Having Means For Supplying Reactant Or Electrolyte Patents (Class 429/513)
  • Patent number: 12166248
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween. The cell further includes a sealing surface formed in one of the pair of bipolar plates and a gasket located between the sealing surface and the proton exchange membrane. The gasket is configured to plastically deform to create a seal about one of the cathode compartment or the anode compartment. The sealing surface can include one or more protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Van Boeyen, Edward Domit, Kevin Beverage, Scott Blanchet, John Stang
  • Patent number: 12163240
    Abstract: An electrolysis cell with a cell frame and to a method for producing an electrolysis cell, wherein the cell frame has a stepped inner profile. The inner profile has at least one support surface for receiving a planar component in the cell frame, and the support surface has a recess for a seal. A seal is first placed in the recess, and a membrane-electrode unit, a first gas diffusion layer, and an electrically conductive top layer are then introduced into the cell frame. The cell frame is then rotated, and a second gas diffusion layer is applied. The electrolysis cell produced in this manner includes the cell frame with the seal and the different layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH &Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Plobner, Alexander Spies, Jochen Straub
  • Patent number: 12155095
    Abstract: A plate assembly for an electrochemical system, comprising an end plate, a first separator plate which adjoins the end plate and which has a plate plane, a second separator plate which adjoins the first separator plate, the second separator plate having at least one media-guiding second through-opening, wherein an orthogonal projection of the second through-opening onto the first separator plate perpendicular to the plate plane defines a projection area, wherein the first separator plate has in the region of the projection area no through-opening or a first through-opening, the area of which is less than 20% of the area of the second through-opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: REINZ-DICHTUNGS-GMBH
    Inventor: André Speidel
  • Patent number: 12142801
    Abstract: The invention relates, inter alia, to a purging system, which is provided for purging at least one energy source device and/or at least one energy sink device of an energy system, comprising a purging device, which is provided in such a way that the purging device is able to produce a discharge volumetric flow (42) containing hydrogen during a purging process. The aim of the invention is to further advantageously modify a purging system of the type in question in order to avoid explosion hazards due to hydrogen in the discharge volumetric flow after a purging process, by means of economical measures of simple design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Inventors: Andreas Hierl, Renaldo Schönfeldt, Gunnar Schneider, Jonas Schulte
  • Patent number: 12136722
    Abstract: The battery module of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells and a heat exchange unit configured to cool the plurality of battery cells, and the heat exchange unit includes: a flow frame through which coolant inflows and outflows; and a frame cover which is in contact with the plurality of battery cells, wherein the frame cover is coupled to the flow frame to form a flow space, through which the inflowing and outflowing coolant flows, together with the flow frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: SK ON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hae Ryong Jeon, Sun Mo An, Young Sun Choi
  • Patent number: 12095124
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one hot box including a fuel cell stack and producing an anode exhaust product, at least one hydrogen pump, at least one product conduit fluidly connecting an anode exhaust product outlet of the hot box to an inlet of the at least one hydrogen pump, a compressed hydrogen product conduit connected to a compressed hydrogen product outlet of the at least one hydrogen pump, and at least one effluent conduit connected to an unpumped effluent outlet of the at least one hydrogen pump. Additional embodiments include a fuel cell system in which the anode exhaust product stream is provided to at least one carbon dioxide pump to generate a compressed carbon dioxide product and an unpumped effluent that may be recycled to the at least one hot box of the fuel cell system. In various embodiments, the fuel cell system may use or recapture essentially all of the hydrogen content and nearly all of the carbon content of the input fuel that is provided to the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Weingaertner, Michael Gasda, Martin Perry
  • Patent number: 12074351
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refueling unit for refueling a fuel cell. The refueling unit comprising a fuel cell receiving section and a cartridge receiving section. The refuelling unit is configured to receive through a waste inlet a waste fluid. The refuelling unit further comprises an intermediate fuel reservoir for storing fuel. The refuelling unit is configured to firstly receive in the intermediate fuel reservoir a predetermined amount of fuel from a cartridge and secondly empty the intermediate fuel reservoir and guide said fuel stored therein into the fuel reservoir of a fuel cell connected to the fuel cell receiving section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: WIDEX A/S
    Inventors: Michael Frydendal Larssen, Per Kokholm Sorensen, Thorvaldur Oli Bodvarsson, Boris Valnert
  • Patent number: 12062823
    Abstract: A method and a system for diagnosing a failure of a temperature sensor for a fuel cell are provided. The method includes calculating a heating value that is generated at a fuel cell stack during a predetermined diagnosis time and then calculating a temperature variation of the fuel cell stack from the calculated heating value. A failure of a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the fuel cell stack is then detected based on the calculated temperature variation of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kyung Won Suh, Jae Yeong Yoo, Seong Cheol Jeong
  • Patent number: 12049799
    Abstract: Subsea acoustic insulation is used to mitigate noise associated with any one or a combination of a deep-water production tree, a deep-water manifold or structure, subsea pumping equipment, or subsea compression equipment. A subsea oil and gas facility includes subsea equipment having one or more devices that generate noise during operation, and subsea acoustic insulation surrounds at least a portion of the subsea equipment and is configured to attenuate the generated noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Batho, Grant A. Fraser
  • Patent number: 12051830
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell component including a bulk portion and a surface portion comprising a chromium getter multi-elemental oxide material having a formula (I): AxByOz (I), where A is Ba, Ca, Cr, Mg, or Sr, B is Al, Bi, C, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ti, Y, or Zn, x is a number selected from 1 to 8, y is a number selected from 1 to 64, and z is a number selected from 1 to 103, the multi-elemental oxide being configured to prevent chromium poisoning of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Soo Kim, Tilman Miehle, Andrea Di Benedetto, Karl-Otto Englert, Mordechai Kornbluth, Jonathan Mailoa, Charles Tuffile
  • Patent number: 12040519
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a stack which comprises a plurality of cells, each cell comprising a plurality of fluid flow openings aligned in parallel to form a plurality of fluid flow lines in the stack, two end plates placed at the ends of the stack and at least one traction member connecting the end plates to each other in order to compress the stack, the traction member being mounted in a fluid flow line of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN POWER UNITS
    Inventors: Romain Quinton, Jean-Baptiste Jollys, Théophile Horde
  • Patent number: 12027737
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include fuel cells incorporating sheets and/or powders of silica fibers and methods for producing such devices. The silica fibers may be formed via electrospinning of a sol gel produced with a silicon alkoxide reagent, such as tetraethyl ortho silicate, alcohol solvent, and an acid catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: American Nano LLC
    Inventors: Mitch Dellinger, Surya Raj Banks
  • Patent number: 11996590
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hybrid gas diffusion layers for electrochemical cells, in particular for membrane electrode units in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and a method for manufacturing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Michael Ketzer, Klaus Friedrich Gleich
  • Patent number: 11952141
    Abstract: A fuel cell power pack for a drone and a state information monitoring method thereof are provided. The fuel cell power pack for a drone may include a power pack main body coupled to the drone, a fuel cell stack module disposed in the power pack main body to receive fuel and air to supply a power to the drone, a state information detector configured to detect state information of the fuel cell stack module, a power pack communicator configured to transmit information to an outside of the power pack main body or receive the information from the outside thereof by wire or wirelessly, and a power pack controller configured to control the power pack communicator to transmit the state information of the fuel cell stack module detected by the state information detector to the outside of the power pack main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventors: Soon Suk Roh, Yong Shik Chong
  • Patent number: 11955672
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a hydrogen fuel cell anode control system including a hydrogen inlet configured to receive pressurized hydrogen, a hydrogen outlet configured to be fluidically coupled to an anode manifold of a hydrogen fuel cell, a recirculation inlet configured to receive overflow hydrogen from the anode manifold, a hydrogen pressure regulator configured to receive pressurized hydrogen from the hydrogen inlet, a hydrogen recirculation module configured to mix hydrogen received from the hydrogen pressure regulator and the recirculation inlet, and provide a hydrogen mixture to the hydrogen outlet, a differential pressure measurement module configured to measure a differential pressure between the anode manifold and a cathode manifold of the hydrogen fuel cell, and a controller configured to control at least one of the hydrogen pressure regulator or the hydrogen recirculation module based on the measured differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Han, Nolan Polley, Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
  • Patent number: 11921538
