Oxide Patents (Class 429/495)
  • Patent number: 11952272
    Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen product having a low carbon intensity is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) converting a hydrocarbon feedstock to a hydrogen product using a hydrocarbon reforming process; (b) providing at least some of the required energy for the hydrogen production process from a biomass power plant; and (c) processing one or more flue gas streams from the biomass power plant in a carbon capture unit to reduce CO2e emissions. The hydrogen product has a carbon intensity preferably less than about 1.0 kg CO2e/kg H2, more preferably less than 0.45 kg CO2e/kg H2, and most preferably less than 0.0 kg CO2e/kg H2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Kraken Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Byron Gladus Best, III, Christopher Michael Miller, Anna Louise Buckley, John Edwin Plumlee, Bengt Arne Jarlsjo, Daniel Joseph Shapiro
  • Patent number: 11952274
    Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen product having a low carbon intensity is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) converting a hydrocarbon feedstock to a hydrogen product using a hydrocarbon reforming process; (b) providing at least some of the required energy for the hydrogen production process from a biomass power plant; and (c) processing one or more flue gas streams from the biomass power plant in a carbon capture unit to reduce CO2e emissions. The hydrogen product has a carbon intensity preferably less than about 1.0 kg CO2e/kg H2, more preferably less than 0.45 kg CO2e/kg H2, and most preferably less than 0.0 kg CO2e/kg H2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Kraken Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Byron Gladus Best, III, Christopher Michael Miller, Anna Louise Buckley, John Edwin Plumlee, Bengt Arne Jarlsjo, Daniel Joseph Shapiro
  • Patent number: 11952276
    Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen product having a low carbon intensity is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) converting a hydrocarbon feedstock to a hydrogen product using a hydrocarbon reforming process; (b) providing at least some of the required energy for the hydrogen production process from a biomass power plant; and (c) processing one or more flue gas streams from the biomass power plant in a carbon capture unit to reduce CO2e emissions. The hydrogen product has a carbon intensity preferably less than about 1.0 kg CO2e/kg H2, more preferably less than 0.45 kg CO2e/kg H2, and most preferably less than 0.0 kg CO2e/kg H2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Kraken Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Byron Gladus Best, III, Christopher Michael Miller, Anna Louise Buckley, John Edwin Plumlee, Bengt Arne Jarlsjo, Daniel Joseph Shapiro
  • Patent number: 11912626
    Abstract: A polycrystalline fused product based on brownmillerite, includes, for more than 95% of its weight, of the elements Ca, Sr, Fe, O, M and M?, the contents of the elements being defined by the formula XyMzFetM?uO2.5, wherein the atomic indices are such that 0.76?y?1.10, z?0.21, 0.48?t?1.15 and u?0.52, 0.95?y+z?1.10, and 0.95?t+u?1.10, X being Ca or Sr or a mixture of Ca and Sr, M being an element chosen from the group formed by La, Ba and mixtures thereof, M? being an element chosen from the group formed by Ti, Cu, Gd, Mn, Al, Sc, Ga, Mg, Ni, Zn, Pr, In, Co, and mixtures thereof, the sum of the atomic indices of Ti and Cu being less than or equal to 0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: SAINT-GOBAIN CENTRE DE RECHERCHES ET D'ETUDES EUROPEEN, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Helena Kaper, Pierre-Alexis Repecaud
  • Patent number: 11909085
    Abstract: Disclosed are air electrode materials suitable for use in solid oxide electrochemical cells (SOCs). The disclosed cells can operate in a dual function modes, i.e., as a fuel cell and as an electrolysis cell. In both cases, chemical energy and electrical energy can be directly convert from one mode to the other; thereby providing a highly efficient energy conversion process that can be used as a sustainable energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: Phillips 66 Company, Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Weilin Zhang, Meilin Liu, Ying Liu, Yucun Zhou
  • Patent number: 11898018
    Abstract: To provide a liquid composition capable of forming a membrane excellent in durability against hydrogen peroxide or peroxide radicals and excellent in hydrogen gas barrier property; a polymer electrolyte membrane; a membrane electrode assembly; and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Liquid composition comprising a liquid medium, an acid-type sulfonic acid group-containing fluorocarbon polymer of which the hydrogen gas permeation coefficient under the conditions of a temperature of 80° C. and a relative humidity of 10% is at most 2.5×10?9 cm3·cm/(s·cm2·cmHg), and cerium atoms; a polymer electrolyte membrane 15 comprising the acid-type sulfonic acid group-containing fluorocarbon polymer, and cerium atoms; and a membrane electrode assembly 10 comprising an anode 13 having a catalyst layer, a cathode 14 having a catalyst layer, and the polymer electrolyte membrane 15 disposed between the anode 13 and the cathode 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: AGC Inc.
