Patents by Inventor Craig R. Horne

Craig R. Horne 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).

  • Patent number: 8906529
    Abstract: A large stack redox flow battery system provides a solution to the energy storage challenge of many types of renewable energy systems. Independent reaction cells arranged in a cascade configuration are configured according to state of charge conditions expected in each cell. The large stack redox flow battery system can support multi-megawatt implementations suitable for use with power grid applications. Thermal integration with energy generating systems, such as fuel cell, wind and solar systems, further maximize total energy efficiency. The redox flow battery system can also be scaled down to smaller applications, such as a gravity feed system suitable for small and remote site applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Enervault Corporation
    Inventors: Craig R. Horne, Kim Kinoshita, Darren B. Hickey
  • Patent number: 8785023
    Abstract: A reduction/oxidation (“redox”) flow battery system includes a series of electrochemical cells arranged in a cascade, whereby liquid electrolyte reacts in a first electrochemical cell (or group of cells) before being directed into a second cell (or group of cells) where it reacts before being directed to subsequent cells. The cascade includes 2 to n stages, each stage having one or more electrochemical cells. During a charge reaction, electrolyte entering a first stage will have a lower state-of-charge than electrolyte entering the nth stage. In some embodiments, cell components and/or characteristics may be configured based on a state-of-charge of electrolytes expected at each cascade stage. Such engineered cascades provide redox flow battery systems with higher energy efficiency over a broader range of current density than prior art arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Enervault Corparation
    Inventors: Craig R. Horne, Kim Kinoshita, Darren B. Hickey, Jay E. Sha, Deepak Bose
  • Publication number: 20130011702
    Abstract: A redox flow battery system is provided with one or more tanks for containing electrolytes. Embodiments of electrolyte tanks include active and/or passive dividers within a single tank structure. Dividers may be configured to prevent mixing of a charged electrolyte and a discharged electrolyte stored within a single tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: EnerVault Corporation
    Inventors: Craig R. Horne, Darren Bawden Hickey, Kimio Kinoshita, Ronald James Mosso, Bruce Lin
  • Publication number: 20120308856
    Abstract: Shunt currents in electrochemical systems with liquid electrolytes are reduced by placing shunt resistors in electrolyte flow paths. Shunt resistors substantially increase electrical resistance in electrolyte flow channels by interrupting the physical continuity of liquid through their length. Some shunt resistors also provide a flow metering, pumping or flow-resisting functions for improved electrolyte flow control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Enervault Corporation
    Inventors: Craig R. Horne, Jay E. Sha, Ronald J. Mosso, William D. Lyle
  • Publication number: 20120244060
    Abstract: Methods are described that have the capability of producing submicron/nanoscale particles, in some embodiments dispersible, at high production rates. In some embodiments, the methods result in the production of particles with an average diameter less than about 75 nanometers that are produced at a rate of at least about 35 grams per hour. In other embodiments, the particles are highly uniform. These methods can be used to form particle collections and/or powder coatings. Powder coatings and corresponding methods are described based on the deposition of highly uniform submicron/nanoscale particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Xiangxin Bi, Nobuyuki Kambe, Craig R. Horne, James T. Gardner, Ronald J. Mosso, Shivkumar Chiruvolu, Sujeet Kumar, William E. McGovern, Pierre J. DeMascarel, Robert B. Lynch
  • Publication number: 20120012032
    Abstract: Methods are described that have the capability of producing submicron/nanoscale particles, in some embodiments dispersible, at high production rates. In some embodiments, the methods result in the production of particles with an average diameter less than about 75 nanometers that are produced at a rate of at least about 35 grams per hour. In other embodiments, the particles are highly uniform. These methods can be used to form particle collections and/or powder coatings. Powder coatings and corresponding methods are described based on the deposition of highly uniform submicron/nanoscale particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Xiangxin Bi, Nobuyuki Kambe, Craig R. Horne, James T. Gardner, Ronald J. Mosso, Shivkumar Chiruvolu, Sujeet Kumar, William E. McGovern, Pierre J. DeMascarel, Robert B. Lynch
  • Publication number: 20110223450
    Abstract: A reduction/oxidation (“redox”) flow battery system includes a series of electrochemical cells arranged in a cascade, whereby liquid electrolyte reacts in a first electrochemical cell (or group of cells) before being directed into a second cell (or group of cells) where it reacts before being directed to subsequent cells. The cascade includes 2 to n stages, each stage having one or more electrochemical cells. During a charge reaction, electrolyte entering a first stage will have a lower state-of-charge than electrolyte entering the nth stage. In some embodiments, cell components and/or characteristics may be configured based on a state-of-charge of electrolytes expected at each cascade stage. Such engineered cascades provide redox flow battery systems with higher energy efficiency over a broader range of current density than prior art arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: EnerVault Corporation
    Inventors: Craig R. Horne, Kim Kinoshita, Darren B. Hickey, Jay E. Sha, Deepak Bose
  • Publication number: 20110117411
