Patents by Inventor Robert D. Palumbo

Robert D. Palumbo 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).

  • Patent number: 9556528
    Abstract: Hybrid thermochemical water splitting systems are disclosed that thermally reduces metal oxides particles to displace some but not all of the electrical requirements in a water splitting electrolytic cell. In these hybrid systems, the thermal reduction temperature is significantly reduced compared to two-step metal-oxide thermochemical cycles in which only thermal energy is required to produce hydrogen from water. Also, unlike conventional higher temperature systems where the reduction step must be carried out under reduced oxygen pressure, the reduction step in the proposed hybrid systems can be carried out in air, allowing for thermal input by a solar power tower with a windowless, cavity receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Diver, Jr., Robert D. Palumbo, Nathan P. Siegel, James E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20160138175
    Abstract: Hybrid thermochemical water splitting systems are disclosed that thermally reduces metal oxides particles to displace some but not all of the electrical requirements in a water splitting electrolytic cell. In these hybrid systems, the thermal reduction temperature is significantly reduced compared to two-step metal-oxide thermochemical cycles in which only thermal energy is required to produce hydrogen from water. Also, unlike conventional higher temperature systems where the reduction step must be carried out under reduced oxygen pressure, the reduction step in the proposed hybrid systems can be carried out in air, allowing for thermal input by a solar power tower with a windowless, cavity receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Richard B. Diver, Jr., Robert D. Palumbo, Nathan P. Siegel, James E. Miller
  • Patent number: 9279188
    Abstract: Hybrid thermochemical water splitting cycles are provided in which thermally reduced metal oxides particles are used to displace some but not all of the electrical requirements in a water splitting electrolytic cell. In these hybrid cycles, the thermal reduction temperature is significantly reduced compared to two-step metal-oxide thermochemical cycles in which only thermal energy is required to produce hydrogen from water. Also, unlike the conventional higher temperature cycles where the reduction step must be carried out under reduced oxygen pressure, the reduction step in the proposed hybrid cycles can be carried out in air, allowing for thermal input by a solar power tower with a windowless, cavity receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Diver, Jr., Robert D. Palumbo, Nathan P. Siegel, James E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20140102912
    Abstract: Hybrid thermochemical water splitting cycles are provided in which thermally reduced metal oxides particles are used to displace some but not all of the electrical requirements in a water splitting electrolytic cell. In these hybrid cycles, the thermal reduction temperature is significantly reduced compared to two-step metal-oxide thermochemical cycles in which only thermal energy is required to produce hydrogen from water. Also, unlike the conventional higher temperature cycles where the reduction step must be carried out under reduced oxygen pressure, the reduction step in the proposed hybrid cycles can be carried out in air, allowing for thermal input by a solar power tower with a windowless, cavity receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Robert D. Palumbo, Richard B. Diver, JR., Nathan P. Siegel, James E. Miller