Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080199758 | SMALL PORTABLE FUEL CELL AND MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY USED THEREIN - A fuel cell includes: a fuel cell body; and a fuel supplier supplying fuel to the fuel cell body, wherein the fuel cell body includes: a membrane electrode assembly including an ion exchange membrane, an anode catalyst layer positioned at one surface of the ion exchange membrane, an anode gas diffusion layer positioned at one surface of the anode catalyst layer, and a cathode catalyst layer positioned at other surface of the ion exchange membrane; and a fuel flow field positioned at the one surface of the anode gas diffusion layer and supplying the fuel to the anode catalyst layer through the anode diffusion layer. | 08-21-2008 |
20080199759 | Separable Fuel Cartridge - A fuel supply ( | 08-21-2008 |
20080206620 | GAS-LIQUID SEPARATION SYSTEM AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A gas-liquid separation system includes a gas-liquid separator configured to separate a gas-liquid mixed fluid into a gas and a liquid; a fuel tank connected to the gas-liquid separator; a bag disposed in the fuel tank; a pressurization pump configured to apply a pressure into the bag; and a pressure control unit configured to control an inner pressure of the gas-liquid separator by controlling a discharge pressure of the pressurization pump. | 08-28-2008 |
20080206621 | IN-CAN FUEL CELL METERING VALVE - A combined fuel cell and combustion tool including a combustion tool configured for receiving a fuel cell; the fuel cell having a housing defining an open end enclosed by a closure; a main valve stem having an outlet, disposed in operational relationship to the open end and reciprocating relative to the housing at least between a closed position wherein the stem is relatively extended, and an open position wherein the stem is relatively retracted; a fuel metering valve located within the housing, associated with the main valve stem, including a fuel metering chamber defined in part by a metering chamber seal and configured so that when the stem is in the open position, only a measured amount of fuel is dispensed through the outlet, the stem having a radially variable exterior contour periodically sealingly engaging the seal such that in the closed position a non-sealing relationship is defined between the stem and the seal, and in the open position a sealing relationship is defined between the stem and the seal; and the housing includes a separate fuel container, and the fuel metering valve includes a valve body that has a second end opposite the fuel metering chamber and located within the container, wherein the flow of fluid out the outlet of the fuel cell is solely from the separate fuel container. | 08-28-2008 |
20080213647 | Fuel Cell System - A fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell having an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte interposed therebetween and a purification device having a catalyst layer purifying substances discharged from the anode. The fuel cell system is characterized in that the purification device comprises a porous sheet having a catalyst layer and two flow passages disposed on both sides of the porous sheet, an inlet to which the substances discharged from the anode is led is formed in one flow passage, an inlet to which air is led and an outlet are formed in the other flow passage, and the substances discharged from the anode are discharged from the outlet after being purified through the porous sheet. | 09-04-2008 |
20080213648 | Fuel Cell Cathode Flow Field - A fuel cell cathode flow field has multiple channels each with a cross-sectional area that varies along the length of the channel such that oxygen availability at every lengthwise position along the channel is kept substantially constant for a given channel length and air stoichiometry ratio. Each channel comprises a flat floor with substantially constant depth and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from the floor; the side walls each taper inwards from channel inlet to outlet with a convex curve relative to the channel centreline. Achieving substantially uniform oxygen availability throughout the flow field results in substantially uniform current density throughout the flow field, which is desirable for efficient fuel cell operation and improved performance. | 09-04-2008 |
20080220311 | Pem Fuel Cell with Charging Chamber - Proposed is a PEM fuel cell that comprises a separator plate assembly with a charging chamber, which is partitioned off by a partition wall and via charging spots has a fluid connection to an adjoining cathode chamber. The partition wall is designed so that the depths of the charging channels in the charging chamber and the depths of the distribution channels in the adjoining cathode chambers change in such a way that the quantity of oxidant that is charged at a charging spot from the charging chamber into the cathode chamber can be fixed in advance. As a result, the charging of oxidant, which has not been humidified or only slightly, into the cathode chamber can be improved with regard to the curve of the relative humidity along the cathode. Also proposed is a method for manufacturing a separator plate assembly suitable for a PEM fuel cell. | 09-11-2008 |
20080226962 | WATER RECYCLING SYSTEM - A water recycling system for recycling water produced by a fuel cell module is provided. The water recycling system includes a fan, a mixing tank, and a duct. The fan has an exhaust opening and a suction opening adjacent to a cathode of the fuel cell module. The fan is used to vaporize water produced by the fuel cell module into vapor and exhaust the vapor from the exhaust opening. The mixing tank has a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet. A fuel for the fuel cell module is injected into the mixing tank via the fuel inlet, and the fuel outlet is connected to the fuel cell module. The duct has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the exhaust opening, and the second end is in contact with the fuel inside the mixing tank. | 09-18-2008 |
20080226963 | Flow field plate module for fuel cell system - A flow field plate module for a fuel cell system includes at least one flow field plate defining a fuel transporting channel thereon. The fuel transporting channel is divided into a middle converging zone having a group of first flow guiding plates arranged therein, and two diverging zones located at two lateral sides of the middle converging zone and each having a group of second flow guiding plates arranged therein. The second flow guiding plates are symmetrically arranged in the two diverging zones and are directed at respective inner end toward a space between two adjacent first flow guiding plates in the middle converging zone to thereby offset from each of the two adjacent first flow guiding plates by a predetermined distance in a fuel flowing direction, so that a fluid path is formed between any two adjacent first and second flow guiding plates. | 09-18-2008 |
20080226964 | Fuel Cell System - In a fuel cell system, a humidifier is attached to an end plate. A pipe connector of a fluid pipe provided at the end plate such as an oxygen-containing gas inlet manifold and a pipe connector of a fluid pipe of the humidifier such as a humidified air supply pipe are connected through a substantially ring-shaped intermediate pipe. O-rings are attached to annular grooves in the outer circumferential portions of the intermediate pipe. One of the O-rings tightly contacts the inner circumferential surface of the pipe connector of the oxygen-containing gas inlet manifold, and the other of the O-rings tightly contacts the inner circumferential surface of the pipe connector of the humidified air supply pipe. | 09-18-2008 |
20080226965 | Fuel Supply Systems Having Operational Resistance - A fuel supply ( | 09-18-2008 |
20080233456 | Metallic Material for Conductive Member, Separator for Fuel Cell Using the Same, and Fuel Cell Using the Separator - Provided are: a metallic material for conductive member, having good corrosion resistance and small contact resistance; a separator for a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell using the metallic material; and a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell using the separator. The metallic material has 0.3 μm or less of mean spacing of local peaks of the surface roughness profile. | 09-25-2008 |
20080233457 | Fuel Supply with Improved Connecting Valve - Disclosed herein are connecting valves with an interchangeability feature ( | 09-25-2008 |
20080233458 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system including a flat type stack in which a plurality of unit cells, in which an electricity generating reaction is performed, are arranged on a plane, and the fuel cell system pre-heats the fuel provided from the outside for reducing the temperature differences of the fuel provided to each unit cell, thereby reduces the differences in the output characteristics of each unit cell, thereby increasing the electricity generating efficiency of the system. | 09-25-2008 |
20080233459 | FUEL CELL STACK - A casing includes end plates, side plates, and a hinge mechanism for coupling the end plates and the side plates. A power generation area is defined by the distance L | 09-25-2008 |
20080233460 | COMPOSITE FLUID STORAGE UNIT WITH INTERNAL FLUID DISTRIBUTION FEATURE - Embodiments of the invention relate to a fluid storage unit comprising a composite fluid storage material and one or more internal fluid distribution features. The one or more internal fluid distribution features increase the homogeneity of fluid interaction within the composite fluid storage material, benefiting a number of properties and functions. | 09-25-2008 |
20080233461 | FLOW CONTROL FOR MULTIPLE STACKS - A fuel cell comprises an electrode plate having a flow field formed therein and a proton exchange membrane. A compressible permeable diffusion media is disposed adjacent the electrode plate. The diffusion media is compressed against the electrode plate so that a portion of the media intrudes into the flow field. A fuel cell stack can be made by compressing a plurality these fuel cells together. The fuel cell stack is compressed so that the diffusion media in each fuel cell is compressed against the adjacent electrode plate with a portion of the media intruding into the flow field in the adjacent electrode plate. The compression of the fuel cell stack can be adjusted so that a magnitude of intrusion of the diffusion media into the flow channels is adjusted and a pressure drop of a predetermined magnitude occurs across the fuel cell stack at a desired operational state. | 09-25-2008 |
20080233462 | Hydrogen-Generating Fuel Cell Cartridges - The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus and various pressure regulators or pressure-regulating valves. Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The transportation of a first fuel component to a second fuel component to generate of hydrogen occurs automatically depending on the pressure of a reaction chamber within the gas-generating apparatus. The pressure regulators and flow orifices are provided to regulate the hydrogen pressure and to minimize the fluctuation in pressure of the hydrogen received by the fuel cell. Connecting valves to connect the gas-generating apparatus to the fuel cell are also provided. | 09-25-2008 |
20080241631 | Fuel Container for Fuel Cell - A fuel container for a fuel cell, comprises a container body, the container body having a liquid fuel chamber for the storage of liquid fuel and a discharge means accommodating chamber for accommodating means for discharging the liquid fuel, a valve disposed in the container body to discharge or shut off the liquid fuel, and a partition wall member disposed slidably in the interior of the container body, wherein the partition wall member partitions the interior of the container body into the liquid fuel chamber and the discharge means accommodating chamber, the liquid fuel chamber and the discharge means accommodating chamber are in communication with each other through the partition wall member, and at least one of sliding surfaces of the container body and the partition wall member contains a material of a low frictional coefficient. | 10-02-2008 |
20080241632 | Use of Hydrophilic Treatment in a Water Vapor Transfer Device - A WVT unit that humidifies a cathode inlet airflow to a fuel cell stack in a fuel cell system. In one embodiment, the WVT unit includes a series of membranes separated by plates defining flow channels at both sides of the membrane. The humidifying gas, typically a cathode outlet gas from the fuel cell stack, flows down the flow channels on one side of each membrane and the cathode inlet air flows down the flow channels on an opposite side of each membrane. According to the invention, the plates have a hydrophilic film so that more water vapor in the humidifying flow channels is exposed to the membrane, and therefore more water is transferred to the cathode airflow. | 10-02-2008 |
20080241633 | Direct oxide fuel cell - A direct oxide fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anode collector, a cathode collector, an anode flow channel plate, and an equalization structure. The anode collector and the cathode collector are disposed on two sides of the MEA respectively. The anode collector contains a plurality of through zones surrounded and a non-through zone. The anode flow channel plate is disposed on a side of the anode collector facing away from the MEA, and includes a fuel transmission channel. The equalization structure disposed in the fuel transmission channel has an end connected to the anode flow channel plate and an opposite end abutting against the anode collector. An area of non-through zones abutted by the equalization structure is bigger than an area of the through zones abutted by the equalization structure. | 10-02-2008 |
20080241634 | PUMP DRIVING MODULE AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME - A fuel pump driving module used for supplying fuel from a fuel tank to a fuel cell—and more particularly, a driving module for a diaphragm pump, and a fuel cell system equipped with the same—includes a pump controller for generating an ON/OFF signal and a reference pulse to a pump; and a pump driving pulse generation unit for combining the reference pulse according to a predetermined rule to determine a frequency and a duty ratio of the pump driving pulse and activating the pump driving pulse according to the ON/OFF signal to the pump. The pump driving module may be useful to commonly apply a single pump driving module to various manufacturers' fuel pumps, thereby to reduce the fabricating cost of the fuel cell system. | 10-02-2008 |
20080241635 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell include a membrane electrode assembly including an anode, a cathode opposed to the anode, and an electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode; a lyophobic porous body in contact with the anode; and an anode passage plate in contact with the lyophobic porous body, the anode passage plate including a gas collection passage and a fuel supplying passage, the gas collection passage collects a gas generated in the anode via the lyophobic porous body, the fuel supplying passage supplies a fuel to the anode via the lyophobic porous body. | 10-02-2008 |
20080248365 | Flow Control Apparatus and Method for Fuel Cell Flow Fields - An adjustable flow field and flow regulation method for an electrochemical device such as field preferably includes a plurality of flow paths between an inlet and an outlet and a plurality of microvalves for regulating fluid flow through the flow paths in response to changes in the operating states of the fuel cell, such as changes in power output or temperature. For example, adjustment of the microvalves may restrict the number of flow paths through which fluid is flowing to alter the effective active area and current density of the flow field. The valves may be selectively opened or closed, either entirely or partially, to maintain a minimum pressure drop between the inlet and outlet. Alternatively or additionally, adjustment of the valves may alter the direction of fluid flow through at least some of the flow paths. The invention improves the stability of the fuel cell in low power and low reactant stoichiometry operating states without significantly increasing the complexity of the system or increasing parasitic loads. For example, the invention may improve water management in low power modes and avoid related performance problems such as low current density failures and voltage oscillations. The invention may also help reduce the cost and complexity of the system power electronics. | 10-09-2008 |
20080248366 | FUEL CELL WITH A COMBINED FUEL SUPPLY UNIT AND POWER GENERATING UNIT STRUCTURE - The present invention is a fuel cell with a combined fuel supply unit and power generating unit. The fuel cell includes a fuel supply unit, a power generating unit, and an enclosure. The fuel supply or fuel storage unit is incorporated laterally or internally into the power generating unit, thereby shortening the fuel pipeline. The performance of the fuel cell is improved, and the space required for fuel cell is reduced for greater applicability. | 10-09-2008 |
20080248367 | FUEL CELL MODULE COMPATIBLE WITH A DRY CELL - The present invention provides a fuel cell module compatible with a dry cell. The fuel cell module includes an enclosure, a power generating unit, a hydrogen storage unit and positive/negative output ends. The hollow enclosure has an internal space, and is provided with some preset through-holes, allowing external oxygen to enter into the space. The power generating unit and hydrogen storage unit are mounted into the space of the enclosure. Positive and negative output ends are placed at both sides or adjacent at one side of the enclosure, thereby guiding the positive and negative charge generated by the power generating unit; since the fuel cell modules are compatible with existing conventional dry cells. These modules are widely applied to existing electrical or electronic products. | 10-09-2008 |
20080248368 | MICROTEXTURED FUEL CELL ELEMENTS FOR IMPROVED WATER MANAGEMENT - Methods and materials to improve water management in a fuel cell by microtexturing fuel cell elements, including the separator plate and/or the gas diffusion media. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell includes a separator plate and/or a gas diffusion media that are microtextured. Selective ablation of material and stamping can impart microtexturing, where the microtexturing facilitates water management in the fuel cell. | 10-09-2008 |
20080248369 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH FLAME ARRESTING RECOMBINER - A fuel cell system is disclosed comprising a housing having an interior space fluidly containing a fuel cell stack and a flame arresting recombiner, wherein: (1) the flame arresting recombiner comprises at least one fuel cell having at least one anode supply channel fluidly connecting the fuel cell and the interior space of the housing; and (2) the anode supply channel of the fuel cell of the flame arresting recombiner is configured to prevent flame propagation. | 10-09-2008 |
20080248370 | REMOVAL OF NON-CONDUCTIVE HYDROPHILIC COATINGS FROM LANDS OF FUEL CELL BIPOLAR PLATES - A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is provided including a plate having an active surface with a plurality of flow channels formed therein. The plurality of flow channels have a hydrophilic coating deposited thereon and define a plurality of lands disposed therebetween. The plurality of lands is substantially free of the hydrophilic coating. Furthermore, a thickness of the hydrophilic coating is substantially constant along a length of the active surface and an edge of the hydrophilic coating adjacent the plurality of lands is substantially continuous. A method for preparing the bipolar plate is also provided. | 10-09-2008 |
20080254339 | CONSTANT CHANNEL CROSS-SECTION IN A PEMFC OUTLET - A plate for a fuel cell is disclosed, wherein an inlet aperture is disposed at a first end of the plate and an outlet aperture is disposed at a second end of the plate. The plate includes a first side and a second side. The first side of the plate has a flow field formed therein between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture, the flow field having a plurality of flow channels formed therein, the plurality of flow channels in communication with a plurality of outlet ports formed in the plate. The second side of the plate has a plurality of drainage channels formed therein adjacent the outlet aperture, the plurality of drainage channels in fluid communication with the outlet ports and the outlet aperture, wherein a cross-sectional area occupied by each of the plurality of flow channels is substantially equal to a cross-sectional area occupied by each of the plurality of drainage channels. | 10-16-2008 |
20080261103 | DIRECT OXIDATION FUEL CELL - A direct oxidation fuel cell of this invention has at least one unit cell including: a membrane-electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between an anode and a cathode, each of the anode and the cathode including a catalyst layer and a diffusion layer; an anode-side separator with a fuel flow channel for supplying a fuel to the anode; and a cathode-side separator with an oxidant flow channel for supplying an oxidant to the cathode. The catalyst layer of at least one of the anode and the cathode includes high-porosity regions and low-porosity regions, and the high-porosity regions and the low-porosity regions are arranged in a mixed configuration. | 10-23-2008 |
20080268318 | Carbon cladded composite flow field plate, bipolar plate and fuel cell - The present invention provides a carbon-cladded composite composition for use as a fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate. In one preferred embodiment, the composition comprises a core composite layer sandwiched between two clad layers, wherein (a) the clad layer comprises a conductive carbon or graphite material (e.g., carbon nano-tubes, nano-scaled graphene plates, graphitic nano-fibers, and fine graphite particles); (b) the core composite layer comprises a matrix resin and a conductive filler present in a sufficient quantity to render the composite layer electrically conductive with an electrical conductivity no less than 1 S/cm (preferably no less than 100 S/cm); and (c) the composition has a planar outer surface on each clad side having formed therein a fluid flow channel. | 10-30-2008 |
20080268319 | Fuel cell stack - Each of the fuel cell units making up a fuel cell stack includes a first separator, a second separator, and a third separator. A predetermined number of load receivers are provided integrally on outer ends of the first separator, the second separator, and the third separator. The load receivers of the second separator protrude toward the casing beyond the other load receivers. Resin clips are inserted into the load receivers, such that the first separator, the second separator, and the third separator are fixed together by the resin clips. | 10-30-2008 |
20080268320 | Fuel cell electrode, membrane-electrode assembly, and fuel cell system - An electrode for a fuel cell, and a membrane-electrode assembly and a fuel cell system that include the electrode are disclosed. An electrode for a fuel cell that includes an electrode substrate, a first channel formed in the electrode substrate, a first hydrophilic interface formed on an inner surface on one side of the first channel which guides liquids, and a first hydrophobic interface formed facing the first hydrophilic interface which guides gases, makes it possible for water obtained as a side product at the cathode to be separated from air without additional devices, so that it has a potential for utilization not only in portable electronic devices but also in low-capacity power source devices. | 10-30-2008 |
20080268321 | Membrane-Electrode Units and Fuel Cells Having a Long Service Life - The present invention relates to a membrane electrode unit having two gas diffusion layers, each contacted with a catalyst layer, which are separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane has an inner area which is contacted with a catalyst layer, and an outer area which is not provided on the surface of a gas diffusion layer, characterized in that the thickness of the inner area of the membrane decreases over a period of 10 minutes by at least 5% at a pressure of 5 N/mm | 10-30-2008 |
20080268322 | Composition for Fuel Cell Bipolar Plate - Disclosed herein is a composition suitable for use in the production of a fuel cell bipolar plate having improved electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. The composition for a fuel cell bipolar plate can include about 100 parts by weight of a basic resin composition including about 10 to about 50 parts by weight of polyphenylene sulfide as a thermoplastic resin and about 50 to 90 parts by weight of a conductive filler and about 0.01 to about 30 parts by weight of a disulfide compound. The composition can improve impregnation of the conductive filler into the thermoplastic resin. | 10-30-2008 |
20080274389 | CATHODE END PLATE AND BREATHABLE FUEL CELL STACK USING THE SAME - A cathode end plate for a breathable fuel cell stack including a first plate including a plurality of first openings and a second plate contacting one side of the first plate and including a plurality of second openings exposing two or more first openings of the plurality of first openings. | 11-06-2008 |
20080274390 | Anode electrodes for direct oxidation fuel cells and systems operating with concentrated liquid fuel - An anode electrode for use in a fuel cell comprises a stacked structure including, in sequence: a catalyst layer, a hydrophobic, microporous layer (“MPL”), a porous gas diffusion layer (“GDL”), and an anode plate with at least one recessed fuel supply-fuel/gas exhaust channel formed in a surface thereof facing the GDL, wherein the stacked structure further comprises at least one hydrophobic region aligned with the at least one recessed channel. The electrode is useful in direct oxidation fuel cells and systems, such as direct methanol fuel cells operating with highly concentrated liquid fuel. | 11-06-2008 |
20080280183 | END PLATE FOR FUEL CELL STACK AND AIR BREATHING FUEL CELL STACK USING THE SAME - An end plate of an air breathing fuel cell stack and an air breathing fuel cell stack including the same. The air breathing fuel cell stack includes a membrane electrode assembly, including an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode; and an end plate contacting the membrane electrode assembly. The end plate includes a first surface contacting the membrane electrode assembly, an opposing second surface; and a collector positioned at the first surface and contacting the cathode electrode. | 11-13-2008 |
20080280184 | FUEL CELL, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING FUEL CELL, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A fuel cell includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode which are opposed to each other with a proton conductor provided therebetween, and an enzyme immobilized as a catalyst on at least one of the positive and negative electrodes. In the fuel cell, the positive electrode, the proton conductor, and the negative electrode are accommodated in a space formed between a positive electrode current collector having a structure permeable to an oxidizer and a negative electrode current collector having a structure permeable to fuel. | 11-13-2008 |
20080280185 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - This fuel cell system is provided with: a fuel cell which is supplied with cathode gas and anode gas and generates electrical power; a discharged gas processing device which mixes and dilutes cathode off-gas and anode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell; a discharge gas pipe through which exhaust gas discharged from the discharged gas processing device flows; a specific gas concentration sensor disposed in the discharge gas pipe, which measures a concentration of a specific gas in the exhaust gas; and an enlarged cross-section area flow path section provided between the discharged gas processing device and the specific gas concentration sensor, and having a flow path cross-section area that is larger than that of the discharge gas pipe. | 11-13-2008 |
20080280186 | Method for the manufacture of contacts between electrochemically active discs and interconnectors in high temperature fuel cells - The method serves for the manufacture of contacts between electrochemically active discs ( | 11-13-2008 |
20080280187 | LIQUID CARTRIDGE - A liquid cartridge for supplying liquid to an external device connected therewith is provided with a casing, a partition member movably fitted in the casing, which partitions the casing into a first chamber and a second chamber, an outlet port communicating between the first chamber and the external device and a pressure unit housed in the second chamber, which presses the partition member so as to discharge the liquid out of the outlet port. | 11-13-2008 |
