Patents by Inventor Chellappa Balan

Chellappa Balan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20060067046
    Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a plurality of electronic components comprises a centralized source comprising at least one micro cooler configured to deliver a flow of a cooling medium and a plurality of baffles configured to redistribute the cooling medium over the electronic components. The electronic components are situated in an enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Subhrajit Dey, Petrus Joannes Moeleker, Chellappa Balan
  • Publication number: 20060065545
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed for a system and method for combined production of power and hydrogen utilizing the heat from a first working fluid heated by a geothermal energy source using a steam generator and an electrolyzer designed to receive the steam produced by the steam generator for the production of hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, Michael Bowman, Daniel Smith, Charles Byrd
  • Publication number: 20060003207
    Abstract: A system and method for producing electricity is described. The system comprises a fuel cell assembly. The system may comprise a steam turbine and a generator. The fuel cell assembly may be used to provide heat to produce the steam used to power the steam turbine. The system may comprise a gasifier that is operable to produce a fuel for use in the fuel cell assembly. The system may comprise an air separation unit that is operable to supply oxygen to the gasifier and to the fuel cell assembly for reaction with the fuel. The oxygen that is not reacted in the fuel cell assembly may be recirculated through the fuel cell assembly. Spent fuel from the fuel cell assembly may be recirculated through the fuel cell assembly. A carbon dioxide removal system may be used to remove carbon dioxide from the fuel upstream of the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, Daniel Smith
  • Patent number: 6978621
    Abstract: A device and method for recuperating a gas turbine engine comprises a compressor being configured to receive a coolant fluid stream, to compress the coolant fluid stream and to discharge the compressed coolant fluid stream to a turbine in fluid communication with the compressor. The compressed coolant fluid stream undergoing thermal exchange within the turbine, exit the turbine thereafter. A source of a working fluid stream is in fluid communication with the turbine. The working fluid stream is fluidly isolated from a portion of the coolant fluid stream and undergoing thermodynamic expansion through the turbine to extract energy therefrom. Where desired, the entire coolant fluid stream is fluidly isolated from the working fluid stream. At least a portion of the coolant fluid stream is channeled downstream of the turbine to supply a preheated process fluid stream to an adjacent system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Bunker, Chellappa Balan
  • Publication number: 20050226809
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising combusting a feed stream to form combustion products; and reforming the combustion products to produce a gaseous composition comprising hydrogen. Disclosed herein too is a method for producing hydrogen comprising introducing a feed stream comprising natural gas and air or oxygen into a cyclical compression chamber; compressing the feed stream in the cyclical compression chamber; combusting the feed stream in the cyclical compression chamber to produce combustion products; discharging the combustion products from the cyclical compression chamber into a reforming section; and reforming the combustion products with steam in the reforming section to produce a gaseous composition comprising hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Sauri Gudlavalleti, Michael Bowman, Chellappa Balan, Shailesh Bhaisora, Andrei Colibaba-Evulet, Narayan Ramesh
  • Publication number: 20050210881
    Abstract: A system for co-production of hydrogen and electrical energy comprising a reformer configured to receive a reformer fuel and steam and produce a reformate rich in hydrogen. The system further comprises a separation unit in fluid communication with the reformer wherein the separation unit is configured to receive the reformate to separate hydrogen from the reformate and produce an off gas. The system also includes a combustor configured to receive a fuel for combustion and produce heat energy and a hot compressed gas, wherein the combustor is coupled with the reformer. A gas turbine expands the hot compressed gas and produces electrical energy and an expanded gas; wherein at least a part of the heat energy from the combustor is used to produce the reformate in the reformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, Andrei Colibaba-Evulet
  • Publication number: 20050144961
    Abstract: A system for the cogeneration of electricity and hydrogen comprising at least one primary combustion system for burning a fuel rich mixture and producing partially oxidized combustion products rich in hydrogen. The system further comprises at least one injection system for injecting fuel and steam into the partially oxidized combustion products producing a mixed product stream. The mixed product stream is reformed in a reformer to produce a hydrogen enriched stream. At least a portion of the hydrogen enriched stream is burned in a secondary combustion system to produce electricity, and at least a second portion of the hydrogen enriched stream is sent to a hydrogen processing system to produce hydrogen therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Andrei Colibaba-Evulet, Balachandar Varatharajan, Chellappa Balan
  • Publication number: 20050142398
    Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the life expectancy of a solid oxide fuel cell by preventing cathode poisoning due to chromium volatilization. Chromium hydroxide and oxyhydroxide formation and evaporation are prevented by continuously drying the cathode feed gas to low moisture levels. Power generation configurations that minimize the energy penalty associated with cathode gas drying are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Kenneth Browall, Chellappa Balan, Nadathur Hari
  • Publication number: 20050123810
    Abstract: A system and method for co-production of hydrogen and electrical energy. The system comprises a fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cells. The fuel cells further comprise a cathode inlet for receiving a compressed oxidant, an anode inlet for receiving a fuel feed stream, an anode outlet in fluid communication with an anode exhaust stream and a cathode outlet in fluid communication with a cathode exhaust stream. At least a portion of the fuel feed stream reacts with the oxidant to produce electrical power. The anode exhaust stream comprises hydrogen. The co-production system further comprises a separation unit in fluid communication with the fuel cell assembly. The separation unit is configured to receive the anode exhaust stream from the fuel cell assembly to separate hydrogen from the anode exhaust stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventor: Chellappa Balan
  • Patent number: 6896987
