Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20100143814 | FUEL CELL STACK FLOW HOOD - The present invention is concerned with improved fuel cell stack assemblies, and methods of operation of a fuel cell stack assembly, particularly with improved gas flow and thermal management. | 06-10-2010 |
20100143815 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell system which provides stable cell outputs at startup. The fuel cell system comprises: a fuel cell stack including a laminate formed by combining a membrane electrode assembly composed of an electrolyte membrane, an anode jointed to one side of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode joined to the other side of the electrolyte membrane, with a fuel channel plate having a fuel channel for supplying a fuel to the anode, an oxidant channel plate having an oxidant channel for supplying an oxidant to the cathode, and a coolant channel plate having a coolant channel for a coolant to flow through; piping and a circulation pump necessary for cooling the coolant exhausted from the fuel cell stack before putting the coolant into the fuel cell stack for circulation; a fuel humidifier which humidifies the fuel by heat exchange with the coolant; an air humidifier which humidifies the air by heat exchange with the coolant; and a control unit which continues the circulation of the coolant in a system stopping process until a predetermined cooling stop condition holds, and stops power generation of the fuel cell when the predetermined cooling stop condition holds. | 06-10-2010 |
20100167147 | REVERSIBLE FUEL CELL - 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. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167148 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FUEL CELL - Provided is a temperature control system which can suppress a cell voltage fluctuation even in the case of starting under a low-temperature environment. The temperature control system for a fuel cell according to the present invention circulates a heat transfer medium through the fuel cell to control the temperature of the fuel cell. The system is characterized by including circulation control means for circulating, through the fuel cell, the heat transfer medium having a flow rate larger than that for a normal operation during a low-temperature operation. According to such a constitution, the flow rate of the heat transfer medium (cooling water or the like) for low-temperature start is set to a flow rate larger than that of the heat transfer medium for normal start, so that a temperature fluctuation among cells can be suppressed even in the case of warm-up for the low-temperature start, and as a result, the cell voltage fluctuation can be suppressed. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167149 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A temperature sensor | 07-01-2010 |
20100167150 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - To provide a simple and compact fuel cell system that prevents degradation of the performance of a fuel cell stack due to accumulation of impurities and improves fuel efficiency by reducing discharge of a fuel gas. | 07-01-2010 |
20100178576 | Fuel Cell with Integrated Fluid Management - A fuel cell (FC) comprising a stack (A) of bipolar plates and ion exchange membranes arranged alternately, the stack (A) being clamped between two endplates (B and C), the stack (A) comprising feed and return ducts for the fluids required for the operation of the cell, said fluids comprising at least one fuel gas, the ducts communicating with a fluid management system comprising elements for controlling certain operating parameters, elements for recycling gases not consumed by the cell and elements for eliminating the water produced by the cell, said installation comprising connections for feeding gases to the cell, in which the fluid management system is at least partly integrated inside one of the endplates. | 07-15-2010 |
20100178577 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system ( | 07-15-2010 |
20100203410 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH COOLING AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell that generates an electric power and heat by a reaction of a reaction gas; a heat exchanger; a coolant circuit for a coolant between the fuel cell and the heat exchanger; a coolant circulating pump for circulating the coolant in the coolant circuit; and a drive motor for driving the coolant circulating pump, the coolant receiving and carrying the heat to the heat exchanger by the coolant circuit, the coolant circulating pump, and the drive motor. A rotational speed of the drive motor is controlled according to an upper limit of the rotational speed of the drive motor which may be determined on the basis of a cooling capacity of the heat exchanger, a speed of the vehicle mounting the fuel cell system, a generated electric power, and a flow rate of the reaction gas. | 08-12-2010 |
20100221627 | HEAT TRANSFER CONTROLLING MECHANISM AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM HAVING THE HEAT TRANSFER CONTROLLING MECHANISM - A heat transfer controlling mechanism and a fuel cell system, which allow working fluid to flow in a predetermined direction in a loop-shaped flow path without a back flow, having a simple structure independent of the orientation during use, low power consumption, and efficient heat transfer and size reduction. The mechanism includes a vaporizing portion, a condensing portion, and a loop-shaped flow path connecting the vaporizing and the condensing portions so as to seal working fluid. The mechanism transports heat by vaporizing the fluid in the vaporizing portion and condensing the fluid in the condensing portion to control heat transfer. The mechanism further includes a gas passage suppressing portion on one side in the flow path, for allowing liquid, but not gas, to pass therethrough and a liquid passage suppressing portion on the other side in the flow path, for allowing gas, but not liquid, to pass therethrough. | 09-02-2010 |
20100221628 | ATTACHMENT FOR A FUEL TANK OF A FUEL CELL POWERED SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC PORTABLE DEVICE EQUIPPED THEREWITH - An attachment for a fuel tank of a fuel cell powered system is described. The attachment thermally conducts heat generated from an electronic component to the fuel tank. The attachment further affixes to the electronic component by a securing portion. In one aspect, the attachment is comprised in a fuel cell powered electronic device. In another aspect, the attachment is integral to the fuel tank. | 09-02-2010 |
20100221629 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system including a PEFC stack in an inner space of a housing includes a sheathed heater, arranged in the inner space, for heating the inner space; the sheathed heater is placed on a bottom face side of the inner space of the housing, while a gap is provided between the bottom face and the sheathed heater; a mounting plate for mounting an inner device including the PEFC stack is provided in the inner space of the housing; and the sheathed heater is arranged between the mounting plate and the bottom face of the inner space of the housing. | 09-02-2010 |
20100233560 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - To quickly and optimally control the water condition and temperature of a fuel cell even when the fuel cell is at a low temperature and in a dry state. If it is determined that a fuel cell is in a dry state and is determined that the fuel cell is at a low temperature, a control device performs low-efficiency power generation. Performing the low-efficiency power generation makes it possible to quickly warm up the fuel cell and bring the cathode water balance of a fuel cell into a plus (wet) state, so that the water condition and temperature of the fuel cell can be quickly and optimally controlled. | 09-16-2010 |
20100239931 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell includes a cathode side separator. An oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of the cathode side separator. The oxygen-containing gas flow field includes an inlet channel having a plurality of flow grooves connected to the oxygen-containing gas supply passage, an outlet channel having a plurality of flow grooves connected to the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage, and an intermediate channel having flow grooves with both ends connected to the inlet channel and the outlet channel respectively. The flow grooves of the outlet channel are longer than the flow grooves of the inlet channel, and the flow grooves of the outlet channel are narrowed toward the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage. | 09-23-2010 |
20100248056 | FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY - A fuel cell apparatus (A | 09-30-2010 |
20100273076 | FUEL CELL TERMINAL PLATE, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE PLATE, AND FUEL CELL INCORPORATING THE PLATE - A front terminal plate ( | 10-28-2010 |
20100273077 | FUEL CELL, FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING FUEL CELL - A fuel cell of the present invention includes cell blocks ( | 10-28-2010 |
20100279189 | Fuel cell system - A fuel cell system having uniform temperature field, includes at least one fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack includes a housing, a fuel cell module, and an air guiding device. The housing defines an internal receiving space, and has an air outlet zone and at least two air inlet zones. The fuel cell module is disposed in the receiving space and includes a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies are disposed at intervals along a first sidewall toward a second sidewall on a plane of the receiving space of the housing. Each of the membrane electrode assemblies corresponds to at least one of the air inlet zones. The air guiding device is disposed on of the housing for generating airflows via the air inlet zones into the housing. The airflows flow along cathode surfaces of the membrane electrode assemblies and finally flow out of the housing via the air outlet zone. | 11-04-2010 |
20100285380 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A cell stack pair ( | 11-11-2010 |
20100291453 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR WITH HEAT CONDUCTING MEMBER OR COOLING FLUID PASSAGES IN A PERIPHERAL REGION OF THE CELL - A fuel cell ( | 11-18-2010 |
20100291454 | FORCED AIR FUEL CELL POWER SYSTEM - A portable electricity generation device comprises a plurality of fuel cells, each fuel cell having an anode end with a catalyst facilitating the separation of hydrogen atoms into electrons and protons, a cathode end facilitating the combination of the electrons and protons into water molecules in the presence of oxygen, and a current bearing portion providing a current path for the electrons to traverse. The electricity generation device also includes a fuel storage container for storing a supply of hydrogen and delivering the supply of hydrogen to an anode end of the plurality of fuel cells so as to initiate a flow of the electrons through the current bearing portion. In addition, the portable electricity generation device includes an air moving device configured to direct atmospheric air toward a cathode end of the plurality of fuel cells, wherein the air moving device is positioned to convectively cool the plurality of fuel cells as it supplies atmospheric air to the cathode end. | 11-18-2010 |
20100291455 | INTEGRATION OF AN ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE WITH A FUEL CELL - An Organic Rankine Cycle system is combined with a fuel cell system, with the working fluid of the Organic Rankine Cycle system being integrated directly into the cooling system for the fuel cell. The waste heat from the fuel cell is therefore applied directly to preheat and evaporate the working fluid in the Organic Rankine Cycle system to thereby provide improved efficiencies in the system. | 11-18-2010 |
20100291456 | CIRCULATION CHECK FOR FUEL CELL COOLANT - Systems of checking thermal-induced circulation of a coolant in a fuel cell stack are disclosed. The system includes coolant inlet and outlet lines extending from a fuel cell stack. A pump and a radiator are confluently connected to the coolant inlet and coolant outlet lines. In one embodiment, a valve (either check type or automatic type) is provided in the coolant outlet line at the bottom of the fuel cell stack to prevent the flow of cold coolant from the coolant outlet line into the fuel cell stack upon start-up of the fuel cell stack. In another embodiment, a valve (either one-way flow control type or automatic type) is provided in the coolant inlet line at the top of the fuel cell stack. A method of checking thermal-induced circulation of a coolant in a fuel cell stack is also disclosed. | 11-18-2010 |
20100297515 | SERIAL CONNECTED FUEL CELL STACK MODULE ASSEMBLY - A large, scalable SOFC system based on modules, which may be connected in series on the cathode gas side. This offers compactness, simple stack/system interface and improved system performance. The modules are designed for manufacturability, well-balanced heat management and high fuel utilisation. | 11-25-2010 |
20100297516 | NOVEL STACK DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY OF HIGH TEMPERATURE PEM FUEL CELL - A current producing cell has anode flow plates | 11-25-2010 |
20100304260 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell stack includes a heat exchange unit that performs heat exchange between a gas mixture containing source hydrogen and a circulating gas and cooling water used for controlling the temperature of the fuel cell stack. A system controller adjusts the temperature of the cooling water by controlling a temperature control unit on the basis of the temperature of source hydrogen flowing into a junction at which the source hydrogen and a circulating gas are mixed such that the temperature of a source/recirculated hydrogen mixture that is mixed at the junction and that is supplied to the fuel cell stack is kept within a managed temperature range. | 12-02-2010 |
20100304261 | FUEL CELL DESIGN WITH AN INTEGRATED HEAT EXCHANGER AND GAS HUMIDIFICATION UNIT - A fuel cell assembly having a flow distribution subassembly that comprises four sets of flow channels, the first set facing an anode for distribution of a fuel reactant to said anode, the second set facing a cathode for distribution of an oxidant to said cathode, the third set in flow communication with said second set and in heat transfer relation with at least one of said anode and said cathode, and the fourth set receiving a coolant different from said oxidant. | 12-02-2010 |
