Patents by Inventor Remy Fontaine
Remy Fontaine 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: 9711808Abstract: A heating system for optimizing execution of heating tasks in a fuel cell vehicle is disclosed, the system including a stack coolant loop with a fuel cell stack, a primary pump, and a radiator module. A bypass coolant loop is disposed parallel with and is connected to the stack coolant loop between the fuel cell stack and the radiator module. The bypass loop including a cabin heat exchanger and a coolant heater, along with a secondary pump for pumping coolant through the heaters when desired.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Sebastian Lienkamp, Remy Fontaine
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Patent number: 9461346Abstract: A thermal management system that provides air cooling and heating for a battery by flow-shifting air through a battery enclosure. The battery includes a plurality of battery cells provided in the enclosure. The enclosure includes a first manifold having a first end and second end and second manifold opposite to the first manifold having a first end and second end. The thermal management system includes a plurality of valves for allowing air flow into and out of the first end or the second end of the first manifold and a second valve for allowing air flow into and out of the first end or the second end of the second manifold to provide the flow-shifting.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Marc Becker, Remy Fontaine
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Patent number: 9385382Abstract: System and methods for controlling and optimizing coolant system parameters in a fuel cell system to obtain a requested cabin temperature in a fuel cell vehicle are presented. A method for managing a temperature in a vehicle cabin may include receiving an indication relating to a desired vehicle cabin temperature and a plurality of measured operating parameters. Based on the measured operating parameters, a projected output temperature of a cabin heat exchanger may be estimated. A determination may be made that the projected output temperature of the cabin heat exchanger is less than the indication. Based on the determination a fuel cell coolant parameter may be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: John P. Salvador, Steven D. Burch, John P. Nolan, Remy Fontaine, Bram Peters, Oliver Maier
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Patent number: 9028306Abstract: A method of controlling the ventilation system for an energy source in a fuel cell vehicle is disclosed, which includes an HVAC system, a fluid reserve, and a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), capable of controlling a temperature of the RESS to militate against damage to or a shortened life of the battery, while maximizing vehicle durability, efficiency, performance, and passenger comfort.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Peter Kilian, Remy Fontaine, Sebastian Lienkamp
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Publication number: 20140363752Abstract: System and methods for controlling and optimizing coolant system parameters in a fuel cell system to obtain a requested cabin temperature in a fuel cell vehicle are presented. A method for managing a temperature in a vehicle cabin may include receiving an indication relating to a desired vehicle cabin temperature and a plurality of measured operating parameters. Based on the measured operating parameters, a projected output temperature of a cabin heat exchanger may be estimated. A determination may be made that the projected output temperature of the cabin heat exchanger is less than the indication. Based on the determination a fuel cell coolant parameter may be adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: JOHN P. SALVADOR, STEVEN D. BURCH, JOHN P. NOLAN, REMY FONTAINE, BRAM PETERS, OLIVER MAIER
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Patent number: 8795907Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed that employs an expander for recovering mechanical energy from a cathode exhaust fluid produced by the fuel cell system to generate torque. The expander is coupled to a shaft of a compressor with a freewheel mechanism, wherein the freewheel mechanism transfers the torque from the expander to the compressor when a rate of rotation of a driveshaft of the expander is greater than the rate of rotation of the shaft of the compressor, and selectively militates against the expander acting as a restrictor to the shaft of the compressor when a rate of rotation of the driveshaft of the expander is substantially equal to or less than a rate of rotation of the shaft of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Marc Becker, Remy Fontaine, Thomas W. Tighe
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Publication number: 20140138452Abstract: A system for conditioning the air in a passenger compartment of a fuel cell-powered vehicle is provided, the system including a metal hydride buffer and a hydrogen source, wherein the metal hydride buffer reversibly adsorbs and desorbs hydrogen gas. The change in temperature associated with adsorption or desorption of the hydrogen gas by the metal hydride buffer is thermally communicated to the passenger compartment, thereby conditioning the air therein. Desorbed hydrogen gas is fed back to the fuel cell to power the vehicle. Also provided are a vehicle having a system for conditioning air in a passenger compartment that employs the change in temperature resulting from the adsorption and desorption of hydrogen gas by the metal hydride buffer and methods for heating or cooling a passenger compartment of a fuel cell-powered vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Volker Formanski, Bram Peters, Remy Fontaine
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Publication number: 20130252525Abstract: A method of controlling the ventilation system for an energy source in a fuel cell vehicle is disclosed, which includes an HVAC system, a fluid reserve, and a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), capable of controlling a temperature of the RESS to militate against damage to or a shortened life of the battery, while maximizing vehicle durability, efficiency, performance, and passenger comfort.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Peter Kilian, Remy Fontaine, Sebastian Lienkamp
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Patent number: 8519674Abstract: A method for gathering information from battery sensors—for instance, information regarding the state-of-charge (SOC), temperature and/or other characteristics of battery cells in a vehicle battery pack—and using that information to estimate or predict battery degradation or state-of-health (SOH). According to an exemplary embodiment, the method uses both a time-based algorithm and an event-based algorithm to predict or estimate battery degradation. The event-based algorithm may select certain data from the battery conditions (e.g., a state-of-charge (SOC) swing (?SOC) or an SOC maximum (SOCMax)), instead of using the entire set of battery condition data, and may use this information in its prediction or estimate.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alastair Gordon Anderson, Remy Fontaine, Sebastian Lienkamp, Stephen Raiser, Peter Kilian
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Patent number: 8465350Abstract: A method of controlling the ventilation system for an energy source in a fuel cell vehicle is disclosed, which includes an HVAC system, a fluid reserve, and a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), capable of controlling a temperature of the RESS to militate against damage to or a shortened life of the battery, while maximizing vehicle durability, efficiency, performance, and passenger comfort.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Peter Kilian, Remy Fontaine, Sebastain Lienkamp
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Patent number: 8344697Abstract: A method and system for controlling temperature in an electric vehicle battery pack such that battery pack longevity is preserved, while vehicle driving range is maximized. A controller prescribes a maximum allowable temperature in the battery pack as a function of state of charge, reflecting evidence that lithium-ion battery pack temperatures can be allowed to increase as state of charge decreases, without having a detrimental effect on battery pack life. During vehicle driving, battery pack temperature is allowed to increase with decreasing state of charge, and a cooling system is only used as necessary to maintain temperature beneath the increasing maximum level. The decreased usage of the cooling system reduces energy consumption and increases vehicle driving range. During charging operations, the cooling system must remove enough heat from the battery pack to maintain temperatures below a decreasing maximum, but this has no impact on driving range.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technlogy Operations LLCInventors: Sebastian Lienkamp, Remy Fontaine, Marc Becker, Peter Kilian
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Publication number: 20120088130Abstract: A thermal management system that provides air cooling and heating for a battery by flow-shifting air through a battery enclosure. The battery includes a plurality of battery cells provided in the enclosure. The enclosure includes a first manifold having a first end and second end and second manifold opposite to the first manifold having a first end and second end. The thermal management system includes a plurality of valves for allowing air flow into and out of the first end or the second end of the first manifold and a second valve for allowing air flow into and out of the first end or the second end of the second manifold to provide the flow-shifting.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Marc Becker, Remy Fontaine
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Publication number: 20120025762Abstract: A method and system for controlling temperature in an electric vehicle battery pack such that battery pack longevity is preserved, while vehicle driving range is maximized. A controller prescribes a maximum allowable temperature in the battery pack as a function of state of charge, reflecting evidence that lithium-ion battery pack temperatures can be allowed to increase as state of charge decreases, without having a detrimental effect on battery pack life. During vehicle driving, battery pack temperature is allowed to increase with decreasing state of charge, and a cooling system is only used as necessary to maintain temperature beneath the increasing maximum level. The decreased usage of the cooling system reduces energy consumption and increases vehicle driving range. During charging operations, the cooling system must remove enough heat from the battery pack to maintain temperatures below a decreasing maximum, but this has no impact on driving range.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Sebastian Lienkamp, Remy Fontaine, Marc Becker, Peter Kilian
