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Patents Issued Sept. 01- 14/2003
-Method and
apparatus for maintaining neutral water balance -Teledyne
Energy Systems, Inc.
Publication date:14-September-2003 |
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| Method
and apparatus for maintaining neutral water balance (Click
For Link)
U.S. Patent Patent Number: 6617065 Issue Date 2003 09 09 Assignee: Teledyne Energy Systems, Inc. Inventor(s) Balasubramanian, Bhaskar Barbir, Frano Neutzler, Jay K. State/Country FL Title Method and apparatus for maintaining neutral water balance in a fuel cell system Abstract: In a fuel cell system, sufficient water to supply the
consumption needs of the system, particularly by the system humidifiers
and fuel processor, can be obtained from the exhaust of the fuel cell stack
without the use of a condenser, by controlling the operating temperature
of the fuel cell stack. The operating temperature can be controlled, for
example, using a controller that monitors water level in the process water
reservoir and increases or decreases the operating temperature through
control of the fuel cell cooling system to maintain the water level within
Ex Claim text: A method of controlling water quantity in a fuel
cell system, said fuel cell system having a fuel cell; a water reservoir
for receiving water exhausted from the fuel cell and to supply water to
the fuel cell; a fuel cell cooling system; a water level sensor operatively
connected to the water reservoir for producing a water level signal corresponding
to water quantity in the water reservoir, a water balance controller for
adjusting an operating temperature of the fuel cell through the cooling
system responsive to the water level sensor, said method comprising the
steps of: sensing a water level in the water reservoir;
Fuel evaporator(Click For Link) U.S. Patent Patent Number: 6617067 Issue Date 2003 09 09 Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Inventor(s) Tachihara, Takahiro Abe, Naoyuki Asano, Yuuji Kasahara, Kiyoshi Togasawa, Shiyuuichi Nakamura, Masahito Miyano, Kouji State/Country JPX Title Fuel evaporator Abstract: In a fuel evaporator provided with an evaporation chamber
11 that produces raw fuel gas FG by vaporizing raw fuel liquid by heat
received from a plurality of heat medium tubes 12 through which a high
temperature heat medium passes, a raw fuel injection portion that injects
raw fuel liquid onto the
Ex Claim text: A fuel evaporator for a fuel cell system with
an evaporation chamber that vaporizes raw fuel liquid with a heat medium,
said fuel evaporator comprising a catalytic combustor installed adjacent
to said evaporation chamber; wherein a top surface of the catalytic combustor
is directly attached
Drive system and method for the operation of a fuel cell(Click For Link) U.S. Patent Patent Number: 6616424 Issue Date 2003 09 09 Assignee: General Motors Corporation Inventor(s) Raiser, Stephen State/Country DEX Title: Drive system and method for the operation of a fuel cell system Abstract: A drive system for a compressor that delivers compressed
air to a fuel cell system in a motor vehicle. The drive system includes
an electric motor that drives the compressor. During normal operation of
the fuel cell system, the motor is fed with electrical energy from the
fuel cell system. During start-up of the fuel cell system, the electric
motor receives electrical energy from a low voltage battery, where the
electric motor can be operated at a voltage that is
Ex Claim text: An apparatus driven by electrical energy for the operation of a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system generating, in operation, a relatively high output voltage, there being a battery having a relatively low output voltage, first connections for driving said apparatus with electrical energy from said battery for starting up operation of said fuel cell system and second connections for driving said apparatus with electrical energy from said fuel cell system at said relatively high output voltage, said apparatus being capable of operating when supplied with electrical energy at said relatively low voltage and when supplied with electrical energy at said relatively high voltage. Control system for vehicle having fuel cell(Click For Link) U.S. Patent Patent Number: 6615940 Issue Date 2003 09 09 Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Inventor(s) Morisawa, Kunio State/Country JPX Title: Control system for vehicle having fuel cell Abstract: A control system of a vehicle including a fuel cell and an electric motor that drives drive wheels of the vehicle with electric energy generated by the fuel cell is provided wherein a traction controller controls the output of the drive wheels so as to secure tractive force of the vehicle when a certain traction control start condition is satisfied. Ex Claim text: A control system of a vehicle
