Abstract: An electricity generation device includes: a tubular fuel cell having an electrolyte layer sandwiched between inside and outside electrodes to which a fuel gas is supplied, the fuel cell having an interior formed as an inside channel for the fuel gas; a cover pipe arranged around the fuel cell with a gap provided between the outside electrode and the cover pipe; a connecting member connecting the fuel cell and the cover pipe to each other and permitting an outside channel for the fuel gas to be formed around the fuel cell by making use of the gap; and a fuel gas pipe connected to each of opposite ends of the cover pipe and forming a flow path for the fuel gas in cooperation with the cover pipe.

Abstract: An electricity generation device (1) using a fuel cell (2) having a fuel electrode (5) and an air electrode (6) to which a fuel gas and air are supplied, respectively, includes: a fuel gas conduit (3) through which the fuel gas flows; a cover (9) configured to cover an outside of the fuel gas conduit (3) and cooperating with a peripheral wall (8a) of the fuel gas conduit (3) to form an air passage (4) therebetween, the air passage extending along the fuel gas conduit (3); an air inlet hole (10) formed through the cover (9) to allow air to flow into the air passage (4); and an air outlet hole (11) provided downstream of the air electrode exposed to the air passage (4), to cause the fuel gas conduit (3) and the air passage (4) to communicate with each other.

Abstract: A gas diffusion layer (19) contacts the surface of an electrode layer (17) contacting the surface of a solid electrolyte membrane (16), and a gas channel forming member (21) interposed between the gas diffusion layer (19) and a separator (23). The separator (23) and a first tilted plate portion (28a) formed on a linking plate portion (28) of a ring portion (27) of the gas channel forming member (21) form a first tilt angle (?). The gas diffusion layer (19) and a second tilted plate portion (28b) formed on the linking plate portion (28) form a second tilt angle (?). The first tilt angle (?) is set to be smaller than the second tilt angle (?).

Abstract: A fuel supply (1) including a cover (2) having an opening (8) for access to the fuel. The cover (2) includes a shutter (12) or similar element for closing off the opening (8) to increase the operational resistance to the insertion and/or removal of the fuel supply (1). In one embodiment, the cover (1) includes a support (6) with a rotatable cap (4), where the rotation of the cap causes the shutter (12) to open. In another embodiment, the cover includes a base and a slidable cap, where the slidable cap is the shutter. The shutter (12) may be manually actuated, mechanically actuated or electrically actuated. The cover (2) may be biased to the open position or to the closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell module provided with a fuel cell stack and a load-applying mechanism. The load-applying mechanism is provided with: a first clamping part that applies a first camping load, in the direction of stacking, to the gas seal part of the fuel cell stack; a second clamping part that applies to an electrolyte/electrode unit, in the aforementioned direction of stacking, a second clamping load that is lighter than the first clamping load; and a third clamping part that is provided on the first clamping part and, separately from the first clamping part, applies a third clamping load to the gas seal part in the aforementioned direction of stacking.

Abstract: There is provided a flexible circuit board capable of preventing corrosion and elution of a conductor layer constituting a current collector even under high-temperature and high-voltage working conditions while achieving sufficient electric connection with an MEA. A flexible circuit board having a current collector of a fuel cell provided thereon includes an insulating flexible base material 1, a plurality of openings 5 that supply fuel or air, the openings 5 being provided in a specified region so as to penetrate through the flexible base material 1 in a thickness direction, a plating film 6 that constitutes the current collector, the plating film 6 being formed on front and back surfaces of the flexible base material 1 in the specified region and on inner walls of the openings 5, a surface treatment film 9 formed on the plating film 6 and having corrosion resistance higher than that of the plating film.

Abstract: A system and method for supplying hydrogen gas, and a hydrogen fuel cell system are provided to solve inconvenience caused by the requirement for replacing a hydrogen storage container during hydrogen gas supplement. The system for supplying hydrogen gas includes a hydrogen storage unit, a hydrogen conveying unit and a charging device connected to the hydrogen storage unit, where the charging device includes a charging opening matched with a hydrogen gas infusing unit. It may be noted that according to the solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, when hydrogen gas needs to be supplemented, an external infusing device may be used to infuse hydrogen gas to the hydrogen storage container in the hydrogen storage unit through the charging opening, which avoids replacement of the hydrogen storage container during an entire infusing process, and makes an intensive hydrogen gas supplement process more convenient and faster.

