Means For Distributing, Storing, Or Preventing Fluid Movement Patents (Class 429/512)
-
Publication number: 20120077105Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell stack which can reduce variation in temperature distribution of whole cells by a simple change in the structure of a coolant inlet manifold and a coolant outlet manifold in the fuel cell stack without the use of a conventional insulator, which increases the thickness of the fuel cell stack, a heater, which requires a power supply and its control logic, or a cover for forming an air layer for thermal insulation, which disadvantageously prevents the heat generated in the electrode from being transferred to the end plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Sung Ho LEE
-
Patent number: 8142937Abstract: A fuel cell system is capable of easily determining whether or not supply of gas to a cathode has been cut off after an issuance of a power generation stop command. The fuel cell system includes a cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells; a stop valve which is brought to a closed state as the power generation stop command is issued, thereby cutting off an inflow of air into a pipe, and therefore into the cell stack; a power generation sensor which detects a voltage of the cell stack after the issuance of the power generation stop command; and a CPU which controls an operation of the fuel cell system. When a main switch is turned off while the cell stack is in a power generating operation, an operation stop command and the power generation stop command are given to the CPU. After the power generation stop command is issued, the CPU determines whether or not air supply to the cell stack has been cut off, by comparing the voltage of the cell stack to a first threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuyoshi Furukawa
-
Patent number: 8133630Abstract: A fuel cell module including a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a pressing plate, an anode collector, an anode flow channel plate, a cathode collector, and a cathode flow channel plate is provided. The MEA has a protrusion, and the pressing plate presses an edge of a cathode of the MEA. The pressing plate has a first opening to expose the protrusion. The anode collector is disposed on an anode of the MEA. The anode flow channel plate is disposed on anode collector. The anode collector is disposed between the anode and the anode flow channel plate. The cathode flow channel plate faces the cathode collector disposed on the cathode and the pressing plate to form a flow channel between an inner surface of the cathode flow channel plate and the cathode collector. The cathode flow channel plate has a concave portion corresponding to the protrusion.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2007Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Young Green Energy Co.,Inventors: Cheng Wang, Ching-Po Lee, Jin-Shu Huang, Nien-Hui Hsu
-
Patent number: 8129066Abstract: This invention provides a fuel battery comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode-side catalyst body and a cathode-side catalyst body disposed respectively on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a fuel guide part in which the anode-side catalyst body is disposed opposite to the anode-side catalyst body on the opposite side where the anode-side catalyst body faces the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and which guides a fuel which has been externally supplied toward the center of the face of the anode-side catalyst body.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2006Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Toru Ozaki, Fumiharu Iwasaki, Kazutaka Yuzurihara, Tsuneaki Tamachi, Takafumi Sarata, Norimasa Yanase
-
Patent number: 8110316Abstract: A first metal separator of one of adjacent power generation cells and a second metal separator of the other of the adjacent power generation cells are directly stacked together to form a coolant flow field. The first metal separator has a press line protruding toward the coolant flow field, between a fuel gas flow field and an inlet buffer. The second metal separator has a press line protruding toward the coolant flow field, between an oxygen-containing gas flow field and an inlet buffer. The press lines contact each other to limit flow of the coolant into a back surface buffer.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaru Oda, Takashi Kosaka, Norimasa Kawagoe, Teruyuki Ohtani, Narutoshi Sugita, Masaaki Sakano, Masahiro Mohri
-
Patent number: 8105731Abstract: A fuel cell system includes first and second fuel cell stacks which are juxtaposed to each other. An assembly manifold is attached to the first and second fuel cell stacks. A connection block is provided at a central position of the assembly manifold. A fuel gas supply port and a fuel gas discharge port are provided on a front surface of the connection block, and an oxygen-containing gas supply port and an oxygen-containing gas discharge port are provided on a back surface of the connection block. A fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas are equally supplied to each of the first and second fuel cell stacks.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiko Sato, Tadashi Nishiyama
-