20080286630 | Electrochemical Cell Holder and Stack - A fuel cell stack made of a plurality of cell units stacked and operatively connected at one end thereof. Each of the units includes a holder having at least one cell, typically provided as an SOFC membrane, to produce an electric current when fuel and oxidant are present as the result of an electrochemical reaction. | 11-20-2008 |
20080292936 | MANIFOLD FOR FUEL CELLS - A manifold for use with fuel cell and fuel cell stacks is provided. In certain examples, the manifold may be constructed and arranged to provide air to all cathodes in a first fuel cell stack fluidically coupled to the manifold and configured to provide fuel to all anodes in the first fuel cell stack. In some examples, the manifold may be constructed and arranged to provide air to all cathodes in a first fuel cell stack and a second fuel cell stack and to provide fuel to all anodes in the first fuel cell stack and the second fuel cell stack. | 11-27-2008 |
20080292937 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING FUEL CELL METALLIC SEPARATOR - A metallic separator according to a first embodiment is formed by obtaining a blank by rolling a metallic material having conductive inclusions, and removing a surface of the blank by 2% or more of the thickness of the blank. A metallic separator according to a second embodiment is formed by pressing a metallic plate so as to have a cross section including ridges and grooves alternatively, and removing parts of the ridged portions so as to make flattened surfaces. A metallic separator having conductive inclusions in its metal texture according to a third embodiment is formed by blasting a liquid containing two or more kinds of abrasives having different particle diameters to a blank after it has been rolled. A metallic separator having conductive inclusion in its metal texture according to a fourth embodiment is formed by blasting a passivation treatment liquid mixed with abrasives to the separator. | 11-27-2008 |
20080292938 | Fuel Cell Flow Field Channel with Partially Closed End | 11-27-2008 |
20080292939 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL HYDROPHILIC POROUS STRUCTURES FOR FUEL CELL PLATES - One embodiment includes three-dimensional hydrophilic porous structures for fuel cell collector plates. | 11-27-2008 |
20080292940 | HYDROPHILIC/HYDROPHOBIC PATTERNED SURFACES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - One embodiment includes a substrate having a plurality of molecular chains, each chain comprising a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic segment, and a reversible crosslinker. | 11-27-2008 |
20080292941 | FUEL CELL - An oxygen-containing gas supply passage and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage extend through a set of diagonal positions of a first metal separator, and a fuel gas supply passage and a fuel gas discharge passage extend through the other set of diagonal positions of the first metal separator. A fuel gas flow field is connected to the fuel gas supply passage through an inlet buffer at an upper position, and connected to the fuel gas discharge passage through an outlet buffer at a lower position. The inlet buffer includes a first inlet buffer area adjacent to the fuel gas supply passage and a second inlet buffer area adjacent to the fuel gas flow field. Grooves of the first inlet buffer area are deeper than grooves of the second inlet buffer area in the stacking direction. | 11-27-2008 |
20080299438 | FLOW CHANNEL PLATE - A flow channel plate adapted to a fuel cell apparatus is provided. The flow channel plate includes a separating film and a plurality of bar supporting members. The separating film is disposed between two components of the fuel cell apparatus, and the bar supporting members lean against the separating film and the two components to maintain a distance between the two components. The flow channel plate has low flow resistance. | 12-04-2008 |
20080299439 | Electrochemical Power Source Designs and Components - Provided, among other things, is ion-conductive membrane assembly comprising: a porous core; and sandwiching the porous core therebetween, two ion-conductive membranes; wherein the porous core is adapted to retain an ion-conductive liquid. | 12-04-2008 |
20080299440 | FUEL CELL STACK - A planar fuel cell stack, having generators that generate electricity by an electrochemical reaction of a fuel and an oxidizing agent, the generators arranged on a same plane. A beading unit and a protruding portion are formed on a fastening plate and a separator so as to improve structural stiffness thereof. Accordingly, the constituent elements of the stack are fastened with a substantially uniform conjoining pressure compared to a conventional planar stack, and the thickness of the stack of the present invention can be thinner than that of the conventional planar stack. | 12-04-2008 |
20080299441 | STACK FOR FUEL CELL - A fuel cell stack has an electrical generator including at least one unit cell between a pair of opposing end plates having a length and a width, wherein an aspect ratio of the length of the end plate to the width of the end plate is between about 1 to about 4. A center fastener penetrates the electrical generator through generally central regions of the end plates and a plurality of edge fasteners penetrates the electrical generator through generally peripheral regions of the end plates. The center fastener and the plurality of edge fasteners are adapted to press the end plates together. | 12-04-2008 |
20080305380 | FUEL CELL COMPRESSION RETENTION SYSTEM USING COMPLIANT STRAPPING - A fuel cell system is provided including a fuel cell stack having a first end and second end. The fuel cell stack includes at least one fuel cell having a membrane-electrode assembly disposed between adjacent gas diffusion layers. The fuel cell system further includes a compression retention system having a plurality of compliant straps adapted to apply a compressive force to the fuel cell stack. The plurality of compliant straps are further adapted to accommodate an expansion of the fuel cell stack during an operation thereof and maintain the compressive force within a desired range. | 12-11-2008 |
20080305381 | FLAT FUEL CELL COMBINING A RUNNER PLATE AND CONDUCTING LAYER - The present invention relates to a flat fuel cell combining runner plates and a conducting layer. The flat fuel cell includes two runner plates and a conducting layer between the runner plates. There are conducting blocks embedded into the predefined locations on the assembly surfaces of two runner plates. A concave flow passage is shaped by the assembly surfaces of runner plates and the conducting blocks, thus providing a unique structure combining the runner plates and conducting layer. The conducting blocks are electrically connected through the contact of convex flanges on the conducting blocks. Thus, the flat fuel cells are developed thin, making it possible to greatly reduce manufacturing assembly costs without the need of electric wires and to achieve better economic efficiency and applicability. | 12-11-2008 |
20080305382 | Flow-Field Plate and Fuel Cell Stack Using the Same - Disclosed is a flow-field plate and fuel cell stack using the same. The flow-field plate ( | 12-11-2008 |
20080305383 | FUEL CELL UNIT BOX AND FUEL CELL - A stack hinge is formed by stacking a plurality of plate hinge parts each having the same shape. Each of the plate hinge parts has a tab having a pin through hole for engagement with a joint pin and a joint portion joined to a panel of a unit box. The plate hinge parts are stacked by aligning the pin through holes and fixed together to assemble the plate hinge parts into a single hinge member. | 12-11-2008 |
20080305384 | ELECTRODE-MEMBRANE-FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR FUEL CELL, POLYELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR - An electrode-membrane-frame assembly for a polyelectrolyte fuel cell which is held between one pair of separators and constitutes an electric cell module in the fuel cell is constituted of a membrane electrode assembly, a first frame body which has a separator-side surface on which a sealing member for sealing between the member and one separator and a membrane-side surface located on one surface of the peripheral edge portion of the membrane electrode assembly and is formed of a thermoplastic resin material, and a second frame body that has a separator-side surface on which a sealing member for sealing between the member and the other separator and a membrane-side surface located on the other surface of the peripheral edge portion of the membrane electrode assembly and is formed of a thermoplastic resin material and fitted to the first frame body holding the peripheral edge portion of the membrane electrode assembly between the second frame body and the first frame body. | 12-11-2008 |
20080311457 | FUEL CELL STACK COMPRESSION RETENTION SYSTEM USING OVERLAPPING SHEETS - A fuel cell system is provided including a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells disposed between a first end unit and a second end unit. The fuel cell system includes a compression retention system comprising a first sheet coupled to the first end unit and a second sheet coupled to the second end unit. A plurality of springs is disposed between the first sheet and the second sheet and is adapted to apply a compressive force to the fuel cell stack. The claimed invention includes methods for assembling the fuel cell system. | 12-18-2008 |
20080311458 | FLUID MANIFOLD AND METHOD THEREFOR - A electrochemical cell system includes a fluid manifold having a layered structure. The fluid manifold includes at least one conduit layer having a first side and a second side. The at least one conduit layer has at least one conduit channel. | 12-18-2008 |
20080311459 | FLOW FIELD PLATE ARRANGEMENT FOR A FUEL CELL - A fuel cell comprising anode and cathode flow field plates having a multitude of flow channels separated by land features wherein the land features of the anode side are wider than the land features of the cathode side is disclosed. In fuel cells, the flow field plate arrangement of the present invention provides higher power (lower cost per kW), improved durability, and less stringent assembly alignment. | 12-18-2008 |
20080318110 | THERMOPLASTIC BIPOLAR PLATE - A method of manufacturing a fuel cell bipolar plate comprising first and second thermoformed plates. The thermoformed plates comprise at least one thermoplastic polymer. The method includes providing film cast resin mixture and forming it into a substantially flat sheet having first and second opposing major surfaces. The sheet may be preheated to a predetermined temperature and thermoformed thereby creating separator plates of a desired size and shape. First and second plates are joined to form an integral bipolar plate. | 12-25-2008 |
20080318111 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell including a plurality of first fuel cell modules is provided. Each of the fuel cell modules includes a cathode current collector, an anode current collector, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and a flow channel cover plate. The anode current collector is disposed above the cathode current collector. The MEA is disposed between the anode current collector and the cathode current collector. The flow channel cover plate is disposed on the anode current collector, for collecting a cathode product. A top side of the flow channel cover plate is adapted to transport a cathode reactant, and a bottom side of the flow channel cover plate is adapted to transport an anode reactant. In addition, the first fuel cell modules are stacked in a manner that the anode current collector faces upwards. | 12-25-2008 |
20080318112 | FUEL CELL MODULE - A fuel cell module including a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a pressing plate, an anode collector, an anode flow channel plate, a cathode collector, and a cathode flow channel plate is provided. The MEA has a protrusion, and the pressing plate presses an edge of a cathode of the MEA. The pressing plate has a first opening to expose the protrusion. The anode collector is disposed on an anode of the MEA. The anode flow channel plate is disposed on anode collector. The anode collector is disposed between the anode and the anode flow channel plate. The cathode flow channel plate faces the cathode collector disposed on the cathode and the pressing plate to form a flow channel between an inner surface of the cathode flow channel plate and the cathode collector. The cathode flow channel plate has a concave portion corresponding to the protrusion. | 12-25-2008 |
20080318113 | FUEL CELL APPARATUS - A fuel cell apparatus including a reaction unit for performing a chemical reaction, at least one fan for providing an airflow, and an airflow guiding device is provided. The airflow guiding device is connected to the fan and the reaction unit. The airflow guiding device includes an airflow rectification segment and a first airflow separation segment. The airflow rectification segment is connected to the fan and has one flow channel. The first airflow separation segment is connected to the airflow rectification segment and disposed between the airflow rectification segment and the reaction unit. A number of flow channels inside the first airflow separation segment is N | 12-25-2008 |
20080318114 | SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL AND ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD AND FUEL CELL STACK USING THE SEPARATOR - A separator for a fuel cell, including: a plate; a first flow channel having a first depth on a first side of the plate; a first inlet hole coupled to the first flow channel; a first outlet hole coupled to the first flow channel; a second flow channel on a second side of the plate; a second inlet hole coupled to the second flow channel; a second outlet hole coupled to the second flow channel; and a bridge unit having a second depth less than the first depth at a region where a direction of flow of at least one of the first inlet hole or the first outlet hole and a direction of flow of the second flow channel cross. | 12-25-2008 |
20090004530 | CONTROL VALVE WITH ENHANCED INNER SURFACE - A control valve is disclosed having a passage formed therein defined by an inner surface, the control valve includes at least one enhanced surface, a liner, or a combination thereof to militate against ice formation thereon and adhesion of the ice thereto. | 01-01-2009 |
20090004531 | Fuel cell stack having multiple parallel fuel cells - A fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of serially-connected fuel cell stages, each stage comprising a plurality of fuel cells arranged electrically in parallel such that each stage has the voltage drop of a single fuel cell but current output defined by the total cell area. The assembled stack thus comprises essentially a plurality of internal fuel cell stacks arranged in parallel, each stack having the same voltage, and the stack currents being additive. The total voltage is the same as for a prior art stack of the same number of stages, but the current and hence the power output is multiplied over that of a single-cell stack by the number of internal fuel cell stacks. Preferably, each stage is a cassette including a plurality of windows for receiving the individual fuel cell units; a plurality of anode and cathode interconnects; and a single separator plate. | 01-01-2009 |
20090004532 | Dummy cassettes for a solid oxide fuel cell stack - A fuel cell stack assembly comprising a plurality of serially-assembled fuel cell stages formed as individual cassette units, wherein at least one of the first and last cassettes, and preferably both, is a dummy cassette assembled with a metal blank in place of the fuel cell, which metal blank preferably is formed integrally with a dummy picture frame element. A dummy cassette contains an interconnect, flow blocking anode spacers, metal contact paste, and a separator plate to assure electrical conductivity and structural integrity in the assembled fuel cell stack. Providing the dummy cassettes corrects a known problem of underperformance of the end fuel cell cassettes which limits the performance of the entire stack. | 01-01-2009 |
20090004533 | Fuel cell stack - In a tightening load applying mechanism, a plurality of belleville springs for applying a load in a stacking direction to a stack body, a plurality of guide bars extending in the stacking direction, and a plurality of bearing members are provided between a movable presser plate and an end plate. The guide bars are slidably inserted into the bearing members in the stacking direction. Each of the bearing members has a housing fixed to the end plate, and a bearing attached to the housing. The guide bar is slidably fitted to the bearing in the stacking direction. | 01-01-2009 |
20090004534 | FUEL CELL DEVICE AND AN ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT USING FUEL CELL DEVICE - Disclosed is a fuel cell device comprising: a fuel cartridge to accumulate a fuel therein; and a fuel cell device main body to generate electric power by using the fuel accumulated in the fuel cartridge, wherein the fuel cell device main body is provided with a cartridge conveying body, the fuel cartridge being attached to and detached from the cartridge conveying body, and the cartridge conveying body is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the fuel cell device main body. | 01-01-2009 |
20090004535 | FUEL CELL - Each of power generation units of a fuel cell according to the present invention is formed by stacking a first metal separator, a first membrane electrode assembly, a second metal separator, a second membrane electrode assembly, and a third metal separator together. The power generation unit has therein a first oxygen-containing gas flow field, a first fuel gas flow field, a second oxygen-containing gas flow field, and a second fuel gas flow field. The number of flow grooves in the first oxygen-containing gas flow field is different from that of flow grooves in the second oxygen-containing gas flow field, and the number of flow grooves in the first fuel gas flow field is different from that of flow grooves in the second fuel gas flow field. | 01-01-2009 |
20090004536 | Direct methanol fuel cell process tower - A direct methanol fuel cell integrated process assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing, a fuel mixing/surge tank and an air/liquid separator integrated to the housing. A vent of the mixer/surge tank is at least proximal to a vent of the separator. The housing further includes at least one condensation pathway integrated along the housing, where the pathway enables exhaust condensates to return to the assembly. At least one exhaust port is provided, which vents directly to a cooling airstream to facilitate exhaust removal. A manifold is also provided, with the fuel valve, a water valve, a fuel pump and a water pump integrated with the housing, where the integrated process assembly reduces an amount of plumbing between the a liquid volume in the mixer and the separator. Further, a water volume of the process assembly is reduced and a form factor of the process assembly is also reduced. | 01-01-2009 |
20090011316 | Interconnected, 3-Dimensional Fuel Cell Design - Fuel cell structure. A plurality of microtubes are electrically inter-connected. Each microtube includes an anode and a cathode layer separated by an electrolyte layer. The plurality of microtubes are arranged in at least two adjacent layers with microtubes in a first layer extending in a first direction and the microtubes in the second layer extending in a second direction, the first and second directions being non-parallel. | 01-08-2009 |
20090011317 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND FUEL CARTRIDGE HAVING FUEL BUFFER MODULE - Disclosed is a fuel cartridge. The fuel cartridge according to the present disclosure comprises a fuel container having a first port configured to flow fuel therethrough; and a buffer module configured to be coupled to the fuel container, wherein the buffer module comprises a second port configured to engage with the first port, a tubing connection comprising a first and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to or forms the second port, a third port coupled to or formed by the second end of the tubing connection, and a buffer container in fluid communication with the second and third ports via the tubing connection, wherein the buffer container is configured to store fuel therein when an inflow of the fuel to the buffer module is greater than an outflow from the buffer module. | 01-08-2009 |
20090017361 | SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING THE SAME - A separator of fuel cells and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The separator includes a metal substrate, a carbon nanotube layer formed on the metal substrate by growing carbon nanotubes thereon, and a composite layer formed by coating a mixture of an electrically conductive additive and a polymer on the surface of the metal substrate by compression-molding, screen coating, dipping or tape casting, thereby preventing corrosion of the metal substrate while achieving a reduction in contact resistance which can generally be deteriorated when composites are coated on the metal substrate. | 01-15-2009 |
20090017362 | Cell Laminate and Fuel Cell Provided with the Same - There is realized a structure particularly suitable for inhibiting deformation of separators having a structure where the shapes of projections and recesses are inverted from each other on the front side and the back side of each separator as in a pressed metal separator. Between adjacent separators, there is formed either a power generation region where MEAs and frame members for holding at least a part of the MEAs are inserted or a refrigerant flow region where neither the MEAs nor the frame members are inserted. A deformation inhibiting region for inhibiting deformation of each separator is formed by a projection provided on the separator. Also, a projection for inhibiting the separator from deforming at the deformation inhibiting region or nearby is formed on each frame member. The projection is projected toward the back side of the deformation inhibiting region, where the deformation inhibiting region is a recess on the back side of the separator. | 01-15-2009 |
20090023039 | Fuel Reservoir for Fuel Cell - The fuel reservoir for a fuel cell is a fuel reservoir detachably connected with a fuel cell main body, and it is equipped with a fuel-storing vessel of a tube type for storing a liquid fuel and a fuel discharge part; the fuel discharge part is provided with a valve for sealing communication between the inside and the outside of the above fuel-storing vessel. The valve assumes a structure in which a slit is formed in an elastic material and a structure in which a valve member is pressed by a resilient body, and is opened by inserting a fuel-supplying member. | 01-22-2009 |
20090023040 | OXYGEN REMOVAL SYSTEMS DURING FUEL CELL SHUTDOWN - A purging system for removing oxygen from a fuel cell system during a shutdown period for the fuel cell system. The purging system includes a separator having an inlet and an outlet; a first exhaust line for communicating a first exhaust gas stream from an outlet of the fuel cell system to the separator inlet during the shutdown period of the fuel cell system; and a second exhaust line for communicating a second exhaust gas stream to an inlet of the fuel cell system for delivering the second exhaust gas stream to the fuel cell system during the shutdown period. The separator removes oxygen from the first exhaust gas stream such that the first stream nitrogen molar volume is lower than the second steam nitrogen molar volume and the first stream oxygen molar volume is higher than the second stream oxygen molar volume. | 01-22-2009 |
20090023041 | Carbon fuel cells and batteries with carbon corrosion suppression - An electrochemical cell apparatus that can operate as either a fuel cell or a battery includes a cathode compartment, an anode compartment operatively connected to the cathode compartment, and a carbon fuel cell section connected to the anode compartment and the cathode compartment. An effusion plate is operatively positioned adjacent the anode compartment or the cathode compartment. The effusion plate allows passage of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide exhaust channels are operatively positioned in the electrochemical cell to direct the carbon dioxide from the electrochemical cell. | 01-22-2009 |
20090023042 | Water trap device for fuel cell vehicle - The present invention provides a water trap device for a fuel cell vehicle, in which an anode outlet line is formed to penetrate the inside of a upper portion of a water trap and a coolant discharge pipe having a smaller diameter and extending toward the bottom of the water trap is integrally formed, such that residual coolant collected in the water trap is discharged through a coolant discharge pipe to a water trap outlet valve when residual hydrogen in the anode outlet line is discharged to the water trap outlet valve by the Bernoulli principle. | 01-22-2009 |
20090023043 | Fuel Cartridge For Fuel Cell, Fuel Cell, And Coupler - A nozzle part | 01-22-2009 |
20090023044 | POWER UNIT AND CARTRIDGE, AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM COMPRISING POWER UNIT AND CARTRIDGE - A power unit, a fuel cartridge, and a fuel cell system having the power unit and the fuel cartridge. The power unit includes a coupling unit to couple with the fuel cartridge. The coupling unit includes a nozzle that receives fuel supplied from the fuel cartridge, a selection key to selectively mate with the fuel cartridge, and an outer unit surrounding the nozzle. An end of the nozzle is located between the selection key and an end of the outer unit. | 01-22-2009 |
20090023045 | REACTOR - A solid oxide fuel cell has a stack structure in which sheet bodies and support members are stacked in alternating layers. A space through which a fuel gas or air flows is formed between the adjacent sheet body and support member. Partitions are provided on the support member in such a manner as to stand in the space, thereby forming a “first flow F | 01-22-2009 |
20090029224 | LIQUID SEND/RECEIVE JOINT DEVICE AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM USING THE SAME - A liquid send/receive joint device that has a simplified configuration, is composed of a small number of components, is of small size, and can be manufactured at low cost and prevent liquid leakage, is provided; and a fuel cell system equipped with such a liquid send/receive joint device is also provided. | 01-29-2009 |
20090029225 | Fuel cell system - A fuel cell system is adapted for use with at least one electrical power source. The fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell body for receiving a fuel, and for generating electrical power; a fuel supply unit adapted to be coupled electrically to the electrical power source, coupled to and in fluid communication with the fuel cell body, and having the fuel stored therein; and a manual driving unit coupled to the fuel supply unit, and operable to permit transfer of the fuel stored in the fuel supply unit to the fuel cell body when electrical power of the electrical power source is insufficient to drive the fuel supply unit for transferring the fuel to the fuel cell body. | 01-29-2009 |
20090029226 | Fuel Cell System and Method for Operating the System - The present invention is a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, an injector which is provided in a hydrogen supply channel of the fuel cell and which adjusts a gas state of an upstream side of the hydrogen supply channel to supply a gas toward a downstream side, and a control device which drives and controls the injector. The control device controls an operation of the injector based on a driving state of an associated device including the fuel cell system | 01-29-2009 |
20090029227 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SECURING A CARTRIDGE - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for securing a cartridge. A cartridge may contain a fluid processing component such as a fluid filtration component, a fluid generation component, a fluid consumption component, or a fluid containment. The cartridge has a cartridge interface. An interface fluid outlet port is disposed on the cartridge interface. The interface fluid outlet port is in fluid communication with an interior of the cartridge. The interface fluid outlet port is configured to mate with a receiver fluid inlet port of a cartridge receiver. A biasing member applies a biasing force that presses the interface fluid outlet port against the receiver fluid inlet port. The biasing force removably secures the cartridge to the cartridge receiver. | 01-29-2009 |
20090029228 | Separator Plate And Fuel Cell - The invention relates to a separator plate for use in a fuel cell and to a fuel cell. The separator plate has: a passage groove group including a plurality of gas passage grooves | 01-29-2009 |
20090029229 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The present invention has been devised in order to solve the problems described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system that can discharge an impurity in an anode gas flow channel while suppressing wasteful discharge of a fuel gas to the outside of the system. | 01-29-2009 |
