Patents by Inventor David Weingaertner

David Weingaertner 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).

  • Pre-Reformer For Selective Reformation Of Higher Hydrocarbons
    Publication number: 20160240876
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: David Weingaertner, Vlad Kalika, Martin Perry
  • Multi-stream heat exchanger for a fuel cell system
    Patent number: 9401517
    Abstract: A multi-stream heat exchanger includes at least one air preheater section, at least one cathode recuperator section, and at least one anode recuperator section, wherein each section is a plate type heat exchanger having two major surfaces and a plurality of edge surfaces, a plurality of risers through at least some of the plates, and a plurality of flow paths located between plates. The cathode recuperator section is located adjacent to a first edge surface of the anode recuperator, and the air preheater section is located adjacent to a second edge surface of the anode recuperator section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Weingaertner, Martin Perry, Swaminathan Venkataraman, Vlad Kalika
  • Pre-reformer for selective reformation of higher hydrocarbons
    Patent number: 9287572
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Weingaertner, Vlad Kalika, Martin Perry
  • Operation of fuel cell systems with reduced carbon formation and anode leading edge damage
    Patent number: 9287571
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes introducing a fuel mixture comprising hydrogen, fuel, and steam at a fuel inlet of the fuel cell system, and operating the fuel cell system to generate electricity. A ratio of hydrogen to carbon from fuel (H2:Cfuel) in the fuel mixture is within a range of 0.25:1 to 3:1, inclusive; and a ratio of steam to carbon (S:C) in the fuel mixture is less than 2:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James F. McElroy, David Weingaertner, Swaminathan Venkataraman, Stephen Couse
  • SOFC Hot Box Components
    Publication number: 20160064748
    Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Swaminathan Venkataraman, Vlad Kalika, David Weingaertner
  • SOFC hot box components
    Patent number: 9190673
    Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Swaminathan Venkataraman, Vlad Kalika, David Weingaertner
  • Hot box design with a multi-stream heat exchanger and single air control
    Patent number: 9166240
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) which is located in a heat transfer relationship with the plurality of fuel cell stacks, a base supporting the plurality of fuel cell stacks and the ATO, and at least one heat exchanger located in the base. An ATO exhaust stream and an anode exhaust stream from the fuel cell stacks heat the stack fuel and air inlet streams in a multi-stream heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Weingaertner, Swaminathan Venkataraman
  • Optimizing contractual management of the total output of a fleet of fuel cells
    Patent number: 9141923
    Abstract: A fuel cell fleet has a plurality of fuel cell systems each connected to a data server. The data server may be configured to obtain operational data from of the plurality of fuel cell systems. An efficiency controller operably connected to the data server and is configured to predict an efficiency and a power output of the fleet from the operational data and optimize the efficiency of the fleet to minimize the fleet fuel consumption while maintaining a desired fleet output power. The efficiency may be determined by a ratio of the fleet output current or output power to the fleet fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Smith, David Weingaertner, Pramod Vachhani, Brent Miller, Ram Ramanan, Arne Ballantine, Swaminathan Venkataraman, Deepak Shukla
  • DERIVATION OF CONTROL PARAMETERS OF FUEL CELL SYSTEMS FOR FLEXIBLE FUEL OPERATION
    Publication number: 20150140464
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: David WEINGAERTNER, Arne BALLANTINE, Swaminathan VENKATARAMAN
  • FUEL CELL SYSTEM OPERATED ON LIQUID FUELS
    Publication number: 20150132672
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heavy hydrocarbon fuel source, and a fractionator configured to separate light ends from heavy ends of a heavy hydrocarbon fuel provided from the heavy hydrocarbon fuel source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Swaminathan Venkataraman, Arne Ballantine, David Weingaertner
  • PRE-REFORMER FOR SELECTIVE REFORMATION OF HIGHER HYDROCARBONS
    Publication number: 20150111121
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: David WEINGAERTNER, Vlad KALIKA, Martin PERRY
  • SOFC hot box components
    Patent number: 8968943
    Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Perry, Vlad Kalika, David Weingaertner, Ananda Sundararajan, Navaneetha Krishnan, Nilanjana Basu, Ram Ramanan, Virpaul Bains, William David Lyle
  • Derivation of control parameters of fuel cell systems for flexible fuel operation
    Patent number: 8968955
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: David Weingaertner, Arne Ballantine, Swaminathan Venkataraman
  • Fuel Cell Mechanical Components
    Publication number: 20140342252
    Abstract: A modular fuel cell system includes a base, at least four power modules arranged in a row on the base, and a fuel processing module and power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each power module includes a separate cabinet which contains at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the at least one fuel processing and power conditioning modules through the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Gilbert Richards, David Trevisan, Michael Lee, Jessica Mahler, Ross Parker, Alex Clarabut, Chad Pearson, Arne Ballantine, David Weingaertner, Jason Hixson, Fred Mitlitsky
  • SOFC hot box components
    Patent number: 8877399
    Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: David Weingaertner, Michael Petrucha, Martin Perry, David Edmonston, Virpaul Bains, Andy Ta, Navaneetha Krishnan
  • Fuel cell system operated on liquid fuels
    Patent number: 8822094
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heavy hydrocarbon fuel source, and a fractionator configured to separate light ends from heavy ends of a heavy hydrocarbon fuel provided from the heavy hydrocarbon fuel source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Swaminathan Venkataraman, Arne Watson Ballantine, David Weingaertner
  • Fuel cell mechanical components
    Patent number: 8822101
    Abstract: A modular fuel cell system includes a base, at least four power modules arranged in a row on the base, and a fuel processing module and power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each power module includes a separate cabinet which contains at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the at least one fuel processing and power conditioning modules through the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert Richards, David Trevisan, Michael Lee, Jessica Mahler, Ross Parker, Alex Clarabut, Chad Pearson, Arne Ballantine, David Weingaertner, Jason Hixson, Fred Mitlitsky
  • SOFC HOT BOX COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20140178786
    Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Perry, David Weingaertner, Nilanjana Basu, Michael Petrucha, William David Lyle, Navaneetha Krishnan, Matthias Gottmann
  • DERIVATION OF CONTROL PARAMETERS OF FUEL CELL SYSTEMS FOR FLEXIBLE FUEL OPERATION
    Publication number: 20140162155
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: David Weingaertner, Arne Ballantine, Swaminathan Venkataraman
  • Energy Load Management System
    Publication number: 20140106247
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a fuel cell system. An anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) receives air and fuel exhaust streams from one or more fuel cell stacks of the fuel cell system. The one or more fuel cell stacks provide current to one or more loads. An ATO temperature signal is used to control at least one of a fuel inlet flow to the one or more fuel cell stacks or the current provided to the one or more loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: David Higdon, David Weingaertner