1-Method For Reducing The Degradation Of High Temperature PEM Fuel Cells And Corresponding Installation -SIEMMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
  2-Power Generation System Having Fuel Cell Modules- RICHARDS ENGINEERING
  3-Metal Separator For Fuel Cell And Manufacturing Method-Honda
  4-A Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Battery-XU, Gang
  5-Sulfonated Polymer Compostition For Forming Fuel Cell-VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
  6-Fuel cell and method of cold start-up of such a fuel cell-DaimlerChrysler AG
  7-Solid High Polymer Type Fuel Cell Power Generating Device -Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
  8-Hydrogen generation system and fuel cell system having the same-MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
  9-Electorlyte Creepage Barrier For Liquid Electrolyte Fuel Cells -Fuelcell Energy, Inc.
10-Hydrogen Purification Membranes, Components And Fuel Processing Systems Containing The Same -IdaTech, LLC
11-Reformer for fuel cell system-Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
12-Water purge fuel cell system and method -Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
13-High Performance Cathodes For Solid Oxide Fuel Cells -Hybrid Power Generation Systems, LLC
14-Manifold Assembly For A Fuel Cell Power Plant -UTC Fuel Cells, LLC

Publication date:19-October-2003 

October 14, 2003 
World Patent

Pub. Number WO 2003083976

Appl. Data DE 0300984 2003 03 25

Applicant SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Inventor(s) BALDAUF, Manfred

LANG, Siegrun

Title METHOD FOR REDUCING THE DEGRADATION OF HIGH TEMPERATURE PEM FUEL CELLS AND CORRESPONDING INSTALLATION

Abstract The advantage of a high-temperature PEM fuel cell over a low temperature PEM fuel cell is that the reaction gases do not need to be humidified. To specifically prevent the migration of membrane material to the hydrogen side, the hydrogen that is fed to the anode is at least partially humidified, thus
avoiding a gradient of the water content in the membrane to a great extent. A corresponding high-temperature PEM fuel cell battery, consisting of at least one fuel cell element with a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a polymer membrane (12) provided with a cathode (13) on one side and an anode (14) on the other, has means for preventing the migration of the polymer membrane (PEM). Said means comprise a device (5) for humidifying the hydrogen (H 2 ) that is fed to the anode (14). 

Pub. Number WO 2003083982

Appl. Data US 0308819 2003 03 24

Applicant RICHARDS ENGINEERING

Inventor(s) RICHARDS, William, R.

Title POWER GENERATION SYSTEM HAVING FUEL CELL MODULES

Abstract A power generation system of fuel cells has modular fuel cell assemblies (modules) that are connected together in series. The modules each have independent ports for fuel and air connections. The fuel and air ports are connected to manifolds. A manifold on one module is connected to the manifold of an adjacent module using a low compression face seal at the connection. The manifolds have shape factors that provide controlled gas flow to enable Stoichiometric process uniformity among the respective series connected modules. Each module operates to generate power individually and the power connections for each module are also connected in series so that as more modules are connected together in series, the power generated by the system increases.

October 14, 2003 
World Patent

Pub. Number WO 2003083980

Appl. Data JP 0302707 2003 03 07

Applicant HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA

Inventor(s) UTSUNOMIYA, Masao

TSUJI, Makoto

OHTANI, Teruyuki

Title METAL SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL AND MANUFACTURING METHOD

Abstract On a surface of a corrosion resistant separator, a conductive interjacent object forming a conductive route is exposed and gold is selectively precipitated on the exposed conductive interjacent object. It is preferable that the conductive interjacent object protrude from the surface of the separator from the viewpoint of reduction of the contact resistance. 

October 14, 2003 
World Patent

Pub. Number WO 2003083986

Appl. Data CN 0200227 2002 04 02

Applicant XU, Gang LI, Sanyou

Inventor(s) XU, Gang LI, Sanyou ,WANG, Gang , WAN, Nianfang ,CHEN, Mei

Title A PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL BATTERY

Abstract The present invention relates to a proton exchange membrane fuel cell battery, the fuel cell battery includes at least two kinds of reactive material supply cavities and a membrane electrode, said two kinds of reactive material supply cavities positioned alternately, the membrane electrode positioned therebetween. Reactive material flow field formed of any one of the reactive material supply cavity positioned between every two adjacent membrane
electrodes is shared by said two adjacent membrane electrodes. A collector plate is positioned on two sides of the membrane electrode, electromotive force generated by every membrane electrode are connected in series through electric connection of the collector plate. In the present invention, reaction cavity configuration is used, in this configuration, non-double electrodes use same reactive material together. In this way, cost of the fuel battery is decreased, power-volume ratio is increased, this fuel battery is prone to manufacture and it can be used conveniently. Moreover, voltage generated by every membrane electrode according to the present invention are connected in series outside of the battery, so the problem, bad performance of single battery cell influences performance of the whole cell battery, can be avoided. 