Patent number: 8101320Abstract: A device and method to extract water from a moisture-rich fuel cell flowpath to supply other components of a fuel cell system that require water. A water transport unit is integrated into the fuel cell so that the size, weight and complexity of a fuel cell is minimized. In one embodiment, the device includes numerous flowpaths that include an active region and an inactive region. The water transport unit includes a moisture-donating fluid channel and a moisture-accepting fluid channel, where the latter is fluidly connected with a portion of the fuel cell that is in need of humidification. Upon passage of a moisture-donating fluid through the inactive region of the device flowpath, at least some of the water contained therein passes through the water transport unit to a portion of the fuel cell that is in need of humidification.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Glenn W. Skala
-
Patent number: 8101313Abstract: A flow field plate module for a fuel cell system includes at least one flow field plate defining a fuel transporting channel thereon. The fuel transporting channel is divided into a middle converging zone having a group of first flow guiding plates arranged therein, and two diverging zones located at two lateral sides of the middle converging zone and each having a group of second flow guiding plates arranged therein. The second flow guiding plates are symmetrically arranged in the two diverging zones and are directed at respective inner end toward a space between two adjacent first flow guiding plates in the middle converging zone to thereby offset from each of the two adjacent first flow guiding plates by a predetermined distance in a fuel flowing direction, so that a fluid path is formed between any two adjacent first and second flow guiding plates.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Young Green Energy Co.Inventors: Cheng Wang, Jin-Shu Huang, Ching-Po Lee, Nien-Hui Hsu
-
Patent number: 8101319Abstract: An electrically conductive fluid distribution element for use in a fuel cell having a conductive non-metallic porous media having a surface with an electrically conductive metal deposited along one or more metallized regions. The metallized regions are arranged to contact a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in a fuel cell assembly, and thus improve electrical conductance at contact regions between the MEA and the fluid distribution media. Methods of making such a fluid distribution element and operating fuel cell assemblies are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Youssef M Mikhail, Gayatri Vyas
-
Patent number: 8101321Abstract: A fuel cell system has at least one fuel cell, a hydrogen storage tank in which hydrogen is stored at a pressure above atmospheric and which communicates via a hydrogen supply line with an anode chamber of the fuel cell. An anode circuit, via which unreacted hydrogen is able to be recirculated from a region downstream of the anode chamber into the hydrogen supply line, is provided. At least one pumping device is provided between the outlet of the anode chamber and its inlet in the anode circuit and/or the hydrogen supply line. Between the hydrogen storage tank and the anode chamber, a turbine is provided, which supplies at least a portion of the power required for driving the pumping device.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Gert Hinsenkamp, Manfred Stute, Siegfried Sumser
-
Publication number: 20120009502Abstract: A flow field plate for use in a fuel cell includes a non-porous plate body having a flow field. The flow field includes a plurality of channels and a flow distribution portion adjacent an end of the plurality of channels for distributing fluid between a manifold and the channels. A flow guide within the flow distribution portion establishes a desired flow distribution between the manifold and the plurality of channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2009Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: Robert Mason Darling, Eric J. O'Brien
-
Publication number: 20120009500Abstract: A method of manufacturing a porous structure for a fuel cell is disclosed. The method includes providing the porous structure, and processing the porous structure to selectively produce a non-porous region on the porous structure. In one example, the non-porous region is provided at the perimeter of the porous structure, an edge of an internal manifold and/or a surface or recess that supports a seal or gasket. The non-porous region has a porosity that is less than the porosity of the porous structure. The non-porous region prevents undesired leakage of fluid from the porous structure and prevents migration of adhesive associated with the seals.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2009Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: Stephen P. Victor, Thomas H. Madden, David A. Niezelski, Kristoffer Ridgeway
-
Patent number: 8076043Abstract: A fuel cell body has an anode having an anode-side separator with projections and depressions formed on its surface, a cathode, and a membrane electrode assembly disposed between the anode and the cathode, and the fuel cell body is disposed in a container for storing liquid fuel so that at least the anode side is immersed therein. Fuel passageways through which the liquid fuel flows are formed by regions surrounded by the projections and depressions on the surface of the separator and the membrane electrode assembly. By this, the downsized, simplified and lower power consuming structure of auxiliary equipment such as a fuel feed system is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kenji Hasegawa, Toshiyuki Aoyama, Masaru Higashionji, Masafumi Shimotashiro, Masayuki Ono, Kenya Hori, Masaru Odagiri
-
