Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160126578 | CONSOLIDATED FUEL CELL ELECTRODE - This disclosure related to polymer electrolyte member fuel cells and components thereof, including fuel cell electrodes. | 05-05-2016 |
20160060775 | SEAL DESIGNS FOR MULTICOMPONENT BIPOLAR PLATES OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL - A method of sealing a multi-component bipolar plate is disclosed. The method may include inserting a first seal between a first component and a second component, wherein the first seal is aligned with a first plurality of protrusions formed on a surface of at least one of the first component and the second component. The method may also include compressing the first component and the second component to cause the penetration of the first plurality of protrusions into the first seal. The method may further include plastically deforming the first seal in order to create a first sealing surface between the first component and the second component. | 03-03-2016 |
20160059184 | METHODS OF OPERATING PRESSURE SWING ADSORPTION PURIFIERS WITH ELECTROCHEMICAL HYDROGEN COMPRESSORS - In accordance with one embodiment, a method of drying a hydrogen gas mixture is disclosed. The method may include determining a mass flow rate of water {dot over (m)} | 03-03-2016 |
20160024665 | METHODS OF PRODUCING AND PROVIDING PURIFIED GAS USING AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL - In accordance with one embodiment, a method of producing hydrogen gas meeting a predetermined threshold of purity may include transferring a quantity of a hydrogen gas mixture through an electrochemical hydrogen pump, wherein the electrochemical hydrogen pump includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane located between the anode and the cathode; separating a quantity of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas mixture by transferring the hydrogen gas from the anode, through the electrolyte membrane, to the cathode; collecting the hydrogen gas from the cathode, wherein the collected hydrogen gas at least meets the predetermined threshold of purity; and producing a certificate that the collected hydrogen gas has a purity that is at least substantially equal to the predetermined threshold of purity. | 01-28-2016 |
20160002795 | MULTI-STACK ELECTROCHEMICAL COMPRESSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING - A multi-stack electrochemical hydrogen compressor (EHC) system is provided. The EHC system may have two or more EHC stacks, wherein each EHC stack includes at least one electrochemical cell and a power supply. The EHC system may also have a controller in communication with the power supply of each EHC stack, wherein the controller is configured to reduce total energy consumption of the EHC system by independently controlling the power supply of each EHC stack. | 01-07-2016 |
20160001215 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REGENERATING ABSORBER BED FOR DRYING COMPRESSED HUMIDIFIED HYDROGEN - A system for compressing and drying hydrogen is provided. The system may have a humidifier configured to receive and humidify a concentrated hydrogen stream and produce a first humidified hydrogen stream. The system may also have a compressor configured to receive and compress the first humidified hydrogen stream, and produce a pressurized humidified hydrogen stream. The system may further have a dryer including a first bed configured to in production mode receive the pressurized humidified hydrogen stream, absorb at least a portion of the humidity, and produce a product hydrogen stream. The first bed may further be configured to in regeneration mode receive a portion of the concentrated hydrogen stream to regenerate the first bed, and produce a second humidified hydrogen stream. | 01-07-2016 |
20150376800 | FLOW FIELDS FOR USE WITH AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL - A flow field for use in an electrochemical cell is disclosed. The flow field includes a porous metallic structure including an inlet port and a plurality of channels stamped in the structure. The plurality of channels is in fluid communication with the inlet port to receive a reactant gas and configured to cause the reactant gas to diffuse through the porous metallic structure between adjacent channels. | 12-31-2015 |
20150354069 | ARRANGEMENT OF FLOW STRUCTURES FOR USE IN HIGH DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS - The present disclosure is directed towards the design and arrangement of flow structures in electrochemical cells for use in high differential pressure operations. The flow structure on the low pressure-side of the cell has a larger surface area than the flow structure on the high-pressure side of the cell at the flow structure-MEA interface. The boundary of the high pressure flow structure is entirely within the boundary of the low pressure flow structure. A seal around the high pressure flow structure is also contained within the boundary of the low pressure flow structure. In such an arrangement, high fluid pressures acting on the electrolyte membrane from the high-pressure side of the cell is fully and continuously balanced by the flow structure on the low pressure-side of the membrane. Use of the low pressure flow structure as a membrane support prevents the rupture or deformation of the membrane under high stresses. | 12-10-2015 |
20150333340 | FLOW FIELDS FOR USE WITH AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL - A flow field for use in an electrochemical cell is disclosed. The flow field includes a porous metallic structure including an inlet port and an outlet port. The flow field further includes a plurality of first channels formed in the structure. Each of the plurality of first channels extends from a first proximal end in fluid communication with the inlet port and terminates at a first distal end within the structure. The flow field also includes a plurality of second channels formed in the structure. Each of the plurality of second channels extends from a second distal end in fluid communication with an outlet port and terminates at a second proximal end within the structure. | 11-19-2015 |
