Patents Assigned to Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell LLC
  • Patent number: 7018740
    Abstract: Fuel cell oxygen electrode and instant startup fuel cells employing such oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrode operates through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such oxygen electrodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a “buffer” or “charge” of oxidizer available within the oxygen electrode at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell LLC
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Boyko Aladjov, Subhash K. Dhar, Kevin Fok, Thomas Hopper
  • Patent number: 6998184
    Abstract: A hybrid fuel cell/battery including at least one cathode, at least one anode, and at least one auxiliary electrode. The auxiliary electrode works in combination with the anode to provide a current as a rechargeable battery while the anode and cathode work in combination to provide an electrical current as a fuel cell. The cathode and the auxiliary electrode may operate alone or in tandem to provide an electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell, LLC
    Inventors: Srinivasan Venkatesan, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boyko Aladjov, Hong Wang, Zdravko Menjak, Subhash K. Dhar
  • Patent number: 6991719
    Abstract: A method for the production and storage of hydrogen. The hydrogen is produced via electrolysis and as the hydrogen is formed it is absorbed into a hydrogen storing cathode. Once the hydrogen storing cathode has become completely hydrided, it is shipped to end users as a metal hydride supply of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell LLC
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Hong Wang, Subhash K. Dhar
  • Patent number: 6989216
    Abstract: A fuel cell utilizing parallel flow of a hydrogen stream, an oxygen stream, and an electrolyte solution with respect to the electrodes, while maintaining mechanical support within the fuel cell. The fuel cell utilizes electrode assemblies having a frame overmolded around the electrode to maintain a flow rates and low pressure throughout the fuel cell. The fuel cell is also designed to maintain mechanical support within the fuel cell while the electrodes expand and contract in response to the absorption of oxygen and hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell LLC
    Inventors: Rajeev Puttaiah, Zdravko Menjak, Latchezara M. Gradinarova, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Boyko Aladjov, Subhash Dhar, Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Patent number: 6960406
    Abstract: A fluorinated carbon based gas diffusion layer for use in hydrogen and oxygen electrodes. The fluorinated carbon based gas diffusion layer provides for uniform distribution of hydrogen or oxygen across the electrode while maintaining a high level of hydrophobicity within the gas diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell LLC
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Hong Wang, Boyko Aladjov, Subhash Dhar
  • Patent number: 6875536
    Abstract: A composite hydrogen storage material including 1) an active material having hydrogen storage capacity; and 2) a catalytic material having greater catalytic activity toward the dissociation of molecular hydrogen and/or oxidation of hydrogen than that of said active material having hydrogen storage capacity. Also, a fuel cell employing anodes formed from the composite hydrogen storage material. The fuel cell has the ability to start up instantly and can accept recaptured energy such as that of regenerative braking by operating in reverse as an electrolyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell LLC
    Inventor: Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Patent number: 6835489
    Abstract: A double layered oxygen electrode impregnated with an active catalyst material and method of making. The design of the oxygen electrode promotes oxygen dissociation and absorption within the oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrode has differing layers of hydrophobicity which allow chemical impregnation of the active catalyst material into the oxygen electrode where the active catalyst material is needed most.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell LLC
    Inventors: Srinivasan Venkatesan, Hong Wang, Boyko Aladjov, Subhash Dhar, Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Patent number: 6703156
    Abstract: Fuel cell oxygen electrode and instant startup fuel cells employing such oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrode operates through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such oxygen electrodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a “buffer” or “charge” of oxidizer available within the oxygen electrode at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell, LLC
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Boyko Aladjov, Subhash K. Dhar, Kevin Fok, Thomas Hopper