Specified Material Patents (Class 429/509)
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Patent number: 12255361Abstract: Fuel cell unit in the form of a fuel cell stack for producing electrical energy in an electrochemical manner, comprising fuel cells, the fuel cells each comprising a proton exchange membrane, an anode, a cathode, a gas diffusion layer, a bipolar plate, at least one fluid channel for the passage of a fluid, at least one seal (11) composed of a sealing material (42) for sealing off the at least one fluid channel (37), wherein particles (41) composed of a particle material (43) are arranged in the sealing material (42) of the at least one seal (11), for the purpose of extending the diffusion path (38) of the fluid which is sealed off by the at least one seal (11).Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2020Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Andreas Ringk, Anton Ringel
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Patent number: 12132235Abstract: A fuel cell separator which is obtained by molding a composition that contains a carbonaceous material and a resin, and which is provided with a sealing part and a groove that serves as a gas flow channel on one surface or both surfaces. This fuel cell separator is configured such that the arithmetic mean heights Sa of the surface of the sealing part and the bottom surface and the peak of the groove on at least one surface are 0.50-1.60 ?m and the profile peak heights Spk thereof are 1.50 ?m or less as determined in accordance with ISO 25178-2 (2012). Consequently, this fuel cell separator has good hydrophilicity and good adhesion to a gasket.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2020Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: NISSHINBO HOLDINGS INC.Inventor: Fumio Tanno
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Patent number: 11837692Abstract: A battery pack (1) includes a housing (2) and an array of electrochemical cells (80) disposed in the housing (2). The housing (2) includes a container (3) and a lid (30) that closes an open end of the container (3). The container (3) has a base (4), a sidewall (8) that surrounds the base (4), and a spring plate (110) disposed inside the sidewall (8) between the cells (80) and the sidewall (8). The spring plate (110) is free standing within the container (3) and applies a spring force to the cell array that restrains the cells (80) along an axis normal to the surface of the spring plates (110). The lid (30) includes inwardly-protruding pins (50, 60) that further restrain the cells (80) within the housing (2).Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignees: Robert Bosch Battery Systems GmbH, Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Kecheng Xu, Alexander Foitzik, David Nietling, Henrik Wolfgang Behm, Klaus Spieske, Kyle Schultz, Mehul Botadra, Rainer Menig, Robert Kohler, Ruben Jung, Sinasi Temiz, Walter Jasch, Martin Kassner
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Patent number: 11581564Abstract: An electrochemical system having two metallic separator plates, an electrochemical cell arranged between the separator plates and sealed by at least one sealing element, and fixing elements for fixing the separator plates. The fixing elements comprise at least two fixing elements which are designed as integral with the first or with the second separator plate, which differ from the at least one sealing element, are spaced apart from the at least one sealing element parallel to the plate planes of the separator plates, and project at least in sections beyond the plate planes of the separator plates in a stacking direction. The first fixing element is thereby supported on the second fixing element in such a way that the second fixing element prevents a displacement of the first separator plate relative to the second separator plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Reinz-Dichtungs-GmbHInventors: Thomas Stoehr, Andre Speidel, Rainer Glueck
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Patent number: 11563220Abstract: The present specification relates to a connecting material for a solid oxide fuel cell, comprising a conductive substrate; and a ceramic protective film provided on one surface of the conductive substrate, in which the ceramic protective film comprises an oxide represented by Formula 1, a manufacturing method thereof, and a solid oxide fuel cell comprising the same.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignees: LG CHEM, LTD., DAEGU GYEONGBUK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Hunhyeong Lee, Sanghyeok Im, Doyeon Jeon, Kang Taek Lee, Kwangwook Choi, Tai Min Noh, Dong Woo Joh, Imdadullah Thaheem
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Patent number: 11462746Abstract: In a first aspect of a present inventive subject matter, a multilayer structure includes a base with a surface and an electrically-conductive metal oxide film that is positioned directly or via another layer on the base. At least a part of the surface of the base contains as a major component at least one selected from the group of copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, magnesium, magnesium alloy, and stainless steel. The electrically-conductive metal oxide film is 30 nm or more in thickness. The multilayer structure is electrically-conductive and has a contact resistance that is 100 m?cm2 or less.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: FLOSFIA INC.Inventors: Shingo Yagyu, Takuto Igawa, Toshimi Hitora
