500results about "Hybrid cells" patented technology

Protected anode architectures have ionically conductive protective membrane architectures that, in conjunction with compliant seal structures and anode backplanes, effectively enclose an active metal anode inside the interior of an anode compartment. This enclosure prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment external to the anode compartment, which may include aqueous, ambient moisture, and / or other materials corrosive to the active metal. The compliant seal structures are substantially impervious to anolytes, catholyes, dissolved species in electrolytes, and moisture and compliant to changes in anode volume such that physical continuity between the anode protective architecture and backplane are maintained. The protected anode architectures can be used in arrays of protected anode architectures and battery cells of various configurations incorporating the protected anode architectures or arrays.

A fuel cell system minimizes the power loss that may occur in a conduction passage during supply of electric power from a fuel cell to a load. A bypass connects between the input of a DC / DC converter and the output thereof, and therefore supplies power generated by the fuel cell to an inverter, bypassing the DC / DC converter. A changeover switch selectively changes the connection of the output of the fuel cell between the connection to the input of the DC / DC converter and the connection to the bypass. When the fuel cell is connected to the DC / DC converter, the power from the fuel cell is supplied to the inverter or a battery via the DC / DC converter. When the fuel cell is connected to the bypass, the power from the fuel cell is supplied to the inverter, bypassing the DC / DC converter. A cutoff switch disconnects the output of the battery from a connecting line. That is, the cutoff switch disconnects the battery from the inverter, the bypass and the like when turned off. When turned on, the cutoff switch 41 connects the battery to those components.

An electric traction vehicle is described herein which may be used to provide power to off-board electric power-consuming systems or devices. The electric traction vehicle may provide 250 kilowatts or more of three phase AC power to an off-board electric power consuming system. The electric traction vehicle may also include an electrical power storage device which can be selectively discharged to allow the vehicle to be serviced.

An integrated power production system including a fossil fuel power plant for processing fossil based fuel such as coal or natural gas arranged in tandem with a carbonate fuel cell having an anode and a cathode section. The flue gas of the power plant serves exclusively as the inlet gas for the cathode section of the fuel cell. Anode exhaust gas leaving the anode section of the fuel cell is subjected to processing including sequestration of the carbon dioxide in the exhaust gas.

An electrical storage device of the present invention is characterized in that a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a lithium electrode, and an electrolyte capable of transferring lithium ion is included, the lithium electrode is arranged to be out of direct contact with the negative electrode, and lithium ion can be supplied to the negative electrode by flowing a current between the lithium electrode and the negative electrode through an external circuit. With the above characteristic, problems such as non-uniform carrying of lithium ion to the negative electrode, shape-change of a cell, and temperature increase of an electrolytic solution under incomplete sealing of a cell and the like can be easily solved. A using method of the electrical storage device is characterized in that, by using the lithium electrode as a reference electrode, the positive electrode potential and negative electrode potential can be measured, and the potential of the positive or negative electrode can be controlled when the electrical storage device is charged or discharged. Therefore, the potentials of the positive electrode and negative electrode can be monitored, thereby it can be easily determined whether deterioration of the electrical storage device is caused by the positive electrode or the negative electrode. Also, it is possible to control the device with the potential difference between the negative electrode and reference electrode, that is, the negative potential. In addition, when characteristics deteriorate such as the internal resistance increase, an appropriate amount of lithium ion can be supplied to the negative electrode and / or positive electrode by the lithium electrode.

A power pack system for charging a set of isolated batteries is provided. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a single fuel cell, a single DC-DC converter and a single system controller device comprises the power-generation side of the power pack. A set of switches is used to connect the power-generation side of the Power pack to one of the isolated batteries in the power pack, thereby recharging that particular battery in the battery power pack set. A battery protection and powerpath control device communicates with the system controller to determine which switches are to be closed depending upon which battery requires recharging. During normal operation the switches will follow the direction from the system controller. If a fault is detected by the battery protection circuit, the protection circuit will take priority and turn off the appropriate switch(es).

For a mobile fuel cell system a narrow-gap modular approach allows reforming to be performed in the same architecture as the fuel cell. A regenerative fuel cell operates much like a battery using electrical power to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The preferred mode of using the regenerative fuel cell is as a battery charger since this application is able to use a much smaller fuel cell than is required to power the vehicle. A novel equilibrating tank between the electrolysis oxygen and hydrogen tanks allows pressurized oxygen and hydrogen to be used without mechanical compression equipment.

A fuel cell system that employs a super capacitor and battery electrically coupled in series with each other and in parallel with a fuel cell stack on a power bus line. As the voltage on the power bus line changes over the operating requirements of the system, the super capacitor is charged and discharged over a relatively large voltage swing, such as an 85% SOC swing. The super capacitor equalizes or voltage matches the voltage variation on the power bus line as set by the stack voltage to the voltage of the battery. Therefore, the battery, while providing the majority of the energy and power during charge and discharge, has a relatively small defined SOC swing, which acts to maintain the battery life. The system can also include a diode electrically coupled in parallel with the super capacitor that provides reverse voltage protection and electrical power by-pass.

A lithium-ion battery cell includes at least two working electrodes, each including an active material, an inert material, an electrolyte and a current collector, a first separator region arranged between the at least two working electrodes to separate the at least two working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes are electronically connected within the cell, an auxiliary electrode including a lithium reservoir, and a second separator region arranged between the auxiliary electrode and the at least two working electrodes to separate the auxiliary electrode from the working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes is electronically connected to the auxiliary electrode within the cell.

A thin printed flexible electrochemical cell, and its method of manufacture, using a “picture frame” structure sealed, for example, with a high moisture and oxygen barrier polymer film and featuring, for example, a printed cathode deposited on an optional, highly conductive carbon printed cathode collector with a printed or a foil strip anode placed adjacent to the cathode. A viscous or gelled electrolyte is dispensed and / or printed in the cell, and a top laminate can then be sealed onto the picture frame. Such a construction could allow the entire cell to be made on a printing press, for example, as well as gives the opportunity to integrate the battery directly with an electronic application, for example.

The quick recharge energy storage device has a sufficient capacity due to the combination of a micro-battery and at least one micro-supercapacitor connected between two terminals of an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit, powered by the micro-battery, monitors high-speed (less than one second) charge of the micro-supercapacitors from an external energy source. The micro-supercapacitor can be connected in parallel with the micro-battery so as to subsequently recharge the micro-battery during the necessary time. The micro-battery provides a sufficient energy capacity, while the micro-supercapacitors allow high recharging speeds compatible with various applications (smart cards, smart labels, micro-system power supply, etc . . . ). The micro-battery and micro-supercapacitors are preferably formed on the same substrate, either side by side or stacked. Series connection of several micro-supercapacitors provides sufficient voltage for charging the micro-battery.

A battery unit mounted in an electric vehicle is provided with a battery case and a plurality of battery modules. The battery case includes a tray member on the lower side and a cover member on the upper side. The tray member is fixed to side members by a beam member extending in a width direction of a vehicle body. Each battery module is composed of a plurality of cells. Among all the cells contained in the battery case, at least those cells on the outer peripheral side which are located near a flank of the vehicle body are located on the tray member so that a lamination direction of cell elements is coincident with the width direction of the vehicle body.

The invention relates to hybrid fuel cell systems that protect a fuel cell with a second electrical energy source. The second electrical energy source powers a load to prevent the fuel cell from witnessing stoichiometric levels that may lead to reductions in fuel cell performance or health. The hybrid fuel cell system includes an electrical circuit that electrically initiates the electrical energy source to provide power to the load in response to detecting a potential stoichiometric disturbance for the fuel cell.

Protected anode architectures have ionically conductive protective membrane architectures that, in conjunction with compliant seal structures and anode backplanes, effectively enclose an active metal anode inside the interior of an anode compartment. This enclosure prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment external to the anode compartment, which may include aqueous, ambient moisture, and / or other materials corrosive to the active metal. The compliant seal structures are substantially impervious to anolytes, catholyes, dissolved species in electrolytes, and moisture and compliant to changes in anode volume such that physical continuity between the anode protective architecture and backplane are maintained. The protected anode architectures can be used in arrays of protected anode architectures and battery cells of various configurations incorporating the protected anode architectures or arrays.