Abstract: A piping unit includes a cathode gas supply passage arranged to supply a cathode gas, and a cathode gas discharge passage arranged to discharge a cathode off-gas. The cathode gas supply passage includes a cathode supply valve, upstream cathode gas piping and downstream cathode gas piping. The cathode gas discharge passage includes a cathode exhaust valve, upstream cathode off-gas piping and downstream cathode off-gas piping. The cathode gas supply passage and the cathode gas discharge passage are connected with each other by cathode bypass piping and are integrated with each other by joining the cathode supply valve with the upstream cathode off-gas piping.

Abstract: A liquid tank and a tubular structure for liquid tank capable of suctioning an internal liquid to the last drop even when the tank is tilted to any angle are provided. The tubular structure 40 has a duct line 41 extending from a specific position 41A in the tank body 30 in a direction toward apexes, sides, or faces of the tank body 30. Ends of the duct line 41 are contacted with the apexes, the sides, or the faces of the tank body 30, and have a liquid inlet 41B. Since the inlet 41B is limited to the ends of the duct line 41, flow of the liquid in the tank body 30 has a certain directivity that the liquid enters through only the inlet 41B into the duct line 41, is transported to the specific position 41A, and is suctioned outside. In the tubular structure 40, an inner structure 45 having voids thorough which the liquid passes such as a porous body is provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel gas supply/discharge mechanism, an oxidative gas supply/discharge mechanism, and a coolant circulation mechanism that cools a fuel cell. A motor employed in an air compressor of the fuel gas supply/discharge mechanism includes a generally circular cylindrical rotor. The axial length of the rotor is related to its diameter such that the ratio is approximately equal to a maximum value satisfying a relationship: Ta?Tm, where Ta denotes a permissible torque of the motor, and that Tm denotes a maximum torque for which a request is to be made to the motor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of producing bipolar plates. In one embodiment, is method for producing bipolar plates, the method comprising (a) providing an electrically conductive sheet; and (b) cutting through the sheet to create therein at least one opening for a fluid, where the cut sheet includes a plurality of elongate parallel oxidant flow openings and where at least one oxidant inlet manifold opening and at least one oxidant outlet manifold opening are located at the ends of the elongate oxidant flow openings and in communication therewith.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane and electrode layers arranged on each surface of the electrolyte membrane respectively, and first and second separators that are formed by processing a metal plate and are arranged so as to sandwich the membrane electrode assembly. At a position outside a position facing the membrane electrode assembly, the separators have an opening that constitutes a reaction gas flow path that is roughly perpendicular to a surface direction of the membrane electrode assembly. The first separator has a folded back part that is formed by folding back at least part of the metal plate of the position at which the opening is formed toward the membrane electrode assembly side along a boundary line on the membrane electrode assembly side of the opening as a fold line.

Abstract: A fuel system with a high power generation efficiency in which drive means can be reduced in size. The fuel cell system of the present invention is equipped with a fuel cell (FC) for generating power by circulating a fuel gas and comprises a circulation route (R) for circulating the fuel gas, drive means (PM) provided in the circulation route (R) and serving to circulate the fuel gas, and pressure regulating means (RG) for regulating the pressure of the fuel gas in the circulatory route (R). A drive characteristic of the drive means (PM) is determined based on the generated power required for the fuel cell, and the pressure regulation quantity of the pressure regulating means (RG) is determined to make up the deficiency of the drive quantity based on the determined drive characteristic of the drive means (PM).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell including a reaction gas supply path which makes it difficult to cause water condensation in a region near an end plate. A fuel cell of the present invention comprises a cell stack 2 having a reaction gas passage 13a inside thereof and having on one end surface thereof a reaction gas supply inlet 17 from which a reaction gas is supplied to the reaction gas passage 13a, a joint 5 connecting the reaction gas supply inlet 17 to an external pipe P for supplying the reaction gas, plate-shaped end members 3, 4 which are disposed on one end surface of the cell stack 2 and have through-holes 21, 23 into which the joint 5 is inserted so as not to contact inner wall surfaces thereof, and a closing member 9 for substantially closing a space formed between the joint 5 and the inner wall surfaces of the through-holes 21, 23.