including a fuel cell and at least one electric motor that drives drive
wheels of the
FUEL
CELL ELECTROCATALYST OF PT-NI-MN/FE(Click For
Link) World Patent Pub. Number: WO 2003073542 Appl. Data US 0306180 2003 02 27 Applicant: SYMYX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA Inventor(s) STRASSER, Peter GORER, Alexander DEVENNEY, Martin HE, Ting OYANAGI, Hiroyuki FAN, Qun CHONDROUDIS, Konstantinos GIAQUINTA, Daniel, M. URATA, Kenta IWASAKI, Kazuhiko FUKUDA, Hiroichi Title FULL CELL ELECTROCATALYST OF PT-NI-MN/FE Abstract: An improved metal alloy composition for a fuel cell
catalyst
FUEL CELL WITH VARIABLE POROSITY GAS DISTRIBUTION LAYERS World Patent Pub. Number: WO 2003073548 Appl. Data US 0205920 2002 02 27 Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION Inventor(s) FLY, Gerald, W. BRADY, Brian, K. Title FUEL CELL WITH VARIABLE POROSITY GAS DISTRIBUTION LAYERS Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell comprising a proton
transmissive membrane, a catalytic anode layer on one face of the membrane,
a catalytic cathode layer on the other face of the membrane, and a gas
distribution layer on each of the cathode and anode layers defining a gas
flow field extending over each of the catalytic layers. Each of the gas
distribution layers comprises a layer of open cell conductive foam material
which is divided into a plurality of generally parallel segments extending
from one edge of the fuel cell to an opposite edge of the fuel cell whereby
to define a plurality of generally parallel porous reactant paths extending
across each catalytic layer. The segments may be defined by selectively
varying the porosity of the
Systems
and methods for isolating, compressing and retaining the structure of a
fuel cell stack (Click For Link) European Patent Pub. Number: EP 1341252 Appl. Data EP 02026402 2002 11 26 Applicant:BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC. Inventor(s) Hill, Graham E. Bailey, Ross W. Johnston Hartwell, Rae Pfister, Uwe Title:Systems and methods for isolating, compressing and retaining the structure of a fuel cell stack Abstract: A receptacle having an end cap, a pliable sidewall, and a fastener, for receiving and retaining a fuel cell stack in its stacked configuration during fabrication of a multi-stack fuel cell assembly, is shown and described. Methods of fabricating the assembly include stacking the fuel cell in the receptacle, compressing the fuel cell, and engaging the fastener to retain the stack in its stacked configuration and/or to retain the stack under at least partial compression.
METHOD
FOR RECOGNITION OF A LEAK IN A FUEL CELL(Click
For Link) European Patent Pub. Number EP 1340280 Appl. Data EP 01999979 2001 11 27 Applican: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT Inventor(s) MATTEJAT, Arno VOITLEIN, Ottmar Title: METHOD FOR RECOGNITION OF A LEAK IN A FUEL CELL Abstract: A leak in the membrane of a fuel cell (3) leads to
an uncontrolled and heat-generating reaction which can destroy the fuel
cell (3). A method for recognition of a leak in a fuel cell (3) is disclosed
which leads to an automatic closing down of the fuel cell without a safety
device. The anode gas chamber of the fuel cell is treated with a first
test gas and the cathode gas chamber of the fuel cell (3) is treated with
a second test gas. The cell voltage of the fuel
FUEL
CELL ASSEMBLY(Click For Link) European Patent Pub. Number EP 1340282 Appl. Data EP 01983582 2001 11 13 Applicant MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH Inventor(s) STEINFORT, Marc BEDNARZ, Marc Title: FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY Abstract :The invention relates to a fuel cell assembly with
fuel cells (12) arranged in the form of a fuel cell stack (10). The fuel
cells (12) each comprise an anode (1), a cathode (2) and an electrolyte
matrix (3) arranged therebetween, and are separated from one another and
electrically contacted by bipolar plates (4). Current collectors (4a, 4b)
are respectively provided on the electrodes (1, 2) for electrically contacting
the same and for guiding combustion
DC POWER SOURCE WITH FUEL CELL(Click For Link) 
European Patent Pub. Number EP 1340276 Appl. Data EP 01972381 2001 10 02 Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA Inventor(s) SUGIURA, Hiroshi ISHIKAWA, Tetsuhiro WATANABE, Nobuo MANABE, Kouta Title: DC POWER SOURCE WITH FUEL CELL Abstract :A power source system (1) includes a fuel cell (40)
and a battery (20) connected in parallel. A DC-DC converter (30) is connected
to the battery (20) side. A maximum output ratio of the fuel cell (40)
and the battery (20) is set in a range in which the output of the fuel
cell falls within 65 to 80 % of the total output. Accordingly, electric
power loss due to the DC-DC converter (30) is controlled, whereby
high energy efficiency can be achieved.
