Having Means For Storing Reactant (e.g., Tank, Reservoir, Etc.) Patents (Class 429/515)
  • Patent number: 12253215
    Abstract: A gas container includes a tubular container main body formed by a plurality of pieces which include a first dome piece and a second dome piece and are disposed separately in an axial direction, the tubular container main body having an internal space configured to store a gas, a first mouthpiece attached to the first dome piece, a second mouthpiece attached to the second dome piece, a storage member configured to store and release a gas, and a tubular accommodation member disposed in the internal space and having an accommodation space accommodating the storage member. A method for assembling a gas container includes a first step of assembling and fixing the accommodation member to the first mouthpiece attached to the first dome piece, and temporarily assembling the accommodation member to the second mouthpiece attached to the second dome piece, and a second step of connecting the pieces to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuhiro Kumagai, Masahide Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 12136753
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell temperature management device and a fuel cell system using the same, the device including a temperature control valve that sets, to a first path or a second path, a circulation path of a cooling water passing through a fuel cell stack, and a controller that controls the temperature control valve based on a temperature of the cooling water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Se Hoon Song
  • Patent number: 12103408
    Abstract: An energy-independent water electrolysis fuel cell water vehicle system is suggested. The energy-independent water electrolysis fuel cell water vehicle system suggested in the present invention comprises: a water electrolysis processing unit for performing a water electrolysis process by using supplied water while power is not being received from the outside; a gas control unit for adjusting the pressure of a hydrogen gas produced through the water electrolysis process, storing the hydrogen gas in a hydrogen storage by using a gas compression method, and then supplying the hydrogen gas; a fuel cell for generating electrical energy on the basis of the supplied hydrogen gas; and a power control unit for supplying the generated electrical energy as a driving power for the energy-independent water electrolysis fuel cell water vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: KWATERCRAFT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Jin Kwon, Nam Ju Cho
  • Patent number: 12074346
    Abstract: A method and system provide a fitting system for a flexible fuel cell of an aircraft. The fitting system may include a flexible fuel cell and a fitting. The fitting may have a peripheral flange with a series of slots spaced about the flange. A series of fabric strips may be threaded into the slots of the fitting and one or more adhesives may couple the fabric strips to the fuel cell. The fabric strips may extend out around the periphery of the fitting to provide a uniform contact surface area with the fuel cell. The fabric strips may be separated by fuel cell material. The fabric strips may be made from one or more materials for enclosing or holding fuel. The fitting may further include threaded holes wherein the threaded holes may receive fasteners to couple the fitting to the fuel equipment of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERTSON FUEL SYSTEMS, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew Whipple
  • Patent number: 11990751
    Abstract: A power splitting device, including a main body, a power inlet disposed on the main body to connect the main body to a power outlet, a dryer outlet disposed on at least a portion of the main body to receive a connection from a dryer therein and provide power received from the power inlet to the dryer, an electric vehicle outlet disposed on the main body to receive a connection from an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) therein and provide power received from the power inlet to the EVSE, such that the power output of the EV outlet is greater than the dryer outlet, a stepped battery disposed within the main body to send power to the EV outlet, and a control unit disposed within the main body to monitor power output from the dryer outlet or the EV outlet, and adjust the power output based on a setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Inventor: Matthew Zwilling
  • Patent number: 11987150
    Abstract: An apparatus for managing power of a fuel cell is provided. The apparatus includes a power conversion device that converts a high voltage into a low voltage and supplies the converted low voltage to a low voltage battery, a cooling device that flows coolant to cool the power conversion device, and a controller that controls driving of the power conversion device and the cooling device based on the remaining state of charge (SOC) of the low voltage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Hee Lee, Hyo Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 11876271
    Abstract: In a preparation process of a method for manufacturing a power generating cell stack, a stacking table provided with a vibratable stack guide portion projecting upward and a stack unit provided with a positioning portion guided by the stack guide portion are prepared. In the placing step, the stack unit is stacked on the stacking table by dropping the stack unit toward the stacking table while the positioning portion is stacked along the stack guide portion which is vibrated in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensuke Namba, Ryo Takano, Yosuke Konno
  • Patent number: 11799105