    Abstract: A method includes operating at least two inverters connected to a direct current network. Each inverter includes a control unit connected to a common communication bus and in each case at least one switching element, which is controlled by the control unit of the inverter with a clock signal. The common communication bus is connected to at least one further control unit, which in each case sends a message of a message type via the communication bus at different points of times. The reception of one of the messages of the message type in the control units of the inverters triggers a synchronization of their clock signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Maximilian Schiedermeier
  • Patent number: 11916269
    Abstract: A charging system may include a plurality of fuel cell stacks configured to receive hydrogen from a hydrogen supply unit and generate power, a plurality of charging dispensers configured to be electrically connected to a load device and configured to provide power upon connected to the load device, and a controller configured to distribute and supply the power generated by the plurality of fuel cell stacks to a charging dispenser to which the load device is connected, to compare a total available power amount of the plurality of fuel cell stacks with a total power demand amount of the charging dispenser to which the load device is connected, and to control a power generation amount of each of the plurality of fuel cell stacks according to a result of the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Deuk Keun Ahn, Jae Min Son
  • Patent number: 11909080
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a gas supply unit, an electric power storage device, a remaining capacity monitor, and a control unit. The control unit determines whether the temperature conditions are met, wherein the low temperature conditions include temperature related to a state of the fuel cell being equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value set, when the control unit determines that the low temperature conditions are met, the control unit executes the purging process so as to discharge more of moisture stored in the fuel cell to an outside of the fuel cell, as compared with when the control unit determines that the low temperature conditions are not met, and the control unit executes the charging process with target remaining capacity of the electric power storage device set to a smaller value, as compared with when the control unit determines that the low temperature conditions are not met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoya Ogawa, Junichi Matsuo, Tatsuya Fukami
  • Patent number: 11909052
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for forming a multilayer assembly. The method includes adhering first and second catalyst layers to opposed sides of a polymer membrane. At least one of the first catalyst layer, the second catalyst layer, and the polymer membrane is formed by filament extension atomization of a fluid material to form atomized droplets that are sprayed to form the respective membrane or layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Elif Karatay, Kathryn F. Murphy
  • Patent number: 11901592
    Abstract: The invention provides an SOFC cooling system. For the feature that not all components work in the full operation process of an SOFC, a DC step-down transformer DCDC, a fan and a condenser are connected in parallel, and a solenoid valve is installed in each parallel pipeline for controlling on/off of each pipeline according to a corresponding signal. Compared with the traditional SOFC cooling system, the constant-flow serial cooling system will reduce pressure losses and the power of a water pump; a solenoid valve is installed in each parallel pipeline for controlling on/off of each branch according to a corresponding signal; considering the cooling requirements of SOFC during start-up, power generation and shutdown, all components are cooled in parallel through reasonable design of each parallel pipeline, consequently to improve the cooling effect and reduce the energy consumption; the invention also discloses a fuel cell and hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ceres Intellectual Property Company Limited
    Inventors: Longkai Jiang, Youpeng Chen, Weilong Song, Yaxin Du, Meng Cao
  • Patent number: 11901596
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to portable energy generation devices and methods. The devices are designed to covert formic acid into released hydrogen, alleviating the need for a hydrogen tank as a hydrogen source for fuel cell power. In particular, an electricity generation device for powering a battery comprising a formic acid reservoir containing a liquid consisting of formic acid; a reaction chamber capable of using a catalyst and heat to convert the formic acid to hydrogen and carbon dioxide; a fuel cell that generates electricity; a delivery system for moving converted hydrogen into the fuel cell; and a battery powered by electricity generated by the fuel cell is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kuo-Wei Huang, Junrong Zheng
  • Patent number: 11888195