    Inventors: Takumi Okuyama, Takeshi Hirai, Susumu Saito, Chikaya Tamitsuji, Daisuke Jomuta
  • Patent number: 11890579
    Abstract: An evaporative cooling system includes a porous ceramic body with a plurality of dry channels and a plurality of wet channels. The plurality of dry channels are configured to inhibit transfer of water vapor into the dry channels and include a barrier layer that includes a roughened layer with a features size less than 1000 nm and a hydrophobic chemical modification disposed on the roughened layer. The plurality of wet channels are configured to allow transfer of water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Grinham, Jack Alvarenga, Martin Bechthold, Joanna Aizenberg
  • Patent number: 11876208
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to battery technologies and processing techniques thereof. In various embodiments, ceramic electrolyte powder material (or component thereof) is mixed with two or more flux to form a fluxed powder material. The fluxed powder material is shaped and heated again at a temperature less than 1100° C. to form a dense lithium conducting material. There are other variations and embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: QuantumScape Battery, Inc.
    Inventors: Niall Donnelly, Timothy Holme
  • Patent number: 11870080
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes a metal support cell, in which an anode layer containing nickel, an electrolyte layer and a cathode layer are stacked on a metal support portion. In the method for activating the anode layer in the solid oxide fuel cell, first, an oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the anode layer to oxidize the nickel. Next, a hydrogen-containing gas HG is introduced into the anode layer to reduce the nickel oxide formed by oxidizing the nickel, and to increase conduction paths of the nickel that electrically connect the electrolyte layer to the metal support part in the anode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Fukuyama, Mari Kawabuchi, Kazuyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 11862822
    Abstract: Devices and methods for generating electricity in a direct carbon fuel cell are provided herein. The method includes heating and melting an alloy to obtain a liquid alloy anode; circulating the liquid alloy anode through a porous ceramic cathode, the cathode being a tubular structure and in communication with oxygen; reducing the oxygen at the porous cathode to obtain oxygen ions for diffusing through an electrolyte to the liquid alloy anode; and oxidizing the oxygen ions at the liquid alloy anode thereby generating electricity. The direct carbon fuel cells have high electronic conductivity, high carbon solubility with fast carbon diffusion, lower viscosity and eutectic temperatures, and rapid fuel dissolution kinetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Adam C. Powell, Boyd Davis, Uday Bhanu Pal, Yu Zhong, Christian Faria, Naoki Ono, Takeshi Inozume, Chiaki Endo, Tomoya Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 11831057
    Abstract: A method of integrating a fuel cell with a steam methane reformer is provided. The system includes at least one fuel cell including an anode and a cathode, and a steam methane reformer including a syngas stream, and a flue gas stream. The method includes introducing at least a portion of the flue gas stream to the cathode, thereby producing a CO2 depleted flue gas stream and introducing a hydrocarbon containing stream to the anode, thereby producing an electrical energy output and a carbon dioxide and hydrogen containing stream from the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pierre-Philippe Guerif, Guillaume Rodriges
  • Patent number: 11799118
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a reformer, fuel cell stacks, and an exhaust-gas combustor. The reformer has a tubular shape extending in an axial direction and reforms raw fuel into combustion gas. The fuel cell stacks generate electric power from the fuel gas and oxidant gas. The fuel cell stacks are arranged radially outward of the reformer in a circumferential direction to face the reformer in a radial direction. The exhaust-gas combustor burns fuel gas that is not used and included in exhaust gas from the fuel cell stacks. The exhaust-gas combustor is arranged radially inward of the reformer to face the reformer in the radial direction. Each fuel cell stack includes flat plate type cells stacked in the radial direction. This achieves downsizing of the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI ZOSEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhide Okazaki, Yoshinobu Takaki, Kotaro Yagi, Masato Kawami, Takashi Ogawa, Naohiro Nakataya, Masao Oku
  • Patent number: 11777122
