Patents Assigned to Bloom Energy Corporation
  • Method of measurement and estimation of the coefficient of thermal expansion in components
    Patent number: 9958406
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and/or estimating a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of a component of a fuel cell system. A CTE measurement technique includes securing a measurement member over a surface of the component via a seal having a melting point, heating the seal above its melting point of the seal, cooling the component, measurement member and seal to a second temperature below the melting point of the seal, and determining the CTE of the component based on the change in the span of the measurement member after cooling. A fuel cell component characterization technique includes measuring an electrical resistivity (ER), conductivity (EC), resistance or conductance of the component, measuring at least one additional property of the component which, together with ER, EC, resistance or conductance, correlates to the CTE of the component, and sorting the component based on the measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cheng-Yu Lin, Daniel Darga, Michael Groesch, Harald Herchen, Vijay Srivatsan
  • Methods and systems for detecting defects in a fuel cell stack
    Patent number: 9945815
    Abstract: A method for testing a fuel cell stack includes providing a fluid, such as an ammonia-containing fluid, in a first reactant flow path in a first portion of the fuel cell stack, detecting the presence of the fluid using a detector, such as an ammonia detector, positioned within or adjacent to a second portion of the fuel cell stack that is separated from the first portion of the fuel cell stack and determining the presence of a defect in the stack based on detecting the presence of the fluid. Further embodiments relate to testing a fuel cell stack using a microphone that detects an audio signal indicative of a stack defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Wilson, Arne Ballantine, Matthias Gottmann, Tad Armstrong, Martin Perry, David Edmonston, Michael Lesher, Joshua Baime
  • Modular fuel cell system
    Patent number: 9947955
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack module includes a base, a cover dome removably positioned on the base, and a plurality of fuel cell stacks removably positioned on the base below the cover dome. A modular fuel cell system includes a plurality of the fuel cell stack modules, where each fuel cell stack module may be electrically disconnected, removed from the fuel cell system, repaired or serviced without stopping an operation of the other fuel cell stack modules in the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: K. R. Sridhar, Swaminathan Venkataraman, William David Lyle, Arne Ballantine
  • SOFC hot box components
    Patent number: 9941525
    Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin Perry, Navaneetha Krishnan, Nilanjana Basu, Ram Ramanan
  • Fuel cell interconnect with reduced voltage degradation over time
    Patent number: 9923211
    Abstract: A method of making an interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell stack includes providing a chromium alloy interconnect and providing a nickel mesh in contact with a fuel side of the interconnect. Formation of a chromium oxide layer is reduced or avoided in locations between the nickel mesh and the fuel side of the interconnect. A Cr—Ni alloy or a Cr—Fe—Ni alloy is located at least in the fuel side of the interconnect under the nickel mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Emad El Batawi, Andres Leming, Shailendra Parihar, Michael Gasda
  • Fuel cell system with partial recycling of anode exhaust
    Patent number: 9911989
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes providing a fuel inlet stream into a fuel cell stack, operating the fuel cell stack to generate electricity and a hydrogen containing fuel exhaust stream having a temperature above 200 C, lowering a temperature of the fuel exhaust stream to 200 C or less, separating the fuel exhaust stream into a first separated fuel exhaust stream and a second separated fuel exhaust stream, and recycling the first separated fuel exhaust stream into the fuel inlet stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James McElroy, Swaminathan Venkataraman, John Finn, M. Douglas LeVan, Fred Mitlitsky
  • Method for solid oxide fuel cell fabrication
    Patent number: 9882219
    Abstract: A method of making a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes forming a first sublayer of a first electrode on a first side of a planar solid oxide electrolyte and drying the first sublayer of the first electrode. The method also includes forming a second sublayer of the first electrode on the dried first sublayer of the first electrode prior to firing the first sublayer of the first electrode, firing the first and second sublayers of the first electrode during the same first firing step, and forming a second electrode on a second side of the solid oxide electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Emad El Batawi, Patrick Munoz, Dien Nguyen
  • Structure and method for indicating undesirable constituents in a fuel cell system
    Patent number: 9859580
    Abstract: An optical detection system for detecting undesirable constituents in a fuel cell system includes a sensing material configured to change color in the presence of the undesirable constituents and at least one sensor configured to register the change in color of the sensing material. The sensor is coupled to a corresponding light source. The sensing material, the sensor and the light source are enclosed in a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arne Ballantine, David Trevisan, Venkat Ramani, Emma Campbell, Jessica Mahler, Michael Wright, Jeffrey W. Schrieber
  • Corrosion resistant barrier layer for a solid oxide fuel cell stack and method of making thereof
    Patent number: 9853298