20090035641 | FUEL CELL DEVICE - A fuel cell device for being inserted into an expansion slot of an electronic device is provided. The fuel cell device includes a case, a first fuel cell module, second fuel cell modules, a connecting interface, and a power management module. The case is divided into a first part and a second part connected thereto. When the fuel cell device is inserted into the expansion slot, the first part is inside the expansion slot and the second part is outside the expansion slot. The first fuel cell module is disposed inside the first part and the second fuel cell modules are juxtaposed inside the second part. The connecting interface is disposed at the case, for being electrically connected to the expansion slot. The power management module is disposed inside the case, for being electrically connected to the first and the second fuel cell modules and the connecting interface. | 02-05-2009 |
20090042081 | Solid Oxide Fuel Cell - The objective of the present invention is to equalize gas volume distributed into each power generation cell to stabilize fuel cell output and improve the output efficiency. In the present invention, a flat plate laminating type solid oxide fuel cell has a reactant gas supply manifold | 02-12-2009 |
20090042082 | Fuel cell arrangement - A fuel cell arrangement comprises at least one fuel cell module, each fuel cell module comprises a plurality of fuel cells. Each fuel cell module is hollow and defines a chamber. Each fuel cell module is arranged within an inner vessel and the inner vessel is arranged within an outer pressure vessel. Means to supply oxidant is arranged to supply oxidant to the space within the inner vessel so as to supply oxidant to the cathode electrodes. Means to supply fuel is arranged to supply fuel to the chamber in each fuel cell module so to supply fuel to the anode electrodes. The outer pressure vessel is protected from the high temperature environment of the fuel cells by the inner vessel. The outer pressure vessel forms the main pressure containment of the arrangement and operates at a lower temperature and operates with a greater safety margin than a single pressure vessel arrangement. | 02-12-2009 |
20090042083 | Membraneless micro fuel cell - Disclosed herein is a membraneless micro fuel cell. A cathode fluid and an anode fluid with a low Reynolds number flowing along a cathode channel and an anode channel are formed to have an interface with each other through a micro passageway and to be mixed by only diffusion so that the direct mixing of the cathode fluid and the anode fluid is prevented, making it possible to prevent reactants from being depleted at an electrode surface as well as to increase the efficiency of the fuel cell. | 02-12-2009 |
20090042084 | Separator for fuel cell and method for manufacturing the same - At first step S | 02-12-2009 |
20090042085 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SEPARATOR AND SEPARATOR - In fuel cell separator, the periphery of manifold through which fuel gas, reaction water, etc., pass and the seal line being a site of bonding with an adjacent separator are provided with a resin layer. Within the surface of the separator, the resin application site on which the resin layer is formed undergoes subbing treatment in advance to thereby increase the capability of bonding with the resin. When the resin layer consists of a resin having an NH group, as the subbing treatment, hydroxide deposition treatment is carried out on the surface of the separator. | 02-12-2009 |
20090047564 | Electrical Power Consuming Installation Using a Fuel Cell and Method of Supplying One Such Installation - The invention relates to a functional installation which consumes electrical power and which uses a fuel cell. The inventive installation includes: an electrical power consuming member; a fuel cell which is connected to the consuming member in order to supply same with electrical power, said fuel cell being of the type that uses gas fuel, particularly gaseous hydrogen; and a first reserve of gas fuel which is stored under pressure and which is intended to supply the cell by default. The invention is characterized in that the installation also includes: a second reserve of gas fuel which is stored under pressure and which is intended for the cell; means for selectively distributing fuel to the cell from the first or second reserve, whereby said distribution means can detect a supply fault or an insufficient supply from the first reserve; and means for automatically switching to the second reserve for fuel distribution in the event of an insufficient or faulty supply from the first reserve. | 02-19-2009 |
20090047565 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR AND FUEL CELL - A separator ( | 02-19-2009 |
20090047566 | FUEL CELL AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE FUEL CELL - A fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly and separators. A first protection layer is formed on a surface of an anode of the electrolyte electrode assembly facing the separator for preventing the anode from being exposed to an exhaust gas. A second protection layer is formed on a surface of the separator facing the anode for preventing the separator from being exposed to the exhaust gas. The first protection layer and the second protection layer tightly contact each other in part so as to form a space as a fuel gas channel for supplying a fuel gas to the anode. Alternatively, a protection layer is formed on an end surface of the separator facing the anode for preventing the separator from being exposed to the exhaust gas. | 02-19-2009 |
20090053579 | NOVEL POWER SUPPLY DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A power supply device is provided and includes a fuel introduction unit from which a fuel edible, drinkable, and safe to contact for human body is introduced. The power supply device also includes a fuel cell unit including a negative electrode that is exposed to outside through the fuel introduction unit and that can contact with the fuel, the fuel cell unit being configured to generate electrical energy from the fuel; and an electronic controller unit configured to control feeding of the electrical energy to an external device. | 02-26-2009 |
20090053580 | INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCE SENSOR AND FUEL CELL INCLUDING THE SAME - There is provided an inflammable substance sensor which can be installed in a small space and a fuel cell including the same. The inflammable substance sensor for informing the outside of detection of an inflammable substance includes an odorant releasing member for releasing an odorant due to a chemical reaction of the inflammable substance. | 02-26-2009 |
20090061281 | FUEL CELL - The present invention provides a fuel cell comprising: a cathode catalyst layer | 03-05-2009 |
20090068535 | FUEL CELL BIPOLAR PLATE EXIT FOR IMPROVED FLOW DISTRIBUTION AND FREEZE COMPATIBILITY - A fuel cell assembly is disclosed that utilizes a water transport structure extending from fuel cell plates of the assembly into fuel cell assembly manifolds, wherein the water transport structure facilitates the transport of liquid water from the fuel cell plates thereby minimizing the accumulation of liquid water and ice in the fuel cell stack. | 03-12-2009 |
20090068536 | OVOID SHAPED FUEL STORAGE TANK - A fuel cell powered vehicle is disclosed having a fuel storage tank, wherein the fuel tank is disposed on an undercarriage of the vehicle and has a substantially ovoid shape to militate against interference with a function of a suspension system of the vehicle. | 03-12-2009 |
20090068537 | ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE, MEMBRANE AND ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY AND FUEL CELL USING MEMBRANE AND ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY - Disclosed is a an electrolyte membrane, wherein distribution of an ion exchange capacity in a thickness direction in the electrolyte membrane becomes maximum at a point of from 10 to 50% in the thickness direction of the electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane realizes a high output, when it is used in a fuel cell. | 03-12-2009 |
20090068538 | Module for a fuel cell stack - A fuel cell stack ( | 03-12-2009 |
20090068539 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - Piping interconnecting a fuel cell and a humidifier is laid with a rising gradient from the end on the humidifier side of the piping toward the end on the fuel cell side of the piping. The piping is first bent vertically downward and then vertically upward, and this forms a water containing trap in the piping. Problems caused by freezing of condensed water occurring in the piping can be avoided. | 03-12-2009 |
20090075151 | FUEL CELL AND MIXING MODULE THEREOF - A fuel cell is provided comprising a cell module and a mixing module. The mixing module is connected to the cell module. A vapor current enters the mixing module from the cell module. The mixing module comprises a condensing unit, a mixing sink, and a check valve. The vapor current enters the condensing unit to be condensed into a first liquid. The mixing sink comprises a sink body and a spacer, wherein the sink body receives a second liquid, the spacer spaces the sink body and the condensing unit, the spacer comprises a through hole, and the first liquid enters the mixing sink through the through hole. The check valve is disposed in the through hole, wherein the check valve comprises a valve body and a valve cover, the valve is disposed in the through hole, and the valve cover restricts the valve body in the through hole. | 03-19-2009 |
20090075152 | SADDLE-RIDE TYPE FUEL CELL THREE-WHEELED VEHICLE - A saddle-ride three-wheeled vehicle has a fuel cell which generates an electric power by a chemical reaction between a fuel gas and a reaction gas. The three-wheeled vehicle includes a drain pipe which guides water discharged from the fuel cell out of a vehicle body; a rear body to which a pair of left and right rear wheels are journaled; and a linking mechanism which swingably links the rear body and a front body to allow the front body to sway left and right with respect to the rear body, wherein the drain pipe has a drain port between the pair of left and right rear wheels. | 03-19-2009 |
20090075153 | Fuel cell system - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell body that includes a middle plate and an electricity generating unit that generates electricity by a reaction of air and fuel. The middle plate includes a plurality of unit sections, a supply passage formed inside the middle plate, a supply opening for supplying the fuel to the supply passage, a plurality of inlet openings formed on the unit sections, a discharge passage formed inside the middle plate, a plurality of outlet openings formed on the unit sections, and a discharge opening for discharging the fuel from the discharge passage. The fuel is supplied to the unit sections through the inlet openings, and the fuel discharged from the unit sections being discharged to the discharge passage through the outlet openings. In one embodiment, an opening area of an inlet opening become smaller as the inlet opening is located farther from the supply opening. In another embodiment, a vertical cross-sectional area of the supply passage becomes smaller as the location of the vertical cross-section becomes farther from the supply opening. | 03-19-2009 |
20090081519 | BATTERY HAVING FLUID MANAGER AND SLIDING VALVE WITH FRICTION REDUCTION MEMBERS - A fluid consuming battery ( | 03-26-2009 |
20090081520 | METAL SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELLS AND FABRICATING METHOD THEREOF - A metal separator for fuel cells formed with a metal plate and provided between cells accumulated, in which the metal plate is formed like trapezoidal irregularities to separate channels for a fuel gas from ones for an oxidant gas. Slope portions are formed after forming uniformly and thinly wall thickness of both upper and lower flat portions or either of the upper or the lower flat portion to 90% or less of that of the metal plate to be formed to obtain trapezoidal irregularities by forming flat portions which contact upper and lower cells and slope portions which interconnect the upper and the lower flat portions. | 03-26-2009 |
20090081521 | FUEL CELL DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT USING FUEL CELL DEVICE - Disclosed is a fuel cell device comprising a plurality of generator cells to generate electric power by an electrochemical reaction of an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent, wherein the plurality of generator cells include: a plurality of gas flow paths to send a reactant gas for the electrochemical reaction respectively to the plurality of generator cells; and a plurality of inflow ports respectively provided at a position in which the reactant gas flows into each of the plurality of gas flow paths, and wherein among the plurality of inflow ports, a cross-sectional dimension of an inflow port provided at a downstream side of a flowing direction of the reactant gas is smaller than a cross-sectional dimension of an inflow port provided at an upstream side of the flowing direction of the reactant gas. | 03-26-2009 |
20090081522 | Metal composite for fuel cell and fuel cell bipolar plate using same, and fabrication method for same - A metal composite for fuel cells according to the present invention, which includes: a core of a metal; cladded layers of a corrosion resistant metal covering both surfaces of the core; and a through-hole formed through the core and cladded layers. The through-hole has, on a hole wall of the core region of the through-hole, a concave portion which is recessed relative to hole walls of the cladded layer regions of the through-hole. | 03-26-2009 |
20090081523 | FUEL CELL COVER - Fuel cell covers, electronic systems and methods for optimizing the performance of a fuel cell system are disclosed. In the various embodiments, a fuel cell cover includes an interface structure proximate to one or more fuel cells. The interface structure is configured to affect one or more environmental conditions proximate to the one or more fuel cells. An electronic system includes an electronic device, one or more fuel cells operably coupled to the electronic device, and an interface structure proximate to the one or more fuel cells. The interface structure affects one or more environmental conditions near or in contact with the one or more fuel cells. A method includes providing a fuel cell layer, and positioning an interface layer proximate to the fuel cell layer. | 03-26-2009 |
20090081524 | SEPARATOR AND FUEL CELL USING THEREOF - A fuel cell is provided therein with a metal separator for aiming at preventing corrosion and at reducing a contact resistance. The separator is compose of conductive passage board formed therein with passages, and a metal planar panel, the passage boards and the metal planar panel being superposed with one another. The metal planar panel is formed therein with a plurality of manifolds for passing reactive gas or cooling medium through an adjacent cell while the passage boards are formed therein with a plurality of meandering through channels for distributing the reactive gas or the cooling medium from the manifolds. Further, a part of the meandering through channels is superposed with a part or all parts of the manifolds, and a covering layer for preventing the metal planar panel from being corroded, and for restraining a growth of a nonconductive film is formed over an entire part of the metal planar panel or over at least a part thereof which makes contact with the meandering through channels. | 03-26-2009 |
20090081525 | FUEL SOURCES, FUEL CELLS AND METHODS OF OPERATING FUEL CELLS - Fuel sources, fuel cells and methods of operating fuel cells are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention features a fuel source for a fuel cell, including a housing made substantially from a fuel-permeable material, and a fuel in the housing | 03-26-2009 |
20090087716 | NANOTUBE ASSEMBLY, BIPOLAR PLATE AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME - One embodiment of the invention includes an assembly of metal oxide comprising valve metal oxide nanotubes. | 04-02-2009 |
20090087717 | Fuel Cell, Method and Apparatus for Manufacturing Fuel Cell - A fuel cell (stack or a single cell) includes a cell module to which an aging process that progresses initial creep has been applied such that creep during use is reduced compared with a cell module to which the aging process has not been applied. A manufacturing method of a fuel cell (stack or a single cell) includes an aging step for progressing through initial creep by applying at least a compression load to a cell module. | 04-02-2009 |
20090087718 | Separator and fuel cell stack using the same - Disclosed is a separator for a fuel cell stack. The separator includes a plate having a first opening and a second opening on a surface thereof. A field or a channel is formed on the surface of the plate. The field has a first end and a second end. A field inlet is formed on the surface of the plate and connects the first end of the field to the first opening, and a field outlet is formed on the surface of the plate and connects the second end of the field to the second opening. An area of a cross-section of the field inlet, which is cut perpendicular to the surface of the plate, is smaller than an area of a cross-section of the field outlet, which is cut perpendicular to the surface of the plate. | 04-02-2009 |
20090087719 | NOISE ELIMINATOR FOR FUEL CELL - A noise eliminator for a fuel cell has a noise elimination chamber that is filled with a noise elimination material, and also has discharge gas flow piping penetrating the noise elimination chamber and having holes in the peripheral wall of the piping and through which gas charged from the fuel cell flows. An electrically conductive material is added to the noise elimination material. The construction suppresses electrostatic charging even if discharge gas flows in the discharge gas flow piping. | 04-02-2009 |
20090087720 | FUEL CELL AND FASTENING DEVICE FOR FUEL CELL - A fuel cell includes: two end plates that sandwich a cell stack from both ends thereof in a stacking direction; a side member that defines a distance between the two end plates; a connecting bolt that connects the end plates and the side member by a bolt axial force acting substantially in the stacking direction; and a stopper portion that is provided in at least one of the end plates, and that contacts a surface of the side member that extends in the stacking direction and that is located substantially opposite from the cell stack. | 04-02-2009 |
20090092882 | FUEL CELL WITH FLOW-THROUGH POROUS ELECTRODES - A microfluidic fuel cell with flow-through architecture is provided. The anode and the cathode are porous electrodes and comprise an interstitial pore network. A virtual insulator is located between the electrodes, in an electrolyte channel. The virtual insulator is comprised of a co-laminar flow of an electrolyte. An inlet directs substantially all the flow of liquid reactant through the porous electrode. | 04-09-2009 |
20090092883 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system is provided, the system comprising: a fuel cell ( | 04-09-2009 |
20090092884 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell body has an anode having an anode-side separator with projections and depressions formed on its surface, a cathode, and a membrane electrode assembly disposed between the anode and the cathode, and the fuel cell body is disposed in a container for storing liquid fuel so that at least the anode side is immersed therein. Fuel passageways through which the liquid fuel flows are formed by regions surrounded by the projections and depressions on the surface of the separator and the membrane electrode assembly. By this, the downsized, simplified and lower power consuming structure of auxiliary equipment such as a fuel feed system is achieved. | 04-09-2009 |
20090098439 | Fuel cell and fuel cell stack - A fuel cell includes a plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies and a pair of separators sandwiching the electrolyte electrode assemblies. The separator has first protrusions and second protrusions. The first protrusions form a fuel gas channel for supplying a fuel gas along an electrode surface of an anode in a direction indicated by an arrow B | 04-16-2009 |
20090104501 | Fuel Cell System for Generating Electric Power for a Vehicle Constructed of Modules - A fuel cell system for generating electric power for a vehicle is constructed of modules. The modules being configured such that, depending on the space available in the vehicle, they are arranged in different directions and at different mutual distances above one another and/or side-by-side. | 04-23-2009 |
20090104502 | Fuel-cell system and method of estimating nitrogen concentration on fuel electrode of fuel cell - Nitrogen concentration in a fuel-cell stack is estimated more accurately, hence the life of the fuel-cell is prevented from being reduced by operation performed when the impurity concentration in the anode increases. The fuel-cell system comprises: stack temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the fuel-cell stack; fuel electrode pressure detection means for detecting the pressure of the fuel electrode; and standing time measuring means for measuring the standing time. The fuel electrode nitrogen concentration, which indicates concentration of nitrogen in the fuel electrode of the fuel cell (nitrogen or the like transmitted from the air electrode to the fuel electrode via an electrolyte membrane), is estimated on the basis of the temperature of the fuel-cell stack at the time when operation of the fuel cell is stopped, the pressure in the fuel electrode at the time when the operation of the fuel cell is restarted, and the standing time between when the operation of the fuel cell is stopped and when the operation of the fuel cell is restarted. | 04-23-2009 |
20090104503 | Fuel Cell - A fuel cell has at least one engaging portion that protrudes from an outer edge of a cell and engages with a cell monitor so as to restrict movement of the cell monitor away from the cell. The cell has a plurality of engaging portions that are spaced apart from each other, and the engaging portions engage with one cell monitor at a plurality of positions of the cell. Separators of the cell contact at major surfaces thereof with cell monitor terminals. One cell monitor is mounted on a plurality of cells, and the terminals of the cell monitor are electrically connected to the separators of the cells. | 04-23-2009 |
20090104504 | Method for fabricating a connector for fuel cell system, connector and system obtained by such a method - Method for fabricating a fluid connector for fuel cell system: | 04-23-2009 |
20090104505 | STRUCTURE OF A FUEL CELL STACK - A structure of a fuel cell stack is disclosed in the present invention, comprising: a first cathode plate; a first fuel cell module; an anode channel plate; a second fuel cell module; and a second cathode plate stacked from top to bottom. Each of the fuel cell modules respectively includes: a cathode collector sheet; at least more than one membrane electrode assembly; an adhesive strip having at least one receiving space for respectively receiving the membrane electrode assemblies; a positioning plate having at least more than one receiving space; at least more than one collector sheet being respectively disposed in the receiving space of the positioning plate. | 04-23-2009 |
20090104506 | FLOW FIELD - An article bearing a flow field such as a distribution plate for use in a fuel cell is provided. The active portion of the article, i.e., the portion of the article bearing the flow field, comprises at least two subsections; a first central subsection and a second peripheral subsection; wherein channels within the first subsection have a cross-sectional profile that differs from that of channels within the second subsection. Typically, channels of the first subsection have lesser depth, greater draft or greater ratio of draft to depth. In addition, an article bearing a flow field is provided where the flow field comprises at least two channel segments which differ in draft. In addition, an article bearing a flow field is provided where the flow field comprises at least one channel segment comprising first and second channel walls which differ in draft. | 04-23-2009 |
20090110999 | Fuel Cartridge for Fuel Cell, and Fuel Cell - A fuel cartridge ( | 04-30-2009 |
20090111000 | Anode Bleed Flow Detection and Remedial Actions - A system for bleeding the anode side of first and second split fuel cell stacks in a fuel cell system that employs anode flow-shifting, where each split stack includes a bleed valve. The system determines that one or both of the bleed valves is stuck in an open position if there is flow through an orifice and a bleed has not been commanded. A shut-off valve is then used to provide the bleed if the cathode exhaust gas is able to dilute the hydrogen in the bled anode exhaust gas. An outlet valve between the first and second split stacks is used to bleed the anode exhaust gas if the cathode exhaust gas is not significant enough to dilute the hydrogen in the anode exhaust gas. If the first or second bleed valve is stuck in the closed position, then the outlet valve is used to provide the bleed. | 04-30-2009 |
20090111001 | Electrically Conductive Porous Body for a Fuel Cell, Fuel Cell Having Same, and Method of Manufacturing Same - An electrically conductive porous body for a fuel cell has a porous metal body and an electrically conductive layer that is disposed on one surface side of the porous metal body and that has gas permeability, wherein at least a part of the one surface side of the porous metal body is buried into one surface side of the electrically conductive layer, and wherein the flatness of the other surface side of the electrically conductive layer, into which the porous metal body is not buried, is higher than the flatness of the one surface side of the porous metal body. Sufficient contact surface area is obtained between the porous metal body and the membrane electrode assembly, without applying pressure to the porous metal body. It is therefore possible to achieve a low contact resistance with the membrane electrode assembly, without causing a change in the internal condition of the porous metal body. | 04-30-2009 |
20090117441 | Molding Die for Fuel Cell Bipolar Plate, Manufacturing Method of Fuel Cell Bipolar Plate, and Fuel Cell Bipolar Plate - To obtain a fuel cell bipolar plate of high quality and high productivity with less deformation, warpage, and cracking at the time of product removal from a die by making equal the density balance between a gas flow passage groove part area and a surrounding part area on the surface of the bipolar plate. | 05-07-2009 |
20090117442 | METHOD OF FORMING A FUEL CELL STACK - A method of forming a fuel cell stack, wherein the stack includes an anode electrode layer, an adhesive and anode gas diffusion layer coupled to the anode electrode layer, an ion exchange membrane coupled on a first side to the gas diffusion layer opposite the anode electrode layer, an adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer coupled to a second side of the ion exchange membrane, and a cathode electrode layer coupled to the adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer opposite the ion exchange membrane. The fuel cell stack may be flexible. | 05-07-2009 |
20090117443 | Bipolar Plate Hydrophilic Treatment for Stable Fuel Cell Stack Operation at Low Power - A flow field plate or bipolar plate for a fuel cell that includes a hydrophilic coating formed on flow field channels extending through a tunnel region between a cell active area and the inlet and outlet manifolds. The flow field plates are an assembly of a cathode side unipolar plate and an anode side unipolar plate. The hydrophilic coating is deposited on the unipolar plates prior to the unipolar plates being assembled into the flow field plate so that line of site deposition processes can be used to coat the flow field channels in the tunnel region. The unipolar plates can be any suitable fuel cell unipolar plates, such as stamped unipolar plates or composite unipolar plates. | 05-07-2009 |
20090117444 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH A METERING UNIT - The invention relates to a fuel cell installation comprising a fuel cell unit ( | 05-07-2009 |
20090117445 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - The present invention makes a power generation environment of a MEA uniform. A fuel cell system of the present invention includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells arranged on an identical plane, a housing configured to cover the fuel cell stack above a surface of said fuel cell stack through an airflow space, an airflow generating section configured to form airflow in said airflow space, and a blowing path provided such that exhaust gas exhausted from the airflow space is introduced into the airflow space again via the airflow generating section. | 05-07-2009 |
20090123806 | FUEL CELL END PLATE - A fuel cell end plate configured to transmit substantially constant compressive forces along a surface of a fuel cell is provided. The fuel cell end plate is configured such that the compressive force is substantially constant along the surface of the fuel cell even when the surface of the fuel cell is non-parallel. The fuel cell end plate is also configured such that the surfaces of the end plate remain substantially parallel when the fuel cell end plate is in contact with a non-parallel surface of a fuel cell or fuel cell stack. The fuel cell end plate is also configured to act as a distribution manifold for the distribution of reactants and coolants to the fuel cell stack. Fuel cell assemblies including the fuel cell end plate and methods of assembling the fuel cell end plate are also disclosed. | 05-14-2009 |
20090123807 | Single plate pem fuel cell - A fuel cell stack ( | 05-14-2009 |
20090123808 | FUEL CELL STACK - The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell stack capable of making fuel flow within the stack uniform. One embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to provide a fuel cell stack comprising: a stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells disposed in a stack body, a fuel manifold in the stack body fluidly connected to the plurality of fuel cells, an oxidant manifold in the stack body fluidly connected to the plurality of fuel cells, and a baffle disposed in the fuel manifold comprising a longitudinal recess wherein a cross-section of the recess reduces in one direction. | 05-14-2009 |
20090123809 | STACK FOR FUEL CELL - A fuel cell stack for generating electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction of a fuel and an oxidizing gas including a plurality of electricity generating units and a fastening member is disclosed. The plurality of electricity generating units are configured for an electrochemical reaction between the fuel and the oxidizing gas to generate electrical energy, and the fastening member combines the plurality of electricity generating units into a stack. Each electricity-generating unit includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and separators that are provided on each side of the MEA. Each separator comprises a channel on a surface facing the MEA. The channel is divided into a multiple of 2 sub-channels that is greater than 2 on a surface of the separator, and the sub-channels have substantially the same fluid passage length. | 05-14-2009 |
20090123810 | FUEL CELL DEVICE AND SYSTEM - Fuel cell devices and fuel cell systems, methods of using same, and methods of making same are provided. In certain embodiments, the fuel cell devices may include one or more active layers containing active cells that are connected electrically in parallel and/or 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. In some embodiments, ceramic end tubes are permanently attached to the ceramic support structure to supply gases to the passages. In certain embodiments, a multilayer active structure is attached upon a flat tube having a plurality of channels therein for feeding gases into the passages of the multilayer active structure. In other embodiments, multilayer active structures are provided in which the electrodes contain pluralities of microtubular or nanotubular passages for feeding gases thereto. In yet other embodiments, the multilayer active structure is contained within a ceramic support structure that includes two elongate members that extend outwardly from one edge for feeding gases into the multilayer active structure. | 05-14-2009 |
20090123811 | ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL AND FUEL CELL INCLUDING IT - An electrochemical cell for extraction of electrical energy is described, which includes a first gas chamber provided with a first gas feeder for a first gas, in which chamber a first electrode is positioned. The cell includes a second gas chamber provided with a further gas feeder for a second gas, in which chamber a second electrode is positioned. The first and second gas chambers are in ion-conducting contact via a diaphragm, and the first and second electrodes form an anode and cathode, respectively, of the electrochemical cell. The first electrode functioning as an anode, the diaphragm, the first gas chamber, and/or the first gas feeder contain an oxygen-storing material. | 05-14-2009 |
20090130528 | Fuel cell module with flexible interconnects - A fuel cell module according to the invention, of concentric type, can consist of parts fabricated independently of each other whilst ensuring efficient electric connection between these parts and the limiting of stresses inside the stack. | 05-21-2009 |
20090130529 | Fuel Cell System and Operation Method Thereof - A fuel cell system ( | 05-21-2009 |
20090130530 | Fuel Cell Stack Casing - A fuel cell stack casing for housing a fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack casing may include a resin and an electromagnetic wave damping material, for example, a conductive material. In addition, the fuel cell stack may be electromagnetically shielded by the electromagnetic wave damping material. The fuel cell stack casing may include a plurality of members coupled to each other such that conductive materials contained in the members are electrically connected to each other. An inside surface of the casing may be an insulating surface. A plurality of apertures for ventilation may be formed in a wall of the casing such that the apertures are spaced from each other. The apertures may be covered with a cover. | 05-21-2009 |
20090130531 | FUEL CONTAINER - A fuel container | 05-21-2009 |
20090130532 | Mixing Pump Device and Fuel Cell - In a mixing pump device ( | 05-21-2009 |
20090130533 | FUEL CELL - The present invention provides a highly-efficient fuel cell having a uniform temperature in the pile direction of the fuel cell stacks piled in the vertical direction. In order to achieve the object, the fuel cell ( | 05-21-2009 |
20090130534 | Separator for fuel cell and process for producing the same - In order to attain excellent electrical conductivity and molding processability, a fuel cell separator to be produced by performing press molding on a preform in which expanded graphite is used as the main raw material is improved so that the preform is produced by a papermaking method, whereby the characteristics of the mechanical strength, the flexibility, and the gas impermeability are improved, and the moldability is made excellent so that a light and compact configuration that is preferred in the automobile use or the like can be realized. In a fuel cell separator which is to be produced by performing press molding on a preform | 05-21-2009 |
20090130535 | Separator for Low-Temperature Type Fuel Cell and Production Method Therefor - A stainless steel sheet useful as a separator for a low-temperature fuel cell has the surface state that a lot of fine projections (p) stand close together around many fine pits (d) formed over a whole surface. The surface state is realized by alternating electrolytic etching in a ferric chloride solution. When the stainless steel separator is built in a fuel cell, contact resistance between the separator and a graphite electrode is kept at a lower level even in a corrosive atmosphere. Consequently, the fuel cell can be driven with high power-generating efficiency over a long term even under severely corrosive conditions without generation of massive Joule heat. | 05-21-2009 |
20090136822 | Voltage Detection Connector For a Fuel Cell and a Fuel Cell Adapted For Same - A connector of the present invention has a at least one detection terminal that is connected to an electrode provided on the fuel cell, and an insulating connector case housing the detection terminal. The connector case may have either a channel-shaped groove or a protruding guide for mating with, and for causing sliding with a protruding guide or channel-shaped groove provided on the fuel cell when the connector is attached to the fuel cell. | 05-28-2009 |
20090136823 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR AND FUEL CELL - A fuel cell separator ( | 05-28-2009 |
20090136824 | Metallic bipolar plate for fuel cells and method for manufacturing the same - The present invention provides a metallic bipolar plate for fuel cells, including: a pair of metallic plates for fuel cells each including a substrate which contains a stainless steel, an Fe—Ni based alloy or an Ni-base alloy, has a front surface and a back surface, and has a plurality of channels of a reaction gas formed on the front surface; and a brazed portion joining the back surfaces of the substrates in such a way that the pair of metallic plates are made to face each other, wherein, in the pair of metallic plates, a thin layer of a noble metal is coated on an entirety of the front surface of each of the substrates or on at least a part of a convex portion between the plurality of channels of a reaction gas on the front surface of each of the substrates, and another thin layer of a noble metal having a thickness of from 0.5 to 60 nm is coated on an entirety of the back surface of each of the substrates or on at least a part including the brazed portion on the back surface of each of the substrates, and wherein the metallic bipolar plate has, directly below a brazing material in the brazed portion, a joint portion where the thin layer of a noble metal is not present and the brazing material and the substrate are directly joined with each other. | 05-28-2009 |
20090142643 | Fuel cell - A fuel cell | 06-04-2009 |
20090142644 | HYDROGEN RECIRCULATION SYSTEM USING INTEGRATED MOTOR GENERATOR ENERGY - A system for delivering a supply fluid stream to a fuel cell stack that discharges an unused fluid stream is provided. A fuel supply is adapted to provide a pressurized supply fluid stream. An expander is in fluid communication with the fuel supply and is configured to receive the pressurized supply fluid stream to reduce the pressure of the pressurized supply fluid stream and to generate mechanical energy in response to reducing the pressure of the pressurized supply fluid stream. An electric machine is operably coupled to the expander and for selectively converting the mechanical energy generated by the expander into electrical energy. A compressor/blower is capable of being driven by at least one of the mechanical energy and the electrical energy to control the flow of the unused fluid stream to the fuel cell stack for recirculating the unused fluid stream back to the fuel cell stack. | 06-04-2009 |
20090142645 | Bipolar plate, method for producing bipolar plate and PEM fuel cell - A bipolar plate made of a composition comprising at least an epoxy resin, graphite filler and a metal amine complex as a curing agent for the epoxy resin. The invention also relates to a method for producing a bipolar plate and to the use of the bipolar plates in PEM fuel cells. | 06-04-2009 |
20090142646 | DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELL STACK INCLUDING FLOW RESTRICTOR AND DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELL INCLUDING THE SAME - A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) that includes: an anode, a cathode, and a membrane disposed therebetween; a bipolar plate having a flow channel to supply a fluid to the anode; and a flow restrictor installed in the flow channel, to restrict the flow of the fluid. | 06-04-2009 |
20090148745 | Pump applied to fuel storage device and portable device with fuel storage device for fuel cells - The pump comprises a pump body, a control member, an elastic member, and blades. The pump body has a holding space, one or more pump inlets, and one or more pump outlets. The holding space, the pump inlets, and the pump outlets communicate with each other. The pump outlets communicate with a fuel outlet of the fuel storage device; while the pump inlets communicate with a fuel reservoir of the fuel storage device. The control member passes through the fuel storage device and is rotatably set in the holding space. The elastic member is set fixed on the pump body and connects with the control member. The blades are set in the holding space and connect with the control member. Thereby, no extra energy is needed for the pump to transport the fuel from the fuel reservoir to the fuel cell. | 06-11-2009 |
20090148746 | FUEL CELL - A heat insulating member is sandwiched by a first separator and a second separator. The heat insulating member functions as a heat insulating layer to prevent the temperature decrease of electricity generating cells. A first impurity removal flow path is formed in the space enclosed by the grooves on the surface of the second separator and a partition plate. A second impurity removal flow path is formed in the space enclosed by the grooves on the surface of a third separator and the partition plate. The impurity removal flow paths function as filters to remove the impurities contained in the reaction gases. A terminal functions as a current collecting layer to collect the electricity generated in the electricity generating cells. An end laminated body functions as a heat insulating layer to prevent the temperature decrease of the electricity generating cells, impurity removal layers to remove the impurities contained in the reaction gases and a current collecting layer to collect the electricity generated in the electricity generating cells. | 06-11-2009 |
20090148747 | Water flow system for a fuel cell - Provided is a water flow system for a fuel cell. The fuel cell includes a battery module. The battery module has a cathode end and an anode end. The water flow system includes a water absorbing material and a pump. The water absorbing material has a first capillary structure and a second capillary structure. One end of the second capillary structure is connected to the first capillary structure. The first capillary structure contacts the cathode end of the battery module. The second capillary structure is disposed outside the battery module and is separated from the cathode end. One end of the pump is connected to the other end of the second capillary structure of the water absorbing material to pump the water in the second capillary structure. | 06-11-2009 |
20090155663 | SEPARATOR FOR FLAT-TYPE POLYMER ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS - A separator for flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprises a fuel-feed-side separator and an oxygen-feed-side separator, each comprising a collector portion in which n unit conductive substrates (n is an integer of 2 or more), each having a plurality of through-holes, are arrayed in flat configuration via gaps, and a pair of insulating frames which have n openings in alignment with an array position of the unit conductive substrates and are integrated in such a way as to hold the collector portion between them. The back-to-back (n−1) unit conductive substrates of the n unit conductive substrates in one of both separators, as counted from the end of its array direction, and the 2 | 06-18-2009 |
20090155664 | TRANSITION METAL NITRIDE, SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELLS, FUEL CELL STACK, FUEL CELL VEHICLE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING TRANSITION METAL NITRIDE, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELLS - A transition metal nitride is obtained by a nitriding treatment of a surface of a base material including a transition metal or an alloy of the transition metal, and the transition metal nitride has a crystal structure of an M | 06-18-2009 |
20090155665 | SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL - A separator includes a separator body | 06-18-2009 |
20090155666 | Bipolar plate and process for producing a bipolar plate - In order to provide a bipolar plate for a fuel cell unit, wherein the bipolar plate comprises a support layer of a metallic material and a protective layer, wherein the protective layer comprises an at least binary oxide system with at least two different types of metal cations, the protective layer of which prevents the formation of an oxide layer or changes the properties of the formed oxide layer such that lower mechanical stresses occur in the oxide layer, it is proposed that one type of metal cation of the oxide system of the protective layer is Mn and a further type of metal cation of the oxide system of the protective layer is Cu. | 06-18-2009 |
20090155667 | Bipolar plate and process for producing a protective layer on a bipolar plate - In order to provide a bipolar plate for a fuel cell unit, wherein the bipolar plate comprises a support layer and a protective layer, wherein the protective layer comprises an at least binary oxide system with at least two different types of metal cations, the protective layer of which reliably reduces chromium evaporation even in long-term operation and which also meets the other requirements set for a bipolar plate, it is proposed that one type of metal cation of the oxide system of the protective layer is Fe. | 06-18-2009 |
20090155668 | Multi-stage in-line cartridge ejector for fuel cell system - Multi-stage in-line cartridge ejectors for a fuel cell system provided herein comprise: at least one ejector main body for supplying hydrogen, each ejector main body including a plurality of nozzles arranged in line with a predetermined gap, in which the diameters of the respective nozzles become larger from an inlet side of the ejector main body toward an outlet side thereof, and a plurality of sub-inlets formed on an outer surface of the ejector main body to be connected to the gap or gaps between the nozzles; and a housing accommodating the eject main body and including a main inlet for intake of recirculated hydrogen. The multi-stage in-line cartridge ejectors can improve the system performance by increasing the amount of recirculated hydrogen. Moreover, at least one check valve is provided at an intake position of the cartridge ejectors to effectively prevent reverse flow of recirculation hydrogen gas and at least one heater is provided around the cartridge ejectors to improve cold startability. | 06-18-2009 |
20090155669 | FUEL-CELL CONNECTOR - To reduce leakage of fuel from a fuel cartridge during connection to and disconnection from a fuel-cell connector. A fuel-cell connector for releasable connection to a fuel cartridge has a cartridge-side connection element with a cartridge-side valve that opens or closes a fuel-supply opening. A fuel-cell connector has a connector-side valve that opens and closes a fuel-receiving opening and moves, during the first insertion stage, together with the cartridge-side valve, and a resilient element for resisting movement in the insertion direction of a connector body unit into which the cartridge-side connection element is telescopically inserted. The connector body unit has on its outer periphery engagement means for engagement with the cartridge-side connection element and a stationary mechanism part for attachment to the fuel-cell-using device. In the second insertion step, the aforementioned connector body unit is moved as a single unit with the cartridge-side connection element, while the fuel-receiving opening and the fuel-supply opening are maintained in close proximity and so that the aforementioned engagement means are engaged with the cartridge-side connection element, whereby the fuel cartridge is connected and fixed in the connected position. | 06-18-2009 |
20090162726 | COMPRESSION APPARATUS FOR FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell stack assembly in which the mechanism for securing the fuel cell stack in its compressed, assembled state includes a spring bar loading a disc spring at an inner diameter of the disc spring and a compression band which circumscribes the fuel cell stack assembly. | 06-25-2009 |
20090162727 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR AND FUEL CELL - A fuel cell separator and a fuel cell are provided that can improve uniformity in reaction gas flow rate and can prevent flooding due to excessive condensed water in passage grooves appropriately. A reaction gas passage region ( | 06-25-2009 |
20090162728 | Fuel Cell - A fuel cell of the present invention includes: a cell laminated body having a plurality of cells laminated; an end plate provided outside the cell laminated body in a laminating direction of the cell laminated body; and a load adjusting screw provided in the end plate for adjusting a compression load applied to the cell laminated body by moving in the laminating direction of the cell laminated body. A stopper in which an internal thread to be engaged with the load adjusting screw is formed so as to protrude toward the cell laminated body is provided on the end plate such that the rotation thereof with respect to an end plate body of the end plate in the axis direction is regulated. | 06-25-2009 |
20090162729 | Bipolar plate and method for manufacturing a protective layer on a bipolar plate - In order to create a bipolar plate for a fuel cell unit, wherein the bipolar plate comprises a carrier layer and a protective layer, wherein the protective layer comprises an oxide system, the protective layer of which reliably reduces any chromium evaporation even during long-term operation and which also meets the remaining requirements placed on a bipolar plate, it is suggested that the oxide system of the protective layer be an at least ternary oxide system with at least three different types of metal cations. | 06-25-2009 |
20090162730 | GAS-LIQUID SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A discharge port is located at a lower portion of the case of a gas-liquid separator. A discharge valve is located at the discharge port. A water retaining portion is located at the bottom of the case. The water retaining portion is located at a position lower than the discharge valve. An upward inclination surface is formed on the bottom of the water retaining portion. The upward inclination surface is inclined upward toward the discharge valve. A downward inclination surface is formed on the bottom of the water retaining portion. The downward inclination surface is inclined downward toward the upward inclination surface. A cover portion is located in an upper portion of the water retaining portion. The cover portion defines a gas passage in an upper portion of the water retaining portion. The gas passage is open at a portion closer to the inlet and connected to the discharge valve. | 06-25-2009 |
20090162731 | PLATE FOR FUEL CELL - The invention concerns a plate for fuel cell, in particular of the ion-exchange membrane type, comprising supply channels ( | 06-25-2009 |
20090169960 | Flow rate regulation filter, and fuel container for fuel cell - A flow rate regulation filter provided in a discharge flow path of a fuel container for a fuel cell. The fuel container receives liquid contents of a liquid fuel for a fuel cell such that the contents can be discharged as a liquid or a gas, and the flow rate regulation filter regulates the amount of discharge of the liquid contents. The flow rate regulation filter comprises an elastic body having continuous bubbles and a holder constructed from a formed body fusion-bonded to the elastic body and fixing the elastic body so that the elastic body closes the discharge flow path, and the elastic body and the holder are formed of a thermoplastic resin not corroded by the liquid contents. The discharge flow rate of the contents in the fuel container for a fuel cell can be regulated without requiring a major construction such as a liquid amount regulation mechanism. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169961 | Coupling structure of fuel cells - The coupling structure of fuel cells according to the present invention comprises a body and a plurality of channels. A first fuel cell is adapted on a first side of the body; a second fuel cell is adapted on a second side of the body. The plurality of channels penetrates through the first and the second sides. Each of the channels connects to a fuel-guiding inlet, a fuel-guiding outlet, an oxidant-gas-guiding inlet, and an oxidant-gas-guiding outlet of the first and the second fuel cells, respectively. The coupling structure has an insulation property with a conductive module embedded used for conducting a negative terminal of the first fuel cell and a positive terminal of the second fuel cell on the first and the second sides. By means of a coupling module, the internal wires can be used for cascading or isolating the positive and the negative terminals of the two fuel cells. The coupling structure has channels for fuel (anode) and oxidant gas (cathode), used for communicating the fuel or oxidant gas while cascading two or more fuel cells. Thereby, convenience of cascading planarly fuel cells can be enhanced. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169962 | Integrated flow field plate and diffusion electrode in a fuel cell - A fuel cell has at least one electrode having channels for delivering reactants, products, or both. The electrode is an anode or cathode of the fuel cell, or both. The electrode can serve as both a liquid diffusion layer and a flow field plate, thus replacing the traditional elements of carbon paper, cloth diffusion layer, and anode current collector. In some aspects, the fuel cell uses methanol, and the electrode is formed from flexible graphite. The electrode can have a structure sufficient to permit methanol diffusion while preventing methanol crossover. The electrode can also improve volumetric power density and eliminate contact resistance typically present between a conventional flow field plate and conventional diffusion electrode layer. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169963 | Fuel Cell System, Fuel Cell Valve System, and Fuel Cell Gas Supply Device - A fuel cell system includes a first shut valve capable of shutting off a gas flow in a gas path where a fuel cell gas flows; and a second shut valve arranged more towards the downstream side of the gas flow than the first shut valve, and capable of shutting off the gas flow. In each of the first shut valve and the second shut valve, sealing is performed by intimate contact between a movable member and a seal member and a gas pressure supplied from the upstream applies a force to the movable member to bring it into intimate contact with the seal member. A deformation degree by an external force of the same intensity is set greater in the seal member of the second shut valve than in the seal member of the first shut valve. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169964 | Separator of Fuel Cell - A differential pressure in a boundary portion between a streaked or linear fluid channel formed of a plurality of convex and concave portions disposed adjacent to one another in an undulated manner and a distribution channel for distributing a reactant gas or cooling water to be introduced into the plurality of fluid channels is reduced. In a structure of a separator of a fuel cell having a structure including streaked fluid channels formed of adjacent convex and concave portions formed on the surface of the separator, and a distribution channel which distributes, to these fluid channels, a fluid to be introduced into the fluid channels, in a boundary portion between the linear fluid channel and the distribution channel, a position of a terminal end of the convex portion constituting the fluid channel and a position of a terminal end of the concave portion are displaced in a streak direction of the fluid channel. It is preferable that the terminal end of the concave portion is positioned closer to the distribution channel than the terminal end of the convex portion. It is also preferable that the separator has a structure of such a type that front and back surfaces are integrated. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169965 | GAS-LIQUID SEPARATING APPARATUS AND LIQUID SUPPLY TYPE FUEL CELL - A gas-liquid separating apparatus includes a container | 07-02-2009 |
20090169966 | FUEL DIFFUSION UNIT, FUEL SUPPLY UNIT, AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A fuel diffusion unit including: a fuel diffusion plate; a diffusion sheet disposed on fuel diffusion plate, to evenly distribute a fuel to the fuel diffusion plate; a primary transportation unit disposed on the diffusion sheet; secondary transportation units connected to the primary transportation unit, to distribute the fuel to the fuel from the primary transportation unit to the diffusion sheet. The diffusion sheet has a wetting direction that allows the fuel to flow in a predetermined direction. The fuel diffusion unit can be included in a fuel supply unit and a fuel cell system. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169967 | Fuel cartridge of fuel cell system - A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack and a fuel cartridge is provided. The fuel cartridge has a shell body and an air bag. The shell body forms a space for storing fuel. The shell body has a fuel outlet and an air inlet. The fuel outlet is connected to the fuel cell stack through a pipe. The air bag is assembled in the shell body with an opening thereof connected to and being in communication with the air inlet. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169968 | AMORPHOUS CARBON FILM, PROCESS FOR FORMING AMORPHOUS CARBON FILM, CONDUCTIVE MEMBER PROVIDED WITH AMORPHOUS CARBON FILM, AND FUEL CELL SEPARATOR - The amorphous carbon film of the present invention is an amorphous carbon film comprising carbon and hydrogen, wherein the amorphous carbon film contains not more than 30 atomic % (excluding 0%) of hydrogen and, when the entire amount of the carbon is taken as 100 atomic %, carbon having an sp | 07-02-2009 |
