Patents by Inventor Michael Curello
Michael Curello 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: 9722268Abstract: The present application is directed to gas generators comprising a fuel mixture and a catalyst. The catalyst is contained in a self-regulated reactor or buoy, and selectively opens and closes to produce a gas in accordance with the demand for gas. This fuel mixture is generally a solution formed by dissolving a solid fuel component in a liquid fuel component. The mixing preferably occurs before the first use, and more preferably occurs immediately prior to the first use. The inventive gas generators preferably further comprises a starting mechanism that isolates the solid fuel from the liquid fuel or vice versa before the first use. In one embodiment, the starting mechanism further comprises a catalyst shield mechanism that isolates the catalyst in the reactor or buoy from the liquid and/or the solid fuel prior to the first use.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignees: Intelligent Energy Limited, The Commissariat a L'energie Atomique et Aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Andrew J. Curello, Constance R. Stepan, Michael Curello, Paul Spahr
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Patent number: 9539558Abstract: The present application is directed to a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) used within a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is separated from the reaction solution by passing through a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) having a hydrophobic lattice like member (36) disposed within a hydrogen output composite (32) further enhancing the ability of the hydrogen output composite's ability to separate out hydrogen gas and prolonging its useful life.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignees: Intelligent Energy Limited, The Commissariat a L'Energie Atomique et Aux Energies Alternatives (CEA)Inventors: Andrew J. Curello, Michael Curello, Constance R. Stepan
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Publication number: 20150200410Abstract: The present application is directed to gas generators comprising a fuel mixture and a catalyst. The catalyst is contained in a self-regulated reactor or buoy, and selectively opens and closes to produce a gas in accordance with the demand for gas. This fuel mixture is generally a solution formed by dissolving a solid fuel component in a liquid fuel component. The mixing preferably occurs before the first use, and more preferably occurs immediately prior to the first use. The inventive gas generators preferably further comprises a starting mechanism that isolates the solid fuel from the liquid fuel or vice versa before the first use. In one embodiment, the starting mechanism further comprises a catalyst shield mechanism that isolates the catalyst in the reactor or buoy from the liquid and/or the solid fuel prior to the first use.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Andrew J. Curello, Constance R. Stepan, Michael Curello, Paul Spahr
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Patent number: 9005344Abstract: The present application is directed to a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) used within a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is separated from the reaction solution by passing through a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) having a hydrophobic lattice like member (36) disposed within a hydrogen output composite (32) further enhancing the ability of the hydrogen output composite's ability to separate out hydrogen gas and prolonging its useful life.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignees: Societe Bic, The Commissariat a L'energie Atomique et Aux Energies Alternatives (CEA)Inventors: Andrew J. Curello, Michael Curello, Constance R. Stepan
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Patent number: 8986404Abstract: The present application is directed to gas generators comprising a fuel mixture and a catalyst. The catalyst is contained in a self-regulated reactor or buoy, and selectively opens and closes to produce a gas in accordance with the demand for gas. This fuel mixture is generally a solution formed by dissolving a solid fuel component in a liquid fuel component. The mixing preferably occurs before the first use, and more preferably occurs immediately prior to the first use. The inventive gas generators preferably further comprises a starting mechanism that isolates the solid fuel from the liquid fuel or vice versa before the first use. In one embodiment, the starting mechanism further comprises a catalyst shield mechanism that isolates the catalyst in the reactor or buoy from the liquid and/or the solid fuel prior to the first use.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignees: Societe BIC, The Commissariat a l'energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA)Inventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Andrew J. Curello, Constance R. Stepan, Michael Curello, Paul Spahr
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Publication number: 20150047506Abstract: The present application is directed to a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) used within a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is separated from the reaction solution by passing through a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) having a hydrophobic lattice like member (36) disposed within a hydrogen output composite (32) further enhancing the ability of the hydrogen output composite's ability to separate out hydrogen gas and prolonging its useful life.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventors: Andrew J. Curello, Michael Curello, Constance R. Stepan
