Patents Examined by James M Erwin
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Patent number: 11749818Abstract: An aircraft power plant for a fuel cell including a turbo assembly, a compressor assembly, a turbo assembly, a compressor assembly controller, a first stage turbo assembly and compressor assembly operation configured to generate a first stage compressed fluid generated from ambient air and excess oxygen exhausted from a fuel cell of an aircraft power plant. A second stage turbo assembly and compressor assembly operation configured to receive the first stage compressed fluid, and a controller bleed valve coupled with the first stage turbo assembly and compressor assembly and the second stage turbo assembly and compressor assembly. An oxygen supply system, the oxygen supply system fluidically coupled with the first stage turbo assembly and compressor assembly wherein a first compressed oxygen is generated by the first stage turbo assembly is combined with a second compressed oxygen generated by the second stage turbo assembly to generate a combined oxygen controlled by the controller bleed valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: ZeroAvia, Inc.Inventor: Valery Miftakhov
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Patent number: 11735799Abstract: To provide a lithium ion secondary battery in which it is possible to prevent an electrode end part from cracking, when current collector tabs of the lithium ion secondary battery are bound to each other and joined to a lead terminal. A lithium ion secondary battery includes a lithium ion secondary battery main body and a lead terminal. The lithium ion secondary battery main body has a laminated body repeatedly disposed with positive electrodes respectively including positive electrode current collectors, solid electrolytes, and negative electrodes respectively including negative electrode current collectors. The current collectors respectively extend from an end face of the laminated body in an identical direction to constitute a plurality of current collector tabs. The lead terminal is electrically coupled to the plurality of current collector tabs. The current collector tabs and the lead terminal are coupled to each other via an electrically-conductive tab guiding part.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takuya Taniuchi, Masahiro Ohta, Toshiyuki Ariga
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Patent number: 11735750Abstract: An apparatus for dilution of hydrogen concentration in a fuel cell exhaust system is provided. The apparatus includes a fuel cell exhaust line configured for receiving a flow of gas from a connected fuel cell and including a flow of hydrogen gas. The apparatus further includes a mixing chamber disposed to receive the flow of hydrogen gas and configured for mixing a flow of air with the flow of hydrogen gas. The mixing chamber includes a mixing mesh including at least one tab feature configured for altering a flow direction of at least a portion of one of the flow of hydrogen gas and for creating a turbulent flow region within the mixing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Saurabh Kumar Verma, Kenneth R. Dubois
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Patent number: 11735752Abstract: In a fuel cell system, a first rubber seal is interposed between a top part of a first seal bead portion that is formed to protrude toward a first separator main body, and a membrane electrode assembly member. A method of low temperature starting of the fuel cell system includes: a warm-up step of warming up a fuel cell stack by introducing an oxygen containing gas discharged from a compressor, into a case interior space in a state in which a temperature of the oxygen containing gas is raised by causing the oxygen containing gas to flow through a pressure loss member; and an electrical power generating step of initiating generation of electrical power after completion of the warm-up step.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuyoshi Miyajima, Naoki Imai
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Patent number: 11735756Abstract: A redox flow battery system includes an anolyte; a catholyte; a first half-cell including a first electrode in contact with the anolyte; a second half-cell including a second electrode in contact with the catholyte; a separator separating the anolyte in the first half-cell from the catholyte in the second half-cell; at least one state measurement device configured for intermittently, periodically, or continuously making a measurement of a value indicative of a state of charge of the anolyte or the catholyte before entering or after leaving the first half-cell or second half-cell, respectively; and a controller coupled to the at least one state measurement device for generating a temporal energy profile of the anolyte or the catholyte, respectively, using the measurements.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: COUGAR CREEK TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Liyu Li, Qingtao Luo
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Patent number: 11728490Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrochemical cell that includes an electrically conductive material layer, a precursor material disposed on or adjacent to a first surface of the electrically conductive material layer, and an electroactive material layer disposed on or adjacent to the precursor material. In certain variations, the precursor material forms a continuous layer and a solid-electrolyte interface layer is disposed on or adjacent to an exposed surface of the electroactive material layer. In other variations, the precursor material forms a plurality of distinct precursor structures disposed on the first surface of the electrically conductive material layer in a predetermined pattern, such that at least a portion of each distinct precursor structure is unobstructed by the electroactive material layer. The distinct precursor structures are configured to form surface structures that chemically attach the solid-electrolyte interface layer and the electrically conductive material layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Robert D. Schmidt, Gayatri V. Dadheech