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Patent number: 11456467Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell including unit cells, including: a pair of interconnectors for electrically connecting the unit cells; a membrane-electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrode layers disposed with the electrolyte membrane therebetween; a pair of current collectors disposed between the electrode layers and the interconnectors so as to be in contact with the pair of electrode layers and the pair of interconnectors, respectively, and electrically connecting the pair of electrode layers and the pair of interconnectors; and elastic bodies biasing at least one current collector of the pair of current collectors toward a corresponding electrode layer and made of austenitic stainless steel.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi Kakuwa, Hiromi Kita, Tomoya Kamata, Masatoshi Nakamura, Tomohiro Kuroha
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Patent number: 11424466Abstract: A membrane electrode unit has a seal arranged on the edge region, wherein the seal in part penetrates into the edge region of the membrane electrode unit and in part fully covers the edge region outside the membrane electrode unit, which enables sealing of the gas chambers of a fuel cell and at the same time reliably interrupts a leakage path at the edge in membrane electrode units with flush cut. The membrane electrode unit is surrounded by a sealing frame which at least partially surrounds the edge region with the seal.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2018Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignees: AUDI AG, VOLKSWAGEN AGInventors: Matthias Reckers, Hannes Scholz
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Patent number: 11339498Abstract: A method in which a carbonaceous protective film is formed on a rear surface of a single crystal SiC seed, the seed is placed in a reaction container without adhesion, and then single crystal SiC is grown from a SiC raw material on a front surface of the seed allows the seed to grow to a single crystal ingot having a large diameter since the absence of adhesion of the seed to a holder prevents the generation of warps or cracks attributed to a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the seed and the holder during heating.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Senic Inc.Inventors: Jung Woo Choi, Kap-Ryeol Ku, Jung-Gyu Kim
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Patent number: 11296350Abstract: A cell stack device includes a plurality of electrochemical cells, a manifold, a gas supply portion, and a gas collection portion. The manifold includes a gas supply chamber and a gas collection chamber that extend in a direction in which the electrochemical cells are arranged. A support substrate of an electrochemical cell includes a first gas channel and a second gas channel. The first gas channel is connected to the gas supply chamber, and the second gas channel is connected to the gas collection chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.Inventors: Noriyuki Ogasawara, Hirofumi Kan, Makoto Ohmori, Takashi Ryu
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Patent number: 11264629Abstract: A method for manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) is provided. In particular, first and second sub-gasket sheets are continuously supplied and an electrode membrane sheet having gaps formed therein so that the amount of an electrolyte membrane used is reduced is discontinuously supplied.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Woo Jin Lee, Ki Sub Lee
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Patent number: 11034848Abstract: A pasty composition for the manufacture of three-dimensional structures or structural elements on the surface of a substrate is formed together with a polymer as an organic component B1, and a powdery material that makes up a proportion of solid in the range of 60 mass % to 95 mass % in the composition, and at least two mutually different solvents C1 and C2 that form a solvent mixture. A first solvent C1 has a boiling temperature here that is lower than the boiling temperature of the further solvent or solvents C2.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.Inventors: Nikolai Trofimenko, Katrin Lucke, Mihails Kusnezoff
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Patent number: 11024857Abstract: A surface treatment method of a fuel cell separator capable of suppressing temperature unevenness of the fuel cell separator is provided. In the surface treatment method, an antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) film is formed on a surface of a fuel cell separator (W1) used for a fuel cell. The fuel cell separator (W1) is heated using a high-frequency induction heating method (S1). By spraying solution (L1) including antimony and tin onto the fuel cell separator (W1), the ATO film is caused to be formed on the surface of the fuel cell separator (W1) (S2).Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Satoshi Takata
