Patents by Inventor David Robert Bruce

David Robert Bruce 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: 11795558
    Abstract: A method for generating a metallic particle slurry in a regenerator, the method comprising the steps of: (a) generating metallic particles on a surface of a cathode by applying a forward current for a forward current period; (b) displacing the metallic particles from the surface of the cathode by applying a displacement force for a displacement period; (c) dissolving residual metallic particles by applying a reverse current for a reverse current period; (d) providing a plurality of regenerator cells; and (e) establishing an airlock by isolating aqueous electrolyte between cavities of regenerator cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ZINC8 ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Simon Fan, Tristan Sloan, David Robert Bruce, John McLeod
  • Publication number: 20230197998
    Abstract: Systems and methods for energy storage system are provided. The system includes a particle regeneration subsystem for applying electrical energy to regenerate metallic particulate fuel; a fuel storage subsystem for storing metallic particulate fuel, the fuel storage subsystem in fluid communication with the particle regeneration subsystem; and a power generation subsystem for producing electrical energy from the metallic particulate fuel, the power generation subsystem in fluid communication with the fuel storage subsystem; a bearer electrolyte for transporting the metallic particulate fuel through the particle regeneration subsystem, the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem; and a control unit configured to independently control flow of the bearer electrolyte between the particle regeneration subsystem and the fuel storage subsystem, and the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: ZINC8 ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: David Robert Bruce, Simon Fan, John McLeod, Tristan Sloan
  • Patent number: 11600840
    Abstract: Systems and methods for energy storage system are provided. The system includes a particle regeneration subsystem for applying electrical energy to regenerate metallic particulate fuel; a fuel storage subsystem for storing metallic particulate fuel, the fuel storage subsystem in fluid communication with the particle regeneration subsystem; and a power generation subsystem for producing electrical energy from the metallic particulate fuel, the power generation subsystem in fluid communication with the fuel storage subsystem; a bearer electrolyte for transporting the metallic particulate fuel through the particle regeneration subsystem, the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem; and a control unit configured to independently control flow of the bearer electrolyte between the particle regeneration subsystem and the fuel storage subsystem, and the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZINC8 ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: David Robert Bruce, Simon Fan, John McLeod, Tristan Sloan
  • Publication number: 20220380920
    Abstract: A method for generating a metallic particle slurry in a regenerator, the method comprising the steps of: (a) generating metallic particles on a surface of a cathode by applying a forward current for a forward current period; (b) displacing the metallic particles from the surface of the cathode by applying a displacement force for a displacement period; (c) dissolving residual metallic particles by applying a reverse current for a reverse current period; (d) providing a plurality of regenerator cells; and (e) establishing an airlock by isolating aqueous electrolyte between cavities of regenerator cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: ZINC8 ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Simon Fan, Tristan Sloan, David Robert Bruce, John McLeod
  • Patent number: 11306405
    Abstract: A regenerator cell for regenerating metallic particles is provided. The regenerator cell includes: a housing for containing a quantity of electrolyte; an anode; a cathode; a cavity at least partially defined by the housing, the cathode and the anode; an inlet port for supplying electrolyte to the cell, the inlet port in fluid communication with the cavity; and an outlet port for expelling electrolyte, particles and/or gas from the cell, the outlet port in fluid communication with the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ZINC8 ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Simon Fan, Tristan Sloan, David Robert Bruce, John McLeod
  • Patent number: 11245144
    Abstract: A method of charging a metal-air fuel cell. The method includes a step of orienting an anode chamber horizontally. The method further method includes a step of providing metal particles suspended in an electrolyte to flow through the anode chamber in a downstream direction oriented horizontally. The method further method includes a step of allowing a bed of the metal particles to form on the anode current collector. The plurality of particle collectors perturb the flow of electrolyte through the anode chamber and encourage settling of the particles one of on and between the particle collectors. The method further method includes a step of maintaining uniform formation of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: ZINC8 ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Stuart Smedley, Wolf Tivy, Boguslaw Wozniczka, David Robert Bruce
  • Publication number: 20210376368
    Abstract: Systems and methods for energy storage system are provided. The system includes a particle regeneration subsystem for applying electrical energy to regenerate metallic particulate fuel; a fuel storage subsystem for storing metallic particulate fuel, the fuel storage subsystem in fluid communication with the particle regeneration subsystem; and a power generation subsystem for producing electrical energy from the metallic particulate fuel, the power generation subsystem in fluid communication with the fuel storage subsystem; a bearer electrolyte for transporting the metallic particulate fuel through the particle regeneration subsystem, the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem; and a control unit configured to independently control flow of the bearer electrolyte between the particle regeneration subsystem and the fuel storage subsystem, and the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: ZINC8 ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: David Robert Bruce, Simon Fan, John McLeod, Tristan Sloan
  • Patent number: 11133520
    Abstract: Systems and methods to overcome limited efficiency of energy storage and recovery processes in fuel cells are provided. The system include a particle regeneration subsystem for applying electrical energy to regenerate metallic particulate fuel; a fuel storage subsystem for storing metallic particulate fuel, the fuel storage subsystem in fluid communication with the particle regeneration subsystem; and a power generation subsystem for producing electrical energy from the metallic particulate fuel, the power generation subsystem in fluid communication with the fuel storage subsystem; a bearer electrolyte for transporting the metallic particulate fuel through the particle regeneration subsystem, the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem; and a control unit configured to independently control flow of the bearer electrolyte between the particle regeneration subsystem and the fuel storage subsystem, and the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: ZINC8 ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David Robert Bruce, Simon Fan, John McLeod, Tristan Sloan
  • Publication number: 20210083346
    Abstract: A method of charging a metal-air fuel cell. The method includes a step of orienting an anode chamber horizontally. The method further method includes a step of providing metal particles suspended in an electrolyte to flow through the anode chamber in a downstream direction oriented horizontally. The method further method includes a step of allowing a bed of the metal particles to form on the anode current collector. The plurality of particle collectors perturb the flow of electrolyte through the anode chamber and encourage settling of the particles one of on and between the particle collectors. The method further method includes a step of maintaining uniform formation of the bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: ZINC8 ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Stuart Smedley, Wolf Tivy, Boguslaw Wozniczka, David Robert Bruce
  • Patent number: 10826142
    Abstract: A fuel cell having a cathode, cathode chamber, anode and anode chamber. The anode chamber is at least partially defined by an anode current collector. The cathode chamber is at least partially defined by the cathode. The anode chamber includes one or a plurality of anode flow channels for flowing an electrolyte in a downstream direction. The anode current collector may include a plurality of particle collectors projecting into the anode chamber to collect particles suspended in the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ZINC8 ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Stuart Smedley, Wolf Tivy, Boguslaw Wozniczka, David Robert Bruce
  • Publication number: 20190218678
    Abstract: A regenerator cell for regenerating metallic particles is provided. The regenerator cell includes: a housing for containing a quantity of electrolyte; an anode; a cathode; a cavity at least partially defined by the housing, the cathode and the anode; an inlet port for supplying electrolyte to the cell, the inlet port in fluid communication with the cavity; and an outlet port for expelling electrolyte, particles and/or gas from the cell, the outlet port in fluid communication with the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: MGX Renewables Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Fan, Tristan Sloan, David Robert Bruce, John McLeod
  • Publication number: 20190165403
    Abstract: Systems and methods to overcome limited efficiency of energy storage and recovery processes in fuel cells are provided. The system include a particle regeneration subsystem for applying electrical energy to regenerate metallic particulate fuel; a fuel storage subsystem for storing metallic particulate fuel, the fuel storage subsystem in fluid communication with the particle regeneration subsystem; and a power generation subsystem for producing electrical energy from the metallic particulate fuel, the power generation subsystem in fluid communication with the fuel storage subsystem; a bearer electrolyte for transporting the metallic particulate fuel through the particle regeneration subsystem, the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem; and a control unit configured to independently control flow of the bearer electrolyte between the particle regeneration subsystem and the fuel storage subsystem, and the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: MGX Renewables Inc.
    Inventors: David Robert Bruce, Simon Fan, John McLeod, Tristan Sloan
  • Publication number: 20190131679
    Abstract: Methods of regenerating a metal fuel in a regenerative electrochemical energy storage device are provided. The method includes: (a) providing an anode comprising oxidizable metal fuel; (b) regenerating dendritic metal fuel from the oxidized metal fuel, comprising enhancing dendrite formation of the metal fuel with an additive; and (c) storing the regenerated dendritic metal fuel, comprising suppressing corrosion of the regenerated particulate metal fuel with the additive. The regenerative electrochemical energy storage device may be regenerative metal-air fuel system or a rechargeable alkaline-metal battery. The metal fuel may be dendritic zinc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: ZincNyx Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: David Robert Bruce