Patents Assigned to Ion America Corporation
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Patent number: 7135248Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes an electrolyte, an anode, a cathode, a first conductive felt current conductor/gas flow distributor, and a first separator plate. Thus, a felt conductor/distributor sheet is located between adjacent first and second fuel cells.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Ion America CorporationInventors: John Finn, K. R. Sridhar
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Patent number: 7067208Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cell power generation systems which are capable of producing high-quality heat are used to drive refrigeration systems. The amount of electrical energy produced and the cooling capacity obtainable are well matched to electronic data center power and cooling needs. The power generation system includes a solid oxide fuel cell stack, a heat pump and an optional turbine.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2002Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: ION America CorporationInventors: Matthias Gottmann, James F. McElroy
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Patent number: 7045238Abstract: A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system is used to supply power in a fuel cell mode and to generate metabolic oxygen and a hydrocarbon fuel reserve in an electrolysis mode. The system may also be used as a secondary power source or for energy peak shaving applications.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Ion America CorporationInventors: Matthias Gottmann, James Frederick McElroy, Fred Mitlitsky, K. R. Sridhar
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Patent number: 7045237Abstract: A ceramic electrolyte for a solid oxide fuel cell includes at least one non-uniform surface portion. Preferably, the electrolyte surface is textured.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Ion America CorporationInventors: K. R. Sridhar, Dien Nguyen
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Patent number: 6924053Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a solid oxide fuel cell stack and a hydrogen recovery unit connected to a fuel supply inlet conduit and to a fuel exhaust outlet conduit. The hydrogen recovery unit is adapted to selectively transfer at least a portion of hydrogen from the fuel exhaust stream to the hydrocarbon fuel inlet stream.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Ion America CorporationInventor: James Frederick McElroy
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Patent number: 6908702Abstract: A neutrally buoyant airship, such as a blimp, contains a lifting body which allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air and a fuel cell located in the airship. A method of generating power in the neutrally buoyant airship, comprising providing a fuel and a oxidizer to a solid oxide fuel cell to generate power, and providing heat from the fuel cell to a remotely located lifting body, wherein the lifting body allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Ion America CorporationInventors: James Frederick McElroy, K. R. Sridhar
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Patent number: 6854688Abstract: A Solid Oxide Regenerative Fuel Cell (SORFC) or a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) is incorporated into an electrically powered airplane to provide either regenerative or primary electrical energy. The SORFC, the SOFC, or any other suitable fuel cell within an airplane may also be used to heat payload or equipment within the airplane. The SORFC is not only capable of generating electrical energy from fuel and a suitable oxidizer, but can also generate fuel through electrolysis of oxidized fuel. Thus, the SORFC system powering an airplane can obtain oxygen oxidant reactant from the air and avoid the complexity, weight, volume, and cost associated with oxygen storage.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Ion America CorporationInventors: James McElroy, Matthias Gottmann
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Publication number: 20040245385Abstract: A neutrally buoyant airship, such as a blimp, contains a lifting body which allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air and a fuel cell located in the airship. A method of generating power in the neutrally buoyant airship, comprising providing a fuel and a oxidizer to a solid oxide fuel cell to generate power, and providing heat from the fuel cell to a remotely located lifting body, wherein the lifting body allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: ION AMERICA CORPORATIONInventors: James Frederick McElroy, K.R. Sridhar
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Patent number: 6821663Abstract: A Solid Oxide Regenerative Fuel Cell (SORFC) system stores waste heat from the fuel cell in a heat storage material during the discharge mode. The heat is then used to heat water to be electrolyzed during the charge mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2003Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Ion America CorporationInventors: James McElroy, Matthias Gottmann, John Finn, Fred Mitlitsky
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Publication number: 20040224193Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell electrochemical system includes receiving at least one of a cost of electricity and a cost of fuel and adjusting at least one of an operating efficiency and throughput of the fuel cell based on the at least one of the received cost of electricity and the received cost of fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Applicant: Ion America CorporationInventors: Fred Mitlitsky, K. R. Sridhar, Matthias Gottmann, Swaminathan Venkataraman
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Publication number: 20040202914Abstract: A high temperature electrochemical system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, generates hydrogen and optionally electricity in a fuel cell mode. At least a part of the generated hydrogen is separated and stored or provided to a hydrogen using device. A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system stores carbon dioxide in a fuel cell mode. The system generates a methane fuel in an electrolysis mode from the stored carbon dioxide and water by using a Sabatier subsystem. Alternatively, the system generates a hydrogen fuel in an electrolysis mode from water alone.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Applicant: Ion America CorporationInventors: K.R. Sridhar, James F. McElroy, John E. Finn, Fred Mitlitsky, Matthias Gottmann