20150280258 | CATHODE GAS RECIRCULATION METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FUEL CELLS - The cathode recirculation system for a fuel cell module may include an inert gas inlet passage configured to receive inert gas and an oxygen gas inlet passage configured to receive oxygen, a blending component in fluid communication with the inert gas inlet passage, the oxygen gas inlet passage, and an inlet of at least one cathode, and a recirculation line in fluid communication with an outlet of the at least one cathode and the blending component configured to recirculate a mixed gas stream containing oxygen and an inert gas. At least a portion of the mixed gas released from the at least one cathode may be recirculated back to the blending component where oxygen, inert gas, or both oxygen and inert gas are introduced into the recirculated mixed gas stream and then supplied to the inlet of the at least one cathode. | 10-01-2015 |
20150060294 | INTEGRATED ELECTROCHEMICAL COMPRESSOR AND CASCADE STORAGE METHOD AND SYSTEM - The present disclosure is directed to a compressed fuel storage system. The compressed fuel storage system may include an electrochemical compressor and one or more fuel dispensing units. The electrochemical compressor may be configured to compress a fuel source. Additionally, the compressed fuel storage system may include at least one low pressure compressed fuel reservoir fluidly connected to the electrochemical compressor and the fuel dispensing units and at least one high pressure compressed fuel reservoir fluidly connected to the electrochemical compressor and the fuel dispensing units. | 03-05-2015 |
20150053274 | PRESSURE RELIEF DETECTION FOR USE WITH GAS STORAGE - The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for detecting activation of a pressure relief device connected to a storage tank containing a pressurized gas. The method includes calculating a pressure relief device release rate based on a set of inputs, wherein the set of inputs includes at least one of a storage tank volume, a pressure relief set point, an orifice size of the pressure relief device, a gas density, and a reseat point for the pressure relief device. The method further includes monitoring the pressure within the storage tank and calculating a differential pressure reading over time, comparing the differential pressure reading over time to the pressure relief device release rate, and detecting a pressure relief device activation based on the comparison result. | 02-26-2015 |
20150050571 | MULTI-STACK ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE - An electrochemical cell stack system may include a plurality of cell stacks fluidly connected by a plurality of first conduits to form a loop of cell stacks. At least one first valve may be located on each first conduit and may be capable of a closed configuration and an open configuration. Each of the cell stacks may have an input end for receiving a first fluid and an output end for discharging a second fluid. The system may deliver the first fluid from the fluid source to the input end of a first cell stack of the plurality of cell stacks via a first input line of a plurality of input lines and may receive the second fluid from the output end of a second cell stack of the plurality of cell stacks via a first output line of a plurality of output lines. | 02-19-2015 |
20150037703 | SHAPED ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL - Embodiments of the present disclosure may include an electrochemical cell system. The electrochemical cell system may comprise an electrochemical cell stack having a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in series. A first side of the electrochemical cell stack may have a first length, and a second side of the electrochemical cell stack may have a second length, wherein the first length is different than the second length. | 02-05-2015 |
20150030957 | SEAL CONFIGURATION FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL - 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. | 01-29-2015 |
20150030952 | DYNAMIC DECOMPRESSION CONTROL FOR HIGH PRESSURE SEALS - The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for dynamically controlling seal decompression. The method includes monitoring a set of parameters associated with an operation of a seal, wherein the set of parameters includes a maximum pressure subjected to the seal and an exposure time at the maximum pressure, calculating a target pressure ramp down rate based on at least one of the maximum pressure and the exposure time, and decreasing a pressure about the seal at a decompression rate that is based on the target pressure ramp down rate. The system includes a controller having a memory device, a graphical user interface, at least one pressure transmitter configured to monitor the pressure about the seal, and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to detect a maximum exposure pressure and exposure time at maximum pressure about the seal and control a pressure ramp down about the seal based on the maximum exposure pressure and the exposure time detected in order to prevent explosive decompression of the seal. | 01-29-2015 |
20150024298 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TUNING AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL STACK - The present disclosure is directed to a method for tuning the performance of at least one electrochemical cell of an electrochemical cell stack. The method includes supplying power to an electrochemical cell stack. The electrochemical cell stack includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. The method further includes monitoring a parameter of at least one electrochemical cell and determining if an electrochemical cell becomes impaired. The method also includes diverting a fraction of the current flow from the impaired electrochemical cell during operation of the electrochemical cell stack. | 01-22-2015 |