Abstract: A fuel cartridge capable of supplying two fuels to an anode of a fuel cell body without using a pump, a direct methanol fuel cell having the same, and a method of purging a direct methanol fuel cell using the fuel cartridge, fuel cartridge according to one exemplary embodiment comprising a first storage unit having a first port for entrance and exit of a fluid and storing a liquid first fuel; and a second storage unit having a second port for entrance and exit of a fluid and filling a second fuel at a constant pressure, wherein the first fuel is discharged into the first port by the pressure of the second fuel.

Abstract: A process for molding a composite unipolar plate for a fuel cell stack that increases the strength of a header region of the plate. High strength, non-conductive prepeg inserts are positioned within the mold that are shaped to the configuration of the header region, including the openings that define the various inlet and outlet manifolds. A bulk molding compound charge is positioned in the mold and pressed under high heat so that the bulk molding compound disperses in the mold, and covers the prepeg inserts so that the prepeg inserts are cured to the bulk molding compound.

Abstract: A hydrogen fuel cell comprising: an anode; a cathode; an electrolyte; means for supplying a hydrogen-containing fuel to the fuel cell; and means for supplying an oxidant to the fuel cell; wherein the anode and, optionally, the cathode includes a catalyst comprising an alloy of the formula (I): PdxBiyMz (I) wherein: M is one or more metals; x is 0.2 to 0.4; y is 0.6 to 0.8; z is not greater than 0.1; and x+y+z=1; is described. Catalysts and electrodes for hydrogen fuel cells comprising the alloy and electrochemical methods using the alloy catalysts are also described.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell and an ejector. The ejector includes a nozzle portion having openings provided at its distal and proximal ends for injecting drive-stream gas; a diffuser portion provided on a distal end side of the nozzle portion for drawing in auxiliary gas by negative pressure which is generated in the drive-stream gas by injection from the nozzle portion so as to join the auxiliary-stream gas together with the drive-stream and discharge the drive-stream gas and the auxiliary gas; a needle slidably inserted into an interior of the nozzle portion in an axial direction of the nozzle portion for adjusting an opening area of the nozzle portion in accordance with an inserted position thereof; a drive unit for moving the needle axially; and an auxiliary stream gas introducing portion including at least two openings for introducing the auxiliary-stream gas into the diffuser portion therefrom.

Abstract: Power generation efficiency of a microbial power generation device is improved by a simple and inexpensive means. Two plate-shaped cation-exchange membranes 31 are disposed parallel to each other in a tank body 30, whereby a negative electrode chamber 32 is formed between the cation-exchange membranes 31. Two positive electrode chambers 33 are each formed so as to be separated from the negative electrode chamber 32 by the corresponding cation-exchange membrane 31. An oxygen-containing gas is passed through the positive electrode chamber 33, a negative electrode solution L is supplied to the negative electrode chamber, and preferably the negative electrode solution is circulated. An acid gas (carbon dioxide gas) is introduced into the oxygen-containing gas to be supplied to the positive electrode chamber 33. Movement of Na+ and K+ ions is promoted by the pH neutralization effect produced by the acid gas, and thereby power generation efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: A single cell for a solid oxide fuel cell having wave-like architecture and a stack composed of such single cells is described. The cell design provides high durability. The stack design provides uniform distribution of reagents along the surface of the electrodes and between the individual cells. In addition the stack design is non material intensive.

Abstract: A power generator comprises a hydrogen producing fuel, multiple fuel cells arranged in a ring, and a rotatable ring valve. Each fuel cell has a proton exchange membrane and an opening separating the hydrogen producing fuel from ambient. The rotatable ring valve has multiple openings corresponding to the openings of the fuels cells such that ambient water is controllably prevented from entering the fuel cell by rotation of the ring valve.

Abstract: A proton-conducting structure that exhibits favorable proton conductivity in the temperature range of not lower than 100° C., and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. After a pyrophosphate salt containing Sn, Zr, Ti or Si is mixed with phosphoric acid, the mixture is maintained at a temperature of not less than 80° C. and not more than 150° C., and thereafter maintained at a temperature of not less than 200° C. and not more than 400° C. to manufacture a proton-conducting structure. The proton-conducting structure of the present invention has a core made of tin pyrophosphate, and a coating layer formed on the surface of the core, the coating layer containing Sn and O, and having a coordination number of O with respect to Sn of grater than 6.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; a normally-closed first shut-off valve provided upstream from the fuel cell and opening and closing pipes c1 and allowing air supplied from an air pump to pass therethrough; a normally-closed second shut-off valve opening and closing a pipe allowing cathode off-gas, discharged from the fuel cell, to pass therethrough; a valve-driving section for opening and closing discs of the shut-off valves; and valve lock units maintaining discs of the shut-off valves in open state when the cathode is released by opening the first shut-off valve and the second shut-off valve during electro-chemical reaction progressing in the fuel cell. This structure provides a simple and small-size fuel cell system capable of maintaining opening state of shut-off valves stably and reliably.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell or a fuel cell stack, wherein a means for reducing the concentration of unreacted alcohol is disposed on the cathode exhaust gas side. This means comprises in particular an additional electrochemical cell, to which a voltage is applied and which at least partially converts the unreacted alcohol into CO2 and hydrogen or water by way of an electrochemical reduction reaction. Since the concentration of unreacted alcohol is generally low, the loss of power required for the additional reduction reaction does not result in any notable impairment of the efficiency of the fuel cell stack. The invention is thus not limited to direct-methanol fuel cells, but may also be similarly applied to high-temperature fuel cells, and particularly to high-temperature PEM fuel cells, in which the additional electrochemical cell disposed on the cathode exhaust gas side is advantageously able to convert the residual CO.

Abstract: Galvanic electrochemical cells (100, 300, 700, 900) for converting chemical energy into electrical energy, such as batteries, flow cells and fuel cells with a cylindrical rotating filter (120X, 326, 726, 910) having ion-porous (120P, 326P, 726P, 910P) and ion-non-porous filter (120N, 326N, 726N, 910N) for use with both thixotropic and non-conducting electrolytes that generates fluid flows in electrolytes between static cylindrical current collector segments (106, 304X, 306X, 710X, 902X; 108, 314X, 316X, 712X, 906) and the filter (120, 326, 726, 910) are disclosed that generate electric currents varying in amplitude that can be converted into alternating current electricity.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack device that can suppress a damage to fuel cells is provided. A fuel cell stack device includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of columnar fuel cells are arranged upright, and are electrically connected via a current-collecting member interposed between adjacent fuel cells, fuel cells stack-supporting members disposed so as to hold the fuel cell stack via an end current-controlling member from both end sides, and a manifold that fixes lower ends of the fuel cells, and that supplies a reactant gas to the fuel cells. The fuel cell stack-supporting member has a lower end fixed to the manifold and is an elastically deformable member, and is disposed such that a fixed portion thereof fixed to the manifold is at a same or lower level than a fixed portion of the fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell has cell units and a manifold for uniformly supplying an anode fluid to the cell units. The manifold has a fluid supply plate with a flow conduit for feeding an anode fluid, and a plate structure having a flow space and openings arranged in a preselected direction. The flow space receives an anode fluid fed from an opening part of the flow conduit, reduces a flow rate of the anode fluid, and disperses the anode fluid at the reduced flow rate along a plane direction orthogonal to the preselected direction. The block group is arranged between the openings and the opening part so that the flow space is disposed between the block group and the opening part. The block group comprises blocks spaced apart from one another to form paths for dispersing into the openings the anode fluid dispersed by the flow space at the reduced rate.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (10) includes a pressure decrease valve (121) and a flow control valve (122) provided in a hydrogen supply line (120P) that extends from a high pressure gas tank (110) to a fuel cell (100). A low temperature environment may cause the function of these devices to decrease. Therefore, if the gas temperature inside the high pressure gas tank (110) is higher than the temperature of this low temperature environment and is a temperature at which the decreased function can be recovered, high pressure gas inside the tank is made to flow through the hydrogen supply line (120P) to expose the pressure decrease valve (121) and the like to the relatively high temperature gas before a start signal that starts the system is received.