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell power generation system that can attain a higher fuel utilization rate and can also attain higher power generation efficiency simultaneously. The fuel cell power generation system includes an oxide-ion-conducting first fuel cell 11 that performs reformation of a fuel containing hydrocarbon and power generation and a proton-conducting second fuel cell 12 that performs power generation by being supplied with hydrogen from the first fuel cell 11. The fuel utilization rate of the first fuel cell 11 can be set to 30% or lower, for example, and the fuel utilization rate of the second fuel cell 12 can be set to 70% or higher, for example. By adopting such a multi-stage configuration, it is possible to increase the power generation efficiency as a whole and to also attain a high fuel utilization rate simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuzo Shirakawa, Takao Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11888196
    Abstract: Self-refueling power-generating systems and methods of configuring them are provided, which enable operation in a self-sustained manner, using no external resource for water, oxygen or hydrogen. The systems and methods determine the operation of reversible device(s) in fuel cell or electrolyzer mode according to power requirements and power availability, supply oxygen in a closed circuit, compressing received oxygen in the electrolyzer mode, and supplying water or dilute electrolyte in a closed circuit in conjunction with the closed oxygen supply circuit by separating oxygen produced by the reversible device(s) in the electrolyzer mode from the water or dilute electrolyte received from the reversible device(s). Membrane assemblies may comprise a binder and be hot-pressed to enhance their long-term performance and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: HYDROLITE LTD
    Inventors: Miles Page, Ervin Tal-Gutelmacher
  • Patent number: 11879180
    Abstract: An expanded ion-exchange membrane electrolysis cell comprises an anode plate, a cathode plate, at least one bipolar electrode plate, a first ion-exchange membrane plate, a second ion-exchange membrane plate, a plurality of hydrogen chambers and a plurality of oxygen chambers. Wherein, a hydrogen outlet channel, an oxygen outlet channel and a water inlet channel are formed in the expanded ion-exchange membrane electrolysis cell. The hydrogen outlet channel is coupled to each of the plurality of hydrogen chambers, and the oxygen outlet channel and the water inlet channel are coupled to each of the plurality of oxygen chambers to provide the expanded ion-exchange membrane electrolysis cell capable of diverting gas and liquid after electrolyzing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Shanghai Asclepius Meditec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Yung Lin
  • Patent number: 11847577
    Abstract: A system includes a machine-learning device configured to receive data associated with an aircraft. The data includes a flying time associated with one or more flight phases of travel to a destination airport, temperature data associated with one or more of the flight phases, and a number of occupants on board the aircraft. The machine-learning device is configured to process the data to generate prediction data regarding usage of an auxiliary power unit of the aircraft and to generate a message based on the prediction data. The message indicates at least one of an estimated number of on/off events of the auxiliary power unit or an estimated duration of use of the auxiliary power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Omid B. Nakhjavani
  • Patent number: 11841008
    Abstract: An actuator that includes a shell, a ring structure within the shell, a shape-memory material wire fixed at opposite points of the ring structure to extend in a first direction across a width of the ring structure, and a cooling fluid provided within the shell and in fluid communication with the shape-memory material wire. When the shape-memory material wire is heated, the shape-memory material wire contracts in the first direction to reduce the width of the ring structure and increases a height of the ring structure extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shardul S. Panwar, Michael P. Rowe, Maduran Palaniswamy, Ryohei Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 11837762
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system configured to accurately control the gas flow rate and pressure ratio of a turbo-type air compressor. The fuel cell system is a fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell, an air compressor, an oxidant gas supply flow path, an oxidant gas discharge flow path, an oxidant gas outlet valve, a bypass flow path, a bypass valve, an atmospheric pressure sensor, an outside temperature sensor, a flow rate sensor, a rotational frequency sensor, an angle sensor, a controller, and a calculator configured to estimate the flow resistance Zd, total pressure, partial pressure and energy of each of members that are the air compressor, the oxidant gas outlet valve and the bypass valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeki Hasegawa, Motoyuki Kimata, Nobukazu Mizuno
  • Patent number: 11837757
    Abstract: A chemical reactor includes one or more solid oxide fuel cells, each cell having an electrolyte layer joining a cathode and an anode, the one or more fuel cell cathodes being located in a first gas zone of the reactor, and the one or more fuel cell anodes being located in a second gas zone of the reactor. The chemical reactor further includes a first gas supply route for supplying a flow of oxidant to the first gas zone. The chemical reactor further includes a second gas supply route for supplying a flow of reactant to the second gas zone. The chemical reactor further includes a gas removal route for removing a flow of reaction products away from the second gas zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: OMNAGEN LIMITED
