10421results about "Fuel cell auxillaries" patented technology

The present invention relates to composite solid polymer electrolyte membranes (SPEMs) which include a porous polymer substrate interpenetrated with a water soluble ion-conducting material. SPEMs of the present invention are useful in electrochemical applications, including fuel cells and electrodialysis.

A patient interface assembly that includes a patient interface device, a headgear, and coupling member joining the interface device to a headgear assembly. In one embodiment, a spring biases the patient interface device against the patient's face when in use. In a further embodiment, the patient interface device is a nasal cushion that includes a formable support mounted to the nasal cushion for providing support and adjustment of the nasal cushion to improve fit and comfort. The headgear assembly in one embodiment is a semi-rigid, minimal contact harness assembly and includes an adjustment assembly that allows for a simultaneous adjustment of multiple straps. An adjustment assembly on the headgear provide a gross adjustment of the position of the interface relative to the patient and a biasing force to urge the patient interface device against the patient's face. In a further embodiment, a pair of rigid connecting members coupling the patient interface device to the headgear.

A power supply apparatus comprises a power generating device in which the output power supplied to a load varies depending on a power generating condition; a current detection part for detecting the current output from the power generating device; a target output voltage setting part for setting a target output voltage of the power generating device; an error amplifier for amplifying the error between the voltage output from the power generating device and the target output voltage and outputting an error signal; a current control part for receiving input of the error signal, controlling the output current of the generating device so as to make the absolute value of the error signal small and outputting it to external output terminals; and an operation part for calculating the target output voltage as a desired operating condition of the power generating device by a predetermined function having at least the current detected by the current detecting part as an input parameter, and issuing it to the target output voltage setting part.

A method of controlling an electric power source apparatus, which comprises supplying electric power to an electronic device on which a secondary battery is mounted from a power source apparatus having a fuel cell and an auxiliary power source. Electric power is supplied intermittently to a charging terminal of the electronic device by means of a switch for controlling conduction and interruption of an output terminal of the power source apparatus.

Fuel cell stack compression systems, and fuel cell stacks and fuel cell systems containing the same. The compression systems include banded, framed, and / or segmented compression systems. In some embodiments, the compression systems include at least one compressive band that extends around the end plates and fuel cells, such as in a closed loop. In some embodiments, the banded compression systems include a force-directing structure, compressive inserts, and / or band positioning mechanisms. In some embodiments, the compression systems include a frame into which the stacks' end plates and cells are positioned and with which at least one end plate may be integrated. The frame includes a compression mechanism, which may be an adjustable compression mechanism and / or include one or more jacking members and / or a compression plate. In some embodiments the compression systems include toothed, or striated, segments that interconnect the end plates and retain the plates in compression with ratcheting lock assemblies.

A burner assembly includes a catalyzed burner for combusting an anode exhaust stream from a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant. The catalysts coated onto the burner can be platinum, rhodium, or mixtures thereof. The burner includes open cells which are formed by a lattice, which cells communicate with each other throughout the entire catalyzed burner. Heat produced by combustion of hydrogen in the anode exhaust stream is used to produce steam for use in a steam reformer in the PEM fuel cell assembly. The catalyzed burner has a high surface area wherein about 70-90% of the volume of the burner is preferably open cells, and the burner has a low pressure drop of about two to three inches water from the anode exhaust stream inlet to the anode exhaust stream outlet . The burner assembly operates at essentially ambient pressure and at a temperature of up to about 1,700° F. (646° C.). The burner assembly can combust anode exhaust during normal operation of the fuel cell assembly. The burner assembly also includes an adjunct burner which can combust gasoline or anode bypass gas (the latter of which is a reformed fuel gas which is tapped off of the fuel cell stack fuel inlet line) during startup of the fuel cell power plant. Once start up of the fuel cell power plant is achieved, the burner assembly will need only combustion of the anode exhaust by the catalytic burner to produce steam for the reformer.

A power generation system is provided which converts chemical energy in one or more fuels into electrical and / or mechanical power. The system includes both fuel cells to directly convert electrical energy in a fuel into electrical power and at lest one combustor and expander to generate mechanical power, optionally than converted to electrical power in a generator. Fuel cell products disclosed from the fuel cell are entered into the combustor to be heated along with products of combustion created in the combustor and expanded in the expander along with the products of combustion.

A patient interface assembly that includes a patient interface device, a headgear, and coupling member joining the interface device to a headgear. In one embodiment, a spring biases the interface device against the face during use. In a further embodiment, the patient interface device is a nasal cushion having a formable support mounted to the nasal cushion for providing support and adjustment of the nasal cushion to improve fit and comfort. The headgear assembly in one embodiment is a semi-rigid, minimal contact harness and includes an adjustment assembly that allows for a simultaneous adjustment of multiple straps. An adjustment assembly on the headgear provides a gross adjustment of the position of the interface relative to the patient and a biasing force to urge the patient interface device against the patient's face. In a further embodiment, a pair of rigid connecting members couple the patient interface device to the headgear.

Various systems, method and apparatuses are disclosed that include a pressure swing adsorption apparatus coupled to a fuel cell, wherein the fuel cell receives at least a portion of a product gas from the pressure swing adsorption and powers the pressure swing adsorption apparatus. Also disclosed is a portable gas separator that include a housing that houses a rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus.

The invention features an electrode array (7) in which pairs of electrodes (1) are geometrically arranged so that the broadest faces of the exposed electrodes are not directly opposing to each other. Rather, the broadest facing surfaces of the electrodes in the array are parallel, adjacent, or offset at an angle. The electrode geometry of an electrode array of the invention permits electrodes to be in close proximity, thereby lowering series resistance, while minimizing the possibility for short circuits that can cause electrical leakage. An electrode array of the invention can be used in an electrochemical cell, such as a battery, e.g., a lithium battery, a capacitor, a flow-through capacitor, or a fuel cell.

The present invention is directed to nanowire structures and interconnected nanowire networks comprising such structures, as well as methods for their production. The nanowire structures comprise a nanowire core, a carbon-based layer, and in additional embodiments, carbon-based structures such as nanographitic plates consisting of graphenes formed on the nanowire cores, interconnecting the nanowire structures in the networks. The networks are porous structures that can be formed into membranes or particles. The nanowire structures and the networks formed using them are useful in catalyst and electrode applications, including fuel cells, as well as field emission devices, support substrates and chromatographic applications.

The present invention provides a redox flow type battery which a liquid-circulating battery comprising a battery cell and storage tanks for positive and negative electrolytes, wherein the battery cell is separated by a membrane to provide a positive cell and a negative cell, each cell having a liquid-permeable porous electrode disposed therein, wherein the positive and negative electrolytes are sulfuric acid aqueous solutions with vanadium ion concentrations of 0.5 mol / l to 8 mol / l and the electrolyte which migrates through the membrane over cycles of charge and discharge is returned from the storage tank where the liquid increases to the storage tank where the liquid decreases in order to keep the change in the amounts of the positive and negative electrolytes in a certain range while charge and discharge are carried out.