Abstract: A passive fuel cell assembly, in which there is neither air pump, nor fuel pump, is comprised of a plurality of bi-cell units. Each bi-cell unit includes a first cell and a second cell, and each cell includes an electrode of a first polarity and an electrode of a second polarity, with an ion permeable membrane disposed therebetween. The bi-cell unit further includes a fuel container which comprises a housing defining a fuel chamber having a first and second open surface. The first and second cells are disposed on opposite sides so that electrodes of each cell having the first polarity are disposed in fluid contact with the fuel chamber. The assembly further includes an oxidizer supply member disposed between adjacent pairs of bi-cell units. The oxidizer supply member includes an oxidizer chamber having four sides to take in air, and having first and second open surfaces.

Abstract: An example fuel cell device includes an electrode assembly having two gas diffusion layers (GDLs). One GDL is adjacent to the anode electrode and the other GDL is adjacent to the cathode electrode. Seals on the periphery of the GDLs are configured to block reactant gases from direct mixing within the GDLs. Sealing the perimeter of the GDLs blocks liquid-water flow from exiting the gas diffusion layer. The disclosed example provides an opening in the seal near a fluid exit area of the fuel cell that provides a path for communicating water from the active area through a perimeter portion of the GDL. An example method of managing fluid in a fuel cell includes providing an opening in a perimeter seal of a GDL of the fuel cell. The method communicates a fluid through a channel in the plate and moves water through the opening using the fluid.

Abstract: A fuel cell device includes a housing containing a fuel processor that generates fuel gas and a fuel cell having electrodes forming an anode and cathode, and an ion exchange electrolyte positioned between the electrodes. The housing can be formed as first and second cylindrically configured outer shell sections that form a battery cell that is configured similar to a commercially available battery cell. A thermal-capillary pump can be operative with the electrodes and an ion exchange electrolyte, and operatively connected to the fuel processor. The electrodes are configured such that heat generated between the electrodes forces water to any cooler edges of the electrodes and is pumped by capillary action back to the fuel processor to supply water for producing hydrogen gas. The electrodes can be formed on a silicon substrate that includes a flow divider with at least one fuel gas input channel that can be controlled by a MEMS valve.

Abstract: A separator unit inserted into a fuel cell having an electrolyte layer interposed between a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode is provided with a plate like separator that separates fuel gas supplied to the fuel electrode from oxidizing gas supplied to the oxygen electrode, and a mesh like collector having an opening that forms one of a passage through which the fuel gas flows and a passage through which the oxidizing gas flows. The collector is provided to at least one side of the separator base in abutment against one of the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode. The separator base has a coolant passage formed therein, through which a coolant is allowed to flow, and an electrode abutment portion of the collector, which abuts against one of the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode, has an aperture ratio higher than those of other portions of the collector.

