Patents by Inventor Joe Cargnelli
Joe Cargnelli 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).
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Patent number: 7338727Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for humidifying fuel, and optionally oxidant, supplied to a fuel cell system, which can be a single fuel cell or a multiplicity of fuel cells. A catalytic reactor is provided, which is supplied with a portion of the fuel and the oxidant. The fuel is supplied in excess of the oxidant to the catalytic reactor, so as to generate a stream of fuel which is both heated and humidified. For a closed system, a heated and humidified fuel flow, and optionally a heated and humidified oxidant flow, are mixed with additional flows of these gases supplied to the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2004Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Xuesong Chen, David Frank, Pierre Rivard, Joe Cargnelli
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Patent number: 7261150Abstract: A method for humidifying and controlling the temperature of a process gas stream comprising the steps of super-saturating and heating the process gas stream with steam until it reaches a first pre-set temperature; cooling the process gas stream until it reaches a second pre-set temperature; removing excess condensed water from the process gas stream; and heating the process gas stream until it reaches a third pre-set temperature. An apparatus for implementing this method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Joe Cargnelli, Ravi B. Gopal
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Patent number: 7077187Abstract: A regenerative energy and/or mass exchange assembly has: an exchange media; a first flow path to pass a fluid stream through the exchange media; at least a second flow path to pass a further fluid stream through the exchange media; and at least one fluid stream diverter to divert the different flow paths to pass the respective fluid streams through different regions of the exchange media. A method for operating the regenerative assembly is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Joe Cargnelli, Jianming Ye, Xuesong Chen, Ravi B. Gopal
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Patent number: 7051801Abstract: A method for humidifying and controlling the temperature of a process gas stream comprising the steps of super-saturating and heating the process gas stream with steam until it reaches a first pre-set temperature; cooling the process gas stream until it reaches a second pre-set temperature; removing excess condensed water from the process gas stream; and heating the process gas stream until it reaches a third pre-set temperature. An apparatus for implementing this method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Joe Cargnelli, Ravi B. Gopal
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Patent number: 7052791Abstract: An apparatus for humidifying and controlling the temperature of a process gas stream; has a first humidification unit for super-saturating and heating the process gas stream at a first pre-set temperature; and a first heat exchanger for cooling the process gas stream until it reaches a second pre-set temperature, and for removing excess condensed water from the process gas stream. The apparatus can include a heater for heating the process gas stream until it reaches a third pre-set temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Joe Cargnelli, Ravi B. Gopal
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Patent number: 6916567Abstract: Moisture recovery and humidification in a fuel cell system involving (i) intermittently switching each dryer in a plurality of dryers into and out of one of a first mode of operation for recovering moisture from an outgoing oxidant stream and a second mode of operation for humidifying an incoming oxidant stream such that during use at least one dryer is in the first mode of operation and at least one dryer is in the second mode of operation; (ii) directing the outgoing oxidant stream from the cathode through at least one dryer in the first mode of operation to recover moisture from the outgoing oxidant stream; and (iii) directing the incoming oxidant stream through at least one dryer in the second mode of operation to humidify the incoming oxidant stream with moisture.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2002Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Joe Cargnelli, Jianming Ye, Xuesong Chen, Ravi B. Gopal, David Frank
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Publication number: 20050069748Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for humidifying fuel, and optionally oxidant, supplied to a fuel cell system, which can be a single fuel cell or a multiplicity of fuel cells. A catalytic reactor is provided, which is supplied with a portion of the fuel and the oxidant. The fuel is supplied in excess of the oxidant to the catalytic reactor, so as to generate a stream of fuel which is both heated and humidified. For a closed system, a heated and humidified fuel flow, and optionally a heated and humidified oxidant flow, are mixed with additional flows of these gases supplied to the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2004Publication date: March 31, 2005Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Xuesong Chen, David Frank, Pierre Rivard, Joe Cargnelli
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Patent number: 6869717Abstract: A manifold for a fuel cell system comprises a plurality of first ports for connecting to fuel cell peripherals; a plurality of ports for connecting to a fuel cell stack; and a plurality of fluid passages within the manifold in communication with the said plurality of ports connecting to the fuel cell peripherals and with the first and second ports for providing, communication of fluids between the fuel cell stack and fuel cell peripherals. The manifold provides a higher degree of system integration, considerably reduced piping, fittings and associated hardware and hence generally reduces the size and weight of the fuel cell system. Thermal-fluid related system losses are also minimized.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Joe Cargnelli, Jianming Ye
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Patent number: 6790546Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for humidifying fuel, and optionally oxidant, supplied to a fuel cell system, which can be a single fuel cell or a multiplicity of fuel cells. A catalytic reactor is provided, which is supplied with a portion of the fuel and the oxidant. The fuel is supplied in excess of the oxidant to the catalytic reactor, so as to generate a stream of fuel which is both heated and humidified. For a closed system, a heated and humidified fuel flow, and optionally a heated and humidified oxidant flow, are mixed with additional flows of these gases supplied to the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Xuesong Chen, David Frank, Pierre Rivard, Joe Cargnelli
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Patent number: 6787254Abstract: A method for humidifying and controlling the temperature of a process gas stream comprising the steps of super-saturating and heating the process gas stream with steam until it reaches a first pre-set temperature; cooling the process gas stream until it reaches a second pre-set temperature; removing excess condensed water from the process gas stream; and heating the process gas stream until it reaches a third pre-set temperature. An apparatus for implementing this method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Joe Cargnelli, Ravi B. Gopal
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Patent number: 6746789Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for humidifying fuel, and optionally oxidant, supplied to a fuel cell system, which can be a single fuel cell or a multiplicity of fuel cells. A catalytic reactor is provided, which is supplied with a portion of the fuel and the oxidant. The fuel is supplied in excess of the oxidant to the catalytic reactor, so as to generate a stream of fuel which is both heated and humidified. For a closed system, a heated and humidified fuel flow, and optionally a heated and humidified oxidant flow, are mixed with additional flows of these gases supplied to the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Xuesong Chen, David Frank, Pierre Rivard, Joe Cargnelli
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Publication number: 20040106020Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for humidifying oxidant supplied to a fuel cell system, which can be a single fuel cell or a multiplicity of fuel cells. A catalytic reactor is provided, which is supplied with a portion of the fuel and the oxidant. The oxidant is supplied in excess of the fuel to the reactor, so as to generate a stream of oxidant which is both heated and humidified. For an air breathing stack, this heated oxidant can simply be mixed with air flowing through the fuel cell stack. For a closed system, a heated and humidified oxidant flow, and optionally a fuel flow are mixed with additional flows of these gases supplied to the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: David Frank, Xuesong Chen, Pierre Rivard, Joe Cargnelli
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Patent number: 6706429Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for humidifying oxidant supplied to a fuel cell system, which can be a single fuel cell or a multiplicity of fuel cells. A catalytic reactor is provided, which is supplied with a portion of the fuel and the oxidant. The oxidant is supplied in excess of the fuel to the reactor, so as to generate a stream of oxidant which is both heated and humidified. For an air breathing stack, this heated oxidant can simply be mixed with air flowing through the fuel cell stack. For a closed system, a heated and humidified oxidant flow, and optionally a fuel flow are mixed with additional flows of these gases supplied to the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: David Frank, Xuesong Chen, Pierre Rivard, Joe Cargnelli
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Publication number: 20030175568Abstract: ABSTRACT An apparatus for humidifying and controlling the temperature of a process gas stream; has a first humidification unit for super-saturating and heating the process gas stream at a first pre-set temperature; and a first heat exchanger for cooling the process gas stream until it reaches a second pre-set temperature, and for removing excess condensed water from the process gas stream. The apparatus can include a heater for heating the process gas stream until it reaches a third pre-set temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Joe Cargnelli, Ravi B. Gopal
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Publication number: 20030042002Abstract: A regenerative energy and/or mass exchange assembly is provided. The regenerative assembly comprises: an exchange media; a first flow path to pass a fluid stream through the exchange media; at least a second flow path to pass a further fluid stream through the exchange media; and at least one fluid stream diverter to divert the different flow paths to pass the respective fluid streams through different regions of the exchange media. A method for operating the regererative assembly is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventors: Joe Cargnelli, Jianming Ye, Xuesong Chen, Ravi B. Gopal
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Publication number: 20030031906Abstract: The invention regards a fuel cell system and method for recovering moisture from an outgoing oxidant stream and humidifying an incoming oxidant stream in a fuel cell. A plurality of dryers is used to recover moisture from an outgoing oxidant stream from the fuel cell and to humidify an incoming oxidant stream for the fuel cell. The fuel cell comprises an anode for receiving fuel and a cathode for receiving the incoming oxidant stream and discharging the outgoing oxidant stream, and an electrolyte between the anode and the cathode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2002Publication date: February 13, 2003Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Joe Cargnelli, Jianming Ye, Xuesong Chen, Ravi B. Gopal, David Frank
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Publication number: 20020098397Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for humidifying fuel, and optionally oxidant, supplied to a fuel cell system, which can be a single fuel cell or a multiplicity of fuel cells. A catalytic reactor is provided, which is supplied with a portion of the fuel and the oxidant. The fuel is supplied in excess of the oxidant to the catalytic reactor, so as to generate a stream of fuel which is both heated and humidified. For a closed system, a heated and humidified fuel flow, and optionally a heated and humidified oxidant flow, are mixed with additional flows of these gases supplied to the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2002Publication date: July 25, 2002Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Xuesong Chen, David Frank, Pierre Rivard, Joe Cargnelli
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Publication number: 20020098134Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for humidifying fuel, and optionally oxidant, supplied to a fuel cell system, which can be a single fuel cell or a multiplicity of fuel cells. A catalytic reactor is provided, which is supplied with a portion of the fuel and the oxidant. The fuel is supplied in excess of the oxidant to the catalytic reactor, so as to generate a stream of fuel which is both heated and humidified. For a closed system, a heated and humidified fuel flow, and optionally a heated and humidified oxidant flow, are mixed with additional flows of these gases supplied to the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2002Publication date: July 25, 2002Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Xuesong Chen, David Frank, Pierre Rivard, Joe Cargnelli
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Publication number: 20020088614Abstract: A method for humidifying and controlling the temperature of a process gas stream comprising the steps of super-saturating and heating the process gas stream with steam until it reaches a first pre-set temperature; cooling the process gas stream until it reaches a second pre-set temperature; removing excess condensed water from the process gas stream; and heating the process gas stream until it reaches a third pre-set temperature. An apparatus for implementing this method is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2002Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Joe Cargnelli, Ravi B. Gopal
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Publication number: 20020015867Abstract: A method for humidifying and controlling the temperature of a process gas stream comprising the steps of super-saturating and heating the process gas stream with steam until it reaches a first pre-set temperature; cooling the process gas stream until it reaches a second pre-set temperature; removing excess condensed water from the process gas stream; and heating the process gas stream until it reaches a third pre-set temperature. An apparatus for implementing this method is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Inventors: Joe Cargnelli, Ravi B. Gopal