Patents by Inventor Mark Steven Lahiff

Mark Steven Lahiff 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).

  • Method for dissipating energy in a fuel cell generator system
    Patent number: 6924050
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dissipating energy in a fuel cell generator system is provided. The method comprises determining an amount of electric power to be dissipated, operating a compressor to draw electric current as required to dissipate the determined amount of electric power, and valving the compressor to reduce the delivery of gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell stack. Valving the compressor includes restricting the flow of gas containing oxygen into the compressor, as well as venting gas containing oxygen to the atmosphere. Valving the compressor also includes inefficiently operating the compressor to reduce the flow of gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell stack. Such electrical power to be dissipated may be generated from a regenerative braking system of a vehicle, or from the minimum amount of electrical power that the fuel cell system can generate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Mark Steven Lahiff
  • Method and apparatus for dissipating energy in a fuel cell generator system
    Publication number: 20030068538
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dissipating energy in a fuel cell generator system is provided. The method comprises determining an amount of electric power to be dissipated, operating a compressor to draw electric current as required to dissipate the determined amount of electric power, and valving the compressor to reduce the delivery of gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell stack. Valving the compressor includes restricting the flow of gas containing oxygen into the compressor, as well as venting gas containing oxygen to the atmosphere. Valving the compressor also includes inefficiently operating the compressor to reduce the flow of gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell stack. Such electrical power to be dissipated may be generated from a regenerative braking system of a vehicle, or from the minimum amount of electrical power that the fuel cell system can generate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Steven Lahiff