Patents by Inventor Amir Faghri
Amir Faghri has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11571978Abstract: A charging cable apparatus having a connector, an electrically-conductive cable extending from the connector, the cable configured to be connectable to a charging station for receiving a charging current from the charging station, and having a heat pipe with a phase change section having a wicking structure, the wicking structure having a working fluid therein during operation for receiving heat generated during current flow within the cable. The charging cable apparatus may further have an external condensing surface in fluid communication with the phase change section of the heat pipe for accelerating condensation of evaporated working fluid. The charging cable apparatus may be connected to a charging station for charging an electric battery such as a battery of an electric vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignees: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma, The Board of the Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, The University of ConnecticutInventors: Hamidreza Shabgard, Amir Faghri, Kenneth Goodson, Mehdi Asheghi
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Publication number: 20200395147Abstract: A heat sink apparatus having a pair of casings hinged in a clamshell arrangement and configured to contain a portion of an electric charging cable, the casings each having an inner space which contains a phase change material for absorbing heat generated during current flow through the electric charging cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Inventors: Hamidreza Shabgard, Amir Faghri, Kenneth Goodson, Mehdi Asheghi
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Patent number: 10218010Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a fuel cell module that produces heat and water, and a thermal energy storage module that stores the heat produced by the fuel cell module. The thermal energy storage module includes a phase-change material. A conduit couples the fuel cell module to the thermal energy storage module. The conduit is oriented to channel the water produced by the fuel cell module through the thermal energy storage module.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignees: The Boeing Company, University of ConnecticutInventors: Joseph Sherman Breit, Casey Joe Roberts, Amir Faghri, Travis Robert Ward, Christopher Robak
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Patent number: 9548504Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a fuel cell module that produces heat and water, and a thermal energy storage module that stores the heat produced by the fuel cell module. The thermal energy storage module includes a phase-change material. A conduit couples the fuel cell module to the thermal energy storage module. The conduit is oriented to channel the water produced by the fuel cell module through the thermal energy storage module.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2012Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignees: University of Connecticut, The Boeing CompanyInventors: Joseph Sherman Breit, Casey Joe Roberts, Amir Faghri, Travis Robert Ward, Christopher Robak
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Publication number: 20160380279Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a fuel cell module that produces heat and water, and a thermal energy storage module that stores the heat produced by the fuel cell module. The thermal energy storage module includes a phase-change material. A conduit couples the fuel cell module to the thermal energy storage module. The conduit is oriented to channel the water produced by the fuel cell module through the thermal energy storage module.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Joseph Sherman Breit, Casey Joe Roberts, Amir Faghri, Travis Robert Ward, Christopher Robak
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Publication number: 20130189594Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a fuel cell module that produces heat and water, and a thermal energy storage module that stores the heat produced by the fuel cell module. The thermal energy storage module includes a phase-change material. A conduit couples the fuel cell module to the thermal energy storage module. The conduit is oriented to channel the water produced by the fuel cell module through the thermal energy storage module.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2012Publication date: July 25, 2013Inventors: Joseph Sherman Breit, Casey Joe Roberts, Amir Faghri, Travis Robert Ward, Christopher Robak
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Patent number: 7829211Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for passive thermal-fluids management in a liquid feed fuel cell. In particular, the present invention provides a system and method for passive thermal-fluids management in a direct methanol fuel cell having a methanol storage medium and a methanol and water mixing medium. The fuel cell may also include a methanol distribution medium that facilitates uniform distribution of methanol to the mixing medium and the anode, wherein the methanol and water are used for fuel by the direct methanol fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2005Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Univeristy of ConnecticutInventors: Amir Faghri, Zhen Guo
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Patent number: 7625649Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell system, such as a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) that uses passive approaches to thermal-fluids management. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a fuel cell is provided that uses a passive fuel delivery system. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a fuel cell is provided that passively transports water from the cathode or an external source to the anode. In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, a fuel cell is provided that passively directs heat to an evaporation pad to facilitate evaporation of fuel. In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, a fuel cell is provided that provides passive carbon dioxide gas management.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: University of ConnecticutInventors: Amir Faghri, Zhen Guo
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Publication number: 20060292412Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for passive thermal-fluids management in a liquid feed fuel cell. In particular, the present invention provides a system and method for passive thermal-fluids management in a direct methanol fuel cell having a methanol storage medium and a methanol and water mixing medium. The fuel cell may also include a methanol distribution medium that facilitates uniform distribution of methanol to the mixing medium and the anode, wherein the methanol and water are used for fuel by the direct methanol fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2005Publication date: December 28, 2006Inventors: Amir Faghri, Zhen Guo
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Publication number: 20060286436Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for forming an air breathing fuel cell that includes an air permeable cathode layer positioned to be in contact with atmospheric air and an electrically conductive, fuel permeable anode backing layer positioned to be in contact with a mixture of fuel and water, wherein the anode and cathode layers are divided by a pre-swollen electrolyte membrane, and the anode and cathode layers are in contact with electrical current collecting members. The present invention also provides a fuel cell stack consisting of fuel cells of the present invention arranged in a grid-like format within a support frame that is configured to provide electrical connections between the fuel cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2005Publication date: December 21, 2006Inventors: Amir Faghri, Zhen Guo
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Publication number: 20050037253Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for distributing heat in a fuel cell stack through a bipolar interconnection plate that incorporates heat pipe technology within the bipolar plate body to form a bipolar interconnection plate heat pipe combination for improved thermal management in fuel cell stacks.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2003Publication date: February 17, 2005Inventor: Amir Faghri
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Publication number: 20050026015Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for distributing heat in a fuel cell stack through bipolar interconnection plates having one or more heat pipes disposed within the plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2003Publication date: February 3, 2005Inventor: Amir Faghri
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Patent number: 5297619Abstract: A heat pipe is disclosed for use in a vapor-absorption heat pump to provide high efficiency heat transfer between first and second fluids in contact with opposing first and second faces of the heat pipe. Although preferably disk-shaped and adapted for rotation for use in compact heat pumps, the heat pipe may be used in heat pump applications requiring other shapes, and may be either fixed or moving. In a further aspect of the invention, a vapor-absorption heat pump is provided incorporating at least one such heat pipe in at least one component thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1992Date of Patent: March 29, 1994Assignee: Wright State UniversityInventor: Amir Faghri
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Patent number: 5269369Abstract: A temperature regulation system for the human body is provided which uses heat pipes to distribute energy to and from portions of a body to provide heating or cooling by redistributing body heat. The heat pipes are incorporated into a garment, a blanket and a pad which may be used for medical treatment or activities or for activities in environments having extreme temperatures. Supplemental means for heating and cooling are included to improve heating or cooling to a body, and to provide heating or cooling to limited areas of a body.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1991Date of Patent: December 14, 1993Assignee: Wright State UniversityInventor: Amir Faghri
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Patent number: 5225812Abstract: A protective composite liner for installation inside a vessel, such as a supertanker, is proposed with an outer layer of high strength fibers, a middle layer of flexible, high strength, resilient film material, and an inner chemical resistant layer. Means for anchoring the protective composite liner and sensor means for detecting a leak are further provided for use with the liner of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1991Date of Patent: July 6, 1993Assignee: Wright State UniversityInventor: Amir Faghri
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Patent number: 5201196Abstract: A heat pipe is disclosed for use in a vapor-absorption heat pump to provide high efficiency heat transfer between first and second fluids in contact with opposing first and second faces of the heat pipe. Although preferably disk-shaped and adapted for rotation for use in compact heat pumps, the heat pipe may be used in heat pump applications requiring other shapes, and may be either fixed or moving. In a further aspect of the invention, a vapor-absorption heat pump is provided incorporating at least one such heat pipe in at least one component thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1991Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: Wright State UniversityInventor: Amir Faghri
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Patent number: 5000252Abstract: A thermal management system includes micro heat pipes extending radially outward from a heat sink which surrounds a heat source, rapidly conducting thermal energy away from the heat source, improving significantly the storage of thermal energy in the heat sink, and providing a means for later dissipating thermal energy from the heat sink to an ultimate heat sink over a period of time.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1990Date of Patent: March 19, 1991Assignee: Wright State UniversityInventor: Amir Faghri
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Patent number: 4976308Abstract: A modified tube and shell heat exchanger is comprised of a tube of heat sink material having micro heat pipes extending outward into the volume between the tube and shell to enable the rapid and efficient transfer and storage of thermal energy into the heat sink from a liquid or gas circulated through the volume. Several embodiments of the invention include modifications to the heat pipes. An alternative embodiment reverses the location of the heat sink to fill the volume between the shell and tube, adapting the tube for fluid flow, and orients heat pipes inward into the tubes and outward beyond the shell in various arrangements. The heat exchanger is further shown embodied in a system for the removal, transfer, storage and dissipation of thermal energy from a heat source for ground-based and space-based applications.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1990Date of Patent: December 11, 1990Assignee: Wright State UniversityInventor: Amir Faghri