20140377674 | FUEL CELL AIR FLOW METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method of managing air flow for a fuel cell power system comprising, providing air expelled from a compressor and providing air expelled from a humidification device. The method further includes mixing the air expelled from the compressor with the air expelled from the humidification device upstream of a fuel cell and supplying the mixture to a cathode of the fuel cell. | 12-25-2014 |
20140363751 | HEALTH MONITORING OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL STACK - The present disclosure is directed towards a method and a system for monitoring the performance of an electrochemical cell stack. Monitoring can be performed remotely by measuring the voltage across the stack, and comparing the measured values to predetermined reference values to determine the condition of the stack. Monitoring of the stack voltage enables detection of performance decay, which in turn enables preemptive repair of the stack prior to catastrophic failure. | 12-11-2014 |
20140352840 | DISTRIBUTED HYDROGEN REFUELING CASCADE METHOD AND SYSTEM - The present disclosure is directed to a compressed fuel dispensing station having a compressor configured to compress a fuel source, a plurality of fuel dispensing units, at least one low pressure compressed fuel reservoir fluidly connected to the fuel compressor and the plurality of fuel dispensing units, and a plurality of high pressure compressed fuel reservoirs, wherein each high pressure compressed fuel reservoir is fluidly connected to the fuel compressor and at least one fuel dispensing unit. | 12-04-2014 |
20140324370 | Battery State-of-Charge Aggregation Method - Embodiments of the disclosure may include a method of managing a state of charge of a battery having a plurality of battery cells. The method may include calculating an individual state of charge for each battery cell, calculating an average state of charge for the battery cells, defining a minimum and a maximum average state of charge threshold, and calculating an overall state of charge for the battery such that when the average state of charge is below the minimum threshold, the overall state of charge is calculated based on the state of charge of a subset of battery cells having the lowest state of charge, and when the average state of charge is above the maximum threshold, the overall state of charge is calculated based on the state of charge of a subset of battery cells having the highest state of charge. | 10-30-2014 |
20140255817 | Electrochemical Stack Compression System - In accordance with one embodiment, an electrochemical cell stack compression system may include an integral, hollow frame configured to contain a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged along an axis in a stack configuration. The frame may have a defined shape and may form a continuous border around a periphery of the electrochemical cell stack when inserted. The frame may be formed of a plurality of fibers. | 09-11-2014 |
20140238845 | ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL HAVING A CASCADE SEAL CONFIGURATION AND HYDROGEN RECLAMATION - An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The electrochemical cell further includes a first seal defining a high pressure zone, wherein the first seal is located between the bipolar plates and configured to contain a first fluid within the high pressure zone. Further, the electrochemical cell includes a second seal defining an intermediate pressure zone, wherein the second seal is located between the bipolar plates and configured to contain a second fluid within the intermediate pressure zone. The first seal is configured to leak the first fluid into the intermediate pressure zone when the first seal unseats. | 08-28-2014 |
20140220471 | FUEL CELL HAVING A MODULAR BASE ACTIVE AREA - A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stack configuration extending along a z-axis, wherein each fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly interposed between a pair of bipolar plates, and each membrane electrode assembly has a total active area measured in an x-y plane that is generally perpendicular to the z-axis. Each bipolar plate includes a plurality of common passages extending generally parallel to the z-axis. The total active area of each membrane electrode assembly includes a plurality of base active areas arranged co-planar in the x-y plane along an x-axis. | 08-07-2014 |
20140120436 | FUEL CELL HUMIDIFICATION MANAGEMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method of managing humidification for a fuel cell power system comprising, supplying air to a cathode inlet stream of a fuel cell. Detecting a fuel cell parameter associated with the humidity of the cathode inlet stream. Selectively operating the fuel cell in either an active humidification mode or a deactive humidification mode based on the fuel cell parameter, wherein the active humidification mode includes adding water to the cathode inlet stream and the deactive humidification mode includes adding no water to the cathode inlet stream. | 05-01-2014 |
20140099566 | RESILIENT FLOW STRUCTURES FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL - An electrochemical cell is disclosed comprising, a first flow structure, a second flow structure, and a membrane electrode assembly disposed between the first and second flow structures. The electrochemical cell further comprises a pair of bipolar plates, wherein the first flow structure, the second flow structure, and the membrane electrode assembly are positioned between the pair of bipolar plates. The electrochemical cell also includes a spring mechanism, wherein the spring mechanism is disposed between the first flow structure and the bipolar plate adjacent to the first flow structure, and applies a pressure on the first flow structure in a direction substantially toward the membrane electrode assembly. | 04-10-2014 |