20100310956 | Bipolar Plate for a Fuel Cell with a Polymer Membrane - A distribution plate for a fuel cell, comprising a first plate ( | 12-09-2010 |
20100310957 | FUEL CELL - An oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of a cathode side metal separator of a fuel cell. The oxygen-containing gas flow field is connected between an oxygen-containing gas supply passage and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage. A coolant flow field is formed on the other surface of the cathode side metal separator, on the back of the oxygen-containing gas flow field. The cathode side metal separator has linear guide ridges protruding from an intermediate height area toward the oxygen-containing gas flow field to form a continuous guide flow field, and bosses protruding from the intermediate height area toward the coolant flow field to form an embossed flow field. | 12-09-2010 |
20100310958 | FUEL CELL STACK - Coolant supply passages and coolant discharge passages, for example, two respectively thereof, are disposed on upper and lower side portions of a first end plate of a fuel cell stack. Grooves are formed on a surface of the first end plate for establishing communication between each of the coolant supply passages and the coolant discharge passages. Air, which is introduced upwardly of the coolant discharge passages, is discharged to the coolant supply passages. | 12-09-2010 |
20100310959 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system that can be maintained easily includes a base section fixed on an installation surface, support members installed on the base section, a partition wall attached on the base section and partitioning the space over the base section, and an outer panel detachably secured to the partition wall and the base section. | 12-09-2010 |
20100316923 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The invention relates to a fuel cell stack ( | 12-16-2010 |
20100316924 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell is formed by stacking first cell units and second cell units alternately. An inlet buffer and an outlet buffer are formed on a surface of a first metal separator of the first cell unit. Bosses are provided in the inlet buffer and the outlet buffer of the first metal separator. An inlet buffer and an outlet buffer are formed on a surface of the second metal separator of the first cell unit. Continuous guide ridges are formed in the inlet buffer and the outlet buffer of the second metal separator. The bosses and the continuous guide ridges are provided at positions overlapped with each other in the stacking direction. | 12-16-2010 |
20100330448 | Fuel cell power plant having improved operating efficiencies - A fuel cell power plant ( | 12-30-2010 |
20100330449 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND STACK THEREOF - A fuel cell system includes a fuel supply, an air supply, a plurality of unit cells being stacked, and a stack. The stack includes: a plurality of unit cells, each comprising separators and a membrane assembly (MEA) disposed between the separators; a fuel inlet configured to introduce a fuel to the unit cell; an unreacted fuel outlet configured to emit unreacted fuel from the stack; a fuel bypass path; a fuel distribution path configured to distribute the fuel to each of the unit cells; and an unreacted fuel inducing path configured to channel the unreacted fuel to the unreacted fuel outlet. | 12-30-2010 |
20110003224 | EVAPORATIVELY COOLED FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN EVAPORATIVELY COOLED FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system ( | 01-06-2011 |
20110033766 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING IF A FUEL CELL STACK IS OVERHEATING USING STACK END PLATE TEMPERATURE SENSORS - A method for determining whether a fuel cell stack is overheating. The method measures the temperature of end cells in the stack using end cell temperature sensors, and calculates an average end cell temperature based on the end cell temperature measurements. The method also measures the temperature of a cooling fluid being output from the fuel cell stack. The method determines if any of the measured end cell temperatures are outlying by comparing each end cell temperature measurement to the average. The method determines that the cooling fluid outlet temperature sensor has possibly failed if the cooling fluid outlet temperature is greater than the average end cell temperature and the cooling fluid outlet temperature minus the average end cell temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature value. | 02-10-2011 |
20110045370 | Aircraft Fuel Cell System - An aircraft fuel cell system ( | 02-24-2011 |
20110070514 | Device and method for determining the operating parameters of individual fuel cells or short stacks of fuel cells - The invention relates to a device and a method for determining the operating parameters of individual cells or short stacks of fuel cells, preferably of medium-temperature or high-temperature fuel cells. | 03-24-2011 |
20110091784 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - An end plate is joined to a fuel cell stack. A first piping unit and a second piping unit are attached to the end plate. The first piping unit has a first attachment base, to which a fuel gas supply pipe, a first oxidation off-gas discharge pipe, and a coolant discharge pipe are coupled. The second piping unit has a second attachment base, to which an oxidation gas supply pipe, a coolant supply pipe, and a discharge pipe are coupled. The discharge pipe is joined to a discharge cylinder coupled to the first oxidation off-gas discharge pipe. The oxidation gas supply pipe and the coolant supply pipe are integrated with each other. Also, the first oxidation off-gas discharge pipe and the coolant discharge pipe are integrated with each other. | 04-21-2011 |
20110097638 | FUEL CELL AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell includes: an electrolyte membrane; a first reactive gas channel that is provided on a first surface side of the electrolyte membrane; a second reactive gas channel that is provided on a second surface side of the electrolyte membrane; and a coolant channel. The coolant channel is configured such that a flow direction of the first reactive gas flowing in the first reactive gas channel is opposite to a flow direction of the second reactive gas flowing in the second reactive gas channel, and a downstream portion of the flow of at least one of the first and second reactive gases, in a plane of the electrolyte membrane, is cooled from the central portion within the plane. | 04-28-2011 |
20110097639 | Fuel cell coolant bubble control - To mitigate bubble blockage in water passageways ( | 04-28-2011 |
20110104581 | Heat Controllable Visualization Apparatus for Transparent PEMFC - Provided is a visualization apparatus for a transparent PEMFC using a transparent window having conditions approximating a real PEMFC. More specifically, the present invention includes a heat-exchange passage heat exchanging a transparent plate of a visualization apparatus with a current collector plate in order to control heat. In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes: current collector plates each provided at both surfaces of a membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell and formed with a channel in which reaction gas and products flow; transparent plates provided at an outer surface of the current collector plates and provided with a heat-exchange passage having a fluid flowing therein to be heat-exchanged with the current collector plates; and fixing frames having a visualization window for observing the current collector plates and provided at the outer side of the transparent plates. | 05-05-2011 |
20110117464 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INFLUENCING THE THERMAL BALANCE OF A FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The invention relates to a fuel cells system ( | 05-19-2011 |
20110117465 | FUEL CELL - Disclosed is a fuel cell ( | 05-19-2011 |
20110129752 | CONNECTION OF CHEMICAL OR THERMAL REACTORS - The invention relates to the connection of one or more thermal and/or chemical reactors, particularly fuel cells, to an adjacent component or between two reactors or between two components, the reactors having a preferred operating temperature range, particularly between 400 and 1100° C., characterized in that said connection is provided by a connecting element that hardens at room temperature (normal state, normal conditions) and becomes plastic at the operating temperature. | 06-02-2011 |
20110136029 | FUEL CELL AND TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT METHOD - A fuel cell and a temperature measurement method capable of directly measuring average temperature of a power generation unit and preventing dropout of a temperature detecting device are provided. A cathode plate for fixing the position of a power generation unit is set to be in contact with the power generation unit in a heat-transfer fashion and is made of an electric conductor or a semiconductor. When the temperature changes accompanying power generating operation of the power generation unit, the temperature of the cathode plate which is in contact with the power generation unit in a heat-transfer fashion changes. According to the temperature change, the resistance value changes. The resistance value is detected by using a resistance voltage dividing circuit having the cathode plate and resistors. By obtaining the temperature coefficient of the cathode plate in advance, the average temperature of the entire power generation unit is measured from the resistance value of the cathode plate. | 06-09-2011 |
20110143247 | Fuel cell stack and fuel cell system including the same - A fuel cell stack and a fuel cell system, the fuel cell stack including a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, the membrane electrode assemblies being configured to generate electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction of a fuel and an oxidizer; and a plurality of bipolar plates positioned adjacent to the membrane electrode assemblies and between the membrane electrode assemblies, the bipolar plates including a fuel channel at one side thereof and an oxidizer channel at a second, opposite side thereof, wherein the bipolar plates include a plurality of cooling channels penetrating therethrough, the cooling channels having a curvature along a length thereof. | 06-16-2011 |
20110143248 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell comprises: multiple unit cells stacked upright in a vertical direction or stacked in a vertically inclined orientation; an insulating plate arranged on a vertically upper-side end of the stacked multiple unit cells; a cooling medium supply manifold arranged to distribute a supply flow of a cooling medium into the multiple unit cells and a cooling medium discharge manifold arranged to join together discharged flows of the cooling medium from the multiple unit cells; and a de-airing passage formed to release a gas accumulated in either the cooling medium supply manifold or the cooling medium discharge manifold, wherein the cooling medium supply discharge manifold and the cooling medium discharge manifold are respectively connected to a cooling medium supply piping and a cooling medium discharge piping on a vertically lower-side end of the fuel cell, and the de-airing passage is formed such that a portion of the de-airing passage is made in the insulating plate wherein the portion of the de-airing passage extends in a direction perpendicular to a stacking direction of the unit cells, and the de-airing passage is connected to either the cooling medium discharge manifold or the cooling medium supply manifold on a vertically upper end side of the cooling medium discharge manifold or the cooling medium supply manifold. | 06-16-2011 |
20110159392 | COLORANT TREATED ION EXCHANGE RESINS, METHOD OF MAKING, HEAT TRANSFER SYSTEMS AND ASSEMBLIES CONTAINING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF USE - Disclosed is a colorant treated ion exchange resin comprising at least 15% of exchangeable groups comprising at least one of an ion, a Lewis acid, or a Lewis base resulting from a colorant having a pK | 06-30-2011 |
20110165488 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND HEATED PRESSURE SENSOR - A fuel cell system may include a fuel cell stack, a manifold in fluid communication with the stack, and a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may include a housing defining a chamber in fluid communication with the manifold, a pressure sensing element disposed within the chamber, and a heating element disposed within the chamber. | 07-07-2011 |
20110171551 | FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY WITH A MODULAR CONSTRUCTION - There is disclosed a fuel cell assembly comprising: at least one horizontally arranged fuel cell stack that has numerous fuel cells, each comprising an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte situated between the anode and the cathode; combustible gas supply means for supplying combustible gas to the anodes of the fuel cells; anode gas withdrawal means for withdrawing the anode exhaust gas from the anodes; cathode gas supply means for supplying cathode gas to the cathodes of the fuel cells; cathode gas withdrawal means for withdrawing the cathode exhaust gas from the fuel cells; and recirculation means for recirculating at least one part of the anode exhaust gas and/or the cathode exhaust gas to cathodes of the fuel cells. The fuel cell assembly according to the invention is characterised in that the assembly consists of modular sub-assemblies that are independent of one another and that communicate with one another via standardised interfaces. A first sub-assembly comprises the fuel cell stack, the combustible gas supply means and the anode gas withdrawal means, a second sub-assembly comprises the cathode gas supply means together with a cathode gas distributor, a start-up heater and a heat exchanger, a third sub-assembly comprises a cathode exhaust gas collector, a cathode exhaust gas line, a gas mixer for mixing fresh air, the cathode exhaust gas and the anode exhaust gases, a catalytic burner and a collection line of the recirculation means, and a fourth sub-assembly comprises a delivery unit of the recirculation means. | 07-14-2011 |