MULTIPLE
PORT BI-DIRECTIONAL POWER CONVERTER(Click For
Link) European Patent Pub. Number EP 1340312 Appl. Data EP 01989845 2001 12 05 Applicant Akerson, Steve Heart Inventor(s) Akerson, Steve Heart Title: MULTIPLE PORT BI-DIRECTIONAL POWER CONVERTER Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a bi-directional
power converter is described. The converter comprises a first bi-directional
DC- DC conversion device having a first plurality of bi-directional DC-
DC converters, a plurality of power supply ports, each connected to at
least one of the first plurality of bi-directional DC-DC converters, and
a voltage medium capacitor, which is connected to each of the first plurality
of bi-directional DC-DC converters and has a first voltage greater than
a second voltage measured at each of the power supply ports. The converter
further may comprise a third bi-directional DC-DC converter device, which
is connected to the voltage medium capacitor and is connected to a voltage
high capacitor. The converter also may comprise a bi-directional AC-DC
conversion device, which bi-directional AC-DC conversion device is connected
to the voltage high capacitor and at least one inductor, which is connected
to a plurality of AC ports. In another embodiment of the present invention,
at
least one of the DC ports may
FUEL PROCESSING SYSTEM AND IMPROVED FEEDSTOCK THEREFOR(Click For Link)
European Patent Pub. Number EP 1339482 Appl. Data EP 01991639 2001 11 02 Applicant IdaTech, LLC. Inventor(s) EDLUND, David, J. Title: FUEL PROCESSING SYSTEM AND IMPROVED FEEDSTOCK THEREFOR Abstract: An improved feedstock (16) for fuel processing systems
(10), and fuel processing systems (10) incorporating the same. The fuel
processing system (10) includes a fuel processor (12) adapted to produce
a product hydrogen stream (14) from a carbon-containing feedstock (16).
The fuel processing system may also include a fuel cell stack (22) adapted
to produce an electric current from the product hydrogen stream (14). The
feedstock (16) is at least substantially formed of a hydrogen stream. The
feedstock is at least substantially formed of a hydrocarbon or alcohol
(18). In an exemplary
SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL AND SYSTEM(Click For Link)
World Patent Pub. Number WO 2003071618 Appl. Data US 0304808 2003 02 20 Applicant ION AMERICA, INC. Inventor(s) FINN, John, E. GOTTMANN, Matthias MCELROY, James, F. SRIDHAR, K., R. NGUYEN, Dien Title: SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL AND SYSTEM Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising any one
or more of elements (a) to (g): (a) a temperature sensitive adsorption
oxygen enrichment system; (b) a load matched power generation system including
a solid oxide fuel cell and a heat pump and an optional turbine; ©
a textured fuel cell ceramic electrolyte; (d) an environment tolerant fuel
cell anode catalyst; (e) a fuel water vapor replenishment system containing
an anode side enthalpy wheel; (f) a felt
FUEL CELL SYSTEM(Click For Link)
World Patent Pub. Number WO 2003071622 Appl. Data JP 0300241 2003 01 15 Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD. Inventor(s) NUMAO, Yasuhiro IWASAKI, Yasukazu Title :FUEL CELL SYSTEM Abstract: A fuel cell system cooperating with a rechargeable
battery (18) mounts a fuel cell (12) as a source of motive power in an
electric vehicle with an electric motor. The fuel cell system and the rechargeable
battery (18) supplies the electric motor with electrical power. The fuel
cell system also includes a reformer (11) as a source of hydrogen hydrogen-containing
gas supplied to the fuel cell (12). The fuel cell system comprises a temperature
sensor (19) for
FUEL CELL STACKING AND SEALING(Click For Link)
World Patent Pub. Number WO 2003071624 Appl. Data US 0305020 2003 02 20 Applicant: ACUMENTRICS CORPORATION Inventor(s) MOOK, Gary, A. NEGROTTI, Kevin, H. SMITH, Hugh, L. BESSETTE, Norman, F. SHOWN, Kenneth NEAR, Timothy ENGLAND, Raymond Title: FUEL CELL STACKING AND SEALING Abstract: Various aspects of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology are described. One specific application includes a seal for connecting an outer surface of a fuel cell to a cell manifold that supports the fuel cell and delivers a fuel mixture to an inside portion of the fuel cell. The seal also separates the fuel mixture from the outer surface at the seal. And the seal is electrically conductive to allow flow of electric current between the outer surface and the cell manifold.
