fuel cell hot box. In addition, the reformer includes an opening and closing unit to properly distribute the high-temperature combustion gas so that a reforming ratio is adjustable according to an operating condition of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: UIF (UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY FOUNDATION), YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jong Sup Hong, Ji Young Kim, Woo Seok Lee, Dong Young Yoon
  • Patent number: 11527792
    Abstract: A battery module includes features to optimize cooling while providing electrical isolation and cell gas-venting channels. The battery module can include the integration of a heatsink in order to improve thermal performance. Thermally conductive pads can be provided to create an electrically isolated interface between a plurality of series-connected battery-cell lead plates, at different potentials, and the heatsink. Optimization, by stacking thin and thick thermally conductive pads, allows for creation of gas-venting channels along the positive cell terminal locations. In some arrangements, a plurality of fluid paths are disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the battery module to provide heat convective airflow through the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Hooper, Peter Lex, Tod Tesch
  • Patent number: 11508981
    Abstract: A power production system includes a flue gas generator configured to generate a flue gas that includes carbon dioxide and oxygen; a fuel supply; a fuel cell assembly that includes: a cathode section configured to receive the flue gas generated by the flue gas generator, and output cathode exhaust, and an anode section configured to receive fuel from the fuel supply, and output anode exhaust that contains hydrogen and carbon dioxide; a methanator configured to receive the anode exhaust, convert at least a portion of the hydrogen in the anode exhaust to methane, and output methanated anode exhaust; a chiller assembly configured to cool the methanated anode exhaust to a predetermined temperature so as to liquefy carbon dioxide in the methanated anode exhaust; and a gas separation assembly configured to receive the cooled methanated anode exhaust and separate the liquefied carbon dioxide from residual fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 11450864
    Abstract: The fuel cell of the present disclosure includes: a fuel single cell comprising a fuel electrode, an air electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between the electrodes; a separator for separating a fuel gas flowing through the fuel electrode and air flowing through the air electrode; and a sealing portion for hermetically bonding between the separator and the electrolyte, wherein the sealing portion is constituted of a glass composition containing at least two of metallic or metalloid elements contained in the electrolyte and at least two of metallic or metalloid elements contained in the separator; the electrolyte includes a proton conductor; and the proton conductor is represented by a compositional formula: BaZr1-xMxO3, where 0.05?x?0.5; and M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Sc, In, Lu, Yb, Tm, Er, Y, Ho, Dy, and/or Gd.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigenori Onuma, Tomohiro Kuroha, Takehito Goto
  • Patent number: 11349142
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes fuel cells, a gas supply system, a first accumulator, a second accumulator, and power connection. The fuel cells are arranged in a cell stack having a first axial end and a second axial end. The gas supply system is configured to supply gas for the operation of the fuel cells, the fuel cells being stacked in an axial direction. The first accumulator is arranged at the first axial end of the cell stack. The second accumulator is arranged at the second axial end of the cell stack. The power connection is electrically conductively connected to the second accumulator, and is arranged at the gas supply system. The cell stack is arranged within an insulation sheath and the gas supply system is arranged partly outside the insulation sheath and the power connection is arranged outside the insulation sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: HEXIS AG
    Inventors: Roland Denzler, Andreas Mai, Fabian Brogle
  • Patent number: 11335919
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell stack comprises a plurality of electrochemical cell units, each comprising a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte, and also comprises a plurality of interconnects. An interconnect is disposed between adjacent electrochemical cell units and defines a longitudinal channel having circumferential corrugations defined therearound. A fuel channel is defined between each anode and a respective adjacent interconnect, the fuel channel having fuel inlet and outlet. An oxidant channel is defined between each cathode and a respective adjacent interconnect, the oxidant channel having an oxidant inlet and outlet. The plurality of electrochemical cell units and interconnects include a first electrochemical cell unit, a first interconnect adjacent the first electrochemical cell unit, a second electrochemical cell unit adjacent the first interconnect, and a second interconnect adjacent the second electrochemical cell unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Versa Power Systems Ltd
    Inventors: Casy Cloudless Brown, Khun Bong Luc
  • Patent number: 11322756