20110189572 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH FLAME PROTECTION MEMBER - A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a first fuel cell tube, a flame tip protection member and a current conduction member. The first fuel cell tube has a flame end. The flame end has exit opening. The fuel cell tube is configured to deliver combustible gas to the flame tip region generating a flame kernel. The flame protection member is configured to inhibit at least one of mass transfer and heat transfer between the fuel cell tube and the flame tip region. The current conduction member is disposed through the exit opening of the flame end of the first fuel cell tube. | 08-04-2011 |
20110195329 | Variable Catalyst Loading Based On Flow Field Geometry - A fuel cell including a membrane electrode assembly composed of a ionically conductive member sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. At least one of the electrodes including a catalyst loading characterized by catalytic activity that varies in proportion to the catalyst loading. Moreover, the fuel cell includes a flow path for supplying gaseous reactants to the electrodes and the catalyst loading is varied according to the flow path geometry. | 08-11-2011 |
20110269042 | MULTIPLE STACK FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH SHARED PLENUM - A multi-stack fuel cell system is disclosed where multiple fuel cell stacks can be efficiently connected together. The fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell modules include a sealed planar fuel cell stack that has internal manifold channels for transport of fuel and air to fuel cells within the stack and transport of tail gas and spent air away from fuel cells within the stack. Each of the fuel cell stacks is mounted on a base manifold, and the base manifold has side openings in fluid communication with the stack internal manifold channels. The side openings on the base manifold are configured so that the modules can be efficiently connected together. | 11-03-2011 |
20110287332 | END CELL THERMAL BARRIER HAVING VARIABLE PROPERTIES - A fuel cell assembly is disclosed, the fuel cell assembly including a plurality of fuel cell plates arranged in a stack, each fuel cell plate having reactant inlets and outlets and a coolant inlet and outlet; a first terminal plate disposed at a first end of the stack of the fuel cell plates; and a barrier layer disposed between one of the plurality of fuel cell plates and the first terminal plate to provide a thermal barrier therebetween, wherein the barrier layer includes a first portion having a first thermal conductivity and a second portion having a second thermal conductivity. | 11-24-2011 |
20120003558 | FUEL CELL DEVICE AND SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a fuel cell system. A hot zone chamber has a wall thickness T and a heat source coupled thereto. An elongate fuel cell device is positioned with a first lengthwise portion within the hot zone chamber, a second lengthwise portion outside the hot zone chamber, and a third lengthwise portion of length T within the chamber wall. The third portion has a maximum dimension L in a plane transverse to the length where T≧½ L. | 01-05-2012 |
20120021318 | FUEL CELL, METHOD FOR OPERATING FULL CELL AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell, a method for operating a fuel cell and a fuel cell system, which ensure no dew condensation for a wet reaction gas in the inlet area of gas channels in plates in a fuel cell stack, are provided. Gas channels | 01-26-2012 |
20120021319 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - The SOFC of the present invention has a plurality of individual solid oxide fuel cells ( | 01-26-2012 |
20120028154 | FUEL CELL HAVING IMPROVED THERMAL CHARACTERISTICS - One exemplary embodiment includes a fuel cell comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched between an anode and a cathode, a gas diffusion layer disposed over each of the cathode and the anode, a gas flow distributor layer disposed over the gas diffusion layer on both the anode and cathode sides, and optionally a coolant plate disposed over the gas flow distributor layer. The thermal resistance of the combined gas diffusion layer and gas flow distributor layer on the anode and/or cathode side is sufficient to allow the cathode catalyst layer to operate at an elevated temperature to effectively evaporate water produced at the cathode. | 02-02-2012 |
20120064426 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND FUEL-CELL VEHICLE - A fuel cell system includes fuel cells, a circulation channel of a coolant to cool the fuel cells, and an ion exchange resin provided on the circulation channel to maintain electrical conductivity of the coolant. The coolant contains an additive. The ion exchange resin is prepared so that adsorption of the additive on the ion exchange resin is in a saturated state. A fuel-cell vehicle includes the fuel cell system. | 03-15-2012 |
20120077103 | FUEL CELL, METHOD FOR OPERATING FULL CELL AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - In a fuel cell stack, gas channels and heat medium channels are disposed on one surface and the other surface of one plate, respectively. Gas channels are disposed on the other plate such that they face the gas channels in the one plate. A gas inlet header is disposed at the upper part of the gas channel in the plate and a heat medium inlet header is disposed at the upper part of the heat medium channels such that they face the gas inlet header on the other side. Cooling water as a heat medium is supplied from a heat medium supply manifold hole to a heat medium inlet header. Water vapor in the reaction gas (wet fuel gas) is prevented from being condensed in the inlet area of the gas channels by heating the gas inlet header by heat conduction. | 03-29-2012 |
20120148930 | Cooling Device for a Functional System - A cooling device ( | 06-14-2012 |
20120178008 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING REACTION CONDITION OF FUEL IN FUEL CELL - A target value of each of factors in a fuel cell system is determined based on a correspondence relationship of a change in each of the factors determining reaction conditions of fuel in a fuel cell to a change in an external environment of the fuel cell system, and peripheral devices of the fuel cell affecting the reaction conditions of the fuel in the fuel cell are controlled according to a target value of each of the factors. | 07-12-2012 |
20120178009 | FUEL CELL SEALING CONFIGURATION - A fuel cell plate includes a structure having opposing sides bounded by a periphery providing at least one edge. Gas flow channels are arranged on the one side and arranged within a perimeter that is spaced inboard from the periphery to provide a first gasket surface between the perimeter and the periphery. Inlet and outlet flow channels are arranged on the other side and extend to the periphery and are configured to provide gas at the at least one edge. Holes extend through the structure and fluidly interconnect the inlet and outlet flow channels to the gas flow channels. In one example, the fuel cell plate is a water transport plate in a fuel cell having external manifolds that supply fluid to the plate. | 07-12-2012 |
20120183875 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - Provided is a fuel cell system that is capable of suppressing temperature change of the fuel cell under a low temperature environment after the operation has stopped, suppressing freezing due to condensation and ensuring a preferable start thereafter. The fuel cell system comprises: a fuel cell that generates electric power through an electrochemical reaction between air and a hydrogen gas; a gas supply section that supplies air and the hydrogen gas to an air supply path, a fuel supply path and a hydrogen circulation path which are connected to the fuel cell by a compressor and a hydrogen pump; a cooling section that cools the fuel cell by making a cooling path connected to the fuel cell to circulate by a pump the cooling water that is cooled by a radiator; and a control section that performs a scavenging process that scavenges inside the air supply path, the fuel supply path and the hydrogen circulation path by the gas supply section and a cooling process that cools the fuel cell by the cooling section, when it is determined that the fuel cell would be below zero after generation of electric power by the fuel cell has stopped. | 07-19-2012 |
20120196200 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - A fuel cell device including an elongate ceramic substrate having an exterior surface defining an interior ceramic support structure having non-active end regions and an active zone therebetween that includes electrodes in opposing relation with an electrolyte therebetween for undergoing a fuel cell reaction when supplied with heat, fuel and oxidizer. The electrolyte is a ceramic co-fired with the interior ceramic support structure. The end regions lack opposing electrodes and extend away from the active zone to dissipate heat. Gas inlets are positioned in the end regions with respective outlets in either the active zone or opposite end region, and elongate passages are coupled therebetween at least partially extending in opposing relation through the active zone. The electrodes are positioned adjacent the gas passages in the active zone and are electrically connected to exterior contact surfaces on the exterior surface of the end regions for external connection to voltage nodes. | 08-02-2012 |
20120244449 | CONTAINER ARRANGEMENT FOR A FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR INTRODUCING AN ION EXCHANGE MODULE IN A COOLANT CONTAINER - A container arrangement ( | 09-27-2012 |
20120251912 | HIGH EFFICIENCY, REVERSIBLE FLOW BATTERY SYSTEM FOR ENERGY STORAGE - The present invention relates to a reversible solid oxide electrochemical cell that may operate in two modes: a discharge mode (power generation) and a charge mode (electrolytic fuel production). A thermal system that utilizes a SOFB and is inclusive of selection of operating conditions that may enable roundtrip efficiencies exceeding about 80% to be realized is disclosed. Based on leverage of existing solid oxide fuel cell technology, the system concept is applicable to energy storage applications on the kW to MW scale. | 10-04-2012 |
20120251913 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REFUELING REVERSIBLE HYDROGEN-STORAGE SYSTEMS - A method for refilling a hydrogen reservoir comprising a first hydrogen-storing material comprises establishing a fluid connection between the hydrogen reservoir and a cartridge containing a second hydrogen-storing material. The second hydrogen-storing material releases hydrogen at a pressure sufficient to charge the first hydrogen-storing material. Some embodiments involve heating the second hydrogen-storing material and/or allowing heat to flow between the first and second hydrogen-storing materials. | 10-04-2012 |
20120258377 | FUEL CELL - A cell unit of a fuel cell includes a first membrane electrode assembly, a first metal separator, a second membrane electrode assembly, and a second metal separator. Frames are provided at outer circumferences of the first and second membrane electrode assemblies. An oxygen-containing gas supply passage and a fuel gas supply passage, and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage and a fuel gas discharge passage are provided in one pair of opposite sides of the frames, and a pair of coolant supply passages and a pair of coolant discharge passages are provided in the other pair of opposite sides of the frames at distances from one another. | 10-11-2012 |
20120270129 | HEAT TRANSFER SYSTEM, FLUID, AND METHOD - Disclosed herein is a heat transfer system comprising a circulation loop defining a flow path for a heat transfer fluid, and a heat transfer fluid comprising a liquid coolant, a siloxane corrosion inhibitor of formula R3-Si—[O—Si(R)2]x-OSiR3, wherein R is independently an alkyl group or a polyalkylene oxide copolymer of 1 to 200 carbons, x is from 0 to 100, and further wherein at least one alkyl group and at least one polyalkylene oxide copolymer are present, and a non-conductive polydiorganosiloxane antifoam agent, wherein the conductivity of the heat transfer fluid is less than about 100 μS/cm, and wherein the heat transfer system comprises aluminum, magnesium, or a combination thereof, in intimate contact with the heat transfer fluid. | 10-25-2012 |
20120288779 | FUEL CELL DEVICE AND SYSTEM - Fuel cell devices and fuel cell systems are provided. In certain embodiments, the fuel cell devices may include one or more active layers containing active cells that are connected electrically in series. In certain embodiments, the fuel cell devices include an elongate ceramic support structure the length of which is the greatest dimension such that the coefficient of thermal expansion has only one dominant axis coextensive with the length. In certain embodiments, a reaction zone is positioned along a first portion of the length for heating to a reaction temperature, and at least one cold zone is positioned along a second portion of the length for operating below the reaction temperature. There are one or more gas passages, each having an associated anode or cathode. | 11-15-2012 |
20120295176 | FUEL CELL - A cell unit of a fuel cell includes a first membrane electrode assembly, a first metal separator, a second membrane electrode assembly, and a second metal separator. Resin frame members are provided at outer ends the first and second membrane electrode assemblies. A dual seal provided on the resin frame member includes an outer seal member and an inner seal member. A front end of the outer seal member contacts the resin frame member, and a front end of the inner seal member contacts the outer end of the first metal separator. The outer seal member and the outer seal member have the same height. | 11-22-2012 |
20120295177 | FUEL CELL - A cell unit of a fuel cell includes a first membrane electrode assembly, a first metal separator, a second membrane electrode assembly, and a second metal separator. Resin frame members are provided at the outer ends of the first and second membrane electrode assemblies. Coolant connection channels including a plurality of grooves is formed in each of the resin frame members. The grooves of the coolant connection channels of the cell unit and grooves of coolant connection channels of a cell unit that is adjacent to the cell unit in the stacking direction are offset from each other, and are not overlapped with each other in the stacking direction. | 11-22-2012 |