    Inventor: Kenneth Omersa
  • Patent number: 11831046
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method for fuel supply control for a fuel cell. The system includes a fuel supply line, a fuel supply valve, a base duty calculator configured to estimate a required supply amount of a fuel gas required for the fuel supply line on the basis of a power generation state of the fuel cell and to calculate a base duty instruction to open the fuel supply valve on the basis of the estimated required supply amount, and a valve controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jae Won Jung, Sang Wook Han
  • Patent number: 11824240
    Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for capturing, refining and storing byproduct hydrogen generated by a seawater electrolyzer, using the byproduct hydrogen in an energy system, and producing high-purity magnesium oxide from alkali byproducts additionally produced after seawater electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: KWATERCRAFT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Soon Pyo Kwon
  • Patent number: 11807126
    Abstract: A server manages demand and supply of electric power between a power network and at least one vehicle which is electrically connected to the power network and available as a power adjustment resource of the power network. The at least one vehicle includes a FCEV. The server includes: an acquisition unit that obtains an operation plan of the FCEV and information on a remaining hydrogen level that is available for the FCEV; and a determination unit that determines whether the FCEV is available for a DR request, based on the operation plan and the remaining hydrogen level information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Orihashi, Shigeki Kinomura, Tamaki Ozawa, Chiaki Kanda
  • Patent number: 11799115
    Abstract: A non-catalytic microcombustion based FFC for the direct use of hydrocarbons for power generation. The potential for high FFC performance (450 mW·cm?2 power density and 50% fuel utilization) in propane/air microcombustion exhaust was demonstrated. The micro flow reactor was used as a fuel reformer for equivalence ratios from 1-5.5. Soot formation in the micro flow reactor was not observed at equivalence ratios from 1 to 5.5 and maximum wall temperatures ranging from 750 to 900° C. H2 and CO concentrations in the exhaust were found to have a strong temperature dependence that varies with the maximum wall temperature and the local flame temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Syracuse University
    Inventors: Ryan Milcarek, Jeongmin Ahn
  • Patent number: 11787549
    Abstract: A hybrid power system for an unmanned aerial system (UAS) having a liquid fuel engine and a solid oxide fuel cell coupled to the exhaust of the engine for generating electricity that is used by the electric motors of the UAS to create lift and control flight. A conventional remote control (r/c) liquid fuel engine may be used generate exhaust gases including hydrogen and carbon monoxide that are used by a SOFC coupled to the exhaust of the r/c engine to generate electricity. The electric motors of the UAS may thus be powered by the electricity generated by the SOFC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jeongmin Ahn, Thomas Welles
  • Patent number: 11781229
    Abstract: Described are methods and systems for producing hydrogen using closed-loop geothermal technology from geothermal, oil and gas or other resources. Various configurations and types of closed-loop systems are described which enable the capture, transfer and use of heat from the resource and from chemical reactions from the processes and methods employed and to also create high down bore pressure, in each case to enhance the technical and commercial efficiency of various hydrogen production methods. As hydrogen is created at high pressures and purities which are necessary for delivery and commercial use of hydrogen, the need for additional compression and purification activities is minimized. Various of the methods and systems described can make hydrogen produced from fossil fuel inputs less carbon intensive and make renewable fuel inputs produce hydrogen entirely without carbon outputs, thereby contributing substantially to the reduction of greenhouse gasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GreenFire Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Alvaro J. Amaya, Joseph A. Scherer
  • Patent number: 11772979
    Abstract: Catalysts for NH3 cracking and/or synthesis generally include barium calcium aluminum oxide compounds decorated with ruthenium, cobalt, or both. These catalysts can be bonded to a metal structure, which improves thermal conductivity and gas conductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: Starfire Energy, Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Chris Cadigan, Ryan O′Hayre, Joseph D. Beach, Adam W. Welch, Jonathan D. Kintner
  • Patent number: 11777114
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a series of cascaded cell stacks comprising at least one humidifier-degasser coupled to the cell stacks proximate a stack inlet; the at least one humidifier-degasser comprising at least one degasification section fluidly coupled upstream of at least one humidifier section; and at least one inert concentrator cell coupled downstream from the cell stacks proximate a stack vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: INFINITY FUEL CELL AND HYDROGEN, INC.