5-Sulfonated Polymer Compostition For Forming Fuel Cell

October 14, 2003 
World Patent

Pub. Number WO 2003082956

Appl. Data US 0309918 2003 04 01

Applicant VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.

Inventor(s) MCGRATH, James, E., HICKNER, Michael

Title SULFONATED POLYMER COMPOSITION FOR FORMING FUEL CELL ELECTRODES

Abstract A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell is described. The materials for the membrane electrode assembly are formed from sulfonated polymers. A polymer dispersion ink containing the sulfonated polymer and a mixture of solvents is used to form the electrodes on the exchange membrane. The dispersion ink allows for the electrodes to be formed directly on the exchange membrane without significantly dissolving the exchange membrane.

October 14, 2003 
European Patent

Pub. Number EP 1351330

Appl. Data EP 03004709 2003 03 04

Applicant DaimlerChrysler AG

Inventor(s) Docter, Andreas, Dr.-Ing. , Frank, Georg, Dr.rer.nat. , Konrad, Gerhard, Dr., Lamm, Arnold, Dr., Muller, Jens Thomas, Dr.

Title Fuel cell and method of cold start-up of such a fuel cell

October 14, 2003 6:08pm
European Patent

Pub. Number EP 1351328

Appl. Data EP 02729526 2002 01 09

Applicant Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Inventor(s) TAJIMA, Osamu c/o Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.,ODA, Katsuya c/o Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.,HATAYAMA, Tatsuji c/o Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

YUKAWA, Tatsuji c/o Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.,OUKI, Taketoshi c/o Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.,FUJU,  Akira c/o Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., SHINDO, Kouji c/oSanyo Electric Co., Ltd., TAJIMA, Kazuhiro c/o Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.,YAMAMOTO, Satoshi c/o Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., MAKIHARA, Katsuyuki c/o Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., MIYAI, Keigo c/o Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., KADOWAKI, Masataka c/o Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.,UEDA, Masatoshi c/o Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Title SOLID HIGH POLYMER TYPE FUEL CELL POWER GENERATING DEVICE

Abstract The present invention provides a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell power generating equipment that keeps temperature of coolant of a fuel cell in a predetermined temperature range without stop operation of the equipment even when a hot water reserving tank is filled with hot water and the
hot water is not discharged to the outside, automatically prevents freezing of a water system during stop operation of the equipment, minimizes maintenance work in a cold region or in the winter season, has high reliability with equipment's service life extended, and supplies hot water heated by efficiently recovering exhaust heat from plural heat exchangers installed in the equipment to the hot water reserving tank. The power generating equipment has a line
for circulating and feeding hot water A produced by exchanging heat in the heat exchanger connected to a process gas burner for burning hydrogen until the equipment becomes stable in starting operation. When a water temperature of a water tank becomes a predetermined temperature or more, a fan for feeding air for combustion to the said process gas burner is operated to decrease temperature of the hot water A using the heat exchanger as a cooler of the hot water A and the cooled hot water A is circulated and fed to the line for cooling. The equipment has a control system that, when the water system may freeze during stop operation of the power generating equipment, prevents the freezing by detecting freezing, operating the process gas burner to circulate the hot water of the hot water reserving tank in a part or the whole of the water system. City water supplied to the bottom of the hot water reserving tank is taken out and fed to the fourth heat exchanger through the first duct, from the fourth heat exchanger to the third heat exchanger through the second duct, to the first heat exchanger through the third duct, and then to the second heat exchanger through the fourth duct, and hot water is supplied from the second heat exchanger to the upper part of the hot water reserving tank through the fifth duct via die first selector valve. The fifth duct is branched, the hot water from the
second heat exchanger is guided to the water tank through the sixth duct via the second selector valve, merged with the fifth duct through the seventh duct, and returned to the hot water reserving tank. 

October 14, 2003 
European Patent

Pub. Number EP 1350760

Appl. Data EP 03006798 2003 03 26

Applicant MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.

Inventor(s) Ukai, Kunihiro, Taguchi, Kiyoshi, Wakita, Hidenobu, Fujihara, Seiji, Maenishi, Akira

Title Hydrogen generation system and fuel cell system having the same

Abstract A hydrogen generation system comprises a reformer 1 that contains a reforming catalyst, an evaporator 4 that supplies steam to the reformer 1, a heater 3 that heats the reformer 1 and the evaporator 4, a material feed portion 5 that feeds a feed material containing hydrocarbon compound to the reformer 1 through the evaporator 4, and a water supply portion 6 that has a flow rate switch 6a and supplies water to the reformer 1 and the evaporator 4.

October 14, 2003 
European Patent

Pub. Number EP 1350278

Appl. Data EP 01994204 2001 12 11

Applicant Fuelcell Energy, Inc.

Inventor(s) LI, Jian, FAROOQUE, Mohammad

Title ELECTROLYTE CREEPAGE BARRIER FOR LIQUID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS

Abstract A dielectric member (4) for electrically insultaing a manifold (2) or other component from a liquid electrolyte fuel cell stack wherein the dielectric member (4) is adapted to include a barrier (5) which chemically reacts with the liquid electrolyte to form solid products which are stable
in the liquid electrolyte.

October 16, 2003 
U.S. Patent

Patent Number 6632270

Issue Date 2003 10 14

Assignee IdaTech, LLC

Inventor(s) Edlund, David J., Pledger, William A., Studebaker, R. Todd

State/Country OR

Title Hydrogen purification membranes, components and fuel processing systems containing the same

Abstract Hydrogen purification membranes, hydrogen purification devices, and fuel processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen purification devices. The hydrogen purification membranes include a metal membrane, which is at least substantially comprised of palladium or a palladium alloy. In some embodiments, the membrane contains trace amounts of carbon, silicon, and/or oxygen. In some embodiments, the membranes form part of a hydrogen
purification device that includes an enclosure containing a separation assembly, which is adapted to receive a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and to produce a stream that contains pure or at least substantially pure hydrogen gas therefrom. In some embodiments, the membrane(s) and/or purification device forms a portion of a fuel processor, and in some embodiments, the membrane(s) and/or purification device forms a portion of a fuel processing or fuel cell system.

Exmp. Claim 1 52
Ex Claim text  A hydrogen purification device, comprising: an enclosure defining an internal compartment; wherein the enclosure includes at least one input port through which a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases is delivered to the enclosure, at least one product output port through which a permeate stream containing at least substantially pure hydrogen gas is removed from the enclosure, and at least one byproduct output port through which a byproduct stream containing at least a substantial portion of the other gases is removed from the enclosure; and at least one hydrogen-selective membrane within the compartment, wherein the at least one hydrogen-selective membrane includes a first surface adapted to be contacted by the mixed gas stream and a permeate surface generally opposed to the first surface, wherein the permeate stream is formed from the portion of the mixed gas stream that passes
through the at least one hydrogen-selective membrane to the permeate surface, and the byproduct stream is formed from the portion of the mixed gas stream that does not pass through the at least one hydrogen-selective membrane, wherein the membrane is substantially comprised of a primary component selected from the group consisting of palladium and a palladium alloy, and further wherein the membrane further comprises a secondary component consisting of
approximately 5-100 ppm silicon.
 

In a hydrogen purification device that is adapted to be operated at a selected temperature of at least 200.degree. C. and a selected pressure of at least 50 psi and which includes an enclosure with an internal, at least substantially fluid-tight compartment containing at least one hydrogen-selective metal membrane adapted to separate a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases into a hydrogen-rich stream containing at least substantially hydrogen gas and a byproduct stream containing at least a substantial portion of the other gases, the improvement comprising: the membrane being at least substantially comprised of an alloy of palladium, copper and silicon, with the silicon being present in the alloy in the range of approximately 5-100 ppm. 

October 16, 2003 
U.S. Patents

Patent Number 6632409

Issue Date 2003 10 14

Assignee Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha

Inventor(s) Kuwaba, Koichi

State/Country JPX

Title Reformer for fuel cell system

Abstract A reformer includes an evaporation portion for evaporating a raw material, a reforming portion for producing a reformed gas whose principal element is hydrogen from the raw materials, a CO reduction portion for reducing CO involved in the reformed gas, a circulating conduit portion having a
storage tank for storing the raw material, a feeding device for feeding the raw material under pressure, a cooling device for cooling the CO reduction portion and a supply device for supplying the raw material to the evaporation portion. The supply device includes a conduit branched from the circulating conduit portion connected to the evaporation portion and a flow control device provided in the conduit.