A redox cell rebalance system is provided. In some embodiments, the rebalance system includes electrochemical cell and a photochemical cell. In some embodiments, the photochemical cell contains a source of ultraviolet radiation for producing HCl from H2 and Cl2 generated by the system. The HCl product may be collected or circulated back through the system for the rebalancing of electrolytes. A rebalance cell for use in a rebalance system is also provided. In some embodiments, the rebalance cell is the combination of an electrochemical cell and a photochemical cell. In some embodiments, a source of ultraviolet radiation is housed in the cathode compartment of the rebalance cell. In some embodiments, the source of ultraviolet radiation is used to effect the formation of HCl from H2 and Cl2 present in the rebalance cell. The HCl is dissolved in aqueous electrolytes contained in the rebalance cell, which can subsequently be circulated through a rebalance system for the rebalancing of redox cells.

A system and method for operating a fuel cell stack and at least one battery during at least a cold-start condition includes operating a fuel cell stack at a reduced voltage during the cold-start condition, and / or sourcing pulsating current to a battery during the cold-start condition.

An electric power plant includes an array of fuel cell systems. The fuel cell systems are electrically couplable in series and / or parallel combinations to provide a variety of output powers, output current and / or output voltages. The fuel cell systems are "hot swappable" and redundant fuel cell systems may automatically replace faulty fuel cell systems to maintain output power, current and / or voltage.

In an electrical instrument to which a plurality of battery blocks and / or a plurality of batteries are detachably connectable, to prevent a phenomenon that only specific battery and battery block are deteriorated. A hybrid battery connectable to a body of an electrical instrument consuming electrical power includes: a cell block which includes one or more battery cells, and supplies electrical power to the body of the electrical instrument by discharging after being charged; and a cell block which includes one or more battery cells, supplies electrical power to the body of the electrical instrument by discharging after being charged, and becomes active selectively with the former cell block. In the hybrid battery, a CPU selects a cell block becoming active based on the number of charge / discharge cycles of the former cell block and the number of charge / discharge cycles of the latter cell block.

A flow battery with thermal management is presented. The flow battery is housed in an enclosure where fluid is uniformly circulated about holding tanks of electrolyte to control the temperature inside the enclosure.

Protected anode architectures have ionically conductive protective membrane architectures that, in conjunction with compliant seal structures and anode backplanes, effectively enclose an active metal anode inside the interior of an anode compartment. This enclosure prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment external to the anode compartment, which may include aqueous, ambient moisture, and / or other materials corrosive to the active metal. The compliant seal structures are substantially impervious to anolytes, catholytes, dissolved species in electrolytes, and moisture and compliant to changes in anode volume such that physical continuity between the anode protective architecture and backplane are maintained. The protected anode architectures can be used in arrays of protected anode architectures and battery cells of various configurations incorporating the protected anode architectures or arrays.

A power system comprising: a primary power source in electrical communication with a bridging power source, wherein the bridging power source is in electrical communication with a bus; a secondary power source in electrical communication with the bus, wherein the secondary power source comprises an electrochemical system including a fuel cell. The system further includes: a controller electrically disposed between and in operable communication with the bus and the bridging power source, and electrically disposed between and in communication with the bus and the secondary power source. The controller monitors the primary power source, initiates powering by the bridge power source when the primary power source exhibits selected characteristics, initiates the secondary power source when the bridging power source is depleted exceeding a first selected threshold, and initiates interruption of powering by the secondary power source.

A power system, comprising: a primary power source in electrical communication with a bus and a bridging power source, wherein the bridging power source comprises at least one of a capacitor, a battery, and an electrolysis cell, and the bridging power source is in electrical communication with the bus; and a secondary power source in electrical communication with the bus. A method for operating a power system, comprising: monitoring a primary power source; if the primary power source exhibits selected characteristics, directing power from a bridging power source to a bus and initiating a secondary power source, and the bridging power source comprises at least one of a capacitor, a battery, and an electrolysis cell; and unless the secondary power source exhibits the selected characteristics, powering the bus with the secondary power source and ceasing the directing power from the bridging power source.

A method and apparatus for providing a source of power, comprising: a solid oxide fuel cell system and a thermo photovoltaic device. The solid oxide fuel cell system provides a first source of power, wherein the solid oxide fuel cell system produces heat waste when the solid oxide fuel cell is providing the first source of power. The thermo photovoltaic device provides a second source of power and the thermo photovoltaic device provides the second source of power from the heat waste of the solid oxide fuel cell system which is further heated by a combustor in order to provide the second source of power.