Abstract: An electricity generation device (1) using a fuel cell (2) having a fuel electrode (5) and an air electrode (6) to which a fuel gas and air are supplied, respectively, includes: a fuel gas conduit (3) through which the fuel gas flows; a cover (9) configured to cover an outside of the fuel gas conduit (3) and cooperating with a peripheral wall (8a) of the fuel gas conduit (3) to form an air passage (4) therebetween, the air passage extending along the fuel gas conduit (3); an air inlet hole (10) formed through the cover (9) to allow air to flow into the air passage (4); and an air outlet hole (11) provided downstream of the air electrode exposed to the air passage (4), to cause the fuel gas conduit (3) and the air passage (4) to communicate with each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of production of a separator for a solid polymer type fuel cell characterized by shaping a substrate comprised of stainless steel, titanium, or a titanium alloy and then spraying the substrate surface with superhard core particles comprised of conductive compound particles of an average particle size of 0.01 to 20 ?m mixed with a coating material and coated on their surfaces under conditions of a spray pressure of 0.4 MPa or less and a spray amount per cm2 of the substrate of 10 to 100 g in blast treatment. The ratio of the conductive compound to the mass of the core particles is 0.5 to 15 mass %.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a heat management system for a portable electronic device. The system includes at least one fuel cell, at least one electrical power consumer electrically connected to the at least one fuel cell, an endothermic fuel system configured to provide fuel to the at least one fuel cell and at least one thermal transmission path thermally coupling the at least one electrical power consumer and the endothermic fuel system. At least a portion of heat produced by the electrical power consumer is transferred to the endothermic fuel system.

Abstract: A fuel reservoir for dispensing liquid fuel with a dispensing appliance includes a container having an opening, a liquid fuel in the container, a needle-pierceable septum disposed across the opening of the container, and a locking surface disposed on an exterior surface of the container and configured to engage a locking mechanism of a dispensing appliance.

Abstract: A fuel cell system supplies a reacting solution from a liquid storage section to a reaction section to generate a reacting gas. A gas storage section stores the reacting gas and supplies it to a solid polymer membrane fuel cell which generates electricity using the reacting gas as fuel. The reacting solution is supplied from the liquid storage section to the reaction section when the pressure in the liquid storage section is higher than the pressure in the reaction section and the supply of reacting solution is stopped when the pressure in the liquid storage section is lower than the pressure in the reaction section. In this manner, the supply volume of the reacting solution is controlled in accordance with the driving state of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell with a gas chamber, arranged between two plate elements, is provided. One of the plate elements includes bosses for supporting the plate element on the other plate element in a regular grid structure. Between the bosses runs a network of gas channels passing through the gas chamber, the bosses being at most three times longer than wide. The bosses form between themselves first gas channels in a first region of the gas chamber and larger-volume second gas channels in a second region of the gas chamber.

Abstract: A microfluidic system through which a solution of at least an oxidable compound is fed to a feed manifold of an energy converting electrochemical device includes a flow connector. The flow connector includes a silicon platform having a bottom side and an opposing top side, and through holes extending therethough. The silicon platform includes first and second channels defined on the bottom side for communicating with the through holes. The second channel forms an inlet for the feed manifold of the energy converting electrochemical device when the bottom side of the silicon platform is coupled to a flat coupling area of the device. A micropump module is coupled to the top side of the silicon platform for communicating with the through holes in the first and second channels. First and second supply cartridges are coupled to the top side of the silicon platform for communicating with the through holes in the first channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable fuel cell power source including an expandable enclosure, a first reactant contained within the enclosure, one or more fuel cells and a fluid port positioned in the expandable enclosure and adapted to be in fluidic communication with the one or more fuel cells. The enclosure may also include an opening to insert a second reactant. When the first reactant is contacted with the second reactant a fuel is generated for use with one or more of the fuel cells. The volume of the portable fuel cell power source in a collapsed state may be smaller than the volume of the amount of first reactant and second reactant needed to substantially consume the first reactant in a fuel generation reaction.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly having a terminal plate that is isolated from fluid flows passing to the fuel cell stack through manifolds is provided. A corrosion resistant member is positioned between the fuel cell stack and the terminal plate and sealingly engages with the manifold. The sealing engagement between the manifold and the corrosion resistant member prevents fluid flowing through the manifold to the fuel cell stack from contacting the terminal plate. Thus, a fuel cell assembly according to the present invention can be operated while preventing a fluid flow through the manifold from contacting the terminal plate.