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Patent number: 10964958Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated sheet of a MEGA and a resin frame, capable of curing a UV curable adhesive in a short time by suppressing an inhibition of curing of the UV curable adhesive and thereby providing excellent productivity is provided. A manufacturing method for an integrated sheet in which a resin frame is bonded to a MEGA, includes preparing a laminate in which a gas diffusion layer is laminated on at least one surface of a MEA, applying a coating of an UV curable adhesive to the laminate; placing a resin frame on the UV curable adhesive and applying a pressure to the frame, and irradiating the UV curable adhesive with ultraviolet rays, in which the irradiating includes a first irradiation step, and a second irradiation step in which ultraviolet rays are applied with irradiation intensity higher than irradiation intensity in the first irradiation step.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Katsuhiko Kinoshita
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Patent number: 10923741Abstract: A fuel cell separator includes a separator body configured to be arranged between membrane electrode assemblies and includes recesses and projections formed in the separator body. The projections include first projections that are configured to face an electrode layer of the membrane electrode assembly. A thin film is arranged on a surface of each of the first projections. The recesses include first recesses that open in a protruding direction of the first projections. Each of the first recesses is configured to form a passage through which oxidizing gas or fuel gas is supplied to the electrode layer. A portion of each of the thin films that is in contact with the electrode layer of the membrane electrode assembly includes a groove, the groove connecting to at least one of the passages located on opposite sides of one of the first projections that includes the thin film.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Satoshi Kawabe
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Patent number: 10818937Abstract: The present invention relates to a separation plate, a manufacturing method therefor, and a fuel cell stack comprising the same, and according to one aspect of the present invention, provided is a separation plate having: a first surface and a second surface in a direction opposite to that of the first surface; a plurality of channel elements protruding from the second surface toward the first surface, wherein each of the channel elements is arranged to have an inlet port and an outlet port along the flowing direction of a fluid flowing on the first surface; and a rib having a height varying along the circumferential direction of a virtual axis connecting the inlet port and the outlet port, wherein at least a partial region of an outer surface of the rib is formed into a cycloid curved surface along the circumferential direction of the virtual axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.Inventors: Chang Sun Kong, Jae Choon Yang, Hye Mi Jung
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Patent number: 10804557Abstract: The objective of one or more embodiments of the present invention is to provide a zirconia electrolyte which has high strength and which is suitable for a solid electrolyte layer of a solid oxide fuel cell, and a method for producing a zirconia electrolyte having high strength. The zirconia electrolyte according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is characterized in essentially consisting of zirconia stabilized by one or a plurality of oxides of rare earth selected from the group of scandium, yttrium, cerium, gadolinium and ytterbium, wherein a standard deviation of pore numbers in 10 or more regions having an area of 50 ?m2 and not overlapping with each other on a fracture surface is 2.5 or more.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.Inventors: Norikazu Aikawa, Kazuo Hata, Nobuhisa Noda
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Patent number: 10797326Abstract: An electrochemical reactor, including a flow guide; a membrane/electrode assembly; a peripheral seal; an intermediate seal encircled by the peripheral seal and encircling a reaction zone of the electrochemical reactor; a first flow circuit for cooling fluid arranged between the peripheral seal and the intermediate seal, including a first flow channel extending along the peripheral seal; a second flow channel extending along the intermediate seal; and a third flow channel connecting the respective second ends of the first and second flow channels, so that a fluid introduced at the level of the first manifold must pass through the third flow channel to return to the second manifold.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternativesInventor: Jean-Philippe Poirot-Crouvezier