20120301805 | FUEL CELL FABRICATION USING PHOTOPOLYMER BASED PROCESSES - A fuel cell component is provided, including a substrate disposed adjacent at least one radiation-cured flow field layer. The flow field layer is one of disposed between the substrate and a diffusion medium layer, and disposed on the diffusion medium layer opposite the substrate. The flow field layer has at least one of a plurality of reactant flow channels and a plurality of coolant channels for the fuel cell. The fuel cell component may be assembled as part of a repeating unit for a fuel cell stack. A method for fabricating the fuel cell component and the associated repeating unit for the fuel cell is also provided. | 11-29-2012 |
20130004875 | GAS-LIQUID SEPARATOR AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM HAVING THE SAME - A gas-liquid separator including a housing, a first absorbing member, a second absorbing member, and a liquid pump is disclosed. The housing may include an inflow port, a gas outlet port, and a liquid outlet port. The first absorbing member may be disposed contacting the liquid outlet port in an inner space of the housing. The first absorbing member may be configured to absorb liquid in a gas-liquid mixture received from the inlet port. The second absorbing member may be disposed apart from the first absorbing member in the inner space of the housing. The second absorbing member may have a smaller volume than the absorbing member. The liquid pump may be in fluid communication with the liquid outlet port and be configured to discharge liquid absorbed by the first absorbing member | 01-03-2013 |
20130004876 | FUEL CELL STACK - A first end plate of a fuel cell stack has a coolant supply manifold and a coolant discharge manifold. The coolant supply manifold includes a pair of manifold sections and a supply coupling section coupling upper portions of the pair of supply manifold sections. The pair of supply manifold sections communicate with a pair of coolant supply passages of the first end plate. A coolant supply pipe is coupled to a lower end of one of the supply manifold sections with an inclination of a predetermined angle from a vertical direction toward a horizontal direction. | 01-03-2013 |
20130017466 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE AND SYSTEM - The invention provides tubular solid oxide fuel cell devices and a fuel cell system incorporating a plurality of the fuel devices, each device including an elongate tube having a reaction zone for heating to an operating reaction temperature, and at least one cold zone that remains at a low temperature below the operating reaction temperature when the reaction zone is heated. An electrolyte is disposed between anodes and cathodes in the reaction zone, and the anode and cathode each have an electrical pathway extending to an exterior surface in a cold zone for electrical connection at low temperature. In one embodiment, the tubular device is a spiral rolled structure, and in another embodiment, the tubular device is a concentrically arranged device. The system further includes the devices positioned with their reaction zones in a hot zone chamber and their cold zones extending outside the hot zone chamber. A heat source is coupled to the hot zone chamber to heat the reaction zones to the operating reaction temperature, and fuel and air supplies are coupled to the tubes in the cold zones. | 01-17-2013 |
20130022888 | FUEL CELL COOLING SYSTEM WITH COUPLING OUT OF HEAT - A cooling system ( | 01-24-2013 |
20130034789 | BIPOLAR PLATE ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN A FUEL CELL - A bipolar plate assembly includes a first material and a second material. The second material has an in-plane thermal conductivity greater than the first material. The second material has a width and a thickness. A ratio of the width to the thickness of the second material is between 50 and 400. | 02-07-2013 |
20130095406 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING FUEL CELL EFFICIENCY - The disclosure is directed at a method and system for improving the efficiency of fuel cells by removing impediments within the fuel cell channel. The system includes at least one sensor and a processor for determining when a gas, such as carbon dioxide, concentration level has surpassed a maximum threshold. The processor then activates an impediment removing element to remove or release gas bubbles within the fuel cell channel which are blocking reaction sites or fuel flow. | 04-18-2013 |
20130115539 | FLUID FLOW ASSEMBLIES FOR, AND IN, FUEL CELL STACKS - Fuel cells and related assemblies involving directionally independent channels are provided. In this regard, a representative fuel cell stack ( | 05-09-2013 |
20130130143 | Device for Connecting a Line Element to a Component - A device for connection of a line element to a component is provided. The line element ends in a connection housing or is connected to such a connection housing. A releasable fixing arrangement is configured between the connection housing and the component. A line section extending in the connection housing is heated by an electric heating wire. The heating wire externally surrounds the line section. The heated line section projects in the direction of the component so far over the region for releasable fixing of the connection housing on the component that it ends in the inner space of the component. | 05-23-2013 |
20130157159 | ATTACHMENT FOR A FUEL TANK OF A FUEL CELL POWERED SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC PORTABLE DEVICE EQUIPPED THEREWITH - An attachment for a fuel tank of a fuel cell powered system is described. The attachment thermally conducts heat generated from an electronic component to the fuel tank. The attachment further affixes to the electronic component by a securing portion. In one aspect, the attachment is comprised in a fuel cell powered electronic device. In another aspect, the attachment is integral to the fuel tank. | 06-20-2013 |
20130157160 | POLYMER ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL - A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprises a plurality of stacked cells each having an ionic conductive electrolyte membrane, an anode placed on one side of the electrolyte membrane, a cathode placed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, and a conductive separator on which a first refrigerant channel for flow of a refrigerant is formed in center part thereof. The separator comprises a penetration holes constituting a manifold which extend in a direction of stacking of the plurality of cells and through which the refrigerant flows, a second refrigerant channels for communication between the penetration holes and the first refrigerant channel, and a plurality of protrusions that protrude into the penetration holes from parts of wall surfaces of the penetration holes that located peripherally in connection parts between the penetration holes and the second refrigerant channels. | 06-20-2013 |
20130164646 | FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell stack includes a terminal plate, an insulating member, and an end plate at one end of a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells. A heat insulating member and the terminal plate are placed in a recess of the insulating member. The heat insulating member is formed by stacking metal plates and metal plates together alternately. The metal plate is formed by cutting the outer end of a first metal separator of the power generation cell into a frame shape and the metal plate is formed by cutting the outer end of a second metal separator of the power generation cell into a frame shape. | 06-27-2013 |
20130164647 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM, MOTOR, AIR COMPRESSOR, PUMP, AND METHOD OF DESIGNING MOTOR - 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. | 06-27-2013 |
20130177827 | SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL, FUEL CELL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING FUEL CELL - A separator for fuel cell includes a corrugated portion formed to have a corrugated cross section where a first groove that is concave to a first surface to form a flow path for a first fluid on the first surface and a second groove that is concave to a second surface opposite to the first surface to form a flow path for a second fluid on the second surface are arranged alternately and repeatedly. Each of the second grooves has at least one shallower groove section formed to have a less depth from the second surface than depth of a remaining groove section and provided to form a communication flow channel on the first surface side, which is arranged to communicate between two flow path spaces for the first fluid that are adjacent to each other across the shallower groove section. | 07-11-2013 |
20130209909 | FUEL CELL - A cell unit constituting a fuel cell is provided with a first electrolyte membrane/electrode structure, a first separator, a second electrolyte membrane/electrode structure, and a second separator. The first and second electrolyte membrane/electrode structures respectively have a frame section on the outer periphery, and the frame sections are formed with a fluid communicating hole extending in the stacking direction. The first and second separators are disposed towards the inside of the fluid communication hole and are respectively provided with two metal plates which have the same shape and which are stacked on one another. | 08-15-2013 |
20130224617 | Coolant Circuit for a Fuel Cell System and Method for Changing out Ion Exchanger Material - A coolant circuit for a fuel cell system of a motor vehicle includes an ion exchanger material arranged in at least one component of the coolant circuit that is flowed through by coolant during the cooling operation. The ion exchanger material is fixed to an internal side of a wall of the at least one component. During an exchange of the ion exchanger material, the entire component is exchanged and replaced by a replacement component. | 08-29-2013 |
20130230785 | FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell stack includes a stacked body, a first terminal plate, a first insulating plate, a first end plate, and a first insulating collar member. The first insulating collar member includes a first tubular portion and a first flange portion. The first tubular portion is provided in the first fluid manifold hole. The first flange portion is disposed at one end of the first tubular portion. Another end of the first tubular portion projects to an outside of the first fluid manifold hole and is in slidably contact with an inner circumferential surface of the first outer manifold member via an outer circumferential surface sealing member. The first flange portion is in contact with the first insulating plate via an end-face sealing member. | 09-05-2013 |
20130236803 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module which is capable of easily securing an adequate sealing function even when the unit cell is made thinner. The fuel cell module includes a stacked body which includes: a stacked structure including: an electrolyte layer, and a pair of electrodes provided to sandwich the electrolyte layer; and a pair of separators disposed to sandwich the stacked structure, the separators being arranged at least one end of the stacked body in the stacking direction, the separators which are arranged at the end of the stacked body having a groove which is capable of receiving a sealing member in a face which does not oppose to the stacked structure, and the at least one groove being a deep groove of which depth is larger than the thickness of the separator having the groove. | 09-12-2013 |
20130252126 | FUEL CELL DEVICE AND SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a fuel cell system. A hot zone chamber has a wall thickness T and a heat source coupled thereto. An elongate fuel cell device is positioned with a first lengthwise portion within the hot zone chamber, a second lengthwise portion outside the hot zone chamber, and a third lengthwise portion of length T within the chamber wall. The third portion has a maximum dimension L in a plane transverse to the length where T≧½L. | 09-26-2013 |
20130273448 | FREEZE TOLERANT FUEL CELL FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR - A fuel pressure regulator unit is mounted on a manifold. The fuel pressure regulator unit includes a housing providing a fuel inlet passage, a regulated fuel outlet passage, a sense pressure passage, a recycle passage and a mixed fuel passage. A pressure regulator is provided in the housing and is arranged fluidly between the fuel inlet passage and the regulated fuel outlet passage. The sense passage fluidly interconnects the mixed fuel passage and the pressure regulator. The pressure regulator is configured to regulate the flow of fuel from the fuel inlet passage to regulated fuel passage in response to a pressure from the sense pressure passage. An ejector is arranged within the housing and fluidly between the regulated fuel outlet passage and the mixed fuel passage. An ejector is configured to receive recycled fuel from the recycle passage. | 10-17-2013 |
20130280631 | CURRENT COLLECTOR PLATES OF BULK-SOLIDIFYING AMORPHOUS ALLOYS - Collector plates made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys, the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys providing ruggedness, lightweight structure, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost manufacturing, and methods of making such collector plates from such bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are provided. | 10-24-2013 |
20130295481 | MANIFOLD BLOCK FOR FUEL CELL STACK - Disclosed is a manifold block for a fuel cell, which provides excellent electrical insulation for a coolant flow channel in an internal flow channel. More specifically, a manifold block for a fuel cell stack, includes a coolant interface formed of a polymer insulating material and coolant flow channels; and a reactant gas interface formed of a metal material and including reactant gas flow channels. In particular, the reactant and coolant interfaces are mounted to a stack module and, at the same time, are integrally bonded to each other. | 11-07-2013 |
20130316260 | STACK OF IMPROVED FUEL CELLS AND ELECTRIC POWER GENERATOR COMPRISING SAID STACK - The invention relates to a stack ( | 11-28-2013 |
20130316261 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell includes an electrolyte-electrode assembly, a frame member, a first separator, and a second separator. The frame member is provided to face a first surface of the second separator and includes a resin wall which forms a periphery of a first reactant gas passage. The resin wall has a thin-walled portion which overlaps with a cooling medium connecting portion in a stacking direction and which protrudes toward the first reactant gas passage in the stacking direction by a first dimension from a surface of the frame member. Another portion of the resin wall protrudes toward the second separator in the stacking direction by a second dimension from the surface of the frame member. The first dimension is smaller than the second dimension. | 11-28-2013 |
20130344411 | ELECTRICAL POWER STORAGE SYSTEM USING HYDROGEN AND METHOD FOR STORING ELECTRICAL POWER USING HYDROGEN - In one embodiment, an electrical power storage system using hydrogen includes a power generation unit generating power using hydrogen and oxidant gas and an electrolysis unit electrolyzing steam. The electrical power storage system includes a hydrogen storage unit storing hydrogen generated by the electrolysis and supplying the hydrogen to the power generation unit during power generation, a high-temperature heat storage unit storing high temperature heat generated accompanying the power generation and supplying the heat to the electrolysis unit during the electrolysis, and a low-temperature heat storage unit storing low-temperature heat, which is exchanged in the high-temperature heat storage unit and generating with this heat the steam supplied to the electrolysis unit. | 12-26-2013 |
20140017585 | COOLING SYSTEM FOR A FUEL CELL - The invention relates to a cooling system for a fuel cell ( | 01-16-2014 |
20140023948 | ENHANCEMENT OF IN SITU RADIATION FOR FACILITATED THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF HIGH TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS - The various embodiments described herein provide an alternative solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) design that enhances radiation heat transfer. The premise is to facilitate view factor radiation as an additional means of thermal equilibration along and between the high temperature fuel cells, such that the cells become more tolerant to colder inlet oxidant streams or direct internal reformation, as well as have enhanced proximity of temperatures between one another. Previously threatening “cold spots” due to convective cooling and endothermic reformation effects could be minimized or avoided via thermal radiation that ultimately originates from hotter cell locations. Likewise, previously threatening “temperature glides” throughout the direction of cell stacking are mitigated by the cells having more (reflective) thermal radiation between themselves. | 01-23-2014 |
20140030623 | SEMI-SOLID FILLED BATTERY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A static semi-solid filled energy storage system having a plurality of static cells, each cell comprising an ion permeable membrane separating positive and negative current collectors and positioned to define positive and negative electroactive zones. Electroactive material is delivered to the electroactive zones via a plurality of manifolds. The manifolds are injected with an electronically insulating barrier that is configured to seal each static cell from its neighboring static cell. Valves are used to allow gas created from the electrochemical reactions to be released from the system. Coolant may be introduced to dissipate heat from the system. | 01-30-2014 |
20140051001 | ENERGY DISSIPATION DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING FLOW OF A FUEL CELL FLUID - An example energy dissipation device for controlling a fuel cell fluid includes a conduit extending in longitudinal direction between a first opening and a second opening. A flow control insert is configured to be received within the conduit. The flow control insert is configured to cause a fuel cell fluid to flow helically relative to the longitudinal direction. | 02-20-2014 |
20140065504 | FUEL CELL DEVICE AND SYSTEM - Fuel cell devices and systems are provided. In certain embodiments, the devices include a ceramic support structure having a length, a width, and a thickness with the length direction being the dominant direction of thermal expansion. A reaction zone having at least one active layer therein is spaced from the first end and includes first and second opposing electrodes, associated active first and second gas passages, and electrolyte. The active first gas passage includes sub-passages extending in the y direction and spaced apart in the x direction. An artery flow passage extends from the first end along the length and into the reaction zone and is fluidicly coupled to the sub-passages of the active first gas passage. The thickness of the artery flow passage is greater than the thickness of the sub-passages. In other embodiments, fuel cell devices include second sub-passages for the active second gas passage and a second artery flow passage coupled thereto, and extending from either the first end or the second end into the reaction zone. In yet other embodiments, one or both electrodes of a fuel cell device are segmented. | 03-06-2014 |
20140072894 | COOLANT CYCLE FOR A FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A COOLANT CYCLE - A coolant circuit ( | 03-13-2014 |
20140106252 | FUEL CELL DEVICE AND SYSTEM - Fuel cell devices and fuel cell systems are provided. The fuel cell devices may include one or more active layers containing active cells that are connected electrically in series. The active cells include anodes and cathodes spaced apart along the length, with each including a porous portion and a non-porous conductor portion. The active cells reside between opposing porous anode and cathode portions. The electrical series connections between active cells are made between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by direct contact between the non-porous conductor portions. In certain embodiments, the electrical series connections are made by non-porous conductive vias or elements that extend through an intervening support structure that separates the non-porous anode conductor portions from the non-porous cathode conductor portions. | 04-17-2014 |
20140127599 | FUEL CELL AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The compact fuel cell which can efficiently perform heating and can be repeatedly used includes a solid electrolyte, an anode that is formed on one surface of the solid electrolyte, a cathode that is formed on another surface of the solid electrolyte, an anode fuel material, a heating portion for heating and maintaining the solid electrolyte and the anode fuel material at a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined level, and a sealing portion that is installed in the solid electrolyte, forms a sealed space sealing the anode and the anode fuel material together with the solid electrolyte and the heating portion, and can repeatedly open and close, in which a helium leak rate of the sealed space is maintained at 1×10 | 05-08-2014 |
20140141349 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - A fuel cell device having an exterior surface defining an interior ceramic support structure. An active zone is along an intermediate portion of the length for undergoing a fuel cell reaction, and opposing non-active end regions are along end portions extending away from the active zone without being heated. Fuel and oxidizer passages extend within the interior support structure from respective first and second inlets in respective ones of the opposing non-active end regions. The active zone has an anode associated with each of the fuel passages and a cathode associated with each of the oxidizer passages in opposing relation to a respective one of the anodes with an electrolyte therebetween. The opposing non-active end regions lack the anode and cathode in opposing relation so as to be incapable of undergoing a fuel cell reaction. | 05-22-2014 |
20140141350 | FUEL CELL - Provided is a fuel cell, the output voltage of which is improved by making a membrane moist state uniform. An anode-side gas diffusion layer and a cathode-side gas diffusion layer are joined to a membrane electrode assembly, and a separator is joined to the anode-side gas diffusion layer. The separator has a recess portion and a protrusion portion formed to constitute a gas flow path and a refrigerant flow path, respectively. The cross-sectional area of the recess portion is made relatively small at the downstream side in comparison with that at the upstream side, and the cross-sectional area of the protrusion portion is made relatively large at the downstream side in comparison with that at the upstream side, thereby improving the moist state. | 05-22-2014 |
20140147762 | FUEL CELL AND METHOD FOR SEALING A COOLANT CHAMBER OF A BIPOLAR PLATE OF A FUEL CELL - A method for sealing a coolant chamber ( | 05-29-2014 |
20140147763 | SEPARATOR PLATE WITH INTERMEDIATE INJECTION OF GAS, FUEL CELL, METHOD OF FEEDING A FUEL CELL - A fuel cell separator plate is provided. The fuel cell separator plate includes at least one groove formed in a face of the separator plate so as to feed reactant gas to a membrane electrode assembly applied against the face of the separator plate, the groove comprising an inlet section and an outlet section. The fuel cell separator plate also includes injection means configured so as to inject gas into at least one intermediate section of the groove, situated between the inlet section and the outlet section. | 05-29-2014 |
20140170515 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING COOLANT TEMPERATURE OF FUEL CELL SYSTEM - Disclosed is an apparatus and method that controls a coolant temperature of a fuel cell system, which can improve fuel efficiency by performing a multi-point temperature control based on the power of a vehicle, the outdoor temperature for each season, etc. | 06-19-2014 |
20140170516 | INCREASING THERMAL DISSIPATION OF FUEL CELL STACKS UNDER PARTIAL ELECTRICAL LOAD - A method of operating a high temperature fuel cell system containing a plurality of fuel cell stacks includes operating one or more of the plurality of fuel cell stacks at a first output power while operating another one or more of the plurality of the fuel cell stacks at a second output power different from the first output power. | 06-19-2014 |
20140178784 | ACTIVE THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR FUEL CELL STACK - An active thermal management system for a fuel cell stack controls the distribution of coolant flow for each unit cell of the fuel cell stack based on the temperature distribution measured at unit cells of the fuel cell stack. A coolant distribution means is capable of controlling the distribution of coolant flow for different sets of unit cells. The coolant distribution means is disposed in a coolant inlet manifold, and controls the coolant flow based on the temperature distribution measured at different unit cells of the fuel cell stack so as to reduce temperature variation in the unit cells, thus improving the performance and durability of the fuel cell stack. | 06-26-2014 |
20140178785 | FUEL CELL WITH POROUS MATERIAL-GASKET INTEGRATED STRUCTURE - Disclosed is a fuel cell with a porous material-gasket integrated structure, which can facilitate the flow of gas and water by stacking a porous material-gasket integrated structure, in which a porous material and a gasket are integrally molded, on a separator. In particular, the present invention provides a fuel cell with a porous material-gasket integrated structure, in which a porous material and a gasket are integrally molded and stacked on a separator such that the porous material is located between a manifold, through which gas is supplied, and a reaction surface, where an electrochemical reaction takes place, so as to serve as a diffuser for gas fed through the manifold. | 06-26-2014 |
20140205925 | Fuel Cell System - A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell, water-conducting parts and components in the region of the supply and discharge of starting materials and products to and from the fuel cell, and at least one cooling circuit containing liquid cooling medium for cooling the fuel cell. The water-conducting parts and components are in thermal contact with the cooling medium, at least during individual operating phases of the fuel cell. | 07-24-2014 |
20140212781 | STACKED TYPE FUEL CELL - A stacked type fuel cell includes electricity generating modules, at least two cathode flow field plates, and at least one common anode flow field plate. Each electricity generating module includes an anode collector, a cathode collector, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) between the anode collector and the cathode collector, a fuel diffusion layer, and a cathode moisture layer. The fuel diffusion layer and the cathode moisture layer are respectively located at two sides of the MEA. The anode collector is between the fuel diffusion layer and the MEA, and the cathode collector is between the cathode moisture layer and the MEA. The common anode flow field plate is between two fuel diffusion layers in two adjacent electricity generating modules. The common anode flow field plate and two electricity generating modules located at two sides of the common anode flow field plate are sandwiched between the cathode flow field plates. | 07-31-2014 |
20140220467 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes: a coolant circulation passage through which a coolant for cooling a fuel cell circulates; a pump that circulates the coolant; a radiation unit that cools the coolant by discharging heat from the coolant; a bypass passage connected to the coolant circulation passage so as to bypass the radiation unit; and an open/close valve that is provided in a convergence portion where low temperature coolant that has passed through the radiation unit and high temperature coolant that has passed through the bypass passage without passing through the radiation unit converge, and that opens when a temperature of the high temperature coolant reaches or exceeds a predetermined opening temperature, whereby the low temperature coolant and the high temperature coolant converge and are supplied thus to the fuel cell, wherein a basic discharge flow of the pump is calculated in accordance with a condition of the fuel cell, and when the temperature of the low temperature coolant is lower than a predetermined temperature, a discharge flow of the pump is increased above the basic discharge flow. | 08-07-2014 |
