Patents by Inventor Robert J. Kee

Robert J. Kee 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: 11996565
    Abstract: Electrode plates with feed and product channels are provided that present more spatially uniform chemical and electrochemical compositions to catalytically active electrode structures and ion-conducting electrolyte membrane layers to improve the performance and increase the longevity of the electrochemical devices (e.g., membrane reactors, gas-separation cells, electrochemical compressors, fuel cells, and electrolyzers). Each plate can have a single channel that extends between an inlet and an outlet, and each channel can have a first segment that spirals inwardly from the inlet to a midpoint and a second segment that spirals outwardly from the midpoint to the outlet. The segments are interleaved with each other such that there are alternating flows of less-depleted feed or product and more-depleted feed or product. Consequently, chemical, electrochemical, and thermal behaviors are more uniformly distributed across the membrane-electrode assembly to increase performance and longevity of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Robert J. Kee, Huayang Zhu
  • Patent number: 11724247
    Abstract: Bifunctional catalyst compositions, methods, and systems are provided for the use of CO2 as a soft oxidizing agent to effectively convert low-value small alkanes to high-value small olefins. The bifunctional catalyst comprises a metal oxide catalyst and a redox-active ceramic support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventors: Canan Karakaya, Robert J. Kee, Olaf Deutschmann
  • Publication number: 20210291150
    Abstract: Bifunctional catalyst compositions, methods, and systems are provided for the use of CO2 as a soft oxidizing agent to effectively convert low-value small alkanes to high-value small olefins. The bifunctional catalyst comprises a metal oxide catalyst and a redox-active ceramic support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Canan Karakaya, Robert J. Kee, Olaf Deutschmann
  • Publication number: 20210091386
    Abstract: Electrode plates with feed and product channels are provided that present more spatially uniform chemical and electrochemical compositions to catalytically active electrode structures and ion-conducting electrolyte membrane layers to improve the performance and increase the longevity of the electrochemical devices (e.g., membrane reactors, gas-separation cells, electrochemical compressors, fuel cells, and electrolyzers). Each plate can have a single channel that extends between an inlet and an outlet, and each channel can have a first segment that spirals inwardly from the inlet to a midpoint and a second segment that spirals outwardly from the midpoint to the outlet. The segments are interleaved with each other such that there are alternating flows of less-depleted feed or product and more-depleted feed or product. Consequently, chemical, electrochemical, and thermal behaviors are more uniformly distributed across the membrane-electrode assembly to increase performance and longevity of the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Robert J. Kee, Huayang Zhu
  • Patent number: 9947953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reversible solid oxide electrochemical cell that may operate in two modes: a discharge mode (power generation) and a charge mode (electrolytic fuel production). A thermal system that utilizes a SOFB and is inclusive of selection of operating conditions that may enable roundtrip efficiencies exceeding about 80% to be realized is disclosed. Based on leverage of existing solid oxide fuel cell technology, the system concept is applicable to energy storage applications on the kW to MW scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Robert J. Braun, Robert J. Kee, Scott Barnett
  • Patent number: 8637197
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reversible solid oxide electrochemical cell that may operate in two modes: a discharge mode (power generation) and a charge mode (electrolytic fuel production). A thermal system that utilizes a SOFB and is inclusive of selection of operating conditions that may enable roundtrip efficiencies exceeding about 80% to be realized is disclosed. Based on leverage of existing solid oxide fuel cell technology, the system concept is applicable to energy storage applications on the kW to MW scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventors: Robert J. Braun, Robert J. Kee, Scott Barnett
  • Publication number: 20120282534
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reversible solid oxide electrochemical cell that may operate in two modes: a discharge mode (power generation) and a charge mode (electrolytic fuel production). A thermal system that utilizes a SOFB and is inclusive of selection of operating conditions that may enable roundtrip efficiencies exceeding about 80% to be realized is disclosed. Based on leverage of existing solid oxide fuel cell technology, the system concept is applicable to energy storage applications on the kW to MW scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Robert J. Braun, Robert J. Kee, Scott Barnett
  • Publication number: 20120251912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reversible solid oxide electrochemical cell that may operate in two modes: a discharge mode (power generation) and a charge mode (electrolytic fuel production). A thermal system that utilizes a SOFB and is inclusive of selection of operating conditions that may enable roundtrip efficiencies exceeding about 80% to be realized is disclosed. Based on leverage of existing solid oxide fuel cell technology, the system concept is applicable to energy storage applications on the kW to MW scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Robert J. Braun, Robert J. Kee, Scott Barnett
  • Patent number: 6242049
    Abstract: The present invention employs a constrained stagnation flow geometry apparatus to achieve the uniform deposition of materials or heat. The present invention maximizes uniform fluxes of reactant gases to flat surfaces while minimizing the use of reagents and finite dimension edge effects. This results, among other things, in large area continuous films that are uniform in thickness, composition and structure which is important in chemical vapor deposition processes such as would be used for the fabrication of semiconductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin F. McCarty, Robert J. Kee, Andrew E. Lutz, Ellen Meeks
  • Patent number: 5583780
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting the spectral (wavelength-dependent) radiation transport in thermal systems including interaction by the radiation with partially transmitting medium. The predicted model of the thermal system is used to design and control the thermal system. The predictions are well suited to be implemented in design and control of rapid thermal processing (RTP) reactors. The method involves generating a spectral thermal radiation transport model of an RTP reactor. The method also involves specifying a desired wafer time dependent temperature profile. The method further involves calculating an inverse of the generated model using the desired wafer time dependent temperature to determine heating element parameters required to produce the desired profile. The method also involves controlling the heating elements of the RTP reactor in accordance with the heating element parameters to heat the wafer in accordance with the desired profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventors: Robert J. Kee, Aili Ting