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Patent number: 8951310Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple embodiments of a hydrogen generator (10) that measures, transports or stores a single dose of a viscous fuel component from first fuel chamber (12) in storage area (38) when the internal hydrogen pressure (44, 44?) of the hydrogen generator is high, and transports this single dose to a metal hydride fuel component in second fuel chamber (14) when the internal pressure is low, so that the viscous liquid and metal hydride fuel components react together to generate more hydrogen and to restart the cycle. The viscous fuel component can be water or alcohol, such as methanol, in liquid or gel form, and the metal hydride fuel component can be sodium borohydride or other metal hydride that chemically reacts with the viscous fuel to produce hydrogen. The metal hydride fuel component can be in solid or viscous form, e.g., aqueous form.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Andrew J. Curello, Constance R. Stepan, Anthony Sgroi, Paul Spahr, Michael Curello, Alain Rosenzweig, Kurt Rath
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Patent number: 8821834Abstract: The present invention concerns a hydrogen gas-generating apparatus (10) comprising (1) a reservoir (100) comprising an aqueous component (110), (2) a fuel compartment (200) comprising a solid metal borohydride fuel component (210), and (3) a reaction chamber (300) comprising an aerogel catalyst (310). A first fluid path introduces the aqueous component into the fuel compartment where the solid metal borohydride fuel component is dissolved into a liquid metal borohydride fuel component (210?). A second fluid path introduces the liquid metal borohydride fuel component into the reaction chamber to produce a hydrogen gas by means of a hydride-water oxidation reaction that is accelerated by the aerogel catalyst. The temperature and/or pressure of the reaction chamber are predetermined to maintain the water in the borate byproduct to be substantially in the liquid phase to minimize the precipitation of the borate byproduct.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Michael Curello, Constance Stepan
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Publication number: 20140120006Abstract: The present application is directed to a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) used within a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is separated from the reaction solution by passing through a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) having a hydrophobic lattice like member (36) disposed within a hydrogen output composite (32) further enhancing the ability of the hydrogen output composite's ability to separate out hydrogen gas and prolonging its useful life.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2014Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Societe BICInventors: Andrew J. Curello, Michael Curello, Constance R. Stepan
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Patent number: 8636961Abstract: The present invention increases the amount of hydrogen produced or released from reactions between a metal hydride fuel and liquid reactant. The present invention also decreases the volume of a hydrogen generating cartridge by reducing the pH of the liquid reactant.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Constance R. Stepan, Andrew J. Curello, Michael Curello
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Patent number: 8636826Abstract: The present application is directed to a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) used within a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is separated from the reaction solution by passing through a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) having a hydrophobic lattice like member (36) disposed within a hydrogen output composite (32) further enhancing the ability of the hydrogen output composite's ability to separate out hydrogen gas and prolonging its useful life.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Andrew J. Curello, Michael Curello, Constance R. Stepan
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Patent number: 8512911Abstract: A fuel supply (1) including a cover (2) having an opening (8) for access to the fuel. The cover (2) includes a shutter (12) or similar element for closing off the opening (8) to increase the operational resistance to the insertion and/or removal of the fuel supply (1). In one embodiment, the cover (1) includes a support (6) with a rotatable cap (4), where the rotation of the cap causes the shutter (12) to open. In another embodiment, the cover includes a base and a slidable cap, where the slidable cap is the shutter. The shutter (12) may be manually actuated, mechanically actuated or electrically actuated. The cover (2) may be biased to the open position or to the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Andrew J Curello, Paul Spahr, Floyd Fairbanks, Michael Curello
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Patent number: 8317884Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus (10) includes a reaction chamber (18) containing a solid fuel component (24) and a liquid fuel component (22) that is introduced into the reaction chamber by a fluid path, such as a tube, nozzle, or valve. The flow of the liquid fuel to the solid fuel is self-regulated. Other embodiments of the gas-generating apparatus are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Societe BicInventors: Andrew Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, Constance R. Stepan, Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Michael Curello