    Abstract: A large stack redox flow battery system provides a solution to the energy storage challenge of many types of renewable energy systems. Independent reaction cells arranged in a cascade configuration are configured according to state of charge conditions expected in each cell. The large stack redox flow battery system can support multi-megawatt implementations suitable for use with power grid applications. Thermal integration with energy generating systems, such as fuel cell, wind and solar systems, further maximize total energy efficiency. The redox flow battery system can also be scaled down to smaller applications, such as a gravity feed system suitable for small and remote site applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: ENERVAULT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig R. Horne, Kim Kinoshita, Darren B. Hickey
  • Patent number: 7905114
    Abstract: Optical fiber preforms can comprise a glass preform structure with an inner cavity. A powder can be placed within the inner cavity having an average primary particle size of less than about one micron. The powder can be in the form of an unagglomerated particles or a powder coating with a degree of agglomeration or hard fusing ranging from none to significant amounts as long as the primary particles are visible in a micrograph. Powders can be placed within a preform structure by forming a slurry with a dispersion of submicron/nanoscale particles within a cavity within the preform. In other embodiments, a powder coating is formed within a preform structure by depositing the powder coating directly from a reaction product stream. The formation of the powder coating can be formed within the reaction chamber or outside of the reaction chamber by flowing the product particle stream through a conduit leading to the preform structure. In additional embodiments, a powder coating is placed on an insert, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: NeoPhotonics Corporation
    Inventors: Craig R. Horne, Jesse S. Jur, Ronald J. Mosso, Eric H. Euvrard, Xiangxin Bi
  • Publication number: 20110045332
    Abstract: A large stack redox flow battery system provides a solution to the energy storage challenge of many types of renewable energy systems. Independent reaction cells arranged in a cascade configuration are configured according to state of charge conditions expected in each cell. The large stack redox flow battery system can support multi-megawatt implementations suitable for use with power grid applications. Thermal integration with energy generating systems, such as fuel cell, wind and solar systems, further maximize total energy efficiency. The redox flow battery system can also be scaled down to smaller applications, such as a gravity feed system suitable for small and remote site applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: ENERVAULT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig R. Horne, Kim Kinoshita, Darren B. Hickey
  • Patent number: 7820321
    Abstract: A large stack redox flow battery system provides a solution to the energy storage challenge of many types of renewable energy systems. Independent reaction cells arranged in a cascade configuration are configured according to state of charge conditions expected in each cell. The large stack redox flow battery system can support multi-megawatt implementations suitable for use with power grid applications. Thermal integration with energy generating systems, such as fuel cell, wind and solar systems, further maximize total energy efficiency. The redox flow battery system can also be scaled down to smaller applications, such as a gravity feed system suitable for small and remote site applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: EnerVault Corporation
    Inventors: Craig R. Horne, Kim Kinoshita, Darren B. Hickey
  • Publication number: 20100209328
    Abstract: Methods are described that have the capability of producing submicron/nanoscale particles, in some embodiments dispersible, at high production rates. In some embodiments, the methods result in the production of particles with an average diameter less than about 75 nanometers that are produced at a rate of at least about 35 grams per hour. In other embodiments, the particles are highly uniform. These methods can be used to form particle collections and/or powder coatings. Powder coatings and corresponding methods are described based on the deposition of highly uniform submicron/nanoscale particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Xiangxin Bi, Nobuyuki Kambe, Craig R. Horne, James T. Gardner, Ronald J. Mosso, Shivkumar Chiruvolu, Sujeet Kumar, William E. McGovern, Pierre J. DeMascarel, Robert B. Lynch
  • Patent number: 7776406
    Abstract: Nanoscale particles, particle coatings/particle arrays and corresponding consolidated materials are described based on an ability to vary the composition involving a wide range of metal and/or metalloid elements and corresponding compositions. In particular, metalloid oxides and metal-metalloid compositions are described in the form of improved nanoscale particles and coatings formed from the nanoscale particles. Compositions comprising rare earth metals and dopants/additives with rare earth metals are described. Complex compositions with a range of host compositions and dopants/additives can be formed using the approaches described herein. The particle coating can take the form of particle arrays that range from collections of disbursable primary particles to fused networks of primary particles forming channels that reflect the nanoscale of the primary particles. Suitable materials for optical applications are described along with some optical devices of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: NeoPhotonics Corporation
    Inventors: Craig R. Horne, Pierre J. DeMascarel, Christian C. Honeker, Benjamin Chaloner-Gill, Herman A. Lopez, Xiangxin Bi, Ronald J. Mosso, William E. McGovern, James T. Gardner, Sujeet Kumar, James A. Gilliam, Vince Pham, Eric Euvrard, Shivkumar Chiruvolu, Jesse Jur
  • Publication number: 20100190288
