Patents by Inventor Sean McGrady
Sean McGrady 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: 9512002Abstract: A coated hydrogen storage pellet; wherein the pellet comprises a hydrogen-storage material; the coating comprises a hydrogen-permeable polymer and the coating has a mean thickness of less than 50 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: CELLA ACQUISITION LIMITEDInventors: Stephen Bennington, Sean McGrady, David Royse, Arthur Lovell, Lyndsey Mooring, Tom Headen
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Patent number: 9376635Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting, handling and upgrading carbonaceous material. The systems and methods involve forming a reaction mixture of a carbonaceous material, a supercritical fluid, a catalyst and a source of hydrogen, and maintaining the reaction mixture at moderate temperatures for modest time periods. Exemplary reaction temperatures are those below 200° C. Exemplary reaction times range from 30 minutes to less than 24 hours.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2010Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignees: HSM Systems, Inc., University of New BrunswickInventors: Gerard Sean McGrady, Sarah Ann Brough, Christopher Willson
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Publication number: 20150315017Abstract: A process for regenerating spent hydride fuel comprises the steps of (1) generating hydrazine from a plasma; for example generating a solution of hydrazine in liquid ammonia using a plasma generated in a glow discharge cell, (2) contacting the spent hydride fuel with said hydrazine and (3) thereafter separating a regenerated hydride fuel therefrom. The process is widely applicable in regenerating spent hydride transportation fuels which are used to power for example a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine. It is especially useful in regenerating spent ammonia borane fuels such as those arising from the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane/polymer composite fuels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: Cella Acquisition LimitedInventor: Gerard Sean McGRADY
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Patent number: 9093184Abstract: A spacecraft and spacesuit having a radiation shield are disclosed. The shield comprises a hydrogen-containing material encapsulated or bound in a polymer. The hydrogen-containing material has a higher hydrogen content than polyethylene. The hydrogen-containing material may be: encapsulated in a polymer container, sandwiched between layers of polymer, mixed with a polymer as binder, or held in the pores of a polymer foam. The hydrogen may be a hydride or borohydride such as beryllium borohydride, ammonium octahydrotriborate, lithium borohydride tetramethyl ammonium borohydride and beryllium hydride. Methods of manufacturing the shield are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Cella Acquisition LimitedInventors: Stephen Bennington, Arthur Lovell, Tom Headen, David Royse, Atahl Nathanson, Stephen Voller, Gang Liu, Stephen Perusich, Sean McGrady
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Publication number: 20140299794Abstract: A spacecraft and spacesuit having a radiation shield are disclosed. The shield comprises a hydrogen-containing material encapsulated or bound in a polymer. The hydrogen-containing material has a higher hydrogen content than polyethylene. The hydrogen-containing material may be: encapsulated in a polymer container, sandwiched between layers of polymer, mixed with a polymer as binder, or held in the pores of a polymer foam. The hydrogen may be a hydride or borohydride such as beryllium borohydride, ammonium octahydrotriborate, lithium borohydride tetramethyl ammonium borohydride and beryllium hydride. Methods of manufacturing the shield are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2012Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventors: Stephen Bennington, Arthur Lovell, Tom Headen, David Royse, Atahl Nathanson, Stephen Voller, Gang Liu, Stephen Perusich, Sean McGrady
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Publication number: 20140178291Abstract: A coated hydrogen storage pellet; wherein the pellet comprises a hydrogen-storage material; the coating comprises a hydrogen-permeable polymer and the coating has a mean thickness of less than 50 ?m.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: CELLA ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Stephen BENNINGTON, Sean MCGRADY, David ROYSE, Arthur LOVELL, Lyndsey MOORING, Tom HEADEN
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Patent number: 8691084Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for extracting and upgrading heavy hydrocarbons from substrates such as oil sands, oil shales, and tar sands in a unitary operation. The substrate bearing the hydrocarbon is brought into contact with a supercritical or near-supercritical fluid, a source of hydrogen such as hydrogen gas, and a catalyst. The materials are mixed and heated under elevated pressure. As a consequence of the elevated temperature and pressure, upgraded hydrocarbon-containing material is provided in a single or unitary operation. In some embodiments, sonication can be used to improve the upgrading process. Fluids suitable for use in the process include carbon dioxide, hexane, and water. It has been observed that upgrading can occur within periods of time of a few hours.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: University of New BrunswickInventors: Gerard Sean McGrady, Sarah Ann Brough, Christopher Willson
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Patent number: 8420047Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controllably converting aluminum into alane. In the system of the invention, a reaction between aluminum and hydrogen to form alane is performed at temperatures below 100° C. using a supercritical fluid such as CO2 as a reaction medium, with the optional inclusion of a co-solvent, such as an ether, in the reaction vessel. Inert gas is used to exclude unwanted gases such as oxygen. The reaction of aluminum and hydrogen has been observed to proceed at approximately 60° C. using Me2O as an added solvent in CO2 at supercritical pressures.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Inventor: Gerard Sean McGrady
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Publication number: 20120279902Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting, handling and upgrading liquid-based carbonaceous material. The systems and methods involve forming a reaction mixture of a liquid-based carbonaceous material, a supercritical fluid, a catalyst and a source of hydrogen, and maintaining the reaction mixture at moderate temperatures for modest time periods. Exemplary reaction temperatures are those below 200° C. Exemplary reaction times range from 30 minutes to less than 24 hours.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Gerard Sean McGrady, Sarah Ann Brough, Christopher Willson
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Publication number: 20120248376Abstract: Processes for synthesizing, recharging, reprocessing and chemical doping of hydrogen storage materials utilizing supercritical fluids. The processes include dissolution or suspension of the material in a supercritical fluid mixed with hydrogen.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICKInventor: Sean McGrady