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Patent number: 10714764Abstract: A stainless steel sheet for fuel cell separators including a substrate made of stainless steel sheet, and low-electrical-resistivity metal particles, where the substrate has a textured structure formed on a surface thereof with the average interval between the projected parts of the textured structure being 10 nm or more and 300 nm or less, the low-electrical-resistivity metal particles have an average particle size of 50 nm to 1.0 ?m, the low-electrical-resistivity metal particles are attached to the surface of the substrate having the textured structure at a density of 1.0 particle or more for 1 ?m2, and a ratio of the average particle size of the low-electrical-resistivity metal particles to the average interval between the projected parts is 1.0 to 15.0.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATIONInventors: Takayoshi Yano, Shin Ishikawa, Chikara Kami
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Patent number: 10658682Abstract: A fuel cell stack FS includes: a stack A that includes a single cells C that are stacked, each of the single cells including a frame 2 that holds an outer periphery of a membrane electrode assembly 1 and a pair of separators 3, 4 sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly 1 and the frame 2; and a case 50 that houses the stack A. The frame 2 comprises a protrusion 11 that protrudes outward from an outer periphery of a frame body 2A beyond an outer peripheral edge of the pair of separators 3, 4. A protrusion length of the protrusion 11 is greater than at least a gap between the frame 2 and one of the pair of separators 3, 4, and the protrusion 11 is bendable with respect to the frame body 2A. The protrusions prevent a contact between the separators 3, 4 of the single cell C and a contact between the end faces of the separators 3, 4 and the case 50 so as to prevent a short circuit of the single cell C.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2016Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuhiro Kageyama, Kazuyuki Sato
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Patent number: 10593956Abstract: A porous carbon sheet contains carbon fiber and a binder, wherein the carbon sheet is characterized in that in a section from a plane having a 50% filling ratio closest to one surface to a plane having a 50% filling ratio closest to the other surface, when letting layer X be a layer with the largest filling ratio close to the one surface, layer Y be a layer with a filling ratio smaller than layer X close to the other surface, and layer Z be the layer positioned between layer X and layer Y for layers obtained by dividing the carbon sheet equally into three in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces, the filling ratio for the layers becomes smaller in order of layer X, layer Y, and layer Z.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2015Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.Inventors: Katsuya Sode, Takashi Chida, Masamichi Utsunomiya, Toru Sugahara, Takashi Ando
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Patent number: 10573914Abstract: A manufacturing device of a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell bonds each of anode and cathode catalyst electrode layers continuously formed in upper and lower electrode films to upper and lower surfaces of an electrolyte membrane. The device includes: upper and lower bonding rolls respectively installed to upper and lower sides of a transport path of the electrolyte membrane and of the upper and lower electrode films, the bonding rolls pressing the catalyst electrode layers to the upper surface and the lower surface of the electrolyte membrane at a predetermined temperature to be transferred, and upper and lower adsorbents respectively disposed at the upper and lower sides of the transport path in an entry side of the upper and lower bonding rolls, installed to be reciprocally moved along the transport path, and selectively adsorbing the upper and lower electrode films.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventor: Su Hwan Cho
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Patent number: 10566644Abstract: Provided are a battery cell that can be produced efficiently. A frame body of each cell frame of a battery cell includes an inner peripheral recessed portion formed by reducing a thickness of a peripheral portion that surrounds an entire perimeter of the penetrating window so that the peripheral portion has a smaller thickness than other portions of the frame body. A bipolar plate of the battery cell includes an outer peripheral engaging portion that engages with the inner peripheral recessed portion, the outer peripheral engaging portion being a portion having a particular width and extending throughout an entire outer periphery of the bipolar plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Hideyuki Yamaguchi, Katsuya Yamanishi, Takashi Kanno, Takefumi Ito, Masahiro Kuwabara, Kiyoaki Moriuchi, Kiyoaki Hayashi, Hayato Fujita, Kousuke Shiraki
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Patent number: 10522847Abstract: A number of variations may include a product that may include a fuel cell stack assembly that may include at least one bipolar plate including at least one first raised bead which may include a first split corner which may include a first connection.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.Inventors: Liang Xi, Xi Yang, Siguang Xu, Ivan D. Chapman