20140248549 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, a separator, a fluid channel, a fluid manifold, a plurality of protruding elastic members, and a plurality of sealing members. A fluid is to flow in a stacking direction through the fluid manifold. A connection channel is provided between the plurality of protruding elastic members to connect the fluid channel and the fluid manifold. The plurality of sealing members are provided adjacent to the plurality of protruding elastic members in the stacking direction and extend in a direction to cross a flow direction in which the fluid flows along the connection channel. Each of the plurality of protruding elastic members has overlapping regions that overlap the plurality of sealing members as seen from the stacking direction. The overlapping regions are separated from each other in the flow direction. | 09-04-2014 |
20140248550 | ION EXCHANGER AND COOLER HAVING ION EXCHANGER - An ion exchanger configured to remove an impurity ion of a coolant for cooling a fuel cell, the ion exchanger includes an inflow portion having an inflow path where the coolant enters, a discharge portion having a discharge path for discharging the coolant, an outer casing having an upstream end where the inflow portion is provided and a downstream end where the discharge portion is provided, an inner casing housed inside the outer casing, an outer path formed between the inner casing and the outer casing to cause the inflow path and the discharge path to communicate with each other, and an inner path that is formed inside the inner casing to cause the inflow path and the discharge path to communicate with each other and is configured to enclose an ion exchange resin capable of removing an impurity ion of the coolant. The inner casing has a through-hole that causes the inner path end the outer path to communicate with each other. | 09-04-2014 |
20140255811 | MOLDED COOLANT PLATE ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRAL REACTANT FLOW FIELDS AND THERMAL DAM - An end-cooler assembly for a fuel cell includes a cooler having a coolant tube array. A composite material includes flake graphite and hydrophobic polymer. The composite material surrounds the coolant tube array and provides a first side. A flow field is formed in the first side. A thermal dam is embedded in and is entirely surrounded by the composite material. The thermal dam is arranged between the coolant tube array and the flow field. The coolant tube array, composite material, flow field and thermal dam comprise a unitary, monolithic structure bound together by the composite material. | 09-11-2014 |
20140272655 | PEM Fuel Cell Stack - A fuel cell includes a cathode flow field plate, an anode flow field plate, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) sandwiched between the cathode and anode flow field plate. The cathode flow field plate has a flat side and an opposed channel side that the MEA is sandwiched between the anode flow field plate and the flat side of the cathode flow field plate. The cathode flow field plate further has a plurality of flow channels formed at the channel side for enabling fluid flowing along the flow channels to promote electrochemical reaction through the MEA so as to generate electrical energy. | 09-18-2014 |
20140302415 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HEATING A FUEL CELL STACK - An apparatus for heating a fuel cell stack in a cold start mode is provided. The apparatus comprises a fuel cell stack, a power converter, and a controller. The power converter may include a power switch and resistive heating element that is thermally coupled to the fuel cell stack. The controller is configured to activate the power converter, if a temperature is below a predetermined temperature value, to draw current from the fuel cell stack to cause the fuel cell stack to generate heat. Heat from the power converter is also applied to the fuel cell stack. | 10-09-2014 |
20140329160 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THERMAL PRIORITY OPERATION OF A FUEL CELL POWER PLANT - A thermal priority fuel cell power plant includes a cell stack assembly for generating an electrical power output. The cell stack assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and a waste heat recovery loop. The anode is configured to receive a fuel, the cathode is configured to receive an oxidizer, and the cell stack assembly is configured to generate the electrical power output by electrochemically reacting the anode fuel and the cathode oxidizer in the presence of a catalyst. The waste heat recovery loop includes a coolant inlet conduit and a coolant outlet conduit, and is configured to remove waste heat generated from the electrochemical reaction. A waste heat recovery loop is thermally coupled to the cell stack assembly for managing the waste heat of the cell stack assembly and for supplying thermal power to a thermal load demand. The waste heat recovery loop includes a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the coolant outlet conduit and the thermal load demand. A controller is operatively associated with the cell stack assembly and the waste heat recovery loop. The controller controls the operation of the cell stack assembly by adjusting a fuel cell power plant parameter responsive to the thermal load demand. In one aspect, the fuel cell power plant parameter is reactant utilization. In another aspect, the fuel cell power plant parameter is a temperature for a thermal management system accumulator. | 11-06-2014 |
20140342259 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell supplied with fuel gas and oxidizing gas to generate electricity; a fuel gas supply unit supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell; an oxidizing gas supply unit supplying the oxidizing gas to the fuel cell; an aftercooler cooling the oxidizing gas supplied to the fuel cell by heat exchange with a coolant; an oxidizing gas temperature detector detecting temperature of the oxidizing gas; and a coolant circulation controller starting circulation of the coolant when the detected temperature of the oxidizing gas exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined value is set to a value of not higher than a minimum electricity generation temperature of the fuel cell, and a circulation timing and flow rate of the coolant for the aftercooler are controlled such that the supplied oxidizing gas does not become cold. This enables the fuel cell to generate electricity at cold start-up. | 11-20-2014 |
20140349205 | FUEL CELL STACK COMPRESSION SYSTEM HAVING INTEGRATED VEHICLE MOUNTS - A fuel cell system having compression retention features that functions dually to provide compression retention and to provide structural sealing and vehicle mounting capability, eliminating the bulk of an additional structural enclosure while retaining the balance of plant simplicity associated with the use of structural enclosures. The fuel cell system has fuel cells disposed between a dry end unit plate and a wet end unit plate and a compression retention system with a pair of opposing end caps and a pair of opposing side panels such that wet end unit plate is fixedly secured to the opposing end caps and the dry end unit plate is adjustably secured to the opposing end caps. Methods for eliminating the effect of stack height variance and balance of plant tolerances on fuel cell system installation are also provided. | 11-27-2014 |
20140349206 | HEAT RECOVERY APPARATUS BASED ON FUEL CELL AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - Provided are a heat recovery apparatus based on a fuel cell and an operating method thereof. In the fuel cell-based heat recovery apparatus and the operating method thereof, hot water and steam may be generated by using heat generated while a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) operates to supply the generated hot water or steam to buildings, thereby reducing a rate of operation in cooling/heating equipment using electricity so as to reduce air-conditioning costs. | 11-27-2014 |
20140356747 | Spliced Bipolar Plates For Fuel Cells And Fuel Cell Stacks Comprising The Same - Spliced bipolar plates for fuel cells are provided. The spliced bipolar plate includes a supporting plate and a splice plate. The supporting plate has thee inlet openings and three outlet openings formed on both ends. A plurality of coolant flow channels are provided on one side of the supporting plate, while a recess of a uniform thickness is provided on the opposite side of the supporting plate. One side of the recess is opened to a transverse or a longitudinal side of the supporting plate. The splice plate is divided into a reaction zone part and an extended part by the supporting plate. The size of the reaction zone part is substantially the same as the volume of the recess such that the reaction zone part is received in the recess, thus connecting the splice plate to the supporting plate. The extended part of the splice plate is projected beyond the supporting plate. | 12-04-2014 |
20140370407 | FUEL CELL STACK DISCRETE HEADER - A fuel cell system comprises a main body including a first partial header and a fastening point. The main body is adapted to be coupled to a plurality of plates forming a fuel cell stack, allowing a single plate design to be used for multiple fuel cell stack lengths having a large differential of energy requirements, affording a durable alignment mechanism for the fuel cell stack, and providing integration flexibility for components and configurations of the fuel cell system. | 12-18-2014 |
20150030949 | FUEL CELL - The fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of planar power generation cells are stacked in a thickness direction thereof. The fuel cell also includes a heat exchanger provided between the two adjacent power generation cells in the stacking direction and in contact with the power generation cells, and including an internal first flow path that passes the oxidant gas or fuel gas supplied from outside. The fuel cell also includes a second flow path connected to an outlet side of the first flow path of the heat exchanger and to the cathode side or the anode side of each of the power generation cells, and supplying the oxidant gas or fuel gas that has passed through the first flow path to the cathode side or anode side of each of the power generation cells on both sides in the stacking direction of the heat exchanger. | 01-29-2015 |
20150044590 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A FUEL CELL STACK FOR A FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A method for operating a fuel cell stack ( | 02-12-2015 |
20150072258 | FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell stack includes a stack of fuel cells, a first end plate, a second end plate, a fluid manifold member, and a protrusion. In the stack of fuel cells, the fuel cells are stacked in a stacking direction. The first end plate is disposed on a first end of the stack of fuel cells in the stacking direction. The second end plate is disposed on a second end of the stack of fuel cells in the stacking direction. The fluid manifold member is disposed on at least one of the first and second end plates. The fluid manifold member allows a fluid to flow through the fuel cells. The protrusion is disposed around a joint region at which the fluid manifold member is joined to the at least one of the first and second end plates. The protrusion protrudes outward in the stacking direction. | 03-12-2015 |
20150079488 | FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell stack has a plurality of laminated cell units, with each of the cell units including a membrane electrode assembly sandwiched between two separators, and cooling fluid passage channels are formed between each adjacent cell units for flowing cooling fluid. Displacement absorbing members have a plurality of displacement absorbing projections that absorb displacement along a laminated direction of the cell unit and are provided in the cooling fluid passage channels. The displacement absorbing projections of the displacement absorbing members are disposed so as to cancel out any bending moments generated on the cell unit. | 03-19-2015 |
20150079489 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM HAVING EJECTOR - A fuel cell system with an ejector is provided. In particular, the system includes a stack, fuel injection nozzle and a water injection nozzle. In particular, the stack produces electricity via an electrochemical reaction using fuel and air. The fuel injection nozzle injects fuel into the stack and the water injection nozzle injects water into the fuel injection nozzle. In particular, water is supplied from the water injection nozzle into the fuel injection nozzle due to a vacuum within the fuel injection nozzle. | 03-19-2015 |
20150079490 | FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY - A fuel cell assembly ( | 03-19-2015 |
20150079491 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and separators, an inner sealing member and an outer sealing member, a coolant channel, a base seal, an inner protrusion and an outer protrusion, and a middle protrusion. The membrane electrode assembly and the separators are stacked in a stacking direction. The inner sealing member and the outer sealing member are disposed between a first separator and a second separator. The base seal is disposed on at least one of separator surfaces between the second separator and a third separator. The inner protrusion and the outer protrusion are provided on the base seal so as to respectively overlap the inner sealing member and the outer sealing member when viewed in the stacking direction and so as to protrude between the second separator and the third separator in the stacking direction. | 03-19-2015 |
20150093669 | FUEL CELL AND SEPARATOR - A separator having planar shape may comprise a second inner wall and a third inner wall formed inside of the separator and disposed between a first hole and a plurality of first inner walls. The second inner wall and the third inner walls may comprise a plurality of first grooves formed inside of the separator and a plurality of first concaves facing the plurality of first grooves inside of the separator. Each of the plurality of first grooves extends between the first hole and the plurality of first inner walls along a first direction. Each of the plurality of first concaves curves outward from inside of the separator and extends between one of the plurality of first grooves and other of the plurality of first grooves. | 04-02-2015 |
20150093670 | FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell stack includes a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells. At one end of the stack body, a terminal plate, an insulating member, and an end plate are stacked. At the other end of the stack body, a terminal plate, an insulating member, and an end plate are stacked. A coolant channel is formed between the insulating member and the end plate for allowing a coolant to flow along a surface of the end plate. | 04-02-2015 |