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes a gasifier, upon receiving steam and methane, configured to convert the methane and steam into hydrogen and carbon monoxide; and a carbon trap, operatively connected to the gasifier, configured to capture carbon from the carbon monoxide and allow the hydrogen to pass therethrough. The carbon trap includes iron and a heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Clarke G. Homan
  • Patent number: 11777126
    Abstract: Herein discussed is a method of using an oxide ion conducting membrane comprising exposing the oxide ion conducting membrane to a reducing environment on both sides of the membrane. In an embodiment, the oxide ion conducting membrane also conducts electrons. In various embodiments, the membrane is impermeable to fluid flow (e.g., having a permeability of less than 1 micro darcy). In an embodiment, the oxide ion conducting membrane comprises lanthanum chromite and a material selected from the group consisting of doped ceria, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), lanthanum strontium gallate magnesite (LSGM), scandia-stabilized zirconia (SSZ), Sc and Ce doped zirconia, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the lanthanum chromite comprises undoped lanthanum chromite, strontium doped lanthanum chromite, iron doped lanthanum chromite, strontium and iron doped lanthanum chromite, lanthanum calcium chromite, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the membrane is mixed conducting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Utility Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Farandos, Matthew Dawson, Jin Dawson
  • Patent number: 11777117
    Abstract: A connector system (1) for coupling one fluid conduit to another fluid conduit comprises a first connector element (2) having a mating surface extending around an insertion axis of the connector element. The mating surface incorporates first and second resilient peripheral seals (7, 9) extending around the mating surface, the first and second peripheral seals (7, 9) having different diameters and being separated along the insertion axis. The first connector element (2) bearing the peripheral seals (7, 9) can be the female connector (2), such as shown, or can be the male connector (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventor: Iain Jones
  • Patent number: 11777113
    Abstract: A system includes a power generator to generate power from an reaction involving a first fuel reactant and a second fuel reactant, a fuel reactant supply source to supply the first fuel reactant to the power generator via a fuel supply line having a fuel expansion region, a radiant fluid circuit for circulation of a radiant fluid configured to cool the power generator, and one or more thermoelectric generators in thermal contact with the fuel expansion region and the radiant fluid circuit downstream of the fuel cell to generate electric power via a Seebeck effect using at least a portion of the waste heat generated by the power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Zach Reeder
  • Patent number: 11757107
    Abstract: The invention related to metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), fuel cell stacks containing the same, methods of their manufacture and use thereof. The SOFC of the invention utilizes an extended electrolyte and barrier layers to prevent specific types of corrosion of the metal substrate. This new coating approach reduces the rate of degradation of the fuel cells and improves system reliability when operated over long durations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: CERES INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Adam Bone, Robert Leah, Subhasish Mukerjee, Mahfujur Rahman, Ahmet Selcuk
  • Patent number: 11735757
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a reformer, fuel cell stacks, and an exhaust-gas combustor. The reformer has a tubular shape extending in an axial direction and reforms raw fuel into combustion gas. The fuel cell stacks generate electric power from the fuel gas and oxidant gas. The fuel cell stacks are arranged radially outward of the reformer in a circumferential direction to face the reformer in a radial direction. The exhaust-gas combustor burns fuel gas that is not used and included in exhaust gas from the fuel cell stacks. The exhaust-gas combustor is arranged radially inward of the reformer to face the reformer in the radial direction. Each fuel cell stack includes flat plate type cells stacked in the radial direction. This achieves downsizing of the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI ZOSEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhide Okazaki, Yoshinobu Takaki, Kotaro Yagi, Masato Kawami, Takashi Ogawa, Naohiro Nakataya, Masao Oku