DIRECT WATER VAPORIZATION FOR FUEL PROCESSOR STARTUP AND TRANSIENTS (Click For Link)
World Patent Pub. Number WO 2003070628 Appl. Data US 0239381 2002 12 10 Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION Inventor(s) GOEBEL, Steven, G. Title: DIRECT WATER VAPORIZATION FOR FUEL PROCESSOR STARTUP AND TRANSIENTS Abstract: A fuel cell system (10) comprising a fuel reforming processor (18) having a catalyst therein to produce a reformate stream, a water shift reactor (22) downstream of the fuel reforming processor (18) having a catalyst, a preferential oxidation reactor (24) downstream of the water gas shift reactor (22) having a catalyst therein, and a fuel cell stack (32) downstream of the preferential oxidation reactor (24). The system (10) further comprising a first (36) and second (64) direct water vaporizing combustors to combust fuel (38, 72) producing a high-temperature fuel combustion byproducts exhausts and to produce steam from water sprayed into said exhausts. Wherein the first combustor (36) is plumbed to the fuel reforming reactor (18) and the second combustor (64) is plumbed to the water gas shift reactor (22) to charge steam into said respective reactors (18, 22). Purging control of fuel cell anode effluent(Click For Link)
European Patent Pub. Number EP 1339125 Appl. Data EP 03000575 2003 01 13 Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD. Inventor(s) Takahashi, Naoki Title: Purging control of fuel cell anode effluent Abstract: A fuel cell power plant comprises a fuel cell stack
(1) for outputting a current in accordance with a chemical reaction amount
between hydrogen in hydrogen-rich gas which is supplied to an anode (1A)
and oxygen which is supplied to a cathode (1C). Sensors (12, 13) detect
the concentration of impurity gas contained in the hydrogen-rich gas. When
the impurity gas has reached a predetermined concentration, a controller
(10) adjusts the output current of the fuel cell stack (1) or the flow
rate of hydrogen-rich gas supplied to the anode (1A) (S5) such that the
entire amount of hydrogen supplied to the anode (1A) is expended in power
generation by the fuel cell stack (1). As a result, hydrogen is removed
from the anode effluent and the release of hydrogen into the
Fuel cell and method of fabrication(Click For Link)
European Patent Pub. Number EP 1339123 Appl. Data EP 03002441 2003 02 05 Applicant: Behr GmbH & Co. Inventor(s) Damsohn, Herbert, Dr.-Ing. Heckenberger, Thomas, Dr.-Ing. Kaiser, Wolfram Title: Fuel cell and method of fabrication
METHOD FOR DEPOSITION OF A CATALYST(Click For Link)
European Patent Pub. Number EP 1338055 Appl. Data EP 01989360 2001 11 28 Applicant: FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JULICH GMBH Inventor(s) HEMPELMANN, Rolf SCHMITZ, Heinz LOFFLER, Marc-Simon NATTER, Harald DIVISEK, Jiri Title: METHOD FOR DEPOSITION OF A CATALYST Abstract: The invention relates to a method for deposition of
a catalyst, in particular a method for coating a membrane electrode unit
(MEA) for a fuel cell. Said method requires no external electrical field
as usual for conventional galvanic techniques. The support for the catalytic
layer is first capacitively charged (pseudocapacitance). When brought into
contact with an electrolyte solution, comprising the catalyst in the form
of dissolved metal salt ions, an in-situ reduction (deposition) of the
metal salt ions to give metallic catalyst occurs at the site of contact.