20150093671 | FUEL CELL SUB-ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MAKING IT - A sub-assembly for an electrochemical stack, such as a PEM fuel cell stack, has a bipolar plate with sealing material extending from its upper face, around the edge of the bipolar plate, and onto its lower face. The bipolar plate is preferably a combination of an anode plate and a cathode plate defining an internal coolant flow field and bonded together by sealing material which also provides a seal around the coolant flow field. All of the sealing material in the sub-assembly may be one contiguous mass. To make the sub-assembly, anode and cathode plates are loaded into a mold. Liquid sealing material is injected into the mold and fills a gap between the edge of the plates, and portions of the outer faces of the plates, and the mold. In a stack, sub-assemblies are separated by MEAs which at least partially overlap the sealing material on their faces. | 04-02-2015 |
20150099205 | MANIFOLD FOR PLURAL FUEL CELL STACKS - An assembly has a plurality of fuel cell stacks with at least one wall. At least one manifold portion is provided outwardly of the at least one wall of each of the fuel cell stacks. The at least one manifold portion for a pair of the plurality of fuel cell stacks is on facing surfaces with an intermediate wall between the at least one of the manifold portions on the pair of the plurality of fuel cell stacks. A method of forming an assembly of a plurality of fuel cell stacks is also disclosed. | 04-09-2015 |
20150118591 | FUEL CELL STACK ASSEMBLY - A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a plurality of fuel cells in a stack, the stack defining two opposing parallel end faces. An end plate assembly is provided at each opposing end face of the stack. The end plate assemblies are coupled together to thereby maintain the fuel cells in the stack under compression. At least one of the end plate assemblies comprises: a master plate defining a master compression face having a first portion and a second portion; a first slave plate defining a first slave compression face; and a second slave plate defining a second slave compression face. The first slave compression face faces the first portion of the master compression face and when assembled, is in compressive relationship therewith, and the second slave compression face faces the second portion of the master compression face and when assembled, is also in compressive relationship therewith. | 04-30-2015 |
20150295252 | Metallic Separator for Fuel Cells and Method of Manufacturing the Metallic Separator - A metallic separator for fuel cells having a metal plate, an electroconductive coating layer covering at least a surface in front and back surfaces of the metal plate which contacts a raw material and/or a reaction product, and an electroconductive channel-forming member disposed on a surface of the coating layer and forming a channel for the raw material and/or the reaction product and/or a channel for a cooling medium for cooling. A surface layer on the metal plate has a tensile residual stress within such a range that no stress-corrosion cracking occurs. | 10-15-2015 |
20150303492 | SEPARATOR AND FUEL CELL WITH THE SAME - A separator for a fuel cell is provided. The separator is disposed at both sides of a membrane-electrode assembly and is configured to supply a reaction gas to the membrane-electrode assembly. In addition, the separator includes a conductive microporous body that is formed on a reaction surface corresponding to the membrane-electrode assembly and a channel unit that is connected to an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold through which the reaction gas flows and is configured to guide the reaction gas to the reaction surface. | 10-22-2015 |
20150303498 | VALVE AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM USING THE VALVE - Disclosed is a valve comprising a passage portion where a wet fluid flows, a valve body provided inside the passage portion, and a cover body that covers an outer circumferential surface of the passage portion so as to form a heating medium passage where a heating medium for warming an outer circumferential surface of the passage portion flows, wherein the cover body of the valve has an inlet port and an outlet port for the heating medium in its upper side and forms the heating medium passage such that the heating medium flows via a lower side of the passage portion. | 10-22-2015 |
20150311543 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a fuel gas supply/exhaust portion, an oxidant gas supply/exhaust portion, a cooling portion, and a controller. The controller performs at least one of a transient increase control process and a transient decrease control process. In the transient increase control process, the controller determines whether a temperature of a coolant is in a transient increase state. In the transient increase state, the controller performs an oxidant gas pressure increase process. In the transient decrease control process, the controller determines whether the temperature of the coolant is in a transient decrease state. In the transient decrease state, the controller performs at least one of the oxidant gas pressure increase process and an output increase process. In the output increase process, the controller controls the fuel cell to generate an output higher than a target output corresponding to a request output. | 10-29-2015 |
20150333343 | FLUID FLOW PLATE FOR A FUEL CELL - A fluid flow plate for an electrochemical assembly has a plurality of first fluid flow channels extending across an active area of the flow plate to define a first fluid flow field of the fluid flow plate and a plurality of second fluid flow channels extending across the active area of the flow plate to define a second fluid flow field of the fluid flow plate. An array of first fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the first fluid flow field for communicating fluid into or out of the first fluid flow channels. An array of second fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the second fluid flow field for communicating fluid into or out of the second fluid flow channels. A first fluid gallery a first peripheral edge portion bounded by the array of first fluid transfer points and has a second peripheral edge portion forming a first fluid communication edge of the fluid flow plate. A second fluid gallery has a first peripheral edge portion bounded by the array of second fluid transfer points and has a second peripheral edge portion forming a second fluid communication edge of the fluid flow plate. The first fluid gallery and the second fluid gallery are shaped such that the combined lengths of the second peripheral edge portions are longer than the first peripheral edge portion of the second fluid gallery or the first fluid gallery. Increasing the lengths of the second peripheral edge portions of each gallery to the maximum possible length compared to the length of fluid transfer points (i.e. width of the active flow field area) optimises fluid distribution into the channels of the flow plate. | 11-19-2015 |
20150333344 | FLUID FLOW PLATE FOR A FUEL CELL - A bipolar fluid flow plate for an electrochemical assembly comprises a plurality of first fluid flow channels extending across a face of the flow plate to define a first fluid flow field of the fluid flow plate and a plurality of second fluid flow channels extending across a face of the flow plate to define a second fluid flow field of the fluid flow plate. The pluralities of first fluid flow channels and second fluid flow channels both occupying a common channel plane. An array of first fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the first fluid flow field for communicating fluid into or out of the first fluid flow channels. An array of second fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the second fluid flow field for communicating fluid into or out of the second fluid flow channels. A first fluid gallery has a first peripheral edge portion bounded by the array of first fluid transfer points and has a second peripheral edge portion forming a first fluid communication edge of the fluid flow plate. A second fluid gallery has a first peripheral edge portion bounded by the array of second fluid transfer points and has a second peripheral edge portion forming a second fluid communication edge of the fluid flow plate. The first fluid gallery occupies a first gallery plane and the second fluid gallery occupies a second gallery plane different from the first gallery plane. Both the first gallery plane and the second gallery plane are disposed within the channel plane. This structure enables the feeding of multiple different fluids into coplanar channels across the full width of a flow field. | 11-19-2015 |
20150333345 | FLUID FLOW PLATE FOR A FUEL CELL - A fluid flow plate for an electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprises a first plurality of fluid flow channels extending across an area of the flow plate to define a flow field of the fluid flow plate. An array of first fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the flow field for communicating fluid into to or out of the fluid flow channels. A gallery has a first peripheral edge portion bounded by the array of first fluid transfer points and at least two second peripheral edge portions each bounded by an array of second fluid transfer points disposed along fluid access edges of the fluid flow plate. The at least two second peripheral edge portions are disposed at oblique angles to the first peripheral edge portion such that the total length of the array of second fluid transfer points is at least as long as, and preferably longer than, the length of the array of first fluid transfer points. Disposing the at least two second peripheral edge portions at oblique angles to the first peripheral edge portion enables the lengths of the second peripheral edge portions of each gallery to be increased compared to the length of the first fluid transfer points (i.e. width of the active flow field area) which optimises fluid distribution into the channels of the flow plate. | 11-19-2015 |
20150349354 | FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell stack has a stacked plurality of single cells. Each of the single cells has a membrane electrode assembly, and a pair of separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly therebetween. A cooling fluid channel where a cooling fluid flows is formed between adjacent single cells. The fuel cell stack further comprises a displacement absorbing member disposed in the cooling fluid channel to absorb a displacement between the single cells. The displacement absorbing member comprises a channel flow resistance reduction structure that reduces a channel flow resistance of the cooling fluid channel against the cooling fluid. | 12-03-2015 |
20150364777 | Fuel Cell System - A fuel cell system has a plurality of individual fuel cells which are combined into a stack, where each of the individual fuel cells has a substantially planar membrane-electrode unit, two gas diffusion layers in the form of a fiber structure and of a bipolar plate, which establishes the electrical connection to the adjacent individual fuel cell that is located above or below. The gas diffusion layers adjoin the larger surfaces of the membrane electrode unit, which are located opposite of one another, and the bipolar plate comprises an active region surrounded by an edge region. In addition, the bipolar plates in the active region have a completely flat design so that the gas-carrying region is formed exclusively by the gas diffusion layers, what amounts to at least 60% of the height of an individual fuel cell. | 12-17-2015 |
20150372310 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL DEVICE - A fuel cell device having an exterior surface defining an interior ceramic support structure. An active zone is along a first portion of the length for undergoing a fuel cell reaction, and at least one non-active end region is along an end portion extending away from the active zone without being heated. Fuel and oxidizer passages extend within the interior support structure from respective first and second inlets in the non-active end region to the active zone. The active zone has an anode associated with each of the fuel passages and a cathode associated with each of the oxidizer passages in opposing relation to a respective one of the anodes with an electrolyte therebetween. A plurality of ceramic support members in spaced-apart positions are provided throughout each one of the plurality of fuel and oxidizer passages that physically holds open the passages to prevent collapse. | 12-24-2015 |
20150372326 | Fuel Cell System - A fuel cell system is provided having multiple individual fuel cells which are combined to form a fuel cell stack, and having two current collectors which adjoin the two end-side individual fuel cells. The current collectors are each adjoined directly, or with the interposition of an isolation plate, by an end plate. A heat accumulator is provided at least on one of the current collectors so as to adjoin that side of the latter which faces away from the individual fuel cells. The heat accumulator may be arranged in a recess of the end plate, or of an optionally provided isolation plate, and a compensation reservoir for a change in volume of the heat accumulator may be provided. | 12-24-2015 |
20150380745 | FLOW FIELD PLATE FOR A FUEL CELL - A flow field plate for a bipolar plate or bipolar plate assembly of a fuel cell or a fuel cell stack has an electrode facing front side, a backside and at least a cooling fluid manifold for supplying cooling fluid to the flow field plate. The backside includes a cooling fluid flow field for substantially uniformly distributing the cooling fluid over the flow field, plate. The flow field plate further includes a cooling fluid sub-manifold which is adapted to provide cooling fluid from the cooling fluid manifold to a cooling fluid flow field. The cooling fluid sub-manifold is fluidly disconnected from the cooling fluid flow field, a bipolar plate or bipolar plate assembly including a flow field plate, as well as a fuel cell or fuel cell stack including such a flow field plate and/or bipolar plate or such a bipolar plate assembly. | 12-31-2015 |