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Patent number: 11721822Abstract: To provide a fuel cell system configured to increase fuel cell performance even at high altitude. A fuel cell system for air vehicles, wherein the fuel cell system comprises: a fuel cell, an oxidant gas system for supplying oxidant gas to the fuel cell, an altitude sensor, and a controller; wherein the oxidant gas system comprises an air compressor and a bypass flow path bypassing the fuel cell; wherein the bypass flow path comprises a bypass valve; and wherein, when the controller detects an altitude increase measured by the altitude sensor, the controller increases a rotational speed of the air compressor, and the controller increases an opening degree of the bypass valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroki Okabe, Tomohiro Shinagawa, Yoshihiro Shinozaki
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Patent number: 11721826Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell assembly (SOFC) and a method for making the SOFC are provided. An exemplary method includes forming a functionalized zeolite templated carbon (ZTC). The functionalized ZTC is formed by forming a CaX zeolite, depositing carbon in the CaX zeolite using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process to form a carbon/zeolite composite, treating the carbon/zeolite composite with a solution comprising hydrofluoric acid to form a ZTC, and treating the ZTC to add catalyst sites. The functionalized ZTC is incorporated into electrodes by forming a mixture of the functionalized ZTC with a calcined solid oxide electrolyte and calcining the mixture. The method includes forming an electrode assembly, forming the SOFC assembly, and coupling the SOFC assembly to a cooling system.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Ahmad D. Hammad, Issam T. Amr, Yuguo Wang, Georgios Lithoxoos, Rashid M. Othman
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Patent number: 11721819Abstract: A fuel cell system for air vehicles, wherein the fuel cell system comprises: a fuel cell, a fuel gas system for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell, a potential sensor, and a controller; wherein the fuel gas system comprises a fuel gas supplier; wherein the controller determines whether or not a potential of the fuel cell measured by the potential sensor, is a reversal potential; and wherein, when the controller determines that the potential of the fuel cell is a reversal potential, the controller increases a fuel gas supply from the fuel gas supplier to the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroki Okabe, Tomohiro Shinagawa, Yoshihiro Shinozaki
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Patent number: 11715835Abstract: An interconnector plate for a fuel cell and a fuel cell system for an aircraft. For better extraction of the energy generated by the fuel cell, an interconnector plate can be attached by form fit to fixing studs of the fuel cell by retaining eyes. The interconnector plate may additionally be secured using glass solder. In preparation for a higher power density, a fuel cell can be produced in ceramic by 3D-printing and has an improved power density because of its helical shape.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbHInventors: Kristian Zimmermann, Stephan Friedl
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Patent number: 11715836Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel cell having an air inlet port and an air outlet port and an air supply system having a compressor connected in fluid communication with the inlet port and a throttle valve connected in fluid communication with the outlet port. A controller is programmed to change a position of the throttle valve based on a target mass air flow, a measured mass air flow, a measured pressure, and the position of the throttle valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hao Wang, Zeng Qiu, Rajit Johri
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Patent number: 11710835Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a stack including a plurality of fuel cells stacked together, at least one dummy cell in contact with the stack at an end portion of the stack in a stacking direction, a reactant gas supply path configured to supply a reactant gas that is either a fuel gas or an oxidant gas to the fuel cells and the dummy cell, and a reactant gas discharge path in communication with the fuel cells and the dummy cell. The fuel cells and the dummy cell each include a reactant gas flow path configured to cause the reactant gas from the reactant gas supply path to flow toward the reactant gas discharge path. Pressure loss of the reactant gas flow path of the dummy cell is smaller than pressure loss of the reactant gas flow path of the fuel cells.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuto Tamura, Tomoo Yoshizumi
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Patent number: 11705580Abstract: Electrolytes for lithium ion batteries with carbon-based, silicon-based, or carbon- and silicon-based anodes include a lithium salt; a nonaqueous solvent comprising at least one of the following components: (i) an ester, (ii) a sulfur-containing solvent, (iii) a phosphorus-containing solvent, (iv) an ether, (v) a nitrile, or any combination thereof, wherein the lithium salt is soluble in the solvent; a diluent comprising a fluoroalkyl ether, a fluorinated orthoformate, a fluorinated carbonate, a fluorinated borate, a fluorinated phosphate, a fluorinated phosphite, or any combination thereof, wherein the lithium salt has a solubility in the diluent at least 10 times less than a solubility of the lithium salt in the solvent; and an additive having a different composition than the lithium salt, a different composition than the solvent, and a different composition than the diluent. In some electrolytes, the nonaqueous solvent comprises an ester.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Xia Cao, Ji-Guang Zhang, Wu Xu