Exmp. Claim 1
Ex Claim text A reformer comprising: an evaporation portion for evaporating a hydrocarbon family fuel and water as raw materials to produce evaporated raw materials; a reforming portion connected to receive the evaporated raw materials from the evaporation portion and adapted for producing a reformed gas whose principal element is hydrogen from the evaporated raw materials; a CO reduction portion connected to the reforming portion and adapted for reducing CO in the reformed gas from the reforming portion; storage means for storing at least one of the raw materials; recirculating means including a recirculating conduit portion for recirculating the stored at least one of the raw materials in a recirculation direction by feeding means for feeding the raw materials under pressure in said recirculating conduit portion; cooling means for cooling the CO reduction portion using a cooling fluid; a heat exchanger positioned and configured to exchange heat between said cooling means and said recirculating conduit portion, the heat exchanger including means which do not mix the cooling fluid with the at least one of the raw materials; and supply means for supplying the raw materials to the evaporation portion, the supply means including a branch conduit branched from the recirculating conduit portion at a position downstream from the feeding means in the recirculation direction and connected to the evaporation portion, and a flow control means provided in the branch conduit. 

October 16, 2003 
U.S. Patent

Patent Number 6632552

Issue Date 2003 10 14

Assignee Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Inventor(s) Yamanashi, Fuminori

State/Country JPX

Title Water purge fuel cell system and method

Abstract In a fuel cell system for use in a vehicle and a method controlling the system, the system includes a fuel cell, a first flow control valve controlling the flow rate of oxygen containing gas to be supplied to the fuel cell, and a second flow control valve controlling the flow rate of hydrogen containing gas to be supplied to the fuel cell. A control unit supplies purge fluid into the fuel cell to remove water in response to a load condition of the vehicle.

Exmp. Claim 1
Ex Claim text A fuel cell system applied for a moving object, comprising: a fuel cell; a first flow control valve controlling flow rate of oxygen containing gas to be supplied to the fuel cell; a second flow control valve controlling flow rate of hydrogen containing gas to be supplied to the fuel cell; and a control unit opening the first flow control valve and the second flow control valve to increase supply of the oxygen containing gas and the hydrogen containing gas into the fuel cell as purge fluid in response to a decelerating condition of a moving object, the purge fluid removing water from the fuel cell. 

October 16, 2003 
U.S. Patent

Patent Number 6632554

Issue Date 2003 10 14

Assignee Hybrid Power Generation Systems, LLC

Inventor(s) Doshi, Rajiv, Guan, Jie, Minh, Nguyen, Montgomery, Kurtis, Ong, Estela ,Lear, Gregory

State/Country CA

Title High performance cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract The present invention relates to a multi-layered and multifunctional cathode in solid oxide fuel cells having high conductivity, high catalytic activity, minimized coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch, excellent compatibility to other portions of the fuel cell, and reduced temperature operation. The cathode comprises a conductive layer, a catalyst layer and a graded composition layer. The conductive layer has a first density, the catalyst layer has a second density that is less than the first density, and the graded composition layer is characterized by a graded electronic conductivity and a graded ionic conductivity.

Exmp. Claim 1
Ex Claim text A solid oxide fuel cell, comprising: an anode; an electrolyte adjacent said anode; and a cathode adjacent said electrolyte, said cathode comprising a conductive layer adjacent said electrolyte; a catalyst layer adjacent said conductive layer; and a graded composition layer adjacent said catalyst layer. 

October 16, 2003 
U.S. Patent

Patent Number 6632556

Issue Date 2003 10 14

Assignee UTC Fuel Cells, LLC

Inventor(s) Guthrie, Robin J., Corrigan, Tomas J.

State/Country CT

Title Manifold assembly for a fuel cell power plant
 
 

Abstract A fuel cell power plant includes a first cell stack assembly having a plurality of planar fuel cells in electrical communication with one another and a second cell stack assembly having a plurality of planar fuel cells in electrical communication with one another. An inter-stack manifold assembly is disposed between the first and second cell stack assemblies and provides an electrical pathway between the first and second cell stack assemblies. A baffle is formed internally to the manifold assembly for feeding a substantially uniform proportion of a reactant stream to the first and second cell stack assemblies while collecting an exhausted reactant stream from the first and second cell stack assemblies.

Exmp. Claim 1
Ex Claim text A fuel cell power plant, comprising: a first cell stack assembly having a plurality of planar fuel cells in electrical communication with one another; a second cell stack assembly having a plurality of planar fuel cells in electrical communication with one another; an inter-stack manifold assembly disposed between said first and second cell stack assemblies, said manifold assembly providing an electrical pathway between said first and second cell stack assemblies; and a baffle formed internally to said manifold assembly, said baffle physically dividing a reactant stream such that a substantially uniform proportion of said reactant stream is directed to said first and second cell stack assemblies, said baffle also collecting an exhausted reactant stream
from said first and second cell stack assemblies.