Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Factor & Partners
  • Joined solid oxide fuel cell stacks and method for fabricating same
    Patent number: 6368739
    Abstract: The invention comprises a solid oxide fuel cell system comprising at least two solid oxide fuel cell stacks and at least one extension member. Each solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells. Each cell is separated by an interconnect. The extension member joins at least one interconnect of one of the solid oxide fuel cell stacks with a corresponding interconnect of another of the solid oxide fuel cell stacks. The invention further includes a method of fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Sofco
    Inventors: Lyman J. Frost, Singaravelu Elangovan, Joseph Jay Hartvigsen, Mark Timper, Dennis L. Larsen
  • Sundial
    Patent number: 6367158
    Abstract: A sundial for indicating the time of day using the position of the sun having a labyrinthine body with a plurality of pathways connecting a first and said second face, each pathway being adapted either to transmit said ray of light from an entry end at the first face to an exit end at the second face or to absorb said ray of light depending on the solar position so that the second face indicates visibly the time of day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Richard Keatch
  • Electrochromic materials with enhanced ultraviolet stability and devices comprising same
    Patent number: 6362914
    Abstract: Electrochromic devices and materials having enhanced daylight stability are described. The materials have a redox center linked to an energy receptor site that may serve to dissipate excited state energy from the redox center, alternatively the receptor site may absorb harmful radiation prior to the absorption by the redox center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, Thomas F. Guarr, David A. Theiste
  • Conditioning carbonaceous materials through slow scanning cycling in an electrochemical cell
    Patent number: 6358289
    Abstract: A process for conditioning an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of fabricating an electrochemical cell comprising a first electrode which comprises a carbonaceous active material and a lithium polysilicate binder, a second electrode, and an electrolyte, and controllably cycling the electrochemical cell, and in turn, forming a passivation layer near the interface between the first electrode and the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Denis G. Fauteux, Eric S. Kolb
  • Current collector having a uniformly applied lithium polysilicate primer and associated fabrication process
    Patent number: 6358650
    Abstract: A primed current collector for use in an electrochemical cell comprising a current collector having a first surface and a second surface, and a primer applied to at least a portion of the first and/or second surfaces of the current collector, wherein the primer comprises a uniform layer of lithium polysilicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Michael McLin, Denis G. Fauteux
  • Electrochromic media with concentration-enhanced stability, process for the preparation thereof and use in electrochromic devices
    Patent number: 6353493
    Abstract: Increased stability of electrochromic devices containing an electrochromic medium having two or more electroactive compounds is accomplished by establishing current limiting concentrations of electroactive compounds with the larger redox potential difference. A process for production of electrochromic devices uses targeted concentrations of electroactive materials during preparation of the electrochromic medium which results in substantially no devices being produced wherein the current is limited by an electroactive compound having a low redox potential difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas F. Guarr, David A. Theiste, David J. Cammenga, John S. Anderson
  • Variable transmittance electrochromic devices
    Patent number: 6351328
    Abstract: Single-compartment, self-erasing, solution-phase electrochromic devices, solutions of electrochromic compounds for use as media of variable transmittance in such devices, and electrochromic compounds for such solutions are provided. The devices of the invention are surprisingly stable to cycling between light and dark states, have continuously variable transmittance to light as a function of electrical potential applied across the solution in a device, and have transmittance that can be varied over more than a factor of 10, from clear to dark or from dark to clear, in several seconds. Thus, the devices are especially suitable as variable transmittance components of variable transmission light filters, including windows, and variable reflectance mirrors, including anti-glare rearview mirrors in automobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventor: Harlan J. Byker
  • Fill valve assembly for filler device and associated method
    Patent number: 6338370
    Abstract: A fill valve assembly for use in association with a filler device. The fill valve assembly generally includes: an outer housing; a product dispensing member; a displaceable piston; and mechanisms for controllably displacing the piston to a clean-in-place position. The product dispensing member is associated with the outer housing and includes a channel having a sealing member retained therein. The displaceable piston is positioned within at least a portion of the outer housing and the product dispensing member. When the piston is in the clean-in-place position, the seal member retained within the channel of the product dispensing member is exposed which facilitates cleaning thereabout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignees: Fogg Filler Company, Scholle Corporation
    Inventors: Simon P. Edwards, Michael R. Resterhouse, Randall L. Johnson
  • Adaptive cooling system control system
    Patent number: 6330799
    Abstract: An adaptive cooling system control system for controlling fluid delivery from a pump to a fan motor comprises an inlet, an outlet and a speed control structure. The inlet receives fluid from a pump. The outlet delivers the fluid to a fan motor. The speed control structure controls the speed of the fan motor, and comprises a valve including a first passage in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, and a bypass passage selectively communicable with the inlet, the bypass passage being placed in communication with the inlet upon receiving fluid from a pump in excess of a predetermined desired quantity of such fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Probir Chatterjea
  • Apparatus and method for delivering a beneficial agent
    Patent number: 6327426
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent to a surrounding area comprising a first electroactive electrode, a beneficial agent, a second electroactive electrode and an electrical associating member. The first electroactive electrode includes an outer surface, a portion of which is exposable to the surrounding area. The beneficial agent is dispersed within the first electroactive electrode. The second electroactive electrode is associated with the first electroactive electrode. The electrical associating member electrically associates the first electroactive electrode and the second electroactive electrode, to, facilitate corrosion of the exposable surface of the first electroactive electrode, upon exposure of same to the surrounding area, and, in turn the release of the beneficial agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, Truman Wold
  • Methods and apparatus for ocular iontophoresis
    Patent number: 6319240
    Abstract: An iontophoretic apparatus for ocular iontophoresis comprising a housing element formed to cooperate with the eye. In cooperation with the housing element is a flexible current distribution element that is capable of transmitting electrical current. Coupled to the current distribution element is a conformable medicament containment element that is filled with a medicament which is released under the influence of an electrical current, while a barrier element is provided that is configured to reduce current flow outside of the barrier and aid in the preferential delivery of medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Iomed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon E. Beck
  • Color-stabilized electrochromic devices
    Patent number: 6310714
    Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in a normally operating electrochromic device comprising an anodic material and a cathodic material wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic, an additive, and means associated with the additive for maintaining a colorless or nearly colorless electrochromic medium while the electrochromic medium is in a high transmission state relative to an electrochromic medium without the additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Lomprey, Thomas F. Guarr
  • Rotary union assembly for filler device and associated method
    Patent number: 6305437
    Abstract: A rotary union assembly for use in a rotary filler device comprising a first product supply conduit, a second product supply conduit, and a product supply turret rotatably coupled to the first product supply conduit and the second product supply conduit, to, in turn, maintain substantially sealed coupling therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignees: Fogg Filler Company, Scholle Corporation
    Inventors: Simon P. Edwards, Michael R. Resterhouse, Randall L. Johnson
  • Soap holder
    Patent number: D451732
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Zetsche
  • Glass holder
    Patent number: D452097
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Zetsche
  • Tray
    Patent number: D452098
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Zetsche
  • Holder for toilet paper
    Patent number: D452789
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Zetsche
  • Soap dispenser
    Patent number: D453885
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Zetsche
  • Towel ring
    Patent number: D454274
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Zetsche
  • Towel holder
    Patent number: D455591
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Zetsche