    Abstract: In a cooling system of a fuel cell, a first container for receiving a part of a coolant from a circulation flow path for circulating a coolant between a fuel cell and a heat exchanger is connected to the circulation flow path, a second container is connected to the first container via a pressure regulating valve, and a gas diffusion portion is provided in the second container. When a pressure inside the first container is equal to or higher than a threshold, the pressure regulating valve is opened and a gas inside the first container is released into the second container. The gas diffusion portion gradually discharges the gas released into the second container to outside of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuaki Nonoyama, Hiromichi Sato
  • Patent number: 11309570
    Abstract: In a fuel cell system, a stack case storing a stack body including a plurality of stacked power generation cells is formed to include a peripheral wall case and an end plate. An inner main surface is provided at one end of the end plate in a thickness direction, facing the inside of the stack case. A connection channel connecting a first opening opened in an upper part of an outer peripheral end surface of the end plate and a second opening opened in the inner main surface of the end plate are provided inside the end plate. The inside of the stack case and an exhaust gas duct are connected together through a plate connection member connected to the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideharu Naito, Masahiro Sato
  • Patent number: 11289727
    Abstract: An electrochemical reaction unit including a unit cell including an electrolyte layer, and a cathode and an anode that face each other in a first direction with the electrolyte layer intervening therebetween; and a felt member containing a ceramic material or a metal and a silica component. The felt member includes both a first crystal structure and a second crystal structure, which is an SiO2 crystal structure. Also disclosed is an electrochemical reaction cell stack including a plurality of electrochemical reaction units disposed in the first direction, at least one of the electrochemical reaction units being the above-described unit. Yet further disclosed is a method for producing the electrochemical reaction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Ishida, Tatsuya Ono
  • Patent number: 11217804
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: first and second injectors; first and second ejectors; a first circulation passage configured to circulate anode gas that has passed the first ejector between the first fuel cell and the first ejector; a second circulation passage configured to circulate the anode gas that has passed the second ejector between the second fuel cell and the second ejector; a communication passage communicating with the first and second circulation passages; a switching valve configured to switch the communication passage to a communication state where the first and second circulation passages communicate with each other or to a cutoff state where the first and second circulation passages are cut off; and a controller configured to scavenge the first fuel cell by injecting the anode gas with the first injector, while the first fuel cell stops power generation in the communication state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideyuki Kumei
  • Patent number: 11177496
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of fuel cell and a fuel cell are provided. The manufacturing method of fuel cell includes a first slit formation process in which first slits are formed in a first electrode, an electrolyte membrane lamination process in which an electrolyte membrane is laminated on the first electrode, an IC formation process in which interconnector portions are formed on the electrolyte membrane, a second slit formation process in which second slits are formed in a second electrode, a second electrode lamination process in which the second electrode is laminated on the electrolyte membrane, and a side edge portion removal process in which side edge portions of the first electrode and the second electrode are removed to divide the first electrode into a plurality of parts via the first slits and to divide the second electrode into a plurality of parts via the second slits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Mugishima, Akio Fujimoto, Hitoshi Nagasaki
  • Patent number: 11152636
    Abstract: An electrochemical reaction unit including a unit cell including an electrolyte layer, and a cathode and an anode that face each other in a first direction with the electrolyte layer intervening therebetween; and a felt member containing a ceramic material or a metal and a silica component. The felt member has an Si content of 0.9 mass % to 13.2 mass %. Also disclosed is an electrochemical reaction cell stack including a plurality of electrochemical reaction units, at least one of the units being the above-described electrochemical reaction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Ishida, Tatsuya Ono
  • Patent number: 11050066
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell with improved thermal distribution in a stack including two more unit cells stacked therein. The fuel cell includes a stack including the two more unit cells and separators each having manifolds formed through four sides thereof, a first chamber having an internal space so as to receive air and fuel from the outside and to transfer the air and fuel to a second chamber and so as to receive the air and fuel discharged from the stack and to discharge the air and fuel to the outside, a second chamber having an internal space so as to receive the air and fuel from the first chamber and to transfer the air and fuel to the stack, and a connecting part connecting the first chamber to the second chamber so as to allow the air and fuel to flow to the second chamber from the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University
