Patents Assigned to FLUIDIC, INC.
-
Publication number: 20120321970Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to anion exchange membranes used in electrochemical metal-air cells in which the membranes function as the electrolyte material, or are used in conjunction with electrolytes such as ionic liquid electrolytes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: FLUIDIC, INC.Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Derek WOLFE, Paul Bryan JOHNSON
-
Publication number: 20120321967Abstract: Embodiments are related to ionic liquids and more specifically to ionic liquids used in electrochemical metal-air cells in which the ionic liquid includes sulfonate ions as the anion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: FLUIDIC, INC.Inventors: Derek WOLFE, Cody A. FRIESEN, Paul Bryan JOHNSON
-
Publication number: 20120323004Abstract: Methods of preparing sulfate salts of heteroatomic compounds using dialkyl sulfates as a primary reactant are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making ionic liquids from the sulfate salts of the heteroatomic compound, and electrochemical cells comprising the ionic liquids.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: FLUIDIC, INC.Inventors: Cody A. FRIESEN, Derek WOLFE, Paul Bryan JOHNSON
-
Publication number: 20120321969Abstract: Methods of preparing hetero ionic complexes, and ionic liquids from bisulfate salts of heteroatomic compounds using dialkylcarbonates as a primary quaternizing reactant are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making electrochemical cells comprising the ionic liquids, and an electrochemical cell comprising an alkaline electrolyte and a hetero ionic complex additive.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: FLUIDIC, INC.Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Derek Wolfe, Paul Bryan Johnson
-
Publication number: 20120202127Abstract: An electrochemical cell system is configured to utilize an ionically conductive medium flowing through a plurality of electrochemical cells. One or more disperser chambers are provided to disrupt or minimize electrical current flowing between the electrochemical cells, such as between the cathode of one cell and the anode of a subsequent cell by dispersing the ionically conductive medium. Air is introduced into the disperser chamber to prevent the formation of foamed ionically conductive medium, which may reconnect the dispersed ionically conductive medium, allowing the current to again flow therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: Fluidic, Inc.Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Ramkumar Krishnan, Michael John Mihalka, Joel R. Hayes, Grant Friesen
-
Publication number: 20120139496Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides an electrochemical cell system comprising at least one electrochemical cell configured to be connected to a power supply to recharge the cell. The electrochemical cell system comprises a plurality of electrodes and electrode bodies therein. The electrochemical cell system further comprises a switching system configured to permit modifications of the configuration of anodes and cathodes during charging of the electrochemical cell, and a controller configured to control the switching system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: Fluidic, Inc.Inventors: Ramkumar KRISHNAN, Cody A. Friesen
-
Publication number: 20120121992Abstract: A rechargeable cell includes an air electrode for absorbing and reducing oxygen to a reduced oxygen species during discharge and oxidizing the reduced oxygen species during recharge to evolve oxygen. An outer surface of the air electrode is permeable to oxygen and water. A fuel electrode of the cell includes a metal fuel that it oxidizes during discharge and reduces during recharge. First and second ionically conductive layers of the cell have an interface therebetween. The first layer is between an inner surface of the air electrode and the interface. The second layer is an ionic liquid between an inner surface of the fuel electrode and the interface. The first layer is hygroscopic and the ionic liquid is hydrophobic so water absorbed through the air electrode is essentially prevented from diffusing across the interface into the ionic liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: Fluidic, Inc.Inventors: Cody A. FRIESEN, Ramkumar Krishnan
-
Publication number: 20120098499Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a fuel electrode configured to operate as an anode to oxidize a fuel when connected to a load. The cell also includes an oxidant electrode configured to operate as a cathode to reduce oxygen when connected to the load. The fuel electrode comprises a plurality of scaffolded electrode bodies. The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell system and method of resetting the electrochemical cell by applying a charge (i.e. voltage or current) to the cell to drive oxidation of the fuel, wherein the fuel electrode operates as an anode, and the second cell operates as a cathode, removing uneven distributions of fuel that may cause premature shorting of the electrode bodies to improve capacity, energy stored, and cell efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2011Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: FLUIDIC, INC.Inventors: Cody A. FRIESEN, Ramkumar KRISHNAN, Sergey PUZHAEV, Todd TRIMBLE
-
Publication number: 20120068667Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides an electrochemical cell system comprising at least one electrochemical cell configured to be selectively connected to a load to discharge the cell by generating electrical current using a fuel and an oxidant. The electrochemical cell system may alternatively be connected to a power supply to recharge the cell. The electrochemical cell system comprises a plurality of electrodes and electrode bodies therein. The electrochemical cell system further comprises a switching system configured to permit progressive movement of the anodes used for charging each electrochemical cell, maintaining a minimum distance from a progressively moving cathode that is the site of fuel growth.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: Fluidic, Inc.Inventors: Cody A. FRIESEN, Ramkumar KRISHNAN, Todd TRIMBLE, Sergey PUZHAEV
-
Publication number: 20120052404Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell for generating electrical power that includes an anode, a cathode, a charging electrode and an ionically conductive medium containing at least metal fuel ions and an additive for enhancing at least one electrochemical reaction in the cell. The cell also includes an additive sorbent material in contact with the ionically conductive medium that contains an excess amount of the additive, the sorbent material configured to release the excess additive to the ionically conductive medium as concentration of the additive in the ionically conductive medium is reduced during operation of the cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: Fluidic, Inc.Inventors: Cody A. FRIESEN, Ramkumar KRISHNAN, Todd TRIMBLE, Sergey PUZHAEV
-