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Patent number: 8235077Abstract: A refillable fuel supply assembly for a fuel cell is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a refillable fuel supply adapted to supply fuel to a fuel cell, a refilling fuel cartridge containing fuel to be transferred to the refillable fuel supply, and a lock-and-release device connecting the refilling fuel cartridge to the refillable fuel supply to transport fuel from the refilling fuel cartridge to the refillable fuel supply. The lock-and-release device also retains the refilling fuel cartridge to the refillable fuel supply until the refilling fuel cartridge is substantially free of fuel.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Societe BicInventors: Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, Michael Curello, David Gray
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Publication number: 20110243836Abstract: The present invention concerns a hydrogen gas-generating apparatus (10) comprising (1) a reservoir (100) comprising an aqueous component (110), (2) a fuel compartment (200) comprising a solid metal borohydride fuel component (210), and (3) a reaction chamber (300) comprising an aerogel catalyst (310). A first fluid path introduces the aqueous component into the fuel compartment where the solid metal borohydride fuel component is dissolved into a liquid metal borohydride fuel component (210?). A second fluid path introduces the liquid metal borohydride fuel component into the reaction chamber to produce a hydrogen gas by means of a hydride-water oxidation reaction that is accelerated by the aerogel catalyst. The temperature and/or pressure of the reaction chamber are predetermined to maintain the water in the borate byproduct to be substantially in the liquid phase to minimize the precipitation of the borate byproduct.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2009Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: SOCIETE BICInventors: Michael Curello, Stepan Constance
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Publication number: 20110120008Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus (10) includes a reaction chamber (18) containing a solid fuel component (24) and a liquid fuel component (22) that is introduced into the reaction chamber by a fluid path, such as a tube, nozzle, or valve. The flow of the liquid fuel to the solid fuel is self-regulated. Other embodiments of the gas-generating apparatus are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: Societe BICInventors: Andrew Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, Constance R. Stepan, Anthony Sgroi, JR., Michael Curello
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Publication number: 20110099904Abstract: The present application is directed to gas generators comprising a fuel mixture and a catalyst. The catalyst is contained in a self-regulated reactor or buoy, and selectively opens and closes to produce a gas in accordance with the demand for gas. This fuel mixture is generally a solution formed by dissolving a solid fuel component in a liquid fuel component. The mixing preferably occurs before the first use, and more preferably occurs immediately prior to the first use. The inventive gas generators preferably further comprises a starting mechanism that isolates the solid fuel from the liquid fuel or vice versa before the first use. In one embodiment, the starting mechanism further comprises a catalyst shield mechanism that isolates the catalyst in the reactor or buoy from the liquid and/or the solid fuel prior to the first use.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: Societe BICInventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Andrew J. Curello, Constance R. Stepan, Michael Curello, Paul Spahr
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Publication number: 20110104021Abstract: The present application is directed to a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) used within a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is separated from the reaction solution by passing through a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) having a hydrophobic lattice like member (36) disposed within a hydrogen output composite (32) further enhancing the ability of the hydrogen output composite's ability to separate out hydrogen gas and prolonging its useful life.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: Societe BICInventors: Andrew J. Curello, Michael Curello, Constance R. Stepan
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Patent number: 7896934Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus (10) includes a reaction chamber (18) containing a solid fuel component (24) and a liquid fuel component (22) that is introduced into the reaction chamber by a fluid path, such as a tube, nozzle, or valve. The flow of the liquid fuel to the solid fuel is self-regulated. Other embodiments of the gas-generating apparatus are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Societe BicInventors: Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, Constance R. Stepan, Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Michael Curello
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Publication number: 20100104481Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple embodiments of a hydrogen generator (10) that measures, transports or stores a single dose of a viscous fuel component from first fuel chamber (12) in storage area (38) when the internal hydrogen pressure (44, 44?) of the hydrogen generator is high, and transports this single dose to a metal hydride fuel component in second fuel chamber (14) when the internal pressure is low, so that the viscous liquid and metal hydride fuel components react together to generate more hydrogen and to restart the cycle. The viscous fuel component can be water or alcohol, such as methanol, in liquid or gel form, and the metal hydride fuel component can be sodium borohydride or other metal hydride that chemically reacts with the viscous fuel to produce hydrogen. The metal hydride fuel component can be in solid or viscous form, e.g., aqueous form.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: Societe BICInventors: Andrew J. Curello, Constance R. Stepan, Anthony Sgroi, Paul Spahr, Michael Curello, Alain Rosenzweig, Kurt Rath