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Patent number: 10256482Abstract: A fuel cell stack with a bipolar plate assembly and a method of assembling a fuel cell stack such that reactant or coolant leakage is reduced. Bipolar plates within the system include reactant channels and coolant channels that are fluidly coupled to inlet and outlet flowpaths, all of which are formed within a coolant-engaging or reactant-engaging surface of the plate. One or more thin or low aspect-ratio microseals are also formed on a metal bead that is integrally-formed on a surface of the plate and is used to help reduce leakage by maintaining fluid isolation of the reactants and coolant as they flow through their respective channels and flowpaths that are defined between adjacently-placed plates.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Yeh-Hung Lai, Anita Luong
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Patent number: 10243228Abstract: A manufacturing device of a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell bonds each of anode and cathode catalyst electrode layers continuously formed in upper and lower electrode films to upper and lower surfaces of an electrolyte membrane. The device includes: upper and lower bonding rolls respectively installed to upper and lower sides of a transport path of the electrolyte membrane and of the upper and lower electrode films, the bonding rolls pressing the catalyst electrode layers to the upper surface and the lower surface of the electrolyte membrane at a predetermined temperature to be transferred, and upper and lower adsorbents respectively disposed at the upper and lower sides of the transport path in an entry side of the upper and lower bonding rolls, installed to be reciprocally moved along the transport path, and selectively adsorbing the upper and lower electrode films.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventor: Su Hwan Cho
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Patent number: 10128479Abstract: A method for manufacturing a separator of a fuel cell stack includes: forming a gasket on the separator of the fuel cell stack; masking a surface of the separator except for a region of the surface of the separator on which the gasket is formed; and inserting the partially masked separator into a chamber to cross-link the gasket.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Chi Seung Lee, Seong Il Heo, Yoo Chang Yang, Suk Min Baeck
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Patent number: 10115978Abstract: A unitized electrode assembly (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) for a fuel cell includes, in addition to an anode catalyst layer (54; 254) and a cathode catalyst layer (56; 256), a polymer electrolyte membrane (52) having an acid functional group normally including H+ ions and an edge seal (66; 166; 266, 366, 466) containing alkali metal ions in a form, concentration, and/or location for delivery and dispersion into the membrane. The edge seal of the unitized electrode assembly is proximate, and typically contacts, the peripheral edge region (68) of the membrane in ion-transfer relation therewith, and alkali metal ions leach into the membrane during fuel cell operation to provide a desired ion exchange in the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Jesse M. Marzullo, Laura Roen Stolar
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Patent number: 10056640Abstract: The invention relates to a bipolar plate for a fuel cell. The bipolar plate has a fuel side, an oxidant side, two individual plates and a coolant cavity arranged between the individual plates. At least one of the individual plates has at least one seal on the outer surface thereof. The individual plates are connected by way of at least one connecting seam. The bipolar plate is considered in that the at least one connecting seam does not intersect with or overlap with the at least one seal. The invention further relates to a fuel cell consisting at least one bipolar plate and to a method for producing the bipolar plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Volkswagen AGInventors: Christian Zillich, Mario Richter
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Patent number: 10023246Abstract: A bulkhead, which is a press-formed product, includes a top plate part, side flange parts and corner flange parts. The side flange parts each extend from respective sides of the top plate part. The corner flange parts each extend from respective corner parts of the top plate part. The corner flange part connects the side flange parts to each other. In the corner flange part, a part having a minimum value of plate thickness is present in a central portion in a circumferential direction, and parts having a maximum value of the plate thickness are present on both sides thereof. A ratio of the maximum value and the minimum value is in a range of more than 1.0 to 1.6 or less.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATIONInventors: Yasuhiro Ito, Yoshiaki Nakazawa