Publication number: 20120015264Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a fuel electrode configured to operate as an anode to consume a fuel when the fuel electrode and an associated cathode are connected to a load. An ionically conductive medium either present or flowing through the electrochemical cell is configured to conduct ions and participate in electrochemical reactions between the anode and the cathode. The cell further includes a catch tray containing catalyst material to induce the ionization of precipitates of fuel and/or fuel additives that may separate in solid form from the fuel electrode. The catch tray may be positioned to prevent a congestion of the precipitates in the ionically conductive medium, or the waste of electrically disconnected fuel and/or additives.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: Fluidic, Inc.Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Ramkumar Krishnan, Grant Friesen
-
Publication number: 20110316485Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a fuel electrode configured to operate as an anode to oxidize a fuel when connected to a load, and configured to operate as a cathode when connected to a power supply. The fuel electrode comprises a plurality of scaffolded electrode bodies, wherein the scaffolded electrode bodies are of varying size. The electrode bodies are of a larger size at positions distal from a charging electrode configured to act as an anode when connected to the power supply, and of a smaller size at positions proximal to the charging electrode. When connected to a load, the scaffolded electrode bodies-containing fuel electrode acts as the electrochemical cell anode and electrodeposited fuel is oxidized.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: Fluidic, Inc.Inventors: Ramkumar KRISHNAN, Grant FRIESEN, Cody A. FRIESEN
-
Publication number: 20110305959Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising an electrolyte comprising water and a hydrophobic ionic liquid comprising positive ions and negative ions. The electrochemical cell also includes an air electrode configured to absorb and reduce oxygen. A hydrophilic or hygroscopic additive modulates the hydrophobicity of the ionic liquid to maintain a concentration of the water in the electrolyte is between 0.001 mol % and 25 mol %.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: Fluidic, Inc.Inventors: Cody A. FRIESEN, Ramkumar Krishnan, Toni Tang, Derek Wolfe
-
Publication number: 20110250512Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal-air electrochemical cell with a high energy efficiency mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Fluidic, Inc.Inventors: Cody A. FRIESEN, Ramkumar Krishnan, Todd Trimble, Joel Hayes
-
Publication number: 20110200893Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell for generating electrical power that includes an anode, a cathode, a charging electrode and an ionically conductive medium containing at least metal fuel ions and poly(ethylene glycol)tetrahydrofurfuryl. The present invention also relates to a method for charging the cell by electrodeposition of metal fuel on the anode thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: Fluidic, Inc.Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Todd Trimble
-
Publication number: 20110189551Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first electrode configured to operate as an anode to oxidize a fuel when connected to a load. The first electrode includes a permeable electrode body configured to allow flow of an ionically conductive medium therethrough. An electrode holder includes a cavity for holding the first electrode. A diffuser is positioned in the cavity between the first electrode and the electrode holder with a gap formed between the diffuser and the electrode holder. The diffuser includes openings configured to allow flow of the ionically conductive medium therethrough and to distribute the flow through the first electrode. A second electrode is positioned in the cavity on a side of the first electrode that is opposite the diffuser, and is configured to operate as a cathode when connected to the load and in contact with the ionically conductive medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: Fluidic, Inc.Inventors: Cody A. FRIESEN, Grant Friesen, Ramkumar Krishnan, Todd Trimble
-
Publication number: 20110086278Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a fuel electrode configured to operate as an anode to oxidize a fuel when connected to a load. An electrode holder includes a cavity for holding the fuel electrode, at least one inlet connected to the cavity on one side of the cavity and configured to supply an ionically conductive medium to the cavity, and at least one outlet connected to the cavity on an opposite side of the cavity and configured to allow the ionically conductive medium to flow out of the cavity. A plurality of spacers extend across the fuel electrode and the cavity in a spaced relation from each other to define a plurality of flow lanes in the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: Fluidic, Inc.Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Ramkumar Krishnan, Grant Friesen
-
Publication number: 20110070506Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a rechargeable electrochemical cell system for generating electrical current using a fuel and an oxidant. The cell system comprises N electrochemical cells each comprising a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode, a charging electrode, and an ionically conductive medium communicating the electrodes, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to two. Any number of cells may be used. The cell system includes a plurality of switches that are switcheable to a discharge mode coupling the oxidant electrode of each cell to the fuel electrode of the subsequent cell, a charge mode coupling the charging electrode of each cell to the fuel electrode of the subsequent cell, and a bypass mode coupling charging electrode or the oxidant electrode of a previous cell to the fuel electrode of a subsequent cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: FLUIDIC, INC.Inventors: Cody A. FRIESEN, Ramkumar KRISHNAN, Grant FRIESEN
-
Patent number: 6408448Abstract: A toilet system controller including a toilet bowl having at the bottom a discharge opening. A treating chamber has an intake opening connected to the discharge opening of the bowl. A macerator and discharge pump are located in the treating chamber, with the discharge pump discharging treated effluent to a waste pipe. A motor is operably connected to the macerator and discharge pump for effecting simultaneous operation of the macerator and discharge pump. A valve connects the toilet bowl to a source of water in order to admit water to the bowl to flush the bowl. A timer regulates operation of the motor and the valve during a flushing cycle. The flushing cycle is initiated by operation of the motor starting at time zero and continues for five seconds, followed by opening of the valve starting at time zero plus one and one half seconds and continuing for six and one half seconds.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Control Fluidics, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Jermier
-
Patent number: 6357056Abstract: A toilet system having a toilet bowl including at a bottom thereof a discharge opening. The discharge opening of the bowl is connected to the intake opening of a treating chamber. A discharge pump in the treating chamber discharges treated effluent therefrom to a waste pipe. A conduit free of bends along its length connects the discharge pump to the waste pipe.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Control Fluidics, Inc.Inventor: Donald A. Jermier