Publication number: 20110300457Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising at least one fuel cell unit (1) to generate electrical power and at least one component, upstream and/or downstream of said fuel cell unit in the anode flow path, said component preventing, as a reoxidation barrier, reoxidation of parts of the anode sections or of the anode sections as a whole in the case that an oxidizing gas is entering.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2009Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventors: Sascha Kuehn, Katrin Klein, Gerhard Buchinger
-
Patent number: 8071257Abstract: A fuel cell including a fuel cartridge with a fuel storage portion and a fuel feed opening and a fuel cell body with an output terminal and a power generation portion. The fuel cell comprises a wiring portion for electrically connecting the output terminal and power generation portion of the fuel cell body with each other when the fuel cartridge is mounted to the fuel cell body to place a fuel in a state in which the fuel is feedable from the fuel cartridge to the fuel cell body and for electrically disconnecting the output terminal and power generation portion of the fuel cell body when the fuel cartridge is removed from the fuel cell body.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Kubota, Motokazu Kobayashi, Keiko Abe
-
Patent number: 8071256Abstract: To provide an electrochemical energy generating apparatus which can regulate the operating conditions of an electrochemical device such as a fuel cell, according to a change of the internal properties of the device, achieving high energy density, and a method for driving the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2005Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Kengo Makita, Shinichi Uesaka
-
Publication number: 20110294041Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell, wherein one of the electrodes of the fuel cell or an electrically conductive carrier, on which this electrode is applied, is designed as stabilizing substrate (1), in which multiple tubular hollows with preferably round, oval and/or square cross sections and with at least one open end are arranged, wherein the hollows are coated with at least an electrolyte (2) and at least the other, second electrode (3) of the fuel cell, and wherein at least one constructional element, hereinafter also denoted as constructional feature, is arranged on or at and/or integrated into the substrate, said constructional element being adapted for the integration of the fuel cell into a reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2009Publication date: December 1, 2011Inventors: Sascha Kuehn, Katrin Klein, Buchinger Gerhard
-
Publication number: 20110294037Abstract: A method of making an electrode is provided. The method includes providing an electrocatalyst decal comprising a carrying substrate having a nanostructured thin catalytic layer thereon; providing a transfer substrate with an adjacent adhesive layer; adhering the nanostructured thin catalytic layer adjacent to the adhesive layer to form a composite structure; removing the carrying substrate from the composite structure; and removing the transfer substrate from the composite structure to form the stand-alone nanostructured thin catalytic film comprising the adhesive layer with the nanostructured thin catalytic layer adhered thereto. A stand alone nanostructured thin catalytic film and methods of constructing electrodes with the stand alone nanostructured thin catalytic films are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2010Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Chunxin Ji, Matthew Dioguardi, Sumeet Bhargava
-
Publication number: 20110287330Abstract: The invention relates to a high-temperature fuel cell system comprising at least one fuel cell as heat generating source and/or at least one fuel cell system component as exothermic or endothermic source enclosed by a thermal insulation system. Between an inner thermal insulation unit and a radial outer shell at least one hollow space exists and this hollow space is evacuated or at least one fluid can be fed through and/or stored inside of the hollow space.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Sascha Kuehn, Katrin Klein, Gerhard Buchinger
-
Patent number: 8057929Abstract: A variable capacity compressor that is operable in a normal mode and either an upward or downward rapid transient mode includes a compressor that compresses a fluid and a motor that drives the compressor. A controller powers the motor from a main power source when operating in the normal mode and powers the motor from a supplemental power source when operating in the upward rapid transient mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Joseph D Rainville, John R Bonkoske
-
Patent number: 8053138Abstract: A fuel cell (10) includes a cathode catalyst (26) for receiving a first reactant and an anode catalyst (24) for receiving an expected amount of a second reactant. The cathode catalyst (26) and the anode catalyst (24) respectively catalyze the first reactant and the second reactant to produce an electrochemical reaction that generates a flow of electrons between the cathode catalyst (26) and the anode catalyst (24) The amount of the first reactant consumed in the electrochemical reaction corresponds to a threshold amount of the second reactant needed to generate a forward flow of the electrons from the anode catalyst (24) to the cathode catalyst (26). A portion (42) of a fuel cell flow field includes a feature (54, 60, 80, W1, D1) that restricts consumption of the first reactant.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2005Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: UTC Power CorporationInventor: Jeremy P. Meyers