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Patent number: 9993874Abstract: A chromium-iron interconnect includes at least one of Fe rich regions in the interconnect and carbon in the interconnect.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignees: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION, STACKPOLE INTERNATIONAL POWDER METAL, ULCInventors: Rohith Shivanath, Brendan Ayre, Tad Armstrong, Michael Gasda, Daniel Darga, Harald Herchen, Chockkalingam Karuppaiah, Brandon Dawson, Ravi Oswal
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Patent number: 9966614Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly; a frame configured to support the membrane electrode assembly from its outer edge; a first separator plate and a second separator plate configured to sandwich the membrane electrode assembly and the frame therebetween; and an elastomer. The first separator plate includes an elastically deformable protruding portion projecting toward an opposite side to the frame. The frame has a recessed cavity portion facing the protruding portion of the first separator plate. The elastomer is placed in at least part of the cavity portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazunori Shibata, Yasushi Araki, Takashi Kajiwara, Masayuki Ito
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Patent number: 9780400Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly interposed between a cathode-side separator and an anode-side separator. A first gas diffusion layer included in a cathode is designed to have a planar size larger than a planar size of a second gas diffusion layer included in an anode. The anode-side separator has a thin clearance part in a portion that faces an outer peripheral portion of the second gas diffusion layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Seiji Sugiura, Yukihito Tanaka
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Patent number: 9761889Abstract: A device (10) for use in a fuel cell includes a fuel-cell flow-field channel (18) having a channel-inlet section (42) and a channel-outlet section (44). At least one of the channel-inlet section (42) or the channel-outlet section (44) includes an obstruction member (46) that partially blocks flow through the fuel-cell flow-field channel (18).Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2005Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Michael L. Perry, Ned Emidio Cipollini
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Patent number: 9728789Abstract: The disclosure, in some aspects, relates to a method and apparatus for assembling a laminated fuel cell, in which an assembly head comprising one or more punches is used for dividing portions from sheet material and for transferring the portions to an electrode plate for lamination.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventor: Peter David Hood
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Patent number: 9615454Abstract: A transparent conductor includes a metallic glass, and a method of manufacturing a transparent conductor includes: preparing a metallic glass or a mixture comprising the metallic glass; and firing the metallic glass or the mixture comprising the metallic glass at a predetermined temperature higher than a glass transition temperature of the metallic glass.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Se Yun Kim, Eun Sung Lee, Keum Hwan Park, Weon Ho Shin, Suk Jun Kim, Jin Man Park, Sang Soo Jee
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Patent number: 9590269Abstract: A polyelectrolyte includes a first segment and a second segment, wherein the structure of the first segment is at least one of formula (1) and formula (2); the structure of the second segment is at least one of formula (3) and formula (4). The polyelectrolyte undergoes microphase separation to form a nanoscale ordered self-assembled microstructure.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignees: Industrial Technology Research Institute, National Taiwan UniversityInventors: Chung-Hsiang Chao, Li-Duan Tsai, Chia-Chen Fang, Chih-Ching Chang, Chi-Yang Chao, Kun-Lin Liu
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Patent number: 9478809Abstract: A solid state battery includes a flexible polymer sheet, and an array of solid state pillars supported by and extending through the sheet. Each of the pillars has an anode layer, a cathode layer adjacent, and an inorganic solid electrolyte (ISE) layer interposed between the anode and cathode layers. A flexible electrochemical membrane includes a flexible polymer sheet, and an array of inorganic solid electrolyte pillars supported by the polymer sheet with each of the pillars extending through a thickness of the sheet to form an ionically conductive pathway therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Venkataramani Anandan, Andrew Robert Drews
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Patent number: 9455454Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes a fuel cell body and an inter-connector. The inter-connector has a base portion and a plurality of projecting portions projecting from the base portion toward the fuel cell body and electrically connected to the fuel cell body, and is integrally formed from a metallic material. Each of the projecting portions has a contour composed of a pair of linear portions which are disposed parallel to each other and each of which includes a straight line, and a pair of curved portions which connect opposite ends of the linear portions.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2012Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuo Okuyama, Takayuki Kumakiri