20090169969 | BIPOLAR PLATE OF SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL - This invention relates to a composite-material bipolar plate also known as an inter-connector of solid oxide fuel cell. The bipolar plate is constructed by a stamped sheet metal and two ceramic sealing materials as insulating grooves. The metal sheet is stamped to be with a corrugated shape, which is for collecting currents and for gas flow channels. The ceramic sealing materials as insulating grooves insolate anode and cathode electrodes and also block a leaking passage. The present invention can reduce thermal cracking conductivity and has the advantages of low cost, easy-to-make, high temperature resistance, high electric conductivity, and excellent sealing effect. In addition, the invention can shorten the start-up lag by externally preheating the metal sheet to heat up the fuel cell stack in a short period. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169970 | Solid oxide fuel cell and separator - A solid oxide fuel cell is formed by arranging a fuel electrode layer and an air electrode layer on both surfaces of a solid electrolyte, respectively, a fuel electrode current collector and an air electrode current collector outside the fuel electrode layer and the air electrode layer, respectively, and separators ( | 07-02-2009 |
20090169971 | Fuel Compositions - Fuel compositions, methods of making the compositions, and fuel cell systems including a fuel composition are disclosed. In some embodiments, a fuel composition includes a polymer, and a fuel such as methanol, wherein the composition has a hardness of at least about 2 grams peak force, as determined by penetration test using a texture analyzer. | 07-02-2009 |
20090176142 | CORROSION RESISTANT METAL COMPOSITE FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES AND METHODS OF PRODUCING THE SAME - A metal composite for use in electrochemical devices is disclosed. The metal composite comprises a stainless steel interior component and a deposited nitrided metal exterior layer, wherein the nitrided exterior layer has lower electric contact resistance and greater corrosion resistance than the stainless steel interior component. A bipolar plate made of such metal composite and methods of producing the metal composite and bipolar plate are also disclosed. | 07-09-2009 |
20090176143 | FLUID PASSAGE STRUCTURE FOR FUEL CELL STACK - A fluid passage structure for a fuel cell stack according to this invention comprises an internal manifold ( | 07-09-2009 |
20090181280 | FEATURES FOR BARRIER FILM SUPPORT - A barrier film for a fuel cell is provided, including a polymeric membrane having a plurality of support features. The support features are adapted to militate against a deflection of the membrane under a pressure differential across the membrane. A fuel cell employing the barrier film has a first plate with a port formed therein, and a second plate disposed adjacent the first plate. The barrier film is disposed between the first plate and the second plate. The support features of the barrier film militate against an intrusion of the membrane into the port. A fuel cell stack formed from a plurality of the fuel cells is also provided. | 07-16-2009 |
20090181281 | ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL BIPOLAR PLATE - A bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell is disclosed. The bipolar plate includes a unitary plate having first and second inlet ports, first and second outlet ports. The bipolar plate further includes a plurality of protrusions on each surface that forms a first plurality of flow channels, and second plurality flow channels. A first frame inlet header channel at one end of the first flow channels is in fluid communication with the first inlet port, and a first outlet header channel at the other end of the first flow channels is in fluid communication with the first outlet port. A second frame inlet header channel at one end of the second flow channels is in fluid communication with the second inlet port, and an outlet header channel at the other end of the second flow channels is in fluid communication with the second outlet port. Each of the header channels provides a fluid flow channel from one end of the respective header channel to the other end. | 07-16-2009 |
20090181282 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR - A fuel cell separator has a sandwiching section. The sandwiching section is connected to a fuel gas manifold through a bridge, and connected to an oxygen-containing gas manifold through a bridge. The circumferential length R of the sandwiching section, the width H of the bridges, the length L of the bridges, and the outer diameter D of the manifolds satisfies relationships of 0.03≦H/R≦0.20, 0.01≦L/R≦0.55, and 0.06≦D/R≦0.32. | 07-16-2009 |
20090186253 | Bipolar Plate Design for Passive Low Load Stability - A fuel cell that includes a flow field plate having flow channels, where the flow channels include one enlarged stability flow channel for each set of a predetermined number of smaller flow channels. The stability channel provides a higher volume of flow therethrough, which prevents the accumulation of water at low loads. | 07-23-2009 |
20090186254 | Conductive polymer - The invention provides a polymer comprising an acid cured solvented resole wherein the solvented resole is substantially free from water; a shaped article formed from the polymer and use of the polymer as an electrode, as an electromagnetic shielding material, to suppress electromagnetic interference, or to prevent electrostatic discharge at a location; which polymer is conductive. | 07-23-2009 |
20090186255 | CASE FOR MINIATURE FUEL CELLS - A case for fuel cells including an upper plate formed of a stack of a first insulating board, portions of a first conductive layer, a second insulating board, and a second conductive layer, this stack including windows, fuel cells being placed under the first insulating board at the level of the windows to obstruct them, the stack further comprising first openings filled with a heat-transmitting material forming a contact between the periphery of the fuel cells and the second conductive layer. | 07-23-2009 |
20090186256 | RECEPTACLE - A receptacle including a structure for connecting a mobile object having a supply port with a fuel supply device connected to the supply port to supply the mobile object with fuel and external power is provided. The fuel supply device is provided with a first conductive portion containing the supply port when being connected, and supplying the mobile object with the fuel via a fuel supply channel formed therein, a second conductive portion provided on the outer peripheral side of the first conductive portion to supply the mobile object with the external power when being connected, an insulating portion electrically insulating the first conductive portion from the second conductive portion, and a ground line grounding the first conductive portion. | 07-23-2009 |
20090186257 | DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELL SYSTEM, FUEL CARTRIDGE, AND MEMORY FOR FUEL CARTRIDGE - A fuel cartridge to be connected to a direct methanol fuel cell power generating device includes a spare fuel tank which stores a liquid fuel and is to be connected to the direct methanol fuel cell power generating device and a harmful substance trap member. The spare fuel tank stores a liquid fuel and is to be connected to the direct methanol fuel cell power generating device. The harmful substance trap member is fixed to the spare fuel tank and is to be connected to the direct methanol fuel cell power generating device. The harmful substance trap member contains a harmful substance trap material which traps gaseous harmful substances exhausted from the direct methanol fuel cell power generating device. | 07-23-2009 |
20090191443 | PLANAR FUEL CELL - A planar fuel cell ( | 07-30-2009 |
20090191444 | FUEL CELL BIPOLAR PLATE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - Certain embodiments provide a bipolar plate for a fuel cell having a novel configuration in which the draining function is improved, the operation is simplified, the resin contained therein is prevented from being decomposed and eluted, and methods for producing the same. The methods for producing a bipolar plate for a fuel cell comprised of a composite material of carbon powders and a thermosetting resin generally comprise the steps of compressing said composite material of the carbon powders and the thermosetting resin by compression molding to provide a molded body having a gas flow field groove for flowing a reactive gas formed on at least one of the surfaces thereof, wherein a punching die and a molding die opposed to each other are used and said composite material of the carbon powders and the thermosetting resin are received in a material receiving part of said molding die, wherein said punching die is approached relative to said molding die; and irradiating an infrared laser beam toward the internal surface of said gas flow field groove while moving the optical axis of said infrared laser beam relatively to said molded body along said gas flow field groove, thereby applying infrared laser process to said internal surface of said gas flow field groove after the completion of said compressing step. | 07-30-2009 |
20090191445 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system having an excellent orientation free performance by separating a fluid into a liquid and a gas without being affected by shaking and/or rotation of the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell main body, a first liquid/gas separation unit, and a buffer line. The fuel cell main body receives a fuel containing hydrogen and an oxidizing gas containing oxygen and generates electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen and the oxygen. The first gas/liquid separation unit is installed on a first recycling line extending from an anode outlet of the fuel cell main body to separate a gas byproduct from unreacted fuel discharged through the anode outlet. The buffer line is fluidly connected to the first and second recycling lines to receive and mix the unreacted fuel and the liquid byproduct at a predetermined amount from the first and second recycling lines, and is further fluidly connected to a third recycling line extending toward an anode inlet of the fuel cell main body to direct the unreacted fuel and the liquid byproduct into the fuel cell main body through the anode inlet. | 07-30-2009 |
20090197140 | FUEL CELL BIPOLAR PLATE, PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, AND FUEL CELL INCLUDING THE BIPOLAR PLATE - A fuel cell bipolar plate that while retaining its mechanical strength, has its electrical conductivity enhanced; a process for producing the same; and a fuel cell including the bipolar plate. There is provided a fuel cell bipolar plate comprising laminated molded item formed by a sheet-shaped molding material, wherein the sheet-shaped molding material contains a resin and a carbon material, and wherein the laminated molded item has a laminate structure of, arranged in sequence, surface layer C/inner layer B/central layer A/inner layer B′/surface layer C′, and wherein each of the central layer A, inner layer B, inner layer B′, surface layer C and surface layer C′ consists of a single layer or multilayer of the sheet-shaped molding material, and wherein when the carbon material content of central layer A is referred to as a, the carbon material content of inner layer B as b, the carbon material content of inner layer B′ as b′, the carbon material content of surface layer C as c and the carbon material content of surface layer C′ as c′, there are satisfied the relationships 55≦a≦85, 55≦c≦85, 55≦c′≦85, 10≦a−b≦30, 10≦c−b≦30, 10≦a−b′≦30 and 10≦c′−b′≦30 (the unit of each of a, b, b′, c and c′ is % by volume). | 08-06-2009 |
20090197141 | EXHAUST FUEL DILUTING MECHANISM AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH THE EXHAUST FUEL DILUTING MECHANISM - There is provided a diluting mechanism for an exhaust fuel including: a fuel inlet provided for supplying the exhaust fuel that is exhausted from the device using the fuel to the dilution chamber; a diluent inlet provided for supplying a diluent to the dilution chamber; a diffusion flow path provided in the dilution chamber for mixing the exhaust fuel that is supplied from the fuel inlet with the diluent that is supplied from the diluent inlet; a fuel exhaust port for exhausting the diluted exhaust fuel out of the dilution chamber through the diffusion flow path; and a nozzle that narrows a flow path, provided at the fuel inlet, in which the nozzle limits a supply quantity of the exhaust fuel to the dilution chamber. | 08-06-2009 |
20090197142 | FUEL CELL MODULE - The number of assembling steps of a fuel cell module is reduced. Moreover, permeating of moisture from the outside is suppressed. To realize this, a fuel cell module of the present invention includes a fuel cell having a structure in which both ends of a cell laminate in a laminating direction of cells are held by end plates, a fuel cell case in which the fuel cell is received, and a plurality of holding portions which hold the fuel cell via the end plates. Each holding portion includes a first fastening member having a part thereof bonded to the end plate, a mount member interposed between the first fastening member and the fuel cell case, and a second fastening member which fastens the mount member and the fuel cell case, and the fuel cell case is provided with a protrusion part having such a shape as to cover the part of the first fastening member while avoiding interference with the part. | 08-06-2009 |
20090197143 | POLYMER ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL SEPARATOR MADE OF PURE TITANIUM OR TITANIUM ALLOY AND METHOD OF PRODUCTION OF SAME - The present invention provides a polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator made of pure titanium or a titanium alloy superior in contact resistance with carbon paper and a method of production of the same, that is, a separator having a surface layer part to which conductive compound particles are affixed, characterized in that the surface oxide has a thickness of 3 to 15 nm in range, an average carbon concentration in a range from an outermost surface, including the oxide layer, to a depth of 100 nm is 0.02 to 6 at %, and the conductive compound particles have an average particle size of 0.01 to 20 μm. Further, the method of production of the present invention is characterized by forming, blast treating a surface of the formed article by particles comprised of conductive compound particles of an average particle size of 0.01 to 20 μm covering a surface of superhard core particles, impregnating it by a nitric acid aqueous solution of a concentration of 15 to 71 mass % and a temperature of 40 to 100° C. for 30 seconds to 180 minutes by spraying or dipping, then washing it. | 08-06-2009 |
20090197144 | Switch valve applied to a cartridge of a fuel cell - A switch valve applied to a cartridge of a fuel cell includes a first valve body and a second valve body. The first valve body has a first connecting member and a first slide member which may slide relative to the first connecting member. The second valve body has a second connecting member and a second slide member which may slide relative to the second connecting member. The second connecting member is used to lock the first connecting member. During assembling operation of the first and the second valve bodies, the first connecting member gets the second slide member moving to open the second valve body; and then the second connecting member gets the first slide member moving to open the first valve body. During disassembling operation of the first and the second valve bodies, the first valve body is closed before the second valve body is closed. | 08-06-2009 |
20090197145 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - It is intended to provide a fuel cell system more capable of exhibiting effects of downsizing and reduction in weight. The fuel cell system of this invention has a stack and a regenerator that are provided in parallel to an air compressor. An air supply passage to which an air discharged from the air compressor is supplied and an air discharge passage for discharging an unreacted air to the downstream are connected to the stack. A regeneration air supply passage to which the air discharged from the air compressor is supplied and a regeneration air discharge passage for discharging the air to the downstream are connected to the regenerator. A fuel pump has a structure that the fuel pump is rotatively driven by the regenerator. | 08-06-2009 |
20090197146 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR AND MOLDING METHOD FOR FUEL CELL SEPARATOR - The present invention provides a resin molding method for fuel cell separator. The fuel cell separator includes: a resin mold region formed inward a predetermined distance from an edge; a through hole formed at the resin mold region; and a front end region formed between the through hole and the edge at the resin mold region. The resin molding method includes: a die set process that the resin mold region of the fuel cell separator is set in the die such that the front end region is held by a pair of anti-deformation pins of the die; and a resin filling process that a resin is filled in the die, wherein the resin is molded on the resin mold region of the fuel cell separator so as to be filled in the through hole, and a resin member is thereby molded on the resin mold region so as to extend outward from the edge. | 08-06-2009 |
20090208811 | Fuel Cell Cartridge Connector - The problem to solve is providing a fuel-cell cartridge connector that protects the fuel-cell-holding appliance from damage when a external force which exceeds the allowable range, is applied to the fuel cell cartridge. To solve the problem a fuel-cell connector ( | 08-20-2009 |
20090208812 | FUEL SUPPLY APPARATUS - A fuel supply apparatus for supplying fuel to a fuel cell has a fuel supply unit and a water suction unit. When the fuel cell is mounted onto the fuel supply apparatus, the apparatus supplies fuel to the fuel cell and removes the water inside the fuel cell by suction. | 08-20-2009 |
20090214925 | Fuel Cell System with a Venturi Supply of Gas - A fuel cell system is described wherein at least one fuel cell is supplied at least intermittently with a gas mixture, particularly one made up of a compressed oxidation gas and ambient air, which is mixed in a Venturi nozzle, whereby the compressed gas can entrain ambient air at the Venturi nozzle and can guide it or guides it to the at least one fuel cell. | 08-27-2009 |
20090214926 | Metal Separator For Fuel Cell and Manufacturing Method Thereof - 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. | 08-27-2009 |
20090214927 | LOW COST FUEL CELL BIPOLAR PLATE AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME - Fuel cell bipolar plates are made by depositing a pinhole free corrosion resistant and/or a conductive layer on a metal plate using an atomic layer deposition method. In one embodiment, a conductive layer is deposited on an anodized metal plate using atomic layer deposition method. In another embodiment, at least one corrosion resistant metal oxide layer and at least one conductive layer are deposited on a metal plate individually using atomic layer deposition method. In yet another embodiment, a corrosion resistant and conductive metal oxynitride layer is deposited on a metal plate using an atomic layer deposition method. | 08-27-2009 |
20090214928 | Fuel cell stack of fuel cell vehicle - The present invention provides a method of assembling a fuel cell stack, in which a fixing block and a fixing pin are used to assemble the fuel cell stack instead of a bolt, thereby reducing the time and process required for assembly of the fuel cell stack, enabling an assembly process using an automated device to be realized, and facilitating mass production. | 08-27-2009 |
20090214929 | Type of fuel cell bipolar plates constructed with multiple pass flow channels that contract, expand, deflect and split reactant flows for improving reactant flow distribution, diffusion and water management - A type of fuel cell bipolar plates is constructed with multiple splitting and deflecting flow channels through which reactant flows are constantly contracted, expanded, split into more than one flow streams, and deflected in flow directions for improving reactant flow distribution, diffusion and water management. | 08-27-2009 |
20090220847 | FUEL CONTAINER FOR FUEL CELL - A fuel container for fuel cells includes a container main body obtained by molding a resin material including a cycloolefin polymer resin into a shape which allows the container main body to store fuel, and an outlet provided in the container main body for supplying fuel to a fuel cell. The fuel container does not undergo erosion or swelling caused by a liquid organic compound such as an alcohol, and does not allow leakage of a liquid organic compound. | 09-03-2009 |
20090220848 | Fuel cell stack assembly - A fuel cell stack assembly includes a fuel cell stack, a first pressure-supporting end plate assembly, a first current collector plate, a second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, a second current collector plate, and a pressure-applying structure. The first pressure-supporting end plate assembly is coupled to a first electrode side of the fuel cell stack through the first end plate and the first current collector plate, and the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly is coupled to a second electrode side of the fuel cell stack through the second end plate and the second current collector plate. The pressure-applying structure includes a pressure-applying plate and a pair of side plates form therebetween an open end. The pressure-applying plate is set abutting against a plate surface of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly with the open end thereof located on opposite sides of the first end plate and coupled to the coupling section of the first end plate through a positioning structure. | 09-03-2009 |
20090233149 | Fuel Cell Separator Plate Reinforcement Via Bonding Assembly - A fuel cell bipolar plate assembly is disclosed which includes a reinforcement positioned between the anode and cathode plates to strengthen the assembly. | 09-17-2009 |
20090233150 | LIQUID INJECTION DEVICE OF FUEL CELL, FUEL CELL AND FUEL CARTRIDGE - The structure includes protrusions | 09-17-2009 |
20090233151 | PROTON CONDUCTING OXIDIC ELECTROLYTE FOR INTERMEDIATE TEMPERATURE FUEL CELL - A fuel cell ( | 09-17-2009 |
20090233152 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING MEDIA TO A FUEL CELL ARRANGEMENT - The invention relates to an apparatus ( | 09-17-2009 |
20090239126 | COUPLER, AND FUEL CELL AND FUEL CARTRIDGE USING THE COUPLER - There is disclosed a coupler which is constituted by a nozzle | 09-24-2009 |
20090246594 | FUEL CELL PIPING STRUCTURE - It is possible to appropriately assure insulation between a reactant gas piping and another part in a fuel cell case. In order to achieve this object, there is provided a fuel cell piping structure in which when arranging a reactant gas piping in a case (C) containing a fuel cell and a high-voltage part, a resin pipe is used as a part of the reactant gas piping. It is preferable that the resin pipe be used for the reactant gas piping in the vicinity of the high-voltage part. Moreover, it is preferable that the resin pipe be formed in a curved shape. | 10-01-2009 |
20090246595 | FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION DEVICE - A fuel cell assembly and inspection device comprising a first base plate on which can be mounted a fuel cell stack including a current collecting plate placed on a first end plate and a plurality of unit cells stacked on the current collecting plate, and a pressure cylinder for pressing the stack, assembles a fuel cell by fixing a second end plate to a pressed stack. The device is provided with fuel gas supply piping, fuel gas discharge piping, oxidizing agent gas supply piping, oxidizing agent gas discharge piping, cooling medium supply piping, and cooling medium discharge piping which are connected, respectively, with a fuel gas supply port, a fuel gas discharge port, an oxidizing agent gas supply port, an oxidizing agent gas discharge port, a cooling medium supply port, and a cooling medium discharge port, which are provided on the first end plate. | 10-01-2009 |
20090246596 | Fuel cell system for charging an electric vehicle - A method for charging electric vehicles includes receiving information regarding an electric vehicle. At least a portion of the information is received through a vehicle interface configured to place a battery of the electric vehicle into electrical communication with a fuel cell system. A charge is delivered from the fuel cell system to the battery of the electric vehicle through the vehicle interface without use of a direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) converter. The charge is delivered based at least in part on the information. | 10-01-2009 |
20090246597 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells, and an ejector for supplying a fuel gas to the fuel cell stack. A flow rectifier member is provided at a portion connecting an end plate of the fuel cell stack and the ejector. The flow rectifier member is a cylindrical member. A plurality of openings are formed between partition walls formed in the flow rectifier member. | 10-01-2009 |
20090246598 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells, and an ejector for supplying a fuel gas to the fuel cell stack. A flow rectifier for rectifying the flow of the fuel gas is provided at a portion of an insulating plate of the fuel cell stack connecting the ejector and the fuel gas supply passage. The flow rectifier includes an opening having a laterally elongated shape in correspondence with the bottom of the fuel gas supply passage having a laterally elongated shape, and a plurality of holes provided above the opening. | 10-01-2009 |
20090253018 | Fuel Cell - An output cable for transferring an output of a fuel cell stack to a device provided outside a stack case and an output terminal portion of the fuel cell stack are connected to each other, and a blocking device capable of blocking the fuel cell stack from supplying the output thereof to the device through mechanical operation from outside the stack case is provided. In the stack case, a first through hole for allowing for maintenance and checkout from the outside of the stack case to the inside is formed, and the blocking device is attached so as to cover this first through hole from outside. The blocking device includes a housing made of a solid body, a second through hole for communicating the outside of the stack case with the inside by communicating with the first through hole, and a closing cover for closing the second through hole. | 10-08-2009 |
20090253019 | Mixing pump device and fuel cell - A mixing pump device ( | 10-08-2009 |
20090253020 | Interconnector for a fuel cell stack and method for production - An interconnector is made of ferritic chromium steel, on which a cupriferous layer is disposed. This layer prevents interdiffusion between the chromium steel and additional components with which the interconnector has direct contact. According to the state of the art, such diffusion occurs particularly if these additional components contain nickel. In addition, the interconnector may comprise a chromium-containing oxide layer as a barrier against interdiffusion. For this purpose, the interconnector steel can also be preoxidized before applying the cupriferous layer. The interconnector has a significantly longer service life than interconnectors according to the state of the art, and it has improved electrical conductivity because the electrical contact surface thereof is free of oxides and has high transverse conductivity. | 10-08-2009 |
20090253021 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system having an adsorber placed in an air supply path to an air electrode of a fuel cell and receiving a chemical filter for adsorbing impurities contained in air; measurement means for measuring the amount per unit time of air having passed the adsorber; detection means for detecting the density of impurities contained in the air, whose volume has been measured by the measurement means, before it enters the adsorber; estimation means for estimating, based on the amount of the air, the density of the impurities, and adsorption efficiency of the chemical filter, the amount of the impurities adsorbed per unit time by the chemical filter; and output control means for causing a signal to output when an accumulated value of the amount of the impurity exceeds a predetermined level. | 10-08-2009 |
20090258276 | Fuel Cell Unit, Fuel Cell Unit Array, Fuel Cell Module and Fuel Cell System - The present invention provides a fuel cell unit, fuel cell unit array, fuel cell module and fuel cell system that can achieve a reduction in size and costs. The fuel cell unit of the present invention has a PIN structure comprising a fuel electrode ( | 10-15-2009 |