-
Patent number: 8053129Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first shut valve capable of shutting off a gas flow in a gas path where a fuel cell gas flows; and a second shut valve arranged more towards the downstream side of the gas flow than the first shut valve, and capable of shutting off the gas flow. In each of the first shut valve and the second shut valve, sealing is performed by intimate contact between a movable member and a seal member and a gas pressure supplied from the upstream applies a force to the movable member to bring it into intimate contact with the seal member. A deformation degree by an external force of the same intensity is set greater in the seal member of the second shut valve than in the seal member of the first shut valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Takeshita, Tsukio Ishitoya
-
Publication number: 20110269044Abstract: Embodiment of a system for generating electric power with micro fuel cells comprising at least one first micro cell and at least one second micro cell, each micro cell having an anode and a cathode with a membrane being sandwich-wise interposed, the system comprising a spacer element having an annular element that surrounds a cavity, said spacer element being associated with said anode of said first micro cell and with said anode of said second micro cell to realize a common diffusion chamber for the fuel of said first micro cell a of said second micro cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Giuseppe Emanuele SPOTO, Andrea LAZZARA, Cristian Dall 'Oglio
-
Patent number: 8048576Abstract: A power generator has a hydrogen producing fuel and a fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane separating the hydrogen producing fuel from ambient. A valve is disposed between the fuel cell and ambient such that water is controllably prevented from entering or leaving the fuel cell by actuation of the valve. In one embodiment, multiple fuel cells are arranged in a circle around the fuel, and the valve is a rotatable ring shaped gate valve having multiple openings corresponding to the fuel cells.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2006Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
-
Patent number: 8048575Abstract: A fuel cell system that is compact and has stabilized performance is provided. The fuel cell system includes two fuel cell stacks or a first fuel cell stack (31) and a second fuel cell stack (32), a high-pressure hydrogen tank (11) as a hydrogen supplying device for supplying hydrogen to the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32), a compressor (12) as an air supplying device for supplying air to the fuel cell stack, and a humidifier (20) for humidifying air to be supplied to the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32). The humidifier (20) is disposed between the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32); a supply air exhaust port of the humidifier (20) and air supply ports (Q1) of the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32) are connected by air supply pipes (51) having the same length.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshio Kusano, Toshikatsu Katagiri, Ryoichi Yoshitomi, Kenji Nagumo, Motohiro Suzuki
-
Publication number: 20110262819Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a fuel cell tube defining a fuel cell tube inner chamber. The fuel cell tube includes a fuel cell tube inlet, a fuel cell tube outlet, an active portion, and an inner current carrier. Oxidizing fluid and reducing fluid react with the active portion to generate an electromotive force. The active portion includes an inner electrode; an outer electrode; and an electrolyte disposed between the inner electrode and the outer electrode. The inner current carrier is disposed between the tube inlet and the active portion. The inner current carrier has a temperature gradient when the active portion is at an active portion steady-state operating temperature. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes a fuel feed tube routing fuel through the fuel cell tube inlet to the fuel cell tube inner chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Aaron T. Crumm, Timothy LaBreche
-
Publication number: 20110262821Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid delivery head for an electrochemical cell, for example a fuel cell. The delivery head combines the inlets and outlets of the lines for delivering the fluids, notably hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen delivery line feeds an active part of the fuel cell and includes a cavity in communication with a discharge pipe via a solenoid valve. The invention performs several functions with a minimum of elements and with reduced bulk.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2009Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SAInventors: Sadok Garnit, Francis Roy, Guillaume Joncquet, Jean-Philippe Poirot-Crouvezier
-
Patent number: 8043761Abstract: Fuel cell separation, fuel cell device, and electronic applied device technical field are provided. A fuel cell separator capable of making a fuel cell device compact and reducing variations in air supply amount to generating cells. Oscillating fans as fluid oxidant supplying means are respectively provided at openings of channels. The oscillating fans are individually driven to respectively supply air into the channels. The oscillating fans are included in a separator body of a separator. As compared with the case that the oscillating fans are provided separately from a fuel cell body having the separator as a component, the limitation to layout of the fuel cell body and various units for effecting stable electric power generation in the fuel cell body can be reduced, and the fuel cell device can be reduced in size.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Yuichi Takai
-
Publication number: 20110256470Abstract: The present invention provides a coolant demineralizer for a fuel cell vehicle, which removes ions released from coolant of a fuel cell stack. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a coolant demineralizer configured to reduce the occurrence of differential pressure due to an ion resin layer such that coolant can smoothly flow through a filter member, thereby increasing the effect of filtering ions and improving the efficiency of use of ion resin.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventor: Sung Wook Na
-
Patent number: 8039169Abstract: A fuel cell includes a separator having a circular disk. On one surface of the circular disk, a fuel gas channel is provided for supplying a fuel gas to an anode, and on the other surface of the circular disk, an oxygen-containing gas channel is provided for supplying air to a cathode. The fuel gas channel has an end point at an outer circumferential end of the anode. A fuel gas discharge channel is connected to an end point of the fuel gas channel, such that the consumed fuel gas is emitted to an oxygen-containing gas supply unit, from a position spaced outwardly from the outer circumference of an electrolyte electrode assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koji Dan
-
Patent number: 8038862Abstract: Disclosed is a connecting structure of a liquid sending apparatus, including: an electroosmotic flow pump having first and second electrodes upstream and downstream of an electroosmosis material; a flow-path structure which defines with flow-paths for liquid upstream and downstream of the electroosmotic flow pump, which is provided upstream of the electroosmotic flow pump with a ventilation hole communicating with inside and outside of the flow-path, and which is provided with a hydrophobic film which covers the hole and is permeable to bubbles; and a liquid-absorbing body absorbs liquid, which is provided in the flow-path upstream of the electroosmotic flow pump, which comes into abutment against a surface of the electroosmosis material on which the first electrode is provided, and which is formed with a bubble removing passage which passes through the liquid-absorbing body from a hydrophobic film side thereof to the abutment surface against the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Sunako, Yasunari Kabasawa, Ichiro Yanagisawa
-
Patent number: 8039171Abstract: A current-collecting composite plate for a fuel cell configured with unit cells according to the present invention, which comprises: an insulator layer; and a plurality of pairs of conductor layers, the conductor layers being bonded to the insulator layer to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, each pair being used for adjacently disposed anode and cathode electrodes for a different one of the unit cells by sandwiching an electrolyte assembly therebetween. And, each conductor layer includes: a first conductor layer of a corrosion resistant metal treated with an electrically conductive surface treatment; a second conductor layer of a metal with low electrical resistivity; a through-hole penetrating the first conductor layer and the insulator layer; and a connecting portion formed of the second conductor layer for connecting the unit cells.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Hitachi Cable, Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Seido, Kazuhiko Nakagawa, Takaaki Sasaoka, Mineo Washima
-
Patent number: 8034510Abstract: A fuel cell includes a gas channel-forming member that forms a channel for supplying a reactant gas to a plane of an electrode. A basic structure of the gas channel-forming member is a corrugated plate portion in which ridge portions and trough portions continuously alternate with each other. In the gas channel-forming member, a plurality of corrugated plate portions are interconnected. Specifically, two adjacent corrugated plate portions are interconnected so that the trough portions of one of the two connect to the ridge portions of the other corrugated plate portion. The gas channel-forming member is disposed so that the direction of alignment of the connection planes S formed by the interconnection between the trough portions and the ridge portions is parallel to the plane of the electrode. This structure improves the diffusion efficiency of the reactant gas in the gas channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Shatai Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazunari Moteki, Keiji Hashimoto
-
Patent number: 8029942Abstract: A fuel cell system having flow fields capable to operate like interdigitated flow fields, but in the same time allowing the removal of liquid water collected in the high-pressure channels, throughout individual exhaust passages. In a preferred embodiment, the channels follow radial-circumferential trajectories, each channel being provided with individual exhaust passages. In another preferred embodiment, each channel is provided with a valve control in both individual supply passages and individual exhaust passages allowing the system to operate alternatively as an interdigitated flow field as well as an open-channel flow field.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2005Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Case Western Reserve UniversityInventors: Vladimir Gurau, Christine Zawodzinski, Tom Zawodzinski, Jesse Wainright
