10/26/2010
7,820,333
Fuel cell operating method with improved hydrogen and oxygen utilization
Senner, Cartwright and Wheat of GM, Michigan  developed system with several fuel cells in a series of stages, the number of fuel cells decreasing in each stage from anode gas inlet to the anode gas outlet.  The system allows for parallel flow to all of the cells in a given stage and series flow between the various stages. A similar configuration is present on a cathode side of the system. However, the direction of flow is reversed, providing a greater number of cells in the stage nearest the cathode outlet and a fewer number of cells in the stage near the cathode gas inlet. (RDC 2/17/2011)

7,820,315
Fuel cell stack having coolant passage whose lower area has larger flow resistance
Kikuchi et al of Honda Motor, Japan have developed a fuel cell stack having stacked unit fuel cells, each having a pair of separators between which a membrane electrode assembly is provided, which includes an anode and a cathode. Each separator has protruding lines arranged vertically in a zigzag manner, which protrude in a direction going away from the membrane electrode assembly. A space between the anode and the protruding lines of the separator facing the anode is used as a fuel gas passage. A space between the cathode and the protruding lines of the separator facing the cathode is used as an oxidant gas passage. At least part of the separators are each arranged in close contact with another separator so that a coolant passage through which a coolant flows horizontally is formed between both separators. A lower area of the coolant passage has a larger flow resistance than that of an upper area.  (RDC 2/17/2011)

10/19/2010
7,816,046
Fuel cell apparatus having fuel cell stack and controller, and method of manufacturing same
Mogi; Satoshi (Yamato, JP), Shibata of Canon, Japan has developed a fuel cell stack of fuel cells electrically connected in series with each other and a parallel controller leading to a fuel cell with high power generation density.  (RDC 1/24/2011)

7,816,045
Fuel cell system and control method therefor
Oishi and Muramatsu of Yamaha Hatsudoki, Japan has developed a fuel cell stack capable of raising its temperature within a short time without decreasing methanol fuel utilization efficiency.  The methanol concentration is controlled by sensors.  (RDC 1/24/2011)

10/5/2010
7,807,312
Portable electrical energy generation equipment
Brantley, Kaye and Newell of Ultracell, California designed a generator with a bi-polar plate stack suitable for a fuel cell.  The stack may include at least one spacer that limits compression of a membrane electrode assembly in the fuel cell. The stack may also include a polymer binder that holds the stack together and/or maintains a compression force on the membrane electrode assembly.  (RDC 12/21/2010)

7,807,310
End plate for fuel cell stack and air breathing fuel cell stack using the same
Eun et al of Samsun, South Korea  has developed an air breathing fuel cell including a membrane electrode assembly, including an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode; and an end plate.  (RDC 12/21/2010)

7,807,309
Integrated coolant header venting for a fuel cell stack
Andreas-Schott of GM, Michigan developed an internal vent passageway that communicates with the coolant supply header to enable gas entrapped therein to be vented from the fuel cell stack. (RDC 12/21/2010)

9/28/2010
7,803,475
Fuel cell stack having current flow across diffusion media
Rohwer of GM has developed a fuel cell stack includes aligned fuel cells that are connected in electrical series. The current flow between adjacent fuel cells is achieved across diffusion media of adjacent fuel cells.  (RDC 12/9/2010)

7,803,474
Thermal stress tolerant fuel cell assembly within a housing
Inagaki of Toyota, Japan developed  a fuel cell arrangement tolerant to acceleration  based on a multi-cell assembly formed by stacking cells in the frame surrounding the multi-cell assembly.  (RDC 12/9/2010)