    Inventors: Jong Ho Lee, Kyung Joong Yoon, Sang Hyeok Lee, Dong Hwan Kim, Jong Sup Hong, Yong Gyun Bae
  • Patent number: 10923742
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a pair of separators for clamping a laminate including a membrane electrode assembly, an anode gas diffusion layer, and a cathode gas diffusion layer, and a frame formed from thermosetting resin and disposed between the separators to surround a periphery of the laminate. At least one of the anode and the cathode gas diffusion layers is formed from a composite of thermoplastic resin and conductive particles, and includes a protrusion protruding beyond a level of a surface of the frame which faces one of the separators in a state that the laminate is not clamped between the separators under a predetermined pressure. The one of the separators presses the protrusion and gets the one of the gas diffusion layers to be deformed and put into contact with the frame in a state that the laminate is clamped between the separators under the predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Minamiura, Takashi Yasuo, Tsutomu Kawashima, Hiroaki Suzuki, Miyuki Yoshimoto, Shinichiro Imura
  • Patent number: 10916793
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly includes a fuel cell stack column, and side baffles disposed on opposing sides of the column. The side baffles include side baffle plates containing at least one ceramic matrix composite (CMC) panel having at least one hole, and at least one denser ceramic element joined to the at least one CMC panel at the hole in the CMC panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Edmonston, Michael Petrucha, Martin Perry, Avinash Verma
  • Patent number: 10873096
    Abstract: A solid-oxide cell includes a porous substrate and an element part. The porous substrate has a long shape in a longitudinal direction and includes a first main surface, a second main surface, a first side surface, a second side surface and a gas-flow passage. The second main surface faces the first main surface. The second side surface faces the first side surface. The first and the second side surfaces connect the first main surface to the second main surface. The gas-flow passage extends in the longitudinal direction. The element part is provided on the first main surface and includes a first electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer and a second electrode layer. A thickness at an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the porous substrate is greater than a thickness at a center portion in the longitudinal direction of the porous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 10862138
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a porous support substrate and a power generation element portion. The support substrate includes a first end portion that is linked to a gas supply chamber and a gas collection portion, and a second end portion that is located opposite to the first end portion. The support substrate includes a first gas channel and a second gas channel. The first gas channel extends from the first end portion toward the second end portion. The first gas channel is connected to the gas supply chamber. The second gas channel is connected to the first gas channel on the second end portion side. The second gas channel extends from the second end portion toward the first end portion. The second gas channel is connected to the gas collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Ogasawara, Hirofumi Kan, Makoto Ohmori, Takashi Ryu
  • Patent number: 10862155
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one modular enclosure having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls that connect the top wall and the bottom wall and close off the modular enclosure on all sides; at least one fuel cell stack disposed within the at least one modular enclosure; at least one piping manifold configured to supply at least one process gas to the at least one fuel cell stack and to receive at least one exhaust process gas from the at least one fuel cell stack; and at least one process gas seal configured to seal the at least one piping manifold. The at least one process gas seal is effected via a static force from a weight of the at least one fuel cell stack or a weight of the at least one piping manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Quatannens, Matthew Lambrech, Fred C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 10826142
    Abstract: A fuel cell having a cathode, cathode chamber, anode and anode chamber. The anode chamber is at least partially defined by an anode current collector. The cathode chamber is at least partially defined by the cathode. The anode chamber includes one or a plurality of anode flow channels for flowing an electrolyte in a downstream direction. The anode current collector may include a plurality of particle collectors projecting into the anode chamber to collect particles suspended in the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ZINC8 ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Stuart Smedley, Wolf Tivy, Boguslaw Wozniczka, David Robert Bruce
  • Patent number: 10811721
    Abstract: The electricity storage device includes an electrode assembly, a case, and a holding tape. The electrode assembly further includes a bottom surface, which is supported by an inner bottom surface of the case, two end faces in a lamination direction, which are joined to the bottom face, two side surfaces, which are joined to the bottom surface and intersect with the end surfaces, and two corner sections, which are formed from the bottom surface and the side surfaces. Each corner section includes a chamfered section, and a border section between the chamfered section and the bottom surface. The holding tape covers the border section from the bottom surface in a direction parallel to the bottom surface and orthogonal to the stacking direction, further inward of the electrode assembly than the side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Atsushi Minagata, Motoaki Okuda