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Patent number: 9401516Abstract: A fuel cell that includes a membrane electrode assembly having an electrolyte, an anode catalyst, and a cathode catalyst; and a plurality of frame-gaskets is provided. Each of the frame-gaskets may be disposed between an anode-side separator and the membrane electrode assembly or between a cathode-side separator and the membrane electrode assembly. Additionally, the membrane electrode assembly is provided with an aperture which is used to combine the membrane electrode assembly with the frame-gasket assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Suk Min Baeck, Sang Mun Jin, Kyung Min Kim
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Patent number: 9331345Abstract: A bonded sheet to be applied to a membrane electrode assembly includes gaskets serving as a first sheet member and an electrolyte membrane serving as a second sheet member stacked on the gaskets. The gaskets each include a first bonded portion where grooves provided in a sheet surface direction at least partly face sheet end portions, and a second bonded portion having no groove. The electrolyte membrane is stacked on the gaskets in the first bonded portion and the second bonded portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masaya Yamamoto, Norifumi Horibe, Kei Ono, Kenichi Toyoshima, Takayuki Terasaki
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Patent number: 9178223Abstract: A fuel cell separator 60 having a metal plate and an anticorrosion resin coating layer 55 formed thereon is provided, with which adhesion between the resin coating layer 55 and its counterpart member is further increased and the durability of a fuel cell unit is improved. In forming the fuel cell separator 60 having a separator substrate 50 that is a metal plate and an anticorrosion resin coating layer 55 formed thereon, the resin coating layer 55 is formed such that it has a surface roughness Ra of 0.5 to 13.5 ?m. Increasing the surface roughness will produce an anchoring effect, which will improve the adhesive force at the interface. The aforementioned surface roughness Ra can be obtained either with the use of fillers that are mixed into the resin coating layer 55 or with external force applied to the surface of the resin coating layer 55 by means of shot blasting, for example.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yusuke Watanabe, Yoshinobu Kurosaki
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Patent number: 9102539Abstract: The disclosure relates to processes for the production and thermal treatment of carbon material, in particular, graphite powders, in an Acheson type oven, using a functional filler comprising graphitic material in particulate form allowing electrical current to flow through the charge. The particulate form of the filler allows greater flexibility and can be used to control the degree of direct and indirect heating, resulting in more uniform products. Such graphite materials may typically be employed as an additive in polymers, batteries, or other applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Imerys Graphite & Carbon Switzerland SAInventors: Fabio Rota, Edo Rossetti, Davide Cattaneo, Michael Spahr
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Publication number: 20150147679Abstract: A method of making an interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell stack includes providing a chromium alloy interconnect and providing a nickel mesh in contact with a fuel side of the interconnect. Formation of a chromium oxide layer is reduced or avoided in locations between the nickel mesh and the fuel side of the interconnect. A Cr—Ni alloy or a Cr—Fe—Ni alloy is located at least in the fuel side of the interconnect under the nickel mesh.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Daniel DARGA, Tad ARMSTRONG, Vijay SRIVATSAN, Harald HERCHEN, Cheng-Yu LIN
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Publication number: 20150147678Abstract: [Object] To provide a titanium or titanium alloy material for a separator of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having high contact conductivity with carbon and high durability. [Solution] The titanium or titanium alloy material includes an oxide film formed on a titanium or titanium alloy substrate by stabilization treatment performed after passivation treatment, and one or more kinds of conductive materials selected from carbide, nitride, carbonitride, and boride of tantalum, titanium, vanadium, zirconium, and chromium, the conductive materials being dispersed in the oxide film and having a major axis diameter from 1 nm to 100 nm. A contact resistance value with a carbon paper is 20 m?·cm2 or less at a surface pressure of 10 kgf/cm2 before and after an accelerated deterioration test in which the titanium or titanium alloy material is immersed in a sulfuric acid aqueous solution having an adjusted pH of 4 at 80° C. for four days.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi Kihira, Yuuichi Yosida, Taku Kagawa, Takumi Nishimoto, Koki Tanaka, Masao Kimura, Kiyonori Tokuno, Kazuhiro Takahashi, Takashi Domoto