20090258277 | Fuel Cell System - A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell body that generates electricity through electrochemical reaction of a first reactive gas and a second reactive gas, a first gas supply passage and a second gas supply passage supplying the first reactive gas and the second reactive gas to the fuel cell body, a first gas discharge passage and a second gas discharge passage discharging an off-gas of the first reactive gas and an off-gas of the second reactive gas from the fuel cell body, and a branch passage branching out from one of the first gas discharge passage or the second gas discharge passage. The off-gas discharged by the other one of the first gas discharge passage or the second gas discharge passage is arranged to flow through the branch passage. | 10-15-2009 |
20090258278 | Natural gas direct carbon fuel cell - A natural gas fueled, direct carbon fuel cell produces electricity and hydrogen. It adds to an existing direct carbon fuel cell a carbon dioxide injection port to the cathode compartment; a natural gas feed port to the anode compartment, a hydrogen extraction port from the anode compartment, and a carbon dioxide extraction port from the anode compartment. To improve hydrogen generation efficiency, the anode compartment may have a louvered baffle dividing the anode compartment into an ante-chamber and a main chamber. The louvered baffle preferably has an upper section with slats angled from bottom to top and a lower section with slats angled from top to bottom. A heat exchanger is preferably included to pre-heat natural gas feed from hot hydrogen effluent. A second heat exchanger is preferably included to pre-heat oxygen-containing gas with hot nitrogen and carbon dioxide effluents. | 10-15-2009 |
20090258279 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR, FOR USE ON BOARD A COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT OR MOTOR VEHICLE - For operation on board a commercial aircraft ( | 10-15-2009 |
20090263700 | FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY - A fuel cell assembly is comprised of a plurality of stack units. Each stack unit includes a first cell and a second cell, and each cell includes an electrode of a first polarity and an electrode of a second polarity, with an ion permeable membrane disposed therebetween. The stack unit further includes a fuel container which comprises a housing defining a fuel chamber having a first and second open surface. The first and second cells are disposed on opposite sides so that electrodes of each cell having the first polarity are disposed in fluid contact with the fuel chamber. The assembly further includes an oxidizer supply member disposed between adjacent pairs of stack units. The oxidizer supply member includes an oxidizer chamber having first and second open surfaces. The oxidizer supply member is disposed so that electrodes of the second polarity of adjacent stack units are in fluid contact with the chamber of the oxidizer supply member. The various stack units can be electrically interconnected in series, parallel, or mixed series parallel relationship. The fuel cell stack assembly are configured to operate in conjunction with a liquid fuel such as an alcohol, and using air as an oxidizer. | 10-22-2009 |
20090263701 | Method of producing separator material for polymer electrolyte fuel cell - A method of producing a polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator material efficiently produces a separator material that has a uniform and reduced thickness and exhibits excellent properties. The method includes dispersing 100 parts by weight of a carbonaceous powder in a resin solution to prepare a slurry having a viscosity of 100 to 1500 mPa·s, the resin solution being prepared by dissolving 10 to 35 parts by weight of a resin binder and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a dispersant in an organic solvent, immersing an organic sheet having a through-hole open area ratio (R) of 25 to 85% in the slurry so that the slurry adheres to each side of the organic sheet, drying the slurry so that each side of the organic sheet is coated with the slurry to obtain a green sheet, cutting the green sheet into a specific shape, and thermocompression-forming one or more green sheets. | 10-22-2009 |
20090269647 | CARTRIDGE FOR METHANOL FUEL CELL - Disclosed is a small-sized, light-weighted, low-cost cartridge for methanol fuel cells which has excellent permeation-preventing performance (barrier properties) against methanol and oxygen. This cartridge is suitably used as a fuel tank or refill container for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Specifically disclosed is a cartridge for methanol fuel cells comprising at least one methanol impermeable layer having a methanol vapor permeability coefficient of not more than 15 μg·mm/m | 10-29-2009 |
20090269648 | Fuel cell - A fuel cell is disclosed. The fuel cell can include a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), converting a chemical energy to an electrical energy; a first end plate, stacked on one surface of the MEA and formed with a first coupling hole; a second end plate, stacked on the other surface of the MEA; and a protrusion, formed on the second end plate such that the protrusion penetrates the first coupling hole and an end part of the protrusion protrudes a surface of the first end plate, and the end part being transformed such that the end part couples the first end plate and the second end plate. With the present invention, the fuel cell can reduce contact resistance between elements and its overall size and prevent a leak of fuel. In the manufacturing process, the end plates and the MEA can be arranged, improving reproducibility and repetition for mass production. | 10-29-2009 |
20090269649 | STAINLESS SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A stainless steel separator for fuel cells and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The method includes preparing a stainless steel sheet as a matrix, performing surface modification on a surface of the stainless steel sheet to form a Cr-rich passive film having a comparatively increased amount of Cr in a superficial layer of the stainless steel sheet by decreasing an amount of Fe in the superficial layer of the stainless steel sheet, and forming a coating layer on the surface of the surface-modified stainless steel sheet. The coating layer is one selected from a metal nitride layer (MN | 10-29-2009 |
20090274945 | Fuel Cell and Manufacturing Method of the Same - A fuel cell includes an electrical power generator that has an electrolyte, a first electrode provided on one face of the electrolyte, and a second electrode provided on the other face of the electrolyte, a conductive frame that has an electrical potential substantially same as that of the first electrode and strengthens the electrical power generator, a power collector provided on the second electrode on the opposite side of the electrolyte, and an insulating member provided between the power collector and the conductive frame. In the fuel cell, it is restrained that the power collector contacts with the conductive frame. Therefore, an electrical short between the first electrode and the second electrode is restrained. | 11-05-2009 |
20090274946 | FUEL CELL - In forming a fuel cell stack by stacking a plurality of fuel cell units, in order to provide a fuel cell in which the fuel cell stack can be stably bound, the supply of fuel and conduction of respective cells can be surely performed, and stable power generation is possible, the fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack | 11-05-2009 |
20090280386 | METALLIC BIPOLAR PLATE FOR FUEL CELL - Proposed are a bipolar plate for a fuel cell and a method for the manufacture thereof. A simple, cost-effective manufacture is achieved with particularly good characteristics (high electrical conductance, high resistance to corrosion) by coating metallic plate material with Ti | 11-12-2009 |
20090280387 | Fuel Mixing Apparatus and Fuel Cell System Using the Same - The present invention discloses a fuel mixing apparatus, comprising: a container capable of accommodating a fuel and comprising a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet; and a tank floating on the fuel inside the container, comprising a pair of openings and communicating with the second inlet and the second outlet through flexible tubes respectively. In addition, the present invention further provides a fuel cell system combing the fuel mixing apparatus and a fuel cell module. When the fuel cell system is tilted, the tank of the fuel mixing apparatus is capable of adjusting its location in accordance with the surface of the fuel, while the flexible tubes are still capable of keeping an unhindered passage for the gas and/or the liquid to enter or to be exhausted from the container smoothly. | 11-12-2009 |
20090280388 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell is provided with an end plate arranged outside a cell laminate in the laminating direction of the cell laminate. The fuel cell is also provided with pressing device, arranged on the side of the end plate of the cell laminate, for adjusting a compressive load to be applied to the cell laminate by a load adjusting screw which moves along the laminating direction of the cell laminate against the end plate. Engaging portions of the load adjusting screw and the pressing device are movably arranged in the diameter direction of the load adjusting screw against at least one of the end plate and the pressing device. | 11-12-2009 |
20090280389 | Fuel Cell Separator and Manufacturing Method Thereof - This invention provides a low cost fuel cell separator which reduces a contact resistance between a gas diffusion layer and the separator, has the capability of saving thickness as well as erosion resistance and mechanical strength. It is a feature of this invention that when the fuel cell separator has “chases A” | 11-12-2009 |
20090280390 | FAULT TOLERANT FUEL CELL SYSTEMS - A fuel cell system comprises a plurality of groups of fuel cells electrically connected in series-parallel. Each of the groups of fuel cells comprises a plurality of fuel cells connected in series-parallel. Each of the fuel cells may have a very small active area. The system provides passive fault tolerance for both open-circuit and closed-circuit failures of individual fuel cells. | 11-12-2009 |
20090286129 | Fuel-cell-equipped apparatus - A fuel-cell-equipped apparatus includes a fuel cell unit that includes a fuel cell module and a fuel cell case. The fuel cell module includes cells stacked on each other and is housed in the fuel cell case. A pipe is provided at one side of the fuel cell module in the direction in which the cells are stacked. The fuel cell unit is supported on a base via supporting members (mounting insulators), at two points at the side where the pipe is provided or the side closest to a gravity center of the fuel cell unit and at one point in the opposite side. | 11-19-2009 |
20090286130 | Water Repellent Layer-Forming Tape - The present invention mainly intends to provide a water-repellent layer-forming tape, which enables a water-repellent layer to be provided by a simple method. In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a water-repellent layer-forming tape to be used for forming a water-repellent layer of a tube-type fuel cell, comprising a plurality of fibrous shape-retaining materials and a water-repellent portion formed to connect the plurality of fibrous shape-retaining materials, wherein the water-repellent portion contains a water-repellent material and an electro-conductive material. | 11-19-2009 |
20090286131 | Separator Material for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells and Process of Producing the Same - An inexpensive separator material is disclosed which has low electrical resistivity, a low degree of electrical resistivity anisotropy, and excellent gas impermeability, and is suitable for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. The separator material includes a sheet-shaped graphite and cured resin molded product which includes 100 parts by weight of a graphite powder and 10 to 35 parts by weight of a thermosetting resin, the graphite powder being prepared by mixing an artificial graphite powder having an average particle diameter A of 1 to 15 μm and a natural graphite powder having an average particle diameter B of A×(2 to 20) μm in a weight ratio of 80:20 to 60:40, the graphite powder being integrally bound with the thermosetting resin, and the separator material having an electrical resistivity of 0.02 Ωcm or less, an electrical resistivity anisotropy ratio of two or less, and a gas permeability of 10 | 11-19-2009 |
20090286132 | HYDROLYTICALLY-STABLE HYDROPHILIC COATINGS FOR PEMFC BIPOLAR PLATE - Bipolar plates useful for fuel cell applications include a plate body having a channel-defining surface that is at least partially coated with a hydrophilic layer. This hydrophilic layer comprises residues of a silane-coupling agent in a sufficient amount such portions of the first hydrophilic layer have a contact angle less than a predetermined value. | 11-19-2009 |
20090286133 | BIPOLAR PLATE WITH INLET AND OUTLET WATER MANAGEMENT FEATURES - A fuel cell assembly is disclosed that utilizes a fuel cell plate having hydrophobic portions adjacent an inlet and an outlet formed therein, and a hydrophilic portion formed in the flow channels of the fuel cell plate adjacent the hydrophobic portions, wherein the hydrophilic portion and the hydrophobic portion facilitate the transport of liquid water from the fuel cell plate. | 11-19-2009 |
20090286134 | END PLATE FOR FUEL CELL STACK AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - The present invention provides an end plate for fuel cell stack and a method for manufacturing an end plate, which can increase flexural rigidity per weight, and improve strain at break, and reduce heat transmission by applying hybrid core element having honeycomb and form structures to an end plate having sandwich structure combined to both end portions of a fuel cell stack. | 11-19-2009 |
20090286135 | LIQUID SUPPLY CONTAINER AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH SAME - A liquid supply container is provided which includes a liquid storage portion ( | 11-19-2009 |
20090291349 | SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL AND FUEL CELL STACK USING THE SAME - A fuel cell separator capable of improving stack performance by reducing the deviation in cell performance and diminishing dead space, and a fuel cell stack using the same are disclosed. The fuel cell separator may include a base member, a first channel group disposed on a surface of the base member and a second channel group disposed on the surface of the base member. The first channel group may include at least one channel and the second channel group may include at least one channel. The first channel group and the second channel group may extend parallel to each other in a first region of the surface and independent from each other in a second region of the surface. | 11-26-2009 |
20090291350 | ELECTROLYTE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY AND FUEL CELL - A unit cell of a fuel cell is formed by sandwiching a membrane electrode assembly between a first metal separator and a second metal separator. The membrane electrode assembly includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a reinforcement member on both surfaces of the outer end of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. Frame members are provided on the reinforcement member outside an anode, and a fuel gas inlet channel and a fuel gas outlet channel are formed by the frame members, at positions corresponding to a fuel gas inlet buffer and a fuel gas outlet buffer. | 11-26-2009 |
20090297917 | HEAT-RESISTANT ALLOY MEMBER, ALLOY MEMBER FOR FUEL CELL, COLLECTOR MEMBER FOR FUEL CELL, CELL STACK, AND FUEL CELL APPARATUS - The present invention provides a heat-resistant alloy member which hardly causes external diffusion of Cr, an alloy member for a fuel cell, a collector member for a fuel cell, a cell stack, and a fuel cell apparatus. | 12-03-2009 |
20090297918 | Board material for fuel cell metallic separator, method of making same, and fuel cell metallic separator - A board material for a fuel cell metallic separator includes a metallic substrate, an intermediate layer formed on a surface of the metallic substrate, and including titanium (Ti), and a Au layer formed on a surface of the intermediate layer, including pure gold (Au), and having an average thickness of not less than 1 nm and not more than 9 nm. A fuel cell metallic separator includes the board material that includes a concavo-convex shape. | 12-03-2009 |
20090297919 | GAS DIFFUSION LAYER OF PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell unit of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system includes a pair of flow field plates and a membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly is interposed between the pair of flow field plates to define respective reactant flow channels with the pair of flow field plates. The membrane electrode assembly includes an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, a proton exchange membrane and a pair of gas diffusion layers. The gas diffusion layers are respectively disposed adjacent to the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer and face to the flow field plates. At least one of the gas diffusion layers has a fluid permeability distribution profile increasing first and then decreasing from an inlet to an outlet of the reactant flow channel. The gas diffusion layer has the maximum fluid permeability at the site with the highest rate of reaction. | 12-03-2009 |
20090297920 | FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell stack includes a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells, and a casing including end plates. Components of the stack body are held together in the casing. Side plates and angle members of the casing form an outer profile line, and the end plates are positioned inside the outer profile line. Corners of insulating plates protrude outwardly beyond corners of the end plates, and are positioned inside the inner wall surfaces of the corners of the casing. | 12-03-2009 |
20090297921 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A fuel cell separator | 12-03-2009 |
20090297922 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING FUEL CELL SEPARATOR, AND FUEL CELL SEPARATOR - A method of manufacturing a fuel cell separator, the method including: subjecting the peripheral surfaces other than the respective gas passages of a pair of separator substrates formed from stainless steel to a cathodic electrolytic treatment within an alkali solution, thereby forming an iron-based hydrated oxide film on the peripheral surfaces of the pair of separator substrates (S | 12-03-2009 |
20090305111 | Electroconductive structure, manufacturing method therefor, and separator for fuel cell - The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a conductive structure having high electrical conductivity, and a method for manufacturing a dimensionally accurate separator for a fuel cell having high electrical conductivity. In the present invention, the cavity surface temperature of a mold is kept equal to or higher than the crystal melting temperature (T | 12-10-2009 |
20090305112 | Fuel cell air exchange apparatus - A fuel cell air exchanger is provided. The fuel cell air exchanger includes a platform having at least one throughput opening and at least one holding post, where the holding post fixedly holds a fuel cell offset from the platform and proximal to the opening, where the opening can have many shapes. The fuel cell air exchanger provides an unimpeded air exchange through the openings to the fuel cell and can be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. The fuel cell air exchanger can hold an array of fuel cells and fuel cell electronics. A chimney feature provides enhanced airflow when the air exchanger is disposed in a vertical position. | 12-10-2009 |
20090311572 | INTEGRATED FUEL CELL AND MANUFACTURING METHOD - A fuel cell having its active stack resting on a thin conductive layer, bearing on a wafer provided with through gas inlet channels, the thin conductive layer protruding in the active stack in front of each channel and being transparent to the gas. | 12-17-2009 |
20090311573 | Fuel Cell and Fuel Cell Stack - A fuel cell includes a separator having a circular disk. On one surface of the circular disk, a fuel gas channel is provided for supplying a fuel gas to an anode, and on the other surface of the circular disk, an oxygen-containing gas channel is provided for supplying air to a cathode. The fuel gas channel has an end point at an outer circumferential end of the anode. A fuel gas discharge channel is connected to an end point of the fuel gas channel, such that the consumed fuel gas is emitted to an oxygen-containing gas supply unit, from a position spaced outwardly from the outer circumference of an electrolyte electrode assembly. | 12-17-2009 |
20090311574 | FUEL CELL BIPOLAR PLATE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - The present invention provides a fuel cell bipolar plate and a method for manufacturing the same, in which a carbon or metal fuel cell bipolar plate is surface-treated with a complex transition metal oxide, which is a main component of a variable resistance heating element having a negative temperature characteristic, so that the bipolar plate can ensure a sufficient amount of heat, required to prevent product water from freezing, by itself in a short time without any external energy, thus improving cold start performance of a fuel cell vehicle at a temperature below zero. | 12-17-2009 |
20090311575 | Fuel cell with passive operation - A fuel cell comprising an anode and cathode, fuel delivery means comprising a superabsorbent nonwoven absorbent media in fluid contact with a wicking material, gas-liquid separation means, and water management means. In one embodiment, the fuel cell also uses a microporous membrane, a wicking material, and an absorbent material to provide for gas-liquid separation, and a wicking material and absorbent material to provide for liquid management means at the cathode. In some embodiments, the combination of materials provides the advantage of passive operation and orientation independence for the fuel cell. | 12-17-2009 |
20090311576 | DIRECT METHANOL TYPE FUEL CELL STACK AND DIRECT METHANOL TYPE FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A direct methanol type fuel cell stack and a direct methanol type fuel cell system using the same are discussed. The fuel cell stack may be configured to allow a concentration gradient of a mixed fuel in which fuel and water are not properly mixed to be uniform without increasing the volume of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack may include at least one cell having an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte separating the anode and the cathode and a mixer coupled to the anode. The mixer may be configured to mix fuel and water and achieve a uniform concentration of the mixed fuel supplied to the anode. | 12-17-2009 |
20090311577 | CORROSION-RESISTANT MATERIAL AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE SAME - A corrosion-resistant material of the present invention includes a substrate with at least one surface made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy; a corrosion-resistant coating layer for coating the one surface of the substrate; and a corrosion-resistant sealing material made of hydrated aluminum oxide generated in fine pores, being a defect that occurs in the corrosion-resistant coating layer, to thereby seal the fine pores. | 12-17-2009 |
20090317685 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell ( | 12-24-2009 |
20090317686 | FUEL CELL WITH AN ELECTROLYTE STABILIZING AGENT AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME - One exemplary embodiment may include a fuel cell comprising an electrolyte layer and an electrolyte stabilizing agent. The electrolyte stabilizing agent is disposed in an electrochemically non-active layer and configured to migrate from the non-active layer to the electrolyte layer. Another exemplary embodiment may include a microporous layer comprising an electrolyte stabilizing agent. | 12-24-2009 |
20090317687 | Mixing pump device and fuel cell - A mixing pump device ( | 12-24-2009 |
20090317688 | FUEL CELL - Provided is a fuel cell comprising a cell laminate having a plurality of laminated cells, an end plate arranged on the outer side of the laminating direction of the cell laminate, and a spring module interposed between the cell laminate and the end plate for adjusting a compression load on the cell laminate. The spring module includes a coil spring arranged between an upper plate and a lower plate for separating the upper plate and the lower plate from each other by an elastic force. The end plate includes a plurality of load adjusting screws. The spring module is given a load at a plurality of load inputting portions by the load adjusting screws. | 12-24-2009 |
20090317689 | LIQUID SUPPLY CONTAINER AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH THE SAME - A liquid supply container ( | 12-24-2009 |
20090317690 | APPARATUS FOR HUMIDIFYING A GAS FLOW - In a device for humidifying a gas flow, an atomized liquid is combined with a gas flow in a spray chamber, and passed through a generally U-shaped gas flow passage having a first generally vertical part | 12-24-2009 |
20090317691 | Ejector for fuel cell system - An ejector for a fuel cell system of the present invention includes a nozzle having a nozzle hole for discharging hydrogen supplied via an inlet port of an ejector body, a diffuser for mixing hydrogen discharged from the nozzle hole and hydrogen off-gas discharged and returned via a circulation passage from a fuel cell, a needle displacing in the axial direction by a driving force of a solenoid, and a bearing member held in a hollow portion of the nozzle, and having a through hole that movably supports the needle in the axial direction. | 12-24-2009 |
20090317692 | VENTILATOR OF A FUEL-CELL VEHICLE - The present invention relates to a ventilator of fuel-cell vehicles for ventilating hydrogen in the hydrogen-system unit area arranging a hydrogen circulating device in the fuel-cell vehicles boarding the fuel cell. The ventilator of fuel-cell vehicle includes a first ventilating device for taking ventilating air in from a front side of the fuel-cell vehicle to hydrogen-system unit area arranging the fuel cell, the hydrogen supply device, and the hydrogen exhaust device in the center of front and rear direction of the fuel-cell vehicle; and a second ventilating device for sucking the ventilating air taken in from the rear end of vehicle body of the fuel-cell vehicle to the hydrogen-system unit area. | 12-24-2009 |
20090325031 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system is provided, which does not malfunction when started below a freezing point nor require a large force to open a purge gas introduction valve. The purge gas introduction valve | 12-31-2009 |
20090325032 | TRANSPIRATION COOLING AND FUEL CELL FOR ULTRA MOBILE APPLICATIONS - In some embodiments, transpiration cooling and fuel cell for ultra mobile applications is presented. In this regard, an apparatus is introduced having an integrated circuit device, a fuel cell to power the integrated circuit device, wherein the fuel cell produces water as a byproduct, a chassis to house the integrated circuit device and the fuel cell, and a skin to cover the chassis, the skin comprising a waterproof layer configured to prevent water from contacting the integrated circuit device and a water absorbent layer of hydro gel configured to absorb water. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. | 12-31-2009 |
20090325033 | Liquid electrolyte fuel cell having an anode substrate layer thicker than the cathode substrate layer - A fuel cell ( | 12-31-2009 |
20090325034 | SEPARATOR FOR HUMIDIFIER, HUMIDIFIER, AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM COMPRISING THE HUMIDIFIER - A separator for use in a humidifying device includes: main surfaces contacting steam permeable membranes ( | 12-31-2009 |
20090325035 | FUEL CELL - A flow path member includes an orifice section, a pressure regulating section, a filter section, and a distribution section joined together integrally, and these components are detachably provided between insulating seals. In the orifice section, orifice holes are formed around a fuel gas supply passage. In the pressure regulating section, a substantially ring shaped pressure regulating chamber is formed. In the filter section, a plurality of filter holes are formed. The orifice holes and the filter holes are connected through the pressure regulating chamber. In the distribution section, a plurality of distribution grooves for distributing the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas supply passage in a stacking direction to flow along a separator surface, and a circular groove for supplying the fuel gas to the filter section are formed. | 12-31-2009 |
