公开(公告)号：US12215826B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-04

申请号：US18173388

申请日：2023-02-23

Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.

Inventor： Bob Ernull ,  Nidhi Shah ,  Mark Ollweiler

IPC: F17C13/08 ,  F17C1/14

Abstract: A cryogenic dewar may include an inner tank and an outer tank. The cryogenic dewar may further include a plurality of trunnion mounts. A first four of the trunnion mounts may be coupled between a front half of the inner tank and a front half of the outer tank. A second four of the trunnion mounts may be coupled between a rear half of the inner tank and a rear half of the outer tank. The trunnion mount may be further strengthen with a plurality of pie-shaped reinforcing pads welded to each other and to an outer surface of the inner tank.

公开(公告)号：US20240344212A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-17

申请号：US18476995

申请日：2023-09-28

Applicant: Plug Power Inc.

Inventor： Cortney MITTELSTEADT ,  Qiang SUN ,  Fan YANG

IPC: C25B9/23 ,  C25B1/04 ,  C25B11/042 ,  C25B13/02 ,  C25B13/08

CPC classification number: C25B9/23 ,  C25B1/04 ,  C25B11/042 ,  C25B13/02 ,  C25B13/08

Abstract: A method for forming a recombination layer includes, for example, an ionomer and a nanocrystal catalyst disposed in the ionomer. A method for forming the recombination layer may include, for example, providing an ionomer dispersion, providing a compound having a catalyst having a charge, adding the catalyst in the compound to the ionomer to form a mixture, reducing the catalyst in the compound to a metal catalyst in the ionomer, and forming the mixture with the metal catalyst into a recombination layer for a proton exchange membrane.

公开(公告)号：US20240222670A1

公开(公告)日：2024-07-04

申请号：US18402007

申请日：2024-01-02

Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.

Inventor： Jonathan ROSEN ,  Andrew FARESE ,  Christian HELLER ,  Brian SPRAGUE

IPC: H01M8/0662 ,  H01M8/04007 ,  H01M8/04537 ,  H01M8/04746

CPC classification number: H01M8/0662 ,  H01M8/04037 ,  H01M8/04559 ,  H01M8/04619 ,  H01M8/04753

Abstract: A method for operating of a fuel cell includes flowing oxidant and fuel to a cathode and an anode of a fuel cell to provide a flow of electrical current from the fuel cell to a battery. The fuel cell is disconnected from the battery and a flow of the oxidant to the cathode is stopped. Current passes from the fuel cell through a resistor coupled to the fuel cell, and a voltage of the fuel cell decreases to clean off the catalyst surface of a membrane of a membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell. The flow of oxidant to the cathode is increased and the battery is reconnected to the fuel cell to provide electrical current to the battery.

公开(公告)号：US20220384830A1

公开(公告)日：2022-12-01

申请号：US17335238

申请日：2021-06-01

Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.

Inventor： Charles CARLSTROM

IPC: H01M8/1004 ,  H01M8/0286

Abstract: A method for use in manufacturing a fuel cell stack includes assembling a membrane electrode assembly to have a membrane between a first gas diffusion layer and a second gas diffusion layer. A bypass blocker is located at a space between a first gas diffusion layer of the membrane electrode assembly and a seal. The blocker is deformed on the seal and deformation is avoided of the blocker at the space such that the blocker inhibits a bypass flow of a reactant through the space between the gas diffusion layer and the seal in a direction of flow of the reactant during operation of the fuel cell. The membrane electrode assembly is located between a first fluid flow plate and a second fluid flow plate.

公开(公告)号：US11335940B2

公开(公告)日：2022-05-17

申请号：US16820776

申请日：2020-03-17

Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.

Inventor： Charles M Carlstrom, Jr. ,  Michael Anthony Cacioppo ,  James D'Aleo ,  Charles Elder

IPC: H01M8/248

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes an endplate assembly having a structural endplate. An insulator plate has a second exterior surface contacting a first interior surface of the structural endplate and a second interior surface on an opposite side of the insulator plate. A third plate has a third exterior surface contacting the second interior surface and a third interior surface on an opposite side of the third plate relative to the insulator plate. The third interior surface and third exterior surface are substantially flat. The second interior surface and the third exterior surface contact each other substantially continuously in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, and are flat and substantially parallel to each other. The second exterior surface is contoured such that the second exterior surface is not flat and is substantially non-parallel relative to the third interior surface.

公开(公告)号：US20210305598A1

公开(公告)日：2021-09-30

申请号：US17162654

申请日：2021-01-29

Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.

Inventor： Monjid HAMDAN ,  Cortney MITTELSTEADT ,  Matthew WEAVER ,  Robert STONE

IPC: H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/1044 ,  H01M8/0273 ,  H01M8/1004 ,  H01M8/248

Abstract: Method and system for electrochemically compressing hydrogen. In one embodiment, the system includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that includes a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), an anode, and a cathode. First and second gas diffusion media are positioned adjacent the cathode and anode, respectively. A humidifying membrane is positioned next to the second gas diffusion medium on a side opposite the anode. A water supply is connected to the humidifying membrane, and a hydrogen gas supply is connected to the second gas diffusion medium. A hydrogen gas collector including a back pressure regulator is connected to the first gas diffusion medium. Separators, positioned on opposite sides of the MEA, are connected to a power source. In use, hydrogen is electrochemically pumped across the MEA and collected in the hydrogen gas collector. The PEM is kept properly humidified by the humidifying membrane, which releases water into the second gas diffusion medium.

公开(公告)号：US20200295393A1

公开(公告)日：2020-09-17

申请号：US16351020

申请日：2019-03-12

Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.

Inventor： Scott SPINK ,  David Lott ,  Arrol Bryant

IPC: H01M8/04955 ,  H01M8/04858 ,  H01M8/04537

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first plurality of fuel cells having a cathode and an anode. The plurality of fuel cells is configured to produce electrical power having a current and a voltage output. The plurality of fuel cells includes a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate. A shunt is electrically connected to the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate for shunting voltage output between the cathode and the anode. The shunt is mounted to, and supported by, the plurality of fuel cells. The shunt is connected to a control mechanism to control a shorting of one or more fuel cells of the plurality of fuel cells. The control mechanism is mounted to, and supported by, the plurality of fuel cells.

公开(公告)号：US20200227770A1

公开(公告)日：2020-07-16

申请号：US16820776

申请日：2020-03-17

Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.

Inventor： Charles M. CARLSTROM, JR. ,  Michael Anthony CACIOPPO ,  James D'ALEO ,  Charles ELDER

IPC: H01M8/248

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes an endplate assembly having a structural endplate. An insulator plate has a second exterior surface contacting a first interior surface of the structural endplate and a second interior surface on an opposite side of the insulator plate. A third plate has a third exterior surface contacting the second interior surface and a third interior surface on an opposite side of the third plate relative to the insulator plate. The third interior surface and third exterior surface are substantially flat. The second interior surface and the third exterior surface contact each other substantially continuously in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, and are flat and substantially parallel to each other. The second exterior surface is contoured such that the second exterior surface is not flat and is substantially non-parallel relative to the third interior surface.

公开(公告)号：US10547061B2

公开(公告)日：2020-01-28

申请号：US15388517

申请日：2016-12-22

Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.

Inventor： James D'Aleo ,  Charles Russell Elder

IPC: H01M8/0213 ,  H01M8/1018

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a structural endplate having an exterior surface. An insulator plate contacts an interior surface of the structural endplate located on an opposite surface of the endplate relative to the exterior surface. A collector plate contacts the insulator plate on an opposite side of the insulator plate relative to the structural endplate. A pocket plate is located on an interior side of the collector plate located on an opposite side of the insulator plate relative to the structural endplate. The collective plate is received in a pocket of an exterior side of the pocket plate. The exterior side is adjacent the collector plate and closer to the structural endplate than an opposite side of the pocket plate.

公开(公告)号：US20180183074A1

公开(公告)日：2018-06-28

申请号：US15388517

申请日：2016-12-22

Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.

Inventor： James D'ALEO ,  Charles Russell ELDER

IPC: H01M8/0213 ,  H01M8/0276 ,  H01M8/0206

CPC classification number: H01M8/0213 ,  H01M8/0221 ,  H01M8/0228 ,  H01M2008/1095 ,  H01M2250/20

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a structural endplate having an exterior surface. An insulator plate contacts an interior surface of the structural endplate located on an opposite surface of the endplate relative to the exterior surface. A collector plate contacts the insulator plate on an opposite side of the insulator plate relative to the structural endplate. A pocket plate is located on an interior side of the collector plate located on an opposite side of the insulator plate relative to the structural endplate. The collective plate is received in a pocket of an exterior side of the pocket plate. The exterior side is adjacent the collector plate and closer to the structural endplate than an opposite side of the pocket plate.