-
Patent number: 8026013Abstract: A fuel cell unit includes a plurality of angularly spaced fuel cell stacks arranged to form a ring-shaped structure about a central axis, each of the fuel cell stacks having a stacking direction extending parallel to the central axis. The fuel cell unit also includes an annular cathode feed manifold surrounding the fuel cell stacks to deliver a cathode feed flow thereto, a plurality of baffles extending parallel to the central axis, each of the baffles located between an adjacent pair of the fuel cell stacks to direct a cathode feed flow from the annular cathode feed manifold and radially inwardly through the adjacent pair, and an annular cathode exhaust manifold surrounded by the fuel cell stacks to receive a cathode exhaust flow therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2010Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jeroen Valensa, Michael J. Reinke, Mark G. Voss
-
Publication number: 20110229792Abstract: A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes an electrically conductive plate having a first surface defining a plurality of channels. An active area section and an inactive area section characterize the flow field channels. A hydrophobic layer is disposed over at least a portion of the inactive area section while a hydrophilic layer is disposed over at least a portion of the active area section.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2010Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Gayatri Vyas Dadheech, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid
-
Publication number: 20110223496Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2008Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Kengo Makita, Shinichi Uesaka, Yasunori Ohto
-
Publication number: 20110223513Abstract: A fluid distribution insert adapted to be received within an inlet header of a fuel cell assembly. The fluid distribution insert includes a hollow insert with a first end and a second end. An inlet is formed at the first end of the hollow insert in fluid communication with a source of a reactant gas and adapted to receive the reactant gas therein. An outlet is formed intermediate the first end and the second end. The outlet is adapted to deliver the reactant gas to a plurality of fuel cells of the fuel cell assembly, wherein the hollow insert delivers the reactant gas to the fuel cells in a substantially simultaneous and uniform manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Daniel P. Miller, Anthony G. Chinnici, Steven G. Goebel, Daniel J. Darga, Gary M. Robb, Clipson M. Class
-
Publication number: 20110217625Abstract: In a fuel cell 200, comprising: a membrane electrode assembly 204 equipped with an electrolyte membrane 201 and an anode catalyst 202; a supply member 240 for supplying an anode fluid to the membrane electrode assembly 204; and a gas diffusion layer 230 provided between the supply member 240 and the membrane electrode assembly 204, the supply member 240 is provided with an anode fluid flow path 241 for supplying the anode fluid toward the membrane electrode assembly 204, an opening of the anode fluid flow path 241 on a discharge side thereof for the anode fluid is provided in contact with the gas diffusion layer 230, and a region A for storing a gas pushed away by supply of the anode fluid is provided on a side of the gas diffusion layer 230 facing the supply member 240.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventors: Toru Ozaki, Noboru Ishisone, Tsuneaki Tamachi, Norimasa Yanase, Takafumi Sarata, Kazutaka Yuzurihara, Fumiharu Iwasaki
-
Patent number: 8012643Abstract: A gas control and operation method of a fuel cell system for improved water and gas distribution is disclosed. The present invention provides for a mechanization of a fuel cell system that allows control of the anode reactant and anode effluent through the anode portions of the fuel cell system to improve water and gas distribution on the anode side of the fuel cells that increases the voltage stability of the fuel cells.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Peter Willimowski, Robert Schafer
-
Patent number: 8012649Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel pressurizing system. The fuel cell system includes: a cartridge comprising a fuel storage pack; a main body; and a pressurizing unit disposed in the main body to pressurize the fuel storage pack when the cartridge is mated to the main body. The cartridge further includes a pressurizing plate to transmit pressure received from the pressurizing unit to the fuel storage pack when the cartridge is mated to the main body and to preventing the fuel storage pack from being pressurized when the cartridge is separated from the main body. The main body can include a case on which the fuel storage pack and the pressurizing plate are received.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young-soo Joung, Hye-Jung Cho, Jae-yong Lee, Young-Jae Kim
-
Patent number: 8007948Abstract: An ion exchange cartridge for a coolant system of a fuel cell stack is provided. The ion exchange cartridge includes a housing with an ion exchange resin disposed therein. The housing includes an inlet and at least one fluid-permeable outlet window configured for coolant to flow therethrough. The ion exchange cartridge is adapted to be removably disposed in the coolant system. An ion exchange cartridge assembly and a coolant tank assembly having the ion exchange cartridge are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ralph T. J. Hobmeyr, Marlene Rinner, Mario Naretto Rosso