  • Patent number: 11688558
    Abstract: A ceramic electronic component includes a multilayer chip having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and including dielectric layers and internal electrode layers alternately stacked, the dielectric layers being mainly composed of ceramic, the internal electrode layers being alternately exposed to two edge faces of the multilayer chip opposite to each other, and external electrodes respectively formed on the two edge faces, wherein an average crystal grain size of the ceramic in a cross section is 200 nm or less in a dielectric portion, and a CV value of a grain size distribution of crystal grains of the ceramic in the cross section is less than 38% in the dielectric portion, the dielectric portion being defined as a region made of the ceramic in the multilayer chip that is in contact with one of the external electrodes and that has a width of 5 ?m from said one of the external electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yusuke Kowase
  • Patent number: 11667576
    Abstract: Methods of determining and controlling the deformability of ceramic materials, as a nonlimiting example, YSZ, particularly through the application of a flash sintering process, and to ceramic materials produced by such methods. Such a method includes providing a nanocrystalline powder of a ceramic material, making a compact of the powder, and subjecting the compact to flash sintering by applying an electric field and thermal energy to the compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Xinghang Zhang, Haiyan Wang, Jin Li, Jaehun Cho, Xin Li Phuah, Han Wang
  • Patent number: 11616239
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a large-area thin-film solid oxide fuel cell, the method including: preparing an anode support slurry, an anode functional layer slurry, an electrolyte slurry, and a buffer layer slurry for tape casting; preparing an anode support green film, an anode functional layer green film, an electrolyte green film, and a buffer layer green film by tape casting the slurries onto carrier films; staking the green films, followed by hot press and warm iso-static press (WIP), to prepare a laminated body; and co-sintering the laminated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Rak Hyun Song, Amjad Hussain, Dong Woo Joh, Jong Eun Hong, Seung Bok Lee, Tak Hyoung Lim, Tae Hun Kim, Beom Su Kwon
  • Patent number: 11561185
    Abstract: In an electrolyte sheet for a solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention, the number of flaws on at least one of surfaces of the sheet detected by a fluorescent penetrant inspection is 30 points or less in each of sections obtained by dividing the sheet into the sections each measuring 30 mm or less on a side. A unit cell for a solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention comprises a fuel electrode, an air electrode, and the electrolyte sheet for a solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention, which is disposed between the fuel electrode and the air electrode. A solid oxide fuel cell of the present invention includes the unit cell for a solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Hata
  • Patent number: 11495815
    Abstract: An electrolyte membrane of a membrane-electrode assembly is formed by a manufacturing method yielding a membrane with improved chemical durability. The manufacturing method includes preparing an antioxidant solution, mixing the antioxidant solution and a first ionomer dispersion solution, drying the mixture to produce a composite having an antioxidant and a first ionomer surrounding the antioxidant, introducing and mixing the composite with a second ionomer dispersion solution, and applying that mixture to a substrate and drying the mixture to manufacture an electrolyte membrane. The resulting electrolyte membrane includes the composite having an antioxidant in an ionic state and a first ionomer surrounding the antioxidant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 11495818
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are barium hafnate comprising proton-conducting electrolytes for use in solid oxide fuel cells. The disclosed electrolytes are also useful for electrolysis operations and for carbon dioxide tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: Phillips 66 Company, Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Meilin Liu, Ryan Murphy
  • Patent number: 11453618