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Publication number: 20110178312Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controllably converting aluminum into alane. In the system of the invention, a reaction between aluminum and hydrogen to form alane is performed at temperatures below 100° C. using a supercritical fluid such as CO2 as a reaction medium, with the optional inclusion of a co-solvent, such as an ether, in the reaction vessel. Inert gas is used to exclude unwanted gases such as oxygen. The reaction of aluminum and hydrogen has been observed to proceed at approximately 60° C. using Me2O as an added solvent in CO2 at supercritical pressures.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventor: Gerard Sean McGrady
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Patent number: 7931887Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controllably converting aluminum into alane. In the system of the invention, a reaction between aluminum and hydrogen to form alane is performed at temperatures below 100° C. using a supercritical fluid such as CO2 as a reaction medium, with the optional inclusion of a co-solvent, such as an ether, in the reaction vessel. Inert gas is used to exclude unwanted gases such as oxygen. The reaction of aluminum and hydrogen has been observed to proceed at approximately 60° C. using Me2O as an added solvent in CO2 at supercritical pressures.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: HSM Systems, Inc.Inventor: Gerard Sean McGrady
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Publication number: 20110049016Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for extracting and upgrading heavy hydrocarbons from substrates such as oil sands, oil shales, and tar sands in a unitary operation. The substrate bearing the hydrocarbon is brought into contact with a supercritical or near-supercritical fluid, a source of hydrogen such as hydrogen gas, and a catalyst. The materials are mixed and heated under elevated pressure. As a consequence of the elevated temperature and pressure, upgraded hydrocarbon-containing material is provided in a single or unitary operation. In some embodiments, sonication can be used to improve the upgrading process. Fluids suitable for use in the process include carbon dioxide, hexane, and water. It has been observed that upgrading can occur within periods of time of a few hours.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicants: HSM SYSTEMS, INC., University of New BrunswickInventors: Gerard Sean McGrady, Sarah Ann Brough, Christopher Willson
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Publication number: 20110000825Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting, handling and upgrading carbonaceous material. The systems and methods involve forming a reaction mixture of a carbonaceous material, a supercritical fluid, a catalyst and a source of hydrogen, and maintaining the reaction mixture at moderate temperatures for modest time periods. Exemplary reaction temperatures are those below 200° C. Exemplary reaction times range from 30 minutes to less than 24 hours.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicants: HSM SYSTEMS, INC., University of New BrunswickInventors: Gerard Sean McGrady, Sarah Ann Brough, Christopher Willson
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Publication number: 20100278708Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for producing ammonia under conditions having at least one of a temperature and a pressure that are respectively lower than the temperature and pressure at which the Haber process is performed. In some embodiments, a supercritical fluid is used as a reaction medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2008Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: HSM SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Gerard Sean McGrady, Christopher Willson
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Publication number: 20100021377Abstract: Processes for synthesizing, recharging, reprocessing and chemical doping of hydrogen storage materials utilizing supercritical fluids. The processes include dissolution or suspension of the material in a supercritical fluid mixed with hydrogen.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2005Publication date: January 28, 2010Inventor: Sean McGrady
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Patent number: 7618611Abstract: Hydrogen storage materials which are liquid metal alloys in their discharged state, thereby facilitating their recharging by reaction with hydrogen gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2005Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: University of New BrunswickInventor: Gerard Sean McGrady
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Publication number: 20090008049Abstract: A method for pulping a fibrous lignocellulosic material includes a pretreatment step wherein the lignocellulosic material is reacted with a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of amino acids, monocarboxylic acids and polycarboxylic acids preferably having from two to six carbon atoms. The chelating agent reacts with calcium ions in the material to form stable, water-soluble calcium complexes so as to avoid scaling, and the treated material requires a significantly lower energy input to undergo refining using either a mechanical or thermomechanical pulping method.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: STANTEC CONSULTING LTD.Inventors: MICHAEL A. CARR, DANIEL P. CAMPBELL, ROBERT J. CHISHOLM, ORMAND H. SMITH, LEON LIVINGSTON, DEAN T. MULLIN, GERARD SEAN MCGRADY
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Publication number: 20090010836Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for preparing hydrogen storage materials using low boiling point solvents or reaction media. Examples of such solvents or reaction media include dimethyl ether, ethyl methyl ether, epoxyethane, and trimethylamine. The synthesis of the hydrogen storage materials is conducted is a selected medium, and after synthesis is complete, the reaction medium is removed as necessary by moderate heating.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: HSM Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gerard Sean McGrady, Craig M. Jensen
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Publication number: 20080241056Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controllably converting aluminum into alane. In the system of the invention, a reaction between aluminum and hydrogen to form alane is performed at temperatures below 100° C. using a supercritical fluid such as CO2 as a reaction medium, with the optional inclusion of a co-solvent, such as an ether, in the reaction vessel. Inert gas is used to exclude unwanted gases such as oxygen. The reaction of aluminum and hydrogen has been observed to proceed at approximately 60° C. using Me2O as an added solvent in CO2 at supercritical pressures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: HSM Systems, Inc.Inventor: Gerard Sean McGrady