Patents Assigned to Reliant Energy Power Systems, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20040048140
    Abstract: An improved proton exchange membrane fuel cell assembly and fuel cell stack assembly are provided for the economical and efficient production of electricity. The present invention comprises improved flow fields, which provide improved and more efficient mass transport of the reactants in the fuel cell and the fuel cell stack assembly. The improved flow fields comprise three-dimensional open-cell foamed metals that are preferably plated with gold. The improved reactant supply system comprises an improved distribution frame to house fuel cells wherein the reactants are directly connected to the improved flow fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Reliant Energy Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. King
  • Publication number: 20040048139
    Abstract: An improved proton exchange membrane fuel cell assembly and fuel cell stack assembly are provided for the economical and efficient production of electricity. The present invention comprises improved flow fields and reactant supply systems, which provide improved and more efficient mass transport of the reactants in the fuel cell and the fuel cell stack assembly. The improved flow fields comprise three-dimensional open-cell foamed metals that are preferably plated with gold. The improved reactant supply system comprises an improved distribution frame to house fuel cells wherein the reactants are directly connected to the improved flow fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Reliant Energy Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. King
  • Publication number: 20040048138
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved flow field and reactant supply system, which provides improved and more efficient mass transport of the reactants to a fuel cell and thus the fuel cell stack assembly. The improved reactant supply system comprises an improved distribution frame adapted to house a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Reliant Energy Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. King
  • Patent number: 6656624
    Abstract: The present invention is a polarized gas separator useful in the bipolar construction of a fuel cell stack. It comprises a porous conductive substrate and a barrier layer, the barrier layer having a first side and a second side, and laterally extending through the porous conductive substrate so that a first portion of the porous conductive substrate extends from the first side of the barrier layer and a second portion of the porous conductive substrate extends from the second side of the barrier layer. Effectively, the polarized gas separator is a single component system that not only enhances power performance of fuel cell stacks but also defeats several problems previously unsolvable by conventional bipolar plate assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Reliant Energy Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. King
  • Patent number: 6582842
    Abstract: An improved proton exchange membrane fuel cell system is provided for the economical and efficient production of electricity. The fuel cell system provides a plurality of fuel cell stacks that substantially surround a reformer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Reliant Energy Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. King
  • Patent number: 6531238
    Abstract: An improved proton exchange membrane fuel cell assembly and fuel cell stack assembly are provided for the economical and efficient production of electricity. The present invention comprises improved flow fields and reactant supply systems, which provide improved and more efficient mass transport of the reactants in the fuel cell and the fuel cell stack assembly. The improved flow fields comprise three-dimensional open-cell foamed metals that are preferably plated with gold. The improved reactant supply system comprises an improved distribution frame to house fuel cells wherein the reactants are directly connected to the improved flow fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Reliant Energy Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. King