Means For Distributing, Storing, Or Preventing Fluid Movement Patents (Class 429/512)
  • Patent number: 11898579
    Abstract: An ejector having a nozzle for jetting a hydrogen gas (working fluid), wherein the nozzle includes an inner nozzle and an outer nozzle, both the nozzles are disposed to encompass an axis of a diffuser, an axis of the inner nozzle or an axis of the outer nozzle is arranged to align with the axis, an inner jet hole through which the hydrogen gas flows is formed in the inner nozzle, an outer jet hole having a ring-shaped cross section through which the hydrogen gas flows is provided between the inner nozzle and the outer nozzle, the outer jet hole when a main body casing is horizontally disposed includes an upper hole portion above the axis and a lower hole portion under the axis, and the inner nozzle and the outer nozzle are mutually eccentrically disposed so that the lower hole portion is narrower than the upper hole portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignees: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobutaka Teshima, Masaaki Matsusue
  • Patent number: 11688864
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell system including a discharge line configured to discharge exhaust gas, which is discharged from a fuel cell stack, to the outside, and a pneumatic branch line having an outlet end connected to the discharge line, and an inlet end connected to a pneumatic supply unit configured to supply air to a pneumatic part of a mobility vehicle, the pneumatic branch line being configured to selectively supply the air from the pneumatic supply unit to the discharge line, thereby effectively reducing a hydrogen concentration in the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dong Wook Son
  • Patent number: 11450875
    Abstract: A fuel cell is provided that includes a cell stack having a plurality of unit cells stacked in a first direction. An enclosure is disposed to surround the cell stack and includes an inlet that suctions external air and an outlet that discharges air that has been suctioned through the inlet and has circulated in the space between the cell stack and the enclosure. An insulating member is disposed to extend in the first direction in the space between an outer surface of the cell stack and an inner surface of the enclosure. The insulating member divides the space into a plurality of spaces and has an aperture formed therein to provide communication between the divided plurality of spaces, and an air intake member configured to suction air discharged from the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Duck Whan Kim, Gi Young Nam, Suk Min Baeck, Hyun Woong Ko, Ju Han Kim, Seung Jun Yeon, Ki Wook Ohm, Kwi Seong Jeong, Yong Suk Heo
  • Patent number: 10656074
    Abstract: A bondline characteristic determination system comprises a plurality of graphene sensors and a plurality of graphene lines. The plurality of graphene sensors is positioned within a bondline of a composite structure. The plurality of graphene sensors is formed of graphene doped with a noble gas. The plurality of graphene lines electrically connects the plurality of graphene sensors external to the composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Morteza Safai, Kimberly D. Meredith
  • Patent number: 10632333
    Abstract: A supply system for providing at least oxygen depleted air and water in a vehicle includes a catalytic converter, at least one hydrogen supply means, at least one air supply means, at least one outlet for oxygen depleted air, and a control unit coupled with the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is couplable with the hydrogen supply means and is adapted for producing water under consumption of hydrogen from the at least one hydrogen supply means and oxygen. The catalytic converter is further couplable with the at least one air supply means for additionally producing oxygen depleted air. Further, the control unit is adapted for selectively operating the catalytic converter based on a demand of water and oxygen depleted air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Hoffjann, Barnaby Law, Guido Klewer, Hauke-Peer Lüdders
  • Patent number: 10256485
    Abstract: A fuel cell anode purge line includes an elongated water-scavenging body having a single inlet portion, a single outlet portion having an outlet valve, and a scavenged reservoir configured to accumulate water and fluidly connect the inlet and outlet portions so as to direct a flow of purge gas from the inlet portion through the reservoir such that the purge gas entrains the water in the flow and transfers the water towards the outlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Michael Mathie, William F. Sanderson, Jr., Seha Son, Virgo W. Edwards, Valentina Mejia Mejia
  • Patent number: 10173086
    Abstract: A supply system for providing at least oxygen depleted air and water in a vehicle includes a catalytic converter, at least one hydrogen supply means, at least one air supply means, at least one outlet for oxygen depleted air, and a control unit coupled with the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is couplable with the hydrogen supply means and is adapted for producing water under consumption of hydrogen from the at least one hydrogen supply means and oxygen. The catalytic converter is further couplable with the at least one air supply means for additionally producing oxygen depleted air. Further, the control unit is adapted for selectively operating the catalytic converter based on a demand of water and oxygen depleted air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Hoffjann, Barnaby Law, Guido Klewer, Hauke-Peer Lüdders
  • Patent number: 9185798