A CATHODE LAYER STRUCTURE FOR A SOLID POLYMER FUEL CELL AND FUEL CELL INCORPORATING SUCH STRUCTURE(Click For Link)
European Patent Pub. Number EP 1338053 Appl. Data EP 01977009 2001 10 18 Applicant: ABB AB AB VOLVO Inventor(s) JAOUEN, Frederic Title A CATHODE LAYER STRUCTURE FOR A SOLID POLYMER FUEL CELL AND FUEL CELL INCORPORATING SUCH STRUCTURE Abstract A cathode layer structure for a solid polymer fuel cell is disclosed. It comprises a composite cathode layer (48) of catalyst (11), anion ion conducting polymer (12) and cation conducting polymer (14). The interface between the anion ion conducting polymer (12) and the cation conducting polymer (14) is located entirely within the cathode layer (48). In particular the catalyst (11) is embedded in said anion conducting polymer (12), and the cation conducting polymer (14) encloses regions of said anion conducting polymer (12).
FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND MOISTURIZING METHOD FOR FUEL CELL (Click For Link)
European Patent Pub. Number EP 1338051 Appl. Data EP 01967675 2001 09 12 Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY, LIMITED Inventor(s) SAITO, Kazuo, Hirano Heights B102 Title: FUEL CELL WITH SOLID POLYMER MEMBRANE TO BE MOISTURIZED, FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND MOISTURIZING METHOD FOR FUEL CELL Abstract: A fuel cell has an anode (3) and a cathode (5) on either
side of an electrolytic membrane (1) made of a solid polymer. A fuel supply
plate (7) and an air supply plate (9) are provided at either side of the
electrolytic membrane (1), so as to form a fuel cell with a solid polymer
membrane. A fuel supply path (11) is provided on the anode (3) side of
the fuel supply plate (7), and an air supply path (13) is provided on the
cathode (5) side of the air supply plate (9). Moisture supply paths (21)
are provided between fuel supply paths (11) of the fuel supply plate (7),
these moisture supply paths supplying moisture directly to the electrolytic
membrane (1) via the anode (3). A moisture pressure- adjusting valve, which
adjusts the amount of supply of moisture by opening and closing in response
to the temperature of coolant effluent from the fuel cell, is provided
at a moisture introduction part which introduces moisture to the moisture
supply paths (21).
METHOD FOR OPERATING A FUEL CELL ARRANGEMENT AND FUEL CELL ARRANGEMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD(Click For Link)
European Patent Pub. Number EP 1338049 Appl. Data EP 01974039 2001 09 14 Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT Inventor(s) BETTE, Willi MATTEJAT, Arno STUHLER, Walter Title: METHOD FOR OPERATING A FUEL CELL ARRANGEMENT AND FUEL CELL ARRANGEMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a fuel
cell arrangement and to a fuel cell arrangement for carrying out the method.
A fuel cell arrangement (1) comprising a number of fuel cells that are
located in a protective housing (4) is to be operated with a high degree
of operating reliability and a particularly long service life. To this
end, at least a proportion of the gas that is located in the inner area
(6) enclosed by the protective housing (4)is
METHOD FOR OPERATING A FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND A CORRESPONDING FUEL CELL INSTALLATION(Click For Link)
European Patent Pub. Number EP 1338047 Appl. Data EP 01960152 2001 08 03 Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT Inventor(s) PREIDEL, Walter Title: METHOD FOR OPERATING A FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND A CORRESPONDING FUEL CELL INSTALLATION Abstract: In fuel cells (DMFC) methanol, serving as the fuel, is supplied to the system, whereby anode fluid including waste gases, such as carbon dioxide or the like, have to be led away after combustion. According to the invention, the carbon dioxide, which develops on the anode, is separated when hot from the anode fluid after leaving the anode of the fuel cell stack. The vaporous fuel separated together with the carbon dioxide is depleted in the reverse flow using cold water, that is recovered in the condenser of the cathode waste gas, and the warmer water of the anode fluid is admixed. In the corresponding installation, a cooler (4) with a CO 2 trap (5) arranged downstream is provided at least for the anode fluid, and a unit (6) for carrying out rectification is provided with which fuel contained there is separated and returned into the fuel circuit.
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