    Abstract: Herein discussed is a method of sintering a ceramic comprising (a) providing an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) source; (b) (i) providing a layer of intermixed ceramic particles and absorber particles, wherein the absorber particles have a volume fraction in the intermixed particles in the range of no less than 3%; or (ii) providing a first layer comprising ceramic particles and a second layer comprising absorber particles in contact with at least a portion of the first layer, wherein the second layer is farther from the EMR source than the first layer; (c) heating (i) the layer of intermixed particles or (ii) the first layer using EMR; and (d) controlling the EMR such that at least a portion of the ceramic particles are sintered wherein (i) the layer of intermixed particles becomes impermeable or (ii) the first layer becomes impermeable, wherein the absorber particles have greater EMR absorption than the ceramic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Utility Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
  • Patent number: 11444316
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte having a garnet type crystal structure. The garnet type crystal structure contains Li, La, Zr, O and Ga and at least one element selected from Al, Mg, Zn and Sc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryohei Takano, Makoto Yoshioka, Takeo Ishikura, Akisuke Ito
  • Patent number: 11437640
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making an electrochemical cell, comprising: depositing an anode layer on a surface of a porous metal support layer; depositing an electrolyte layer on a surface of the anode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer is deposited via suspension plasma spray, wherein the electrolyte layer conducts protons; and depositing a cathode layer on a surface of the electrolyte layer. Also disclosed is a stack comprising two or more of the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tianli Zhu, Michael Paul Humbert
  • Patent number: 11394036
    Abstract: A fuel cell electricity generation unit including a unit cell including an electrolyte layer containing a solid oxide, and a cathode and an anode which face each other with the electrolyte layer intervening therebetween; an electrically conductive current collecting member disposed on the cathode side of the unit cell; an electrically conductive coating which covers the surface of the current collecting member; and an electrically conductive bonding layer which bonds the cathode to the current collecting member covered with the coating, wherein the following relationship is satisfied: the porosity of the coating<the porosity of the bonding layer<the porosity of the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: MORIMURA SOFC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 11114677
    Abstract: An interconnector for a solid oxide fuel cell is manufactured by single-press compacting a powder blend to form a green interconnector with a desired shape of a final interconnector. The powder blend includes chromium and iron, and may include an organic lubricant. At least 50 wt % or more of an iron portion of the powder blend comprises iron particles smaller than 45 um. The green interconnector is then sintered and oxidized to form the final interconnector. The oxidation step occurs in a continuous flow furnace in which a controlled atmosphere (e.g., humidified air) is fed into the furnace in the travel direction of the interconnector. The final interconnector comprises at least 90 wt % chromium, at least 3 wt % iron, and less than 0.2 wt % nitrogen. An average density within a flow field of the final interconnector may be less than 6.75 g/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Stackpole International Powder Metal, ULC
    Inventors: Roger Lawcock, Brendan Ayre, Rohith Shivanath
  • Patent number: 11043681
    Abstract: A method for driving a solid oxide fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte provided between the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Yeonhyuk Heo, Sanghyeok Im, Tai Min Noh, Kwangyeon Park, Kwangwook Choi
  • Patent number: 10923752
    Abstract: Disclosed are a membrane-electrode assembly, a method of manufacturing the same, and a fuel cell including the membrane-electrode assembly. The membrane-electrode assembly includes a catalyst layer, an interfacial adhesive layer which is positioned on the catalyst layer and formed by permeating an interface between the interfacial adhesive layer and the catalyst layer into a partial depth of the catalyst layer, and an ion exchange membrane which is positioned on the interfacial adhesive layer and bonded to the catalyst layer by the medium of the interfacial adhesive layer, the interfacial adhesive layer including a fluorine-based ionomer having an equivalent weight (EW) of 500 to 1000 g/eq.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jun-Young Kim, Jin-Hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 10879542