20100003572 | FUEL CELL AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE SAME - A fuel cell includes a hydrogen permeable membrane, an electrolyte layer, a cathode and a hydrogen non-permeable layer The electrolyte layer is formed on the hydrogen permeable membrane and has proton conductivity. The cathode is provided on the electrolyte layer. The hydrogen non-permeable layer covers a sidewall of the hydrogen permeable membrane. A manufacturing method of a fuel cell includes forming an electrolyte layer having proton conductivity on a hydrogen permeable membrane, forming a hydrogen non-permeable membrane on a sidewall of the hydrogen permeable membrane with an electrolytic plating treatment after forming the electrolyte layer, and forming a cathode on the electrolyte layer. | 01-07-2010 |
20100003573 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING PORTIONS OF WALLS OF AN OPENING FORMED IN A SILICON SUBSTRATE - A method for processing at least one wall of an opening formed in a silicon substrate, successively including the steps of implanting fluorine atoms into an upper portion of the wall of the opening, performing an oxidization step, and applying a specific processing to at least a portion of the non-implanted portion of the opening. | 01-07-2010 |
20100003574 | Separation Membrane for Direct Liquid Fuel Cell and Method for Producing Same - In the present invention is disclosed a method for producing a membrane for direct liquid fuel cell, which comprises polymerizing and curing a polymerizable composition containing at least
| 01-07-2010 |
20100003575 | STRESSED THIN-FILM MEMBRANE ISLANDS - A structure including a support defining an opening, and a tensilely stressed thin-film membrane disposed to occlude the opening, the membrane contacting at least a portion of the support. The stressed membrane includes a material having a characteristic crack spacing greater than one-half of a minimum dimension of the membrane and less than ten times the minimum dimension. A structure including a support defining a opening having a minimum opening dimension, and a compressively stressed thin-film membrane disposed to occlude the opening, the membrane contacting at least a portion of the support. The stressed membrane includes a membrane material having a critical aspect ratio for buckling that is greater than a ratio of one-half of the minimum opening dimension to a thickness of the membrane, and the critical aspect ratio for buckling is less than a ratio of ten times the minimum opening dimension to the thickness of the membrane. | 01-07-2010 |
20100003576 | Exhaust apparatus for fuel cell system - An exhaust apparatus for a fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell for receiving air containing oxygen at a cathode and for receiving a fuel gas containing hydrogen at an anode, and for executing a power generation. An exhaust pipe exhausts air from the cathode side and a purge pipe exhausts fuel gas from the anode side. A manifold confluence connects the exhaust pipe and the purge pipe, while a muffler is arranged on a downstream side of the manifold. An upstream side of the exhaust pipe is supported by a vehicle body floor and a downstream side is supported by a subframe. A confluence connecting portion of the purge pipe exhausts used fuel gas containing hydrogen. The exhaust pipe is disposed generally uniformly along a surface that generally is parallel with the ground. | 01-07-2010 |
20100003577 | Fuel gas supplying apparatus for fuel cell system - A fuel gas supplying apparatus for a fuel cell system includes an exhaust apparatus having an exhaust pipe; a fuel apparatus for supplying fuel to the fuel cell; a regulator arranged to reduce pressure of the fuel gas provided to the fuel cell; and a fuel gas emitting pipe confluence-connected to the exhaust pipe, to emit fuel gas to an outside of the fuel apparatus by using the exhaust pipe as a pipe for temporarily emitting gas to the atmosphere. The regulator includes a plurality of pressure relief valves, a pressure reducing portion, and a solenoid valve upstream of the pressure reducing portion. The pressure relief valves are connected upstream and downstream of the pressure reducing portion. | 01-07-2010 |
20100003578 | ENERGY CONVERTER AND/OR ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE WITH FLUORINE-ABSORBING CASING - The present invention relates to a energy converter ad/or energy storage device, including one or more energy converter and/or energy storage units, such as fuel cells and/or battery units. The energy converter and/or energy storage units according to the invention are surrounded by a casing which has at least one fluorine absorber, in particular a hydrogen fluoride absorber, selected from the group including carbonates, hydroxides, oxides, chlorides, bromides, iodides, sulfates, and/or phosphates of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, lanthanoides, and/or silicon. | 01-07-2010 |
20100009237 | FUEL CELL MODULE AND ITS USE - A planar fuel cell module including a module base unit having a plurality of recesses each adapted to receive a fuel cell therein is described. The recesses can disposed in a linear or two-dimensional planar arrangement. The module base unit also includes a strip conductor for providing electrical connection to the fuel cells. A fuel cell including an anode structure and a cathode structure is received in each of the recesses of the modular base unit. The fuel cells are disposed in each of the recesses such that the fuel cells form fit to a contour of each of the recesses. In some embodiments the anode structure and the cathode structure can be disposed offset at an angle relative to one another and can be accessible from the same side of the fuel cell. A very thin overall arrangement of a fuel cell is provided. | 01-14-2010 |
20100009238 | FUEL CELL AND SEPARATOR CONSTITUTING THE SAME - Each separator of a fuel cell stacked alternately with the power generation bodies has a first surface facing the first electrode of the power generation body, a second surface facing the second electrode of another power generation body, a first reactant gas channel that supplies or discharges a first reactant gas to or from the first electrode and that extends in the separator and has an opening portion opened in the first surface, and a second reactant gas channel that supplies and discharges a second reactant gas to or from the second electrode facing the second surface and that extends in the separator and has an opening portion opened in the second surface. The opening portion of the first reactant gas channel and the opening portion of the second reactant gas channel are both disposed along a first portion of a peripheral border of a power generation region. | 01-14-2010 |
20100009239 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell includes: a first discharge mechanism that connects an inlet of a discharge flow path directly to a porous body so as to cause liquid in the porous body and liquid in the discharge flow path to be continuous, thereby discharging the liquid in preference to the offgas; and a second discharge mechanism that connects an inlet of a discharge flow path to the porous body via a hollow portion of a predetermined size to prevent liquid in the porous body and liquid in the discharge flow path from becoming continuous, thereby discharging the offgas in preference to the liquid. The fuel cell is easy-to-manufacture with long-lasting effectiveness, and is capable of separating and discharging offgas and liquid in a porous body. | 01-14-2010 |
20100015497 | SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL, METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, AND FUEL CELL - The present invention provides a separator for a fuel cell comprising a resin and a conductive material as constituting components, and sulfonic acid groups imparted to at least one portion at the surface of gas channels by a treatment using a sulfuric acid-containing gas, wherein the resin and the sulfonic acid groups, which are on the surface of the gas channels, are bonded, and a ratio of sulfur atoms in the sulfonic acid groups at the surface of the gas channels as determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy is in a range from 0.1 to 4.0 at %, and a method for producing the separator. The separator for a fuel cell of the present invention is excellent in the wettability to water, since sulfonic acid groups are imparted to the resin at the surface of gas channels in the sulfuric acid-containing gas. | 01-21-2010 |
20100015498 | METHANOL FUEL CELL CARTRIDGE - Provided is a methanol fuel cell cartridge formed of a container comprising a polyester-based resin layer which has a methanol vapor permeability coefficient at 40° C. of 3 μg·mm/m | 01-21-2010 |
20100015499 | METALLIC BIPOLAR PLATE FOR FUEL CELL AND METHOD FOR FORMING SURFACE LAYER THEREOF - A metallic bipolar plate for a fuel cell, in which a carbon coating layer containing fluorine is formed on the surface of a stainless steel base material, thus having excellent electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance and further excellent water draining performance and heat radiating performance. In the metallic bipolar plate for a fuel cell of the present invention, the internal residual stress in the surface coating layer is significantly reduced due to the addition of fluorine, and thereby it is possible to improve the adhesive strength between the stainless steel and the surface coating layer. | 01-21-2010 |
20100015500 | FUEL CELL DEVICE WITH AIR FILTER - According to one embodiment, a fuel cell device includes a main body, an electricity generator, a fuel cartridge, an air inlet, an air intake filter, and a vibration applying mechanism. The electricity generator is housed in the main body, and generates electricity. The fuel cartridge is detachably housed in the main body, and supplies the electricity generator with fuel for electricity generation. The air inlet draws air in from atmosphere to supply the electricity generator with the air. The air intake filter covers the air inlet and cleans air. The vibration applying mechanism causes the air intake filter to vibrate in response to the movement of the fuel cartridge with respect to the main body. | 01-21-2010 |
20100015501 | Fuel-Cell Cartridge Connector - The problem to be solved is to protect the connector parts of the fuel-cell cartridge and the fuel-cell holding appliance from damage when an external rotating force that exceeds a rated value is applied to the cartridge case. The means for solving the problem is a fuel-cell cartridge connector ( | 01-21-2010 |
20100015502 | FUEL CELL BIPOLAR PLATE, AND FUEL CELL - A fuel cell bipolar plate has a front surface and a rear surface opposite to each other, and flash and a receding portion. The flash is provided on the front surface at an outer peripheral portion of the bipolar plate and projects in a direction crossing the front surface. The receding portions is provided on the rear surface at an outer peripheral portion of the bipolar plate in a geometry capable of accommodating flash. | 01-21-2010 |
20100015503 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell (A | 01-21-2010 |
20100021793 | Fuel Cell Separator Material and Process of Producing the Same - A fuel cell separator material which is homogeneous, has a small variation in thickness and a minimum thickness of 0.3 mm or less, for example, and enables a reduction in size of fuel cells. The fuel cell separator material includes green sheets formed by a doctor blade method using a slurry prepared by dispersing a graphite powder in a resin solution that is prepared by dissolving a resin binder and a dispersant in an organic solvent, the green sheets being stacked and thermocompression-molded. A process of producing the fuel cell separator material includes dispersing 100 parts by weight of a graphite powder in a resin solution prepared by dissolving 10 to 35 parts by weight of a resin binder and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a dispersant in an organic solvent to prepare a slurry having a viscosity of 100 to 2000 mPa·s, applying the slurry onto a film by a doctor blade method, drying the slurry, removing the dried slurry to form a green sheet, stacking the green sheets, and thermocompression-molding the stacked green sheets. | 01-28-2010 |
20100021794 | METHOD OF FABRICATING CARBON MATERIAL, CARBON MATERIAL PREPARED BY THE METHOD, CELL MATERIAL AND APPARATUS USING THE SAME - Disclosed is a method for fabricating a carbon material, by which carbon fibers or carbon tubes, particularly branched carbon fibers or carbon tubes, are obtained via a so-called self-growing process without using external carbon sources. The carbon material obtained by the method has a large specific surface area and further includes a metal catalyst, and thus may be used in cell materials for a fuel cell or secondary battery, hydrogen storage devices, capacitors, solar cells, display panel or the like. | 01-28-2010 |
20100021795 | GAS PIPING SYSTEM FOR FUEL CELL - There is provided a gas piping system for a fuel cell in which a gas pipe is made of stainless steel containing no nickel and is fixed at normal room temperature to a suspension member or a fixing portion through a fixing tool by means of bolts/nuts. The fixing tool is constituted to include a bracket member and an elastic member, and this elastic member is arranged between the bracket member and the gas pipe. Moreover, the fixing tool is equipped with a notched portion such that the fixing tool may be self-ruptured when an excessive external force is applied to a fuel cell stack constituting a fuel cell system. | 01-28-2010 |
20100021796 | TRANSITION METAL NITRIDE, SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELLS, FUEL CELL STACK, FUEL CELL VEHICLE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING TRANSITION METAL NITRIDE, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELLS - A transition metal nitride obtained by nitriding a base material including an austenitic stainless steel having a Cr concentration of 25% or more includes a first layer (first nitrided layer) formed continuously on a base layer formed by the base material, having a stacked crystal structure of a nano-level including a nitride having a cubic crystal structure of M | 01-28-2010 |
20100028748 | Device for Refilling a Fuel Cartridge for a Fuel Cell - A refillable fuel supply assembly for a fuel cell is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a refillable fuel supply adapted to supply fuel to a fuel cell, a refilling fuel cartridge containing fuel to be transferred to the refillable fuel supply, and a lock-and-release device connecting the refilling fuel cartridge to the refillable fuel supply to transport fuel from the refilling fuel cartridge to the refillable fuel supply. The lock-and-release device also retains the refilling fuel cartridge to the refillable fuel supply until the refilling fuel cartridge is substantially free of fuel. | 02-04-2010 |
20100028749 | GRAPHENE COATED SS BIPOLAR PLATES - A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes a metal with a graphene-containing layer disposed over at least a portion of the metal plate. The graphene-containing layer includes an activated surface which is hydrophilic. Moreover, the flow field plate is included in a fuel cell with a minimal increase in contact resistance. Methods for forming the flow field plates are also provided. | 02-04-2010 |
20100028750 | GAS DIFFUSION LAYER WITH LOWER GAS DIFFUSIVITY - A gas diffusion layer for use in fuel cells includes a gas permeable diffusion structure and a microporous layer. The microporous layer incorporates a plurality of particles of anisotropic shape, simultaneously reducing the porosity of the microporous layer and increasing the tortuosity for gas transporting through the microporous layer. The anisotropic particles in the microporous layer are present in a first amount such that the gas diffusion layer has an increased gas transport resistance. | 02-04-2010 |
20100028751 | FUEL CARTRIDGE AND FUEL CELL - A fuel cell including a fuel cartridge with a fuel storage portion and a fuel feed opening and a fuel cell body with an output terminal and a power generation portion. The fuel cell comprises a wiring portion for electrically connecting the output terminal and power generation portion of the fuel cell body with each other when the fuel cartridge is mounted to the fuel cell body to place a fuel in a state in which the fuel is feedable from the fuel cartridge to the fuel cell body and for electrically disconnecting the output terminal and power generation portion of the fuel cell body when the fuel cartridge is removed from the fuel cell body. | 02-04-2010 |
20100028752 | Carrying Container For a Power Supply Unit With Fuel Cells - The invention presents a possible way of converting power supply units, in particular compact power supply units, which are critical for safety into stable, impact-resistant fuel cell units by using expanding plastic. | 02-04-2010 |
20100028753 | Fuel Cells - This invention relates to fuel cells. A fuel cell | 02-04-2010 |
20100028754 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH A CELL UNIT AND FUEL TANK UNIT IN A HOUSING AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A fuel cell system, which is mounted and used in a portable and small electric device. It comprises a cell unit comprising one or more fuel cells, a fuel tank unit for storing a fuel to be supplied to the cell unit, a fuel feed unit for supplying the fuel of the fuel tank unit to the cell unit, and an opening for supplying an oxidizer gas to the cell unit, in a thin housing having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The fuel tank unit, fuel feed unit and cell unit are located in one direction between two opposite ends of the housing. | 02-04-2010 |
20100035116 | FLUOROPOLYMER/EVOH/PPA MULTILAYER PIPE FOR CONVEYING HYDROGEN AND A FUEL CELL ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION ASSEMBLY INCLUDING SUCH A PIPE - A pipe having: a layer of fluoropolymer; an intermediate layer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol copolymer; and an outer layer of polyphthalamide. An electricity production assembly is provided using a fuel cell and including such a pipe. | 02-11-2010 |
20100035117 | FLUID CONTROL VALVE AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - An inlet shut valve or an outlet shut valve has a main diaphragm and a sub-diaphragm, wherein a valve closing pressure chamber and a valve opening pressure chamber are provided, respectively, on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the main diaphragm. Furthermore, an atmospheric pressure chamber and a pressure chamber constituting a channel are provided, respectively, on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the sub-diaphragm. A drive shaft constituting a valve element is driven in the direction for bringing about a valve open state by both forces, i.e. a first force acting by pressure difference between the valve closing pressure chamber and the valve opening pressure chamber and a second force acting by pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure chamber and the pressure chamber constituting a channel and acting in the same direction as the first force. | 02-11-2010 |
20100035118 | ALLOY FILM FOR A METAL SEPARATOR FOR A FUEL CELL, A MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF AND A TARGET MATERIAL FOR SPUTTERING, AS WELL AS A METAL SEPARATOR, AND A FUEL CELL - The present invention concerns an alloy film for a metal separator for a fuel cell characterized by containing at least one noble metal element selected from Au and Pt and at least one non-noble metal element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Nb, Hf, and Ta, at a content ratio of noble metal element/non-noble metal element of 35/65 to 95/5, and having a film thickness of 2 nm or more. The present invention also relates to a manufacturing method of an alloy film for the metal separator for the fuel cell and a target material for sputtering, as well as the metal separator and the fuel sell. The alloy film for the metal separator for the fuel cell according to the invention is excellent in the corrosion resistance, has low contact resistance, can maintain the low contact resistance for a long time even in a corrosive environment, and is excellent further in the productivity. | 02-11-2010 |
20100035119 | STABLE TEMPERATURE PLASMA TREATED FORMATION, AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF - The invention relates to fabrics, comprising fibers and a coating that is covalently bound on the surface of the fibers, characterized in that the fabrics are temperature-stable at 200° C. The invention further relates to methods for the production thereof, fuel cells and gas diffusion layers comprising the fabrics, and to the use thereof in fuel cells and gas diffusion layers. | 02-11-2010 |
20100035120 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR, MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE FUEL CELL SEPARATOR, AND FUEL CELL - Provided is a fuel cell separator having a coating layer on a metal substrate. The coating layer is provided with an amorphous carbon layer and a conductive section. The conductive section is composed of graphite particles, which are preferably dispersed in the manner of islands each of which has at least a part exposed from the surface of the amorphous carbon layer. | 02-11-2010 |
20100035121 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR AND FUEL CELL - This separator is equipped with a first plate | 02-11-2010 |
20100035122 | FUEL CELL AND GAS SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL - In at least one of flow distribution areas | 02-11-2010 |
20100040930 | Polymer Membrane Fuel Cell - A bipolar plate ( | 02-18-2010 |
20100040931 | INTEGRATION OF ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION INSIDE A FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell system that includes a single enclosure for all of a fuel cell stack and other stack critical electronics and components, such as power distribution components, voltage monitoring and detecting components, electrical isolation components, etc. The single enclosure offers a number of advantages, such as reduced weight and reduced complexity for service and safety. | 02-18-2010 |
20100040932 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR PLATED WITH NICKEL AND ITS MANUFATURING METHOD - A fuel cell separator, comprising carbonic electro-conductive graphite, and non-carbonic epoxy resin, hardening agent and hardening expediter, which are all made into powder, and formed into the fuel cell separator, wherein the fuel cell separator is plated with nickel by plating with nickel the surface of the fuel cell separator made through the process described above. | 02-18-2010 |
20100040933 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE FUEL CELL SEPARATOR, AND FUEL CELL - A fuel cell separator is provided with an opening that functions as a manifold. A resin coating is formed within the peripheral area of the fuel cell separator, in a state where the power generation area is masked with a masking jig. Subsequently, the masking jig is removed, and a conductive coating is formed within the power generation area of the fuel cell separator, the peripheral area of which has been masked by the resin coating. | 02-18-2010 |
20100040934 | Hermetic high temperature dielectric with groove and thermal expansion compensator - According to an embodiment, a gas delivery device for a fuel cell system includes a hollow ceramic element comprising a dielectric material having at least one groove in one end face of the ceramic element and a first metal tube, wherein an end of the first metal tube is inserted into the groove of the hollow ceramic element. According to an embodiment, a fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack or column, a gas delivery line fluidly connected to the stack or column, and a coefficient of thermal expansion compensator/isolator located in the gas delivery line, where the coefficient of thermal expansion compensator/isolator includes a hollow ceramic element made of a dielectric material having at least one groove in one end face of the ceramic element, a first metal tube, where an end of the first metal tube is inserted into the groove of the hollow ceramic element, and a hollow flexible element which compensates for differences in coefficients of thermal expansion between components of the fuel cell system. | 02-18-2010 |
20100047662 | Catalyst Layers Having Thin Film Mesh Catalyst (TFMC) Supported on a Mesh Substrate and Methods of Making the Same - According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell catalyst layer is provided. In at least one embodiment, the fuel cell catalyst layer includes an interconnected network of first spaced apart strands extending longitudinally in a first direction and second spaced apart strands extending longitudinally in a second direction, the interconnected network defining a number of openings bonded by an adjacent pair of the first spaced apart strands and an adjacent pair of the second space apart strands, and the number of openings forming a passage way; and a metallic catalyst in overlaying contact with at least a portion of the first and second spaced apart strands in the interconnected network. | 02-25-2010 |
20100047663 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - There is disclosed a fuel cell system which can control an output current of a fuel cell even if an error occurs in split flow control of an oxidizing gas. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell and a feed device for supplying the oxidizing gas under pressure to the fuel cell. A feed channel is connected to a discharge channel by a bypass channel so that the oxidizing gas flows while bypassing the fuel cell. The system includes a regulator valve and a bypass valve which adjust the split flow of the oxidizing gas to the bypass channel and the fuel cell. When the regulator valve or the bypass valve has an error, a controller stops the control of the output current of the fuel cell by control of the regulator valve and switches the control to a control of the output current of the fuel cell by control of the feed device. | 02-25-2010 |
20100047664 | FLUID TRANSFER DEVICE AND FUEL CELL COMPRISING SAME - A fluid transfer device having a simple structure and smaller size than conventional ones is provided. | 02-25-2010 |
20100047665 | BOX FOR RECEIVING ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A plurality of electromagnetic valves used in a fuel cell system are protected from an external environment. A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, three shut valves, a humidifier, and an electromagnetic valve receiving box provided in this order from the front side to the rear side of a vehicle. In order to protect a plurality of electromagnetic valves used in a fuel cell system, the electromagnetic valve receiving box receives a plurality of electromagnetic valves used for operations of the shut valves and connected to the shut valves via fluid channel tubes. The electromagnetic valve receiving box is formed of a base plate and a shell and has a base plate water-proof structure and an electromagnetic shielding property. The base plate having higher rigidity than the shell is provided to face the front side of the vehicle. The fluid channel tubes are aligned and provided on the top surface of the humidifier and fixed thereon. | 02-25-2010 |
20100055537 | NANOPOROUS POLYMER FILM FOR EFFICIENT MEMBRANE SEPARATOR IN DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELL - The fuel cells disclosed herein include a nanoporous membrane. The nanoporous membrane includes at least one block copolymer and has pores that are sized and configured to restrict the flow of methanol, while allowing hydronium ion (i.e., hydrogen ion) to flow therethrough. | 03-04-2010 |
20100055538 | FUEL CELL FLOW FIELD HAVING METAL BIPOLAR PLATES - A bipolar plate ( | 03-04-2010 |
20100055539 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - A separator for a fuel cell according to the present invention includes: a base | 03-04-2010 |
20100055540 | FUEL CELL STACK - In a power generation unit of a fuel cell stack, bosses of a first metal separator and bosses of a second metal separator are provided to sandwich a first membrane electrode assembly at first sandwiching positions on both sides of the first membrane electrode assembly, oppositely to each other in a stacking direction. Bosses of a second metal separator and bosses of a third metal separator are provided to sandwich a second membrane electrode assembly at second sandwiching positions on both sides of the second membrane electrode assembly, oppositely to each other in the stacking direction. Bosses of the first metal separator and bosses of the third metal separator protrude toward a coolant flow field, and contact each other at positions offset from the first and second sandwiching positions. | 03-04-2010 |
20100055541 | FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY HAVING LONG LIFE CHARACTERISTICS - An example fuel cell assembly includes a separator plate. Non-porous and hydrophobic flow field layers are associated with the separator plate. An electrolyte retaining matrix comprises silicon carbide powder and has a mean particle size of about 3 microns and a thickness of about 0.05 mm Hydrophilic substrates are associated with catalyst layers. The hydrophilic substrates are about 70% porous and have a void volume that is about 40% filled with transferable phosphoric acid in an initial condition. A condensation zone cools a vapor passing from the assembly to less than about 140° C. | 03-04-2010 |
