Publication date:30-November-2003 

November 25, 2003 

World Patent
Pub. Number WO 2003096452

Appl. Data CA 0300681 2003 05 13

Applicant GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

Inventor(s) CHUANG, Karl, T.; LUO, Jingli; WEI, Guolin; SANGER, Alan, R.

Title ELECTRODE CATALYST FOR H 2 S FUEL CELL

Abstract The present invention relates to an anode catalyst for use in the electrochemical oxidation of H 2 S to elemental sulfur and water, specifically in a fuel cell having an ion-conducting membrane. The catalyst comprises a material prepared from two or more metal sulfides of the formula MS x, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, Mo, Cu, Cr, W and Mn, and x is between about 1.0 and about 2.5; a conductive material suitable for fuel cell operation; and a porous material. The invention further provides methods of preparing the catalyst, fuel cells comprising the catalyst and methods of electrochemically oxidizing H 2 S using the catalyst. 

November 25, 2003 
World Patent

Pub. Number WO 2003096464

Appl. Data EP 0304913 2003 05 12

Applicant CELANESE VENTURES GMBH

Inventor(s) KIEFER, Joachim; UENSAL, Oemer

Title GRAFTED POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE, METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF, AND APPLICATION THEREOF IN FUEL CELLS

Abstract The invention relates to a proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane which is based on polyvinylphosphonic acid/polyvinylsulfonic acid polymers and can be used for a variety of purposes due to the excellent chemical and thermal properties thereof. The inventive membrane is particularly suitable as a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) in PEM fuel cells. 

November 25, 2003 
World Patent

Pub. Number WO 2003096458

Appl. Data US 0314335 2003 05 07

Applicant TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC.

Inventor(s) RUHL, Robert, C.

Title SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL STACK ASSEMBLY FOR DIRECT INJECTION OF CARBONACEOUS FUELS

Abstract An electrochemical system includes a stack (12) of cells (10) along a centerline (14). The cells (10) surround a fuel mixing chamber (18) and an oxidizing chamber (38) surrounds the stack (12). Separator discs (22a) and (22b) separate the cells (10). Each cell includes a solid oxide electrolyte
(24) fuel electrode (26) and oxygen electrode (32). Gas diffusion layers (28) and (30) are provided to the electrodes. Unsealed fuel flow layers (40) and (42) are provided adjacent respective end plates (44) and (46) to allow fuel gas to exit the stack (12). The stack further includes a thermal insulation unit (48) having a fuel feed tube (50) disposed therein and sealed via a sealing tube (52) and disc (54). 

November 25, 2003 
World Patent

Pub. Number WO 2003096462

Appl. Data US 0314509 2003 05 08

Applicant ANUVU, INC. , A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION

Inventor(s) NotAvailable

Title ELECTROCHEMICAL FUEL CELL COMPRISED OF A SERIES OF CONDUCTIVE COMPRESSION GASKETS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

Abstract A novel electrochemical fuel cell comprising at least one fuel cell assembly comprising a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) interposed between an anode separator (62, 63) and a cathode separator (66, 67). The MEA comprises a solid polymer electrolyte or Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) interposed between an anode and a cathode, each electrode comprising electrocatalyst. The anode separator (62, 63) contains the fuel flow field distribution features necessary to communicate the fuel to said anode. The cathode separator (66, 67) contains the oxidant flow field distribution
features necessary to communicate the oxidant to said cathode. In addition, a heat Transfer (HT) separator (64, 65) may be integrated into said fuel cell assembly. Each of the said anode, cathode and HT separators are made up of a respective series of multiple conductive compression gaskets possessing inter-related fluid distribution channel and manifold features that form inter-communicating systems for the distribution of fuel, oxidant and HT fluid. 

