Patents Assigned to Bloom Energy Corporation
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Patent number: 11976670Abstract: A centrifugal blower includes a motor located in a motor housing, an impeller, and a volute. The volute directly contacts the motor housing such that the volute is configured to actively cool the motor during operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventor: Shuo Li
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Patent number: 11973247Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes providing fuel and air to a stack of fuel cells located in a hotbox, operating the stack to generate an anode exhaust and a cathode exhaust, in a startup mode, providing a first amount of the anode exhaust and the cathode exhaust to an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) located in the hotbox to oxidize the anode exhaust and to generate heat which is provided to the stack, and in a steady-state mode, stopping providing the anode exhaust to the ATO or providing to the ATO a second amount of the anode exhaust which is smaller than the first amount, and providing the anode exhaust and the cathode exhaust outside the hotbox.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2022Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: David Weingaertner, Michael Petrucha
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Patent number: 11971169Abstract: Various embodiments disclose a glow plug for a solid oxide fuel cell system. The glow plug includes a housing having a first end portion and a second end portion. The glow plug includes a heating element longitudinally disposed in the housing, extending from the second end portion of the housing towards the first end portion and extending outwardly from the housing for igniting fuel. Further, the glow plug includes a pair of coiled wires electrically connected to the heating element. Further, the glow plug includes a potting compound disposed within the second end portion of the housing for securing electrical coupling of the pair of coiled wires with the heating element. Furthermore, the glow plug includes a sealing element configured to form an air-tight connection between the housing and the heating element. The sealing element is positioned on top of the potting compound.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2022Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Vivek Kumar Singh, Siddharth Patel, Mike Petrucha, Nick Arcelona, Junyi Lee
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Patent number: 11973231Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) includes an ionically-conductive proton exchange membrane. Further, the MEA includes an anode contacting a first side of the membrane. The anode includes an anode gas diffusion layer (GDL). Further, the anode includes a first anode catalyst layer containing first catalyst particles, a hydrophobic polymer bonding agent, and a first ionomer bonding agent that lacks functional chains on a molecular backbone. The anode also includes a second anode catalyst layer containing second catalyst particles and a second ionomer bonding agent that includes functional chains on a molecular backbone. The MEA also includes a cathode contacting a second side of the membrane and comprising third catalyst particles and a cathode GDL.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2023Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Srikanth Ranganathan, Vijay Radhakrishnan, Vaibhav Nirgude
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Patent number: 11962041Abstract: A method of forming a fuel cell interconnect includes depositing a Cr alloy powder, sintering the Cr alloy powder, and repeating the depositing and the sintering to form the fuel cell interconnect. The Cr alloy powder may include a pre-alloyed powder containing from about 4 wt. % to about 6 wt. % Fe, and from about 94 wt. % to about 96 wt. % Cr.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Avinash Verma, Chockkalingam Karuppaiah, Harald Herchen, Cheng-Yu Lin, Martin Perry
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Patent number: 11916378Abstract: A power generation system includes a power source that is configured to communicate with at least one of a downstream load or a downstream device by changing a voltage on a power bus between the power source and the at least one of the downstream load or the downstream device, while power source provides power on the power bus to the at least one of the downstream load or the downstream device.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignees: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION, POWERSECURE INCORPORATEDInventors: Arne Ballantine, Prasad Pmsvvsv, Rajesh Gopinath, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Robert Harris, Marshall Worth, Chaitanya Mandela, Vishal Anand Gopalakrishnan
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Patent number: 11916263Abstract: A cross-flow interconnect and a fuel cell stack including the same, the interconnect including fuel inlets and outlets that extend through the interconnect adjacent to opposing first and second peripheral edges of the interconnect; an air side; and an opposing fuel side. The air side includes an air flow field including air channels that extend in a first direction, from a third peripheral edge of the interconnect to an opposing fourth peripheral edge of the interconnect; and riser seal surfaces disposed on two opposing sides of the air flow field and in which the fuel inlets and outlets are formed. The fuel side includes a fuel flow field including fuel channels that extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, between the fuel inlets and outlets; and a perimeter seal surface surrounding the fuel flow field and the fuel inlets and outlets.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Gasda, Vijay Srivatsan, Robert M. Hintz, Swaminathan Venkataraman, Padiadpu Shankara Anantha, Emad El Batawi, Cheng-Yu Lin, Sagar Mainkar, Gilbert Richards, Jonathan Scholl
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Patent number: 11916265Abstract: A fuel cell system conduit assembly includes a dielectric tube having a first end and a second end, a metallic first flange press-fit to the first end of the dielectric tube, a metallic second flange press-fit to the second end of the dielectric tube, a first snap ring disposed between the first flange and the dielectric tube, and a second snap ring disposed between the second flange and the dielectric tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: James Huynh, Michael Petrucha
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Patent number: 11909076Abstract: A method of making a fuel cell stack includes applying an electrically conductive, compliant contact print ink containing an electrically conductive material, a plasticizer, a solvent, and a binder to at least one of a surface of an electrode of a fuel cell or a surface of an interconnect, and placing the fuel cell and the interconnect in the fuel cell stack such that the compliant contact print ink is located between the electrode of the fuel cell and the interconnect.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventor: Andres Leming
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Patent number: 11876257Abstract: A fuel cell system and method for using a peak shaving gas, the system including: a fuel inlet configured to receive fuel from a fuel source; a catalytic partial oxidation (CPOx) reactor configured to at least partially oxidize the fuel during startup of the system; a blower configured to provide air to the CPOx reactor; a gas analyzer configured to determine a composition of fuel provided to the CPOx reactor from the fuel inlet; an oxidation catalyst configured to reduce an O2 content of fuel received from the CPOx reactor; a reforming catalyst configured to partially reform fuel received from the oxidation catalyst; and a stack of fuel cells configured to generate electricity using fuel received from the reforming catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: John Fisher, Jayakumar Krishnadass, David Weingaertner, Laxmikant Girwalkar, Shraddesh Malviya
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Patent number: 11870121Abstract: A fuel cell column includes a stack of alternating fuel cells and interconnects, where the interconnects separate adjacent fuel cells in the stack and contain fuel and air channels which are configured to provide respective fuel and air to the fuel cells. a manifold plate containing a bottom inlet hole and a bottom outlet hole located in a bottom surface of the manifold plate, top outlet holes and top inlet holes formed in opposing sides of a top surface of the manifold plate, outlet channels fluidly connecting the top outlet holes to the bottom inlet hole, and inlet channels fluidly connecting the top inlet holes to the bottom outlet hole, and a mitigation structure configured to reduce stress applied to the stack due to at least one of a shape mismatch or coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch between the stack and the manifold plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Gasda, Robert Hintz, Karanpal Bhangu, Siddharth Patel, Harald Herchen, Victor Silva, Thuy Thanh Muhl, Tyler Dawson, David Edmonston, Tad Armstrong
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Patent number: 11862832Abstract: A modular fuel cell subsystem includes multiple rows of modules, where each row comprises a plurality of fuel cell power modules and a power conditioning module containing a DC to AC inverter electrically connected the power modules. In some embodiments, a single gas and water distribution module is fluidly connected to multiple rows of power modules, and a single mini power distribution module is electrically connected to each of the power conditioning module in each row of modules. In some embodiments, each row of modules further includes a fuel processing module located on an opposite side of the plurality of fuel cell power modules from the power conditioning module. Fuel and water connections may enter each row from the side of the row containing the fuel processing module, and electrical connections may enter each row from the side of the row containing the power conditioning module.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Srihari Raghavan, David Trevisan, Richard Leitch, Armando Gomez, Aaron Ells, Jessica Mahler
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Patent number: 11848559Abstract: Excess DC current generated by a fuel cell stack may be provided to a current source inverter, and an AC current may be output by the current source inverter to a grid side bus. The AC current on the grid side bus may be used to support a load demand on a microgrid side bus or provided to a power grid. Various transmission buses and electric conditioning and control devices, such as rectifiers, current source inverters, motors, generators, electric contactors, relays, and/or transfer switches may be configured to use the AC current on the grid side bus to provide an AC current to the microgrid side bus to support the load demand on a microgrid side bus.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Prasad Pmsvvsv, Beau Baker, Vignan Reddy Bommireddy