    Inventors: Jay LaGrange, John Fayer, James McElroy, William F. Smith
  • Patent number: 11772480
    Abstract: A transaxle-integrated cooling circulation system includes a drive motor, an inverter disposed on one surface of the drive motor and electrically connected with the drive motor, a speed reducer including a drive shaft connected with a rotary shaft of the drive motor and a driven shaft having a different RPM from the drive shaft, a first circulation channel extending to allow a lubricating fluid in the speed reducer to make contact with the drive motor, a second circulation channel that is connected with the first circulation channel and that passes through a contact surface between the drive motor and the inverter, and a third circulation channel that is connected with the second circulation channel and that introduces the lubricating fluid into the speed reducer again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: DRIVETECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yun Yong Choi
  • Patent number: 11769892
    Abstract: A fuel cell system mounted on a vehicle includes: a fuel cell stack; a refrigerant circulation passage connected to the fuel cell stack; a refrigerant circulation pump arranged in the refrigerant circulation passage and configured to circulate a refrigerant; and a controller configured to control a power generation amount of the fuel cell stack according to a request driving force of the vehicle and control the refrigerant circulation pump. The controller is configured to set a rotational speed of the refrigerant circulation pump within a range equal to or lower than a rotational speed upper limit based on a temperature of the fuel cell stack, and the controller sets the rotational speed upper limit lower at a time a vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a stop determination value as compared with a time the vehicle speed is higher than the stop determination value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daiki Nagata, Akiji Ando
  • Patent number: 11757109
    Abstract: The invention provides a hybrid power system, which integrates an internal combustion engine with a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack and provides power for the vehicle through the internal combustion engine at first in the preheating stage of the SOFC stack, thereby solving the problem that an SOFC stack is unable to provide power for the vehicle in the preheating stage. At the same time, the internal combustion engine burns fuel gas, outputs high temperature exhaust gas, heats the heat exchanger with the high temperature exhaust gas, then discharges the exhaust gas from an exhaust turbine and inhales air from the outside of the system. The air first passes through an air preheater, then passes through a heat exchanger and then enters the inside of the SOFC stack, preheats the air preheater through an air pipeline and then is discharged. After multiple cycles, the preheating of the SOFC stack is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventors: Youpeng Chen, Chao Yu
  • Patent number: 11757117
    Abstract: A system includes a fuel cell engine, a plurality of switching devices, and a controller. The fuel cell engine includes a plurality of fuel cell modules connected in series as a fuel cell string, and then a plurality of these strings connected in parallel. The switching device(s) are electrically coupled to bypass when required each module(s) and or disconnect each string(s). The decision whether a module(s) and/or string(s) are bypassed, disconnected, or left to operate is based on a sensory feedback that is input into the finite state machine and fault management process that are embedded within the fuel cell controller. The bypassing scheme at the module level is handled in a manner such that the remaining modules within a series string can provide continuous, uninterrupted flow of current to the end application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nader Zaag, Paolo Forte, Dennis Böhm, John Yui Ki Poon
  • Patent number: 11749814
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween. The cell further includes a sealing surface formed in one of the pair of bipolar plates and a gasket located between the sealing surface and the proton exchange membrane. The gasket is configured to plastically deform to create a seal about one of the cathode compartment or the anode compartment. The sealing surface can include one or more protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Van Boeyen, Edward Domit, Kevin Beverage, Scott Blanchet, John Stang
  • Patent number: 11742510
    Abstract: A cell stack device may include a cell stack comprising a plurality of cells, a manifold configured to supply a reaction gas to the plurality of cells, and a reaction gas supply pipe connected to the manifold. The manifold may include an insertion portion configured to connect the reaction gas supply pipe to the manifold and a first joining portion configured to join the insertion portion and the reaction gas supply pipe. A module may include the cell stack device contained in a housing container. A module housing device may include the module, an auxiliary device configured to operate the module, and an external casing configured to contain the module and the auxiliary device therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunari Sugihara, Makoto Koi
  • Patent number: 11731524
