Patents by Inventor Dennis Prediger

Dennis Prediger 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).

  • Electrochemical cell interconnect
    Patent number: 6855451
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack incorporates metallic interconnects each of which includes a fuel intake manifold, a fuel exhaust manifold, an oxidant intake manifold and an oxidant exhaust manifold. The fuel side of the interconnect defines a fuel flow field surrounded by a continuous sealing surface and in fluid communication with the fuel intake and exhaust manifold. The oxidant side of the interconnect defines an oxidant flow field surrounded by a continuous sealing surface and in fluid communication with the oxidant intake and exhaust manifolds. The interconnect may be fabricated by brazing together three stainless steel plates having overlapping openings to permit the exclusionary flow of fuel and oxidant through the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Debabrata Ghosh, Michael Pastula, Dennis Prediger, Martin Perry, Arpad Horvath, Jim Lumsden
  • SOFC stack with thermal compression
    Patent number: 6835486
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a thermally responsive compression element. The compression element extends between the top and bottom plates of the stack and has an overall coefficient of thermal expansion which is substantially the same or less than the composite coefficient of thermal expansion of the stack itself. The compression element may be elongated and include a lower rod, an upper sleeve and an intermediate expansion member which are concentrically arranged. The expansion member bears on shoulders formed on the lower rod and upper sleeve to provide a compressive force at elevated temperatures, if the expansion member has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the lower rod and upper sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Fuelcell Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis Prediger, Martin Perry, Scott Sherman
  • Integrated module for solid oxide fuel cell systems
    Patent number: 6749958
    Abstract: An integrated module includes an afterburner, heat exchanger and fuel processor. The module is thermally integrated solid oxide fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Global Thermmelectric Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Pastula, Arpad Horvath, Martin Perry, Dennis Prediger
  • SOFC stack with thermal compression
    Publication number: 20020142204
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a thermally responsive compression element. The compression element extends between the top and bottom plates of the stack and has an overall coefficient of thermal expansion which is substantially the same or less than the composite coefficient of thermal expansion of the stack itself. The compression element may be elongated and include a lower rod, an upper sleeve and an intermediate expansion member which are concentrically arranged. The expansion member bears on shoulders formed on the lower rod and upper sleeve to provide a compressive force at elevated temperatures, if the expansion member has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the lower rod and upper sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Dennis Prediger, Martin Perry, Scott Sherman
  • Electrochemical cell interconnect
    Publication number: 20020055028
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack incorporates metallic interconnects each of which includes a fuel intake manifold, a fuel exhaust manifold, an oxidant intake manifold and an oxidant exhaust manifold. The fuel side of the interconnect defines a fuel flow field surrounded by a continuous sealing surface and in fluid communication with the fuel intake and exhaust manifold. The oxidant side of the interconnect defines an oxidant flow field surrounded by a continuous sealing surface and in fluid communication with the oxidant intake and exhaust manifolds. The interconnect may be fabricated by brazing together three stainless steel plates having overlapping openings to permit the exclusionary flow of fuel and oxidant through the interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Debabrata Ghosh, Michael Pastula, Dennis Prediger, Martin Perry, Arpad Horvath, Jim Lumsden
  • Anode oxidation protection in a high-temperature fuel cell
    Publication number: 20020028362
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting the anode of a solid oxide or molten carbonate fuel cell from oxidation includes a controller having a voltmeter for monitoring the voltage output of the fuel cell and an external electric power source. If the fuel cell voltage output drops below a predetermined level, the controller causes the power source to be applied to the fuel cell which results in oxygen being transported away from the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Dennis Prediger, Debabrata Ghosh
  • Integrated module for solid oxide fuel cell systems
    Publication number: 20020004154
    Abstract: An integrated module includes an afterburner, heat exchanger and fuel processor. The module is thermally integrated solid oxide fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Pastula, Arpad Horvath, Martin Perry, Dennis Prediger