Patents Assigned to Vito
  • Patent number: 9105933
    Abstract: A process for producing a gas diffusion electrode comprising the steps of: casting a porous electrically conductive web with a suspension of particles of an electrically conductive material in a solution of a first binder to provide a first layer which is an electrochemically active layer (AL); casting a suspension of particles of a hydrophobic material in a solution of a second binder on said first layer to provide a second layer; and subjecting said first and second layer to phase inversion thereby realizing porosity in both said first layer and said second layer, wherein said subjection of said second layer to phase inversion thereby realizes a water repellent layer; a gas diffusion electrode obtained therewith; the use of a gas diffusion electrode in an membrane electrode assembly; a membrane electrode assembly comprising the gas diffusion electrode; and a method of producing a membrane electrode assembly is realized, said membrane electrode assembly comprising a membrane sandwiched between two electrodes
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: VITO NV
    Inventors: Yolanda Alvarez Gallego, Philippe Vermeiren, Andre-Viktor Claes, Walter Adriansens
  • Publication number: 20150153071
    Abstract: A method for buffering thermal energy comprises a thermal buffering medium contained by a thermal energy buffer. The volume of the thermal buffering medium is subdivided in one or more parts such that the different parts of the volume of the thermal buffering medium together form the total thermal buffering medium. The thermal energy buffer comprises a temperature sensor for each part. A controller has at least one signal representing at least one thermal energy value related to the thermal energy buffer. The thermal energy values comprise a predetermined minimum amount of thermal energy present in the thermal energy buffer. The controller controls a heater such that the amount of thermal energy present in the thermal energy buffer is higher than or equals the predetermined minimum amount of energy present in the thermal energy buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK (VITO)
    Inventors: Koen VANTHOURNOUT, Johan VAN BAEL, Bert CLAESSENS, Reinhilde D'HULST
  • Publication number: 20150108990
    Abstract: A power cell system, e.g. a fuel cell system, having a plurality of power cells, e.g. fuel cells and plurality of first resistances, the plurality of power cells and first resistances being connected in the form of a ladder circuit, and electronic filters each having a first connection to a first node between two of the first resistances, each electronic filter comprising a second resistance and a charge storage device connected to the second resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: VITO NV
    Inventor: Peter COENEN
  • Patent number: 8992828
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a high ductility Ti-, Ti-alloy or NiTi-foam, meaning a compression strain higher than 10%, includes: preparing a powder suspension of a Ti-, NiTi- or Ti-alloy powder, bringing the said powder suspension into a desired form by gelcasting to form a green artifact. The method also includes a calcination step wherein the green artifact is calcined, and sintering the artifact. The calcination step includes a slow heating step wherein said green artifact is heated at a rate lower or equal to 20° C./hour to a temperature between 400° C. and 600° C. and the Ti-, NiTi- or Ti-alloy powder has a particle size less than 100 ?m. A high ductility Ti-, Ti-alloy or NiTi foam, with a compression higher than 10%, with a theoretical density less than 30%, pore size (cell size) between 50 to 1000 ?m can be obtained with such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO)
    Inventors: Steven Mullens, Ivo Thijs, Jozef Cooymans, Jan Luyten
  • Patent number: 8993081
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reinforced tubular membrane comprises the steps of manufacturing the tubular support from monofilament thread, impregnating the support with membrane dope and adjusting the inner and the outer diameter of the membrane. A coating apparatus comprises a casting bob and an orifice to adjust respectively the inner and outer diameter of the membrane. A tubular reinforced polymeric membrane comprises a tubular support and membrane substance. The tubular support is made of monofilament thread and has a sufficiently open structure (openings larger than 0.1 mm). Touching and/or engaging parts of the thread may be linked prior to impregnating the support with membrane dope. The support may comprise loops of the monofilament thread, which are also linked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologish Onderzoek N.V. (VITO)
    Inventors: Wim Doyen, Marc Verbeke, Herman Beckers, Bart Molenberghs, Rob Muyshondt
  • Patent number: 8980096
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the modification of metal hydroxide and/or metal oxide surfaces of an inorganic matrix with an organometallic reagent for obtaining an organic functionalized matrix suitable for filtration processes. The method involves the direct covalent binding of organic functional groups by allowing a pre-treated matrix to react with organometallic reagents in the present of a suitable solvent. The present invention further relates to an organic functionalized matrix obtainable or obtained by carrying out a method according to the invention. The invention also provides various uses of a surface-modified matrices as described herein in various industrial applications, including for instance in filtration and/or adsorption and/or separation processes, or as support, e.g. for catalyst systems or for enzyme systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Vito NV, Universiteit Antwerpen
    Inventors: Anita Buekenhoudt, Kenny Wyns, Vera Meynen, Bert Maes, Pegie Cool
  • Patent number: 8962099
    Abstract: A method for depositing functional groups on a surface of an object, and to the object treated as such, by generating and maintaining a plasma, bringing the object surface close to or in a space between the plasma electrodes, an atmosphere being present between the two electrodes, and depositing a plurality of functional groups on at least part of the surface of the object, wherein the atmosphere between the two electrodes comprises a multi-functional hyperbranched compound which is a polymer based on ABm type monomers, or a derivative of such polymer, wherein m is at least 2, A and B have reactive functional groups selected such that group A is reacted at least m times with group B, and the hyperbranched compound has a degree of branching (DB) in the range of 10.0-99.9%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO)
    Inventors: Marjorie Dubreuil, Bert Verheyde
  • Patent number: 8927052
    Abstract: Provided herein are processes for depositing a plasma coating on a substrate and coated substrates obtained thereby. More particularly, processes for characterizing a plasma coating on a substrate are provided. The process for depositing a plasma coating includes the step of exposing the substrate to a plasma. The plasma includes at least one coating precursor and one fluorophore other than the coating precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Vito NV
    Inventor: Marjorie Dubreuil
  • Patent number: 8907676
    Abstract: A power cell system such as a fuel cell system, with apparatus for detecting a discontinuity. A power cell system, e.g. a fuel cell system, includes a plurality of power cells, e.g. fuel cells and plurality of first resistances, the plurality of power cells and first resistances being connected in the form of a ladder circuit, and electronic filters each having a first connection to a first node between two of the first resistances, each electronic filter having a second resistance and a charge storage device connected to the second resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Vito NV
    Inventor: Peter Coenen
  • Publication number: 20140303795
    Abstract: The system comprises a controller comprising software components for determining the difference between the amount of energy determined by the smart grid agent to be delivered to and from the cluster over a predetermined period of time and the amount of energy measured by the meter actually delivered to the cluster over the predetermined period of time, the controller comprising software components for simulating a virtual smart grid participating device based on the determined difference and for providing the smart grid agent with information based on the determined difference such that the smart grid agent is configured to determine the amount of electrical energy in function of time to be delivered to and from the electrical grid for both the smart grid participating and non-participating devices of the cluster based on information of both the devices of the cluster and the smart grid and such that the difference is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK (VITO)
    Inventors: Maarten HOMMELBERG, Bert CLAESSENS
  • Publication number: 20140264035
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a detection device and a method for detecting a presence of an object in a surveillance area. The device comprises at least one infrared radiation sensing element each adapted for generating a sensor signal related to a quantity of infrared radiation received from within the surveillance area by the infrared radiation sensing element, a processing unit and an output means for outputting a determined presence of the object and/or a property derived therefrom. The processing unit is adapted for: obtaining the at least one sensor signal; generating at least one contrast value by comparing the at least one sensor signal to at least one reference value; determining the presence of the object by evaluating a condition on said at least one contrast value; and adjusting the at least one reference value such that negative feedback is applied to the at least one contrast value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK NV (VITO NV)
    Inventors: Richard Kleihorst, Marco Camilli
  • Publication number: 20140190680
    Abstract: A method for buffering thermal energy comprises a thermal buffering medium contained by a thermal energy buffer. The volume of the thermal buffering medium is subdivided in one or more parts such that the different parts of the volume of the thermal buffering medium together form the total thermal buffering medium. The thermal energy buffer comprises a temperature sensor for each part. A controller has at least one signal representing at least one thermal energy value related to the thermal energy buffer. The thermal energy values comprise a predetermined minimum amount of thermal energy present in the thermal energy buffer. The controller controls a heater such that the amount of thermal energy present in the thermal energy buffer is higher than or equals the predetermined minimum amount of energy present in the thermal energy buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: VLALAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK (VITO)
    Inventors: Koen Vanthournout, Johan Van Bael, Bert Claessens, Reinhilde D'hulst
  • Patent number: 8734893
    Abstract: A process comprising a duplex type impregnating apparatus providing the steps of: (i) providing an elongated porous web, said elongated porous web comprising two outermost surfaces; (ii) transporting said elongated porous web downwards between two impregnating heads comprising two slots each with substantially vertical upper and lower slot faces substantially parallel to said elongated porous web providing simultaneously to both surfaces of said elongated porous web metered substantially identical quantities of a dope, comprising at least one membrane polymer and at least one solvent therefor; (iii) thereby impregnating said elongated porous web completely with said dope and providing substantially equally thick dope layers on each surface of said outermost surfaces of said elongated porous web with a thickness independent of the gap between one of said lower slot faces and the surface of said elongated porous web nearest thereto; (iv) subjecting said dope associated with said elongated porous web to symmetri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: Agfa-Gevaert N.V., Vito N.V.
    Inventors: Willem Mues, Bart Cobben, Wim Doyen
  • Patent number: 8712594
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel control system for a local energy supplying and/or an energy consuming system. The local energy system comprises at least a first controllable electrical unit outputting electrical power and generating a first heat flux within a series of time periods, a controllable fuel powered heating unit for outputting a further heat flux within the series of time periods, a controllable heat buffer for storing the heat fluxes and outputting a fourth heat flux within the series of time periods and a heat flux user thermally coupled to the heat buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Vito NV
    Inventor: Fedor De Ridder
  • Patent number: 8663751
    Abstract: A method for applying a hydrophilic coating on a substrate includes: providing a substrate (1), producing an atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in the presence of a gas, at least partially exposing the substrate to the atmospheric pressure plasma discharge. The method introduces a liquid aerosol (6) or a vapor of coating forming material into the atmospheric pressure plasma discharge, thereby forming a coating on the substrate. The coating forming material is a non-polymerizable acetate derivative, and is ethyl acetate in one embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek N.V. (VITO)
    Inventors: Marjorie Dubreuil, Dirk Vangeneugden
  • Publication number: 20140032007
    Abstract: Method for distributing an energy flow to a cluster of a plurality of devices taking into account constraints relating to the energy to be delivered to the devices, comprising the steps of: A. gathering flexibility information of the respective devices in the cluster, combining the flexibility information of the devices of the cluster into flexibility information for the cluster, B. determining accumulated energy to be delivered in function of time over the predetermined period of time, C. supplying the determined accumulated energy to the cluster by obtaining, from the flow of energy, power in function of time based on the determined accumulated energy to be delivered in function of time, determining priority for power for all devices in the cluster and distributing the obtained power among the devices of the cluster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek (Vito)
    Inventors: Bert Claessens, Maarten Hommelberg
  • Publication number: 20130337368
    Abstract: An ion-permeable web-reinforced separator, said ion-permeable web-reinforced separator comprising two separator elements separated by an (optionally integrated) substantially hollow by-pass channel, wherein the separator elements each comprise a binder and a metal oxide or hydroxide dispersed therein and the separator elements have a bubble point of at least 1 bar (0.1 MPa) and a back-wash resistance of at least 1 bar (0.1 MPa) and optionally have a specific resistance less than 4 ?-cm at 30° C. in 6M potassium hydroxide solution; an electrochemical cell involving the production or consumption of at least one gas, said electrochemical cell comprising said ion-permeable web-reinforced separator; and the use thereof in an electrochemical cell involving the production or consumption of at least one gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: VITO NV
    Inventors: Willy DOYEN, Yolanda Alvarez Gallego
  • Publication number: 20130313480
    Abstract: Provided herein are processes for depositing a plasma coating on a substrate and coated substrates obtained thereby. More particularly, processes for characterizing a plasma coating on a substrate are provided. The process for depositing a plasma coating includes the step of exposing the substrate to a plasma. The plasma includes at least one coating precursor and one fluorophore other than the coating precursor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: VITO NV
    Inventor: Marjorie Dubreuil
  • Patent number: 8557022
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filled polymeric membrane includes a first step of preparing a filler suspension having a solvent for a glassy polymer and nanometer-sized particles. The nanometer-sized particles in the filler suspension are aggregated in aggregates having an average aggregate size in the range between 50 nm and smaller than 200 nm. In a following step, the glassy polymer is added to the filler suspension to obtain a polymer suspension. Next, the glassy polymer is dissolved in the polymer suspension. In a next step, the polymer suspension is cast on a substrate, followed by a step of removing the solvent. A filled polymeric membrane includes aggregates of nanometer-sized filler particles. The membrane is used in pervaporation and nanofiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek N.V. (VITO)
    Inventors: Kristien De Sitter, Steven Mullens, Lieven Gevers
  • Patent number: 8552335
    Abstract: A plasma jet apparatus for performing plasma processing of an article includes: an elongated central electrode (2,15), an elongated cylindrical outer electrode (1) or two outer electrodes (15,16) surrounding the central electrode and being coaxial with the central electrode, or two electrodes substantially parallel to the central electrode. an electrical insulator (3) or insulators (18,19) are disposed between the outer electrode(s) and the central electrode, wherein a discharge lumen having a distal end and a proximal end is defined between the central electrode and the electrical insulator(s). A supply opening (6) is disposed at the distal end of the discharge lumen for supplying a plasma producing gas to the discharge lumen, A power source (9) provides a voltage between the central electrode and said outer electrode. The electrical insulator has a radial or outward extension (40,20) at the proximal end beyond the outer surface of the outer electrode(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek N.V. (VITO)
    Inventors: Danny Havermans, Jan Jozef Cools