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Use of hydrogen and liquid natural gas hybrid fuel in marine applications to reduce carbon footprint
Patent number: 11840320Abstract: A method of operating a vessel includes providing hydrogen or a fuel mixture containing hydrogen and a hydrocarbon fuel to a power generator disposed on the vessel, and providing power from the power generator to an electrical load of the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2021Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Martin Perry, Carl Cottuli, Suminderpal Singh, K. R. Sridhar -
Patent number: 11824205Abstract: A method of refurbishing a singulated fuel cell stack interconnect includes scanning a first pulsed laser beam on an air side of the interconnect to vaporize seal and corrosion barrier layer residue without vaporizing a metal oxide layer located on the air side of the interconnect below the corrosion barrier layer residue, and scanning a second pulsed laser beam which is different from the first pulsed laser beam on the exposed metal oxide layer on the air side of the interconnect to reflow the metal oxide layer without removing the metal oxide layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Drew Paran, Ali Delkaninia, Kendall Lui, Tulin Akin
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Patent number: 11820247Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a multi-input multi-output energy charging system to generate hydrogen, provide baseload energy to a facility, and provide electrical power to charge electric vehicles (EV). In an embodiment, a charging system includes a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system that generates electricity from one or more fuel inputs. One or more fuel inputs are renewable fuels. The charging system further includes a solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) system coupled to the SOFC system. The SOEC system generates hydrogen from the electricity received from the SOFC system and water input. The SOFC system facilitates the charging of an electric vehicle, storing charge in a battery, and providing electric power to a load from the generated electricity. The SOEC system facilitates refueling a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle from the generated hydrogen and storing the generated hydrogen in a hydrogen storage vessel.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: Barry Sharpe, Brian Hadley, Charles Frederick Walton
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Patent number: 11824232Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one spark igniter containing an insulated cable where at least a first end of the insulated cable is positioned within a reaction zone of the fuel cell system. A power supply is configured to provide a direct current (DC) voltage to the at least one spark igniter such that a spark is generated at the first end of the insulated cable.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2018Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Siddharth Patel, Aniket Pratap, Michael Petrucha
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Patent number: 11799316Abstract: A fuel cell system having a power module including at least one fuel cell segment, an input output module including at least one inverter, a rectifier, and an electric distribution module having at least a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector. The at least one fuel cell segment may be electrically connected to the at least one inverter and may be electrically connected to an information technology (IT) load via a split bus. The at least one inverter may be electrically connected to an alternating current (AC) source via the first electrical connector of the electric distribution module. The rectifier may be electrically connected to the AC source via the second electrical connector of the electric distribution module and may be electrically connected to the IT load via the split bus.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Peter Gross, Carl Cottuli, Arne Ballantine
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Patent number: 11786970Abstract: Methods for fabricating an interconnect for a fuel cell stack that include providing a protective layer over at least one surface of an interconnect formed by powder pressing pre-alloyed particles containing two or more metal elements and annealing the interconnect and the protective layer at elevated temperature to bond the protective layer to the at least one surface of the interconnect.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventor: Tad Armstrong
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Patent number: 11791730Abstract: Various embodiments may provide non-isolated single-input dual-output (SIDO) bi-directional buck-boost direct current (DC) to DC (DC-DC) converters. Various embodiments may provide a method for controlling a buck duty cycle of the non-isolated SIDO bi-directional buck-boost DC-DC converter such that a first voltage measured across a first portion of the non-isolated SIDO bi-directional buck-boost DC-DC converter is maintained at less than a voltage of a first load and a second voltage measured across a second portion of the non-isolated SIDO bi-directional buck-boost DC-DC converter is maintained at less than a voltage of a second load.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Rakesh Roy, Bala Subrahmanyam Kuchibhatla, Srinivas Rao Potta, Deepak Balakrishnan