US5470670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fuel cell
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1994-02-24
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Granted: 1995-11-28
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Expires: 2014-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A fuel cell comprises a reformer interposed between a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode and having a preheating zone and a reforming zone in which a reforming catalyst is laid. Fuel gas introduced into the fuel is at first introduced into the preheating zone where it is preheated by heat generated during power generation.
Inventors
- 👤 Eiichi Yasumoto
- 👤 Junji Niikura
- 👤 Kazuhito Hatoh
- 👤 Takaharu Gamo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/0612; H01M8/0625; H01M8/14; H01M2008/147; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M2300/0051; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A fuel cell comprising a cell body having at least one cell element mainly composed of a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode and an electrolyte board interposed between said fuel electrode and said oxidant electrode, and a plate-type reformer incorporated adjacent to said cell body, said reformer having a zone for preheating fuel gas and a reforming zone in which a reforming catalyst is located, said preheating zone being located upstream of said reforming zone in a direction in which said fuel gas flows, and including fins for radiating heat transmitted from said fuel cell so as to preheat said fuel gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A fuel cell comprising a cell body having at least one cell element mainly composed of a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode and an electrolyte board interposed between said fuel electrode and said oxidant electrode, and a plate-type reformer incorporated adjacent to said cell body, said reformer having a zone for preheating fuel gas and a reforming zone in which a reforming catalyst is located, said preheating zone being located upstream of said reforming zone in a direction in which said fuel gas flows, and including fins for radiating heat transmitted from said fuel cell so as to preheat said fuel gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
A fuel cell comprising a cell body having at least one cell element mainly composed of a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode, and an electrolyte board interposed between said fuel electrode and said oxidant electrode, and a plate-type reformer incorporated adjacent to said cell body, said reformer having a preheating zone and a reforming zone in which a reforming catalyst is located, and said preheating zone being located upstream of said reforming zone and including a heat-exchanging filler for transmitting heat from said cell element so as to heat said fuel gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
A fuel cell comprising a cell body having at least one cell element mainly composed of a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode, and an electrolyte board interposed between said fuel electrode and said oxidant electrode, and a plate-type reformer incorporated adjacent to said cell body, said reformer having a preheating zone and a reforming zone in which a reforming catalyst is located, and said preheating zone being located upstream of said reforming zone and including a heat-exchanging filler for transmitting heat from said cell element so as to heat said fuel gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fuel cell as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reformer has a center part in which said reforming zone is provided, and said preheating zone surrounds said reforming zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A fuel cell as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reforming zone comprises a reforming catalyst composed of a first catalyst and a second catalyst having a higher reforming performance, than the first catalyst said first catalyst being located upstream of said second catalyst.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A fuel cell as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reforming catalyst is composed of a first catalyst and a second catalyst having a higher reforming performance, than the first catalyst said reforming zone has a center part in which said second catalyst is located, and around which said first catalyst is located.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fuel cell as set forth in claim 2, wherein said reformer has a center part in which said reforming zone is provided, and said preheating zone surrounds said reforming zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A fuel cell as set forth in claim 2, wherein said reforming zone comprises a reforming catalyst composed of a first catalyst and a second catalyst having a higher reforming performance, than the first catalyst said first catalyst being located upstream of said second catalyst.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A fuel cell as set forth in claim 2, wherein said reforming catalyst is composed of a first catalyst and a second catalyst having a higher reforming performance, than the first catalyst said reforming zone has a center part in which said second catalyst is located, and around which said first catalyst is located.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fuel cell as set forth in claim 1, wherein said preheating zone comprises two portions and said reforming zone is located between said two portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A fuel cell as set forth in claim 9, wherein said portions are discontinuous.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fuel cell as set forth in claim 2, wherein said preheating zone comprises two portions and said reforming zone is located between said two portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A fuel cell as set forth in claim 11, wherein said portions are discontinuous.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A fuel cell as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reforming zone comprises a reforming catalyst composed of a first catalyst and a second catalyst having a higher reforming performance than the first catalyst at least a portion of said first catalyst being located upstream of said second catalyst.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
A fuel cell as set forth in claim 2, wherein said reforming zone comprises a reforming catalyst composed of a first catalyst and a second catalyst having a higher reforming performance, than the first catalyst at least a portion of said first catalyst being located upstream of said second catalyst.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-11-27 | 1999-05-29 | 1999-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-27 | 2003-05-29 | 2003-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-27 | 2007-05-29 | 2007-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |