Patents Assigned to Plug Power Inc.
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Publication number: 20240072270Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell plates. A first plate of the fuel cell plates is connected to a plurality of plate supports located on a periphery of the first plate. Each support of the plurality of plate supports is electrically insulating and bounds an opening for receiving an aligning member therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.Inventors: Robert HOYT, Max MARCINIAK, David MARTINCHEK, Dylan SHARE, Steven SPENCER
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Publication number: 20240047708Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, a first plate separator and a second plate separator on opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly and a voltage sensor for detecting a cell voltage relative to opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly. A transmitter is coupled to the sensor and configured to wirelessly transmit an indication of the cell voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2022Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: Plug Power Inc.Inventors: Jon OWEJAN, Edward SNYDER, Glenn WHITE
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Patent number: 11883779Abstract: Method and system for electrochemically compressing hydrogen. In one embodiment, the system includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that includes a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), an anode, and a cathode. First and second gas diffusion media are positioned adjacent the cathode and anode, respectively. A humidifying membrane is positioned next to the second gas diffusion medium on a side opposite the anode. A water supply is connected to the humidifying membrane, and a hydrogen gas supply is connected to the second gas diffusion medium. A hydrogen gas collector including a back pressure regulator is connected to the first gas diffusion medium. Separators, positioned on opposite sides of the MEA, are connected to a power source. In use, hydrogen is electrochemically pumped across the MEA and collected in the hydrogen gas collector. The PEM is kept properly humidified by the humidifying membrane, which releases water into the second gas diffusion medium.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: PLUG POWER INC.Inventors: Monjid Hamdan, Cortney Mittelsteadt, Matthew Weaver, Robert Stone
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Publication number: 20230400154Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein provide systems and methods for mixing and dispensing fuel. The method includes flowing cryogenic fuel from a storage tank through a cold portion of a process heat exchanger to a first vaporizer, flowing the cryogenic fuel from the first vaporizer through a warm portion of the process heat exchanger to obtain an intermediate temperature fuel exiting the process heat exchanger, and separating the intermediate temperature fuel into a first stream and a second stream. The method further includes directing the first stream through a second vaporizer to obtain a warm stream, combining the warm stream and the second stream to obtain a target fuel temperature stream, and dispensing the target fuel temperature stream through at least one dispenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: Plug Power Inc.Inventors: Landon CORDOVA, Stephan MOESSNER, Allen ADRIANI, Nikunj PATEL
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Publication number: 20230392753Abstract: A method for mixing and dispensing fuel includes flowing fuel from a tank toward a first flow path and a second flow path and separating the fuel into a first stream and a second stream. The method includes flowing the first stream in the first flow path through a vaporizer to a heat exchanger, flowing the second stream in the second flow path to the heat exchanger, flowing the first stream through a warm portion of the heat exchanger to exchange heat with the second stream, and flowing the second stream through a cold portion of the heat exchanger to exchange heat with the first stream. The method further includes flowing the first stream and the second stream from the heat exchanger to a mixing point, combining the first stream and the second stream to obtain a target stream, and dispensing the target stream through a dispenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Applicant: PLUG POWER INCInventors: Nikunj PATEL, Allen ADRIANI
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Publication number: 20230369620Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a membrane electrode assembly, a first plate separator and a second plate separator on opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly. The first plate separator and the second plate separator have exterior ends away from the membrane electrode assembly. A first gas diffusion layer is located between the first plate separator and the membrane electrode assembly. A second gas diffusion layer is located between the second plate separator and the membrane electrode assembly. The sub-gasket extends from the membrane electrode assembly laterally toward at least one of the exterior ends. A first seal is located between the first plate separator and the sub-gasket. A conductive trace is attached to the sub-gasket and extends on the sub-gasket from an exterior side of the first seal to a location on an interior side of the first seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2022Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.Inventors: Jon OWEJAN, Edward SNYDER, Glenn WHITE