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Publication number: 20040191595Abstract: A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system is used to supply power in a fuel cell mode and to generate a hydrocarbon fuel in an electrolysis mode. The system includes a solid oxide regenerative fuel cell and a reactor adapted to convert an exhaust emitted from the solid oxide regenerative fuel cell to a hydrocarbon gas when the solid oxide regenerative fuel cell operates in an electrolysis mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: ION AMERICA CORPORATIONInventors: James Frederick McElroy, John E. Finn
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Publication number: 20040191597Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a solid oxide fuel cell stack, a fuel supply inlet conduit adapted to provide a hydrocarbon fuel inlet stream into the solid oxide fuel cell stack and a fuel exhaust outlet conduit adapted to remove a fuel exhaust stream from the solid oxide fuel cell stack. The system also includes a water vapor and enthalpy recovery unit operatively connected to the fuel supply inlet conduit and to the fuel exhaust outlet conduit. The water vapor and enthalpy recovery unit is adapted to selectively transfer at least a portion of water vapor and heat from the fuel exhaust stream to the hydrocarbon fuel inlet stream. The system also includes a hydrogen recovery unit connected to the fuel supply inlet conduit and to the fuel exhaust outlet conduit. The hydrogen recovery unit is adapted to selectively transfer at least a portion of hydrogen from the fuel exhaust stream to the hydrocarbon fuel inlet stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Ion America CorporationInventor: James Frederick McElroy
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Publication number: 20040191598Abstract: A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system is used to supply power in a fuel cell mode and to generate metabolic oxygen and a hydrocarbon fuel reserve in an electrolysis mode. The system may also be used as a secondary power source or for energy peak shaving applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: ION AMERICA CORPORATIONInventors: Matthias Gottmann, James Frederick McElroy, Fred Mitlitsky, K.R. Sridhar
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Publication number: 20030224238Abstract: A sealing arrangement contains a first mating surface, a second mating surface, and a felt sealing member contacting the first and the second mating surface. The arrangement may be used in a solid oxide fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: Ion America CorporationInventors: John Finn, K. R. Sridhar
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Publication number: 20030205641Abstract: A Solid Oxide Regenerative Fuel Cell (SORFC) or a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) is incorporated into an electrically powered airplane to provide either regenerative or primary electrical energy. The SORFC, the SOFC, or any other suitable fuel cell within an airplane may also be used to heat payload or equipment within the airplane. The SORFC is not only capable of generating electrical energy from fuel and a suitable oxidizer, but can also generate fuel through electrolysis of oxidized fuel. Thus, the SORFC system powering an airplane can obtain oxygen oxidant reactant from the air and avoid the complexity, weight, volume, and cost associated with oxygen storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2002Publication date: November 6, 2003Applicant: Ion America CorporationInventors: James McElroy, Matthias Gottmann
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Publication number: 20030207164Abstract: A neutrally buoyant airship, such as a blimp, contains a lifting body which allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air and a fuel cell located in the airship. A method of generating power in the neutrally buoyant airship, comprising providing a fuel and a oxidizer to a solid oxide fuel cell to generate power, and providing heat from the fuel cell to a remotely located lifting body, wherein the lifting body allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2003Publication date: November 6, 2003Applicant: ION AMERICA CORPORATIONInventors: James Frederick McElroy, K.R. Sridhar
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Publication number: 20030180602Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes an electrolyte, an anode, a cathode, a first conductive felt current conductor/gas flow distributor, and a first separator plate. Thus, a felt conductor/distributor sheet is located between adjacent first and second fuel cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Applicant: Ion America CorporationInventors: John Finn, K.R. Sridhar
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Publication number: 20030170527Abstract: A system contains an air source, an adsorbent medium which selectively adsorbs nitrogen compared to oxygen, and a fuel cell. A method of enriching air with oxygen includes providing air through an adsorbent medium which selectively adsorbs nitrogen from the air compared to oxygen, and enriching oxygen concentration in the air using a temperature sensitive adsorption cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2003Publication date: September 11, 2003Applicant: Ion America CorporationInventors: John E. Finn, K.R. Sridhar
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Publication number: 20030165732Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes a cathode, a solid ceramic electrolyte, and an anode comprising a cermet containing an environment tolerant catalyst, such as a fuel starvation and/or a sulfur tolerant catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Applicant: ION AMERICA CORPORATIONInventor: James F. McElroy