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes an MEA, a first separator, and a second separator. A frame member is provided around an outer peripheral portion of an MEA, and held between the first separator and the second separator. The height of an oxygen-containing gas flow field formed by the second separator, from the MEA is larger than the height of a fuel gas flow field formed by the first separator, from the MEA. The central position of the MEA in the thickness direction and the central position of the frame member outer peripheral portion of the frame member in the thickness direction are offset from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro Ishida, Hiroshi Morikawa, Yosuke Nishida, Satoshi Oyama, Masahiro Matsutani
  • Patent number: 10862102
    Abstract: A battery has an electrode with a layer of an active medium. The layer of active medium includes multiple active particles. Each active particle includes a shell that encloses one or more cores. Each of the cores includes one or more active materials. The battery is constructed such to have a State of Charge (SOC) that is greater than 0% before the initial operation (discharge or charge) of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventors: Ryo Tamaki, Hiroshi Nakahara
  • Patent number: 10683236
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a glass ceramic composite electrolyte comprising gadolinium doped ceria and glass composite with desired ionic conductivity in the temperature range of 400 to 600° C., suitable for applications in solid oxide fuel cells. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of the glass ceramic composite electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignees: Director General, Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology, Secretary, Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEITY)
    Inventors: Shrikant Kulkarni, Siddhartha Duttagupta, Vijaya Giramkar, Girish Phatak
  • Patent number: 10680251
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell, system including the same, and method of using the same, the fuel cell including an electrolyte disposed between an anode and a cathode. The anode includes a first layer including a metallic phase and a ceramic phase, and a second layer including a metallic phase. The metallic phase of the second layer includes a metal catalyst and a dopant selected from Al, Ca, Ce, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Nb, Pr, Ti, V, W, or Zr, any oxide thereof, or any combination thereof. The second layer may also include a ceramic phase including ytterbia-ceria-scandia-stabilized zirconia (YCSSZ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Gasda, Emad El Batawi, Tad Armstrong, Vijay Radhakrishnan, Jonathan Scholl
  • Patent number: 10573898
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a high permeable porous substrate. The high permeable porous substrate includes a porous substrate body and a plurality of channels. The plurality of channels penetrate the first surface of the porous substrate body and do not penetrate the second surface of the porous substrate body. In addition, a solid oxide fuel cell supported by the high permeable porous substrate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: Chang-Sing Hwang, Chun-Huang Tsai, Chun-Liang Chang, Zong-Yang Chuang Shie, Sheng-Fu Yang, Te-Jung Huang, Shih-Wei Cheng
  • Patent number: 10497944
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack has a surface from which via conductors for drawing a current are exposed. Collector plates are disposed on the surfaces of the fuel cell stack so that one main surface of the collector plates faces the via conductors. Fixing plates are fixed to the collector plates. Spacers are disposed between the fuel cell stack and the fixing plates. An adhesive fixes the fixing plates to the fuel cell stack through the spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignees: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TOKYO GAS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Tomoshige, Tomoaki Hirai, Yasuhiro Sayo, Takuya Ito, Takuto Kushi, Toru Hatae
  • Patent number: 10483561
    Abstract: A flat plate-shaped solid oxide fuel cell having a porous ceramic support, a fuel electrode provided on the porous ceramic support, an electrolyte layer provided on the fuel electrode, an air electrode provided on the electrolyte layer, and a fuel electrode current collector connected to the fuel electrode and extending in a direction way from the air electrode is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Yeonhyuk Heo, Kwangwook Choi, Sanghyeok Im, Takkeun Oh, Jeong Mi Choi, Tai Min Noh
  • Patent number: 10431841