    Abstract: Active or functional additives are embedded into surfaces of host materials for use as components in a variety of electronic or optoelectronic devices, including solar devices, smart windows, displays, and so forth. Resulting surface-embedded device components provide improved performance, as well as cost benefits arising from their compositions and manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: INNOVA DYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Eugene Young, Arjun Daniel Srinivas, Matthew R. Robinson, Alexander Chow Mittal
  • Patent number: 9105946
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a fuel electrode configured to operate as an anode to oxidize a fuel when connected to a load. The cell also includes an oxidant electrode configured to operate as a cathode to reduce oxygen when connected to the load. The fuel electrode comprises a plurality of scaffolded electrode bodies. The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell system and method of resetting the electrochemical cell by applying a charge (i.e. voltage or current) to the cell to drive oxidation of the fuel, wherein the fuel electrode operates as an anode, and the second cell operates as a cathode, removing uneven distributions of fuel that may cause premature shorting of the electrode bodies to improve capacity, energy stored, and cell efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: FLUIDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Ramkumar Krishnan, Todd Trimble, Sergey Puzhaev
  • Patent number: 9028989
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a water vapor transfer unit and a fluid flow distribution feature, the water vapor transfer unit including a first plate having a plurality of first flow channels for receiving a flow of a first fluid therein, and a second plate having a plurality of second flow channels for receiving a flow of a second fluid therein. The fluid flow distribution feature is configured to control at least one of a volume of flow of the first fluid through the first flow channels and a volume of flow of the second fluid through the second flow channels, wherein at least one of a flow distribution of the first fluid across the first plate and a flow distribution of the second fluid across the second plate is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yan Zhang, Steven R. Falta, Steven D. Burch, Glenn W. Skala
  • Publication number: 20150125770
    Abstract: A fuel cell unit with a plurality of fuel cells defining a longitudinal axis and a main flow direction coaxial to the longitudinal axis. Fuel cell inlets and fuel cell outlets are arranged at opposite ends of the fuel cell unit and in line with the main flow direction. Also, a component comprising first fluid conduits arranged parallel to the main flow direction, the first fluid conduits comprising first fluid inlets and first fluid outlets arranged at opposite ends of the component and in line with the main flow direction. The component is arranged adjacent the fuel cell unit such that at least one of the first fluid inlets and the first fluid outlets of the component are arranged adjacent at least one of the fuel cell outlets and the fuel cell inlets such that a fluid flow may flow substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus in the first fluid conduits of the component and in the fuel cell unit and when passing from the component to the fuel cell unit or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Yves DE VOS, Jean-Paul HUBERT JANSSENS
  • Patent number: 8993196
    Abstract: In a fuel cell system including a fuel cartridge and a fuel supply module, the fuel cartridge includes at least two ports, wherein a first port from among the at least two ports is a fuel inlet port and a second port from among the at least two ports is a fuel outlet port. The fuel cartridge may also include a fuel pouch or the fuel cartridge itself may be the fuel pouch. The fuel supply module may include a fuel circulation structure that circulates the fuel before the fuel is supplied to the stack. The fuel cell system may be equipped with an electronic apparatus and serve as a source of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-soo Joung, Hye-jung Cho, Sang-ho Yoon
  • Patent number: 8993181
    Abstract: A valve-closing pressure chamber and a valve-opening pressure chamber are arranged on both sides of a main diaphragm inside an outlet shutoff valve. An upper supply/discharge tube and a lower supply/discharge tube are connected to a housing forming the outlet shutoff valve. The upper and lower supply/discharge tube supply and discharge air to and from the valve-closing pressure chamber and the valve-opening pressure chamber, respectively. An opening end, which is on the pressure chamber side, of each supply/discharge tube is obliquely cut relative to the direction of axis of the supply/discharge tube, which increases the opening area of the opening end. This prevents water present in the pressure chamber from adhering to the opening end of each supply/discharge tube and prevents the adhered water from freezing. As a result, operation performance of the outlet shutoff valve is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Takeshita
  • Publication number: 20150086904
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for delivery of a target material and/or energy. The system includes a source configured to provide a mixture containing the target material and a non-target material, a delivery conduit coupled to the source to receive the mixture from the source, and an in-line extraction device concentric to the delivery conduit. The in-line extraction device is configured to selectively extract the target material and/or energy from the mixture in the delivery conduit and to deliver it to a downstream facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Publication number: 20150064605