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Publication number: 20110207023Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed that employs an expander for recovering mechanical energy from a cathode exhaust fluid produced by the fuel cell system to generate torque. The expander is coupled to a shaft of a compressor with a freewheel mechanism, wherein the freewheel mechanism transfers the torque from the expander to the compressor when a rate of rotation of a driveshaft of the expander is greater than the rate of rotation of the shaft of the compressor, and selectively militates against the expander acting as a restrictor to the shaft of the compressor when a rate of rotation of the driveshaft of the expander is substantially equal to or less than a rate of rotation of the shaft of the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Marc Becker, Remy Fontaine, Thomas W. Tighe
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Publication number: 20110112781Abstract: A method for gathering information from battery sensors—for instance, information regarding the state-of-charge (SOC), temperature and/or other characteristics of battery cells in a vehicle battery pack—and using that information to estimate or predict battery degradation or state-of-health (SOH). According to an exemplary embodiment, the method uses both a time-based algorithm and an event-based algorithm to predict or estimate battery degradation. The event-based algorithm may select certain data from the battery conditions (e.g., a state-of-charge (SOC) swing (?SOC) or an SOC maximum (SOCMax)), instead of using the entire set of battery condition data, and may use this information in its prediction or estimate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Alastair Gordon Anderson, Remy Fontaine, Sebastian Lienkamp, Stephen Raiser, Peter Kilian
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Patent number: 7718297Abstract: A product comprising a fuel cell stack comprising a cathode outlet, a first conduit connected to the cathode outlet and to a first housing, a water-retaining material provided in said first housing, a bypass conduit connected to the cathode outlet of the fuel cell system, and a first valve for opening and closing at least one of said first conduit and said bypass conduit.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2006Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Reiner Wilpsbaeumer, Detlef Guenther, Remy Fontaine, Dirk Wexel
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Publication number: 20090236436Abstract: A heating system for optimizing execution of heating tasks in a fuel cell vehicle is disclosed, the system including a stack coolant loop with a fuel cell stack, a primary pump, and a radiator module. A bypass coolant loop is disposed parallel with and is connected to the stack coolant loop between the fuel cell stack and the radiator module. The bypass loop including a cabin heat exchanger and a coolant heater, along with a secondary pump for pumping coolant through the heaters when desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2008Publication date: September 24, 2009Inventors: Sebastian Lienkamp, Remy Fontaine
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Publication number: 20090001183Abstract: A method of controlling the ventilation system for an energy source in a fuel cell vehicle is disclosed, which includes an HVAC system, a fluid reserve, and a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), capable of controlling a temperature of the RESS to militate against damage to or a shortened life of the battery, while maximizing vehicle durability, efficiency, performance, and passenger comfort.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventors: Peter Kilian, Remy Fontaine, Sebastian Lienkamp
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Publication number: 20080107929Abstract: A product comprising a fuel cell stack comprising a cathode outlet, a first conduit connected to the cathode outlet and to a first housing, a water-retaining material provided in said first housing, a bypass conduit connected to the cathode outlet of the fuel cell system, and a first valve for opening and closing at least one of said first conduit and said bypass conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2006Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: GM Global Tehnology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Reiner Wilpsbaeumer, Detlef Guenther, Remy Fontaine, Dirk Wexel
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Patent number: 4097738Abstract: The method consists in subjecting a sample of insulating material to photon radiation and in measuring the energy of the photoelectrons emitted by the sample under the action of the radiation. The sample is fixed on a metal sample-holder having a shape such that a portion of this latter is subjected to radiation. The emission of electrons of low energy is thus initiated and the positive charges which appear at the surface of the samples with the emitted electrons are neutralized by creating in the vicinity of the sample surface a space zone in which the electric field is substantially zero.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1976Date of Patent: June 27, 1978Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie AtomiqueInventors: Lucette Feve, Remy Fontaine