    Abstract: A method of forming diffusion barrier layer includes providing an interconnect for a fuel cell stack, forming a glass barrier precursor layer over a Mn and/or Co containing electrically conductive contact layer on the interconnect, and heating the barrier precursor layer to precipitate crystals in the barrier precursor layer to convert the barrier precursor layer to a glass ceramic barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shailendra Parihar, Emad El Batawi, Anita Pradeep Hothur
  • Thermal processing of interconnects
    Patent number: 9847520
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods of fabricating an interconnect for a fuel cell stack. Methods for controlled pre-oxidation of an interconnect include oxidizing in a nitride-inhibiting environment to inhibit the formation of nitrides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shivanand Majagi, Harald Herchen, Sanjiv Kapoor, Michael Gasda, Chung-Dee Pong, Avinash Verma
  • Methods and systems for fuel cell stack sintering and conditioning
    Patent number: 9837670
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sintering and conditioning fuel cell stacks utilizing channel guides, baffles, and internal compression systems are provided. Sintering and conditioning may be performed utilizing a fuel cell column cartridge assembly and fuel cell stacks may be sintered and conditioned at the system level during the same annealing cycle on the same support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthias Gottmann, Nathan Ben Erlin, Kurt Risic, Stephen Couse, David Edmonston
  • Fuel cell stack compression devices and methods
    Patent number: 9812729
    Abstract: A spring compression assembly is configured to apply a load to a stack of electrochemical cells. The assembly includes a ceramic leaf spring, a tensioner configured to apply pressure to a first side of the spring and a bottom plate located on a second side of the spring opposite the first side of the spring. The bottom plate is configured to transfer a load from the spring to the stack of electrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Edmonston, Michael Petrucha, Martin Perry, Matthias Gottmann, Dien Nguyen, Emad El Batawi, William David Lyle
  • Anode with remarkable stability under conditions of extreme fuel starvation
    Patent number: 9812714
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode having a first region located adjacent to a fuel inlet and a second region located adjacent to a fuel outlet. The anode electrode includes a cermet having a nickel containing phase and a ceramic phase. The first region of the anode electrode contains a lower ratio of the nickel containing phase to the ceramic phase than the second region of the anode electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Emad El Batawi
  • Pre-reformer for selective reformation of higher hydrocarbons
    Patent number: 9799902
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Weingaertner, Vlad Kalika, Martin Perry
  • Phase stable doped zirconia electrolyte compositions with low degradation
    Patent number: 9799909
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode. The electrolyte and/or electrode composition includes zirconia stabilized with (i) scandia, (ii) ceria, and (iii) at least one of yttria and ytterbia. The composition does not experience a degradation of ionic conductivity of greater than 15% after 4000 hrs at a temperature of 850° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tad Armstrong, Emad El Batawi, Martin Janousek, Manoj Pillai
  • Inspection method for the effect of composition on the bond strength of a metallized alumina ceramic
    Patent number: 9786043
    Abstract: A method of inspecting a unit under test containing brazed dielectric to metal bond, includes providing at least one image of the bond and determining a characteristic of the bond based on at least one of a presence and size of a glassy phase in or adjacent to the bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Petrucha, Jerome A. Mack
  • Flaw detection method and apparatus for fuel cell components
    Patent number: 9784625
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for detecting defects in components of a fuel cell. Embodiment methods and systems for detecting a defect in an interconnect for a fuel cell system include thermally exciting the interconnect using optical radiation and/or inductive stimulation, detecting a thermal response of the interconnect, and based on the thermal response, determining the presence or absence of a defect in the interconnect, such as a lateral or through crack in the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen Couse, Tulin Akin
  • SOFC hot box components
    Patent number: 9780392
    Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin Perry, David Weingaertner, Nilanjana Basu, Michael Petrucha, William David Lyle, Navaneetha Krishnan, Matthias Gottmann
  • Overvoltage snubber for grid tie inverter
    Patent number: 9755501
    Abstract: An overvoltage snubber circuit configured to receive an alternating current (AC) overvoltage includes a first rectifier configured to convert the AC overvoltage to a direct current (DC) overvoltage, a chopper circuit electrically connected to the first rectifier and configured to break up the DC overvoltage and to output a variable DC voltage, and a resistor electrically connected to the chopper circuit and configured to dissipate energy of the variable DC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rajesh Gopinath, Arne Ballantine, Carl Cottuli
  • Fuel cell mechanical components
    Patent number: 9755263
    Abstract: A modular fuel cell system includes a metal base, a plurality of power modules arranged in a row on the base, a fuel processing module and a power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each of the plurality of power modules includes a separate cabinet comprising at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the fuel processing and the power conditioning modules through the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Trevisan, Christian Daco, David Baugh