    Abstract: Techniques of deploying fuel cells in a facility are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a location of the receptacle at the facility that the fuel cell is connected upon detecting the fuel connector of the second side of the carrier being coupled to a fuel port at a receptacle at the facility. The method can then include generating and storing, in a database, a fuel cell record indicating that the fuel cell is physically connected to the receptacle at the identified location in the facility and instructing a control device in the facility corresponding to the identified location to provide fuel to the fuel cell via the fuel port, the fuel connector, the connection between the first side and the second side of the carrier, and the fuel inlet of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Keehn, Eric Clarence Peterson, Sean Michael James
  • Patent number: 11634825
    Abstract: An alkaline water electrolysis system includes: a plurality of reaction chambers, each including a main electrode and an auxiliary electrode; a piston provided in each reaction chamber to change a volume of the reaction chamber through reciprocating motion; a drive motor; a connecting rod and a crankshaft installed to change rotational motion of the drive motor into reciprocating linear motion of the piston; a plurality of gas valves installed on an upper side of the reaction chamber to discharge hydrogen and oxygen generated in the reaction chamber through different paths, respectively; a pressure sensor installed in the reaction chamber; a controller configured to open and close the gas valves in response to a signal received from the pressure sensor; and an electrolyte supply apparatus provided to supply an electrolyte to the reaction chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hoon Choi
  • Patent number: 11581550
    Abstract: A method and system provide a fitting system for a flexible fuel cell of an aircraft. The fitting system may include a flexible fuel cell and a fitting. The fitting may have a peripheral flange with a series of slots spaced about the flange. A series of fabric strips may be threaded into the slots of the fitting and one or more adhesives may couple the fabric strips to the fuel cell. The fabric strips may extend out around the periphery of the fitting to provide a uniform contact surface area with the fuel cell. The fabric strips may be separated by fuel cell material. The fabric strips may be made from one or more materials for enclosing or holding fuel. The fitting may further include threaded holes wherein the threaded holes may receive fasteners to couple the fitting to the fuel equipment of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: ROBERTSON FUEL SYSTEMS, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew Whipple
  • Patent number: 11499488
    Abstract: A supercharging system to be mounted in a vehicle including an engine, a driving operator, and an electric power storage unit includes an exhaust turbine, an intake compressor, an electric power converter, and a controller. The exhaust turbine generates electric power. The intake compressor feeds compressed intake air to the engine. The electric power converter supplies electric power from the electric power storage unit and recovers electric power to the electric power storage unit via an electric power path between the exhaust turbine and the intake compressor. The controller acquires a target value of compression power of the intake compressor, based on an operation of the driving operator and an operating state of the engine, and controls the electric power converter such that electric power corresponding to a difference between the acquired target value and the generated electric power is supplied from or recovered to the electric power storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki Morika
  • Patent number: 11208062
    Abstract: Methods for extending a range of a vehicle are disclosed and include receiving a first data, the first data being indicative of a distance of the vehicle from a target destination, receiving a second data, the second data being indicative of a level of potential energy of an energy source for a power plant of the vehicle, receiving an operating parameter indicative of estimated future energy usage of the power plant, estimating, by a processor, an expected range of the vehicle based on the second data and the estimated future energy usage of the power plant, and adjusting a performance parameter of the power plant to extend an actual range of the vehicle when the estimated expected range is less than the distance of the vehicle from the target destination are disclosed. Systems for extending the range of the vehicle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignees: CUMMINS INC., AGILITY FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory A. Weber, Eric Coupal-Sikes, Todd F. Sloan, Morgan M. Andreae, Jean-Patrick V. Rich
  • Patent number: 10850980
    Abstract: A system for producing gaseous hydrogen, includes an enclosure formed by a side wall, a front end wall, and a rear end wall, the enclosure containing unit charge(s) of a material for generating gaseous hydrogen when heated, wherein each unit charge includes a cylindrical body including a closed rear end wall and a front end wall having an opening, at least one block of material for generating gaseous hydrogen, each block presenting an annular shape defining a central channel leading to the opening in the front end wall of the body and an initiator present in the vicinity of the rear end wall of the body; the opening facing the front end wall of the enclosure so that the hot gas coming from the block of material for generating gaseous hydrogen when heated is directed directly against the inside surface of the front end wall of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: ARIANEGROUP SAS
    Inventors: Arnaud Fournet, Jean-Jacques Fournier
  • Patent number: 10511039
    Abstract: A solid-state hydrogen storage device and a solid-state hydrogen storage system are provided. The solid-state hydrogen storage device includes a storage unit that stores a first hydrogen storage material therein and a heat medium pipe that is disposed in the storage unit including a heat medium and a second hydrogen storage material. The heat medium pipe includes a separating pipe disposed therein to separate the heat medium and the second hydrogen storage material from each other, and the second hydrogen storage material is disposed in the separating pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sangbaek Park, Dong Hoon Nam
  • Patent number: 10059225
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a lid, a switch, a sensor, and circuitry. The lid opens and closes a fuel inlet through which fuel gas is to be supplied to a tank. The switch takes an opening position to open the lid and a closing position to close the lid. The sensor detects whether the lid opens or closes the fuel inlet. The circuitry is configured to prohibit the fuel cell vehicle from travelling when the sensor detects that the lid opens the fuel inlet while the switch takes the opening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuto Nakagawa, Tomoaki Nakagawa, Kenji Taruya, Kuniaki Ojima
  • Patent number: 9947481
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an electrochemical device having a liquid lubricant impregnated surface. At least a portion of the interior surface of the electrochemical device includes a portion that includes a plurality of solid features disposed therein. The plurality of solid features define a plurality of regions therebetween. A lubricant is disposed in the plurality of regions which retain the liquid lubricant in the plurality of regions during operation of the device. An electroactive phase comes in contact with at least the portion of the interior surface. The liquid lubricant impregnated surface introduces a slip at the surface when the electroactive phase flows along the surface. The electroactive phase may be a yield stress fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Brian Richmond Solomon, Xinwei Chen, Yet-Ming Chiang, Kripa K. Varanasi
  • Patent number: 9935301
    Abstract: A pressure equalization element for a housing includes a water-impermeable membrane. The membrane is combined with either a pressure relief valve acting in two directions or with a corresponding combination of two pressure relief valves such that a volume of air exchange is reduced. An amount of moisture transported into the housing is thus also reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Gless, Ulrich Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 9917312
    Abstract: [Object] The purpose is to provide a cooling and heating device. [Solution] This cooling and heating device includes: a fuel cell device including a fuel cell; a heating unit which utilizes the heat of exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell; a thermoacoustic cooler (14) including a cooling unit which performs a cooling function with use of the heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell; and an exhaust gas switching unit (25) which allows the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell to be supplied to at least one of the thermoacoustic cooler (14) and the heating unit, whereby there can be provided a cooling and heating device which effectively utilizes the exhaust gas of a fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Ono
  • Patent number: 9902288
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for safely discharging hydrogen permeated and leaking from a fuel tank of a fuel cell vehicle. The hydrogen exhaust apparatus for a fuel cell vehicle collects and safely processes hydrogen permeating a tank, and quantitatively detects the hydrogen transmissive amount. Thus the apparatus has improved a shape and attachment manner of a dome protector mounted in a hydrogen fuel tank. The safety aspect of hydrogen discharged to the air is improved, and an active response to various controls by quantitatively detecting the hydrogen transmissive amount is implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyung Ki Kim, Ki Ho Hwang
  • Patent number: 9111124
    Abstract: Verifying authenticity of a hydrogen fuel canister by utilizing at least one unique identifier element (UIE) associated with a fuel canister; inputting the UIE into a communication device; querying a database with said communication device to determine a value for the UIE; placing a hole matrix on a canister into a matrix interface reader; measuring a value associated with the position of one or more movable fixtures in the matrix interface reader; comparing the value obtain via the matrix interface reader with the value associated with the UIE and, using the comparison to authenticate or not authenticate if the hydrogen in said canister may be used, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Philip Mitchell, Anand Chellappa, Henri Winand
  • Patent number: 8993196
    Abstract: In a fuel cell system including a fuel cartridge and a fuel supply module, the fuel cartridge includes at least two ports, wherein a first port from among the at least two ports is a fuel inlet port and a second port from among the at least two ports is a fuel outlet port. The fuel cartridge may also include a fuel pouch or the fuel cartridge itself may be the fuel pouch. The fuel supply module may include a fuel circulation structure that circulates the fuel before the fuel is supplied to the stack. The fuel cell system may be equipped with an electronic apparatus and serve as a source of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-soo Joung, Hye-jung Cho, Sang-ho Yoon
  • Patent number: 8993135
    Abstract: A flexible fuel cell stack is also described that includes an anode electrode layer, an adhesive and anode gas diffusion layer coupled to the anode electrode layer, an ion exchange membrane coupled on a first side to the gas diffusion layer opposite the anode electrode layer, an adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer coupled to a second side of the ion exchange membrane, and a cathode electrode layer coupled to the adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer opposite the ion exchange membrane. The fuel cell stack may be incorporated into a power generator that includes a hydrogen producing fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 8962199
    Abstract: A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a reformer (1) configured to generate a hydrogen-containing fuel gas from a material gas and steam; a fuel cell (101) configured to generate electric power by using a fuel gas supplied from the reformer (1); a water tank (3) configured to store water; a water utilizing device configured to utilize the water supplied from the water tank (3); a first water supply unit (5) disposed on a water passage (30) extending from the water tank (3) to the water utilizing device and configured to supply the water in the water tank (3) to the water utilizing device; and a purifier (4) disposed on the water passage (30) and configured to purify the water flowing through the water passage (30), and the purifier (4) is provided such that when a water level of the water tank (3) is a full water level, the purifier (4) is filled with the water by the weight of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akinori Yukimasa, Junji Morita, Akinari Nakamura, Takayuki Urata
  • Publication number: 20150050582
    Abstract: Fluid coupling assemblies and methods are discussed. The fluid coupling assemblies include a first coupling member, a second coupling member magnetically engageable with the first coupling member, and a seal member disposed between a portion of the first coupling member and a portion of the second coupling member. A magnetic engagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member unseals a fluid flow path therebetween. In certain examples, the first coupling member is sealed by a valve member and the second coupling member includes an activation member. When engaged, the valve member is moved from a closed position to an open position by the activation member, thereby unsealing the fluid flow path. A magnetic force between the first coupling member and the second coupling member can be chosen such that the members disengage when a predetermined fluid flow path pressure is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Joerg Zimmermann, Jeremy Schrooten
  • Patent number: 8940458
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a fuel supply for a fuel cell, the fuel cell including a liquid storage area that includes a liquid reactant, a reaction area that includes a solid reactant, wherein the liquid reactant is pumped into the reaction area such that the liquid reactant reacts with the solid reactant to produce reaction components, a product collection area that receives the reaction components, a barrier, and a container with an interior volume that substantially encloses the reaction area, liquid storage area, product collection area. The barrier separates and defines several of the aforementioned areas, and moves to simultaneously increase the product collector area and decrease the liquid storage area as the liquid reactant is pumped from the liquid storage area and the reaction components are transferred into the product collection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Braithwaite, Jesse Thomas, Adam Rodriguez, Tobin Fisher, Tibor Fabian
  • Publication number: 20140370419
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Larry J. Markoski, Timothy C. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20140363757
    Abstract: A pressure adjustment unit for an adjustment of fluid pressures in at least one first fluid chamber and in at least one second fluid chamber, which at least in the main is separate from the first fluid chamber, within at least one pressure interval, in particular for an at least substantial avoidance of a relative overpressure in one of the fluid chambers, having at least one first pressure expansion element which is provided for modifying a spatial volume of the at least one first fluid chamber, having at least one second pressure expansion element which is provided for modifying a spatial volume of the at least one second fluid chamber, and having at least one pressure coupling unit which is provided for effecting a negative feedback of spatial volume changes of the at least one first fluid chamber and of the at least one second fluid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Walter JEHLE, Joachim LUCAS
  • Patent number: 8900762
    Abstract: A fuel cell with a recovering unit and a method of driving the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fuel cell includes i) an electric generator to generate electricity based on electrochemical reaction, ii) a recovering unit to recover and mix the fuel, unreacted fuel, and gas and water produced by the electrochemical reaction, and supply the mixed fuel to the electric generator, wherein the recovering unit comprises a valve, configured to discharge gas, which is selectively opened and closed depending on the operation of the fuel cell. With this configuration, the gas or the fuel is not introduced into the electric generator, even though the recovering unit is inclined or turned over. Further, even though the fuel cell is not in use for a long time, the mixed fuel is prevented from evaporating through the discharging pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Kurn Park, Dong Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8900765
