Patents Assigned to Ballard Power Systems
  • Aqueous ionomeric gels and products and methods related thereto
    Patent number: 7060166
    Abstract: An aqueous ionomer gel having a high viscosity, particularly a proton conducting ionomer, as well as to related products incorporating such gels. Such aqueous ionomer gels are suitable for suspending catalysts for formation of catalyst inks, which in turn are suitable for screen printing on a variety of surfaces. Representative surfaces are the electrode or membrane surfaces in an electrochemical fuel cell. Methods for making aqueous ionomer gels are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Gervais, Michael V Lauritzen, Kristi M Zychowka, Lawrence A Vanderark, Kevin Michael Colbow
  • EEPROM emulation in flash memory
    Patent number: 7058755
    Abstract: An efficient emulation of EEPROM employing flash memory employs a fixed location for an address pointer in flash memory and such that an erase operation is required only once every nth update where n is the number of bits at the fixed location, thus avoiding the need to erase the sector on every update and avoiding delays associated with linked lists for determining the address of the most up-to-date information. Use of bit shifting provides fast determination of the desired address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Venkatapathi R. Nallapa
  • Architecture for power modules such as power inverters
    Patent number: 7046535
    Abstract: Power converters such as power modules configured as inverters employ modularized approaches. In some aspects, semiconductor devices are thermally coupled directly to thermally conductive substrates without intervening dielectric or insulative structures. Additionally, or alternatively, semiconductor devices are thermally coupled to thermally conductive substrates with relatively large surface areas before heat transferred from the semiconductor devices encounters a dielectric or electrically insulating structure with correspondingly high thermal impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Pablo Rodriguez, Douglas K. Maly, Ajay V. Patwardhan, Kanghua Chen, Sayeed Ahmed, Gerardo Jimenez, Fred Flett
  • Passive control of fuel concentration in a liquid feed fuel cell
    Patent number: 7041404
    Abstract: In a liquid feed fuel cell system, substantially pure fuel needs to be added to a dilute mixture of fuel in water so as to maintain the fuel concentration at an appropriate level for use with the fuel cell system. Under passive control of the fuel concentration, a first equilibrium concentration is established between the substantially pure fuel and a fuel transfer medium. A second equilibrium concentration is then established between the fuel transfer medium and the dilute mixture for use with the fuel cell system. The system is “passive” as it does not rely on the measurement of the fuel concentration and direct injection of fuel. The fuel transfer medium can be solid, liquid or gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Joerg Zimmermann
  • Method and apparatus for cycle error correction for a power converter device, such as an electronic power inverter
    Publication number: 20060072263
    Abstract: Cycle error correction is performed in an electronic power system to compensate for a difference between an AC grid side frequency and an AC load side frequency. The electronic power system can comprise an electronic power inverter, such as one usable with an uninterruptible power supply. Cycles of signals indicative of the AC grid power and the AC load power are counted and compared to obtain a cycle error value. If the cycle error value exceeds a first value to indicate that AC load side frequency is too high or too low, then compensation is performed to change the AC load side frequency to be closer to the AC grid side frequency. If the cycle error value falls below a second value to indicate that the AC grid side frequency and AC load side frequency are sufficiently close to one another, then the compensation is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Duo Deng, Kenneth Farkas, Anil Tuladhar, Kerry Grand
  • Membrane for a fuel cell and method for producing the same
    Patent number: 7022427
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ion-conductive polymer membrane for a fuel cell, whereby the polymer membrane is configured from a polymer-forming hydrocarbon material and to a method for producing the same. The membrane also has a metal-containing gel which has been hydrolysed and/or condensed from a metal alkoxide starting material and which is deposited in the polymer and/or is chemically bonded to the polymer. The proportion of metal alkoxide by weight, in relation to the membrane, lies between 25% and 1%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Hubertus Biegert, Peter Britz, Gabor Toth, Peter Urban
  • Power converter employing a planar transformer
    Patent number: 7019996
    Abstract: A power converter may employ a planar transformer to minimize winding conduction loss, and the switching devices of the power converter may be aligned in lines parallel to an edge of the planar transformer to minimize the termination leakage inductance. The windings of the planar transformer may be thermally conductively coupled to one or more heat sinks carried by a circuit board which are with respective ones of the switching devices, to provide a cooling path for the planar transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Lizhi Zhu, John M. Van Dyke, Richard J. Hampo
  • Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack having specific corrosion resistant cells
    Patent number: 7014935
    Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells, wherein at least one cell of the fuel cell stack has a resistance to corrosion that is greater than a significant portion of the other fuel cells of the stack. In one embodiment, the at least one fuel cell of the fuel cell stack that is more resistant to corrosion is one or both end cells of the stack. Also disclosed is a fuel cell system containing such a stack, as well as methods for reducing degradation of the same during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Shanna D. Knights, David P. Wilkinson
  • Direct current/direct current converter for a fuel cell system
    Patent number: 7014928
    Abstract: Fuel cell systems and control methods including a fuel cell and a second energy source, such as a battery that is adapted to supplement the fuel cell. In addition, the fuel cell system utilizes a single bipolar switching module, such as an IGBT six pack module that is configured to implement a DC/DC converter, such as a DC/DC boost converter, for both the fuel cell and the battery. The fuel cell system also makes use of a controller that is configured to control either or both of input current and output voltage of the DC/DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Christos A. Kambouris, John T. Bates
  • Black start method and apparatus for a fuel cell power plant, and fuel cell power plant with black start capability
    Patent number: 7011902
    Abstract: A black start operation employs the accumulation of power resulting from a reaction of fuel and ambient oxidant passively seeped or diffused into a fuel cell stack to bootstrap the fuel cell system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Martin T. Pearson