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a pattern comprising protrusions and grooves is formed on all layers in a laminate laminating a composition layer for preparing an electrolyte; and at least one of a composition layer for preparing a fuel electrode and a composition layer for preparing an air electrode on the composition layer for preparing an electrolyte, which leads to advantages of saving time and costs in terms of process by carrying out sintering and pattern forming at once, while improving cell efficiency by increasing a surface area of the electrolyte layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Jeong Mi Choi, Jongjin Lee, Bu Won Son, Kwangwook Choi, Sanghyeok Im, Takkeun Oh
  • Patent number: 10367207
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack 101 includes a plurality of fuel cells 105 in which a fuel electrode 109, a solid oxide electrolyte 111, and an air electrode 113 are sequentially laminated, an interconnector 107 that electrically connects the fuel cells 105 which are adjacent to each other, and an interconnector connecting layer 108 that is interposed directly between the air electrode 113 and the interconnector 107. The interconnector connecting layer 108 is formed from a material, which is expressed by a composition formula of (La1-x-ySrxCay)zMnO3-AppmSiO2-DppmMgO (provided that, 0<x?0.4, 0<y?0.4, 0.1?x+y?0.5, 0.95?z<1, A: 10 to 300, D: 10 to 400), through firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsukuda, Yasuhiko Tsuru, Kenichi Hiwatashi, Shin Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10167235
    Abstract: A joined body 20 includes a porous ceramic 22 made of porous ceramic, a metal member 24 made of a metal, and a joint 30 formed of an oxide ceramic that penetrates into pores 23 of the porous ceramic 22 and joins the porous ceramic 22 to the metal member 24. The penetration depth of the oxide ceramic into the pores of the porous ceramic is preferably 10 ?m or more, and more preferably 15 to 50 ?m. The joined body 20 may be produced through a joining step of forming a joint by placing a metal raw material between a porous ceramic and a metal member and firing the metal raw material in the air at a temperature in the range of 400° C. to 900° C., where an oxide ceramic produced by oxidation of the metal raw material penetrates into the pores of the porous ceramic in the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yunie Izumi, Yoshimasa Kobayashi, Kenji Morimoto, Shinji Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 10164286
    Abstract: A separator-fitted single fuel cell having a single fuel cell, a plate-shaped metallic separator that includes a through hole, and a joint portion that joins the single fuel cell to the metallic separator and is made of a brazing material containing Ag. The joint portion includes a protruding portion that protrudes from a gap between the single fuel cell and the first main surface of the metallic separator toward the through hole. The protruding portion is lower than the second main surface as viewed from the single fuel cell. The single fuel cell includes a sealing portion that is disposed along the entire circumference of the through hole of the metallic separator, covers the protruding portion and a part of the second main surface, and is made of a sealing material containing glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Kuribayashi, Yasuo Okuyama, Etsuya Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10106882
    Abstract: A method includes forming a multi-layered ceramic barrier coating under a chamber pressure of greater than 1 Pascals. In the method, low- and high-dopant ceramic materials are evaporated using input evaporating energies that fall, respectively, above and below a threshold for depositing the materials in a columnar microstructure (low-dopant) and in a branched columnar microstructure (high-dopant).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James W. Neal, Michael J. Maloney, Kevin W. Schlichting, Eric Jorzik, David A. Litton, Brian T. Hazel
  • Patent number: 10012612
    Abstract: An inside lead portion of a gas sensor element has a lanthanum zirconate layer arranged between an electrically conductive oxide layer and a solid electrolyte member. Meanwhile, an inside detection electrode portion of the gas sensor element is formed such that (i) no lanthanum zirconate layer is formed between an electrically conductive oxide layer and the solid electrolyte member, or (ii) a lanthanum zirconate layer thinner than the lanthanum zirconate layer of the inside lead portion is formed between the electrically conductive oxide layer and the solid electrolyte member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigehiro Ohtsuka, Tomohiro Nishi, Keisuke Nakagawa, Kazuma Ito, Ippei Kato
  • Patent number: 9981249