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Patent number: 11699798Abstract: A direct alcohol fuel cell having an inner housing, and a proton exchange membrane separating an anode section from a cathode section. The anode section contains an anode collection element electrically connected to an anode catalyst that is in diffusive communication with a fuel supply. The cathode section contains a cathode collection element having one or more ventilation holes is electrically connected to a cathode catalyst. An oleophobic filter and/or an anion-exchange membrane is provided, which cathode catalyst via the one or more ventilation holes and the oleophobic filter and/or the anion-exchange membrane is in diffusive communication with a gaseous oxidant. The inner housing has a bottom and walls extending from the bottom to contain the anode section, the PEM and the cathode section, the bottom and/or the walls having holes allowing fluid communication from a fuel supply to the anode section. The fuel cell is suited for microelectronic devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2019Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Torsten Lund-Olesen, Kasper Vestentoft, Oskar Tynelius, Jacob Lindner Bonde, Jan Harry Hales, Leif Hojslet Christensen
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Patent number: 11695128Abstract: A conductor assembly including an electrically conductive material defining a longitudinal axis, a microporous membrane surrounding the electrically conductive material defining a series of pores, and a ceramic material within at least a first portion of the series of pores.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Haralambos Cordatos, Peter J. Walsh, Theresa A. Hugener
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Patent number: 11691493Abstract: A battery tray for an electric vehicle includes a tub component that has a floor portion and a perimeter wall portion that integrally extends upward around a peripheral edge of the floor portion to border a battery containment area of the tub component. The tub component may include a plurality of cross member portions that integrally interconnect with the floor portion and the perimeter wall portion so as to span laterally across the battery containment area to divide the battery containment area into separate compartments. A support structure of the battery tray may have an elongated member coupled at an exterior side of each of opposing longitudinal sections of the perimeter wall portion of the tub component.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Shape Corp.Inventors: Mark Charles Stephens, Joseph Robert Matecki, Bob Brady, Matthew Kuipers, Paul Michael Roehm
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Patent number: 11695141Abstract: An ECU of a fuel cell system supplies cathode gas by rotating an air pump at a low-load rotational speed and performs a low-load power generation in a fuel cell stack, while a moving body is traveling. When the fuel cell stack generates power while the moving body is stopped, the ECU increases the supply amount of the cathode gas by rotating the air pump at a during-stoppage-of-traveling rotational speed which is greater than the low-load rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryoji Sakai, Kazuhide Inoue
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Patent number: 11688910Abstract: A battery tray for an electric vehicle includes a tub component that has a floor portion and a perimeter wall portion that integrally extends upward around a peripheral edge of the floor portion to border a battery containment area of the tub component. The tub component may include a plurality of cross member portions that integrally interconnect with the floor portion and the perimeter wall portion so as to span laterally across the battery containment area to divide the battery containment area into separate compartments. A support structure of the battery tray may have an elongated member coupled at an exterior side of each of opposing longitudinal sections of the perimeter wall portion of the tub component.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Shape Corp.Inventors: Mark Charles Stephens, Joseph Robert Matecki, Bob Brady, Matthew Kuipers, Paul Michael Roehm
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Patent number: 11680162Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a fluoropolymer, a polymerized ionic liquid block copolymer (PILBC), and a catalyst, where the fluoropolymer is configured to affect ionic mobility, and the PILBC is configured to affect a property of the catalyst. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the property may include at least one of oxygen transport and/or an active site functionality of the catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLCInventors: Kenneth Charles Neyerlin, Yawei Li, Timothy Blair Van Cleve
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Patent number: 11677099Abstract: Stacking system and method for continuously piling cutouts from at least one foil- or membrane-like material web onto a stack, wherein the at least one foil- or membrane-like material web is continuously fed, the at least one foil- or membrane-like material web is cut to a size dependent on the dimensions of the stack to form a blank, the blank is received by a magazine of a continuously moving, in particular rotating, transfer apparatus having a plurality of magazines, and where the received blank is transferred from the magazine onto the stack, before the magazine receives a subsequent blank.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Torsten May, Jonas Pils, Sr., Luciano Wolke Da Silva