  • Integrated traction inverter module and DC/DC converter
    Patent number: 7012822
    Abstract: Integrated power conversion systems and methods for use in an electric vehicle having an electric motor, a primary high-voltage energy source, and an auxiliary energy source including a traction inverter module operable for converting a DC current generated by the high-voltage energy source into an AC current capable of powering the electric motor, and a DC/DC converter operable to step-down a voltage of the high-voltage energy source or step-up a voltage of the auxiliary energy source, wherein the traction inverter module and the DC/DC converter may share one or more common components, such as a common high-voltage DC bus capacitor, a common DC bus bar, and/or a common high-voltage transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Lizhi Zhu, Xingyi Xu
  • Leadframe-based module DC bus design to reduce module inductance
    Patent number: 7012810
    Abstract: A DC bus for use in a power module has a positive DC conductor bus plate parallel with a negative DC conductor bus plate. One or more positive leads are connected to the positive bus and are connectable to a positive terminal of a power source. One or more negative leads are connected to the negative bus and are connectable to a negative terminal of a power source. The DC bus has one or more positive connections fastenable from the positive bus to the high side of a power module. The DC bus also has one or more negative connections fastenable from the negative bus to the low side of the power module. The positive bus and negative bus permit counter-flow of currents, thereby canceling magnetic fields and their associated inductances, and the positive and negative bus are connectable to the center portion of a power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Parkhill, Sayeed Ahmed, Fred Flett
  • Apparatus for cutting expanded graphite sheet material
    Patent number: 6997696
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cutting expanded graphite sheet material, at least one cutting tool is urged against the sheet(s). The cutting tool has at least one ridge extending therefrom that includes a substantially tapered cross-section having sloping sides and an edge surface. At least a portion of the sheet material is displaced as the ridge is urged against the sheet. A region of the sheet material in contact with the ridge is compressed so that the density of the region reaches or exceeds the breaking density of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Neil V. Davis, David Brown
  • Metal bipolar plate
    Patent number: 6989213
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metal bipolar plate for a fuel cell, provided with a low-ohmic chemically stable coating. According to the invention, said coating is a multi-phase coating, at least in the region of the contacting outer surface thereof. One phase is a metal phase and/or ? phase belonging thereto and another phase is a compound phase consisting of one or several metals of the metal phase and one of the elements N,O,C,B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfram Kaiser, Detlev Repenning, Richard Spaeh, Joerg Wind
  • Dual power module power system architecture
    Patent number: 6987670
    Abstract: A dual power module architecture employing a high degree of modularity, that allows a base power module to be quickly, easily, and cost effectively configured to address a large variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Sayeed Ahmed, Fred Flett, Ajay V. Patwardhan, Douglas K. Maly
  • Method and device for catalytic nitrogen oxide reduction of motor vehicle exhaust
    Publication number: 20050287049
    Abstract: A method and a device is provided for NO reduction in motor vehicle exhaust by reduction on a catalyst. The hydrogen required for the NO reduction is produced directly on-board the motor vehicle by water vapor reformation and/or by partial oxidation of hydrocarbons, for example, methanol, diesel fuel, or gasoline on a catalyst. The device includes an adjustable heater for the catalyst for water vapor reformation or for partial oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventor: Uwe Benz
  • Fuel cell system automatic power switching method and apparatus
    Patent number: 6979504
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a battery, and a control system. A power circuit couples the fuel cell system selectively between the fuel cell stack and the battery. The power circuit includes a battery supply switch responsive to a voltage across the fuel cell stack, and a stack supply switch responsive to an operating state of the fuel cell system. The battery supply switch uncouples the battery from an on-board power supply when a voltage across the fuel cell stack exceeds a first threshold voltage and couples the battery to the on-board power supply when the fuel cell stack voltage is less than a second threshold voltage. The stack supply switch couples power the fuel cell stack to the on-board power supply when in a running state. A diode-OR circuit couples the source with the highest potential to the on-board power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Manery
  • System and method for unbalanced independent AC phase voltage control of a 3-phase, 4-wire output DC/AC inverter
    Publication number: 20050281067
    Abstract: Independent phase output voltage control for a 3-phase 4-wire DC/AC inverter, for example, is provided. With the independent phase output voltage control, all three phase output voltages from the DC/AC inverter can be separately and effectively controlled to provide balanced 3-phase voltages from the DC/AC inverter to an unbalanced load, and/or to provide unbalanced 3-phase voltages from the DC/AC inverter to a balanced or unbalanced load. The independent phase output voltage control method can be applied to an inverter power system, with outputs of N-phase (N+1) wire configurations. Here, N can be any integer number greater than zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Duo Deng, Kon-King Wang
  • Fuel cell fluid distribution layer having integral sealing capability
    Patent number: 6974647
    Abstract: A fuel cell fluid distribution layer, in one embodiment, comprises perforated graphite foil. The fluid distribution layer can have one or more reactant flow field channels formed in one or both major surfaces, one or more manifold openings, conductive filler on one or both major surfaces, conductive filler at least partially filling some or all perforations and/or an electrocatalyst one or both major surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Wilkinson, Juergen Stumper, Stephen A. Campbell, Michael T. Davis, Gordon Lamont
  • Interleaved power converter
    Publication number: 20050270806
    Abstract: A power converter architecture interleaves full bridge converters to alleviate thermal management problems in high current applications, and may, for example, double the output power capability while reducing parts count and costs. For example, one phase of a three phase inverter is shared between two transformers, which provide power to a rectifier such as a current doubler rectifier to provide two full bridge DC/DC converters with three rather than four high voltage inverter legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Lizhi Zhu