5- Fuel Cell Assembly And Method For Bonding A Separator And An Electrolyte Layer Of A Fuel Cell Assembly

November 25, 2003 
World Patent

Pub. Number WO 2003096466

Appl. Data JP 0305632 2003 05 02

Applicant HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA

Inventor(s) SASAHARA, Jun; SUZUKI, Toshifumi; KUBOTA, Tadahiro; KURIYAMA, Nariaki; SAITO, Yuji

Title FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR BONDING A SEPARATOR AND AN ELECTROLYTE LAYER OF A FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY

Abstract In a fuel cell assembly (1) comprising an electrolyte layer (2) having a frame (21) and an electrolyte (22) retained in the frame, a pair of separators (5, 6) are bonded to the electrolyte layer by that a metallic material (27) is deposited on one of the frame and each separator and a laser beam is irradiated onto the metallic material through the frame or the separator in a state that the frame and each separator contact each other whereby the metallic material forms a eutectic with the other of the frame and each separator. 

November 25, 2003 
World Patent

Pub. Number WO 2003096460

Appl. Data JP 0305179 2003 04 23

Applicant NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.

Inventor(s) KAMIHARA, Tetsuya; TAKAHASHI, Nobutaka

Title FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND RELATED STARTUP METHOD

Abstract A fuel cell system (FS) is provided with a fuel cell (1) having a fuel electrode (1c) and an oxidizer electrode (1a), disposed in opposition thereto, between which an electrolyte membrane (1b) is sandwiched, a fuel gas supply source (2) supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell through a fuel gas supply passage (4), a fuel gas discharge section (8, 8') discharging the fuel gas, discharged from the fuel cell, to an outside of a fuel cell system, and a control section (14)
executing fuel gas substituting treatment such that, during startup of the fuel cell system, the fuel gas is discharged outside the fuel cell system through the fuel gas discharge section while supplying the fuel gas so as to cause a state quantity of the fuel gas, to be supplied to the fuel cell from the fuel gas supply source, to be constant for thereby allowing the fuel gas passage and the fuel electrode to be substituted with the fuel gas. 

November 25, 2003 
European Patent

Pub. Number EP 1363342

Appl. Data EP 02711468 2002 02 12

Applicant Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Inventor(s) YOSHIMOTO, Yasunori, c/o SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.; YASUO, Takashi, c/o SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.; HAMADA, Akira, c/o SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.

Title FUEL CELL

Abstract The present invention relates to a fuel cell devised to uniformly distribute and supply a reformed gas (or an oxidant or a coolant ) while minimizing the increase in parts number, without making the construction complicated. The present invention has a gist of providing a fuel cell 5, piling up, by way of separators, multiple cells 1, and providing, in the stack 2, inner manifolds for distributing (or supplying or discharging) to these cells 1 a fuel, an oxidant or a coolant , wherein: a cylindrical/tubular piercing member 4 is provided in at least one inner manifold 6, and a proper gap is provided between the piercing member 4 and an inner wall of the inner manifold 6. The reformed gas supplied to the inner manifold 6, before being distributed to each cell 1, is flow- regulated by the piercing member 4. Thus, the reformed gas is distributed uniformly to each cell 1, a stable power generation is done, and performance of the fuel cell can be improved. 

November 25, 2003 
U.S. Patent

Pub. Number  US6653005

Appl. Data US2001000851025

Applicant University of Central Florida

Inventor(s) Muradov, Nazim; Melbourne, FL

Title Portable hydrogen generator-fuel cell apparatus

Abstract A compact hydrogen generator is coupled to or integrated with a fuel cell for portable power applications. Hydrogen is produced via thermocatalytic decomposition (cracking, pyrolysis) of hydrocarbon fuels in oxidant-free environment. The apparatus can utilize a variety of hydrocarbon fuels, including natural gas, propane, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, crude oil (including sulfurous fuels). The hydrogen-rich gas produced is free of carbon oxides or other reactive impurities, so it could be directly fed to any type of a fuel cell. The catalysts for hydrogen production in the apparatus are carbon-based or metal-based materials and doped, if necessary, with a sulfur-capturing agent. Additionally disclosed are two novel processes for the production of two types of carbon filaments, and a novel filamentous carbon product. The hydrogen generator can be conveniently integrated with high temperature fuel cells to produce an efficient and self-contained source of electrical power.