    Abstract: An in-membrane micro fuel cell comprises an electrically-insulating membrane that is permissive to the flow of cations, such as protons, and a pair of electrodes deposited on channels formed in the membrane. The channels are arranged as conduits for fluids, and define a membrane ridge between the channels. The electrodes are porous and include catalysts for promoting the liberation of a proton and an electron from a chemical species and/or or the recombination of a proton and an electron with a chemical specie. The fuel cell may be provided a biosensor, an electrochemical sensor, a microfluidic device, or other microscale devices fabricated in the fuel cell membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: The Trustees of the Stevens Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ayokunle Omosebi, Ronald Besser
  • Patent number: 8968966
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel battery including: a fuel battery cell assembly having at least two fuel battery cells coplanarly disposed, the fuel battery cell including a membrane electrode assembly having an anode, an electrolytic membrane, and a cathode stacked on one another in this order, and a flow channel plate provided on an anode side and having on an anode-side surface thereof an in-cell fuel flow channel through which liquid fuel flows; and a fuel distributor having an out-cell fuel flow channel connected to each of the in-cell fuel flow channels to distribute the liquid fuel to the fuel battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takenori Onishi, Tomohisa Yoshie, Hirotaka Mizuhata, Mutsuko Komoda, Shinobu Takenaka, Masashi Muraoka
  • Patent number: 8962199
    Abstract: A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a reformer (1) configured to generate a hydrogen-containing fuel gas from a material gas and steam; a fuel cell (101) configured to generate electric power by using a fuel gas supplied from the reformer (1); a water tank (3) configured to store water; a water utilizing device configured to utilize the water supplied from the water tank (3); a first water supply unit (5) disposed on a water passage (30) extending from the water tank (3) to the water utilizing device and configured to supply the water in the water tank (3) to the water utilizing device; and a purifier (4) disposed on the water passage (30) and configured to purify the water flowing through the water passage (30), and the purifier (4) is provided such that when a water level of the water tank (3) is a full water level, the purifier (4) is filled with the water by the weight of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akinori Yukimasa, Junji Morita, Akinari Nakamura, Takayuki Urata
  • Patent number: 8951692
    Abstract: A separator of a fuel cell includes sandwiching sections that sandwich electrolyte electrode assemblies therebetween, bridge sections, and a reactant gas supply section. The electrolyte electrode assemblies are sandwiched between the sandwiching sections. A fuel gas channel and an oxygen-containing gas channel are formed in each of the sandwiching sections. A fuel gas supply channel, a fuel gas return channel, and an oxygen-containing gas supply channel are formed in each of the bridge sections. A fuel gas supply passage, a fuel gas discharge passage, and an oxygen-containing gas supply passage extend through the reactant gas supply section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takafumi Kotani
  • Patent number: 8940457
    Abstract: Fluid distribution plate (1) for a fuel cell assembly, comprising a first plate (11) made of an electrically conductive material impermeable to all the fluids used in a fuel cell assembly, said distribution plate having a useful section (S) which is the surface over which the gases used by the electrochemical reaction are distributed, said useful section (S) being bordered all around by a peripheral section (P), said first plate having a given thickness e1 in the peripheral section and a smaller thickness e2 in the useful section so as to form a recess from the side facing the outer face and so as to have a flat inner surface, a flexible graphite foil (11C) being applied against said first plate (11) over the entire surface of the recess, the visible face of the flexible graphite foil having a distribution channel (111) for one of the fluids, said network being formed completely in the graphite foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Delfino, David Olsommer, Felix Buchi
  • Patent number: 8936888
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a first fuel cell tube, a flame tip protection member and a current conduction member. The first fuel cell tube has a flame end. The flame end has exit opening. The fuel cell tube is configured to deliver combustible gas to the flame tip region generating a flame kernel. The flame protection member is configured to inhibit at least one of mass transfer and heat transfer between the fuel cell tube and the flame tip region. The current conduction member is disposed through the exit opening of the flame end of the first fuel cell tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Adaptive Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron T. Crumm, Timothy LaBreche
  • Patent number: 8927175