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprises a container, configured to be pressurized. A fuel cell is disposed in the container and a thermal shield substantially surrounds an inner periphery of the container to provide generally uniform thermal shielding around the fuel cell. The thermal shield is disposed between the container and the fuel cell and is spaced from the container to form a flow path therebetween for a cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Bunker, Chellappa Balan
  • Publication number: 20050079395
    Abstract: A hybrid power generation system for generating electrical power comprises a compressor for producing a compressed oxidant and a recuperator in flow communication with the compressor. The hybrid power generation system further comprises a fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cells in flow communication with the recuperator to provide the compressed oxidant for the fuel cell assembly. The fuel cell assembly further comprises a cathode inlet for receiving the compressed oxidant, an anode inlet for receiving a fuel stream, an anode outlet in flow communication with an anode exhaust stream and a cathode outlet in flow communication with a cathode exhaust stream, wherein at least a portion of the fuel reacts with the oxidant to produce electrical power. The hybrid power generation system further comprises a tail gas burner in flow communication with the anode outlet and the cathode outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Balachandar Varatharajan, Chellappa Balan, Debashis Dey
  • Publication number: 20050061664
    Abstract: An electrolyzer assembly comprises at least one electrolyzer cell including at least two electrodes and an electrolyte interposed therebetween. The electrolyzer assembly further comprises an interconnect structure in intimate contact with at least one of the two electrodes or the electrolyte. The interconnect structure includes at least one flow channel initially defined by a removable sacrificial material, wherein the interconnect structure is configured to provide support for the electrodes and the electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, Michael Bowman, Kenneth Browall
  • Patent number: 6846208
    Abstract: A hybrid power and propulsion generation system for a marine vessel is provided that combines a fuel cell with a wave rotor/combustor. A wave rotor that uses gas dynamics (shock and expansion) processes within rotating passages, using a hydrogen and oxygen supply in fluid communication with the wave rotor, is combined with a regenerative fuel cell for power generation for an underwater vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Goldmeer, Chellappa Balan
  • Publication number: 20050008566
    Abstract: A hydrogen reforming system includes a cyclical compression chamber having an entry port for receiving hydrogen-containing gas and an exit port for delivering reformed hydrogen-containing gas, an arrangement for heating the hydrogen-containing gas to a non-combustible temperature, and a drive system for cycling the cyclical compression chamber. The cyclical compression chamber has an operational cycle with an internal pressure and temperature absent combustion effective for reforming the hydrogen-containing gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Bowman, Chellappa Balan, Andrei Colibaba-Evulet, Narayan Ramesh
  • Publication number: 20040123602
    Abstract: A device and method for recuperating a gas turbine engine comprises a compressor being configured to receive a coolant fluid stream, to compress the coolant fluid stream and to discharge the compressed coolant fluid stream to a turbine in fluid communication with the compressor. The compressed coolant fluid stream undergoing thermal exchange within the turbine, exit the turbine thereafter. A source of a working fluid stream is in fluid communication with the turbine. The working fluid stream is fluidly isolated from a portion of the coolant fluid stream and undergoing thermodynamic expansion through the turbine to extract energy therefrom. Where desired, the entire coolant fluid stream is fluidly isolated from the working fluid stream. At least a portion of the coolant fluid stream is channeled downstream of the turbine to supply a preheated process fluid stream to an adjacent system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Bunker, Chellappa Balan
  • Publication number: 20040121199
    Abstract: A hybrid power plant includes at least one fuel cell having a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet in flow communication with the cathode inlet along a re-circulation flow path. A reformer is configured to reform air and fuel, and the fuel cell includes an anode inlet in flow communication with the reformer and an anode outlet in flow communication with the reformer along a re-circulation flow path. Compressed air is supplied to a recuperator heated by turbine exhaust, and heated compressed air is mixed with re-circulated exhaust from the fuel cell prior to entering the fuel cell. A tail gas burner combusts a mixture of cathode exhaust and reformed residual fuel, and combustion gases are directed to the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, David DeAngelis
  • Publication number: 20040121207
    Abstract: A hybrid power plant includes a turbine, a compressor driven by the turbine and a recuperator in flow communication with the compressor. The recuperator is configured to transfer heat from turbine exhaust to compressed air, and at least one fuel cell is in flow communication with said recuperator to provide fresh air for said fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald Bunker, Chellappa Balan
  • Publication number: 20040107718
    Abstract: A turbomachinery system for cooling a high power density device includes a turbomachine configured to deliver a high flux cooling medium and a high power density device arranged in fluid communication with the turbomachine, the turbomachine having a motor and a compressor driven by the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Bowman, Mehmet Arik, Chellappa Balan, Warren Bessler, Ronald Bunker, Charles Byrd, William Gerstler, Nirm Nirmalan, Daniel Smith, Todd Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20040101726
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprises a container, configured to be pressurized. A fuel cell is disposed in the container and a thermal shield substantially surrounds an inner periphery of the container to provide generally uniform thermal shielding around the fuel cell. The thermal shield is disposed between the container and the fuel cell and is spaced from the container to form a flow path therebetween for a cooling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Bunker, Chellappa Balan
  • Publication number: 20040043265
    Abstract: The present invention provides a staged fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cells, each fuel cell being in fluid communication with at least one primary fluid delivery system; at least one heat exchanger, each heat exchanger being in fluid communication with the primary fluid delivery system disposed between adjacent fuel cells. The primary fluid delivery system, being in thermal communication with the at least one heat exchanger, delivers a primary fluid to the fuel cells. The present invention provides a method for thermal management of a staged fuel cell assembly. The method comprises delivering the primary fluid to the plurality of fuel cells where each fuel cell is in fluid communication with the at least one primary fluid delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Bunker, Chellappa Balan