The specification discloses a consecutively wound or stacked battery system and a method for making these devices. In one aspect, battery cells are wound consecutively, separated by insulating layers, to form an integral battery system capable of producing multiple voltages. In a second, but related, aspect, multiple battery cells are wound consecutively on a large diameter mandrel, cut in a radial plane, and laid flat to form stacked battery systems capable of producing multiple voltages. Whether remaining in the consecutively wound configuration, or being cut to become a stacked cell configuration, each cell in these configurations may be selectively coupled to other cells within its consecutive winding or stack to produce desired output voltages and current ratings. In the case of the stacked battery system, this battery system may be selectively cut to provide amperage capacities to order. Moreover, the consecutively wound or stacked battery systems may also include capacitors, fuel cells, and the like, wound in the same fashion.

A high temperature electrochemical system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, generates hydrogen and optionally electricity in a fuel cell mode. At least a part of the generated hydrogen is separated and stored or provided to a hydrogen using device. A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system stores carbon dioxide in a fuel cell mode. The system generates a methane fuel in an electrolysis mode from the stored carbon dioxide and water by using a Sabatier subsystem. Alternatively, the system generates a hydrogen fuel in an electrolysis mode from water alone.

A power generation and supply system utilizing one or more solar cells to produce electricity and hydrogen. The power generation and supply system includes an electrolyzer powered by the one or more solar cells for producing hydrogen, a hydrogen distribution system for distributing the hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer, a rechargeable battery for storing electricity produced by the solar cells, and an electricity distribution. The power generation and supply system according may further comprise a hydrogen fueled fuel cell which receives hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer and produces electricity as needed to recharge the rechargeable battery and / or power one or more electrical devices.

A SOFC providing higher power densities than PEM-based cells; the possibility of direct oxidation and / or internal reforming of fuel; and reduced SOFC operating temperatures. The SOFC comprises a thin film electrolyte layer. A thick film anode layer is disposed on one surface of the electrolyte layer; and a thick film cathode layer is disposed on the opposite surface of the electrolyte layer. A method of making the SOFC comprises the steps of: creating a well in one side of a dielectric or semiconductor substrate; depositing a thin film solid oxide electrolyte layer on the surface of the well; applying a thick film electrode layer in the electrolyte coated well; creating a counter well in the opposite side of the substrate, the counter well abutting the electrolyte layer; and applying a thick film counter electrode layer in the counter well.

An isolation fault detection system for detecting isolation faults in a fuel cell system associated with a fuel cell hybrid vehicle. The isolation fault detection system measures a stack voltage potential, a positive fuel cell voltage potential, a negative fuel cell voltage potential, a positive battery voltage potential, and an overall battery voltage potential. The isolation fault detection system then uses these voltage potentials in mesh equations to compare the measured voltage potentials to voltage potentials that would occur during a loss of isolation. In one embodiment, the isolation fault detection system uses these five measured voltage potentials to determine whether an isolation fault has occurred at four separate locations in the fuel cell hybrid vehicle. The system also can detect the location of the isolation fault.

Disclosed is an electrical power generation system comprised of a network of metal-air fuel cell battery (FCB) subsystems connected to an output power bus structure and controlled by a network control subsystem. The operation of each metal-air FCB subsystem is controlled so that, on the average, the amount of metal-fuel in each of the FCB subsystem is substantially the same, regardless of the total amount of metal-fuel remaining within the system available for electrical power generation. The electrical power generation system can be used as an electrical power plant that can be installed in virtually any system, device or environment in which there is a need to satisfy the peak power demand of an electrical load (e.g. motor, appliance, machinery, tools, etc.) independent of the total amount of metal-fuel remaining within the system. The system is provided with a network-based metal-fuel management subsystem adapted for use in managing the discharging and recharging of metal-fuel in the system in an efficient manner. In the illustrative embodiment, the electrical power generation system is embedded within an automotive vehicle that is provided with hybrid types of electrical power generating sources, as well as an auxiliary power source, for providing electrical power to the input bus structure for carrying out recharging operations.

The present invention relates to a method to produce high concentration full vanadium ion oxidation and reduction liquid flow battery (vanadium battery) electrolyte, which produces 5-6mol / L vanadium battery electrolyte by proportionally adding organic-inorganic compound stabilizing agents. The present invention has the advantages of simple technical method, convenient operation and easy raw material acquisition, produces stable high-concentration vanadium battery electrolyte with excellent electrochemical reversibility and electrical conductivity approximate to conventional 2mol / L electrolyte and realizes battery charge and discharge.