Patent US5445902A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5445902A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for operating a power generator
Assignee: NGK Insulators Ltd
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Filing: 1993-10-12
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Granted: 1995-08-29
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Expires: 2013-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A method for operating a power generator in which a solid oxide fuel cell is used as a power-generating element and an air electrode of the solid oxide fuel cell is composed of lanthanum manganite, the method involving the step of setting a heating rate and a cooling rate at least in a temperature range of 800° C. to 900° C. at not less than 3° C./min. when the fuel cell is heated up to an operating temperature at the time of starting the power generator and when the fuel cell is cooled from the operating temperature at the time of stopping the power generator. Alternatively, the method involves the step of setting a partial pressure of oxygen, at least in a temperature range of 800° C. to 900° C., in an atmosphere to which the air electrode is exposed, to at not less than 10 -15 arms but not more than 10 -1 arms when the fuel cell is heated up to an operating temperature at the time of starting the power generator and when the fuel cell is cooled from the operating temperature at the time of stopping the power generator.
Inventors
- 👤 Takao Soma
- 👤 Tomonori Takahashi
- 👤 Shinji Kawasaki
- 👤 Katsuki Yoshioka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:33
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; H01M8/04007; H01M8/10; H01M8/12; H01M8/1231; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for operating a power generator in which a solid oxide fuel cell is used as a power-generating element and an air electrode of said solid oxide fuel cell is composed of lanthanum manganite, said method comprising the step of setting a heating rate and a cooling rate at least in a temperature range of 600° C. to 1,000° C. at not less than 3° C./min. when the fuel cell is heated up to an operating temperature at the time of starting the power generator and when the fuel cell is cooled from the operating temperature at the time of stopping the power generator.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for operating a power generator in which a solid oxide fuel cell is used as a power-generating element and an air electrode of said solid oxide fuel cell is composed of lanthanum manganite, said method comprising the step of setting a heating rate and a cooling rate at least in a temperature range of 600° C. to 1,000° C. at not less than 3° C./min. when the fuel cell is heated up to an operating temperature at the time of starting the power generator and when the fuel cell is cooled from the operating temperature at the time of stopping the power generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said heating rate and said cooling rate are set at not more than 15° C./min.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 2, wherein a heating rate and a cooling rate at least in the temperature range of 800° C. to 900° C. are set at not less than 3° C./min. and not more than 15° C./min.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said air electrode is a support body of said solid oxide fuel cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said air electrode has a cylindrical shape.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for operating a power generator in which a solid oxide fuel cell is used as a power-generating element and an air electrode of said solid oxide fuel cell is composed of lanthanum manganite, said method comprising the step of setting a partial pressure of oxygen, at least in a temperature range of 600° C. to 1,000° C. in an atmosphere to which said air electrode is exposed, at not less than 10 -15 atms and not more than 10 -1 atms when the fuel cell is heated up to an operating temperature at the time of starting the power generator and when the fuel cell is cooled from the operating temperature at the time of stopping the power generator.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for operating a power generator in which a solid oxide fuel cell is used as a power-generating element and an air electrode of said solid oxide fuel cell is composed of lanthanum manganite, said method comprising the step of setting a partial pressure of oxygen, at least in a temperature range of 600° C. to 1,000° C. in an atmosphere to which said air electrode is exposed, at not less than 10 -15 atms and not more than 10 -1 atms when the fuel cell is heated up to an operating temperature at the time of starting the power generator and when the fuel cell is cooled from the operating temperature at the time of stopping the power generator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said partial pressure of oxygen at least in the temperature range of 800° C. to 900° C. is not less than 10 -15 atm and not more than 10 -1 atm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said air electrode also functions as a support body of said solid oxide fuel cell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The power method of claim 8, wherein said air electrode has a cylindrical shape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-28 | 1999-02-27 | 1999-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-28 | 2003-02-27 | 2003-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-28 | 2007-02-27 | 2007-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |