Patents Assigned to Bloom Energy Corporation
  • Seal compositions, methods, and structures for planar solid oxide fuel cells
    Patent number: 9252434
    Abstract: A seal composition includes a first alkaline earth metal oxide, a second alkaline earth metal oxide which is different from the first alkaline earth metal oxide, aluminum oxide, and silica in an amount such that molar percent of silica in the composition is at least five molar percent greater than two times a combined molar percent of the first alkaline earth metal oxide and the second alkaline earth metal oxide. The composition is substantially free of boron oxide and phosphorus oxide. The seal composition forms a glass ceramic seal which includes silica containing glass cores located in a crystalline matrix comprising barium aluminosilicate, and calcium aluminosilicate crystals located in the glass cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ananda H. Kumar, Dien Nguyen, Martin Janousek, Tad Armstrong
  • Electrolyte supported cell designed for longer life and higher power
    Patent number: 9246184
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) that includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a solid oxide electrolyte having a fuel inlet riser opening and a fuel outlet riser opening. The electrolyte is located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The SOFC also includes a ceramic support layer on the electrolyte. The ceramic support is layer located around the at least one of a periphery of the electrolyte or at least partially around perimeters of the fuel inlet and fuel outlet riser openings. The ceramic support layer comprises a multi-component material comprising yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and alpha alumina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Emad El Batawi, Eric Petersen, Richard Stephenson
  • Ammonia or hydrazine injection into fuel cell systems
    Patent number: 9240599
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a controller, a fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit operatively connected to the fuel cell stack, the fuel inlet conduit adapted to receive fuel from a fuel supply, a recycling conduit operatively connecting the fuel cell stack to the fuel inlet conduit, the recycling conduit adapted to recycle a portion of a fuel exhaust stream from the fuel cell stack to the fuel inlet conduit, and an ammonia or hydrazine storage vessel operatively connected to the fuel inlet conduit via a valve coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the valve to provide ammonia or hydrazine from the ammonia or hydrazine storage vessel into the fuel inlet conduit upon detecting a change in the fuel from the fuel supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James McElroy, Arne Ballantine
  • Coating process for production of fuel cell components
    Patent number: 9214679
    Abstract: A method of making a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes providing a solid oxide electrolyte and depositing at least one electrode on the electrolyte by PVD, such as sputtering. A method of making an interconnect for a fuel cell stack includes providing an electrically conductive interconnect, and depositing a layer on the interconnect by PVD, such as depositing a LSM barrier layer by sputtering. The SOFC and the interconnect may be located in the same fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dien Nguyen, Tad Armstrong, Emad El Batawi, Avinash Verma, Ravi Oswal, K. R. Sridhar, Ujwal Deshpande
  • B-side feed for critical power applications
    Patent number: 9214812
    Abstract: A method of providing power to a load, such as an IT load, includes generating an output power using at least one power module comprising at least one fuel cell segment, providing a first portion of the output power through a grid to an A-side power feed of the load, and providing a second portion of the output power to a B-side power feed of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arne Ballantine, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Muralidhara Ramakrishna Shyamavadhani, Chad Pearson, William Thayer, KR Sridhar
  • Fuel cell interconnect heat treatment method
    Patent number: 9196909
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating an interconnect for a fuel cell stack include placing a compressed metal powder interconnect on a porous support, and sintering the interconnect in the presence of a non-oxidizing gas. The method may further include placing the sintered interconnect on a porous support, and oxidizing the interconnect in the presence of flowing air, or placing the sintered interconnect on a dense, non-porous support, and oxidizing the interconnect in the presence of a gas comprising pure oxygen or an oxygen/inert gas mixture that is substantially nitrogen-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Darga, Harald Herchen, Chockkalingam Karuppaiah, Ravi Oswal, Shivanand Majagi
  • SOFC hot box components
    Patent number: 9190673
    Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Swaminathan Venkataraman, Vlad Kalika, David Weingaertner
  • Method of controlling a fuel cell system using impedance determination
    Patent number: 9190681
    Abstract: A method of controlling a fuel cell system includes applying alternating current (AC) signals to an individual fuel cell. The AC signals have a plurality of different frequencies. A voltage across the individual fuel cell is determined at each of the plurality of different frequencies. An impedance characteristic of the individual fuel cell is determined based at least in part on the voltage across the individual fuel cell at each of the plurality of different frequencies. The individual fuel cell is controlled based at least in part on the impedance characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthias Gottmann, Patrick Muhl, Chad Pearson, James Daniel Smith
  • SOFC system with selective CO2 removal
    Patent number: 9190685
    Abstract: A system and method in which a high temperature fuel cell stack exhaust stream is recycled back into the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. The recycled stream may be sent to a carbon dioxide separation device which separates carbon dioxide from the fuel exhaust stream. The carbon dioxide separation device may be a carbon dioxide trap, an electrochemical carbon dioxide separator, or a membrane separator. A water separator may be used in conjunction with the carbon dioxide separation device or used separately to continuously remove water from the recycled stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James McElroy, Matthias Gottmann, Chockkalingam Karuppaiah, Arne Ballantine, Swaminathan Venkataraman, John Finn
  • Modular fuel cell system
    Patent number: 9190693
    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: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: K. R. Sridhar, Swaminathan Venkataraman, William David Lyle, Arne Watson Ballantine
  • Crack detection in ceramics using electrical conductors
    Patent number: 9176085
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods and systems for detecting cracks in ceramic electrolytes using electrical conductors. A method for testing an electrolyte material, such as a ceramic electrolyte material for use in a solid oxide fuel cell device, includes providing a conductive path on the electrolyte material, electrically connecting a probe across the conductive path, and measuring a value associated with the conductive path to determine the presence or absence of a crack in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthias Gottmann, Sanjiv Kapoor
  • Hot box design with a multi-stream heat exchanger and single air control
    Patent number: 9166240
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) which is located in a heat transfer relationship with the plurality of fuel cell stacks, a base supporting the plurality of fuel cell stacks and the ATO, and at least one heat exchanger located in the base. An ATO exhaust stream and an anode exhaust stream from the fuel cell stacks heat the stack fuel and air inlet streams in a multi-stream heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Weingaertner, Swaminathan Venkataraman
  • Flaw detection method and apparatus for fuel cell components
    Patent number: 9164064
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for detecting defects in components of a fuel cell. Embodiment methods and systems include directing acoustic energy into the component, detecting acoustic energy from the component, analyzing a characteristic of the detected acoustic energy, and based on the analyzing, determining the presence or absence of a defect in the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen Couse, Tulin Akin
  • Increasing thermal dissipation of fuel cell stacks under partial electrical load
    Patent number: 9166246
    Abstract: A method of operating a high temperature fuel cell system containing a plurality of fuel cell stacks includes operating one or more of the plurality of fuel cell stacks at a first output power while operating another one or more of the plurality of the fuel cell stacks at a second output power different from the first output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: K. R. Sridhar, Ian Russell, Matthias Gottmann
  • Parallel Control of Multiple Uninterruptable Power Modules ("UPMs")
    Publication number: 20150288220
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable parallel control of multiple uninterruptable power modules (“UPMs”) connecting multiple power sources to a bus in parallel. A UPM may be comprised of at least one controller coupled to at least one inverter, and the UPM may be configured to convert the DC voltage output from a DC source to an AC voltage, such as an AC voltage suitable for output to an AC bus. A UPM may receive a power sharing command and control its at least one inverter based at least in part on the received power sharing command to output a voltage to a bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Arne Ballantine, Prasad PMSVVSV, Carl Cottuli, Saravanakumar Narayanasamy, Badri Narayanan, Deepak Balakrishnan
  • Fuel cell load controller
    Patent number: 9142847
    Abstract: A method for distributing power includes identifying a value of a variable in a fuel cell system, where the fuel cell system is configured to provide electrical power to a load. Based at least in part on the identified value of the variable, it is determined that the variable has exceeded a threshold. A first portion of the electrical power is determined for use in correcting the variable, and the first portion of the electrical power is used to correct the variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: David Higdon
  • Optimizing contractual management of the total output of a fleet of fuel cells
    Patent number: 9141923
    Abstract: A fuel cell fleet has a plurality of fuel cell systems each connected to a data server. The data server may be configured to obtain operational data from of the plurality of fuel cell systems. An efficiency controller operably connected to the data server and is configured to predict an efficiency and a power output of the fleet from the operational data and optimize the efficiency of the fleet to minimize the fleet fuel consumption while maintaining a desired fleet output power. The efficiency may be determined by a ratio of the fleet output current or output power to the fleet fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Smith, David Weingaertner, Pramod Vachhani, Brent Miller, Ram Ramanan, Arne Ballantine, Swaminathan Venkataraman, Deepak Shukla
  • Solid oxide fuel cell stack heat treatment methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 9142845
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fuel cell stack heat treatment. An eductor may be used to recycle air into the air inlet stream or to recycle fuel into the fuel inlet stream. An eductor may also be used to exhaust air away from the furnace. The stack heat treatment may include stack sintering or conditioning. The conditioning may be conducted without using externally supplied hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthias Gottmann, Stephen Couse, James McElroy, Ryan Hallum, Jakob Hilton, Kurt Risic, Ram Ramanan, Michael Gasda
  • Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) Analyzer And Method of Using Thereof
    Publication number: 20150244011
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a hardware and software architecture enabling electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (“EIS”) to be performed on multiple electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells, at the same time without human interaction with the electrochemical devices. In an embodiment, a matrix switch may connect each cell of a fuel cell stack individually to an EIS analyzer enabling EIS to be performed on any fuel cell in the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Karthick Sudhan S, Amit Nawathe, Rohit Srivastava, Mohamed Sharif, Abhishek Dudhmande, Timothy Bekkedahl
  • Fuel cell system containing anode tail gas oxidizer and hybrid heat exchanger/reformer
    Patent number: 9105894
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit, and a fuel heat exchanger containing a fuel reformation catalyst. The fuel heat exchanger is connected to the fuel inlet conduit and to at least one fuel cell system exhaust conduit which in operation provides a high temperature exhaust stream to the fuel heat exchanger. The fuel heat exchanger is thermally integrated with an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) exhaust conduit such that in operation an ATO exhaust stream in the ATO exhaust conduit heats a fuel inlet stream passing through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin Perry, Swaminathan Venkataraman