  • Patent number: 10756357
    Abstract: A bipolar plate with a coolant flow channel, includes a fuel flow field plate and an oxidant flow field plate. The bipolar plate includes an alignment area and at least two misalignment areas. In a fuel cell stack containing the bipolar plate, a coolant is enabled to flow from a coolant inlet channel to a coolant flow channel of one misalignment area without passing through a coolant flow channel of the alignment area. Also, the coolant is enabled to flow from a coolant flow channel of the other misalignment area to a coolant outlet channel without passing through the coolant flow channel of the alignment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventors: Guosheng Zhang, Zhijin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10673092
    Abstract: A fuel cell column includes termination plates, fuel cell stacks disposed between the termination plates, and fuel manifolds disposed between the fuel cell stacks. The fuel cell stacks include fuel cells, interconnects disposed between the fuel cells, and end plates disposed on opposing ends of the fuel cell stacks. At least one of the termination plates and/or the fuel manifold may include first and second separate pieces separated by an expansion zone. The fuel cell stack may also include one or more buffer layers and/or seals configured to reduce CTE differences of components of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tad Armstrong, Michael Lesher, Christopher Lee
  • Patent number: 10673081
    Abstract: A fuel cell device with a rectangular solid ceramic substrate extending in length between first and second end surfaces where thermal expansion occurs primarily along the length. An active structure internal to the exterior surface extends along only a first portion of the length and has an anode, cathode and electrolyte therebetween. The first portion is heated to generate a fuel cell reaction. A remaining portion of the length is a non-heated, non-active section lacking opposing anode and cathode where heat dissipates along the remaining portion away from the first portion. A second portion of the length in the remaining portion is distanced away from the first portion such that its exterior surface is at low temperature when the first portion is heated. The anode and cathode have electrical pathways extending from the internal active structure to the exterior surface in the second portion for electrical connection at low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
  • Patent number: 10559836
    Abstract: A fuel flow guiding arrangement is disclosed for a solid oxide fuel cell wherein the arrangement is configured for guiding oxygen rich side gas to and from an electrolyte element. The arrangement includes a flow field plate for each cell to arrange flows in the cell, a flow distribution area on the flow field plate, and a flow outlet area on the flow field plate. The arrangement can guide fuel feed flow to the flow distribution area from sides of a fuel cell, and can turn at least one of the fuel feed flow on the flow distribution area and fuel outlet flow on the flow outlet area to equalize flow distribution on the electrolyte element. A fuel flow adjusting structure can essentially homogenously adjust at least one of the fuel feed flow and fuel outlet flow over the electrolyte element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: ELCOGEN OY
    Inventors: Matti Noponen, Olli Himanen, Jari Pennanen
  • Patent number: 10553880
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a MEA that includes a cathode, an anode, and a solid electrolyte layer disposed between the cathode and the anode, the solid electrolyte layer containing an ion-conducting solid oxide; at least one first porous metal body arranged to oppose at least one of the cathode and the anode; and an interconnector arranged to oppose the first porous metal body and having a gas supply port and a gas discharge port formed therein. The first porous metal body includes a porous metal body S that opposes the gas supply port and has a three-dimensional mesh-like skeleton, and a porous metal body H that has a three-dimensional mesh-like skeleton and is other than the porous metal body S. A porosity Ps of the porous metal body S and a porosity Ph of the porous metal body H satisfy a relationship: Ps<Ph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Chihiro Hiraiwa, Masatoshi Majima, Hiromasa Tawarayama, Naho Mizuhara, Takahiro Higashino, Yohei Noda, Kazunari Miyamoto, Toshihiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10549462
    Abstract: A method of forming an integral manifold adjacent a cell stack of a flowing electrolyte battery enables improved bonding of a molten material to the battery cell stack. The method includes defining a mould cavity adjacent the cell stack, with the mould cavity open to capillary openings of half cells of the cell stack; locating a plurality of pins in the mould cavity, with end regions of the pins being contiguous with the capillary openings; preheating the mould cavity by passing a fluid into a first end of the mould cavity and out of a second end of the mould cavity; and filling the mould cavity with molten material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: REDFLOW R&D PTY. LTD.