    Abstract: A pump has a shaft, an impeller arranged on the shaft, and a labyrinth seal which is arranged between stationary and moving parts of the pump. A plurality of blades are arranged on the rotor and a labyrinth seal extends at least between the shaft and a rear portion of the blades. A gap in the labyrinth seal is designed such that liquid water can be actively carried away, with the labyrinth seal for this purpose being designed at least in places with a channel in the form of a spiral and/or a staircase. The invention also relates to a fuel cell system having such a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Oliver Harr, Andreas Knoop, Cosimo S. Mazzotta, Patrick L. Padgett, Hans-Joerg Schabel, Klaus Scherrbacher
  • Patent number: 8920999
    Abstract: A fluid injection/ejection system for a fuel cell stack is disclosed, wherein the system includes an array of injectors and ejectors that support hydrogen recirculation and maximize a use of the hydrogen and an efficiency of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Senner, Benno Andreas-Schott
  • Patent number: 8916313
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a catalyst layer, a corrugated plate forming a plurality of channels that define a flow field in fluid communication with the catalyst layer, and a coating on at least one of the channels. The plate and coating are configured such that, if a gas flows through the channels, an obstruction blocking the at least one of the channels causes a pressure gradient between the channels that drives convection of the gas through the coating and around the obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Alireza Pezhman Shirvanian, James Anthony Adams
  • Patent number: 8906578
    Abstract: A fuel cell, having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a membrane element, in which the membrane element is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. At least one of the electrodes has a flow field plate and at least one flow conduit, through which a reactant can be conducted, extends in at least one outer surface of the flow field plate. The flow field plate has at least one microreaction chamber, and the microreaction chamber is disposed in the outer surface and on the flow conduit. A catalyst is disposed on at least a part of the microreaction chamber in such a way that the catalyst has contact simultaneously with the membrane element and the inflowing reactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Norman Krings, Juergen Hackenberg, Alexander Reitzle
  • Publication number: 20140342263
    Abstract: A planar solid oxide fuel cell stack which can expand in both the vertical and horizontal directions is disclosed. The planar solid oxide fuel cell stack comprises an interconnect which consists of an interconnect body, a first flowing area and a second flowing area, wherein the first and the second flowing area are disposed on opposite side of the interconnect body, and have one gas inlet and two gas outlets, respectively. By employing multiple hexagonal interconnects for cell stack expanding in the horizontal direction, each three stacks can share the same pipeline of the flow channel, thereby reaching the goals of reducing the space and materials required and system complexity as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: NATIONAL CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: SHIH-SIN WEI, JONG-SHINN WU
  • Patent number: 8877405
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly containing an anode and a cathode which are disposed opposite to one another via an electrolytic membrane; an anode channel plate adjacent to the anode and supplying a prescribed fuel to the anode; and a cathode channel plate adjacent to the cathode, supplying air to the cathode and containing a platy member which is elongated in a direction different from a supplying direction of the air to the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yuusuke Sato, Kei Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8871403
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack system is configured to uniformly supply a fuel or an electrolytic solution to each of fuel cell elements, and an electronic device using the fuel cell stack system are provided. An electrolytic solution channel allowing an electrolytic solution to flow therethrough is arranged between a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode, and a fuel channel allowing a fuel to flow therethrough is arranged outside of the fuel electrode. The electrolytic solution channels and the fuel channels of all fuel cell elements are connected in series to one another. That is, the fuel or the electrolytic solution emitted from an outlet of the fuel channel or the electrolytic solution channel of one fuel cell element enters into an inlet of the fuel channel or the electrolytic solution channel of the next fuel cell element through a connection channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kengo Makita, Shinichi Uesaka, Yasunori Ohto
  • Patent number: 8871402
    Abstract: In a fuel cell system, it is possible to suppress fixation of a fluid circulating device arranged in a fluid passage connected to a fuel cell main body. The fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell stack, a system main body having respective elements for supplying a fuel gas and respective elements for supplying an oxidizing gas, and a control device. The control device includes a fluid circulating device drive processing unit having a function to forcibly drive the fluid circulating device after determining, based on a judgment related to one or more of a non-use time, an operation state of the system main body, a membrane impedance state of a fuel cell, a temperature of the fuel cell stack, and a background noise, whether or not forced driving to suppress sticking of the fluid circulating device is preferable at that time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeto Kajiwara, Tetsuya Bono