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Publication number: 20230277957Abstract: An atmospheric water generator (AWG) may be used to extract water from ambient air. A compact screw compressor of the A WG may be used to compress refrigerant, a condenser of the A WG may be used to condense refrigerant, an expansion device, and an evaporator of the AWG may be used to transfer heat from ambient air to refrigerant, causing moisture in the air to condense. The condensed moisture may be collected in a water collection unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Plug Power Inc.Inventor: Adam Van de Mortel
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Patent number: 11713848Abstract: A cryogenic dewar may include an inner tank and an outer tank. The cryogenic dewar may further include one or more longitudinal stiffeners coupled to the inner tank at locations of stress that provide resistance to such stress. The inner vessel may include a combination of longitudinal stiffeners to allow the dewar to meet governmental imposed regulations on strength and safety of the dewar without increasing the weight of the dewar or to increase the amount by weight of cryogenic liquid that can be transported under governmental imposed regulations, or both, by, with the addition of longitudinal stiffeners, simultaneously increasing the grade of the material of the inner tank.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Plug Power Inc.Inventors: Nidhi Shah, Mark Ollweiler
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Publication number: 20230223561Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first electrically non-conductive sheet portion having a coolant flow layer in an opening thereof, a first non-stamped, flat, metal separator on a first side of the coolant flow layer and a second non-stamped, flat, metal separator on a second side of the coolant flow layer opposite the first separator. A membrane is received in an opening of a second electrically non-conductive sheet portion. Gas diffusion layers are located on opposite sides of the membrane. The gas diffusion layers have channels open toward the first non-stamped, flat, metal separator or the second non-stamped, flat, metal separator to allow flow of an oxidant and/or fuel therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2022Publication date: July 13, 2023Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.Inventor: Jon OWEJAN
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Publication number: 20230204160Abstract: A cryogenic dewar may include an inner tank and an outer tank. The cryogenic dewar may further include a plurality of trunnion mounts. A first four of the trunnion mounts may be coupled between a front half of the inner tank and a front half of the outer tank. A second four of the trunnion mounts may be coupled between a rear half of the inner tank and a rear half of the outer tank. The trunnion mount may be further strengthen with a plurality of pie-shaped reinforcing pads welded to each other and to an outer surface of the inner tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.Inventors: Bob ERNULL, Nidhi SHAH, Mark OLLWEILER
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Patent number: 11679339Abstract: An atmospheric water generator (AWG) may be used to extract water from ambient air. A compact screw compressor of the AWG may be used to compress refrigerant, a condenser of the AWG may be used to condense refrigerant, an expansion device, and an evaporator of the AWG may be used to transfer heat from ambient air to refrigerant, causing moisture in the air to condense. The condensed moisture may be collected in a water collection unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Plug Power Inc.Inventor: Adam Van de Mortel
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Publication number: 20230116006Abstract: A mobile hydrogen fueling system for use in fueling mobile hydrogen vehicles includes: a towing vehicle with a hydrogen powered fuel cell that powers the towing vehicle, and a trailer. The trailer includes a hydrogen storage tank, a hydrogen fuel transport device such as a gas compressor or a liquid pump, and a dispenser attached to the hydrogen tank that dispenses hydrogen to a receiving hydrogen tank. A controller regulates the hydrogen fuel transport device and thus the flow of hydrogen that the dispenser dispenses.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: Plug Power Inc.Inventors: Alfonso CIOFFI, Philippe BOISVERT, Jessica KLOPFENSTEIN, Zachary SEAVER
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Patent number: 11608939Abstract: A cryogenic dewar may include an inner tank and an outer tank. The cryogenic dewar may further include a plurality of trunnion mounts. A first four of the trunnion mounts may be coupled between a front half of the inner tank and a front half of the outer tank. A second four of the trunnion mounts may be coupled between a rear half of the inner tank and a rear half of the outer tank. The trunnion mount may be further strengthen with a plurality of pie-shaped reinforcing pads welded to each other and to an outer surface of the inner tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Plug Power Inc.Inventors: Bob Ernull, Nidhi Shah, Mark Ollweiler
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Publication number: 20230060056Abstract: An electrical generation system for a vehicle includes a vehicle having a generator for producing electric current. The vehicle has a cavity having a fan and a radiator. The radiator is in fluid communication with the generator to allow a temperature of the generator to be controlled. An air inlet passage extends through a wall of the vehicle and is configured to direct air from outside the vehicle toward an inlet side of the radiator to provide increased static pressure of the air to the inlet side of the radiator compared to an ambient pressure of the air when the vehicle is in motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.Inventor: Larry WANG
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Publication number: 20220384830Abstract: A method for use in manufacturing a fuel cell stack includes assembling a membrane electrode assembly to have a membrane between a first gas diffusion layer and a second gas diffusion layer. A bypass blocker is located at a space between a first gas diffusion layer of the membrane electrode assembly and a seal. The blocker is deformed on the seal and deformation is avoided of the blocker at the space such that the blocker inhibits a bypass flow of a reactant through the space between the gas diffusion layer and the seal in a direction of flow of the reactant during operation of the fuel cell. The membrane electrode assembly is located between a first fluid flow plate and a second fluid flow plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2021Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.Inventor: Charles CARLSTROM
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Publication number: 20220333867Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises an inlet, an outlet, a heat exchanging channel, and an opening. The heat exchanging channel surrounds a cavity. The opening provides access to the cavity. The inlet is coupled to one end of the heat exchanging channel and the outlet is coupled to another end of the heat exchanging channel. The heat exchanging channel is isolated from the cavity. No access or passage is present between the heat exchanging channel and the cavity. During operation, heat exchanging fluid flows through the heat exchanging channel thereby cooling fluid within the cavity. The heat exchanging fluid never contacts the fluid within the cavity. In various embodiments, the heat exchanging channel has a single or stacked layer when viewed along a cross section. The heat exchanging channel has a spherical, cylindrical, or rectangular shape. In one embodiment, an insulative layer is disposed between layers of the heat exchanging channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.Inventor: Elijah Shoemake
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Publication number: 20220243339Abstract: Method for forming a membrane electrode assembly, include for example, providing a first layer membrane, a second layer membrane, an anode electrode, and a cathode electrode. The first layer membrane has a first thickness, the second layer membrane has a thickness less than the first thickness, and the second layer membrane contains a catalyst content that is greater than a catalyst content in the first layer membrane. The first layer membrane, the second layer membrane, the anode electrode, and the cathode electrode are formed into a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising an exchange membrane having an interface between the first layer membrane and the second layer membrane. In some embodiments, may include a first and second lamination process, a single laminating process, a roll-to-roll process, and/or a casting process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.Inventors: Fan YANG, Chao LEI, Arthur GRIFFITH, Robert STONE, Cortney MITTELSTEADT
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Publication number: 20220243344Abstract: An exchange membrane includes, for example, a first layer membrane having a first thickness, a second layer membrane having a thickness less than the first thickness, and the second layer membrane containing a catalyst, a catalyst content in the second layer membrane being greater than a catalyst content in the first layer membrane, and the exchange membrane having an interface between the first layer membrane and the second layer membrane. In some embodiments, the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) includes the first layer membrane without a catalyst, and/or the exchange membrane includes a bi-layer exchange membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.Inventors: Fan YANG, Chao LEI, Arthur GRIFFITH, Robert STONE, Cortney MITTELSTEADT
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Publication number: 20220223882Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first fluid flow plate including a first plurality of first channels for flow of an oxidant or a fuel. The plurality of first channel has first channel cross-sectional flow areas. A second fluid flow plate includes a second plurality of second channels for flow of an oxidant or a fuel. The plurality of second channels has second channel cross-sectional flow areas. A membrane electrode assembly is located between the first plate and the second plate. The first flow plate includes a passage for a flow of a fluid entirely on a seam side of the first flow plate as the first plurality of first channels. The passage has a cross-sectional area for flow of the fluid smaller than the first channel cross-sectional flow area.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: PLUG POWER INC.Inventors: Charles CARLSTROM, Owen CARLSTROM
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Patent number: 11335940Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes an endplate assembly having a structural endplate. An insulator plate has a second exterior surface contacting a first interior surface of the structural endplate and a second interior surface on an opposite side of the insulator plate. A third plate has a third exterior surface contacting the second interior surface and a third interior surface on an opposite side of the third plate relative to the insulator plate. The third interior surface and third exterior surface are substantially flat. The second interior surface and the third exterior surface contact each other substantially continuously in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, and are flat and substantially parallel to each other. The second exterior surface is contoured such that the second exterior surface is not flat and is substantially non-parallel relative to the third interior surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: PLUG POWER INC.Inventors: Charles M Carlstrom, Jr., Michael Anthony Cacioppo, James D'Aleo, Charles Elder