    Inventors: Alexander Rudolf Winter, Thomas John
  • Patent number: 10547080
    Abstract: A cell stack includes a plurality of battery cell units, in which an anode, an electrolyte, an inter connector, and a cathode are stacked on a surface of a substrate tube of a cylinder, and a plurality of battery cells is formed in an axis direction of the substrate tube, and a connection mechanism that connects an end portion of the substrate tube of the battery cell unit in the axis direction, and an end portion of the adjacent battery cell unit. The connection mechanism includes a connection jig including a cylindrical portion facing a cylindrical shape of the battery cell unit, and a protruding portion formed on a surface of the cylindrical portion and having a protruding shape in a radial direction, and an adhesive layer applied between the cylindrical portion of the connection jig and the cell unit, and joining the connection jig and the cell unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shigenori Suemori, Yasuhiko Tsuru, Katsuaki Inoue
  • Patent number: 10446856
    Abstract: Provided is a solid oxide fuel cell having longitudinal and lateral channels in an electronic separator plate. A solid oxide fuel cell includes a unit cell formed by stacking a cathode, electrolyte, and an anode, a separator plate having channels in both surfaces thereof, wherein reaction gas flows through the channels, and the channels include longitudinal channels parallel to a flow direction of the reaction gas, and lateral channels crossing the flow direction of the reaction gas, and a collector disposed between the unit cell and the separator plate. The longitudinal channels increase in width from a reaction gas inflow hole to a reaction gas outflow hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Posco Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeon Min Son, Sang-Cheol Lee, Byung Geun Kuk, Sang Gyun Park, Sang Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 10381658
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a fluid flow plate at an outer end, a sealing member contacting the fluid flow plate and a gas diffusion layer, and a catalyst layer inside the gas diffusion layer. A membrane is located at a central location between the catalyst layer and a second catalyst layer. The fluid flow plate includes a channel for receiving a portion of a perimeter of the gas diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: PLUG POWER INC.
    Inventors: Charles Russell Elder, James D'Aleo
  • Patent number: 10355300
    Abstract: A fuel cell device is prepared by dispensing and drying electrode and ceramic pastes around two pluralities of removable physical structures to form electrode layers having constant width and a shape that conforms lengthwise to a curvature of the physical structures. An electrolyte ceramic layer is positioned between electrode layers, forming an active cell portion where anode is in opposing relation to cathode with electrolyte therebetween, and passive cell portions where ceramic is adjacent the active cell portion. The layers are laminated, the physical structures pulled out, and the lamination sintered to form an active cell with active passages in anodes and cathodes and passive support structure with passive passages in ceramic. End portions of at least one of the two pluralities of physical structures are curved away from the same end portion of the other of the two pluralities resulting in a split end in the fuel cell device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
  • Patent number: 10256481
    Abstract: A support member includes a support portion that supports an electric power generation portion of a cell and a seal portion located outside the electric power generation portion and seals between adjacent cells. A seal structure includes outer-side and inner-side wall portions located between adjacent seal portions. The outer-side wall portion is located on a side of an outer circumference of one of the seal portions. The inner-side wall portion is located on another of the seal portions and on a side closer to the electric power generation portion than the outer-side wall portion. An elastic member is provided between the outer-side and inner-side wall portions, and presses the inner-side and outer-side wall portions in opposing directions. A seal member is provided between at least one of the outer-side wall portion and the elastic member, or the inner-side wall portion and the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keita Iritsuki, Takao Izumi
  • Patent number: 10096846
    Abstract: A fuel cell device with a rectangular solid ceramic substrate extending in length between first and second end surfaces where thermal expansion occurs primarily along the length. An active structure internal to the exterior surface extends along only a first portion of the length and has an anode, cathode and electrolyte therebetween. The first portion is heated to generate a fuel cell reaction. A remaining portion of the length is a non-heated, non-active section lacking opposing anode and cathode where heat dissipates along the remaining portion away from the first portion. A second portion of the length in the remaining portion is distanced away from the first portion such that its exterior surface is at low temperature when the first portion is heated. The anode and cathode have electrical pathways extending from the internal active structure to the exterior surface in the second portion for electrical connection at low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
  • Patent number: 10084192
    Abstract: In embodiments, a fuel cell stack is provided that includes an interconnect between a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell, and a contact layer in contact with, and disposed between, an electrode of the first fuel cell and the interconnect. The contact layer may include a chromium-getter material. This chromium-getter material may consist of lanthanum oxide, lanthanum carbonate, and/or calcium carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: VERSA POWER SYSTEMS, LTD
    Inventors: Anthony Wood, Hongpeng He, Tahir Joia
  • Patent number: 10020530
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte provided with electrodes in the form of an anode and a cathode on opposite sides of the electrolyte, and a system of flow ducts arranged so as to bring a first flow containing a first reactant into contact with an active surface on the anode and to bring a second flow containing a second reactant into contact with an active surface on the cathode. The system of flow ducts includes a distribution arrangement adapted to distribute a flow incoming to the active surface uniformly over an inlet region which extends along the active surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: POWERCELL SWEDEN AB
    Inventor: Stephan Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9985310
    Abstract: A multi-function bundle having all of the basic support functions integrated therein can be used as a basic building block component, for example, in a fuel cell engine. The multi-function bundle is modular, easy to assemble, and able to withstand the physical and thermal shocks encountered in mobile applications. The multi-function bundle utilizes fully distributed fuel and oxidant supply systems which help to reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells. The multi-function bundle may be comprised of a plurality of fuel cells, an oxidant supply system, a fuel supply system and a support structure which integrates the fuel cells, oxidant supply system, and fuel supply system into a single unit. The oxidant and fuel supply systems may be fully distributed. The fuel supply system may include one or more fuel feed tube assemblies which allow distributed internal fuel reformation and reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Pittsburgh Electric Engines, Inc.