  • Patent number: 8865369
    Abstract: An apparatus is used for the recirculation of anode exhaust gases of a fuel cell, with a recirculation blower and at least one jet pump operated by a propulsion gas stream. The propelling medium is in this case a pressurized fuel, for example hydrogen. The anode outlet of the fuel cell is connected to the intake connection of the at least one jet pump. The outlet of the at least one jet pump is then connected to both the anode inlet and the intake connection of the recirculation blower. The output of the recirculation blower can be connected to the intake connection of the at least one jet pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Arnold Lamm
  • Patent number: 8865363
    Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with a separator that supports an electrolyte/electrode assembly sandwiched therebetween. The separator is provided with: first and second fuel gas supply parts in the center of which fuel gas supply holes are formed; first and second cross-link parts connected to the first and second fuel gas supply parts; and first and second sandwiching support parts connected to the first and second cross-link parts. Each first sandwiching support part is provided with a set of fuel gas exhaust passages that discharge fuel gas that has gone through a fuel gas passage and been used. The cross-sectional areas of the fuel gas exhaust passages are larger on the downstream sides than on the upstream sides, in terms of the direction of fuel gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ogawa, Yukihiko Kiyohiro, Koji Dan
  • Patent number: 8859164
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a bipolar plate includes a wall area and a landing area defining a fluid flow channel, and a plurality of wires extending from at least one of the landing area and the wall area. In another embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes the aforementioned bipolar plate and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) adjacent the bipolar plate and contacting at least a portion of the plurality of wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alireza Pezhman Shirvanian
  • Patent number: 8859163
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly is provided that includes a fluid collection member disposed in a fluid inlet for a reactant, wherein the fluid collection member militates against liquid water on an inner surface of the fluid inlet from being received by a fuel cell of the fuel cell assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jon P. Owejan, Steven G. Goebel, James M. Keogan, Thomas A. Trabold
  • Patent number: 8846220
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microbial fuel cell cathode assembly comprising a catalyst (6) and an electrically conductive catholyte wicking member (5) having a catalyst contacting surface (5a) in contact with the catalyst, an electrical contact region (5c) for contacting an electrical connector, and a catholyte supply region (5b) for receiving catholyte from a catholyte supply (9), wherein the electrically conductive catholyte wicking member is operable to wick received catholyte from the catholyte supply region to form a film of catholyte on a part of the surface of the catalyst such that a part of the surface of the catalyst is in contact with both the film of catholyte and a part of the surface of the catalyst is in contact with a gas pathway arranged to supply oxygen to the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Power Knowledge Limited
    Inventor: Vyacheslav Viktorovich Fedorovich
  • Patent number: 8846268
    Abstract: There is provided a combustion apparatus including a gas supply path 1 for supplying a combustible gas, a burner main body 4 for combusting the combustible gas supplied from the gas supply path 1, a cabinet 8 provided to cover the burner main body 4, and a gas cutoff valve 2 provided on the gas supply path 1 on an upstream side of the burner main body 4 and arranged at the outside of the cabinet 8, wherein the burner main body 4 is spacially isolated from the gas cutoff valve 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Ohara, Masataka Ozeki
  • Patent number: 8846269
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention comprises a membrane-electrode assembly (5), a first separator (6a), and a second separator (6b); the first separator (6a) having a groove-shaped first reaction gas channel (8) on one main surface of the first separator (6a) which contacts the first electrode (4a) such that a plurality of straight-line-shaped first rib portions (11) run along each other; the second electrode (4b) having a groove-shaped second reaction gas channel (9) on one main surface of the second electrode (4b) which contacts the second separator (6b) such that a plurality of straight-line-shaped second rib portions (12) run along each other; a ratio of a first reaction gas channel width of at least an upstream portion (18b) of the first reaction gas channel (8) with respect to a second rib portion (12) is greater than 0 and not greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takeou Okanishi, Naotsugu Koashi, Yoichiro Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8834959
    Abstract: The synthesis of single graphene sheets decorated with metal or metal oxide nanoparticles, and their uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Drzal, Inhwan Do, Anchita Monga
  • Publication number: 20140255814