    Abstract: A method of treating a powder (P) made from cerium oxide using an ion beam (F) in which: —the powder is stirred once or a plurality of times; —the ions of the ion beam are selected from the ions of the elements of the list consisting of helium (He), boron (B), carbon (C), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe)—the acceleration voltage of the ions of the beam is between 10 kV and 1000 kV; —the treatment temperature of the powder (P) is less than or equal to Tf/3; —the ion dose per mass unit of powder to be treated is chosen from a range of between 1016 ions/g and 1022 ions/cm2 so as to lower the reduction temperature of the powder made from cerium oxide (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: IONICS FRANCE
    Inventors: Denis Busardo, Frederic Guernalec
  • Patent number: 9865908
    Abstract: There is provided an electrode structure for preventing cracks occurring in a metal electrode due to heating in a manufacturing process in the case of stacking an insulating resin and the metal electrode which are different in thermal expansion coefficient. An electrode for a semiconductor circuit, stacked on a substrate made of an insulating resin, has an electrode structure composed of a main electrode including a slit formed by cutting out a part thereof to prevent occurrence of a crack in a manufacturing process caused by a difference in thermal expansion coefficient from the substrate, and an auxiliary electrode that covers the slit in the main electrode. No slit is provided but a bridge is formed at a portion where the slit in the main electrode and the slit in the auxiliary electrode overlap with each other, thereby eliminating a gap portion where the electrode does not exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA NIHON MICRONICS, GUALA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuo Kudoh, Kiyoyasu Hiwada, Akira Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 9799905
    Abstract: Provided is a solid oxide fuel cell having a service life of approximately 90,000 hours, a level required to encourage the widespread use of SOFC. The solid oxide fuel cell is provided with a solid electrolyte layer, an oxygen electrode layer provided on one side of the solid electrolyte layer, and a fuel electrode layer provided on the other side of the solid electrolyte layer. The oxygen electrode layer is made from a material containing iron or manganese, and the solid electrolyte layer contains an yttria-stabilized zirconia solid electrolyte material having a lanthanoid oxide dissolved therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Megumi Shimazu, Akira Ueno, Toshiya Abe, Motoyasu Miyao, Kenichi Hiwatashi
  • Patent number: 9716284
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for heat reclamation and temperature control of a SOFC for a submersible vehicle. The vehicle includes a SOFC, a hot box that surrounds the SOFC, a cooling loop, and a Stirling engine. The cooling loop has a heat exchanger and a coolant pump. The heat exchanger thermally couples the cooling loop to the water. The Stirling engine has a first end thermally coupled to an interior of the hot box and a second end thermally coupled to the cooling loop. The coolant pump modifies a rate of heat removal from the second end of the Stirling engine based on a pump control signal. A thermal management controller monitors a temperature of a cathode outlet of the SOFC, and modifies the pump control signal to maintain the temperature of the cathode outlet within a temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael J Marich, Joshua M Mermelstein, Michael Webber
  • Patent number: 9695519
    Abstract: A positive electrode catalyst, for use in a positive electrode in a device provided with the positive electrode and a negative electrode, in which a reaction represented by 4OH??O2+2H2O+4e? is performed on a side of the positive electrode. The positive electrode catalyst includes a layered metal oxide, wherein the layered metal oxide is a Ruddlesden-Popper type layered perovskite represented by (La1-xAx) (Fe1-yBy)3(Sr1-zCz)3O10-a wherein, A is a rare earth element other than La, B is a transition metal other than Fe, and C is an alkaline earth metal other than Sr; and x satisfies an expression: 0?x<1, y satisfies an expression: 0?y<1, z satisfies an expression: 0?z<1, and a satisfies an expression: 0?a?3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: SANTOKU CORPORATION, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Nobuaki Ohguri, Hiroshi Takano, Tadatoshi Murota, Motofumi Matsuda, Tatsuya Takeguchi
  • Patent number: 9660273
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprising an electrolyte, an anode and a cathode. In this fuel cell at least one electrode has been modified with a promoter using liquid phase infiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: David M. Bierschenk, Ying Liu, Mingfei Liu, Ting He