    Inventors: Owen S. Taylor, Gregory E. Zymboly
  • Patent number: 9954235
    Abstract: Described herein are articles, systems, and methods relating to fuel cell systems that include anode chambers with variable volumes. The volume of the anode chamber may be relatively small or essentially zero upon start up to prevent influx of contaminants that would have to be purged from the system. As fuel is directed into the anode chamber, the chamber volume increases to accommodate the flow of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITED, COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Vincent Faucheux, Antoine Latour, Jessica Thery, Bruno Valon, Gerard F McLean
  • Patent number: 9911986
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for manufacturing a fuel cell separator assembly includes a joining step for bringing opposing projections of uneven portions of separators into contact with each other through use of pressing members to join the projections through use of a welding robot. In the joining step, an elastic member is interposed between the pressing members and at least one of first and second separators so that a pressing force from the pressing members is imparted to the first and second separators. In this way, the opposing projections are brought into contact with each other by elastic deformation of the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Okamoto, Akira Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9825305
    Abstract: An energy storage device can include a cathode having a first plurality of frustules, where the first plurality of frustules can include nanostructures having an oxide of manganese. The energy storage device can include an anode comprising a second plurality of frustules, where the second plurality of frustules can include nanostructures having zinc oxide. A frustule can have a plurality of nanostructures on at least one surface, where the plurality of nanostructures can include an oxide of manganese. A frustule can have a plurality of nanostructures on at least one surface, where the plurality of nanostructures can include zinc oxide. An electrode for an energy storage device includes a plurality of frustules, where each of the plurality of frustules can have a plurality of nanostructures formed on at least one surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PRINTED ENERGY PTY LTD
    Inventors: Vera N. Lockett, John G. Gustafson, William J. Ray, Yasser Salah
  • Patent number: 9771824
    Abstract: An electric and steam system includes an electrical generator assembly configured to receive a first portion of a flow of a boil off gas (NBOG). An oxidizing unit is configured to receive a second portion of the flow of the boil off gas (NBOG), the second portion being an excess of the flow of the boil off gas (NBOG) that the electrical generator can process, and a crossover duct configured to receive a first flow of exhaust gas from the electrical generator assembly and a second flow of exhaust gas from the oxidizing unit and channel the first and second flows to an inlet of a heat recovery steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Cheol Park, Byeong-Yeol Baek, Read Stapley Tuddenham, Paul Thomas Maciulewicz
  • Patent number: 9742022
    Abstract: A solid electrolytic fuel battery having a battery structure part that includes a plurality of cells each composed of fuel electrode layers, a solid electrolytic layer, and air electrode layers. A cell separation part is arranged between the plurality of cells, and formed of a material containing ceramics. A gas supply path structure part has fuel gas supply paths to supply a fuel gas to each cell, and an air supply path to supply air to each cell. The air supply path is arranged in an inside of the battery structure part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideaki Nakai
  • Patent number: 9601784
    Abstract: A supported bi-metallic non-platinum catalyst that is capable of oxidizing hydrazine to produce, as by-products of energy production, nitrogen, water, and zero or near-zero levels of ammonia is described. The catalyst is suitable for use in fuel cells, particularly those that utilizes an anion-exchange membrane and a liquid fuel such as hydrazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Alexey Serov, Plamen B Atanassov, Tomokazu Skamoto, Hirohisa Tanaka, Koichiro Asazawa
  • Patent number: 9543594
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal separator for a fuel cell includes providing an opening in a metal plate which is to be a part of the metal separator for the fuel cell, integrally molding a sealing member on both sides of an outer peripheral edge of the metal plate to cover the opening, and trimming the sealing member to remove a covering portion of the sealing member that covers the opening and to provide a fluid communication hole, at least one of a fuel gas, an oxidant gas, and a cooling medium being to pass through the fluid communication hole in the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Watanabe, Masaaki Sakano