    Abstract: A combined water and anode knock-out purge line for a fuel cell including an inlet portion having an inlet portion lower surface, an outlet portion having an outlet portion lower surface, a middle portion having a lower surface and extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. Each lower surface of the inlet portion and outlet portion is raised relative to the lower surface of the middle portion in a generally longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Michael Mathie, William F. Sanderson, Virgo Edwards, Kurt David Osborne
  • Patent number: 8828622
    Abstract: A separator for a fuel cell is provided and may include a plurality of linearly extending protrusions and a plurality of flat walls alternately arranged with the plurality of linearly extending protrusions. Each protrusion is defined by a top wall and a pair of side walls and the linearly extending protrusions are parallel to each other. In addition, a gas passage forming groove is defined between each adjacent pair of linearly extending protrusions, a belt-like groove is provided on an inner surface of each flat wall that faces the corresponding gas passage forming groove, and an inclination angle is set with respect to each flat wall and corresponding side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shirou Fujimura, Takuma Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8822101
    Abstract: A modular fuel cell system includes a base, at least four power modules arranged in a row on the base, and a fuel processing module and power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each power module includes a separate cabinet which contains at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the at least one fuel processing and power conditioning modules through the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert Richards, David Trevisan, Michael Lee, Jessica Mahler, Ross Parker, Alex Clarabut, Chad Pearson, Arne Ballantine, David Weingaertner, Jason Hixson, Fred Mitlitsky
  • Patent number: 8808939
    Abstract: A fuel cell cogeneration system of the present invention includes: a cell (10); a fuel gas discharging manifold (122) which is formed to extend in a thickness direction of the cell (10) and through which an anode off gas unconsumed in an anode (2A) flows; an oxidizing gas discharging manifold (124) which is formed to extend in the thickness direction of the cell (10) and through which a cathode off gas unconsumed in a cathode (2B) flows; and a cooling medium discharging manifold (126) which is formed to extend in the thickness direction of the cell (10) and through which an off cooling medium having recovered heat from the cell (10) flows, and the fuel gas discharging manifold (122) and/or the oxidizing gas discharging manifold (124) are formed between the cooling medium discharging manifold (126) and a separator end closest to the cooling medium discharging manifold (126).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Sugawara, Takahiro Umeda, Soichi Shibata
  • Patent number: 8802312
    Abstract: A fuel cell according to the present invention includes a power generation unit. The power generation unit is formed by stacking a first metal separator, a first membrane electrode assembly, a second metal separator, a second membrane electrode assembly, and a third metal separator. The number of flow grooves in a first oxygen-containing gas flow field is different from the number of flow grooves in a second oxygen-containing gas flow field. The first oxygen-containing gas flow field and the second oxygen-containing gas flow field have the same length, and the flow grooves in the first oxygen-containing gas flow field and the flow grooves in the second oxygen-containing gas flow field have the same depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Masaru Oda, Masaaki Sakano, Norimasa Kawagoe, Takashi Kosaka
  • Patent number: 8802327
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electrode structure capable of separately delivering gas and fluid which is applied to a passive fuel cell. The electrode structure includes an electrode portion and a water removal plate, and the electrode portion is adjacent to the water removal plate. The water removal plate includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a plurality of gas passages passing from the first surface to the second surface, and a plurality of liquid passages disposed on the first surface. The surfaces of the gas passages are treated with hydrophobic treatment, and the surfaces of the liquid passages are treated with hydrophilic treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Fan Gang Tseng, Hsien Chih Peng, Po Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 8802326
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack and a bipolar plate assembly is provided that may include straight-through tunnels to transport fluids from one side of a header seal to an opposite side of a header seal, fluidly connecting fuel cell stack reactant headers and bipolar plate reactant flow channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Spencer, Seth D. Valentine, Courtney E. Reich, Daniel P Miller
  • Patent number: 8795926
    Abstract: A pump assembly including a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The first subassembly includes a fluid conduit; an inlet fluidly coupled to the liquid reactant dispenser and the fluid conduit; an outlet fluidly coupled to a reaction chamber and the fluid conduit; and a diaphragm, defining a portion of the fluid conduit, that flexes to pump the liquid reactant from the inlet to the outlet. The diaphragm preferably includes an actuation point coupled to the diaphragm, wherein the liquid reactant is substantially contained within the first subassembly during pumping. The second subassembly is couplable to the first subassembly, and is fluidly isolated from the liquid reactant. The second subassembly includes an actuator that couples to the actuation point, wherein operation of the actuator causes pumping action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Braithwaite, Tibor Fabian, Tobin J. Fisher, Jonathan Louis Glassman, Andrew Phillip Gust Peterson, Adam Rodriguez, Russell Barton