Abstract: An ejector comprises a body, a nozzle, a needle, a diffuser which draws in a second fluid using negative pressure caused by ejection of a first fluid from the nozzle and mixes the first and second fluids together, first and second diaphragms which allows the nozzle to shift in an axial direction with respect to the needle, and a first fluid chamber which is supplied with the first fluid. A valve in which a valve body contacts and separates from a valve seat according to the shifting action of the nozzle is formed by providing either the nozzle or the needle with the valve body and providing the other with the valve seat in the first fluid chamber. A back pressure chamber connecting to the first fluid chamber via the valve is provided between a trunk portion of the nozzle and a basal part of the needle.

Abstract: A separator includes a first fuel gas supply unit, a second fuel gas supply unit, first sandwiching sections, second sandwiching sections, a first case unit and a second case unit. The first and second sandwiching sections are connected to the first fuel gas supply unit and the second fuel gas supply unit, respectively, through first bridges. The first case unit and the second case unit are connected to the first sandwiching sections and the second sandwiching sections through second bridges. A first surface pressure F1 generated near a fuel gas supply passage, a second surface pressure F2 generated near an oxygen-containing gas supply passage, and a third surface pressure F3 generated near electrolyte electrode assemblies have different values.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for a fuel cell is described. One embodiment of the fuel supply system includes a fuel supply vessel; a fuel spending line in fluid communication with the fuel supply vessel and the fuel cell; a piezoelectric injector in fluid communication with the fuel spending line; and a pressure sensor connected to the fuel spending line and positioned between the fuel supply vessel and the fuel cell. A method for controlling the pressure to a fuel cell is also described.

Abstract: A fuel cell has: an electrolyte; an anode provided on one side of the electrolyte and having a fuel-gas consuming face at which fuel gas is consumed; a cathode provided on the other side of the electrolyte and having an oxidizing-gas consuming face at which oxidizing gas is consumed; and a fuel-gas passage portion forming a passage through which fuel gas is supplied to predetermined regions of the fuel-gas consuming face of the anode. The fuel cell has an operation mode in which almost the entire amount of the supplied fuel gas is consumed at the fuel-gas consuming face of the anode.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for a mixed reactant fuel cell and a mixed reactant fuel cell system including the same. In one embodiment of the present invention, a membrane-electrode assembly for a mixed reactant fuel cell includes an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, an electrode substrate disposed on at least one of the anode catalyst layer or the cathode catalyst layer, and an oxidant supply path penetrating the polymer electrolyte membrane, the anode catalyst layer, the cathode catalyst layer, and the electrode substrate and adapted to supply an oxidant.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a primary hydrogen source capable of communicating with a fuel cell anode. The system also includes a secondary hydrogen source communicating with the primary hydrogen source. A first valve is positioned downstream of the secondary hydrogen source. The valve allows hydrogen from the secondary source to communicate with hydrogen from the primary source downstream of the valve and upstream of the fuel cell anode.

Abstract: A bipolar fluid flow flied plate for a fuel cell delivers fuel to a porous anode electrode and oxidant to an adjacent porous cathode electrode. The flow field plate comprises an electrically conductive, non-porous sheet into which fluid flow conduits are formed. A first fluid flow channel is patterned into a first face of the sheet and a second fluid flow channel patterned into the opposite face of the sheet. The pattern of the first channel comprises an interdigitated comb that co-operates with a pattern of the second channel comprising a continous serpentine path, so that no portion of the first channel directly overlies the pattern of the second channel over a substantial active area of the sheet. This allows the channels to be formed with combined depths that exceed the total plate thickness, thereby increasing fluid flow volumes.

Abstract: A fuel cell (A1) includes a cell stack (B) and a casing (210) for housing the cell stack (B), and is supplied with two reactant gases flowing separately from each other. The cell stack (B) includes a plurality of solid electrolyte fuel cell units (200) stacked on one another with inter-unit spaces provided therebetween. One of the reactant gases is supplied to the inter-unit spaces and used for power generation. The casing (210) includes a peripheral wall (222) surrounding the cell stack (B). The peripheral wall (222) is provided with at least one gas inlet opening (223) for introducing the one of the reactant gases into the inter-unit spaces and at least one gas outlet opening (224) for discharging the introduced reactant gas, wherein total opening width dimension of the gas inlet opening (223) is greater than total opening width dimension of the gas outlet opening (224).