-
Publication number: 20110207023Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed that employs an expander for recovering mechanical energy from a cathode exhaust fluid produced by the fuel cell system to generate torque. The expander is coupled to a shaft of a compressor with a freewheel mechanism, wherein the freewheel mechanism transfers the torque from the expander to the compressor when a rate of rotation of a driveshaft of the expander is greater than the rate of rotation of the shaft of the compressor, and selectively militates against the expander acting as a restrictor to the shaft of the compressor when a rate of rotation of the driveshaft of the expander is substantially equal to or less than a rate of rotation of the shaft of the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Marc Becker, Remy Fontaine, Thomas W. Tighe
-
Publication number: 20110207022Abstract: A diffusion medium for use in a PEM fuel cell including a porous spacer layer disposed between a plurality of perforated layers having variable size and frequency of perforation patterns, each perforated layer having a microporous layer formed thereon, wherein the diffusion medium is adapted to optimize water management in and performance of the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Christian Wieser, Paul D. Nicotera
-
Patent number: 8003277Abstract: Fuel sources, fuel cells and methods of operating fuel cells are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention features a fuel source for a fuel cell, including a housing made substantially from a fuel-permeable material, and a fuel in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Javit A. Drake, Anna Maria Bofinger, Andrew G. Gilicinski, In Tae Bae
-
Publication number: 20110195344Abstract: A passive water drain for removal of water from a fuel cell system is disclosed, the drain including a main body having a cavity formed therein, an interior element, and a hydrophilic porous media. The passive water drain is adapted to simplify the anode reactant recycler, eliminate the need for bypass valve systems used to remove water from the cathode exhaust, and eliminate the need for condensate draining systems used for compressed air entering the cathode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Steven G. Goebel, William H. Pettit
-
Publication number: 20110195335Abstract: A fuel cell component including a body disposed along a plane and having a boundary past which a reactant and water flows is provided. The boundary has a discontinuous edge adapted to militate against a pinning of the water at the edge. The fuel cell component may be a bipolar plate having a port hole with the discontinuous edge. The fuel cell component may be a subgasket for a fuel cell having a boundary with the discontinuous edge. The discontinuous edge facilitates a transportation of water from an upper surface of the fuel cell component to a lower surface of the fuel cell component.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Steven G. Goebel, Jeffrey A. Rock, Jon P. Owejan
-
Patent number: 7993795Abstract: An electronic device including a fuel container to accumulate fuel inside thereof, a fuel cell device body unit engaged with the fuel container and comprising a power generating cell to generate electricity by using the fuel which is supplied from the fuel container and an electronic device body unit in which the electricity is supplied from the fuel cell device body unit, and the electronic device body unit comprises a case having a concave portion in which the fuel cell device body unit and the fuel container are housed, an opening part which forms an open end of the concave portion, and the fuel cell device body unit and the fuel container are engageable with and separable from each other and detachable from the concave portion in a state where the fuel cell device body unit and the fuel container are engaged to one another and only the fuel container is detachable from the concave portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tetsushi Ishikawa
-
Patent number: 7993796Abstract: A thin wafer comprising through holes filled at least partially with conductive carbon nanotubes generally oriented transversally to the wafer. A fuel cell comprising, in a thin wafer, a through hole filled with an electrolyte surrounded with barriers of carbon nanotubes generally oriented transversally to the wafer.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: STMicroelectronics SAInventors: Mathieu Roy, Fabien Pierre
-
Patent number: 7989119Abstract: A fuel diffusion unit including: a fuel diffusion plate; a diffusion sheet disposed on fuel diffusion plate, to evenly distribute a fuel to the fuel diffusion plate; a primary transportation unit disposed on the diffusion sheet; secondary transportation units connected to the primary transportation unit, to distribute the fuel to the fuel from the primary transportation unit to the diffusion sheet. The diffusion sheet has a wetting direction that allows the fuel to flow in a predetermined direction. The fuel diffusion unit can be included in a fuel supply unit and a fuel cell system.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Samsung SDI., Ltd.Inventors: Jaeyong Lee, Lei Hu, Jin-ho Kim, Kyoung-hwan Choi