Patents Assigned to Stuart Energy Systems Corporation
  • Publication number: 20090229990
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to cell plates for an electrolyser module and to an electrolyser module incorporating the plates. The plates comprise an electrolysis chamber opening, at least one degassing chamber opening, and at least one gas-liquid conduit opening. The plates further comprise a channel connecting the electrolysis chamber opening and the gas-liquid conduit opening. The present invention is directed further to a process and apparatus for separating a gas-liquid mixture generated at an electrolysis cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Stuart Energy Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Hinatsu, Michael C. Stemp
  • Publication number: 20060208571
    Abstract: An energy network is provided. An embodiment includes a network having a plurality of power stations and a plurality of loads interconnected by an electricity grid. The loads include electrolysers. The network also includes a controller that is connected to both the stations and the loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Applicant: Stuart Energy Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Fairlie
  • Patent number: 7030770
    Abstract: There is provided a hydrogen storage system having one or more hydrogen storage containers disposed in a confined area with a vent line extending from the one or more storage containers to a location outside of the confined area. One or more sensors are disposed in the confined area for detecting one or more pre-determined unsafe conditions relating to the storage of hydrogen in the contained area and at least one actuator is provided for actuating an operable valve of the vent line to release the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage container to a location outside the confined area at a pre-determined release rate in response to a signal from the sensor indicating an unsafe condition. A power system incorporating a hydrogen storage system as described above is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Stuart Energy Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Howard, Bill Stewart, Ghassan Sleiman, Gabriel Marin, Ry Smith, Rupert Merer, David McLean, Al Davidson
  • Patent number: 6745105
    Abstract: An energy distribution network is provided including an energy source; a hydrogen production facility connected to the energy source; a recipient for hydrogen from the hydrogen production facility; and a controller. The controller controls the production of hydrogen by the hydrogen production facility based on inputs including energy resource availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Stuart Energy Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Fairlie, William J. Stewart, Andrew T. B. Stuart, Steven J. Thorpe, Charlie Dong
  • Patent number: 6432283
    Abstract: A hydrogen replenishment system for providing hydrogen to a hydrogen-receiving apparatus, the system comprising (i) an electrolytic cell for providing source hydrogen; (ii) a compressor means for providing outlet hydrogen at an outlet pressure; (iii) means for feeding the source hydrogen to the compressor means; (iv) means for feeding the outlet hydrogen to the hydrogen-receiving apparatus; (v) central processing unit means for controlling the cell and the compressor; and (vi) user activation means for operably activating the central processing unit means. The invention provides a practical user interface in the treatment of data provided, computed, measured and stored, to offer a convenient, essentially self-contained, hydrogen fuel replenishment system for vehicles based on water electrolysis. The apparatus has virtually no stored hydrogen and provides pressurized hydrogen on the demand of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Stuart Energy Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Fairlie, William J. Stewart, Andrew T.B. Stuart, Steven J. Thorpe, Charlie Dong
  • Patent number: 6395154
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical cells and electrochemical systems using a one piece or unitary electrode plate hereinafter also referred to as a double electrode plate (DEP) which serves to electrically connect two adjacent cell compartments and wherein the current flow in the electrodes is parallel to the working face of the electrode. In the cell designs disclosed herein the cells are assembled as a contiguous stack of cells (cell stack) appearing similar to a filter press where the electrical connections between adjacent cells are made using the double electrode plate. In one aspect of the invention there is provided a single stack electrolyser (SSE) utilizing a folded double electrode plate to connect adjacent cells in a single stack. An insulating wall separates compartments of adjacent electrode pair assemblies connected by the double electrode plate in the SSE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Stuart Energy Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. B. Stuart, Raynald G. LaChance, Chris T. Bowen
  • Patent number: 6383347
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical cells and electrochemical systems using a one piece or unitary electrode plate hereinafter also referred to as a double electrode plate (DEP) which serves to electrically connect two adjacent cell compartments and wherein the current flow in the electrodes is parallel to the working face of the electrode. In the cell designs disclosed, the cells are assembled as a contiguous stack of cells (cell stack) appearing similar to a filter press where the electrical connections between adjacent cells are made using the double electrode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Stuart Energy Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. B. Stuart, Raynald G. LaChance, Chris T. Bowen
  • Patent number: 6338786
    Abstract: An improved method of separating hydrogen gas entrained with a first aqueous electrolytic solution of a water electrolyser for producing said hydrogen and said oxygen gas entrained with a second aqueous electrolyte solution, said method comprising producing a first two-phase flow discharge of said hydrogen gas in said first solution; producing a second two-phase flow discharge of said oxygen gas in said second solution; feeding said first discharge to a first separation chamber having a portion defining a hydrogen chamber to effect separation of said hydrogen gas from said first discharge; feeding said second discharge to a second separation chamber having a portion defining an oxygen chamber to effect separation of said oxygen gas from said second discharge; collecting said hydrogen gas from said hydrogen chamber; collecting said oxygen gas from said oxygen chamber; collecting said first discharge; collecting said second discharge; the improvement wherein at least one of said first discharge is discharged in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Stuart Energy Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Thorpe, Raynald G. Lachance, Daniel Tapin
  • Patent number: 6254741
    Abstract: An improved electrochemical system includes at least two cells. Each cell defines an anolyte chamber and a catholyte chamber, and includes at least an anode electrode adjacent to the anolyte chamber, and a cathode electrode adjacent to the catholyte chamber. At least one unitary one piece double electrode plate is provided having an electrically conducting frame. At least two single electrode plates are provided, each including an electrically conducting frame for supporting an anode electrode or a cathode electrode. A separator is between the catholyte and anolyte chambers and has at least a peripheral frame formed of a compressible elastomer. An anolyte chamber forming frame formed of a compressible elastomer and a catholyte chamber forming frame member formed of a compressible elastomer are provided within each cell. The anolyte and catholyte chamber forming frame members and the peripheral frame of the separator are compressed to form fluid tight seals when the electrochemical system is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Stuart Energy Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. B. Stuart, Raynald G. Lachance, Steven J. Thorpe
  • Patent number: 6080290
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical cells and electrochemical systems using a one piece or unitary electrode plate hereinafter also referred to as a double electrode plate (DEP) which serves to electrically connect two adjacent cell compartments and wherein the current flow in the electrodes is parallel to the working face of the electrode. In the cell designs disclosed herein the cells are assembled as a contiguous stack of cells (cell stack) appearing similar to a filter press where the electrical connections between adjacent cells are made using the double electrode plate. In one aspect of the invention there is provided a mono-polar multiple stack electrolyser (MSE) using double electrode plates wherein the planar double electrode plates connect cells in adjacent cell stacks. The mono-polar characteristics of the cell are maintained by the presence of an air gap isolating each adjacent stack of cells connected by each double electrode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Stuart Energy Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. B. Stuart, Raynald G. LaChance, Chris T. Bowen