    Abstract: A system for matching a plurality of electrically powered vehicles to a plurality of available mobile chargers includes a computerized server device programmed to monitor optimization inputs related to the plurality of available mobile chargers, monitor optimization inputs related to the plurality of electrically powered vehicles operated by a plurality of customers, determine a lowest-cost-based ranked listing of matched charger and vehicle pairings for each of the plurality of customers based upon the optimization inputs related to the plurality of available chargers and the optimization inputs related to the plurality of the electrically powered vehicles, present the ranked listing of matched charger and vehicle pairings to each of the customers, monitor selection by each of the plurality of customers of a desired charger for the customer from the ranked listing, and direct each of the plurality of customers to the desired charger for the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan B. Martin, Matthew C. Kirklin, Charles E. Freese, V, Margarita M. Mann, William H. Pettit
  • Patent number: 11735752
    Abstract: In a fuel cell system, a first rubber seal is interposed between a top part of a first seal bead portion that is formed to protrude toward a first separator main body, and a membrane electrode assembly member. A method of low temperature starting of the fuel cell system includes: a warm-up step of warming up a fuel cell stack by introducing an oxygen containing gas discharged from a compressor, into a case interior space in a state in which a temperature of the oxygen containing gas is raised by causing the oxygen containing gas to flow through a pressure loss member; and an electrical power generating step of initiating generation of electrical power after completion of the warm-up step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Miyajima, Naoki Imai
  • Patent number: 11724706
    Abstract: Methods and systems may provide for technology to predict a future increase in power demand on a fuel cell based on route data associated with a vehicle powered by the fuel cell and reduce an operating temperature of the fuel cell prior to the future increase in power demand. The technology may also provide supplemental power from a battery to the vehicle while the operating temperature of the fuel cell is being reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Jared Farnsworth
  • Patent number: 11718196
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of retrieving a first amount of energy, by an originating transport, of a minimum amount of energy on a target transport, based on an expended energy by the originating transport to reach a meeting location, provide a needed service, and an estimated expended energy by the originating transport to return to an original location, and retrieving a second amount of energy, by the originating transport, of the minimum amount of energy on the target transport, based on a factor related to providing the service, wherein the factor is greater than the expended energy and the estimated expended energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Norman Lu
  • Patent number: 11702755
    Abstract: In this disclosure, a process of recycling acid, base and the salt reagents required in the Li recovery process is introduced. A membrane electrolysis cell which incorporates an oxygen depolarized cathode is implemented to generate the required chemicals onsite. The system can utilize a portion of the salar brine or other lithium-containing brine or solid waste to generate hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide and carbonate salts. Simultaneous generation of acid and base allows for taking advantage of both chemicals during the conventional Li recovery from brines and mineral rocks. The desalinated water can also be used for the washing steps on the recovery process or returned into the evaporation ponds. The method also can be used for the direct conversion of lithium salts to the high value LiOH product. The method does not produce any solid effluent which makes it easy-to-adopt for use in existing industrial Li recovery plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: MANGROVE WATER TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Saad Dara, Beniamin Zahiri
  • Patent number: 11706845
    Abstract: Provided is an end cell heater for a fuel cell capable of preventing water existing in reaction cells of a fuel cell stack from being frozen to improve initial start ability and initial driving performance of the fuel cell at the time of cold-starting the fuel cell during winter by disposing heaters on end cells disposed at both ends of the fuel cell stack and capable of securing air-tightness and pressure resistance properties of air passages and fuel passages formed in the end cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hanon Systems
    Inventors: Kil Sang Jang, Ju Han Kim
  • Patent number: 11695137
    Abstract: When a time point of occurrence of a stop state of a fuel cell system is predicted during traveling, a drying state control that causes a fuel cell stack to transition to a dry state is started a predetermined time (a required drying time) before the predicted time point of occurrence of the stop state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 11688874
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for manufacturing a bipolar plate for a redox flow battery. In one example, the bipolar plate is fabricated by a roll-to-roll process. The bipolar plate includes a non-conductive substrate that is coupled to a negative electrode on a first surface and coupled to a positive electrode on a second surface, the first surface opposite of the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ESS TECH, INC.
    Inventor: Craig E. Evans