    Abstract: Thin semiconductor foils can be formed using light reactive deposition. These foils can have an average thickness of less than 100 microns. In some embodiments, the semiconductor foils can have a large surface area, such as greater than about 900 square centimeters. The foil can be free standing or releasably held on one surface. The semiconductor foil can comprise elemental silicon, elemental germanium, silicon carbide, doped forms thereof, alloys thereof or mixtures thereof. The foils can be formed using a release layer that can release the foil after its deposition. The foils can be patterned, cut and processed in other ways for the formation of devices. Suitable devices that can be formed form the foils include, for example, photovoltaic modules and display control circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Henry Hieslmair, Ronald J. Mosso, Robert B. Lynch, Shivkumar Chiruvolu, William E. McGovern, Craig R. Horne, Narayan Solayappan, Ronald M. Cornell
  • Patent number: 7722787
    Abstract: Metal vanadium oxide particles have been produced with an average diameter less than about 500 nm. The particles are produced from nanocrystalline vanadium oxide particles. Silver vanadium oxide particles, for example, can be formed by the heat treatment of a mixture of nanoscale vanadium oxide and a silver compound. Other metal vanadium oxide particles can be produced by similar processes. The metal vanadium oxide particles have very uniform properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Craig R. Horne, Sujeet Kumar, James P. Buckley, Xiangxin Bi
  • Patent number: 7521097
    Abstract: Light reactive deposition can be adapted effectively for the deposition of one or more electrochemical cell components. In particular, electrodes, electrolytes, electrical interconnects can be deposited form a reactive flow. In some embodiments, the reactive flow comprises a reactant stream that intersects a light beam to drive a reaction within a light reactive zone to produce product that is deposited on a substrate. The approach is extremely versatile for the production of a range of compositions that are useful in electrochemical cells and fuel cell, in particular. The properties of the materials, including the density and porosity can be adjusted based on the deposition properties and any subsequent processing including, for example, heat treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: NanoGram Corporation
    Inventors: Craig R. Horne, William E. McGovern, Robert B. Lynch, Ronald J. Mosso
  • Publication number: 20090095128
    Abstract: Light-driven flow reactors are configured with an aerosol delivery apparatus that is designed to improve the reactive process with respect to forming uniform product compositions at higher rates. In particular, the reactant delivery system can deliver an aerosol having an average droplet size of no more than about 50 microns, and in some embodiments 20 microns, and with less than 1 droplet in 10,000 having a diameter greater than 5 times the average droplet size. In some embodiments, the edge of the aerosol generator can be placed within about 6 centimeters of the edge of the light beam passing through the reaction chamber. The average aerosol velocity can be no more than about 5 meters per second. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator can comprise a non-circular opening and a gas permeable structure that is used to generate a mist that is delivered from the apparatus as an aerosol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Bernard M. Frey, Peter R. Buerki, Robert B. Lynch, Janet L. Wang, Gabriel Tran, Craig R. Horne, Dean M. Holunga, Igor Altman
  • Publication number: 20090075083
    Abstract: Methods are described that have the capability of producing submicron/nanoscale particles, in some embodiments dispersible, at high production rates. In some embodiments, the methods result in the production of particles with an average diameter less than about 75 nanometers that are produced at a rate of at least about 35 grams per hour. In other embodiments, the particles are highly uniform. These methods can be used to form particle collections and/or powder coatings. Powder coatings and corresponding methods are described based on the deposition of highly uniform submicron/nanoscale particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Xiangxin Bi, Nobuyuki Kambe, Craig R. Horne, James T. Gardner, Ronald J. Mosso, Shivkumar Chiruvolu, Sujeet Kumar, William E. McGovern, Pierre J. DeMascarel, Robert B. Lynch
  • Patent number: 7384680
    Abstract: Methods are described that have the capability of producing submicron/nanoscale particles, in some embodiments dispersible, at high production rates. In some embodiments, the methods result in the production of particles with an average diameter less than about 75 nanometers that are produced at a rate of at least about 35 grams per hour. In other embodiments, the particles are highly uniform. These methods can be used to form particle collections and/or powder coatings. Powder coatings and corresponding methods are described based on the deposition of highly uniform submicron/nanoscale particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: NanoGram Corporation
    Inventors: Xiangxin Bi, Nobuyuki Kambe, Craig R. Horne, James T. Gardner, Ronald J. Mosso, Shivkumar Chiruvolu, Sujeet Kumar, William E. McGovern, Pierre J. DeMascarel, Robert B. Lynch
  • Publication number: 20080131356
    Abstract: Lithium metal oxide particles have been produced having average diameters less than about 100 nm. Composite metal oxides of particular interest include, for example, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, lithium titanium oxides and derivatives thereof. These nanoparticles composite metal oxides can be used as electroactive particles in lithium or lithium ion batteries. Batteries of particular interest include lithium titanium oxide in the negative electrode and lithium cobalt manganese oxide in the positive electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Sujeet Kumar, Craig R. Horne