Fuel cell component having a retrieval code
First Claim
1. A fuel cell assembly, comprising:
- a plurality of unit cells, each of which is formed by interposing a solid electrolyte membrane between separators, which are laminated and fastened,at least one sensor which measures an output voltage of a unit cell, anda retrieval code containing particular information relating to a unit cell and being directly attached to and located on an exposed surface of at least one of the separators so as to be accessible from outside of the fuel cell, the particular information including accumulated measurement of the output voltage by the sensor and being updated with each measurement of the output voltage by the sensorwherein the retrieval code comprises an integrated circuit chip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel cell (10) includes a lamination (11) of a plurality of unit cells (30), current collector plates (12, 12) arranged at both ends of the lamination (11), end plates 16, 16 respectively provided outside the current collector plates (12, 12) with 5 insulating plates (14, 14) interposed therebetween, and fastening members (18) for fastening the end plates (16, 16) in the laminating direction to apply desired pressing force to the lamination (11). A barcode (41) corresponding to particular information relating to a unit cell (30) is provided on the exposed side surface of a separator (38) of the unit cell (30). According to this fuel cell (10), the barcode 41 can be easily read requiring no disassembly of the fuel cell (10). Moreover, as the information relating to the fuel cell can be obtained from the barcode (41), the information that cannot be determined from outer appearance can be obtained, resulting in improved service operations.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A fuel cell assembly, comprising:
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a plurality of unit cells, each of which is formed by interposing a solid electrolyte membrane between separators, which are laminated and fastened, at least one sensor which measures an output voltage of a unit cell, and a retrieval code containing particular information relating to a unit cell and being directly attached to and located on an exposed surface of at least one of the separators so as to be accessible from outside of the fuel cell, the particular information including accumulated measurement of the output voltage by the sensor and being updated with each measurement of the output voltage by the sensor wherein the retrieval code comprises an integrated circuit chip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13)
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8. A fuel cell assembly, comprising:
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a plurality of unit cells, each of which is formed by interposing a solid electrolyte membrane between separators, which are laminated and fastened; and a retrieval code containing particular information relating to the fuel cell is directly attached to and located on an exposed surface of at least one of the separators so as to be accessible from outside of the fuel cell, a retrieval code containing particular information relating to the fuel cell directly attached to and located on an exposed surface of at least one of the separators so as to be accessible from outside of the fuel cell, wherein the retrieval code comprises an integrated circuit chip and an electrode, the integrated circuit chip is embedded in a portion of at least one of the separators and the electrode is provided on the exposed surface of the at least one of the separators, and wherein the particular information is information which effects unit cell output performance. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification