IP Library Granted Patent US 7,273,670
Granted Patent B2
US 7,273,670 · App. 10/149,418 · Granted Sep 25, 2007

Fuel cell power generating system

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,273,670
App. No.
10/149,418
Granted
Sep 25, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The fuel cell power generation system of present invention can supply the air pole of a fuel cell with a clean air free from impurities, by providing at least one or more humidification filters kept in a wet state by a water supply means, disposed in an oxidant gas supply passage of the fuel cell body. As a result, the cell output properties can be improved by preventing the decrease of gas dissipation ability or the decrease of electric conductance of the solid polymer film provoked by impurities.

Claims (11)

1. A fuel cell power generation system, comprising at least one or more humidification filters kept in a wet state always at least during supplying an oxidant gas to the fuel cell by a means for supplying liquid water, disposed in an oxidant gas supply passage to an air pole of a fuel cell body, said humidification filter adapted to continually eliminate impurities from and continually humidify incoming oxidant gas, a means for draining the water containing impurities from said humidification filter.

2. The fuel cell power generation system of claim 1 , wherein: the humidification filter is composed of a sheet shape porous material having a water absorbing or hydrophilic property.

3. The fuel cell power generation system of claim 1 , wherein:

the humidification filter is composed by disposing with a distance at least two or more layers of sheet shape porous material having a water absorbing or hydrophilic property.

4. The fuel cell power generation system of claim 1 , wherein: a passage is provided for communicating a cooling water circulation passage or humidifying water circulation passage of the fuel cell body and the humidification filter to be humidified, and said humidification filter is kept a wet state with water supplied from the passage.

5. The fuel cell power generation system of claim 1 , wherein: a condenser means for collecting generated water in the non reacted air discharged from the fuel cell body is provided, and water collected by said condenser means is used for humidifying the humidification filter.

6. The fuel cell power generation system of claim 1 , wherein: a part of water supplied from the outside of the fuel cell system is used for humidifying the humidification filter.

7. The fuel cell power generation system of claim 1 , having a fuel processing apparatus for generating a hydrogen rich modified gas by modifying input fuel is provided, and water collected from said fuel processing apparatus is used for humidifying the humidification filter.

8. The fuel cell power generation system of claim 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 , or 7 , wherein: the humidification filter and a means for supplying water are into contact with each other.

9. The fuel cell power generation system of claim 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 , or 7 , wherein: the means for supplying water to the humidification filter is disposed with a distance from this humidification filter, and has a structure to supply said humidification filter with water by atomizing or dropping water by said means for supplying water.

10. The fuel cell power generation system of claim 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 , or 7 , wherein: the means for supplying water to the humidification filter comprises a water reservoir installed under said humidification filter, and said humidification filter is kept in a wet state by making contact with the water in said water reservoir.

Assignments (3)
CONFIRMATORY TRANSFER OF LICENSED RIGHTS Recorded Aug 29, 2013
From: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORP.
Reel/Frame 031237/0006 →
TRANSFER BACK OF LICENSED RIGHTS Recorded Aug 28, 2013
From: OKADA, SHIGEYOSHI
To: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 031236/0770 →
LICENSE Recorded Jul 3, 2008
From: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: ENEOS CELLTECH CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 021217/0427 →