20140099562 | DESIGN OF BIPOLAR PLATES FOR USE IN CONDUCTION-COOLED ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS - The present disclosure is directed towards the design of bipolar plates for use in conduction-cooled electrochemical cells. Heat generated during the operation of the cell is removed from the active area of the cell to the periphery of the cell via the one or more bipolar plates in the cell. The one or more bipolar plates are configured to function as heat sinks to collect heat from the active area of the cell and to conduct the heat to the periphery of the plate where the heat is removed by traditional heat transfer means. The boundary of the one or more bipolar plates can be provided with heat dissipation structures to facilitate removal of heat from the plates. To function as effective heat sinks, the thickness of the one or more bipolar plates can be determined based on the rate of heat generation in the cell during operation, the thermal conductivity (“k”) of the material selected to form the plate, and the desired temperature gradient in a direction orthogonal to the plate (“ΔT”). | 04-10-2014 |
20140051007 | BIPOLAR PLATES FOR USE IN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS - The present disclosure is directed towards the design of electrochemical cells for use in high pressure or high differential pressure operations. The electrochemical cells of the present disclosure have non-circular external pressure boundaries, i.e., the cells have non-circular profiles. In such cells, the internal fluid pressure during operation is balanced by the axial tensile forces developed in the bipolar plates, which prevent the external pressure boundaries of the cells from flexing or deforming. That is, the bipolar plates are configured to function as tension members during operation of the cells. To function as an effective tension member, the thickness of a particular bipolar plate is determined based on the yield strength of the material selected for fabricating the bipolar plate, the internal fluid pressure in the flow structure adjacent to the bipolar plate, and the thickness of the adjacent flow structure. | 02-20-2014 |
20140045083 | PASSIVE RECIRCULATION DEVICE - The present disclosure provides a recirculation device comprising a body comprising at least one first passage configured to receive an exhaust, at least one second passage configured to receive a fuel, at least one third passage configured to receive a mixture of the exhaust and the fuel, and a longitudinal axis extending from the second passage to the third passage. The device can also comprise a nozzle comprising an inner cavity for directing fuel towards an orifice, located at the smallest cross-sectional area of the inner cavity and a piston slideably located within the body comprising a first end configured to receive the fuel and a second end configured to fuel to the nozzle cavity, whereby the piston can be actuated along the longitudinal axis of the body by the exhaust controlling the flow of fuel passing through the orifice. A mixing chamber located within the body can be configured to receive an exhaust and configured to receive fuel from the orifice. | 02-13-2014 |
20140030615 | Distributed Hydrogen Extraction System - A hydrogen extraction system is provided. The extraction system can comprise a compressor for compressing a gas mixture comprising hydrogen and a desulfurization unit for receiving the compressed gas mixture. The system can also comprise a hydrogen-extraction device for receiving a reduced-sulfur gas mixture and a hydrogen storage device for receiving an extracted hydrogen gas. A method of extracting hydrogen from a gas mixture comprising natural gas and hydrogen, and a method of determining an energy price are also provided. | 01-30-2014 |
20140027272 | ARRANGEMENT OF FLOW STRUCTURES FOR USE IN HIGH DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS - The present disclosure is directed towards the design and arrangement of flow structures in electrochemical cells for use in high differential pressure operations. The flow structure on the low pressure-side of the cell has a larger surface area than the flow structure on the high-pressure side of the cell at the flow structure—MEA interface. The boundary of the high pressure flow structure is entirely within the boundary of the low pressure flow structure. A seal around the high pressure flow structure is also contained within the boundary of the low pressure flow structure. In such an arrangement, high fluid pressures acting on the electrolyte membrane from the high-pressure side of the cell is fully and continuously balanced by the flow structure on the low pressure-side of the membrane. Use of the low pressure flow structure as a membrane support prevents the rupture or deformation of the membrane under high stresses. | 01-30-2014 |
20130334465 | Steam Reformers, Modules, and Methods of Use - The present disclosure is directed to steam reformers for the production of a hydrogen rich reformate, comprising a shell having a first end, a second end, and a passage extending generally between the first end and the second end of the shell, and at least one heat source disposed about the second end of the shell. The shell comprises at least one conduit member comprising at least one thermally emissive and high radiant emissivity material, at least partially disposed within the shell cavity. The shell further comprises at least one reactor module at least a portion of which is disposed within the shell cavity and about the at least one conduit member and comprises at least one reforming catalyst. The disclosure is also directed to methods of producing a hydrogen reformate utilizing the steam reformers, comprising the steps of combusting a combustible mixture in a burner to produce a combustion exhaust that interacts with the steam reactor module(s) through surface to surface radiation and convection heat transfer, and reforming a hydrocarbon fuel mixed with steam in the steam reformers to produce a hydrogen-containing reformate. The present disclosure is further directed to reactor modules for use with the above steam reformers and methods of producing a hydrogen reformate. | 12-19-2013 |