20100062315 | METHANOL FUEL CELL CARTRIDGE - The present invention provides a cartridge for a methanol fuel cell at low cost, which does not show deterioration in electric power generation performance, can be operated for a prolonged period of time, and can be reduced in size and weight. In the present invention, the cartridge for a methanol fuel cell has an inner resin layer containing a resin having such a property that, after a film of the resin is immersed in methanol at 60° C. for 7 days, the methanol is diluted twice in terms of a volume ratio with distilled water at room temperature to give a liquid, the liquid shows a light transmittance of 10% or higher at 300 nm. | 03-11-2010 |
20100062316 | Fuel Cell and Method of Manufacturing the Same - A method of manufacturing a fuel cell comprising a first step of forming at least a recess on one side of a strengthening frame with a half etching treatment, a second step of jointing a hydrogen permeable membrane to the one side of the strengthening frame with a cladding; and a third step of performing a half etching treatment to a region that is from a region of the other side of the strengthening frame corresponding to the recess to the recess. | 03-11-2010 |
20100062317 | METAL SUBSTRATE FOR FUEL CELLS - The present invention discloses a fuel cell, oxygen generator or high temperature electrolyser comprising a metallic substrate comprising: (i) at least one porous region comprising a plurality of pores in said metallic substrate, where the porosity varies in at least one direction substantially coincident with the path or paths of a reactant stream to be passed over the substrate when in use and/or in areas of in-use poor gas flow; and (ii) at least one non-porous region bounding the at least one porous region, and having mounted on said metallic substrate an electrode of said fuel cell, oxygen generator or high temperature electrolyser. Also disclosed are fuel cell stack layers and fuel cell stacks comprising same. | 03-11-2010 |
20100062318 | FUEL CELL - Hydrogen supplied from an introduction port ( | 03-11-2010 |
20100062319 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND FUEL CELL HYBRID VEHICLE - A fuel cell system having a hydrogen supply path for supplying a hydrogen gas to a fuel cell, an injector which is provided in the hydrogen supply path and which regulates the pressure of the gas on the upstream side of the hydrogen supply path to inject the pressure-regulated hydrogen gas to the downstream side of the hydrogen supply path, and a surge tank | 03-11-2010 |
20100068596 | Direct methanol fuel cell system and portable electronic device - A direct methanol fuel cell system comprises a fuel storage portion that stores solid-state methanol resulting from making methanol into a solid state, a fuel cell, and carrier gas circulation means. The fuel storage portion is provided with a carrier gas supply path communicating with the carrier gas circulation means and a fuel gas flow path 4 communicating with a fuel electrode side of the fuel cell, while the fuel cell is provided with a circulation flow path communicating with the carrier gas circulation means. When a carrier gas is supplied by the carrier gas circulation means into the fuel storage portion via the carrier gas supply path, a fuel gas is supplied to a fuel electrode and is refluxed thereafter towards the carrier gas circulation means. The resulting direct methanol fuel cell system uses extremely safe solid-state methanol in a fuel cartridge. | 03-18-2010 |
20100068597 | HOUSING FOR RECEIVING AND TENSIONING AT LEAST ONE FUEL CELL STACK - The invention relates to a housing for accommodating at least one fuel cell stack comprising a housing part formed so that it is capable of at least partly accommodating the fuel cell stack. According to the invention it is envisaged that clamping means are provided by which the fuel cell stack is restrainable via at least one orifice of the housing portion. The invention further relates to a system comprising such a housing and at least one fuel cell stack accommodated therein. | 03-18-2010 |
20100068598 | MEDIA SUPPLY PLATE FOR A FUEL CELL STACK - The invention relates to a media supply plate for a fuel cell stack comprising at least one anode gas terminal and at least one cathode gas terminal. According to the invention the media supply plate further comprises at least one anode waste gas terminal and at least one cathode waste gas terminal. The invention further relates to a fuel cell system using such a media supply plate as well as a method for producing such a fuel cell system. | 03-18-2010 |
20100068599 | FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell stack includes a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of power generation units. A first end power generation unit and first dummy units are provided near an end plate where reactant gas pipes for the stack body are provided. A second end power generation unit and second dummy units are provided near an end plate of the stack body on the opposite side. The number of first dummy units is larger than the number of second dummy units. | 03-18-2010 |
20100068600 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system includes first and second fuel cell stacks which are juxtaposed to each other. An assembly manifold is attached to the first and second fuel cell stacks. A connection block is provided at a central position of the assembly manifold. A fuel gas supply port and a fuel gas discharge port are provided on a front surface of the connection block, and an oxygen-containing gas supply port and an oxygen-containing gas discharge port are provided on a back surface of the connection block. A fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas are equally supplied to each of the first and second fuel cell stacks. | 03-18-2010 |
20100075198 | FUEL CELL - After hydrogen fed from introduction hole | 03-25-2010 |
20100075199 | HYDROPHOBIC LAYER FOR A FUEL CELL - A device for managing fluid flow within a fuel cell assembly ( | 03-25-2010 |
20100075200 | HIGH-PRESSURE TANK, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING HIGH-PRESSURE TANK, AND MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT OF HIGH-PRESSURE TANK - A high-pressure tank including: a cap; a liner; and a reinforced layer that is provided on the liner. The liner includes a gas barrier layer. | 03-25-2010 |
20100086826 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell ( | 04-08-2010 |
20100086827 | GAS-LIQUID SEPARATION DEVICE AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A gas-liquid separation device is used in a fuel cell system including fuel cells. The gas-liquid separation device includes: a separator configured to separate a fuel gas after an electrochemical reaction performed in the fuel cells from liquid water flowing with the fuel gas; and a reservoir configured to allow accumulation of the liquid water discharged from the fuel cells. The gas-liquid separation device also has a fluid outflow path arranged to connect with a connection object member and have a fluid outlet formed to be open in a vertical direction. The fluid outflow path is configured to flow out a fluid from inside of the gas-liquid separation device to the connection object member via the fluid outlet. The fluid outlet is provided to differ in position in a direction perpendicular to a vertical direction from the separator and the reservoir. | 04-08-2010 |
20100086828 | Carrier device for an electrochemical functional unit, fuel cell module and method for the production of a carrier device - A carrier device for an electrochemical functional unit is provided, comprising a frame unit consisting of an electrically conductive material and at least one window area which consists of an electrically conductive material and is integrally formed on the frame unit, wherein the at least one window area is produced from a porous material and is permeable to gas via its porosity and wherein the frame unit is impermeable to gas in its solid material. | 04-08-2010 |
20100092834 | ELECTROCATALYSTS AND PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING - Noble metal catalysts and methods for producing the catalysts are provided. The catalysts are useful in applications such as fuel cells. The catalysts exhibit reduced agglomeration of catalyst particles as compared to conventional noble metal catalysts. | 04-15-2010 |
20100092835 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system that can dispose of an odorant through the use of a simple configuration and assure enhanced hydrogen safety. A hydrogenation device is positioned between a fuel tank and a fuel cell. The hydrogenation device incorporates a hydrogenation catalyst for hydrogenating the odorant. | 04-15-2010 |
20100092836 | FUEL CELL AND FUEL CELL FASTENING DEVICE - A fuel cell ( | 04-15-2010 |
20100092837 | PLATE-LAMINATED TYPE FUEL CELL - The objective of the invention is to prevent plastic deformation of separators in a heat cycle of the fuel cell, to thereby prevent damage to the power generation cell. A laminated body is formed by alternately laminating power generation cells ( | 04-15-2010 |
20100092838 | FUEL CELL, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, FUEL SUPPLY PLATE, AND FUEL SUPPLY METHOD - A fuel cell capable of uniformly supplying a fuel to a plurality of power generation sections, an electronic device, a fuel supply plate, and a fuel supply method are provided. A liquid fuel from a fuel tank is supplied to an inlet of a fuel diffusion plate, from which the liquid fuel is moved to outlets through flow paths, and the liquid fuel is supplied to each power generation section. At least one of the flow paths includes curved lines, preferably includes a circular arc, and the curvature radius of the curved line or the like is adjusted, and thereby each distance of the flow paths becomes equal to each other. Whether a linear distance between the inlet and the plurality of outlets is long or short, an almost equal amount of the liquid fuel reaches the plurality of outlets almost at the same time, and is supplied to each power generation section. The flow paths are preferably formed in a direction from the inlet toward apexes of an N-polygon (n is the number of the flow paths) centering on the inlet, and are more preferably toward apexes of a regular n-polygon. | 04-15-2010 |
20100092839 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A fuel cell system ( | 04-15-2010 |
20100099000 | Separator for Fuel Cell and Production Process for the Same - This invention provides a separator for a fuel battery, which has been improved in battery properties by controlling the wettability of the separator for a fuel battery, and a process for producing the same. The separator for a fuel battery is a separator (A) for a fuel battery, comprising at least a carbon material, and a concave-convex part, which, upon irradiation treatment with a YAG laser device ( | 04-22-2010 |
20100099001 | BIPOLAR PLATE HEADER FORMED FEATURES - A fuel cell plate including a first plate having a first header edge defining a first header aperture, the first header edge having a first break and a substantially aligned second plate having a second header edge defining a second header aperture, the second header edge having a second break. The fuel cell plate, well suited for use in a vehicle fuel cell stack, for removing water from a fuel cell stack header is disclosed. | 04-22-2010 |
20100099002 | FLUID PUMP WITH AN INTEGRATED MOUNTING INTERFACE - A fluid pump assembly for a fuel cell system is disclosed, the fluid pump assembly including a mounting structure having a receiving element formed thereon and a fluid pump having at least one locking element formed thereon, wherein the mounting structure is a lower end unit of the fuel cell system, and wherein the receiving element captures the locking elements of the fluid pump to militate against lateral, axial, and rotational movement of the fluid pump. | 04-22-2010 |
20100099003 | FUEL CELL - A separator includes a first plate and a second plate. The separator has a first fuel gas supply unit, a second fuel gas supply unit, first sandwiching sections, second sandwiching sections, a first case unit and a second case unit. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the first fuel gas supply unit and the second fuel gas supply unit in a stacking direction. The first sandwiching sections are connected to the first fuel gas supply unit through first bridges, and the second sandwiching sections connected to a second fuel gas supply unit through first bridges. The first sandwiching sections and the second sandwiching sections sandwich electrolyte electrode assemblies. Each of the first sandwiching sections and the second sandwiching sections sandwich electrolyte electrode assemblies. Each of the first sandwiching sections has a fuel gas inlet and each of the second sandwiching sections has an oxygen-containing gas inlet. The first case unit and the second case unit have oxygen-containing gas supply units. The first case unit is connected to the first sandwiching sections through second bridges, and the second case unit is connected to the second sandwiching sections through second bridges. Oxygen-containing gas supply passages extend through the oxygen-containing gas supply units in the stacking direction. | 04-22-2010 |
20100099004 | SEPARATOR SUCTION DEVICE FOR A FUEL CELL - A separator suction device for a fuel cell, having a suction plate and a suction pump. A fuel cell separator is placed on the suction plate. The fuel cell separator has flow paths formed as grooves and ridges on one side of thereof and also has a gasket that is a seal member placed around the flow paths. The suction plate attracts the fuel cell separator by suction. The suction pump sucks the fuel cell separator through suction openings formed in the suction plate. The suction plate has a suction groove which receives the gasket and which has a suction opening formed in it. Further, the suction plate preferably has the suction openings at positions where the ridges of the fuel cell separator are to be placed and is made of an elastic material. | 04-22-2010 |
20100099005 | VAPOR FED DIRECT HYDROCARBON ALKALINE FUEL CELLS - A direct hydrocarbon fuel cell device pertaining direct electro-oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels at the anode, which is separated electronically from the cell cathode by an alkaline medium, together with a fuel container, fuel delivery, and reaction product releasing system is disclosed. The fuel cell is constructed in such a manner that highly concentrated fuel is added to the cell anode chamber and transformed into fuel vapor through a fuel vapor permeable membrane before the fuel reaches the cell anode. At the cell anode, the hydrocarbon fuel is consumed and at the cell cathode oxygen reduction takes place, and water as one of the fuel cell reaction products is evaporated off at cell cathode so that there is no need for recirculation of unreacted fuel at the cell anode or water at the cell cathode. Compared to the prior art, the present invention for a direct hydrocarbon fuel cell is more suitable for portable electronics applications by maximizing the energy content in the fuel package, optimizing the fuel cell performance while minimizing the control system complexity, and lowering the cost by using non-noble metal based catalysts while achieving the needed fuel cell performance and conversion efficiency. | 04-22-2010 |
20100099006 | GALVANIC ELEMENT COMPRISING A MELAMINE/FORMALDEHYDE FOAMED PLASTIC - An electrochemical element which comprises an open-cell foam based on a melamine/formaldehyde foam, the cell pores being completely or partly filled with a flowable electrolyte and a process for the production of a battery, accumulator or fuel cell. | 04-22-2010 |
20100104921 | SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL - The present invention provides a separator for a fuel cell, in which a water discharge hole such as a venturi tube or a water discharge means including a metal plate for condensing water is provided on a land of the separator being in contact with a gas diffusion layer (GDL) of a fuel cell so that water generated by a reaction is easily discharged from the GDL through the water discharge means. | 04-29-2010 |
20100104922 | FUEL CELL - A fuel cell with a gas chamber, arranged between two plate elements, is provided. One of the plate elements includes bosses for supporting the plate element on the other plate element in a regular grid structure. Between the bosses runs a network of gas channels passing through the gas chamber, the bosses being at most three times longer than wide. The bosses form between themselves first gas channels in a first region of the gas chamber and larger-volume second gas channels in a second region of the gas chamber. | 04-29-2010 |
20100104923 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR AND FUEL CELL COMPRISING THE SAME - The invention provides a fuel cell separator wherein a first reaction gas channel | 04-29-2010 |
20100112410 | FREEZE TOLERANT INTRODUCTION OF H2 TO CATHODE EXHAUST IN A FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A technique for reducing the amount of water that accumulates in an anode exhaust gas bleed line in a fuel cell system. The system includes a fuel cell stack, a cathode exhaust line and an anode exhaust line. The anode exhaust gas line is coupled to an anode bleed valve. An anode bleed line is coupled to the bleed valve and the cathode exhaust gas line so the hydrogen in the bled anode exhaust gas is diluted by the cathode exhaust gas. The anode bleed line is coupled to the cathode exhaust gas line so that a stand-off portion of the bleed line extends through a wall of the cathode exhaust gas line and into the cathode exhaust flow therein so as to prevent water and water vapor clinging to the inside surface of the cathode exhaust gas line from draining into the anode bleed line. | 05-06-2010 |
20100112411 | Fuel cell system - Disclosed is a fuel cell system, including a hydrogen storage container including a tank case having an accommodation space and a hydrogen storage tank provided in the tank case, a fuel cell which receives desorbed hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tank to generate electricity, and a connection duct for supplying high-temperature unreacted hydrogen from the fuel cell to the tank case. In the fuel cell system, heat of unreacted hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell can be supplied to the hydrogen storage tank through convective heat transfer, thus obviating a need for an additional heater for heating the hydrogen storage tank and increasing energy usage efficiency. | 05-06-2010 |
20100112412 | FUEL CELL MODULE FOR VEHICLES - A fuel cell module for a vehicle, which accommodates a stacked-cell body which is provided with electric output terminals for taking electric power from stacked power generating cells in a metallic casing which has an insulation layer on its inner surface, is disposed in a vehicle front room such that the stacked direction of the power generating cells is a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the electric output terminals face the front of the vehicle. An insulating cover made of insulating rubber which is thicker than an insulation layer of a cover is disposed on the exterior surface of the electric output terminals to prevent short circuiting of the electric output terminals. | 05-06-2010 |
20100119909 | FUEL CELL INTERCONNECT - A fuel cell interconnect includes a first side containing a first plurality of channels and a second side containing a second plurality of channels. The first and second sides are disposed on opposite sides of the interconnect. The first plurality of channels are configured to provide a serpentine fuel flow field while the second plurality of channels are configured to provide an approximately straight air flow field. | 05-13-2010 |
20100119910 | FUEL CELL STACK STRUCTURE - A fuel cell stack structure includes, for example, a plurality of unit cells each having an aperture formed therethrough. A first fuel cell stack is formed by stacking the plurality of unit cells in a stacking direction and has an internal manifold opening defined by the apertures. A fluid passage within the cell for flowing a fluid that flows within the internal manifold is configured and arranged to flow the fluid in a plane generally perpendicular to the stacking direction of the unit cell. The structure also includes an external manifold having an external passage for supplying the fluid to the internal manifold, wherein the fluid flowing within the external passage creates a vortex proximal to the internal manifold by an external manifold surface facing a flow direction of the fluid. | 05-13-2010 |
20100119911 | LIQUID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL HAVING HIGH PERMEABILITY WICKING TO RETURN CONDENSED ELECTROLYTE - A liquid electrolyte fuel cell power plant ( | 05-13-2010 |
20100119912 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM - An outlet shutoff valve where pressing surfaces, which press against each other, of a valve member and a valve seat are tilted relative to the vertical direction and where a drive shaft can be driven in a direction tilted relative to the vertical direction. In the outlet shutoff valve, the pressing surfaces are set high on the upstream side of gas flowing in a flow-path-forming pressure chamber, where the gas flows, and low on the downstream side. | 05-13-2010 |
20100119913 | METAL SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A metal separator | 05-13-2010 |
20100119914 | Electrochemical Device Comprising One or More Fuel Cells - An electrochemical device comprising one or multiple self-humidifying electrochemical fuel cells, wherein each electrochemical fuel cell comprises a main surface ( | 05-13-2010 |
20100119915 | METHOD FOR OPERATING FUEL CELL AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A method for operating a direct methanol fuel cell is provided. The fuel cell includes a fuel cell main body having a fuel electrode and an air electrode disposed in opposing positions on either side of an electrolyte film. In this method, an aqueous methanol solution is supplied directly to the fuel electrode. A quantity of the aqueous methanol solution supplied is controlled in accordance with an electric current value drawn from the fuel cell main body so as to minimize a quantity of unused methanol within a discharge fluid discharged from the fuel electrode. | 05-13-2010 |
20100119916 | FUEL CELL HOUSING STRUCTURE - A fuel cell housing structure includes a fuel cell, an electrically insulated housing and a vent gas port. The electrically insulated housing contains the fuel cell. The housing is arranged to provide a space within the housing surrounding the fuel cell. The vent gas port is provided in the housing. The vent gas port connects to the space at a position above or on a same level as the fuel cell. In the fuel cell housing structure, water entering the housing from the vent gas port is blocked from contacting the fuel cell. | 05-13-2010 |
20100124687 | Fluid Manager Having Fluid Injection Primer for a Fluid Consuming Battery - A fluid consuming battery is provided that includes a fluid (e.g. air) manager for supplying fluid to the battery. The fluid manager includes a housing member defining a plenum in fluid communication with a fluid consuming electrode of a fluid consuming battery cell. The fluid manager also includes a fluid injection primer in fluid communication with the plenum for injecting fluid into the plenum. The fluid injection primer includes a manually operated air mover that moves upon user actuation to inject fluid into the plenum to the fluid consuming electrode of the battery cell. Additionally, a valve and an actuator may be provided for opening and closing the valve in response to a controller. | 05-20-2010 |
20100124688 | Regulator Valve for a Fluid Consuming Battery - A regulator is provided for supplying fluid, e.g., air, to a fluid consuming battery. The regulator includes a valve housing adapted to be in fluid communication with a fluid consuming electrode of a fluid consuming battery cell. The valve housing has an opening. The regulator also includes a valve member disposed in the opening of the housing and configured to move axial relative to the housing between an open valve position and a closed valve position, wherein fluid is able to pass to the fluid consuming electrode in the open valve position. | 05-20-2010 |
20100129695 | MOLDING MATERIAL FOR FUEL CELL SEPARATOR - The present invention relates to a molding material for a fuel cell separator including a graphite complex having a mixture of expandable graphite and non-expandable graphite; at least one of the conductive fillers selected from the group consisting of carbon black, carbon fiber and carbon nanotube; and at least one resin selected from a thermoplastic resin and thermosetting resin. With the present invention, both the mechanical strength and electrical conductivity of the fuel cell separator can be simultaneously improved. | 05-27-2010 |
20100129696 | Gas Diffusion Layer for Fuel Cell Vehicle with Improved Operational Stability - The present invention provides a gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell vehicle with improved operational stability, the gas diffusion layer, which functions to supply hydrogen and air (oxygen) as reactant gases to a fuel cell stack, discharge product water generated by an electrochemical reaction, and transmit generated electricity, being formed with a thinned structure. | 05-27-2010 |
20100129697 | STAINLESS STELL SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL AND THE MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A method for surface treatment of a stainless steel separator for a fuel cell comprises preparing a stainless steel sheet containing nickel, chrome and iron, and having a passive film on a surface of the stainless steel sheet, and dipping the stainless steel sheet into a mixed etching solution of nitric acid (HNO3) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) at a temperature of 50-70° C. for 30 seconds to 30 minutes to selectively lower an amount of Fe in the passive film formed on the surface of the stainless steel sheet. | 05-27-2010 |
20100136381 | Electrode plate multi-end sides to single end side current collector of an electricity storage/discharge device - The present invention discloses that the auxiliary electric conductor is additionally installed between the positive or negative electrode plates being installed at the edge inside the individual electrode cell having electrode plates and the electrode cell casing, and the insulator is further installed between the electrode plate and the auxiliary electric conductor thereby favoring currents of the current collecting terminals at multiple end sides of the electrode plates of the same polarity to be collected to the single end side current collecting terminal structure being used as the input/output interface terminal. | 06-03-2010 |
20100143765 | FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell stack including a first end plate, a second end plate, at least a fuel cell, a first current collector and a second current collector is provided. The first end plate includes a first end plate structure component, which is combined with a first end plate manifold component. The second end plate includes a second end plate structure component, which is combined with a second end plate manifold component. The first and the second end plate manifold components are placed between the first and the second end plate structure components, while the fuel cell is disposed between the first and the second end plate manifold components. The first current collector is disposed between the first end plate manifold component and the fuel cell. The second current collector is disposed between the second end plate manifold component and the fuel cell. | 06-10-2010 |
20100143766 | FUEL CELL STACK - A fuel cell stack includes a casing containing a plurality of fuel cell units. A ridge is formed integrally at the center in the width direction of a side panel of the casing. The ridge contacts a load receiver to support the load of the fuel cell units. A plurality of separate reinforcement plates bridging a recess of the back surface of the ridge are provided on the side panel. The reinforcement plates are fixed to the side panel at welding points by spot welding. | 06-10-2010 |
20100159303 | 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. | 06-24-2010 |
20100167104 | FUEL CELL AND INTEGRATED ANODE FLOW BOARD THEREOF - A fuel cell includes a cathode board, a membrane electrode assembly, and an integrated anode flow board. The membrane electrode assembly contacts the cathode board. The integrated anode flow board includes an anode flow board and a current collector combined together. The current collector includes a raised portion abutting the membrane electrode assembly. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167105 | BIPOLAR PLATE FOR FUEL CELLS - The invention relates to bipolar plates for fuel cell systems. According to the invention, the component sheets of a bipolar plate ( | 07-01-2010 |