    Abstract: A fuel cell system which is capable of reducing deterioration of fuel cells includes a cell stack, a CPU, a voltage detection circuit, a current detection circuit, an external air temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a concentration sensor and sonars. The CPU obtains a volume of a garage, an amount of temperature change, an amount of humidity change and an amount of methanol concentration change in external air, as well as an amount of output change in the cell stack based on detection results from the voltage detection circuit, the current detection circuit, the external air temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, the concentration sensor and the sonars. The CPU sets first through fifth duration times based on the volume of the garage and the various amounts of changes, selects the shortest duration time, and stops power generation in the cell stack when the selected duration time has passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8895204
    Abstract: A water reactive hydrogen fueled power system includes devices and methods to combine reactant fuel materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. The generated hydrogen is converted in a fuel cell to provide electricity. The water reactive hydrogen fueled power system includes a fuel cell, a water feed tray, and a fuel cartridge to generate power for portable power electronics. The removable fuel cartridge is encompassed by the water feed tray and fuel cell. The water feed tray is refillable with water by a user. The water is then transferred from the water feed tray into the fuel cartridge to generate hydrogen for the fuel cell which then produces power for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Andrew P. Wallace, John M. Melack, Michael Lefenfeld
  • Patent number: 8871403
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack system is configured to uniformly supply a fuel or an electrolytic solution to each of fuel cell elements, and an electronic device using the fuel cell stack system are provided. An electrolytic solution channel allowing an electrolytic solution to flow therethrough is arranged between a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode, and a fuel channel allowing a fuel to flow therethrough is arranged outside of the fuel electrode. The electrolytic solution channels and the fuel channels of all fuel cell elements are connected in series to one another. That is, the fuel or the electrolytic solution emitted from an outlet of the fuel channel or the electrolytic solution channel of one fuel cell element enters into an inlet of the fuel channel or the electrolytic solution channel of the next fuel cell element through a connection channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kengo Makita, Shinichi Uesaka, Yasunori Ohto
  • Patent number: 8865370
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a fuel cell system for a portable electronic device including one or more fuel storage components, adapted to store and deliver a fuel, one or more electronic components and one or more fuel cells in contact with at least one of the one or more fuel storage components and one or more electronic components. The one or more fuel storage components are adapted to provide a secondary function, in addition to storing and delivering fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Joerg Zimmermann, Gerard F McLean
  • Publication number: 20140295323
    Abstract: A pressure vessel for the storage of pressurized fluids for a fuel cell system, a liner for the pressurized vessel and a method of making. The method of manufacturing a pressure vessel includes forming a lost core assembly, a reinforcement structure around the assembly and removing the core from said assembly to define an internal compartment. The lost core assembly includes a first sacrificial material used to define the shape of the pressure vessel's internal compartment, boss attachable to the first material for the introduction and removal of the fluid into the pressure vessel, and a second material for placement around the first material and at least a portion of the boss such that upon removal of the sacrificial first material, the second material defines the liner. The reinforcement structure is wound around the liner to give the pressure vessel a unitary, composite structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Joerg Schulze
  • Patent number: 8846220
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microbial fuel cell cathode assembly comprising a catalyst (6) and an electrically conductive catholyte wicking member (5) having a catalyst contacting surface (5a) in contact with the catalyst, an electrical contact region (5c) for contacting an electrical connector, and a catholyte supply region (5b) for receiving catholyte from a catholyte supply (9), wherein the electrically conductive catholyte wicking member is operable to wick received catholyte from the catholyte supply region to form a film of catholyte on a part of the surface of the catalyst such that a part of the surface of the catalyst is in contact with both the film of catholyte and a part of the surface of the catalyst is in contact with a gas pathway arranged to supply oxygen to the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Power Knowledge Limited
    Inventor: Vyacheslav Viktorovich Fedorovich
  • Publication number: 20140272670
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a fuel storage tank for a fuel cell system used for storing various pressurized fluids having separate permeation characteristics for reducing permeation leakage during various temperature and pressure cycles. The fuel storage tank comprises a formed liner to define an inner cavity, as well as a boss connected to the liner, a reinforcement structure formed around a portion of the boss and the liner, a permeation bag affixed to a first securing member and inserted into the inner cavity of the liner. The first securing member is coupled with the boss and a second securing member is assembled to the boss adjacent the first securing member to secure a fluid tight connection between the permeation bag, the liner and the boss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ludger Strack, Frank Joepen, Kolja Richlowski
  • Publication number: 20140272671
    Abstract: A fuel cell system and a fuel consumption system verify the location of a filling failure at a time that a fuel gas filling process suffers from such a filling failure. Either one of encoded data indicating an infrared radiation signal related to the fuel gas filling process, which is sent from a vehicle to an external hydrogen station, and a drive signal, which comprises a train of binary pulses converted from the encoded data, is recorded in a recording unit of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi HANDA, Satoshi KAWASAKI
  • Patent number: 8820569
    Abstract: A fuel container includes a container body having a fuel discharge port and an interior spacing. A body of liquid fuel is filled in the interior spacing of the container body. Follower units are provided in the container body, in contact with at least a part of an end of the body of the liquid fuel. Solid follower auxiliary members are interposed between the follower units and the body of liquid fuel to be optically detectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunari Kabasawa, Yoshihisa Suda, Takahiro Osada, Kozi Nishimura, Toshimi Kamitani
  • Patent number: 8785076
    Abstract: A fuel cell system including, among other things, one or more of a fuel cell, a fuel reservoir, a current collecting circuit, a plenum, or a system cover. The fuel reservoir is configured to store fuel, and may include a regulator for controlling an output fuel pressure and a refueling port. A surface of the fuel reservoir may be positioned adjacent a first fuel cell portion. The current collecting circuit is configured to receive and distribute fuel cell power and may be positioned adjacent a second fuel cell portion. The plenum may be formed when the fuel reservoir and the first fuel cell portion are coupled or by one or more flexible fuel cell walls. The system cover allows air into the system and when combined when a fuel pressure in the plenum, may urge contact between the fuel cell and the current collecting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Gerard F. McLean, Jeremy Schrooten, Joerg Zimmermann, Mark Petersen, Paul Sobejko
  • Patent number: 8771890
    Abstract: The invention provides a fuel supply control system for fuel cells, controlling fuel concentration in a fuel unit. The fuel supply control system comprises a first thermal meter detecting a system temperature of the fuel cell, a fuel supply device comprising a fuel tank storing highly concentrated fuel and a fuel deliver device delivering fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel unit to adjust fuel concentration thereof, and a controller calculating a difference between a predetermined and an environmental temperature, generating a first velocity by adjusting the predetermined fuel supply velocity according to the temperature difference, and setting the delivery velocity of the fuel delivering device according to the first velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Sheng-Yong Shen, Lan-Feng Chang, Ku-Yen Kang, Chiou-Chu Lai
  • Patent number: 8765312
    Abstract: A load variation detecting section determines whether or not the actual load variation falls below a load variation threshold stored in a memory. If a load variation detecting section determines that a specific time period (for example, one minute) has elapsed since the actual load variation fell below a load variation threshold, a power supply section applies same power to reactors for the respective phases. On the other hand, a heat dissipation property calculating section measures temperature-rise rates of the elements for the respective phases, ranks the rates in order from the one having a higher heat dissipation property, and notifies the priority drive phase determining section of the result. A priority drive phase determining section chooses a phase having the highest heat dissipation property as a priority drive phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Osada, Takahiko Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8765311
    Abstract: A fuel cell (1) includes an electromotive unit (2) having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) (12), a fuel storage unit (4) storing a liquid fuel, and a fuel supply mechanism (3) supplying the fuel from the fuel storage unit (4) to a fuel electrode (7) of the membrane electrode assembly (12). The membrane electrode assembly (12) has a gas vent hole (17) provided in a manner to penetrate through at least an electrolyte membrane (11) to let a gas component generated on a side of the fuel electrode (7) escape to a side of an air electrode (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Oozu, Yukinori Akamoto, Yuuichi Sato, Genta Oomichi, Hirofumi Kan, Daisuke Watanabe, Nobuyasu Negishi, Yuichi Yoshida, Asako Sato
  • Publication number: 20140170530
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell, a storage device, a receptacle, a housing, and a vehicle side communication device. The housing has a bottom wall recessed from a surface of a body of the fuel cell vehicle by a predetermined depth. The receptacle protrudes from a bottom face of the bottom wall to an inner space of the housing. The vehicle side communication device is provided to the housing on an outer circumferential side of the receptacle. The vehicle side communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with a nozzle side communication device provided to a nozzle. The vehicle side communication device is disposed on a deeper side than the bottom face of the bottom wall and/or is disposed via a partition wall configured to shield the vehicle side communication device from fuel gas in the inner space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi KAWAURA, Akihiro SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8748059