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Publication number: 20150118597Abstract: Disclosed is a metal separator for a solid oxide regenerative fuel cell coated with a conductive spinel oxide film. In the conductive spinel oxide film, yttrium is added to a manganese-cobalt spinel oxide to suppress growth of an insulating oxide film on the surface of the metal separator and volatilization of metal. In the conductive oxide film coated on the metal separator, yttrium is segregated at the grain boundaries of the spinel so that migration of oxygen through the grain boundaries can be suppressed. Therefore, the surface of the metal separator can be protected from exposure to the atmosphere and water vapor when the solid oxide regenerative fuel cell is operated at high temperature. In addition, poisoning of electrodes by metal volatilization from the surface of the metal separator and growth of an insulating oxide film on the surface of the metal separator can be prevented. Therefore, the stability of the solid oxide regenerative fuel cell stack can be markedly improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Sung-Il LEE, Ji-Won SON, Jong Ho LEE, Hae June JE, Kyung Joong YOON, Hae-Weon LEE, Byung Kook KIM
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Patent number: 9005845Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell. The solid oxide fuel cell includes a unit cell, which includes a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a second electrode layer that are sequentially laminated from an inner region to an outer region of the unit cell; and an interconnector electrically connected to the first electrode layer, exposed to outside of the unit cell, and electrically insulated from the second electrode. The solid oxide fuel cell further includes a first porous current collector on an outer surface of the second electrode layer; a first adhesive layer interposed between the first porous current collector and the second electrode layer; a second porous current collector on an outer surface of the interconnector; and a second adhesive layer interposed between the second porous current collector and the interconnector.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young-Sun Kwon, Jan-Dee Kim, Seung-Tae Lee, Jun-Won Suh
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Patent number: 9005837Abstract: A gasket for a manifold seal for a fuel cell system includes a first layer of fibrous ceramic material having a first compressibility, a second layer of fibrous ceramic material having a second compressibility and a third layer of fibrous ceramic material having third compressibility. The third layer of fibrous ceramic material is positioned between and engaged with the first layer of fibrous ceramic material and the second layer of fibrous ceramic material. The third compressibility is less than the first compressibility and less than the second compressibility.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Fuelcell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Tom X. Jian, Chao-Yi Yuh, Ling Chen, Daniela Nedu
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Patent number: 8999602Abstract: The present invention relates to separators for electrochemical cells comprising (A) at least one layer comprising (a) crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone in the form of particles, (b) at least one binder, and (c) optionally a base structure, where the mass ratio of the crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone in the form of particles (a) to the sum of the mass of the binders (b) in the layer (A) has a value in the range from 99.9:0.1 to 50:50. The present invention further relates to the use of inventive separators and to apparatuses, especially electrochemical cells, comprising inventive separators.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignees: BASF SE, Carl Freudenberg KGInventors: Oliver Gronwald, Klaus Leitner, Nicole Janssen, Christoph J. Weber, Michael Roth, Gunter Hauber, Sandra Falusi, Sigrid Geiger, Margitta Berg
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Patent number: 8993195Abstract: A fuel cell includes a unit cell, a cell fixing member and a welding portion. The unit cell includes a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer surrounding the first electrode layer, a second electrode layer surrounding the electrolyte layer while exposing an end portion of the electrolyte layer, and a coating layer formed by coating a mixture of ceramic and metal on the exposed end portion of the electrolyte layer. The cell fixing member includes a flow tube inserted into the unit cell, a fixing tube provided to an outside of the flow tube, and a connecting portion connecting the fixing tube and the flow tube to each other and to restrict an insertion depth of the electrolyte layer and the first electrode layer. The welding portion fixes and seals the coating layer and the inner circumferential surface of the fixing tube to each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun-Won Suh, Ho-Jin Kweon