20160006045 | Bipolar Plate for Fuel Cell, Fuel Cell and Method for Producing the Bipolar Plate - The invention relates to a bipolar plate for a fuel cell. The bipolar plate has a fuel side, an oxidant side, two individual plates and a coolant cavity arranged between the individual plates. At least one of the individual plates has at least one seal on the outer surface thereof. The individual plates are connected by way of at least one connecting seam. The bipolar plate is considered in that the at least one connecting seam does not intersect with or overlap with the at least one seal. The invention further relates to a fuel cell consisting at least one bipolar plate and to a method for producing the bipolar plate. | 01-07-2016 |
20160006047 | SOFC STACK WITH INTEGRATED HEATER - An integrated heater for a Solid Oxide Fuel System is integrated directly in the SOFC stack, and can operate and heat the stack independently of the process. | 01-07-2016 |
20160006059 | DRIVING CONTROL METHOD AND SYSTEM OF FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A driving control system and method of a fuel cell system are provided. The driving control method includes determining, by a controller, when a fuel cell stack is in a water shortage, based on an oversupply of air to the fuel cell stack or a deterioration of the fuel cell stack. A diagnostic level is then assigned to the fuel cell system and at least one recovery driving mode that corresponds to the assigned diagnostic level is performed. | 01-07-2016 |
20160049671 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - A fuel cell system comprises a compressor configured to supply the cathode gas to the fuel cell, an intercooler provided downstream of the compressor and configured to cool the cathode gas discharged from the compressor, a pressure regulating valve configured to adjust a pressure downstream of the intercooler, and a controller. The controller computes a first target pressure of the intercooler downstream pressure according to a target output of the fuel cell and computes a second target pressure of the intercooler downstream pressure according to the intercooler downstream temperature. Then, the controller sets smaller one of the first and second target pressures as a target pressure of the intercooler downstream pressure and controls the compressor and the pressure regulating valve according to the target pressure. | 02-18-2016 |
20160072140 | PEM Fuel Cell Stack - A fuel cell includes a cathode flow field plate, an anode flow field plate, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) sandwiched between the cathode and anode flow field plate. The cathode flow field plate has a flat side and an opposed channel side that the MEA is sandwiched between the anode flow field plate and the flat side of the cathode flow field plate. The cathode flow field plate further has a plurality of flow channels formed at the channel side for enabling fluid flowing along the flow channels to promote electrochemical reaction through the MEA so as to generate electrical energy. | 03-10-2016 |
20160093899 | FUEL CELL - Provided is a fuel cell including a plurality of stacked unit cells, each including a membrane-electrode assembly and a separator stacked on the membrane-electrode assembly. The separator includes a separator plate that overlaps the membrane-electrode assembly when seen from a stacking direction, a first terminal portion configured to protrude from the separator plate toward an outer side in a plane direction, a plate covering portion configured to cover an outer peripheral edge of the separator plate, and a terminal covering portion configured to be formed integrally with the plate covering portion and covers the first terminal portion. A plurality of the first terminal portions, which are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction, include offset portions which shift from each other when seen from the stacking direction, and are covered with the terminal covering portion. | 03-31-2016 |
20160099476 | SOFC-CONDUCTION - A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system included high thermal conductivity materials such as copper to increase thermal energy transfer by thermal conduction. The copper is protected from oxidation by nickel electroplating and protected from thermal damage by providing Hastelloy liners inside combustion chambers. Monel elements are used in the incoming air conduits to prevent cathode poisoning. | 04-07-2016 |
20160102410 | Unknown - An electrochemical system is described having an end plate, a stack cover plate adjacent to the end plate and at least one metallic electrical conductor. The stack cover plate has an electrically conductive contacting plate adjacent to the end plate and an electrically conductive separator plate half facing away from the end plate. The contacting plate and the separator plate half are connected to each other electrically and media-tight. The metallic electrical conductor extends to an outside of the electrochemical system. The metallic electrical conductor and the contacting plate are in one piece or the metallic electrical conductor contacts the contacting plate directly. The contacting plate and the separator plate half are bonded to each other. | 04-14-2016 |
20160111564 | Pre-Equilibrium System and Method Using Solid-State Devices as Energy Converters Using Nano-Engineered Porous Network Materials - An energy conversion device for conversion of various energy forms into electricity. The energy forms may be chemical, photovoltaic or thermal gradients. The energy conversion device has a first and second electrode. A substrate is present that has a porous semiconductor or dielectric layer placed thereover. The substrate itself can be planar, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional, and possess internal and external surfaces. These substrates may be rigid, flexible and/or foldable. The porous semiconductor or dielectric layer can be a nano-engineered structure. A porous conductor material is placed on at least a portion of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer such that at least some of the porous conductor material enters the nano-engineered structure of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer, thereby forming an intertwining region. | 04-21-2016 |
20160115019 | Integrated Micro-Channel Reformer and Purifier in a Heat Pipe Enclosure for Extracting Ultra-Pure Hydrogen Gas from a Hydrocarbon Fuel - The present invention is a system and method of heating a reaction cell that produces hydrogen from a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel and steam. The reaction cell contains a first tube of hydrogen permeable material and a second tube of hydrogen impermeable material. The first tube and the second tube are concentrically positioned so that a gap space exists between the two tubes. A heat pipe structure is utilized to heat the gap space. The heat pipe structure defines an enclosed vapor chamber. A volume of a multi-phase material is disposed within the vapor chamber. The multi-phase material changes phase between a liquid and gas within an operating temperature range. A heating element is used to heat the vapor chamber to the operating temperature range. The vapor chamber transfers heat along its length in the same manner as a heat pipe. | 04-28-2016 |
20160118673 | BIPOLAR PLATE, FUEL CELL HAVING SUCH A PLATE AND MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING SUCH A FUEL CELL - The invention relates to a bipolar plate for a fuel cell, having an anode side and a cathode side, wherein with regard to a top view of the anode or cathode side the bipolar plate having an active region which has an open anode gas flow field on the anode side and an open cathode gas flow field on the cathode side and has a dosed coolant flow field; through openings for operating materials, having at least two anode gas main channels for feeding and discharging of the anode gas, two cathode gas main channels for feeding and discharging the cathode gas, and two coolant main channels for feeding and discharging the coolant; two inactive supply regions, having anode gas channels which are each connected to one of the anode gas main channels and the anode gas flow field of the active region so as to convey fluid; cathode gas channels which are each connected to one of the cathode gas main channels and the cathode gas flow field of the active region so as to convey fluid; and coolant channels which are each connected to one of the coolant main channels and the coolant flow field of the active region so as to convey fluid. According to the invention at least one of the anode gas main channels is disposed in such a way and configurations of the anode gas channels of the supply region connected to this anode gas main channel are designed in such a way that a difference in length between a longest and a shortest anode gas channel of the anode gas channels of this supply region is at most 50% based on the length of the longest anode gas channel. | 04-28-2016 |
20160126569 | MANIFOLD DEVICE OF FUEL CELL STACK - A manifold device of a fuel cell stack is provided which prevents moisture condensed in gases supplied to the fuel cell stack from excessively flowing into specific cells of the stack by heating gases supplied into the stack using heat of the stack. The manifold device also prevents flooding that is caused by liquid generated in cells disposed away from a gas inlet by removing a flow rate difference of gases generated in respective cells based on distances from the gas inlet of the stack. | 05-05-2016 |
20160133971 | FLOW CONTROL METHOD OF COOLING MEDIUM IN A FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The method comprises: determining whether or not an inlet temperature is equal to or above a lower-limit temperature of a temperature range in which generated water does not freeze within the fuel cell; and adjusting the flow rate of the cooling medium in the circulation flow path to become more than the normal flow rate when it is determined that the inlet temperature is equal to or above the lower-limit temperature, and adjusting the flow rate of the cooling medium in the circulation flow path to be equal to or below the normal flow rate when it is determined that the inlet temperature is not equal to or above the lower-limit temperature. | 05-12-2016 |
20160141647 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The present invention is to prevent the temperature of an electric heater from being higher than or equal to a temperature at which control to reduce power consumption is started to prevent an abrupt decrease in the power consumption of the electric heater in order to secure a power consuming destination of a fuel cell. A fuel cell system | 05-19-2016 |
20160141691 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; a coolant path connected to the fuel cell and allowing a coolant that cools the fuel cell to flow therethrough; a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature of the coolant in the coolant path; a temperature correction unit configured to calculate a temperature correction value by correcting the temperature of the coolant detected by the temperature detection unit; and a lower limit voltage control unit configured to control a lower limit voltage of the fuel cell based on the temperature correction value, wherein the temperature correction unit calculates the temperature correction value based on a following equation: | 05-19-2016 |
20160164122 | SEPARATION PLATE AND FUEL CELL INCLUDING THE SAME - A fuel cell that includes a membrane-electrode assembly and separation plates disposed on both sides of the membrane-electrode assembly is provided. The fuel cell includes barrier ribs formed in reaction surfaces of the separation plates corresponding to the membrane-electrode assembly and configured to partition the reaction surfaces into a plurality of reaction regions. A micropore body is installed between the separation plate and the membrane-electrode assembly. The micropore body includes porous units disposed in the reaction region, and a connection unit integrally coupled to the porous units and flatly contacts the barrier ribs. | 06-09-2016 |
20160172689 | METHOD FOR FABRICATING METAL ELECTRODE FROM SEAWATER AND GENERATING ELECTRIC POWER WITH METAL ELECTRODE | 06-16-2016 |
20160181631 | FUEL CELL WITH POROUS MATERIAL-GASKET INTEGRATED STRUCTURE | 06-23-2016 |
20160380277 | SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL, FUEL CELL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING FUEL CELL - A separator for fuel cell includes a corrugated portion formed to have a corrugated cross section where a first groove that is concave to a first surface to form a flow path for a first fluid on the first surface and a second groove that is concave to a second surface opposite to the first surface to form a flow path for a second fluid on the second surface are arranged alternately and repeatedly. Each of the second grooves has at least one shallower groove section formed to have a less depth from the second surface than depth of a remaining groove section and provided to form a communication flow channel on the first surface side, which is arranged to communicate between two flow path spaces for the first fluid that are adjacent to each other across the shallower groove section. | 12-29-2016 |
20160380288 | WARMING FEATURE FOR AIRCRAFT FUEL CELLS - A system and method for warming a fuel cell on an aircraft, the system includes at least one fuel cell. The fuel cell includes an anode and a cathode for creating thermal and electrical energy. A temperature sensor measures a first temperature of the fuel cell. A control unit is coupled to the temperature sensor. The control unit increases the first temperature to a second temperature in response to the first temperature being at least equal to a selected temperature threshold. Increasing of the first temperature is indicative of the control unit operating in a warming mode. The second temperature is higher than the selected temperature threshold. | 12-29-2016 |
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20220140362 | SUPPORT MEMBERS FOR FUEL CELL FLUID FLOW NETWORKS - A fuel cell may include a first fuel cell bipolar plate defining an air layer, a second fuel cell bipolar plate defining a hydrogen layer, and a coolant layer defined by the air layer and the hydrogen layer. The coolant layer includes a plurality of coolant microchannels that facilitate flow of a coolant. One or more support members are to extend between the air layer and the hydrogen layer to define one or more additional coolant flow paths between the air layer and the hydrogen layer. | 05-05-2022 |