    Abstract: A cartridge connectable to a fuel cell is disclosed. The cartridge comprises an outer casing and an inner flexible liner containing fuel for the fuel cell. The inner flexible liner may have an insert disposed inside the inner liner to facilitate the transport of fuel from the cartridge to the fuel cell. The insert minimizes the fuel that is trapped within the cartridge. The inner flexible liner can be used without the outer casing. The outer casing can be substantially rigid or flexible. The cartridge is also adaptable to receive byproducts from the fuel cell. The cartridge can also be pressurized to push fuel to the fuel cell. Unidirectional relief valves are also disclosed to prevent internal pressure in the cartridge from becoming too high or too low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 8748052
    Abstract: An electricity storage system comprising a reversible fuel cell having a first electrode and a second electrode separated by an ionically conducting electrolyte, and at least two chambers adapted to hold fuel and/or a reaction product, wherein the system is substantially closed and at least one reactant for discharge is hydrogen or oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: The University Court of the University of St. Andrews
    Inventors: John Thomas Sirr Irvine, Julie Margaret Nairn, Paul Alexander Conner, James Rennie, Alan Feighery, Frances Gwyneth Elaine Jones, Kelcey Lynn Eccleston, Pierrot Sassou Attidekou
  • Patent number: 8748050
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Gerard F McLean, Joerg Zimmermann, Jeremy Schrooten
  • Patent number: 8722282
    Abstract: A power unit, a fuel cartridge, and a fuel cell system having the power unit and the fuel cartridge. The power unit includes a coupling unit to couple with the fuel cartridge. The coupling unit includes a nozzle that receives fuel supplied from the fuel cartridge, a selection key to selectively mate with the fuel cartridge, and an outer unit surrounding the nozzle. An end of the nozzle is located between the selection key and an end of the outer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hye-jung Cho, Young-soo Joung, Hyuk Chang
  • Patent number: 8722272
    Abstract: A fuel cell system module for use in an aircraft includes at least one fuel cell system component. The fuel cell system module is connectable modularly to a fuselage section of the aircraft. A housing element of the fuel cell system module is designed to form a section of an outer skin of the aircraft when the fuel cell system module is in the state connected to the fuselage section of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Westenberger, Oliver Thomaschweski, Julika Bleil
  • Patent number: 8715884
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a fuel cell with a storage unit (4) for storing hydrogen (Hx), with a proton conductive layer, which covers a surface of the storage unit (4), and with a cathode (7) on a side of the proton conductive layer, which side is located opposite, wherein the storage unit (4) is directly coupled with an anode and/or the storage unit (4) is incorporated in a substrate (1) of a semiconductor. The storage unit (4) is preferably connected to the substrate (1) at least via a stress compensation layer (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Micronas GmbH
    Inventors: Mirko Lehmann, Claas Muller, Holger Reinecke, Mirko Frank, Gilbert Erdler
  • Patent number: 8703359
    Abstract: A fuel cell capable of being thinned while maintaining a stable electric power supply is provided. A fuel cell includes a power generation section, a fuel tank, a fuel supply section (pump), and a fuel vaporization section. The power generation section has a structure in which a combined body is sandwiched between a cell plate and a cell plate. The combined body has a structure in which an anode electrode and a cathode electrode are oppositely arranged with an electrolyte film in between. In particular, the fuel supply section and the fuel vaporization section are integrally provided, and are connected by a nozzle section buried therein. A fuel contained in the fuel tank is pumped by the fuel supply section according to the state of the power generation section, and then is vaporized by the fuel vaporization section, and is supplied to the power generation section side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Fukushima, Shuji Goto, Jusuke Shimura
  • Patent number: 8691472
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a reservoir assembly for use in a device, such as a fuel cell system, hydride storage system, hydrogen compressor system, heat pump system or air conditioner system. The assembly includes a first cellular component interconnected with at least a second cellular component in which the interconnected cellular components are arranged together to substantially fill an available device space, one or more end caps coupled to a portion of the first or the second cellular components, one or more external ports for adding or removing a fluid from the reservoir in which the external ports are positioned in one or more of the end caps or cellular components, and one or more internal ports in which each internal port fluidly connects the first interconnected cellular component to at least the second interconnected cellular component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventor: Joerg Zimmermann