  • Patent number: 8795911
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a cell unit including an electrolyte membrane, a cathode disposed on one face of the electrolyte membrane, and an anode disposed on the other face of the electrolyte membrane, and a water reservoir which stores water produced at the cathode. The water reservoir includes an opening formed in a region other than the cathode of the cell unit, and a projection projecting from the opening to an anode side. The water covering a cathode surface of a fuel cell is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Taniguchi, Takahiro Isono
  • Patent number: 8795917
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell system that controls a pressure for a fuel gas supplied to a fuel cell so that the anode-cathode differential pressure between an anode and a cathode of a fuel cell is maintained within a predetermined range, in order to provide a desired generation amount while reducing the amount of fuel gas discharged to the exterior of the system even if it is difficult to provide an appropriate fuel gas supply amount for a fuel cell load (the generation requirement on the cell). If the system determines that the amount of fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell is less than an appropriate required gas amount for the load (generation requirement) (step S9: NO), for example, if the concentration of nitrogen in the fuel gas reaches a predetermined value or greater, the open and close state of shut-off valves H3, H3A is switched to increase the pressure for the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 20 (step S11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naohiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8785062
    Abstract: The fuel cell system of the present invention includes: (A) a fuel cell stack including at least one unit fuel cell including a cathode, an anode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween; (B) a detecting device for detecting lack of humidification in the fuel cell stack; (C) a water supplying device for supplying moisture to the fuel cell stack when lack of humidification is detected by the detecting device; (D) a heating device for heating the supplied moisture; and (E) a cooling device for cooling the supplied moisture. In the fuel cell system of the present invention, the fuel cell stack is humidified by repeating heating and cooling of the supplied moisture by the heating device and the cooling device, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Matsuda, Takashi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8785078
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell which is capable of improving electric power generation efficiency at a time of high-temperature operation. The fuel cell 10 comprising: a membrane electrode assembly 4; and a pair of gas separators 7, 8 sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly 4 therebetween, wherein at least one of the gas separator(s) 7 and/or 8 comprises a compact layer(s) 7c and/or 8c which is capable of preventing permeation of fluid and a porous layer (s) 7d and/or 8d which allows permeation of fluid, and the porous layer(s) 7d and/or 8d is impregnated with a water-soluble liquid having higher boiling point than that of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroko Kimura, Naoki Takehiro
  • Patent number: 8778547
    Abstract: A power generating system of the present invention includes: a package (70); a power generator (1); a combustible gas passage (23); a first device configured to operate by a first voltage using a DC power generated by the power generator (1); a second power supply circuit (13) configured to generate the DC power of the first voltage; a first connecting unit (8) arranged between the first device and the second power supply circuit (13); a control circuit (7) configured to control the first device using the DC power of the first voltage; and a first power supply circuit (11) configured to generate a power of a second voltage higher than the first voltage, and the package (70) is divided by a dividing wall (71) into a first space (72) in which the power generator (1), the combustible gas passage (23), the first device, the first connecting unit (8), and the control circuit (7) are arranged and a second space (73) in which the first power supply circuit (11) and the second power supply circuit (13) are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Takubo, Motomichi Katou
  • Patent number: 8778553
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and an anode side metal separator and a cathode side metal separator sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. An oxygen-containing gas flows in an oxygen-containing gas flow field in a horizontal direction. A coolant flows in a coolant flow field in a vertical direction. The coolant flow field is connected to coolant supply passages and coolant discharge passages. The opening of one of the coolant supply passages and the opening of one of the coolant discharge passages are smaller than those of the other coolant supply passages and the other coolant discharge passages in cross section, respectively. Thus, the flow rate of the coolant supplied to an area near outlets of the oxygen-containing gas flow field and the fuel gas flow field become smaller than the flow rate of the coolant supplied to the other area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Mohri, Kentaro Nagoshi, Masaru Oda