This invention relates to a novel portable self-contained power apparatus utilizing a hydrogen generator coupled to or integrated with a fuel cell and more particularly relates to a compact hydrocarbon-based hydrogen generator producing hydrogen gas that can be directly fed to any type of a fuel cell and also claims all rights provided by the filing of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/203,370 filed on May 10, 2000, and was funded by U.S. Department of Energy under the contract No. DE-FC36-99GO 10456. 

November 25, 2003
U.S. Patent

Pub. Number  US6653009

Appl. Data US2002000160782

Applicant Sarnoff Corporation

Inventor(s) Wang, Conghua; Wayne, PA
Palanisamy, Ponnusamy; Lansdale, PA
Hammond, Mark Stuart; Pennington, NJ
Thaler, Barry Jay; Lawrenceville, NJ 

Title Solid oxide fuel cells and interconnectors

Abstract Solid oxide fuel cells made by coating a slurry of an electrolyte having a limited amount of organic material onto a carrier tape, depositing a one or two layer electrode material on the tape sufficient to support the electrolyte layer, removing the tape, screen printing a second electrode layer on the exposed surface of the electrolyte layer, and firing the layers at a temperature of 1100-1300° C. The resultant fired fuel cell can be mounted on an interconnector comprising a base plate, grooves formed in one face of the base plate, a porous conductive ceramic contact layer between the base plate and an overlying blocking layer of a porous conductive layer to provide electrical contact between the base plate and the blocking layer, or an interconnector having a fired green tape stack having conductive via contacts and air and gas flow channels formed therein. A sealing glass bonds the overlying layers to the base plate. Such interconnector-mounted fuel cells can be stacked together to increase the voltage output of the fuel cells which can be used to power a load. 

November 25, 2003 
U.S. Patent

Pub. Number  US6653596

Appl. Data US2002000330528

Applicant Lincoln Global, Inc.

Inventor(s) Blankenship, George D.; Chardon, OH 

Title Fuel cell operated welder 

Abstract An electric arc welder powered by a plurality of liquid organic fuel cells. The fuel cells use a methanol/water mixture as the organic feed. The fuel cells produce carbon dioxide as a reactive product which is used an a shielding gas during the arc welding process. The fuel cells are stacked together to produce the desired arc voltage and current between an electrode and the workpiece. The arc welder includes a welding current to control the current wave shape through the electrode and to control or increase the voltage through the electrode. 

November 25, 2003 
U.S. Patent

Pub. Number   US6651701

Appl. Data US2002000056703

Applicant Honda 

Inventor(s) Kuriiwa, Takahiro; Saitama, Japan
Shimada, Toshiaki; Saitama, Japan
Nuiya, Yoshio; Saitama, Japan

Title Hydrogen storage apparatus and charging method therefor 

Abstract In order to achieve optimal weight and volume of a hydrogen storage apparatus, there is provided a method of charging hydrogen to a hydrogen storage apparatus. The hydrogen storage apparatus 1 includes a hydrogen storage means accommodating a hydrogen occlusive alloy (MH tank assembly) 3, and a hydrogen tank (high-pressure hydrogen tank) 2 that is provided separately from the hydrogen storage means 3 and stores hydrogen in gaseous form. Hydrogen is filled so that a pressure in the hydrogen tank is higher than that in the hydrogen storage means. A decompressing means (charger regulator) 6 is provided for reducing a pressure of hydrogen fed to the hydrogen storage apparatus 1 to maintain the pressure in a predetermined pressure range. The hydrogen storage apparatus 1 may include more than one of the hydrogen occlusive alloy tank (MH tank) 31. 

Claim 1. A method of charging hydrogen from a hydrogen filling apparatus to a hydrogen storage apparatus which includes a hydrogen storage means that accommodates a hydrogen occlusive alloy, and a hydrogen tank that is provided separately from the hydrogen storage means and stores hydrogen in gaseous form, the method comprising the steps of:

* filling hydrogen from the hydrogen filling apparatus to the hydrogen storage means; and
* filling hydrogen from the hydrogen filling apparatus to the hydrogen tank,
* wherein hydrogen is filled from the hydrogen filling apparatus so that a pressure in the hydrogen tank is kept higher than that in the hydrogen storage means.